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Welcome to “Singularity Chanting.” This is a world of chanting practice held in the Metaverse. Here, you can experience clearing your mind’s filters, free from ego and delusions. Feel the spirit of Nichiren who endured a harsh life on the frigid Sado Island, and begin your journey towards becoming one in mind, if different in body. By deeply feeling the connection between yourself and others, you can take a step towards a more peaceful world.
Encouraging Words from the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin:
Original Text and Explanation from “The Gratitude of Nichiren Daishonin”
Text
“Thus, Nichiren is a practitioner of the Lotus Sutra. The Lotus Sutra is Nichiren’s father and mother. Nichiren is the child of the Lotus Sutra. It is natural for a child to feel gratitude towards their parents. Nichiren’s faith in the Lotus Sutra is stronger than the gratitude he feels towards his parents. My parents gave me my physical body, but the Lotus Sutra gave me my Buddha nature. The physical body will perish, but the Buddha nature will not. The Buddha nature will remain eternally in nirvana. Therefore, Nichiren considers faith in the Lotus Sutra to be the greatest form of gratitude.”
Meaning and Explanation
This passage expresses Nichiren Daishonin’s profound sense of gratitude towards the Lotus Sutra.
- “The Lotus Sutra is Nichiren’s father and mother”: The Lotus Sutra taught Nichiren Daishonin the truth of Buddhism and showed him the path to enlightenment. For this reason, he refers to the Lotus Sutra as his “father and mother.”
- “It is natural for a child to feel gratitude towards their parents”: A child naturally feels gratitude towards their parents for giving them life and raising them.
- “Nichiren’s faith in the Lotus Sutra is stronger than the gratitude he feels towards his parents”: Nichiren Daishonin feels an even deeper sense of gratitude towards the Lotus Sutra than he does towards his parents, as it taught him the truth of Buddhism and helped him attain enlightenment.
- “My parents gave me my physical body, but the Lotus Sutra gave me my Buddha nature”: While his parents gave him his physical body, the Lotus Sutra endowed him with his Buddha nature. The physical body will perish, but the Buddha nature will continue to live on and reach nirvana.
- “Therefore, Nichiren considers faith in the Lotus Sutra to be the greatest form of gratitude”: Thus, Nichiren Daishonin views his faith in the Lotus Sutra as the greatest form of gratitude.
Source
- The Gratitude of Nichiren Daishonin: A writing by Nichiren Daishonin addressed to his disciple, the Nun of Shinano, explaining his deep sense of gratitude towards the Lotus Sutra.
Additional Notes
The writings of Nichiren Daishonin are full of words that give us courage and hope to live through life. If you feel lost or anxious in your daily life, please read his writings for encouragement.
