PRACTICING FOR ONESELF, PRACTICING FOR OTHERS

Solomon Ibn Gabriol (1022-1058/70), Hebrew poet and philosopher, wrote:

In seeking knowledge,the first step is silence, the second listening, the third remember, the fourth practicing, and the fifth — teaching others.
Today, a number of educational programs emphasize the power of teaching others to facilitate one’s own learning and mastery of the subject matter.
In addition, the tangible benefits of helping others, of altruism, are coming to be recognized widely in scientific and other circles as well. In the book The Healing Power of Doing Good, one researcher chronicles the results of a study about the positive effects of helping strangers. In the introduction he writes:

Now, with the findings from my survey, it has become evident that the dramatic improvements in health produced by helping have specific, identifiable stages. They begin with a physical high, a rush of good feeling. What I now call helper's high involves physical sensations that strongly indicate a sharp reduction in stress and the release of the body’s natural painkillers, the endorphins. This initial rush is then followed by a longer-lasting period of improved emotional well-being. (Allan Luks, The Healing Power of Doing Good [New York: Ballantine Books, 1991] p. 10)

It seems, then, that no matter how hard we try to be unselfish—to forget about ourselves in the service of others—we cannot avoid gaining something ourselves from the act. This is all the more so in the realm of Buddhism, the purpose of which is to enable human beings to perfect themselves while helping others to become happy. Buddhists work to help others at a most basic and essential level of life; hence the benefits to the helper occur on a deep and fundamental level.
The foundation of Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism exists in the essentials known as faith, practice and study. The element of practice is further divided into "practice for oneself" and "practice for others."

"Practice for oneself" refers to Buddhist practice to obtain the benefits of the Buddha’s teachings. For practitioners of Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism, it means to reveal Buddhahood from within through faith in the Gohonzon and exert ourselves diligently in the morning and evening ceremony of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and reciting the sutra. "Practice for others" means to enlighten or educate others. It is providing people with a means to refine, educate and develop themselves. In Buddhism it means efforts to enable others to receive the benefit of the Buddha’s teachings, that is, to enable others to awaken their innate Buddha nature. For practitioners of the Daishonin’s Buddhism, this means to share the great power and benefit of chanting daimoku to the Gohonzon.

Buddhist practice for others has its roots in the Buddha Shakyamuni’s (of Gotama’s) first public sermons. Immediately after his attainment of enlightenment, Shakyamuni wondered whether the Law or Dharma to which he had awakened was not too profound and inexplicable for people to understand, and so he hesitated to preach it. At that time, it is said, the Indian god Brahma appeared to Shakyamuni and beseeched him three times to teach the Dharma to the people. With this, Shakyamuni embarked on a lifetime of "practice for others."

He called upon new converts to join him in walking among the various countries and provinces of India to teach the Dharma. From his first sermon on, Shakyamuni and his disciples devoted themselves to educating people about their potential for enlightenment and teaching the law of life to benefit others. The Buddha’s lifetime of teaching and practice thus set the original example of Buddhist "practice for others." Shakyamuni’s teaching was not exclusivist like many Indian religious teachings of the time, but was open to all people. Regarding this, Buddhist scholar Hajime Nakamura writes:

It was unheard of in Gotama’s contemporary India to preach one’s teaching to all the people. This is obvious when we compare his situation with the various philosophers of the Upanishads, who limited their audience and often confined themselves to preaching to their own children, or distinguished individuals whom they deemed were qualified to receive instruction. Gotama Buddha broke this traditional restriction and doing so must have required considerable determination and courage. (Hajime Nakamura, Gotama Buddha. [Los Angeles: Buddhist Books International, 1987] p. 69)

After Shakyamuni’s death, such open and active teaching gradually diminished. The Buddhist monastics began to focus more on individual practices and disciplines thought to lead to enlightenment and became less engaged with the non-practicing community. This form of self-focused Buddhism was later dubbed Hinayana (Lesser Vehicle) by its critics, who felt the monks had lost the Buddha’s original spirit of "practice for others." The reformist movement called Mahayana (Greater Vehicle) began to flourish and advocated a return to Shakyamuni’s original spirit. That spirit was expressed in the ideal of the bodhisattva—a practitioner dedicated to the enlightenment and happiness of others before his or her own happiness.

We can view the Buddhism of Nichiren Daishonin as a crystallization of Mahayana practice that contains within it both practice for oneself and practice for others. The Daishonin writes; "Now in the Latter Day of the Law, the daimoku that Nichiren chants is different than that of previous ages. It is Nam-myoho-renge-kyo that entails practice both for oneself and others" (Gosho Zenshu, p. 1022).

