Monthly Discussion Series:Unlocking the Mysteries of Birth & Death and

Everything in Between (Ikeda 2003)

Chapter 5: Life’s Unlimited potential

April 6, 2006Hosted by World Peace Buddhists of Stanford

Agenda 7-8pm

Quick introductions of participants and WPBIntro to The Ten WorldsPower Point Presentation & Discussion

on The Ten WorldsExperience: Applying Buddhism, making victories in daily lifeLearn & practice chanting

Discussion Series:Unlocking the Mysteries of Birth & Death and

Everything in Between (Ikeda 2003)

Discussion Series:Unlocking the Mysteries of Birth & Death and

Everything in Between (Ikeda 2003)

BuddhahoodBodhisattvaRealizationLearningHeavenHumanityAngerAnimalityHungerHell

The Ten

Worlds

Discussion Series:Unlocking the Mysteries of Birth & Death and

Everything in Between (Ikeda 2003)

Buddhahood infinite compassion, absolute freedom, recognize reality of our lives, not a special being

Bodhisattva compassion and altruistic behavior, working toward enlightenment of oneself and others, happiness alone is only partial

Realization seeking truth through direct perception, abstract, no longer merely subject to environment, distracted from life’s harsh realities

Learning aware of impermanence of life, dedicate oneself to self-reformation/improvement

Heaven joy at having attained tangible and non-tangible items, something long desired such as an end to suffering, extremely vulnerable to external circumstances

Humanity strive to control desires and impulses through reason, first step toward attaining self-mastery

Anger perversity, hides true feelings while making false show of loyalty, arrogant state of life

Animality driven by instinct, foolishness, fear the strong but prey on the weak, lack reason and wisdom, caught in immediate circumstances

Hunger endless appetite, greed, a slave to one’s own desires

Hell life is painful, shackled, extremely weak life force, feeling unable to affect life, further self destruction

Discussion Series:Unlocking the Mysteries of Birth & Death and

Everything in Between (Ikeda 2003)

Mutual Possession of The Ten Worlds

KEY CONCEPT: Each of the Ten Worlds contains all the Ten

Worlds within it

What does this reveal about our unlimited potential?

                              

"Each droplet of water contains all essence of the vast ocean"

Our lives permeate the entire universe

It’s our heart (mind) that’s important

                              

"Hungry spirits perceives Ganges River as fire, human being perceives it as water, heavenly beings perceive it as amrita [divine nectar]"

                              

"Buddhahood is a state to access to the boundless wisdom compassion courage inherent in our own life"

Buddhahood can only be attained in an uncanny way

"To straighten the horn of a cow kills the cow"

"Suffer what is to suffer, enjoy what is to enjoy"

Buddhahood doesn’t means absence of problems, but possessing the abilities and to face whatever challenge

                              

Chanting Nam myoho renge kyo

+ action = Buddhahood

Discussion Series:Unlocking the Mysteries of Birth & Death and

Everything in Between (Ikeda 2003)

So What Does All This Suggest…Establish the state of Buddhahood as the basis of

everything we doOur innate compassion and wisdom then moves into actionBy working to demonstrate our Buddha Nature, through

cause and effect, our Buddha Nature is consistently strengthened and Buddhahood becomes integral to all our experiences

By establishing Buddhahood as our primary state we can then properly harmonize the other Nine Worlds and make positive use of the time spent in them

Our happiness becomes invulnerable to any changes in our surroundings

We also, then, have good influence on all those around us thereby transforming our environment

Discussion Series:Unlocking the Mysteries of Birth & Death and

Everything in Between (Ikeda 2003)

Discussion Points-What are your thoughts on each of the Ten

Worlds?-Why strive to reveal our Buddha Nature?-Can you share an example of how you

might apply this understanding of the Ten Worlds in your life?

-What relevancy does studying the Ten Worlds hold in your life?