Myosenji Temple is located about ten miles north of the White House. Many of our members will be enjoying this Fourth of July, Independence Day, with family and friends. It is a big holiday in the Washington, DC region with red, white and blue parties, parades and fireworks. We wish everyone a safe and fun holiday!
Freedom and Independence
This is the time of year Americans are asked to reflect on our cultural ideals of freedom and independence. The Buddhist view of freedom and independence is different and is best explained by the concept of the Ten Worlds. As our Chief Priest, Rev Murata, explains in his lecture on the Ten Worlds, there can be no true freedom or independence if you are trapped in the six lower worlds.
The Lotus Sutra teaches that all people equally possess the ten worlds. That is, we all possess the ten kinds of life conditions — from the highest state of Buddhahood to the lowest state of hell. These are the life conditions of the four noble worlds and the six paths. The life condition of Buddhahood moves one to improve the world. Such a person will love and cherish others, have a strong sense of justice, value peace, build a character with a deep sense of compassion, gain the trust of many people, and make others feel pleasant. On the contrary, one who is fascinated by devilish functions will become contentious and steeped in evil influences. Such an individual has a self-centered nature and takes pleasure in disruptive behavior. A person like this, with egocentric and biased views, will bring conflict and spread anger into society.*
Visit Myosenji Temple
This Sunday, July 5th, after you have enjoyed the 4th of July celebrations, visit Myosenji Temple for our Buddhist Concept of the Ten Worlds Introduction lecture. Our Chief Priest, Rev Murata, will lecture on this topic. The meeting is open to the public and begins at 2:00 pm and concludes around 3:15 pm.
Call or email the Temple if you have questions.
*Excerpted: “The life condition of Buddhahood moves one to improve the world.” Nichiren Shoshu Monthly, July, 2015, page 18.
