We may practise Nichiren's Buddhism for years and years, and we may talk about doing our human revolution, but if we are not prepared to make the strenuous effort that it takes to really accomplish change in our lives, we are running a great risk. We risk paying lip-service to the power of the Gohonzon. We risk settling for the camaraderie of the Soka Gakkai rather than digging deeper into our lives. And because nothing is really changing, ultimately we risk bearing a grudge against the Mystic Law, and therefore negating the positive effects of practicing. We might just as well not practice at all.

When human beings are unhappy with life, they often try to 'fix' it by exerting their own influence on their environment. They may flatter, intimidate, bully or criticize those around them. They may even force their will on others in the name of change. More commonly, dissatisfaction or unhappiness in daily life is expressed simply by complaining. However, the essence of Buddhism is change from within. Complaining is of no use,. and is in fact a cause for further unhappiness.

When we practice Buddhism sincerely, we cannot avoid casting off the transient and revealing the true. Even Nichiren Daishonin had to go through this process at the Tatsunokuchi persecution. He had no means of seeing into the future; he could not know that a comet would blaze through the sky and arrest the attempt on his life. It was his faith in the Lotus Sutra that would not allow him to give in to doubts, even in the face of such enormous difficulty. And it was through the Tatsunokuchi persecution that Nichiren Daishonin revealed his true identity as the original Buddha of the time without beginning.

What should we do if we are not satisfied with our finances, our health, our relationships, our work or indeed any other aspect of our life? No matter what the area of dissatisfaction, we could perhaps do with taking a good long look at ourselves, and at our practice. We could ask ourselves, "Do I complain? Do I criticize? Do I chant without believing?”

We must make efforts to change from within rather than complain about life. Of course, this requires courage, and it also requires action. Courage and the life-force to take action are stimulated by our faith.

President Toda once said: "Changing is more important than understanding", then comments, "We study Buddhism in order to do our human revolution and strengthen our faith." Human revolution is easier said than done. But let's not practice half-heartedly, neglecting the fundamental challenge of 'casting off the transient". Let's all make concerted and vigorous efforts to ‘reveal the true' in our lives.

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This page was last modified on Sunday, August 20, 2006.