Chapter 7_Maintaining Life Long Faith
Maintaining Lifelong Faith
This chapter focuses on one central message:
Faith must not merely be started—it must be strengthened throughout life, until the very last moment.
1. Past, Present and Future
Nichiren Daishonin says:
“My followers are now able to accept and uphold the Lotus Sutra because of the strong ties they formed with it in their past existences. They are certain to obtain the fruit of Buddhahood in the future.”
Remember this three-part framework:
Past: Strong karmic ties with the Lotus Sutra
Present: Able to accept and uphold the Lotus Sutra
Future: Certain to obtain the fruit of Buddhahood
Key idea
Our encountering Nichiren Buddhism is not viewed as mere coincidence . We have deep ties with the Mystic Law from the past.
By maintaining faith throughout this lifetime, we establish the life state of Buddhahood and continue advancing toward Buddhahood in the future.
2. The Present Can Transform the Past and Future
Normally, we understand:
Past → Present → Future
But Buddhism teaches us to focus on the transformative power of the present .
How does the present transform the past?
The past is contained in our present life in the form of:
Tendencies
Habits
Karma
Patterns of behavior
When we change our life state in the present , we change these tendencies.
For example:
Delusion → Buddhist practice → Awakening
The past tendency no longer determines our future.
Therefore, rather than being trapped by:
“This is my karma, so this is how I will always be.”
we can transform our karma through our present actions based on faith.
Key principle
The present is the most important point for transformation.
3. Faith Means Infinite Hope
When we chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with faith, we do not remain bound by our past.
We can transform:
Negative karma
Negative tendencies
Present circumstances
Our future direction
Therefore:
Faith gives us infinite hope.
No matter how difficult the present circumstances may be, we can challenge them through Buddhist practice.
4. Strengthen Faith Day by Day
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.”
Faith is not something we establish once and then leave unchanged.
It must continually become stronger.
Analogy
“If one dyes something repeatedly in indigo, it becomes even bluer than the indigo itself.”
Similarly, through repeated efforts in faith, our lives become increasingly imbued with Myoho-renge-kyo .
5. Deepening Faith = Deepening Prayers
Our prayers reflect our life state .
As our Buddhist practice deepens:
Faith deepens → Life state develops → Prayers deepen
Our prayers and determination naturally become broader, stronger and more grounded in the Mystic Law.
6. Nichiren Daishonin Demonstrated Lifelong Faith
Even amid exile and severe persecution, Nichiren Daishonin never abandoned his vow.
He declared:
“I will be the pillar of Japan. I will be the eyes of Japan. I will be the great ship of Japan. This is my vow, and I will never forsake it.”
This demonstrates unwavering faith despite circumstances .
7. What Helps Us Maintain Lifelong Faith?
Two important principles:
Mentor and Disciple
Taking the mentor's spirit and vow as one's own and continuing to advance toward kosen-rufu.
Many in Body, One in Mind
Maintaining unity while advancing together.
The material emphasizes that persevering in practice and study within the organization advancing kosen-rufu helps continually deepen faith toward attaining Buddhahood in this lifetime.
8. Three Goals of Our Buddhist Practice
The material identifies three goals:
Self-Realization
Social Contribution
Victory in Life
Faith must manifest itself in our actual daily lives.
9. Faith Throughout Every Stage of Life
Faith is not restricted to one particular age or circumstance.
Just as Indian tradition describes four stages of life, Buddhist practice can also be understood according to different stages of one's life.
1. Future & Youth Division
Purpose: Self-discovery and training
Discover one's purpose in life.
Polish and develop oneself.
Build the foundation for one's future.
Example: Ikeda Sensei joined the Soka Gakkai at 19 and, through his struggles alongside Toda Sensei, established the foundation for his life.
2. Men & Women Division
Purpose: Implementation and actual proof
Demonstrate the power of faith in daily life.
Fulfill responsibilities at work and in the family.
Contribute to society.
Create actual proof.
3. Many Treasures Group
Purpose: Maturity and joy
There is no retirement age in faith .
Continue making one's life shine through faith.
Advance toward attaining Buddhahood in this lifetime.
President Toda emphasized:
“The final part of your life is important. If the last years of your life are happy, then you have won.”
10. Treasure Tower Is Within Us
The Treasure Tower represents the profound value inherent in our own lives.
According to the Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, the Treasure Tower has four sides , representing:
Birth → Aging → Sickness → Death
When we manifest Buddhahood, the Treasure Tower wells forth within us.
Therefore, even:
Birth
Aging
Sickness
Death
can become adorned with the "jewels" of Buddhahood.
The goal is to experience these four aspects of life with the four virtues:
Eternity • Happiness • True Self • Purity
⭐ KEY POINTS TO REMEMBER
Past → Present → Future
Past: Strong ties with Lotus Sutra
Present: Accept and uphold it
Future: Attain Buddhahood
Present is the key
The present is where we can transform our karma, tendencies and future direction .
Lifelong faith
Faith must become stronger:
Day by day → Month after month → Until the last moment
Indigo analogy
Repeatedly dyeing something in indigo makes it even bluer.
Repeated Buddhist practice deepens our life state.
Nichiren Daishonin's vow
“I will be the pillar of Japan. I will be the eyes of Japan. I will be the great ship of Japan.”
Remember: Never forsake the vow.
Three goals
Self-Realization + Social Contribution + Victory in Life
Three stages emphasized in the material
Youth → Training
Men & Women → Actual Proof
Many Treasures → Maturity & Joy
No retirement in faith
Faith continues throughout one's entire life.
Final victory
“The final part of your life is important. If the last years of your life are happy, then you have won.”
Treasure Tower
Four sides = Birth, Aging, Sickness, Death
Manifesting Buddhahood enables us to adorn these four aspects of life with the four virtues: Eternity, Happiness, True Self and Purity .
One-line takeaway
Lifelong faith means continually strengthening our practice, transforming our karma through the present, fulfilling our mission at every stage of life, and striving until the final moment to make our entire life a victory.