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The Simultaneity of Cause and Effect

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Buddhism teaches that the law of cause and effect underlies the workings of all phenomena. Positive thoughts, words and actions create positive effects in the lives of individuals, leading to happiness. Negative thoughts, words and actions on the other hand—those that in some way undermine the dignity of life—lead to unhappiness. This is the general principle of karma.

In Buddhist teachings other than the Lotus Sutra, Buddhist practice is understood as a gradual journey of transformation. This is a process in which, over the course of many lifetimes, the essentially flawed and imperfect common mortal gradually molds and transforms him- or herself into a state of perfection—Buddhahood. It is a process of self-perfection that requires painstaking efforts to accumulate positive causes while striving to extinguish the effects of past negative causes and avoiding new negative causes.

In Nichiren Buddhism, however, the attainment of Buddhahood is governed by a more profound principle of causality, as revealed in the Lotus Sutra.

The Simultaneity of Cause and Effect

The practice of Nichiren Buddhism is one of manifesting the potential of Buddhahood here and now.

 

Here and Now

The difference between these two views of Buddhahood could be described using the analogy of a video game. The conventional view of the process of enlightenment is like a game character who gradually overcomes an array of inherent flaws, accumulating various powers and useful tools while successfully passing through to the advanced stages of the game.

In the Lotus Sutra’s view of enlightenment, the game character is from the beginning already in possession of all the full powers possible, and only requires a means to unlock them.

Chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with faith in one’s inherent Buddhahood could be compared to activating the “code” that unlocks this potential. The practice of Nichiren Buddhism is one of manifesting the potential of Buddhahood here and now.

In real terms this means that when we harness the inherent power of our Buddhahood, we can surmount any difficulty and establish a happy and victorious path of life. Furthermore, as the fundamental orientation of our life becomes one of hope and compassion, even our weaknesses and failings can function positively, becoming a source of understanding and thoughtfulness toward others. This does not mean, though, that we completely and finally transcend our capacity for delusion.

Bringing forth one’s enlightened nature—characterized by courage, wisdomcompassion and life force—one is then equipped to engage fully with the problems of life, change reality for the better and make enlightenment an actuality.

Problems and challenges, in this sense, serve as a means for us to demonstrate the strength and reality of our enlightened nature and to inspire others to do the same. Buddhism is about living confidently and expansively here and now. The key component in this is faith in our inherently enlightened nature.

When we have full confidence in our Buddha nature and our ability to transform and triumph over any kind of suffering, problems become challenges to be welcomed rather than avoided. This sustained sense of confidence and determination in the face of difficulties is itself a manifestation of our Buddha nature and, in accordance with the principle of the simultaneity of cause and effect, assures our success in life.

Courtesy  April 2013 issue of the SGI Quarterly.

Source from Soka Global

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