Buddha Hokekyo, faith, practice, realization

in the Nichiren SHU Tradition

WHO ARE WE.. ~ Community of Mahayana Nichiren Buddhist Lay Persons

The Hokekyo is a community of sincere people who have taken a vow to spread the word of Buddha Dharma/Wisdom and to live a life of personal growth, health and happiness.

For Nichiren believers practicing in the spirit of SHU [mindful] this means understanding and accepting that a fisherman's son, following many years of faith and study took the name Nichiren, which translates as [Sun Lotus ] and founded the Nichiren School or Sect of Buddha teachings proclaiming that all people could attain enlightenment in this lifetime through a method for the times, practice, study and personal Realization. A foundation of faith, practice and study, with a fundamental method of sound meditation; the chanting of Namu~ Myoho~Renge~Kyo, the infinite title of the Lotus [Hokekyo] Sutra, which contains the whole and complete wisdom teachings of the Buddha for all times. Accepting life's challenges as opportunity, by expatiating negative karma into positive karma. By accepting Ones Buddha nature through living a lifestyle of health and happiness. By understanding that Buddhahood cannot be achieved unless one helps relieve the suffering of others, through sharing this dynamic living philosophy of actual proof with others.

Nichiren, the Great Sage of our times in the Latter Day of the Law, [three time periods Former Day of the Law - some three thousand years ago, Middle Day of the Law - the journey of a thousand years and the present Latter Day of the Law lasting for 10,000 years; we are in the second thousand years of this time span.] Nichiren inscribed the story of Buddha Dharma on a Great Mandala or Gohonzon, enabling all people to contemplate the wisdom and enlightenment of the Buddha-way.

Hokekyo members take a vow to protect the Laws of the Buddha-way. Each member in time may receive a Great Mandala for their home Spiritual [Holy] Space and personal use. On this Gohonzon Nichiren inscribed the following, "sincerely to the people of Hokekyo," which translates as believers in the Lotus teachings.

During the past seven hundred and fifty eight years since the founding of the Nichiren Buddhist Sect followers of the Lotus teachings have at times had to remain hidden due to government and political times. But, since the end of the Second World War and the new Freedom of Religion Act in Japan millions of people in many countries have become aware not only of this Sect of Buddha Dharma, but have also assisted in the building of centers and temples for the spread of Buddha Wisdom in their respective countries. In Canada, we are pioneers of the Nichiren Shu mission with only two centers; our little Community on Vancouver Island, and a Centre in Toronto.  There was an actual Temple in Vancouver, BC but during the war the government dismantled it. Our goal is to actualize a new Temple for Western Canada here on Vancouver Island through our devotion, energy and the universal Law of Generousity.

In the By-Laws of the Hokekyo organization Chapter Covenant, Article Three it states: "They will help one another to increase and advance the three practices of faith, practice and study and will protect and strive for the prosperity of their local temples. Herein lies the great objective of propagating the Great Law." As we have seen through our sharing sessions and this Retreat of Teachings, through our Introduction to the Living Philosophy of the Buddha teachings we have an opportunity to find answers to All our questions, to find solutions to all our desires and an opportunity to not only live a respectful and worthy lifestyle, but to be able to assist others as we grow in our own Body, Mind and Spirit.

The fundamental objective of the our Community is to share and teach even one line about the benefits of the Buddha-way for our times, our neighbourhood and mother earth.

Our Nichiren Community Sangha is guided by our Sponsors, Guide Teachers, and the Priesthood. Only 758 years in existence our Nichiren Sect of the Latter Day of the Law, offers an opportunity for all members to help bring peace to themselves, to their loved ones and to their Community, through faith, practice and personal realizations.

Our Buddhist philosophy is exciting and real, being one of actual proof. By understanding the needs of those awakened to their Buddha nature our Community can assist others find answers to their questions about the challenges of life. Nichiren Hokekyo members not only practice their faith on a daily basis, they vow to support the their local Sangha and are encouraged to visit a Temple though the Temple may be many miles away and further encouraged to visit the land where Nichiren was born, Japan. Today's Buddhists are goal oriented and realize that world peace cannot come about unless each individual is first at peace with him/her self. With an obligation to spread that peacefulness to loved ones, to the local community and so on. An active goal of Nichiren Buddhists is the achievement of Kosen Rufu, as defined in the Lotus Sutra, spiritual sustain-ability and peaceful means for all people beyond borders, cultural differences and personalities.

Each day our Community members chant the sound of Namu~ Myoho~Renge~Kyo, over and over, the infinite title of the Lotus Sutra, sending this energy force out into the universe to connect with and nourish the guardians of the universe so that they will be able to continually protect those who embrace their Buddha nature. This is known as the active dynamics of Cause, Effect and Karma. The goal of the Sun Lotus Teacher was to bestow the seeds of Buddhahood to everyone.  As the great scholar, teacher, Chinese Priest, T'ien t'ai Chi I  stated in the Middle Day of the Law,"Receive the teaching because of the powers of faith, and keep it because of the power of determination." And, as the first historical earthly Buddha Guatama Shakyamuni shares, "if you wish to achieve enlightenment, chop wood, harvest vegetables, carry water; having achieved enlightenment, chop wood, harvest vegetables, carry water."    In other words no affairs of life are any different from the daily practice of living to the best of our ability and means.

The primary determination of Hokekyo members is to never cease chanting "Daimoku.*" The object of faith for a Hokekyo member then is to live dynamic, fun, happy, outstanding life of indestructable happiness through the discovery and development of their Buddha nature.       So may it be !       *Daimoku....... the Title of a Teaching, infinite title of Lotus Sutra