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Happiness In This World
There is no greater happiness for human beings than chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. The sutra says, "The
people there [in my land] are happy and at ease." "Happy and at ease" here means the joy derived from the Law. You are obviously
included among the "people," and "there" indicates the entire world, which includes Japan. "Happy and at ease" means to know
that our lives--both our bodies and minds, ourselves and our surroundings--are the entities of ichinen sanzen and the Buddha
of absolute freedom. There is no greater happiness than having faith in the Lotus Sutra. It promises us "peace and security
in this life and good circumstances in the next." Never let life's hardships disturb you. After all, no one can avoid problems,
not even saints or sages.
Just chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, and when you drink sake, stay at home with your wife. Suffer what there
is to suffer, enjoy what there is to enjoy. Regard both suffering and joy as facts of life and continue chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo,
no matter what happens. Then you will experience boundless joy from the Law. Strengthen your faith more than ever.
With my deep respect,
Nichiren
The twenty-seventh day of the sixth month in the second year of Kenji (1276)
| My "mokuhyou' - target is to reach some friends. |
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| "Shokuen" is table salt in Japanese. |
| To "take revenge" is to "yasumimasu". |
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| A "tale" is a "monogatari". |
Arriving
G.I. Jackets
Rifle Range
Drill Sergeants
Training
Mess Hall
Links:
Howard Ahner's Pictures
Fort Gordon
Fort Richardson, Anchorage, Alaska 1973-75
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