An authoritative translation of 172 of Nichiren's writings presented in chronological order. The collection includes Nichiren's five major works as well as other treatises setting forth his doctrine, writings remonstrating with government officials, and letters offering advice, encouragement, or consolation to believers. The translations are based on those of Burton Watson, formerly of Columbia University and an award-winning translator of Chinese and Japanese literature. Edited by the Soka Gakkai's Gosho Translation Committee, these are the translations used by English-speaking Soka Gakkai members the world over.
In this book, readers can find answers to their priceless possessiontheir own Gohonzon. If we undertake the task of kosen-rufu (spreading this Buddhism far and wide) in order to achieve world peace, then an understanding of our Gohonzon tends to firm up our faith and stand us in good stead. This book aims to illustrate comprehensively what exactly is written on our Gohonzon and what they mean. It is divided in chapters with special critical consideration boxes put in places to elicit discussions and/or reflections at various opportune points. It is a text book of the utmost interactive style. It covers the following: All inscriptions by the high priest Nichikan All the personages inscribed on it representing the ten worlds All statements inscribed on the Gohonzon Practical notes on the care and maintenance of the Gohonzon Some crucially relevant Buddhist principles and tenets In-depth exposition about the object of worship for observing the mind aided by citation of various goshos Spiritual independence (a fetterless way to practice Buddhism in real life) Some variant forms of Gohonzon for the curious ones It is an informative and useful resource for those beginning their SGI form of Nichiren Buddhist practice. It is also an important aid and memoir for more experienced practitioners.
The fourth volume of the collected papers of the ICLA congress “The Many Languages of Comparative Literature” includes articles that study thematic and formal elements of literary texts. Although the question of prioritizing either the level of content or that of form has often provoked controversies, most contributions here treat them as internally connected. While theoretical considerations inform many of the readings, the main interest of most articles can be described as rhetorical (in the widest sense) – given that the ancient discipline of rhetoric did not only include the study of rhetorical figures and tropes such as metaphor, irony, or satire, but also that of topoi, which were originally viewed as the ‘places’ where certain arguments could be found, but later came to represent the arguments or intellectual themes themselves. Another feature shared by most of the articles is the tendency of ‘undeclared thematology’, which not only reflects the persistence of the charge of positivism, but also shows that most scholars prefer to locate themselves within more specific, often interdisciplinary fields of literary study. In this sense, this volume does not only prove the ongoing relevance of traditional fields such as rhetoric and thematology, but provides contributions to currently flourishing research areas, among them literary multilingualism, literature and emotions, and ecocriticism.
Nichiren Daishonin's writings provide a practical formula forenabling all people to achieve victory in every aspect of their livesand attain an unshakable state of happiness.This volume of Learning from Nichiren's Writings: The Teachingsfor Victory contains SGI President Daisaku Ikeda's lectureson nine of Nichiren's letters:“On the Offering of a Mud Pie”“A Father Takes Faith”“How Those Initially Aspiring to the Way CanAttain Buddhahood through the Lotus Sutra”“Letter to the Lay Priest Nakaoki”“Letter to Konichi-bo”“The Good Medicine for All Ills”“The Four Debts of Gratitude”“On the Treasure Tower”“Letter from Teradomari”President Ikeda elucidates the importance of studying Nichiren's writingsas the foundation of Nichiren Buddhism as practiced by the Soka GakkaiInternational. His lectures bring Nichiren's immense wisdom, compassion,and courage into focus for the present age. In reading and studying theselectures, we learn how to apply in daily life Nichiren's profound philosophyfor inner transformation and victory for both ourselves and others.The Teachings for Victory will empower you to develop the strength andwisdom to bring forth your inherent potential.
Chronologically presents Chinese civilization, covering antiquity figures such as Confucius, Mencius, and Laozi; the Han dynasty, including readings from the "I Jing"; the development of Buddhism, including Daoism and Mahayana Buddhism; Neo-Confucianism; and thought in late imperial China.
The Lotus Sutra, Shakyamuni Buddha's highest teaching, explainsthat all people—regardless of gender, social status or education—canuncover the Buddha nature they inherently possess. Based on thisempowering and compassionate sutra, Nichiren Daishonin revealedthe supreme practice for the modern world.Now, in clear, down-to-earth terms, SGI President Ikeda and SokaGakkai Study Department leaders Katsuji Saito, Takanori Endo andHaruo Suda explore the profound meaning of the Lotus Sutra'stwenty -eight chapters. Basing themselves on Nichiren Daishonin's lectureson the Lotus Sutra, The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings,they explain the concepts that form the foundation of SGImembers' Buddhist practice. Through their discussions, the ancienttext of the Lotus Sutra comes alive, brimming with profound significanceand practical advice for living in today's world.Volume three covers chapter 11-15 of the twenty-eight chapter Lotus Sutra.
The Parables chronicle the life and death of a castle society strangled into a coma by a terminal case of Bureaucratitus, hardening of the hallways. A young squire, Thomas Bucket, and his liege lord, Sir Lancelot, join the mle, joust with revolutionary zeal, but still cannot unhorse such stalwart practitioners of palatine politics as the Prince of the Piles, Lord Bellicose or the Parchment Patrollers (paper pushers of the first order). In the end, the nobles are led by the Wise Men, Smoke and Mirrors, into the sad Diaspora Bureaucrati. This book will help you avoid the same fate.
The Lotus Sutra clearly and definitively reveals the buddha nature that is an integral part of the lives of all people. And it makesclear that the Buddha desires and acts so that all people, by opening up this buddhanature inherent within themselves, mayattain the state of buddhahood forthemselves. The sutra further stresses that the continued observance of such action is the true mission of the bodhisattva, and never ceases to praise the observance of this practice.
Philip II of Spain was a major patron of the arts, best known for his magnificent palace and royal mausoleum at the Monastery of San Lorenzo of El Escorial. However, neither the king’s monastery nor his collections fully convey the rich artistic landscape of early modern Iberia. In this book, Laura Fernández-González examines Philip’s architectural and artistic projects, placing them within the wider context of Europe and the transoceanic Iberian dominions. Philip II of Spain and the Architecture of Empire investigates ideas of empire and globalization in the art and architecture of the Iberian world during the sixteenth century, a time when the Spanish Empire was one of the largest in the world. Fernández-González illuminates Philip’s use of building regulations to construct an imperial city in Madrid and highlights the importance of his transformation of the Simancas fortress into an archive. She analyzes the refashioning of his imperial image upon his ascension to the Portuguese throne and uses the Hall of Battles in El Escorial as a lens through which to understand visual culture, history writing, and Philip’s kingly image as it was reflected in the funeral commemorations mourning his death across the Iberian world. Positioning Philip’s art and architectural programs within the wider cultural context of politics, legislation, religion, and theoretical trends, Fernández-González shows how design and images traveled across the Iberian world and provides a nuanced assessment of Philip’s role in influencing them. Original and important, this panoramic work will have a lasting impact on Philip II’s artistic legacy. Art historians and scholars of Iberia and sixteenth-century history will especially value Fernández-González’s research.
