THE TEN
WORLDS - JIKKAI
ÒI
express my sincere devotion to the Dai-Gohonzon, É the eternal coexistence of the Ten WorldsÓ (Liturgy of Nichiren
Shoshu, Second Silent Prayer). The
Ten Worlds include Hell, Hunger, Animality, Anger, Humanity, Rapture, Learning,
Self-Realization, Bodhisattva, and the supreme life condition of
Buddhahood. The Ten Worlds are
inherent in all life at all times and each of the Ten Worlds is endowed with
all the others. That they are mutually inclusive makes it possible for us to
attain the supreme life condition of Buddhahood as we are, in this lifetime,
when we chant Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo to the Gohonzon.
THE WORLD OF HELL - JIGOKU
ÒRage is
the World of HellÉÓ
(MW1-p.52). Hell is the lowest life
condition and is characterized by uncontrollable suffering, desperation, anger
and hopelessness. The cause of
suffering may be physical, mental, or spiritual. Nichiren Daishonin teaches us that the internal cause for
the suffering of hell resides within our own lives, and He presents to each of
us the means to change the poison of hell to the medicine of supreme
enlightenment.
THE
WORLD OF HUNGER - GAKI
ÒÉGreed
is the world of Hunger ÉÓ (MW1- p.52).
Hunger is characterized by insatiable desire Ð be it for money, material
objects, food, power, or love.
This is a state of life controlled by greed without regard to others or
the environment. Our faith and practice of Nichiren DaishoninÕs Buddhism
balances, controls and channels our desires, so that we take full
responsibility for our actions and yearn to share the freedom from the World of
Hunger with others.
THE WORLD OF ANIMALITY - CHIKUSHO
ÒIt is the nature of beasts to threaten
the weak and fear the strong.Ó (MW1- p. 52). In the World of Animality, instinct and emotion
control our life without reason and respect for others. Buddhist practice
erases our negative karma that causes us to live in the suffering of the Worlds
of Hell, Hunger and Animality, referred to as the Three Evil Paths, and
strengthens our lives with the desire to live a life in the pursuit of
Buddha-wisdom.
THE
WORLD OF ANGER - SHURA
ÒÉPerversity
is (the World) of AngerÉÓ (MW1- p 52).
The World of Anger arises from our selfish ego, resulting in the need to
be better than others - to be ÒrightÓ in all matters - and to feel
superior. This is a state of life
controlled by a warped sense of reality, blinding us to the results of oneÕs
actions and blaming others when something goes wrong. Prejudice, jealousy and
animosity abound in the World of Anger. To free oneself from the World of Anger
and develop compassion for others and a deep understanding of the fundamental
equality of all life, we sincerely carry out our Buddhist practice of purifying
our lives and erasing negative karma.
THE
WORLD OF HUMANITY - NIN
The World of
Humanity is characterized by rationality, composure, calmness and
tranquility. Though we make
ceaseless effort to improve ourselves in this state of life, it is most
susceptible to external change.
Nichiren Daishonin teaches us to appreciate the rare opportunity to be
born as a human being with the potential to attain enlightenment to the
ultimate reality of our lives.
With His own life, He teaches us to have the determination to practice
True Buddhism in the face of any obstacle.
THE
WORLD OF RAPTURE - TEN
The World of
Rapture is characterized by joy as a result of satisfying our desires, be it
for material gain, a long cherished goal, or finding the ÒperfectÓ
relationship. This state of
life is a result of satisfying oneÕs desires and is, therefore, short-lived and
fleeting. The first six
worlds, known as the ÒSix Evil PathsÓ are largely dependent on external
influences and circumstances. None
is an indestructible state of life. True Buddhism reveals the joy in seeking
indestructible happiness as human beings. As Nichiren Daishonin encourages us
to maintain our faith in the face of all hardships, ÒThere is no greater
happiness for human beings than chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo.Ó (M.W.1, p 161)
THE
WORLD OF LEARNING - SHOMON
The World of
Learning describes the life condition in which people derive great satisfaction
from intellectual pursuits to gain knowledge, understanding and self-improvement
through study. A philosophical approach to life, this state of life is
satisfying in a theoretical way only, since it does not include action to
eradicate oneÕs own negative karma and develop a deep compassion for others.
Faith practice, and study of Nichiren DaishoninÕs teachings makes us realize
that we are irrevocably connected to the world around us and that we should
move beyond the self-satisfaction of the World of Learning to a compassionate
state of life.
THE WORLD OF SELF-REALIZATION -
ENGAKU
The World of
Self-Realization is characterized by an effort to independently understand and
realize a reality beyond the surface of everyday life, be it through art,
music, science or other disciplines. This often results in intuitive knowledge
that is fulfilling and self-satisfying, but only to a point. Arrogance often
impedes gaining a full understanding of our lives. The two Worlds of Learning
and Realization are known as the ÒTwo Paths.Ó Only in the Lotus Sutra were people in the Worlds of
Learning and Self-Realization given the assurance that they could realize the
state of Buddhahood through faith in Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo.
THE
WORLD OF BODHISATTVA - BOSATSU
ÒEven a
heartless villain loves his wife and children.Ó (MW1- p. 53). A sense of love and caring for
one another is evident in The World of Bodhisattva. In this world, a person
will take action to alleviate the suffering of others. Many people and
organizations exist to help others in more need than themselves and find great
satisfaction in living life in this manner. However, without the Great Medicine of Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo,
which lessens our karmic retribution, these attempts to relieve peopleÕs
suffering and end war, poverty and starvation on our planet will remain
futile.
THE
WORLD OF BUDDHAHOOD - BUTSU
ÒBuddhahood is the most difficult to
demonstrate. But since you possess
the other nine worlds, you should believe that you have Buddhahood as
well. É That common mortals born
in the Latter Day of the Law can believe in the Lotus Sutra is due to the fact
that the world of Buddhahood is present in the world of Humanity.Ó (MW1- p. 53). The World of Buddhahood is the
fundamental life condition and function inherent in our lives that is indestructible
and enables us to experience indestructible joy and compassion for others.
Nichiren Daishonin embodied His life in the form of the Dai-Gohonzon for
mankind to receive the seed of Buddhahood and to attain supreme enlightenment
in our present form.
MUTUAL
POSSESSION OF THE TEN WORLDS
JIKKAI GOGU
While one of the Ten Worlds
is always manifest in life, the other nine worlds lay dormant with the
potential for any one of them to appear at any moment. The possibility of
revealing Buddhahood is ever present in each of the Ten Worlds. It is the Mutual Possession of the Ten
Worlds that makes it possible for us to attain enlightenment. Nichiren
Daishonin compassionately teaches us the only way to actualize the world of
Buddhahood in this present age in our present form is to project our own life
condition upon the brilliant mirror of the Buddha Ð The Dai-Gohonzon. He states, ÒThe age of Mappo is the
time to propagate the seven characters of Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo and, as a
consequence to receive the merit they generate.Ó
(Gosho p. 1818).