" (the Lotus Sutra) is the teaching that the moon itself is mind, and the flower itself is mind. you should realize from this that polished rice is not polished rice; it is life itself."
--from the writings of nichiren daishonin
"the daishonin saw the life state of buddhahood in the natural form of all things, just as they are. .... a buddha is a person undefeated by the difficult challenges of the real world, who is fully engaged in the responsibilities of daily life and who shines as the most human of human beings." -- daisaku ikeda
when I am able to see to the heart/mind of all beings and entities, and see the heart/mind of the buddha beating there, then my life is one with all life. when I know my life is one with all, it changes my perspective. challenges become opportunities to help all attain the way, for all of us together to feel the joy of all joys. the grass where I walk and the sky full of rain and the person right in front of me seeming to block my way -- all are hearts beating together, waking up to our vast and unlimited potential.
all phenomena are contained in my innermost mind, and my innermost mind pervades all phenomena.
I am breathless! I am the most human of human beings.
