lessening karmic retribution
TRANSCRIPT
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LEARNING from the WRITINGS
The HOPE-FILLEDTEACHINGS of
NICHIREN DAISHONINSGI PRESIDENT IKEDA’S LECTURE SERIES
“Lessening One’s Karmic Retribution”
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Great Hardships Lead to the Attainment of Buddhahood
• Encountering great hardship (not punishment) for the sake of the Lotus Sutra is the path that leads directly to attaining Buddhahood
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The Significance of Hardships
• First, Nichiren Daishonin presents the principle of lessening one’s karmic retribution.
• Second, he cites examples from the past to clarify that those who spread the correct teaching of Buddhism will inevitably experience persecution.
• Third, he cites various sutra passages to indicate that his having come under harsh attack for propagating the Law signifies that he has read and lived the Lotus Sutra.
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The Significance of Hardships
• There is no such thing as a life free of hardships. . .
• Unless we are aware of our inner strength to withstand hardships, we will find one difficulty giving rise to another, and we will ultimately be crushed by their weight . . .
• It is of utmost importance to teach them (people in the Latter Day of the Law) about their inner power to triumph over suffering.
• This is the teaching of Nichiren Buddhism. (LB, p. 73)
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Lessening One’s Karmic Retribution Equals Attaining Buddhahood in This Lifetime
• A person could expiate even the heaviest negative karma from past lifetimes through receiving retribution in a lighter form in this present existence.
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Lessening One’s Karmic Retribution Equals Attaining Buddhahood in This Lifetime
• The first point is in regard to Nichiren’s declaration that the suffering of hell will vanish instantly.
• The second point is that lessening karmic retribution is also the gateway to attaining Buddhahood in this lifetime.
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The Benefit of the Purification of the Six Sense Organs
• Despite being abused and vilified, Bodhisattva Never Disparaging ceaselessly tried to convey the fundamental tenet of the Lotus Sutra.
• As a result, he received the benefit of purifying of the six senses.
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1-5 Five Senses
Nine Consciousness
6 Mind
7 Sub-Conscious
8 Storehouse
9 Buddha Nature
Pure
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The Benefit of Protectingthe Law
• In an evil age, the practice of shakubuku serves to protect the law clarifying the correct teaching of Buddhism.
• Shakubuku is the driving force for lessening karmic retribution and transforming karma.
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Action is the Direct Path to Changing Our Karma
• In Nichiren Buddhism, action is of key importance.
• Nichiren selflessly strove to open the path to Buddhahood for all people.