HARMONY - Feb 2012

Special Feature: Sharing the Happiness

This month we look at the way we can help people become absolutely happy and overcome any suffering or negative situation they might be experiencing.

Let’s face it, the world today is a difficult and challenging place. The headlines are full of people and nations doing unspeakable things to each other.  The respect and care for another person’s dignity and life seems to stop with ones immediately family and sometimes it doesn’t even extend that far.

Anywhere you turn, you can find people who are at a loss as to how to fundamentally change their circumstances, let alone positively impact the lives of others.

It seems that people are all to often ruled by greed, anger or foolishness. But they don’t have to be.

As Nichiren Buddhists, we know that the key to be able to transform our lives, the lives of our family and friends and the people around us, lies in the heart of the Lotus Sutra, chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.

When we chant we tap into our inherent Buddhahood, and as a result we manifest our hope, courage and confidence.  We realize that we can definitely change any situation. Unless we share this transformative ability with others, they will never know that they also have the key within to change any situation and possess the ability to be absolutely happy.

As President Ikeda says:

“Each person possesses a precious inner treasure of infinite worth. To remain unaware of this and stumble about in spiritual poverty is a tragic waste. In contrast, a person fully awakened to the jewel-like dignity of their own life is capable of truly respecting that treasure in others.”

If we are to change the direction of the world from its current situation, we must help others awaken to the inherent value of not only their own life but the lives of others.

Let’s share the happiness of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with others.

Robert “Skip” Williams
Editor-in-chief

Available at all HKSGI Culture Centres