He is saying here that the practice of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with the goals of one’s own happiness and that of others constitutes the correct and most effective Buddhist practice in this age.

A useful analogy in viewing the relationship between the basic elements of our Buddhist practice is that of an automobile. The running of the car’s engine is compared to faith, the turning of the wheels, to practice, and the driving of the car with knowledge of the directions and destination, to study. Further, the two wheels that transmit the engine’s power to the road are practice for oneself and practice for others. However much we rev the engine or how familiar we are with the route, if both wheels aren’t engaged and turning, we’re going to sit still. If one tire is flat (if either practice for self or practice for others is missing), then naturally we won’t arrive at the destination without repairing it.

Only when the power of faith (the engine) and the confidence derived from study (the ability of the driver) are strongly and consistently expressed as "practice for oneself" and "practice for others" (the wheels) will the car of our life make consistent progress toward the destination of enlightenment or happiness. From another perspective, while enlightenment is our destination, we are actually out to have a wonderful and enjoyable drive. When we harmonize these elements of Buddhist practice, our lives will be rich and enjoyable—even if there are bumps and hills to climb along the way.

We might also view "practice for others" as a lever, while our own problems and goals are like a large rock. If we try to move the rock directly, we may groan and strain against its weight without it budging. But if we use a good lever in the proper manner, we can move even an enormous rock with relative ease.

Agonizing and praying over our own problems alone may not give us the "leverage" required to move them in any meaningful way. By praying and acting for the sake of another person’s success, growth, and happiness, we can achiever the "spiritual leverage" to transform our own seemingly heavy burdens. Our own triumph then becomes "leverage" to encourage others. In this way, practice for self and practice for others are never separate.

Living Buddhism October 2000 p.6

Hi all,

I have attached the "SGI Chapter" from the New Human Revolution courtesy from YWD IICs. Please read it as this is the chapter that we will be discussing for March Institution meeting.
Click here for reading material

March Institution meeting
Date: 14/03/09
Time: 3pm - 5pm
Venue: Senja Sunrise room

Reminder
This coming thursday 05/03 @ 8pm will be our NPSD Daimokukai at Rachael's residence. For address please contact your respective IICs.

Thank you.

A big applause for the wonderful victory we have attained for the SD 25th anniversary!!

Thanks for all the efforts!! Now's the time we prepare ourselves for our upcoming March NPSD Institution mtg and the next NPSD 25 daimokukai @ Rachel's place! This thursday, 8pm! (For more details, please contact IICs, CICs or our dearest hostress, Rachel!)

Here're some pictures for the most recent NPSD-SUJ exchange!

More photos will be up soon... meanwhile, let's all wish our dearest comrade, Jerry a safe and fun trip in China! He's going WuHan on the 3rd of March, 8am to study for SIX weeks. haha...I guess, in our own way, we will miss him and his antics alot. Take Care!

NOW is the crucial moment!

The coming SD Anniversary is themed "Humanitarian Competition! Be Catalyst of Hope!", named after Ikeda Sensei's 2009 Peace Proposal to the UN.

Let's go out there and invite as many people as possible to this anniversary, be it our inactive fellow members, our schoolmates or friends.

Renew our Conviction

NPSD has targeted to invite a total of 50 YMDs and 60 YWDs to this gathering. In a campaign, we must know how far are we from victory. How strong or weak we are. 110 attendees is not a small number, yet, if each of us just reach out to 2-3 friends, we can easily reached or even surpassed our goal!

Remember the 'Ever-Victorious Kansai Campaign' in HR Chapter, Determination? To be victorious,EVERY member must have firm conviction in faith!

The more difficult the goal, the more necessary it is for every member to joyfully strive to fulfill the objective.

Chanting concrete and confident Daimoku

Despite the hostile encounters or countless rejections we might face, we (of the SGI) pray earnestly to the Gohonzon no matter what happens, with 'a mind that is gentle and forbearing'. Chant sincere daimoku with the thought, "This person also has the Buddha nature. I will send daimoku to the pure reservoir of Buddhahood in their lives."

Offering prayers is a decisive struggle. The prayers we make reflects on our life state. The thoughts in our hearts are clearly expressed to the Gohonzon. So we have to make concrete, earnest and determined prayers.

Believe in yourself and the power of the Gohonzon.

