February 2009

Rissho Kosei-kai Marks Anniversary of Shakyamuni's Entrance into Nirvana

Rissho Kosei-kai observed the anniversary of Shakyamuni Buddha's entrance into nirvana on February 15 in the Great Sacred Hall and at Rissho Kosei-kai Dharma Centers throughout Japan. Some 3,500 members attended the service in the Great Sacred Hall at the organization's headquarters in Tokyo.

The service began with the playing of a recorded account of the Buddha's death. Sixteen young women members from the Kanagawa Division placed offerings on the altar before the image of the Eternal Buddha Shakyamuni. Then President-designate Kosho Niwano led the gathering in the sutra recitation and read out a prayer of dedication to the Buddha composed by President Nichiko Niwano.

Rev. Noriko Saeki, head of the Nerima Dharma Center, testified to her experience of the faith, and then President Niwano gave his Dharma talk. He discussed Shakyamuni's death on the way back to his hometown of Kushinagar in northern India. He died, apparently of food poisoning, after eating a meal served by Chunda, a lay follower. President Niwano emphasized the significance of the Buddha's compassionate forgiveness of Chunda. He said it is not easy to emulate the Buddha, but if parents live meritorious lives through "studying the Dharma with pleasure," they can set a good example for children who will grow up respecting them.

February 15, 2009

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