 |
Happiness In This World
There is no greater happiness for human beings than chanting
Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. The sutra says, "The people there
[in my land] are happy and at ease."1
"Happy and at ease" here means the joy derived
from the Law. You are obviously included among the "people,"
and "there" indicates the entire world, which
includes Japan. "Happy and at ease" means to know
that our lives--both our bodies and minds, ourselves and
our surroundings--are the entities of ichinen sanzen
and the Buddha of absolute freedom. There is no greater
happiness than having faith in the Lotus Sutra. It promises
us "peace and security in this life and good circumstances
in the next."2
Never let life's hardships disturb you. After all,
no one can avoid problems, not even saints or sages.
Just chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, and when you drink sake, stay
at home with your wife. Suffer what there is to suffer, enjoy
what there is to enjoy. Regard both suffering and joy as facts
of life and continue chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, no matter what
happens. Then you will experience boundless joy from the Law.
Strengthen your faith more than ever.
With my deep respect,
Nichiren
The twenty-seventh day of the sixth month
in the second year of Kenji (1276)
Footnotes:
- Lotus Sutra, Chap.
16.
- Lotus
Sutra., Chap. 5.
|