We are not practicing an authoritarium Buddhism, we cannot say that only leaders, or high priests or people who 'rub shoulders with a higher power (God/Immortal) are capable of propagating this Mystic Law. We ALL are capable!!

Genuine leaders are those who believe that ALL people have the potential to grow and develop. We must never forget that this Buddha nature in inherent in each of our lives.

Never belittle another human being or think they are just capable of attending meetings or going out for fun. We need to help our friends to be better than before! We have a duty to help every member breakthrough their lives and be significant Buddhas, who will in turn contribute to society as well!

Of course, inviting them to this meeting might not be easy, but with sincere dialogue and the thought that each of these members is a precious younger brother/sister of Ikeda Sensei, we can eventually invite them to this gathering.

If our mentor were to ask us to look after his younger siblings, we would be concerned about their faith, but also their lives and even their eating habits. We would encourage them daily and no matter how hostile they might be, we will want these members to grow.

Let's go out there NOW and speak to everyone about this wonderful Mystic Law and invite them to our coming Anniversary. Yes, we might not have time on our side. But within the next 24-36 hours, let's do our utmost to light the life of one more person, and lead them out of the sea of suffering!

If not now, then when?
If not me, then who?

Lighthouses of NPSD!
Together We Win!!

The battle of our time

Hi Npsdian,
the "hell" week have finally arrived for some as this week there will still be exams going on for some of our comrades.. Let's really pray to the Gohonzon for the wisdom to win in our exam. "Nothing can stop me, I am going to achieve victory this time round.I will win!!" Please pray earnestly with this inchinen in mind. The iics will all be praying for your success.. Rest assured it will be done..

Admist this decisive battle that you all are waging, some of you have still went all out to introduce and speak to your friend about our impending SD 25th anniversary. Sensei and Nichiren Daishoni have always assured us that no efforts for kosenrufu will go to waste, the gohonzon will surely reward your efforts and will definitely showered you with immense good fortune..

Ikeda sensei once wrote this poem:

" Having battles to fight,
makes life exciting.
Encountering great difficulties
provide us opportunities to develop
our buddhahood.
By confronting every obstacles,
we enable our Buddhahood
to strive brilliantly within our
lives."

All this battles we waged during our youth will be "treasures" in our life. It is through over-coming difficulties that we break out from our own comfort zone. It is through all the sweat and tears, all the self-doubt that we conquered that memories are entrenched in our heart for eternally. Remember, advance, struggle and win!!

Whatever the outcome maybe, carrying the spirit of NPSD, let's forged ahead with the awareness that we are the youthful master of lighthouse. "A small yet strong light that illuminates great hope in the sea of hummanity". With less than 7 days till the end of your exams and the commencement of SD/ NPSD 25th anniversary, i urged all of you to live out to the motto, NPSD, : " Together we win!! "

-Testimonial-

Kapo this from a webby.. Please read!!!

Testimonial from Sept 2008 YMD VA daimokukai!!!


N was shakubuku back in 1988. In 1988, N and I were taking our O levels exams, so we attend tuition together.

During one of tuition session, N asked , “Where can he buy a bible?”

I replied, “Why do you want to buy a bible?” Cos N got very poor results for his preliminary results in early Oct. He got 27 points and he thinks that he got no where to go. He cannot go to junior college(JC) or polytechnic. So, I asked him, “Why don’t you come and chant with me? I’ll give you free tuition.”

“So, every day you chant with me I teach you.”

At that time I was quite a good student. I has already work the 10 yr series by 2 rounds. We chanted together every morning, study and chant together in the evening again. Within 1 month, N turn the impossible possible. He got his results in 1989 March. His score decreases from 27 marks to 7 marks…That was a tremendous improvement…

From then on, he was truly convince on the power of the Gohonzon. He can go to his dream JC, Victoria JC. For a while, I lost touch with N as I got into AJC. As N went to JC, he forget about everything. Play, and went out with lots of rich people,. 2 yrs is fast. It’s time for exams again.

This time round, N didn’t practice anymore. N pass his A levels, but cannot make it to local university. So, N had to go overseas to study. As his parents are pretty well off, decided to send him to study Chemical Engineering in USA.

The real turning point came when he graduated in 1998. He return back in Jul and one day he called me. He told me that he got to make a difficult decision because his girlfriend in USA give him a choice; If he don’t return in a month, she’s going to end their relationship. He really loves this girl so much, but he felt bad cos his parents sent him to university.

