Chapter 6_Present Holds the Key to Eternal Victory
Present Holds the Key to Eternal Victory
1. "Now Is the Last Moment of One's Life"
In the previous chapter, we learned:
You = Lotus Sutra = Shakyamuni Buddha
When we practice with the profound conviction that now is the last moment of our life , we can attain Buddhahood in this lifetime.
Nichiren Daishonin teaches that one who chants Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with this profound insight will experience inner peace and tranquility at the time of death.
What does this mean?
It means:
Chanting and striving sincerely in faith.
Practicing the Bodhisattva way.
Living each moment with the awareness that it may be our last.
Giving our very best in the present.
Such a person can approach the final moment with satisfaction, appreciation and no regret .
2. The Most Crucial Time Is Now
We know that death will certainly come, but we do not know when .
Therefore, the best approach is:
Live every moment as if it were the last moment.
This means:
Do not remain trapped in past failures or past achievements.
Do not postpone happiness or Buddhist practice until some future condition is achieved.
Use whatever resources, abilities and circumstances you have right now .
Challenge your life and practice the Bodhisattva way in the present.
Thus:
The present holds the key to eternal victory.
3. The Last Moment Determines the Direction of Life and Death
The final moment of this life can be understood as:
The final accounting of this existence → the point of departure toward the next existence.
Our state of mind at death reflects how we have lived and becomes a cause for future effects.
Therefore, cultivating a correct and steadfast mind is crucial.
Correct and Steadfast Mind
It means:
Maintaining right thought.
Having unwavering faith in the Mystic Law.
Maintaining serenity and composure even in the face of death.
Having no regret about how we have lived.
However, we cannot suddenly create this state of mind at the last moment.
We must cultivate it through our daily life and Buddhist practice.
When we repeatedly challenge difficulties with faith, the life state of courage, joy and life force becomes increasingly established.
4. Defeating the Hindrance of Death
The Hindrance of Death is one of the most difficult obstacles to overcome.
If we fail to confront the Three Obstacles and Four Devils throughout our lives, it becomes difficult to defeat the hindrance of death.
Therefore, living with the spirit of:
"Now is the last moment of my life"
helps us continually strengthen our faith and prepare ourselves to overcome devilish functions.
Nichiren Daishonin states:
"Strengthen your faith day by day and month after month. Should you slacken in your resolve even a bit, devils will take advantage."
5. Nichiren Daishonin at Tatsunokuchi
The Tatsunokuchi Persecution provides a powerful example of a correct and steadfast mind.
As Nichiren Daishonin was being taken to the execution site, Shijo Kingo became frightened when death appeared imminent.
He cried out about Nichiren Daishonin's impending death.
Nichiren Daishonin responded:
"You don't understand! What greater joy could there be?"
This demonstrates the life state of someone who has:
No fear of death.
Unwavering faith.
Profound joy in upholding the Mystic Law.
A steadfast mind even at the moment of death.
Thus, Nichiren Daishonin demonstrated how to overcome the Devil King of the Sixth Heaven and the Hindrance of Death .
6. "Received into the Hands of a Thousand Buddhas"
Nichiren Daishonin teaches that those who dedicate themselves sincerely to faith will be welcomed and protected by a thousand Buddhas at death .
This imagery contrasts with the Nembutsu belief that Amida Buddha and two Bodhisattvas would come to welcome practitioners into the Pure Land.
Nichiren Daishonin emphasizes that practitioners of the Lotus Sutra will be welcomed by not merely one, two or hundreds, but a thousand Buddhas .
The essential point is the assurance of protection and peace at the time of death for those who have dedicated their lives to faith.
7. Accidental Death and Death from Illness
A person's manner of death does not by itself determine whether they can attain Buddhahood .
Those who have sincerely dedicated themselves to faith and continued striving until the end can maintain a correct and steadfast mind regardless of whether death occurs through:
Accident
Illness
Other unexpected circumstances
The important point is the life state and faith of the person , not merely the form in which death occurs.
We should fear not merely the destruction of the body, but the destruction of the mind.
8. Suicide
The material explains suicide in terms of fundamental darkness and failure to value life .
Because life is eternal, taking one's own life does not provide an escape from karma or suffering.
The life state continues beyond death, and the causes and tendencies established in life continue to influence one's existence.
Therefore:
We must value life and strive wholeheartedly in the present.
9. Upgrading Our Life State to Buddhahood
We all possess Buddhahood , but we also possess tendencies created through our karma.
These may manifest as:
Greed
Anger
Stupidity
Envy
Desire to dominate
Attachment to various desires
These tendencies influence our dominant life state and the causes we create.
Therefore, our goal is to transform our dominant life state from the lower worlds toward Buddhahood .
The way to do this is:
Faith + Bodhisattva practice + Living each moment with the spirit that it may be our last.
When we establish Buddhahood as our dominant life state, we can continue the cycle of life and death in the realm of Buddhahood .
10. Three Evil Paths
The Three Evil Paths are:
Hell
Hunger
Animality
They are the lowest three of the Six Paths.
11. Three Obstacles
The Three Obstacles are functions that obstruct Buddhist practice.
1. Obstacle of Earthly Desires
Arises from the Three Poisons :
Greed
Anger
Foolishness
2. Obstacle of Karma
Obstacles arising from negative causes created through actions such as the five cardinal sins and ten evil acts .
3. Obstacle of Retribution
Obstacles arising as effects of negative karma.
12. Four Devils
The Four Devils are hindrances that obstruct Buddhist practice.
1. Hindrance of the Five Components / Mind and Body
Disturbances arising from the workings of body and mind.
2. Hindrance of Earthly Desires / Three Poisons
Greed, anger and foolishness arising within one's life.
3. Hindrance of Death
Death that cuts short one's practice, or the death of another that causes doubt in one's faith.
4. Hindrance of the Devil King
The Devil King of the Sixth Heaven assumes various forms or influences others in order to cause practitioners to abandon their Buddhist practice.
⭐ KEY POINTS TO REMEMBER
"Now is the last moment of one's life"
Live and practice with the profound conviction that this moment may be the last .
Present
The present holds the key to eternal victory.
Last moment
The final life state becomes the point of departure toward the next existence .
Correct and Steadfast Mind
Unwavering faith + right thought + serenity + no regret.
Daily practice
A steadfast mind at death must be cultivated throughout life , not created at the last moment.
Tatsunokuchi
Nichiren Daishonin's response:
"What greater joy could there be?"
Demonstrates victory over the Hindrance of Death .
Thousand Buddhas
Those who dedicate themselves sincerely to faith are assured of being welcomed by a thousand Buddhas .
Three Evil Paths
Hell → Hunger → Animality
Three Obstacles
Earthly Desires → Karma → Retribution
Four Devils
Mind/Body → Earthly Desires → Death → Devil King
Ultimate objective
Transform the dominant lower life state into the life state of Buddhahood .
Core formula
Faith → Bodhisattva Way → Correct & Steadfast Mind → Buddhahood → Joy in Life and Death
The central message of this chapter is that we prepare for victory at the final moment by winning in the present moment—again and again, through faith and Buddhist practice.