“It is like the case of a baby given milk to drink. Even though the baby may not understand the flavor of milk, the milk naturally nurtures the baby’s growth. Similarly, if a doctor gives medicine to a patient, even though the patient may not know the origin and nature of the medicine, if he takes it, then in the natural course of events his illness will be cured. But if he objects that he does not know the origin of the medicine that the doctor gives him and for that reason declines to take it, do you think his illness will ever be cured? Whether he understands the medicine or not, so long as he takes it, he will in either case be cured.”
written by Nichiren Daishonin in 13th century Japan
Although we will not be able to totally understand the profundity of Nichiren Daishonin’s teachings with our intellect alone, our continued study of these doctrines is extremely important in enabling us to understand why sufferings happen to us and what we need to do to confront and overcome them.
…the Great Teacher T’ien-t’ai of China…basing his work on the Lotus Sutra, established the theoretical building blocks for the three thousand realms in a single life-moment. The Ten Worlds are – Hell, Hunger, Animality, Asura, Humanity, Rapture, Learning, Realization, Bodhisattva & Buddhahood. All human beings possess the Ten Worlds and can go from one of them to another within a single life-moment. Only one of these worlds can appear at any given moment, with the other nine in a state of dormancy.*
Lecture on The Buddhist Concept of the Ten Worlds
One of the most important Buddhist concepts you need to understand is the Ten Worlds. Visit Myosenji Temple on Sunday, February 28th, at 2:00 pm to learn how to be a Buddhist in thought, word and deeds. Chief Priest, Rev Murata will lecture on the Buddhist Concept of the Ten Worlds and answer your questions.
- Learn how to chant Nam Myoho Renge Kyo and properly use the Juzu Beads, Buddhist prayer beads.
- Q&A with our Chief 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, after the meeting (about 3:30 pm) Rev Murata will be performing the Acceptance of the Precept Ceremony, the ceremony where you become a Buddhist.