Within a month he didn’t even collect a pay check yet and he got to make this tough decision whether to leave his parents to go for his love ones or to stay. He asked me for advice. I really can’t tell him anything. The only thing I had to remember is that wherever he is, as long as he have the Gohonzon, there will not be dead-end. He took my advice with so much confidence that he decided to move off and went back to USA.

That was really his turning point. When he returns to USA and back there, he participates in SGI USA activities. But he‘s like a leisure type of practitioner. When he goes over to USA, he doesn’t have the necessary work permit. He cannot find job. He bought 15 thousand and within about a year, he is left 800 hundred bucks. As he didn’t had the work permit and it’s not easy to get the job. There is nothing he can do and basically he had to try everything, i.e. like work in MacDonald’s, part time. His most difficult time is he got relegated to work in a lingerie department as wall mall.. Every time when he calls me, he will always cry.

In 2001, I went to USA and met him at Texas. After many years, I was shock that he’s no longer the old N who got branded goods n stuff all over his body. Now he got the cheapest stuff, cheapest shoes and anything he can save he will save. When we met each other at this pan cake shop, he was really pouring all his struggles that we are like hugging each other n cried. He just couldn’t help it. He could not called his parents for help as he choose to leave everything in Singapore. He doesn’t have the face to call his parents. However, one thing he has really developed tremendously over the last few yrs was his faith and practice has strengthened tremendously.

In 1999, He couldn’t take it anymore and he received the Gohonzon. That was when he feels the great power of the Gohonzon. Since 1998 to 1999, he never had the Gohonzon. He never felt the need to have the Gohonzon. But, when he had no one to turn to, Gohonzon become the biggest fortune he could had. That was everything he could had and he was so poor that the only furniture had was the Butsudan. Even the mattress he slept was donated by another member. That was at his poorest state. During the very poor time, he had chanted lots of daimoku. Because he got no job, he got lots of time and he spent time chanting and chanting. To save on money, he cannot even afford to turn on the air condition. As he stays in a very hot part of USA, Houston, whenever he chants, the whole room felt like sauna. Yet he cannot turn on the air condition, he got to save every cent he had.

He remembers a passage in Human Revolution (HR), Toda sensei is actually in prison. Toda sensei had a happy and successful business before, but all of sudden, he got into the jail. He had to leave everything behind, but he did not choose to worry in the jail, like how is his family, and how is his business. He chooses to do one thing, which is to embark in vigorous daimoku campaign. It was really upon reaching 1 million daimoku, Toda sensei was enlightened with the fact of attain Buddhahood in this lifetime.

N basically had adopted every method from the HR, he had chosen not to worry about things he cannot believe . He chants to focus on things influence him, chant a lot of daimoku and go all out for kosen rufu.

During that time when he has no job, he focus on doing gajokai, and volunteer for daimokukai. In the places where they live always had lots of typhoons. The kaikan is flooded. He will help to move the things like tables, to make sure that things don’t get spoilt. When they move kaikan in every 2 or 3 yrs, he will goes around to fix the sound system, roll the carpet, paint..

Basically he was doing all these when he was jobless, without being paid a single cent. But as I will review later, all his efforts that he give was never short change. More importantly he got married with this girl he loves so much. Because of the financial difficulty that he was facing, he never give up to a lot of problems..

His wife is from a very rich family. How rich she can be? Their house is as big as this kaikan (telok blangah kaikan in Singapore). She force N to stay with her and she allows N to enshrine the Gohonzon, but had to put it under the staircase.

Whenever they quarrels, he will ask N to move the Gohonzon to the garage, the car had a separate house like the garage. What was actually pushing N never to give up his relationship was he had this single ichinen that even he had to divorce his wife, the day that they divorce,. the wife must be chanting. That is the single ichinen that was pushing him on. That he don’t want to break up this relationship. Even he had to go, he must had shakubuku and convince her the great power of the Gohonzon. So, he never give up.

Indeed, he was very protective to the Gohonzon. In order not to cause any harm to the Gohonzon, when being instructed to move the Gohonzon to the garage, he will stay with the Gohonzon in the garage. He will not stay in the house. When it’s time to move back to the house, he and gohonzon will then shift back to the house. It’s really this kind of oneness to the Gohonzon. Never giving up, because the Gohonzon has being his only support throughout his very tough years in USA.

Of course, he will be worried, but always told himself not to worry on those things, just keep focusing, really involving and practicing the “Ho Nin Myo” spirit. Keep working on the causes and causes, forget about the effects. “I know the effects will come”, always told himself that, for sure in one day.

