Those who honestly discard the expedient teachings, put faith only in the Lotus Sutra, and chant Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo, will transform the three paths of earthly desires, karma, and suffering into the three virtues of the property of the Law, wisdom, and emancipation. The threefold contemplation and the three truths will immediately manifest in their minds, and the place where they dwell will become the land of eternally tranquil light.
written by Nichiren Daishonin, 13th century Japan
What you say matters. What you think matters. What you do matters. Your thoughts, words and deeds create your Karma. Buddhism’s teaches that unhappiness begins with illusion, which is based on earthly desire. Through the thoughts and actions that result from illusion, we create karma, and as a result of that karma, we experience suffering.
The twelve-linked chain of causation is an explanation of how this three-tiered causal relationship (illusion, karma and suffering) applies to the reality of our lives. The eighth clause in the twelve-linked chain is Ai (want). It refers to awareness of feelings of fierce craving that result from pain and pleasure, as when a thirsty person craves water. When pain is sensed, one experiences a strong craving to try to avoid the hateful feeling, and when pleasure is felt, the experience creates an intense desire to try to maintain the sensation. The ninth clause is Shu (taking). It refers to the act of physically or verbally choosing to take or reject something. While the previous clause referred to the heart’s burning desires of love and hatred, “taking” refers to real actions that are taken in response to such emotions. Plundering what one wants, and getting rid of, wounding or killing what one hates, are examples of such actual conduct.*
Visit SUNDAY August 20th for Karma Lecture
Learn how good and bad causes (like hate) create your Karma and what you can do to build a happy life based on making good causes. Visit our Buddhist Temple this Sunday, August 20th for:
- Brief lecture by Assistant Priest on the Buddhist Concept of Karma
- Learn how to chant Nam Myoho Renge Kyo and properly use the Juzu Beads, Buddhist prayer beads.
- Q&A with our Assistant Priest.
- The meeting starts at 2:00 pm and concludes around 3:15 pm. Open to the public.
If you have decided to become a Buddhist or are interested in learning how to become a Buddhist, Rev Kondo will be performing the Acceptance of the Precept Ceremony, the ceremony where you become a Buddhist, immediately following the meeting.
