EDUCATION STRENGTHENS FAITH IN THE MYSTIC LAW Real
EDUCATION is one of the most important things life could offer us. Lack
of it, life is mislead and miserable. It is said that a nation’s hope is its youth. The youth builds a nation, or destroys it if they lack a strong educational foundation. Look around the surrounding today. There are juvenile delinquents who turned out to be dope and drug addicts, alcoholics, going with bad peers, menace in the family, school, community and society. The country is confronted with various crimes such as hold upping, robbery, drug pushing, gun running, rape, killing, and rebellion. Persons becoming social outcasts are the product of weak foundation in the family, un-upgraded educational curriculum and method of teaching provided by the government, and the conflicting religious teachings that lead the people away from the reality of problem-laden life instead of responding to the needs of human beings (in general, making money in the guise of religion). Yet, religion is a pillar in all aspects and spheres in life. There can be no humane orientation in the educational system, honest and humane political will, peaceful co-existence among people and nations, and global peace when there is no religion grounded on a true
philosophy of life. Commonly, it is said that a family is the smallest unit in the society and the place where a child gets his/her first
education. It is neither proper to say that a person who attained higher education in school is less educated for the real education starts at home nor the kind of education missed at home usually results in character deformation. However, a family to stand alone without a strong religious foundation can not guarantee to provide a quality education. Because in many parts of the world there are some cases that a family could be created out of a family with conflicting ideas, attitudes, values, and interests that broke up or still remain intact. You can not assure that a family with selfish and discriminative values and interests toward other people and environment has a good education and is trustworthy to take a position in the society. Yet, the churches (Christians), mosques (Muslims) and culture/study centers or temples (Buddhists) should have been considered the first schools for all of the precepts are handed down to the family as a unit in the society. The power of knowledge is not only giving good understanding but good judgment and direction. It is where wisdom got its meaning. However, wisdom is imbibed to a philosophy which creates a good attitude toward self, life and the universe that opens a gateway for boundless joy and benefits. In the Buddhism of Nichiren Daishonin, the true Buddha of the Latter Day of the Law, it says that wealth, prestige, popularity, social status, and belief to the power of a supreme being outside the body of a human being do not matter to effect change in the lives of the people. His teachings in the Lotus Sutra summarized in its main essence on the four characters “NAM-MYOHO-RENGE-KYO “will enable a common mortal to tap his/her Buddha nature within himself/ herself whereby its power wells forth, attain inner human revolution, surmount problems, and become compassionate to others by assiduous (constant practice) chanting of NAM-MYOHO-RENGE-KYO. Compassion enables a practitioner to let others chant so that they will also experience the joy and happiness of a Buddha, just before Nichiren’s death in the Former Day of the Law. This is the kind of education, a philosophy of life, that the Buddha wants us to embrace as this is the most superior of all other teachings. The four characters put into practice in the daily life of Buddhists denote the reinforcement of the meaning of the MYSTIC LAW OF CAUSE AND EFFECT. In the teaching, the life in the universe all began with this LAW. The creation of the earth and all of its life forms, and other planets originated from the workings of this unfathomable law. This philosophy surpasses other religious precepts even the lofty materialistic idealism of Marx’s communism and Lenin’s socialist concept of a society. Education that is of value is one that shapes the destiny of individuals, nations, and the whole world. This education is grounded in the philosophy of life causality, relentless practice of chanting NAM-MYOHO-RENGE-KYO and shakubuku (compassionate action to let others do the same), and reward of immeasurable joy and good benefits. SGI President Daisaku Ikeda calls for kusenrufu (world peace and culture) to spread the humanistic philosophy. He has tirelessly visited many countries to open the channel for peace which he would like it to start in the hearts of human beings. Presently, there are about more than 190 countries in the whole world that adhere to this philosophy which saving action starts from the inner self of a person and the passing to other persons could also save a family, community, society and the whole world. Try sitting on a lotus position and chant NAM-MYOHO-RENGE-KYO aloud for one, two or four or more hours (called daimuku) during morning and evening. Do it with sincere intention and make some wishes either big or small. Then, try to evaluate your self about the changes taking place in yourself in three consecutive months and count the benefits. To make changes in ourselves take much time and efforts.