True enough, his 1st big benefit comes in year 2000, his green card application was approved. Actually he applied his green card in 1999, while they are still processing the applications in 1998. But somehow, 1 year later, when he went to the immigration department to check the status of the application, miraculously, the previous application files was unknowingly deleted. Hence, they are still retrieving the files. Therefore, they straight away process 1999 applications. There and then, his green card was applied.

With green card, he can start applying for job. But in year 2000, top markets in USA were weaken, and banking crashed. Though he got green card, he can find job, but every job he found cannot stay more than 2 months. Companies start retrenching people.

From 1999 to 2002, he never had a job related to his training. He always wanted to be a chemical engineer. He wanted to work in the oil and gas industry, but he never get a change to step into the industry he wants. He will sell insurance, financial software, all sort of things that is not aligned. But he never give up, he kept chanting. Each time he get fired, he was so used to it again, that every time he see the boss holding the letter, he knows he’s fired.

But he begin so used and convince to the power of the Gohonzon. That once he receives the letter, he always had a box stand by for him and he will straight away went to the kaikan in Houston and really prays for 3 hrs, to set the cause for his next job.

Very majestically, every time within 1 month, he will get a new job. Even though it is not in the industry he wanted, every time he will get 100, 200 bucks of pay. It’s sort of Gohonzon telling him that “don’t give up, the big benefit is coming. He keep telling himself to just keep believing, keep chanting and keep doing kosen rufu. He never give up.

In 2003, finally, he got into a small oil refinery. After being 6 or 7 years away from the industry, he had no industry experience. But his karma never stops, because the refinery is so small that there are news of the refinery going bankrupted or somebody is going to take over.

As he was so well trained in fighting job karma, he is not scared at all. He just keep chanting and do kosen rufu. In 2004, his big turning point came, he volunteer to be the driver to pick children for their culture festival. His driver’s role is to pick up the kids to their training ground, because USA is so big that he had to cover several areas. So if the practice started at 8’o clock on a Sunday morning, he actually had to wake at 3 o’clock on a Sunday morning, to do gongyo and start picking up the kids so that they can reached the training ground 8 in the morning. They will practice the whole day, probably until evening. Usually people go for vacation in weekends, so there may be jams. By the time he sent all the kids home, it is about Monday morning 1am.

After the cultural festival, his job karma changes for better tremendously. 1 week later, he got a phone call from the head hunters. He got a job from a fortune 5 hundred oil n gas industry(Congo). He couldn’t believed it cos never in his dreams he could work in fortune 5 hundred oil n gas industry. In 2004, it is also the precious year for oil and gas industry. That is the year when oil prices moves from 30 bucks to the recent of 150 bucks.

In 1 or 2 years, he get head hunted by one of the world wide companies, then move on to BP(British Petroleum) and most recently he is in Exxo Mobile, holding a senior position. His job karma from then on, sort of totally eradicated. His dream is always to go back to school to do his MBA. He had save money, but he once make a promise that if he ever he had enough money, his 1st priority is to buy his 1st apartment, because he wants to contribute his place for meetings.

When he was face with a difficult decision to buy an apartment or to go for his studies. He made a total decision to give up his studies and to use the money to buy an apartment. So that he can live on his own with his wife and contribute this place for kosen rufu. When he made this decision, at about 1 month later, he was in BP then. Very miraculously, the boss asked him to do an audit for their budget. What he found is they got an extra of 100 thousand. At the typical cover act operation, the boss rejected and asked, “How come there is a over budget of 100 thousand for the department year training budget ?” Hence, the boss claim to him why not he used it for his study?

Within 1 month, his destiny of not able to go to school for 1 or 2 years was totally transformed. Because he had this sponsorship of these 100 thousand bucks, he made an arrangement with the boss that every week he only work 4 days and every Friday he goes to school. He don’t have to take leave and company will cover his travels, air tax because he need to fly to Texas to study. Everything is bonded by the company. Because of this single ichinen that he will used his paid to buy a house to donate to kosen rufu. With this single ichinen, he got a 100 thousand to study. That he didn’t even plan before.

In Aug, he called that he had completed his studies for 2 years. Today he holds a position as a negotiator for oil and gas dealing in the gulf area. No one will ever believe that with his kind of start up that he will ever go to an important position in the big oil company. Because of the oil prices boom, whatever pay he loses up in the 1st 5 to 6 yrs, he more than earn it back 2 to 3 times. The Gohonzon never short changes him.

