Be a Lamp (Nirvana Sutra)
World Honored One Flicks Dirt with His Toe (Vimalakirti Sutra)
Order of Enlightenment (Maka Shikan)
Calming and Contemplation of Anger (Maka Shikan)
Effect of Thunderbolts on Ivory (Maka Shikan)
Blind Heir of a Wealthy Merchant (Maka Shikan)
Mongolian Wisdom (ancient sayings)
Mighty Bodhisattva Warriors (13th Dalai Lama)
Seeing Ourselves as Suchness (Shinnyo kan)
Wu-lung and I-lung (Writings of Nichiren Daishonin)
Parables:
The
Spider Thread
Mr.
Makiguchi and Fudo Myo-o
Taishaku
and the Fine Feathered Bird
A
Little Priest Fable
Shakyamuni
and the Lovers
The
Parable of the Zither
SuShi
and the Buddhist Monk
Wo
and Jah
Stonecutter
(Tao of Pooh)
The
Dancing Monk and the Self-Denying Monk
24
Hours To Die
Essays:
The
Jewel and the Genome
Mantras
of Kitties
The
Wave Theory of Karma
Water
Karma
Gandhi
on Anger
Buddhas'
Footprints
Connections
The
Great Wish, the DaiGohonzon, and the SGI
The
Gakkai Spirit
Humor:
The
Daimoku Parrot
The
Excommunicated Newlyweds
The Mantras of Other Beings
The Ongi Kuden states:
"The benefits of the four Bodhisattvas are as follows: the natural function of fire is to burn things (Jogyo), that of water to purify (Jyogyo), that of wind to blow away dust and dirt (Muhengyo), and that of the earth to nourish plants and trees (Anryugyo). These are the roles of the four bodhisattvas. Though the roles of the four bodhisattvas are different, they are all the practice of Nam Myoho Renge Kyo. The four Bodhisattvas dwell underneath and T'ien tai's interpretation in the Hokke Mongu speaks of underneath the earth as 'the ultimate depth of life, that being the absolute reality.' Thus, that Bodhisattvas of the Earth dwell underneath means that they dwell in the truth."Due to the vibratory blending of matter and energy all forms have sound. All sounds have shapes.(from the Gosho Zenshu, p. 751)
Based on function and shape, try to imagine mantras of water. Maybe: "Go with the flow." "I will surely find a way." "Seek the lowest level."
Because we are largely composed of water there must be a residual mantra or spiritual signature to our physical composition. We are also formed by and composed of earth, wind, fire and ku. Are there corresponding spiritual aspects and respective mantras?
The mantras of Fire must be of illumination, consumption, passion, heat and rising, ambition, spiritual fervor. I imagine the Mantra of Fire to be "Ariba!!!! Ariba!!! (higher and higher). Fire mantras seem to be the opposite of Water mantras.
Earth mantras are steadfast, stubborn, nourishing, peace abiding. An old civil rights song comes to mind "I shall not be moved."
The Wind chants of freedom, breath, and continuous effort.
One would think that the five elements would never agree to a single mantra or any corresponding forms.
The mantras of all elements blend into Nam Myoho-renge-kyo. Their agreement is embodied on the Gohonzon and in our bodies and our lives.
The Chinese "Nam" has Earth, Ku, and Fire in its composition. "Myo" has Earth and Illumination (Fire). "Ho" has Ku, Earth, and Water. Renge has Water, and Wind. Kyo has Water and Earth. (For a more in depth explanation, visit http://www.gakkaionline.net/Imagery/daimoku.html)
When we invoke the Mystic Law, we
sound the voice of all beings.