A Brief Introduction to Buddhism
Buddhism was founded by
Shakyamuni (Siddhartha Gautama) Buddha about 3000 years ago. His intention was no less than to provide the whole of mankind with the means of overcoming suffering and achieving eternal happiness.Nichiren Daishonin (1222-1282) distilled the highest teachings of Shakyamuni, as preached in the Lotus Sutra, and taught a practice which would thereafter enable all people to attain enlightenment in their present lifetime.
Buddhism has quietly spread from person to person and now, at the start of a new millennium, is experiencing a phenomenal upsurge of interest throughout the world as people find in it a truly satisfying philosophy upon which to base their lives.
The Buddhism of Nichiren Daishonin is practised by more than 20 million people around the globe. The organisation responsible for preserving and spreading this teaching is the Soka Gakkai International (SGI), the SGI-UK being the United Kingdom branch. Buddhism develops quite naturally in each country in accordance with the culture of that particular country. The Guernsey Buddhist Group consists of members of the SGI-UK and was established in February 1998. The group was recognised as an independent district of the SGI-UK on the 29th April 1999. Buddhism will develop in Guernsey in perfect accord with Guernsey's own unique culture and tradition.
The intention of Buddhism is to create happiness, peace and value in society through the personal development or "human revolution" of each individual in that society.
There are three inter-dependent features of Nichiren Daishonin Buddhism:
Faith
Study
Practice
The time to start practising is now. One is never too young nor too old to start on one's own human revolution. The benefits brought into one's life through the practice of Buddhism are quite simply infinite.
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FAITH
There is no such thing as "blind" faith in Buddhism. Faith is interpreted simply as having sufficient trust in the teachings to try them out. When it is discovered that the practice "works", one's faith in those teachings is naturally strengthened.
STUDY
Studying the teachings of Buddhism is a necessary back-up to practice. This does not imply endless hours of delving into obscure philosophy but simply means that a consistent effort is made, throughout life, to gain a better understanding of the teachings. The principal means of doing this is to read and reflect upon the writings of Nichiren Daishonin. These writings are collectively known as "
Gosho", meaning "worthy of respect" and comprise letters to disciples as well as learned treatises.
PRACTICE
The practice of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism consists in chanting the following phrase (Click on the phrase for an explanation):
This fundamental practice is backed up by the recitation of key chapters of the Lotus Sutra in a formal ceremony known as GONGYO, meaning "assiduous practice". This ceremony is carried out twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening.
Nichiren Buddhists practise in the privacy of their own homes and the only discipline applied is self-discipline.
The Guernsey Buddhist Group holds monthly
discussion meetings and monthly study meetings. Attendance at these meetings is entirely optional.If you would like more information about the Guernsey Buddhist Group or to comment on this web site, e-mail your question or comment to:
moorman@guernsey.net.If you prefer to contact our mother organisation, the SGI-UK, please contact:
SGI-UK, Taplow Court, Taplow, MAIDENHEAD, Berks, SL6 0ER
Tel: 01628 773163 Fax: 01628 773055