This is from my Buddhism Day by Day book by Daisaku Ikeda. It's one of my favorites.
One of the epithets of a Buddha is "Hero of the World." A Buddha is a valiant and noble champion who has conquered the sufferings of life in the real world.
Nichiren writes: "Buddhism is like the body and society like the shadow. When the body bends, so does the shadow."
People cannot live apart from society. But to be constantly at the mercy of society's ups and downs is a miserable existence. It is crucial for us to be strong and wise.
The "body" Nichiren refers to is, on the personal level, our faith.
3 comments:
Watching only shadows gives a rather distorted view of the world.
i think pitty sayings by old dead people leave a lot to desire..
Sorry to disappoint. I thought what he said about not being a pawn of society was positive. I have enough trouble believing in myself. It feels positive to feel as if someone who I think has more wisdom than I ever will is saying "stand up for what you believe in."
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