To share this important message in this testimony, the essential of this Buddhism is really to chant that as long as we practice this Buddhism, wholeheartedly, committed, patiently, there will never be any death end that we can’t break through, the issue lies how deep our faith is. How committed our practice is and how sincere we are. As long as we fulfilled all these criteria, there will be no dead ends we cannot break through. The Gohonzon is absolute whether we believe it or not. The fundamental is how strong is our faith. As long as our faith is unlimited, the gohonzon power is unlimited for us.

To also encourage on the importance of daimoku, we had to migrate from being a leisure practitioner, like chanting 4 to 5 mins daimoku, 30mins daimoku, to seriously chanting professional daimoku. We only heard of being professional in our job, but we seldom hear of being professional in our daimoku, in our practice. It’s time that we had to reflect and .to tell our self on that. If had to be professional in our job to earn lots of moneya,we had to be equally professional in our faith, then we can live with boundless benefits.

Burning Midnight-Oil.

The time of the semester has finally come again! I'm sure no matter what course we are currently pursuing, how many examinable modules are left or how many projects we have to rush, I'm sure we are all working hard.

Here's something to share with those who hasn't felt the urgency to revise and the rest who have been working hard yet are struggling from time to time. The following excerpts are taken from NHR Volume 4, "Fresh Leaves" chapter.

-=-

Regarding study.

When Shin'ichi met with some youths at a garden in the newly completed Jitsudo-ji, a temple donated by the Soka Gakkai.

"Are all of you studying hard?"

Looking at the young people around him, he saw that some nodded while others blushed and dropped their eyes.

"Studying is what counts. No matter how busy you are, you still should read one or two books a month. Those who realize great success in society, even if they've no formal schooling, all study very hard. This is the time you need to work hard, study earnestly and develop your abilities."

-=-

Regarding time management.

"Again, in trying to strike a balance between work and activities, you have to consider the problem of time. It is only natural that a student, for example, should study hard before an examination. And there are similar critical times on a job. At such times, it's natural to devote most of your time to work.

"While we are young, however, we should exert ourselves so that we can honestly say that we've done our best in both our work and Gakkai activities. That's because our efforts during this time will become the foundation for our entire lives. President Toda often said,

'In faith, do the work of one; in your job, do the work of three.'

"There are two sides to everything. Not seeing things just one way is very human. Life involves striking a balance amid the tensions of conflicting issues while striving to always improve ourselves and move ahead. While we may think that concentrating on one thing - work, for example - would make life a lot less complicated, it's a mistake to cast aside other committments or pursuits on that account."

-=-

Let our current struggles be treasures of our future! All of us should advance with courage, wisdom, strength and emerge victorious!!

Let's give in 100% in practicing this wonderful Buddhism!
Let's put in 300% in our studies and work!

NPSD! Together, We Win!

NPSD tees design poll!

Hi beautiful people of NPSD!!
Here're 3 designs. Choose your favorite and poll it on the tagboard! Thanks!!!

Closing date: 15 Feb 2009 (e day after Valentine's)


(1. White background, Red fonts)


(2. Navy Background, Yellow/Gold font)



(3. Yellow background, Black font)

HAPPY VALENTINE's DAY!!

Lovee` yourbelovedcomrade.

Do you believe in the
possibility of lasting happiness?

Or does this seem like something forever out of
reach, a dream on the distant horizon? Would you
react skeptically if told that you were born—just as
you are—with everything it takes to cultivate an
indestructible state of happiness?

According to Aristotle, “Happiness depends
upon ourselves.” But just what is happiness? Is
it the fulfillment of our every wish and desire? Is it
the absence of all suffering?

We believe that happiness is being able to
experience profound joy that comes from
never being defeated by any problems in life.
In fact, we use the challenges of our lives as a catalyst
to deepen and expand our inner lives. Despite a
culture of instant gratification that influences so much
of modern living, happiness is not a quick fix attained
overnight. Rather, it results from our efforts to
manifest life’s highest potentials—wisdom, compassion,
courage and vitality—on a daily basis. Nichiren
Buddhism provides a concrete means to tap
into these traits that every human being holds
in unlimited supply.

Even amidst the most difficult times, happiness is
definitely not out of reach.We can indeed move in
the direction of our dreams and face our problems
wisely and courageously.We can come to savor the
greatest of all joys: the ability to live life with a deeper
and stronger sense of confidence, appreciation and
hope. We have the power to take charge of our
own destiny and become a source of positive change
in our family, local community and the entire world.

