True Buddhist Joy and Pleasure

Gokyoka (a didactic waka poem composed by HBS founder Nissen Shōnin) – April, Reiwa 7 Monthly Lecture

“There is no joy greater than hearing the happiness of someone

　　who has been released from suffering.”

(Kaika Youdan (Kyo), Senzen Volume 14, page 37)

This is a Gokyoka, a poetic teaching composed by the Founding Master of Honmon Butsuryu Shu, Nissen Shōnin.

What we receive through our faith is not merely emotional comfort.

It is the power of the Odaimoku (the primordial Dharma entrusted by the Eternal Buddha to Bodhisattva Jōgyō, as Superior Practice Bodhisattva, Viśiṣṭacāritra), which contains the infinite compassion and eternal vow of the Buddha to liberate all sentient beings lost in delusion, pain, and confusion.

This intent of the Buddha, this boundless power and compassion, is something we must take into our hearts and bodies with full sincerity—rejoicing, dancing with joy, and devoting ourselves to Gohoukou, our sincere practice and service for the sake of others.

This faith is extraordinary.

The Odaimoku, "Namu Myōhō Renge Kyō," is no ordinary chant.

That is why we can have confidence.

That is why we can overcome.

That is why we can succeed.

That is why we can persevere.

Indeed, we cannot do it alone. Without the Odaimoku, it might seem impossible.

But the Eternal Buddha preached the Lotus Sutra and entrusted the Odaimoku to the Bodhisattva Jōgyō, as Superior Practice Bodhisattva (Viśiṣṭacāritra).

That Bodhisattva, reborn in this defiled age as our venerable founder, Nichiren Shōnin, revealed the Odaimoku and bestowed it upon us.

With this, the Buddhism for this world—this Earth—is complete.

Merely having many sutras is not enough.

Even the Lotus Sutra alone is not enough.

Without the presence of the Bodhisattva Nichiren Shounin, it is not complete.

And without the Odaimoku, it cannot function at all.

Jōgyō Shoden refers to the Odaimoku that was directly entrusted and transmitted by Nichiren Shōnin, who is the reincarnation of Bodhisattva Jōgyō.

There is no need for elaborate theory.

No matter how weak we are, no matter how painful our lives may be,

even when surrounded by negative karmic influences—

with the Odaimoku, we are okay.

Because the Odaimoku is here, we are saved.

We can break through.

Understanding and experiencing this for ourselves—

and conveying it to others—

is the very heart of Buddhism.

It is something we must reaffirm and put into action in our lives.

It is because we have received the Odaimoku that we can walk the path of the Bodhisattva Practice (Bosatsugyō)—

a life of guiding and saving others,

the highest path of humanity as taught in the Lotus Sutra, which is also called Kyō Bosatsu-hō (the Teaching of the Bodhisattvas).

The Lotus Sutra's "Kangi Yuyaku (dancing with joy)" refers to "the ultimate joy."

The Lotus Sutra's "Shin Dai Kangi (great joy in one's heart)" refers to the state of "There is no greater happiness."

Kangi Yuyaku.

Shin Dai Kangi.

These are expressions from the Lotus Sutra that describe the joy of true practitioners.

Such joyful faith is the hallmark of those who follow Honmon Butsuryu Shu.

To be born as a human and encounter this Odaimoku—

that is a miracle.

It is the source of joy, purpose, and fulfillment that could never be known otherwise.

Therefore, let us fully embrace this joy,

and with gratitude, let us move forward in our faith, practice, and Gohoukou,

dedicating ourselves to the Bodhisattva Practice with all our hearts.