BUDDHISM
BUDDHA: A person who perceives within his own life the essence, or reality of life This ultimate reality supports and nourishes humanity and all other living beings Those who have perceived this ultimate reality inherent in their own lives truly know themselves BODHISATTVA: Those who truly strive for the sake of others The power, which infuses them with the desire to help others, is the impartial and infinite compassion of the Buddha called jihi
Shakyamuni (Gautama Sidhartha) One person’s search for a solution to human suffering After years of strenuous effort, he experienced a profound enlightenment to the essential nature of reality He spent the rest of his life traveling throughout India to share with people the insight he had gained (Sutras) His last 8 years were spent teaching the Lotus Sutra, which contains the key message that Buddhahood – a condition of absolute happiness, freedom from fear and from illusions – is inherent in all life
500 BC2000 AD Shakyamuni: Lotus Sutra – enlightenment is possible for all people India ChinaKorea Japan T’ien-tai: 3000 realms in a single moment of life Dengyo: Lotus Sutra proclaims the Buddha nature inherent in all human beings Sri Lanka South East Asia 190 Countries & Territories Tibet Nichiren: Everyone has potential to attain Buddhahood in this life time, in one’s present form, by chanting Nam-myoho- renge-kyo 1930 Soka Gakkai: Nichiren Buddhism spreads throughout the world
Nam-myoho-renge-kyo Nam ~ to devote oneself; correct action one needs to take and attitude one needs to develop to attain Buddhahood in this life time Myoho ~ the Mystic Law; very essence of life which defies intellectual understanding, and its tangible manifestations Renge ~ lotus flower; simultaneity of cause and effect – we create our destiny and we can change it Kyo ~ sutra, the voice or teaching of the Buddha; sound, rhythm, or vibration; continuity of life throughout past, present, and future
Human Revolution The liberation of the spirit from within The liberation of the spirit from within Continual process of renewal and invigoration, the development of one person’s boundless inner capacity to lead a creative and contributive life through his or her own effort Continual process of renewal and invigoration, the development of one person’s boundless inner capacity to lead a creative and contributive life through his or her own effort “A great revolution in a single individual will help achieve a change in the destiny of a society, and further, will enable a change in the destiny of humankind.” – Daisaku Ikeda “A great revolution in a single individual will help achieve a change in the destiny of a society, and further, will enable a change in the destiny of humankind.” – Daisaku Ikeda