Live the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin!

A profound sense of mission as a Bodhisattva of the Earth—an individual dedicated to the happiness of oneself and others based on the universality of Buddhahood—is the engine of our human revolution toward unshakable happiness; it is also the driving force behind the SGI-USA's efforts for the further expansion of peace in America and the rest of the world.
To instill and foster this sense of mission in each of us, the SGI-USA Study Department would like to continue “Live the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin!” as the theme for our Buddhist learning efforts. In light of this theme, the study department recommends the following as the Buddhist learning guidelines for 2007.

2008 Buddhist Learning Guidelines:

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2007 Buddhist Learning Guidelines:

1. Study Nichiren Daishonin's writings every day.

2. Incorporate the study of Nichiren Buddhism in discussion meetings and world peace prayer meetings through the World Tribune and Living Buddhism.

3. Promote study meetings of Nichiren Daishonin's writings and President Ikeda's guidance.

4. Encourage everyone to participate in the Buddhist Learning Review in October.

5. Encourage everyone to view and absorb President Ikeda's speeches in the monthly Headquarters Leaders' Meeting videos and as printed in the World Tribune.

1. Read Nichiren Daishonin's writings every day.

Buddhist learning is part of our personal practice, along with the daily practice of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and reciting portions of the Lotus Sutra and our continual efforts for peace through spreading the humanism of Nichiren Buddhism. The foundation of our Buddhist learning lies in reading the writings of Nichiren Daishonin and applying them to our daily lives.

2. Incorporate the study of Nichiren Buddhism in discussion meetings and world peace prayer meetings through the World Tribune and Living Buddhism.

Discussion meetings and world peace prayer meetings we hold each month are an oasis to rejuvenate our lives through Nichiren Buddhism. The key to a successful meeting lies in sharing the spirit of Nichiren Daishonin with everyone in attendance. As Nichiren Daishonin writes in “The True Aspect of All Phenomena,” “If you are of the same mind as Nichiren, you must be a Bodhisattva of the Earth” (The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, p. 385). For this reason, it is important to incorporate the study of Nichiren Buddhism in discussion meetings and world peace prayer meetings. To this end, please use the World Tribune and Living Buddhism—especially, the World Tribune series “The Writings for Discussion Meetings” published in the third issue of every month.

3. Promote the study meetings of Nichiren Daishonin's writings.

In February, April, June, August and December, the study department recommends that a study meeting be held at the chapter- or district-level based on the study material published in Living Buddhism. To help the presenters at these meetings, the study department will continue to hold preparatory meetings through video and telephone hookup. For January, March, May, July September, and November study meetings the study material is the same excerpt from The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin that appears in issues of Living Buddhism. This year, we are encouraging the study of the selection from the Daishonin's writings be studied for two months in a row rather than just one month.

4. Encourage everyone to participate in the Buddhist Learning Review in October.

October is designated the “Month of Buddhist Learning,” and the study department will hold the Buddhist Learning Review. The Buddhist Learning Review is an opportunity for all SGI-USA members to experience the joy of Buddhist learning. Please encourage everyone in your district and leaders at all levels of the organization to participate in this event.

5. Encourage everyone to view and absorb President Ikeda's speeches in the monthly Headquarters Leaders' Meeting videos and as printed in the World Tribune.

To see and hear the greatest teacher and living example of Nichiren Buddhism in the monthly videos adds a greater dimension to our own understanding. Please encourage everyone to take advantage of these great opportunities.

Practicing Buddhism based on Nichiren Daishonin's writings is the SGI's proud tradition; it has been the foundation for each member's personal development and the SGI's global propagation efforts. To secure this foundation of each member's fulfilling life and our global Buddhist movement for peace, the study department will work harder than ever in 2007.

The study department will post the necessary information about the SGI-USA's Buddhist learning on this Web site.

If you have any questions or comments, please write to study@sgi-usa.org.

Thank you very much for all your support of Buddhist learning!