User:BrandenburgG/sandbox: Difference between revisions

==== Changing karma to mission ====

Nichiren was deeply aware of the sufferingskarmic struggles his followers faced in their day-to-day existence and encouraged them that that they could "cross the sea of suffering" (''Shiji Shiro-dono gosho''). Through prevailing over these situations, he taught, they would establish a sense of inner freedom, peace of mind, and understanding of the Dharma that persisted independent of the the ups and downs of circumstances. He accepted prevailing Buddhist notions about karma that taught that a person's current conditions were a result of thoughts, words, and actions accumulated in the past. He showed little concern, however, for attributing current circumstances to supposed past deeds. Rather, he viewed karma through the lens of the teachings of the Lotus Sutra which could enable all people to become Buddhas, even the ignorant and evil people of the [[Three Ages of Buddhism#Latter Day of the Law|Latter Day of the Law]].<ref name=Stone2014b>{{Cite journal|url=http://www.princeton.edu/~jstone/Articles%20on%20the%20Lotus%20Sutra%20Tendai%20and%20Nichiren%20Buddhism/A%20Votary%20of%20the%20Lotus%20Sutra%20Will%20Meet%20Ordeals%20--The%20Role%20of%20Suffering%20in%20Nichiren%27s%20Thought%20(2014).pdf|first=Jacqueline I. |last=Stone |title=A votary of the Lotus Sutra will meet ordeals: The role of suffering in Nichiren's thought |journal=Dharma World |date=January-March 2014|website=www.princeton.edu|access-date=2018-12-05T10:02:35Z}}</ref>{{rp|30-32}}

TheWhen confronting karmic situations, the act of chanting [[Namu Myōhō Renge Kyō|Nam(u)-myoho-renge-kyo]] would open the wisdom of the Buddha, transforming karma into mission and a creative and joy-filled way of life. Beyond the sphere of a single individual's life, the process would awaken a person's concern for the broader society and sense of social responsibility.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Habito|first=Ruben L.F.|date=2005|title=Review of Nichiren, der Ausubende des Lotos-Sutra by Yukio Matsudo|url=https://nirc.nanzan-u.ac.jp/nfile/2868|journal=Japanese Journal of Religious Studies|volume=32/1|pages=166-174|via=}}</ref>{{rp|168}}

Nichiren introduced the term "votary of the Lotus Sutra" (''Hokekyō no gyōja'') to describe himself. The Lotus Sutra itself speaks of the great trials that will be faced by individuals who base themselves on its teachings and attempt to spread it. Nichiren claims he read the sutra "bodily" (''shikidoku''), voluntarily inviting the entailing the hardships it predicts rather than just reciting or meditating on its words.<ref name=Stone2014b />{{rp|35-36}}

Through challenging these persecutions Nichiren claimed to have discovered his personal mission and felt great joy even when experiencing the harshness of exile. His sufferings became, in his thinking, redemptive opportunities to change his karma and give his life transcendanttranscendent meaning.<ref name=Stone2014b />{{rp|37}}

In enduring severe persecutions Nichiren claimed that the negative karma he had accumulated from the past could be eradicated quickly in his current life. He was an active agent in this process, not a victim. He even expressed appreciation to his tormentors for giving him the opportunity to serve as an envoy of the Buddha.<ref name=Stone2014c>{{Cite journal|url=http://www.princeton.edu/~jstone/Articles%20on%20the%20Lotus%20Sutra%20Tendai%20and%20Nichiren%20Buddhism/A%20Votary%20of%20the%20Lotus%20Sutra%20Will%20Meet%20Ordeals%20--The%20Role%20of%20Suffering%20in%20Nichiren%27s%20Thought%20(2014).pdf|first=Jacqueline I. |last=Stone |title=A votary of the Lotus Sutra will meet ordeals: The role of suffering in Nichiren's thought |journal=Dharma World |date=April-June 2014|website=www.princeton.edu|access-date=2018-12-05T10:02:35Z}}</ref>{{rp|34,36}}

In letters to some of his followers Nichiren extended the concept of meeting persecution for the sake of propagating the Dharma to experiencing tribulations in life such as problems with family discord or illness. He encouraged themthese followers to take ownership for such life events and view them as opportunities to repay karmic debts and mitigate them in shorter periods of time than would otherwise be the case.<ref name=Stone2014c />{{rp|37}}