My Life Is the Life of the Universe

In1976, out of my aspiration to be an agronomist who can save the world, I entered graduate school at the University of Birmingham in the UK. But because I had lost confidence in myself and my ability to master the English language, I soon became totally depressed. It was a book that gave me a ray of light in such dark times. The book was the Japanese version of Rev. Nikkyo Niwano’s "Return to Humanity," which my father had handed to me when I left Japan. I learned that from a Buddhist perspective, I am at one with the life-force of the universe; this knowledge helped to lessen my self-attachment, and gave me great encouragement. Seeking this light, I joined Rissho Kosei-kai after returning to Japan.

The ultimate reality of all beings is emptiness, the buddha-nature, which is the great life of the universe. I try to remember this reality whenever I chant the Odaimoku and bow before the Buddha image. Then I find the boundary between other beings and myself begins to soften, even if just for a moment, and I feel one with all that exists and full of vitality and energy. I treasure this idea, because it is the greatest thing I have ever learned: the teaching of the ultimate reality of all beings. (written for Shan Zai 2012-10 issue)


私のいのちは宇宙のいのち

1976年、私は「世界を救う農学者になりたい」という願いで英国バーミンガム大学院に入学しました。「英語がわからない」「俺はだめだ」、徹底的に落ち込んでいった自分に希望の光をくれたのは、日本を出発するとき、父が手渡してくれた、『人間への復帰』という庭野日敬師の著書でした。「自分は宇宙の生命と一体である」という仏教の見方を学び、とらわれが薄らぎ、心が勇気づけられました。この光を求め、帰国後、私は立正佼成会札幌教会の門をくぐりました。

私たちの実相は、「空」「仏性」「大いなる宇宙のいのち」であると学びます。お題目を唱える毎に、ご本仏にひれ伏す毎に、私は実相を思いおこすように努めています。一瞬ですが、自他を隔てる境界線が不鮮明になり、あらゆる存在とのつながりを覚え、体には元気が充満するのです。実相を学んだ事は私の最高の宝です。（Shan Zai 2012年10月号に寄稿）

May their music touch the heart of all beings

While visiting at Clearwater, Folodia, for attending the wedding ceremony of Chika and Rev. Nick, I saw three grils playing viloline on a street for fundrasing for the earthquake/tsunami disaster in Japan. Thank you all for your coniuted prayers and support. May their beautiful music touch the heart of all beings and we all become one.

The Power of Smile

When I was participating in the web cast celebration of the 70th anniversary of the foundation of my Buddhist Congregation yesterday, I realized that this year is also the 30th anniversary of my own Buddhist life. On May 4th, 1978, I walked into the Rissho Kosei-kai Buddhist Center of Sapporo to learn the Dharma.

One of the greatest learning I have ever got is the awareness of my connection with external conditions. We are likely to be influenced by the things happening around us. When people are nice to me, I am happy. When things don’t go well, I am frustrated. When the traffic is smooth, I feel good. When a service is delayed at a restaurant, I am irritated.　However, I am also aware that even though the external conditions may not be something I want, I can free myself from negative influences by tuning my state of mind into the Buddha’s state of mind, i.e. appreciation of that circumstance and appreciation of that moment.

Will it take time to attain that special state of mind? I think it is a life-long practice. But making a smile has a power to connect us to the Buddha’s mind right away. When we smile, a feeling of happiness arises from within ourselves irrespective of the conditions we are in.
External conditions fail to control us, and instead we can engage ourselves in a constructive process.

Smile has a power. And this is what I was able to gain from my practice with Rissho Kosei-kai.
Thank you, Buddha, and thank you, Founder Rev. Nikkyo Niwano, for its foundation.

Mizutani

Six Paramitas 2/8/08

“How are you doing, Rev. Mizutani?” I appreciate these telephone calls from members of Rissho Kosei-kai LA, where I served as minister for the last seven years. I also appreciate all great comments and encouraging emails from those who have read this Blog. Thank you, all.
Yes, I eat well. Thank you.　　Do I miss my family?　Yes, I do. I try to call them and send email to them often, so that they don’t forget me.

