List of Illustrations
Preface and Acknowledgements Introduction
Chapter One: Prologue
The atomic bombing of Hiroshima
Kyoko and Les Gibson
Chanting in Wales and the Borders
Chapter Two: The Buddhism of Nichiren
Daishonin: Historical Perspectives
The life of the Buddha
The development of Buddhism
The dharma of the Buddha
The Buddha’s legacy
The Tendai (Chin. T’ien-t’ai) school
The life of Nichiren Daishonin
Nichiren Shoshu
Tsunesaburo Makiguchi (1871–1944)
Josei Toda (1900–1958)
Chapter Three: The Human Revolution
for a Universal Humanity
Soka Gakkai International
The schism
Daisaku Ikeda
The human revolution
Chapter Four: Nichiren Daishonin Buddhism
in Wales and the Borders
Geographical spread of members
Organization
Gender and age of members
Nationality and ethnicity of members
Occupations and qualifications of members
Marital status of members
Previous religious beliefs and knowledge
Encounter, engagement and commitment
Reactions of families and friends
Chanting and membership
General attitudes
Chapter Five: The Lotus Sutra
Background to the Lotus Sutra
The cosmic canvas
Expedient means
The nature of the Buddha
Bodhisattvas
Buddhahood
The implications for humankind
The implications of the Lotus Sutra for other faiths
The unique nature of the Lotus Sutra
Chapter Six: The Practice
Practice
The true object of worship – the Gohonzon
Study
Faith
The mentor–disciple relationship
Chapter Seven: The Philosophy of Nichiren
Daishonin Buddhism
The life-condition
Ultimate reality
The Mystic Law
The interconnected universe
Nam-myoho-renge-kyo
The Ten Worlds
The self
Ichinen sanzen
Enlightenment
Chapter Eight: Special Occasions
Attitudes to religious festivals
Life-cycle rites
Marriage
Funerals
Chapter Nine: Experiences
Claire Boland, Birth of Strong Faith
Robert Cook, The Benefit of Illness
Jonathan Davies, Treasures of the Heart
Nicky Delgado, From Hell to Eternity
Hope Dowsett, Why I Chant
Tirian Dowsett, My Experience
Kate Evans, Daimoku is Powerful beyond All Imagination
Linda Owen Hicks, Fortune Child
Mairead Knell, Transforming the Fear Within
Elissa Lewis, Transforming the Heart
Claire Mason-Green, The Glory of the Flower
Liz Moulson, From Failure to Success
Sue Rogers, Here and Now
Joanne Roxburgh, Using My Practice for Health
Jayne Timmins, Chanting for a Husband
Robert Wilson Thomas, Me and My Hiccoughs
Sriram Vaidyanathan, Chanting to Win
Nicky Delgado, The Gauntlet
Appendices
Appendix A: The Questionnaire
Appendix B: Charter of Soka Gakkai International
Glossary of Terms
Notes
Further Reading
Index
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“The
authors, formerly Heads of Philosophy and Religious Studies at the
University of Wales, have written this book on the Welsh chapter
of the Nichiren Dasihonin Buddhist movement in Wales and the Borders,
also known as Soka Gakkai International. The authors begin with
the history and philosophy of this type of Buddhism in its native
Japan, and then trace its migration to the UK where it has been
flourishing over the last 35 years. This book, written for anyone
interested in philosophy or world religions, uses interviews with
members to describe some of the basic tenets of Nichiren Daishonin
such as the human revolution for a universal humanity and a commitment
to the Lotus Sutra.” Reference & Research Book News |