The notion that every human being is
born with the ability to become
happy is not new.This is what the
Buddha taught more than 2,500
years ago.The word “Buddha”
means “one who is fully awake”. It
means to ‘awaken’ to the workings
of the universal law within our own
lives.The Lotus Sutra, the foremost
of the Buddha’s teachings, asserts the
inherent dignity and equality of all people
and indeed of all life. It points to an enduring
sense of happiness and compassion that is, in fact,
our birthright. However, it wasn’t until Nichiren
Daishonin, a 13th century Japanese Buddhist reformer,
turned this philosophy into a concrete daily practice
that the message of the Lotus Sutra became accessible
to all people. In doing so, he established a practice
that is both simple and very profound.

Nichiren revealed that Nam-myohorenge-
kyo is the law that permeates
all life and the universe.This phrase
literally translates as: devotion to the
Mystic Law of cause and effect
through the Buddha’s teaching, or
sound. Nichiren describes this phrase
by saying,“Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is not
only the core of the Buddha’s lifetime
teachings, but also the heart, essence, and
ultimate principle of the Lotus Sutra (The
Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, p. 860). By chanting
Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with confidence in our innate
Buddhahood—or highest human potential—we can
dispel self-doubt, challenge our problems
courageously and reveal our innate wisdom
and compassion.Through chanting,
studying Buddhist philosophy and
taking action daily for the well being
of others, we can establish a state
of profound happiness and make
each moment of our lives joyful and
meaningful while contributing to peace
in our families and community.

Extract from article: What is Happiness? SGI-USA

Words from our mentor

From Ikeda Sensei:

"Even places that have been shrouded in darkness for billions of years can be illuminated. Even a stone from the bottom of a river can be used to produce fire. Our present sufferings, no matter how dark, have certainly not continued for billions of years-nor will they linger forever. The sun will definitely rise. In fact, its ascent has already begun."

"Why doesn't constant trampling defeat the dandelion? The key to its strength is its long and sturdy root, which extends deep into the earth. The same principle applies to people. The true victors in life are those whose who, enduring repeated challenges and setbacks, have sent the roots of their being to such a depth that nothing can shake them."

"No one can better bask in summer's balm than those who have endured winter's bite. Similarly, it is those who have suffered through life's darkest hours who are able to truly savor the bright dawn of happiness. The person who has transformed the worst of fate into the best of fortune is life's champion."

"There is a saying that the earth upon which we fall is the same ground which enables us to push ourselves up again. There's another which maintains that barley grows better after it has been trampled on. Human relationships are sometimes painful, but there is no such pain from which we cannot recover. It is up to us to decide to live a life free from self-doubt and despair in spite of our failures. Indeed, it is during our most humbling moments that we should show greatest poise and grace. Then the dignity of our lives will truly shine."

Posting

It is said that
"the person who makes the first move gains the advantage."
One courageous action can influence as many as ten thousand people.
Let's quickly take the initiative,
with lightning speed,
and engage as many people as we possibly can
in conversation about justice and truth.

Sensei

NDP2008

Hello!!
This year alot of NPSD-ians joined ndp..old and young..hehe...we took some memorable photos to share..enjoy=)






the older npsd-ians..hehe..dunno where they looking sia


This is better..


heheh..this batch is the freshies!!! 1..2..3..


Year Twos only got 2..相依为命


Me..Rachel..Felicia..Elda - Taken during NE3=)


Featuring NPSD in NDP2008!!!


Twist~


funny faces?hehe..Alright..no more~

Hey people!!! Hope you have enjoyed NDP08 so far..For some of you, though it may be a struggle between school and NDP..but please rest assured that after challenging yourself to overcome all the difficulties, you will savour great Joy after that..and grow to become stronger..this morning i received Rachel's encouragment and felt real energized..so i like to share with all of you...

" I know some of you are very very busy with school work,projects,presentations,cca,problems and all.But let us not be defeated easily and really go back to the gohonzon and chant earnestly that everything must go smoothly yes? :) I came across this quote and thought it will be nice to share with all of you.:) As I quote from Ikeda Sensei,"As long as we are alive, we cannot be free of difficulties nor spared from problems. The question is how to overcome and resolve them. And there is only one answer: to Confront and Challenge life's trials head on. In doing so, we can actually change them into sources of JOY. Hardships builds character. I firmly believe that one can never become a person of extraordinary character jsut by leading on ordinary and peaceful life and avoiding difficulties." So lets really overcome every obstacles in our life positively yes!JiaYou!!!!!"

many Thanks to Rachel for sharing this great encouragment. No matter what we are facing now, presentations, exams,CFG and NDP..please really muster the courage and challenge it head on. Go back to the Gohonzon and chant when we feel deadlocked.."No prayers will be unanswered"..Let us create a great Victory together for this year NDP for NPSD Yea! ALL THE BEST!! for everything that we all do!!!