Starting the new office and living home alone bring me many challenges. What I can say is that practicing the Dharma is truly the way to keep me on the right path.

I have written in this blog that I practice the sutra chanting whenever I need strength and Buddha’s wisdom. But please do not misunderstand. It is only one aspect of my Dharma practice. In Rissho Kosei-kai Buddhist tradition, the bodhisattva way, or the Six Paramitas*, is the fundamental Dharma practice as in other Mahayana schools.
In the Chapter 3, “Ten Merits”, in “The Sutra of the Innumerable Meanings”, it says;
“This sutra makes a miserly one raise the mind of donation,
makes an arrogant on raise the mind of keeping the precepts,
makes an irascible one raise the mind of perseverance,
make an indolent one raise the mind of assiduity,
makes a distracted one raise the mind of meditation,
and makes an ignorant on raise the mind of wisdom.”

The terms with underline are the components of the Six Paramitas. This part of the sutra teaches that those who realize the truth will be able to attain all these Buddha-like dispositions. And it also reminds us and encourages us to practice hard each of the Six Paramitas for awakening.

Practicing the Six Paramitas builds one’s positive karma for the future happiness.
But from my own experience, practicing the donation (serving to others, or rendering loving kindness to others), for example, brings awakening right that moment.

Sometimes I am in a hurry on a freeway. Usually in those times, I am very self-centered. When some car suddenly cuts in just in front of me, I get angry feeling within myself. But when I try to think of helping other cars, I am willing to accept those cars. And I feel as if the wall which had been surrounding my mind is now disappeared. I feel a great connection between the driver and myself.　A freeway is not just the way to go somewhere, but it is the way for awakening.

The best book I would like to recommend you to read is the “Buddhism for Today”　by Rev.Nikkyo Niwano, founder of Rissho Kosei-kai. It is a wonderful guide for those who want to learn Buddhism in the everyday life context.

Thank you, Buddha.
Shoko Mizutani

*the six kinds of practice that bodhisattvas should follow to attain enlightenment.

Dharma on the Move 1/31/08

Chanting sutra is a great practice. In the Rissho Kosei-kai Buddhist tradition, we recite the Lotus Sutra every morning and every evening. As February 3rd is an important day, called Setsubun, a day before the start of the New Year in the Japanese traditonal astrological calendar, we hold a special session to chant the whole pages of the Lotus Sutra in one or two week period of time. At 6am today, I started chanting from Chapter 3, "A Parable", to Chapter 6, "Prediction" at home myself. The total pages were about 70, and it was close to 8am when I finished the chanting. When I recite the sutra particularly in a loud voice, I always enjoy the sense of connection with the Dharma. Feeling deeper appreciation to family, friends, and all beings, I renew the bodhisattva spirit. I was sitting and chanting for two hours this morning, but I felt it was just about five minutes.

After the breakfast, it seems the Dharma guided me to listen to an audio lecture in a website. It was a lecture by Ven. Kusala Bhikshu. He was talking about Buddhism to students at Santa Margarita Catholic High school.
I was very much impressed with his openness, his easy-to-understand expression, and at most his sincere attitude throughout his life to share the Dharma to free every being from suffering.

Several days ago, I watched a video presentation by Pema Chodron and was struck by her great articulation of Buddhist principles.

I also got impressed by a book titled “The Best Buddhist Writing 2007”. Most of the contributors to this book are Western Buddhist scholars and practitioners.

Having learned and practiced the Buddhism wholeheartedly, now American Buddhists are sharing the Dharma with American people. Actually the person who introduced the Pema’s video talk to me was also a brilliant American leader in our Oklahoma Dharma Center.

Dharma is on the move now! I would like to renew my vow to contribute to peace and happiness of people in this country by sharing the Dharma as compassionately as possible.

Chanting brought me a great day today! Thank you, Buddha.
Shoko Mizutani