Fundamentals (7)

Born as human beings, we inherit an obligation to lead active and productive lives. We must, however, practice a psychological renunciation of an egoistic attachment to self. Only when humanity makes this renunciation can it be saved from its sufferings.

Supreme enlightenment encompasses a path we can comprehend, a way by which we can understand the universe as it exists and by which we can live in harmony with all things in the universe.

The fundamentally compassionate nature of Buddhism: The Bodhisattva Siddhartha under the Bodhi tree, did not set out to vanquish Mara, the evil one, but wanted even him to attain a buddha’s enlightenment.

It is good for us to recall the example set by Shakyamuni who did not regard his enlightenment as unique to himself.

Buddhists remember always the Buddha’s resoluteness and great compassion for all living beings: the real concerns of all humankind. We must strive to accomplish the mission entrusted to us as ordinary people.

The Buddha: “Those who have attained enlightenment possess supernatural powers as a matter of course. You are mistaken to seek the power itself. You must first perceive the universal truth and free yourself from all illusions and meaningless attachments.”

Nikkyo Niwano: “What is the final, profound truth? In brief, it is finding the infinite life of humankind within the eternal life-force of the universe.

  “The true nature of humankind in its union with the eternal life-force of the universe, is called the buddha-nature. The Lotus Sutra teaches that all beings possess the buddha-nature (potential for enlightenment) equally; that we should respect this potential in one another and encourage one another to develop and fulfill this potential; and that the noblest form of practicing the Buddha’s teachings is the way of the bodhisattvas who always devote themselves to attaining enlightenment, not only for themselves, but for all sentient beings.”