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In Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism,
the term Myoho-renge-kyo means the entity of the Mystic Law itself, or
Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.
—
Dictionary
of Buddhist Terms and Concepts
What
Nichiren Daishonin wrote about Myoho-Renge Kyo:
"If
you wish to free yourself from the sufferings of birth and death you have
endured through eternity and attain supreme enlightenment in this lifetime,
you must awaken to the mystic truth which has always been within your life.
This truth is Myoho-renge-kyo. Chanting Myoho-renge-kyo will therefore
enable you to grasp the mystic truth within you."
"Myoho-renge-kyo
is the king of sutras, flawless in both letter and principle. Its words
are the reality of life, and the reality of life is the Mystic Law (Myoho).
It is called the Mystic Law because it explains the mutually inclusive
relationship of life and all phenomena. That is why this sutra is the wisdom
of all Buddhas."
"However, even
though you chant and believe in Myoho-renge-kyo, if you think the Law is
outside yourself, you are embracing not the Mystic Law but some inferior
teaching."
"Therefore,
when you chant the Mystic Law and recite the Lotus Sutra, you must summon
up deep conviction that Myoho-renge-kyo is your life itself."
—
from "On Attaining Buddhahood"
Myo |
"While I
was thinking thus, a golden Buddha suddenly appeared in the hell of incessant
suffering ... As my agony subsided a little, I joined my hands together
in prayer and asked him what kind of Buddha he was. The Buddha replied,
I am the character myo..." — Major Writings, Vol. 4, p. 309
Explanation
of the Chinese characters for Myo.
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Ho |
"We will not be satisfied until
justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream."
— Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Explanation
of the Chinese characters for Ho.
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Ren |
"The lotus plant resembles the principle
of Myoho-renge in that it simultaneously contains both cause and effect."
— Major Writings, Vol. 7, p. 66
Explanation
of the Chinese characters for Ren.
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Ge |
The Sutra says "Mandara flowers
fall like rain," (U mandara ke, Gongyo book, p. 33), covering the believer
in blessings.
Explanation
of the Chinese characters for Ge.
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Kyo |
"Once you realize that your own
life is the Mystic Law, you will realize that so are the lives of all others.
That realization is the mystic kyo..." — Major Writings, Vol. 1, p. 5
Explanation
of the Chinese characters for Kyo.
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