Koushiki Choudhury - Finding Peace: An Oriental Quest

Finding Peace

Finding Peace

An Oriental Quest

KOUSHIKI CHOUDHURY

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To
My Father

Who truly believed that every religion is a path to the Divine
Who lived that way

I have come to the brink of eternity from which nothing can vanish
no hope, no happiness, no vision of a face seen through tears.

Oh, dip my emptied life into that ocean, plunge it into the deepest fullness.
Let me for once feel that lost sweet touch in the allness of the universe. (Tagore, Gitanjali, 2008)

Contents

THIS BOOK is the outcome of an exploratory research study on Nichiren Buddhism, and an exhaustive research of the poetry and philosophy of Tagore, the great poet-philosopher and Nobel Laureate from India.

The practice of Nichiren Buddhism is rapidly becoming a global religion. This contemporary global Buddhist practice originates from the philosophy of Nichiren Daishonin, a Buddhist monk who lived in Japan in the thirteenth century. Nichiren discovered that amidst the many Buddhist sutras, it is the Lotus Sutra that contains the crux of the Buddhist teachings and the truth which was revealed to Buddha. Thus, about 2,000 years after Buddhas demise, Nichiren, the Buddhist priest, distilled the wisdom and profound teachings of the Lotus Sutra into a simple, practical practice, which would permit each and every person to manifest their highest state of life, that is, Buddhahood, in the midst of harsh reality. The Lotus Sutra avers that each and every person has infinite potential, and that by sincere practice, each person can bring out that potential, enabling their intrinsic, deep storehouse of creativity to flower, and making it possible for them to contribute to the improvement and enrichment of society. In short, according to the Lotus Sutra, a universal principle, called the Buddha nature, is innate in all life, and each and every person is capable of attaining enlightenment.

Nichiren Buddhism enables ordinary people to bring forth their Buddha nature, their Buddha wisdom, and nurture the immense energy, courage, and insight they already possess within themselves. It consequently empowers people to transform their sufferings and live courageously, victoriously, and happily in this age of conflict and strife. In the same vein, the philosophy and spiritual thoughts of Rabindranath Tagore, as reflected through his poetry, abounds with hope and shines on the limitless potential, invincibility, and divinity of man. The philosophy of Tagore encompasses and transcends all aspects of life and living, man and nature, our myriad emotions-heartbreaking and joyous, towards the overwhelming triumph and evolution of the human spirit.

The book reveals that the ethos of Nichiren and Tagore confluence to illuminate a path of hope, courage, and peace for people in todays harsh, despaired, materialistic, and stressed-out world. It is offered with the humility, that even lifetimes are not enough to mine these philosophical diamond fields. How the philosophies of Tagore and Nichiren converge in their emotive power for uplifting the human spirit and how they convey the same truth, I will leave it to my readers to distill in their unique way, as we embark upon this journey.

I express my deep gratitude to my mother for her constant encouragement and selfless help and support, while I was writing this book, and always.

My heartfelt thanks to everyone at Bloomsbury for enabling me to convey the message of these philosophers to humanity.

THE PRACTICE of Nichiren Buddhism is sweeping the world and rapidly becoming a force to reckon with. This contemporary global Buddhist practice originates from the philosophy of Nichiren Daishonin, a Buddhist monk who lived in Japan in the thirteenth century. Nichirens philosophy is based on the teachings of Shakyamuni (Buddha), the founder of Buddhism, who lived in India about 2,500 years back. Nichiren understood that the Lotus Sutra contains the essence of the Buddhist teachings and the truth which was revealed to Buddha. According to the Lotus Sutra, a universal principle, called the Buddha nature, is innate in all life and all people are capable of attaining enlightenment.

The objective of Mahayana Buddhism is the realisation of happiness for self and others. Nichiren Buddhism, which is based on Mahayana Buddhism, is a religion which illuminates the path to human happiness very effectively. Millions of people all over the world practicing Nichiren Buddhism are experiencing a process of inner spiritual transformation, leading to a state of life, characterised by peace, good fortune, happiness, the courage and confidence to confront and overcome any adversity, and fulfillment of their cherished dreams. Nichirens approach is extremely practical, convenient, and accessible; it enables ordinary people to bring forth their Buddha nature, their Buddha wisdom, and nurture the immense energy, courage, and insight they already possess within themselves. It consequently empowers people to transform their sufferings and live courageously, victoriously, and happily in this age of conflict and strife. Nichiren Buddhism stresses not on retreat or escape from lifes problems, but attempts to radiate the light of human courage, wisdom, and infinite potential for the betterment of life and society. Nichirens teachings are spiritual, and declare that all people, irrespective of social status, education level, race, gender, or capacity, have the power to conquer lifes challenges, build a life of value and creativity, and positively influence their community and society.

In the same vein, the philosophy and spiritual thoughts of the great poet-philosopher and Nobel Laureate from India, Rabindranath Tagore (18611941), as reflected through his poetry, abounds with hope, and shines on the limitless potential, invincibility, and divinity of man. The heart of Indian spirituality glows in the brilliance and beauty of Tagores philosophical poetry, which transcends all barriers of religion, nationality, culture, and language.