So in Nichiren Buddhism, there’s a very strong concept on Kosen Rufu, or world peace through individual happiness. We are encouraged to always work towards Kosen Rufu in our environments, and connect our material desires to Kosen rufu, as a way of accelerating their manifestation. At the same time, there is a phrase in the practice that goes “material desires lead to enlightenment”. My concern is- those who work so passionately towards kosen rufu (think: teachers, medical workers, therapists) are typically not the highest earners in a society, don’t always thrive financially, thereby being unable to embrace the material desires that the practice encourages us to cultivate. In such a case, the desire for material wealth is oftentimes in contradiction with the practical reality of working towards Kosen rufu. When I shared this with the local leader, she disagreed. She emphasized on her strong belief that working towards kosen rufu actually enables & leads to more material growth, and that fortune is always accessible to the votaries of the lotus sutra, regardless of their profession. And that working towards Kosen rufu can happen in any profession. What are your thoughts?
Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism is a Japanese Buddhist practice where we chant “Nam myoho renge kyo” daily, which means “I believe in the power of cause and effect”. This practice’s purpose is to be hap...