Suffer what there is to suffer, enjoy what there is to enjoy. Regard both suffering and joy as facts of life and continue chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo, no matter what happens. Then you will experience boundless joy from the Law. Strengthen your faith more than ever.
written by Nichiren Daishonin, 13th century Japan
If we want to struggle or suffer less, we need to learn how to change our Karma.
The Buddhist practice of chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo to the Gohonzon (object of worship) opens the way to activate the great life condition of Buddhahood. This is how we can expiate our negative karma from the past and experience it as a lesser effect.
We are, at once, able to lessen the heavy suffering, both material and spiritual, that would have manifested in our present life as a result of negative past causes. What is more, for the practitioner of Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism, the lesser negative effects can be changed into great benefit. This is called hendoku iyaku, the Buddhist term for “changing poison into medicine.”
Sunday, June 2nd Visit Our Buddhist Temple
Join us Sunday, June 2nd for Chief Priest Rev Sakabe lecture, Karma: Suffer Less, Grow More. You will learn how you can eradicate negative karma and gain absolute happiness in this lifetime.
- 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 and free.
- 310 University Blvd West, Silver Spring, MD 20901 entrance on Burnett Ave
If you have decided to become a Buddhist or are interested in learning how to become a Buddhist, after Sunday’s meeting (about 3:30 pm) Rev Sakabe will be performing the Acceptance of the Precept Ceremony, the ceremony where you become a Buddhist.
