Thoughts for the Week Library
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May 14 - May 20, 2012
People have a keen eye for the faults of others but are blind to their own.
~ Nikkyo Niwano
May 7 - May 13, 2012
Think of others as you would of yourself.
~ Nikkyo Niwano
April 30 - May 6, 2012
Begin by doing one thing thoroughly.
~ Nikkyo Niwano
April 23 - April 29, 2012
"My pure land is never destroyed, yet all see it as consumed by fire and filled with every kind of grief, horror, pain, and distress. All those deluded living beings, by reason of their bad karma, throughout immeasurable kalpas cannot hear the name ‘Three Treasures.’ But those who perform virtuous deeds, who are gentle and of upright nature, they can all see that I am here teaching the Dharma…Such is the power of my wisdom! Infinitely does my wisdom-light shine!"
~ Lotus Sutra, Chapter 16
April 16 - April 22, 2012
Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.
~ The Buddha
April 9 - April 15, 2012
If someone has not encountered the Lotus Sutra this lifetime, there are others teaching Universal Truth in other forms, and they are doing the Buddha's work also. If you try to find these bodhisattvas and praise their merits, then you will find treasure in your heart that will start shining.
~ from Kosho Niwano's book, Emulating Founder Niwano
April 2 - April 8, 2012
When you say Lotus Sutra, it doesn’t mean only this text that we chant from, but if any teachings teach the Universal Truth, then all of them are part of the Lotus Sutra.
~ from Kosho Niwano's book, Emulating Founder Niwano
March 26 - April 1, 2012
If you run away from suffering, it simply grows bigger and bigger.
~ Nichiko Niwano
March 19 - 25, 2012
Always consider others first.
~ Nichiko Niwano
March 12 - 18, 2012
Never forget to smile and respond to others clearly and cheerfully.
~ Nichiko Niwano
March 5 - 11, 2012
What is important is what you are doing now and what you do next.
~ Nichiko Niwano
February 27 - March 4, 2012
Abandon the idea that you are the only one who is right. There is no need for praise from others and there is no reason to trouble others. We are all equal.
~ Nichiko Niwano
February 20 - 26, 2012
Rather than approaching our practice with the focus of becoming a Buddha or Bodhisattva, the true Bodhisattva practice of thoughtful action becomes natural when we understand true appreciation of life. Think about Bodhisattvas as “people who have fulfilled the potential of their inherent natures and characters.” This is to value all of life and it is the heart of the Bodhisattva - to realize the true aspect of life and compassionately share the Dharma with others.
~ Nichiko Niwano
February 13 - 19, 2012
To see others just as they are is to recognize their individuality and accept them as unique and precious beings. We are all different, but one person’s existence is to be cherished just as much as another’s. By recognizing our own distinctive character we are able to recognize and value that of others. Those who know that their own existence is sacred, know that others are equally sacred.
~ Nichiko Niwano
February 6 - 12, 2012
Realize that death is the conclusion for all who are born into this world, and live each and every second to the fullest.
~ Nichiko Niwano
January 30 - February 5, 2012
We can't physically live forever, but living now, this moment, is precious. When we awaken to this solemn reality, we can shift our focus for living and make every effort to spend the rest of our time in the best way possible. Therefore, by realizing the truth that all things change, our suffering will be extinguished. This extinction in a Buddhist sense, is not the same as that of "ordinary mind". According to Buddhism, it means that our problems still exist, but they are no longer a source of suffering. In reality, we still have pain and troubles, but we overcome these difficulties and they do not become our sufferings. For example, what if a person's company went into bankruptcy and they lost their job. Ordinarily, we would want to help this person find a new job, or coach them on how to get a different job. In Buddhist thought, the important thing is to help them realize "the reason for their life". When we face death squarely, we awaken to the mystery of our existence in that moment. Then we can sincerely appreciate this wonderful opportunity called life. Our hearts will turn around any difficulties, and we gain strength for the future challenges of living. That is how a person of character solves their suffering and gains a "true way of salvation".
There is a teaching; "Make yourself a light, and make the Dharma a light". This shows us how to understand the truth and the Dharma. When we truly see with this light, we free ourselves from suffering. It is very important for each of us to realize the truth; "All things are changing", and to overcome difficulties by facing them, instead of having a passive faith in which we need guidance to solve problems. It is important for each of us to become independent and to live consciously. The purpose of our practice is to deeply know the truth and the Dharma.
~ Nichiko Niwano
January 23 - 29, 2012
Take some time, go outside and take your shoes off. Let your feet feel the earth. Take a deep breath and become aware of the sky, the trees, the grass and the sounds. Re-connect. Hear the pulse of nature and breathe together with it.
~ Nichiko Niwano
January 16 - 22, 2012
According to Zen Buddhist meditation, in order to discipline your body and mind, there are three basic steps:
Adjust your posture
Adjust your breathing
Adjust your mind
This also applies to our daily lives. In order to acquire the basics, we need the power of endurance and continuance, and when we feel the happiness through the process, we will gain the motivation to move another step forward.
~ Nichiko Niwano
January 9 - 15, 2012
To overcome suffering, the first step is to see ourselves as we really are, to see how we live in interconnection with our surroundings. That is what the Eightfold Path calls “right view”.
Only with clearsightedness can we understand correctly and make good choices, which together are called “right thought”.
This enables us to get right to the point whenever we communicate with others, and that is called “right speech".
~ Nichiko Niwano
January 2 - 8, 2012
In this transient world, neither sweetness nor bitterness will remain permanently – everything changes by the minute. Even when we encounter suffering, if we realized this truth of transience, we can enjoy the taste of bitterness, the flavor that only pain can offer. When we gaze squarely at this suffering, and acknowledge and appreciate it as a part of our human life, that pain will convert into our happiness.
Also, when we realize this, even in the midst of happiness, we will be able to continue devoting ourselves to the teaching without indulging too much in that happiness. By tasting both, we can live a richer life.
~ Nichiko Niwano
December 26, 2011- January 1, 2012
Rather than speaking out what you have on your mind, the important thing is to have the mind of peacefulness to listen to what others have to say first. If your mind becomes peaceful, others will naturally open up and share with you the things that are built up in their mind. When this happens, it is vital that we listen to that person with the heart of empathy to experience the same suffering.
~ Nichiko Niwano
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