Smile always=)
<3 maymay

MILK Run 2008, 6 Jul @ RV Pri Sch

photo courtesy by Huixian
With our HR dancers, Jeff and Yvonne


photo courtesy by Huixian

photo courtesy by Liyu

Dedicated to our NPSD stompers, mass dancers & HR dancers
Thank you so much for all your efforts in putting up such wonderful performances at the parade! They were fantastic! We were proud of you all! =)

Waterfall

Like the waterfall ,fierce
Like the waterfall ,unflagging
Like the waterfall ,unfearing
Like the waterfall ,merrilly
Like the waterfall ,proud
A man should have a bearing of the king.
-Ikeda sensei

Common Test results

To all the people who have already or still awaiting your common-test results, let's all read this sensei poem sincerely.

" Present circumstances are
not the point.
What matters is what you do,
starting from now,
And how much you are
willing to strive.
From this, the future develops."
-Ikeda sensei

NPSD @ SD Nationwide Meeting 140608

Lay Leng has graduated!!! she will work hard at her faith.. she will be a beacon light...

Thanks for your efforts

Today, i will just like to take this post to thanks all those had been making first-rate efforts behind the scenes. Behind the scene people like the committee that make the pot luck a reality yesterday. Behind the scene people who responsed to our iic call. Behind the scene people who always went out of their way to represent us and sensei to show extra care to the members.

Sensei always used to praise behind the scenes personel, stating that they are the ones that progress the Gakkai into todays modern organization. Likewise, without you all, NPSD will never exist. I will like to also reassure you that no efforts for kosenru-fu will go to waste and if you are wondering whether your actions are validated?? Just to show the soft side of me, these unseen efforts, never once failed to touch me. Once again, i like to say , THANKS!!!

From: wL
2gether we win!!!

Sensei Guidance

"Those who are earnest in what they are doing are naturally bright.
Those who are sincere in their actions are always cheerful.
And those who have conviction never give up,no matter what the circumstances.
With strong optimism and an indomitable spirit,
let's all try to advance cheerfully and unceasingly!"

IFU DODO NOUTA

Hello NPSDIAN, how are all of you all coping with your struggles ?? Me too is facing lots of "stress" as this period, just for your info, i am in-charge of over-seeing the SD nationwide meeting. Please give the other iics your fullest support and as i had been informed, i believed this 2 weeks is also in conjunction with your common-test week.

Buddhism teaches us that life is itself a struggle. A struggle to the very end where none can escape and none can avoid. However, with ND buddhism, we can actually use the power of faith to transform everything into our own unquie mission and happiness. By putting in double, triple effort in whatever we are doing, coupled with strong determined daimoku, we can bring about wonders

Learning from your iic, jefferson, i recently just found out that he actually repeatly do 3times, over and over again, for a pass-year paper. This is the dedication we should put in when we want to achieve what we want at the bottom of our heart. Buddhism is reason, buddhism is logic.

The ichinen of not leaving any chances out, not leaving any "stones" un-turned, is the key to making things successful. My seniors used to tell me to struggle so hard till the sweat drop from th eye brown, that is only then, can it be considered an all out effort.

We need to spare no effort to understand our subjects. If we don't understand it the first time, its ok, try again.Try till you get it.

Time management is also one of the important factor. Always remind yourselves how early you want to start revising your tutorial and throw in your life while doing it. That is the kind of ferocity my seniors pass it to me!

Have found this video featuring sensei dancing to the song of indomitable champion. Like to share it with you all as in this video, sensei , who is currently 80 yrs old, is dancing with all his might each time on stage,to really wanting to encourage all the members, so that they can achieve break throughs in their fierce, life and death struggles.

As sensei says in one of his poem:

"Whether i'm forced to eat dirt
Or hang by my nails at the
edge of a cliff,
I will move forward,
Even if just an inch or two,
Determined to break through
adversity."
(Ikeda sensei)

NPSD, come what may be our struggles, or persecutions, let's face it like a lion king, like sensei, determined to move forward, even if just an inch or two.



wL
2gether we win!!