[A Guide to HBS]
The Teachings and Practices of HBS
Rev. Nisso Fukuoka
41. Three treasures in a period without the Buddha
There is no path to eradicate suffering and distress other than by chanting the Odaimoku and following the teachings of the Lotus Sutra diligently. The Buddha, with great mercy and compassion, gave us the Odaimoku to chant. However, if the chanting of the Odaimoku is insufficient, sins within the soul will reemerge and cause various illusions. Moreover, a bad soul will torment you, so be careful.
42. The sacred object (Myoho) is living
The Odaimoku is like a cleaner and sins are like filth. Believing in the religious teachings and chanting the Odaimoku from your heart is analagous to a cleaner washing away filth. Sins will be filtered. Chanting the Odaimoku only once ie useful. However, chanting the Odaimoku repeatedly will sweep your soul with the Odaimoku, and will enable you to accumulate immeasurable merits.
43. Selection of the sacred object
By diligently chanting the Odaimoku in front of a Gohonzon, the spirits of the Buddha, Taho Buddha, Bodhisattvas, Guardian Kings of Heaven and others will all congregate together to protect you. That is analogous to water attracting fish and forests attracting birds.
44. Two Buddhas
Some people of other sects say, “you, Nissen Shonin recite the One Session of the Fine Congregation, the Title of the Twenty-eight Chapters of the Lotus Sutra, and other phrases in the “Divine or Supernatural Power". Isn't that practice contrary to what you say and do?"
Let me respond to that comment. The priests of other sects merely read the Chinese “kanji" characters of sutras without understanding their true meanings. An absurd practice. The sutras in the “One Session of the Fine Congregation" praised the Odaimoku, and the phrases used are for the purpose of spreading the Lotus Sutra teachings. Reciting it is not in anticipation for enlightenment or attaining Buddhahood. Therefore, those who recite randomly the selected sutras or phrases of Nichiren Shonin's teachings by just reading the “kanji" merely use this to receive merits. That is a mistaken viewpoint. Reciting sutras, instead of chanting the Odainoku, is destroying Nichiren Shonin's intention for the salvation of the people. We, HBS practitioners, should voice our objection to reciting sutras in a wrong manner. The Basic Principle of the Odaimoku: Most people think that the Odaimoku of the Wonderful Dharma is the title of the Lotus Sutra. It is not. Nor is it a connotation of its teachings. It is a part of the twenty-eight chapters and 69,384 words contained in the eight scrolls, which gave birth to the Lotus Sutra, the foundation and spirit of the Odaimoku. It is a deep secret treasure contained in the “Ichinen Sanzen" (Three Thousand Realms in a Moment's Thought", which only the Buddha can receive.) To be born as a human being and to be able to bear the priceless religious teachings is a reward. Therefore, discard your forbearance and prejudice. Chant only the Odainoku, Namumyohorengekyo, of the Eternal Buddha with a faithful soul.
45. What is substance of the sacred object (Myoho)?
Do not entertain various thoughts while chanting the Odaimoku. Of course, to doubt the Odainoku is not good. Just chant the Odaimoku with a feeling of gratefulness. Why? Because tbe Odaimoku of the Fine Dharma embraces Buddha's spirit. It is difficult for the common people to comprehend. By earnestly chanting the Odaimoku, one can attain spiritual enlightenment of the Buddha. Even an extraordinary porson like Great Master Tendai was unable to understand the Buddha's world of enlightenment. Therefore, it is unlikely that a common pereon of the Mappo Period will be able to comprehend it by self-study. One can gain and store merits of enlightenment in the soul from the energy embodied in the Odaimoku. They can also enter into the same world of enlightenment that the Eternal Buddha had experienced by chanting the Odaimoku.
