Buddhism for you -- Prayer 11

Genuine faith is a sword of belief and conviction that cuts through all suffering.
It is a bright light of hope that illuminates the darkness and confusion.

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A sense of responsibility arises from prayer and action, which in turn further deepen our sense of responsibility.

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Though one might point at the earth and miss it, though one might bind up the sky, though the tides might cease to ebb and flow and the sun rise in the west, it could never come about the prayers of the practitioner of the Lotus Sutra would go unanswered.--Nichiren

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Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is the wellspring of the universe and the fundamental power of life.
It is the ultimate expression of wisdom and the foundation of all laws and principles.

Buddhism for you -- Prayer 10

Life is a struggle with ourselves.
It is a tug of war between moving forward and regressing, between happiness and unhappiness.
Those short on willpower or self motiviation should chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with conviction to become people of strong will, who can tackle any problem with real seriousness and determination.

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Buddhism teaches that the same power which moves the universe exists within our lives.
Each individual has immense potential, and a great change in the inner dimension of one individual's life has the the power to touch the lives of others and transform society.

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What are we praying for?
How are we praying?
A person's state of life is expressed in his or her prayer.
Become people who pray with a broad and deep resolve.
Those who pray in this way will amass tremendous good fortune.

一年の総仕上げを生き生きと！

　ある年、戸田先生は、弟子をねぎらいながら言われた。
　「師走といって、文字通り、”師も走って”いるのだよ。皆さんも多忙だと思うが、私も走っている。広宣流布のために、ひとつ頑張ってくれ」
　この言葉の通り、広宣流布のために走り続けた師匠であった。
　戸田先生のお心は、私もよく分かる。私も一年365日、毎日走り続けている。
　心が停滞した人生には充実がない。
　たとえば、勤行もそうである。やり終えた後には、充実感がある。しかし、さぼってしまったときには、楽でいいなと思っても、後になればどうも調子が悪い（笑い）。
　折伏も、和合僧の学会の会合も、同じであろう。
　師匠とともに、「広宣流布の大願」のために、生き生きと、心を勇み走らせていく。そうしたなかで、一年の総仕上げをしていきたい。
　ともあれ、人の何倍も忙しくとも、人の何倍も充実した人生。それこそが、勝利の人生である。その人こそ、偉大な人である。
　これは、戸田先生のご指導でもあった。
　もちろん、一年の終わりに、ゆっくりと、英気を養うのも、かまわない。大事なことは、人生の価値ある向上の坂を、悠然と上っていくことである。
　大文豪トルストイは、次のような箴言を引いている。
　「最上の幸福は、一年の終わりにおける自己を、一年の始めにおける自己よりも、よりよくなったと感ずることである」（原久一郎訳『人生読本』社会思想社）
　学会のいき方と共鳴し合う言葉である。
　我らの「人間革命」の前進こそ、一年また一年、まさに「最上の幸福」の年輪を刻んでいるのである。
　明年へ向け、心新たに出発していきたい。そうした決意の大事さを、戸田先生は教えてくださった。

新時代第13回本部幹部会での名誉会長のスピーチ㊤を引用
（2007年12月12日聖教新聞掲載）

Busshism for you -- Prayer 9

Just as a my morning walk or jog may be pleasantly exhilarating for both the body and the mind, please chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo in a way that is personally satisfying to you--one that leaves you feeling refreshed and uplifted both mentally and physically.

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Human beings have an undeniable instinct for prayer.
Religion first came into being in response to this.
Prayer did not come into existence because of religion; it was the other way around.

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When we pray with appreciation immense vitality wells forth.
From the depths of our lives, we tap the wisdom to encourage others.
And our conduct translates into value-creating activities perfectly responding and of those around us.

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In Nichiren Buddhism, it is said that no prayer goes unanswered.
But this is very different from having every wish instantly granted as if by magic.
All your prayers serve to propel you in the direction of happiness.

Buddhism for you -- Prayer 8

Become the happiest you can be based upon your profound and strong prayer.

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Sometimes our prayers are realized immediately and sometimes they aren't.
When we look back later, however, we can say with absolute conviction that everything turned out for the best.

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There is no set form or pattern for how we should pray.
Buddhism emphasizes being natural.
Therefore, simply pray earnestly, without pretense, just as you are.

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Buddhist prayer is a ceremony in which our lives commune with the universe.
When we pray, we vigorously infuse the microcosm of our individual existence with the life force of the macrocosm, of the entire universe.

Buddhism for you -- Prayer 7

Religion is proof of our humanity.
Of all the animals, only human beings have the capacity for prayer, a most solemn and sublime act.

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The most important thing is to build an indestructible palace of happiness within our lives.

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From the moment we begin to pray, things start moving.
The darker the night, the closer the dawn.
From the moment we chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with a deep and powerful Hope--prayer is the sun of hope.