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Peter Morris
Excerpted from UKE Feb.'99
Many bodies, one mind. This is the kind of unity where people are free to develop their individuality, while having a united aim. This is what Nichiren Daishonin is advocating as Buddhist unity and the way towards world peace (kosen rufu).
"All believers should chant Nam myoho renge kyo with one mind, transcending all differences among themselves to become as inseparable as fish and the water in which they swim." (MWvol.1 pg23)
Transcending Differences
Intolerance is all too apparent in today's world. Since the end of the cold war, ethnic conflict and tribalism have become rife. The inability of different groups of people to transcend their differences, or even tolerate each other, is the greatest threat to humanity in the present day and is the greatest cause of war, famine and environmental destruction.
Where do our differences come from? Daisaku Ikeda reminds us, "All life is equally worthy of respect. It is in terms of the state of life (See the Ten Worlds), spirit, and the earnest desire which individuals manifest, that they differ from each other."
When we think we dislike someone, we are basing our viewpoint on superficial reactions. What we dislike about them is their karma, stemming from the eighth consciousness. When we transcend the eighth consciousness, we find the ninth consciousness, or Buddhahood. At this level, life is totally pure and limitless: we are all connected, like individual droplets of water in the ocean. Water can contain all kinds of impurities, but in essence it is all still H2O. Similarly, at the level of the ninth consciousness, there are no differences-we are all part of Buddhahood and of each other. The benefit of making the enormous effort required to transcend the differences is our realization of our own Buddhahood which is synonymous with the recognition of Buddhahood in each other. This is what Daisaku Ikeda means when he says itai doshin is a way to attain Buddhahood.
The inseparability of fish and the water in which they swim is an expression of the freedom we enjoy, when we consciousy strive to transcend differences. A fish has the potential to swim throughout all the oceans which cover 70% of the world's surface. That kind of freedom must also be an expression of enormous joy. A person who continually emphasizes differences experiences the opposite effect. Disrespect of fellow human beings brings and ever-increasing restriction of space in which the individual feels comfortable. Such a person is like a fish confined in a goldfish bowl, starved of freedom and the shared joy and experiences of its fellows. These two different approaches to life could be seen as the difference between Buddhahood and hell.
A person who transcends differences simultaneously achieves kosen-rufu. Kosen rufu, or world peace, is not some mythical far away concept but a living reality, which we can achieve from moment to moment. As always, Buddhism is very simple. By transcending differences and establishing itai doshin one attains Buddhahood and itai doshin all in one.
As Buddhists, we are responsible for our own happiness. Buddhahood is a state of life which is attainable like all the other life states, but different in its qualities and happiness. An event or person may be the cause of suffering, but it is the extent to which we can use our Buddhahood in these situations which determines our happiness, growth and enlightenment.
The will to succeed
So how do we transcend the differences and achieve itai doshin? The starting point has to be absolute determination, or ichinen (see ichinen sanzen). The next step is dialogue. It is always easier to talk to a third party about how badly we've been treated, rather than talking to the person directly. It takes great courage to talk directly to the person concerned, but if you are serious about achieving itai doshin, this is often the best way. If you can't even bear to talk to each other you can always chant together.
Transcending differences does not mean you have to agree with the person concerned, or sanction what they do which upsets you. This would completely deny the importance of itai. Ultimately, the desire to get beyond the feeling that someone is wrong, helps you find the way.
Some people may say that if they are doing their best in faith, practice and study then surely they are naturally achieving itai doshin. We can check this by asking some questions. Is there anyone in your family you disrespect? Are there people at work who you would not even give the time of day? If there are, there is still a bit to do.
It is easy to believe that we are good Buddhists, but instead of creating itai doshin we still emphasize differences. If we read the Gosho, "The Three Kinds of Treasure" we find that even Shijo Kingo with his strong faith had a problem with this. Kingo had separated himself from his four brothers, even though they were all strong followers of the Daishonin. They must have done something that Shijo disapproved of and he just could not bring himself to transcend the differences.
Nichiren Daishonin explains to Shijo Kingo that his life depends on repairing that relationship, teaching him that people are our treasures of the heart and that this is the greatest treasure of all.
Perhaps we can start to see the importance of this principle. Itai doshin is the bedrock of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism and transcending differences is the bedrock of kosen rufu.
Doshin, one mind, also means overcoming delusion. Delusion arises from viewing things from an egotistica, narrow perspective. The way to overcome the small ego and transcend differences is study and inspiration. Inspiration must flow through our movement like the blood which floods through our bodies, bringing fresh oxygen and removing waste products.
Change
It is very human to want to be praised for the great efforts that we make. To give clear explanations and admit when we are wrong are essential aspects of being human.
There are many examples in history, ancient and new, of how horrific disasters have been the catalyst for benefit and change. When people unite, transcending their differences, they can create something beautiful from the ashes of devastation. It is the same with our own lives. Sufferings are the fuel of our strength, happiness, enlightenment and growth.
President Ikeda:
"Nichiren Daishonin often equates the function of rain with problems and difficulties which are vital to human beings to make us grow and to make us strong. Being ignored, or even treated badly, is in fact benefit, because it trains you to endure and being able to endure is in itself happiness. When you develop the power to endure, you will develop a state of life which cannot be suppressed by anything.'
Good fortune and happiness come from respecting life. Misfortune and unhappiness come from disrespecting life. This holds true for an individual, a group, a country or the world. It is therefore only natural that any country which does not respect the dignity of life will experience all kinds of misfortune. To live respecting life is a fundamental part of being a Buddhist.
In a world full of ethnic conflict and division we must be living proof of itai doshin: where we achieve itai doshin within our families and communities; where we make our workplaces lands of kosen rufu. In this great mission, we are all totally equal and just as important as each other. Together we can create a peaceful world.
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This page was last modified on Sunday, August 20, 2006.