lessening karmic retribution

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LEARNING from the WRITINGS The HOPE-FILLED TEACHINGS of NICHIREN DAISHONIN SGI PRESIDENT IKEDA’S LECTURE SERIES “Lessening One’s Karmic Retribution

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Page 1: Lessening Karmic Retribution

LEARNING from the WRITINGS

The HOPE-FILLEDTEACHINGS of

NICHIREN DAISHONINSGI PRESIDENT IKEDA’S LECTURE SERIES

“Lessening One’s Karmic Retribution”

Page 2: Lessening Karmic Retribution

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

Page 3: Lessening Karmic Retribution

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.

Page 4: Lessening Karmic Retribution

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)

Page 5: Lessening Karmic Retribution

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.

Page 6: Lessening Karmic Retribution

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.

Page 7: Lessening Karmic Retribution

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.

Page 8: Lessening Karmic Retribution

1-5 Five Senses

Nine Consciousness

6 Mind

7 Sub-Conscious

8 Storehouse

9 Buddha Nature

Pure

Page 9: Lessening Karmic Retribution

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.

Page 10: Lessening Karmic Retribution

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.