Manifesting

What is the true meaning of manifesting in Nichiren Buddhism?
The word 'manifestation' means to create something or turn something from an idea into a reality. In psychology, manifestation generally means using our thoughts, feelings, and beliefs to bring something to our physical reality.
Many will be familiar with The Secret by Rhonda Byrne or Law Of Attraction or Cosmic Ordering, whats this got to do with Buddhism?
However, this was a key component Nichiren (1222–1282) Buddhism (and the last will of Shakyamuni Buddha) with the focus on kōsen-rufu they just had one simple goal in the 13th century.

Manifesting Kosen-Rufu

How Nichiren Buddhism, and specifically SGI Nichiren Buddhism is the 'Chanting for things you want. In this case we use the Gohonzons as a 'Cosmic Vending Machine' and our practice uses the law of attraction in all but name. Whilst we usually chant for Kosen-Rufu and world peace, we also chant for things we want.
Back in the day, Nichiren had one thing on his mind, Kosen-Rufu, same as the 3 founding presidents Tsunesaburo Makiguchi, Josei Toda and Daisaku Ikeda,they all had a firm vision in mind of Kosen-Rufu when they chanted Daimoku.

Thought becomes Form
“Thoughts are things — have tenacity, coherence, and life, — that they are real entities.” Thought Forms in general are usually very weak and have a very short life-span… unless you know the art and science of creating a powerful thought form (we will discuss the topic of powerful thought forms later in this article). In their book Thought Forms (1905) by Annie Besant and Charles Wester Leadbeater of the Theosophical Society, the authors wrote that “each definite thought produces a double effect — a radiating vibration and a floating form.” In their book the authors also introduced the term “Thought Forms”. The Thought Form wasn’t a new concept and was present as part of Theosophical literature.

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Looking closely at our everyday life, you will realize that the law of attraction is present all the time. Most people do not notice the connection because of the time lag between their thoughts and the manifestation of their thoughts. However, there are some things that happen to us that we feel happened as a result of a coincidence, not knowing it is the law of attraction that is at work. For instance, have you ever thought of calling a friend, and the friend calls you around that time? Or have you ever thought of picking up your phone, and your phone rings at that instance? These experiences are not coincidences; they are a result of the law of attraction. We get more of what we focus on in life. That is why you need to get more creative with your thoughts. In this book, I am going to show you how you can consciously and deliberately attract good things into your life by aligning your thoughts in the right way. Focusing more on things that make you happy increases your chances of attracting things that make you happy. The other side of this is the negative side which is when you focus on things you are not happy about, you tend to attract things that will make you sad. For instance, if you focus on wealth and good health, you attract wealth and good health. However, if you focus on poverty, you will attract a situation that will rob you of the little things you have gathered.

The Power of Daimoku

Every day, by chanting, we elevating our life-condition. We intone the rhythm of the name of the universe itself, Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, meaning: I fuse my life with the mystic law of cause and effect through sound vibration. [...]

Determination

Nichiren encouraged us to study so that we will understand what is happening to us as we undergo the process of moving our lives in the direction we have chosen, this is part of our human revolution/evolution. Nichiren wrote many letters of encouragement to his followers which is referenced in his writings as 'WND'.

Practice

Practice includes the chanting we do ourselves to reveal our own Buddhahood, as well as the support we give other people on their own journey of faith. Chanting twice a day is what we do in order to make buddhood life-condition manifest in our lives, we often refer to it as Polishing the Mirror.

Main Difference between Nichiren Buddhism and the "Law of Attraction"
The Law of Attraction says we need to focus on the positive, and what we want to bring into our lives. Yes...but...the Secret is missing any recognition of karma, and a consistent practice to elevate each person's vibration and life-state (often referred to as Polishing the Mirror)

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Being the Scriptwriter of your life and Human Revolution
TODO: ...

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Karma

Karma is not a bad thing, its always seen as punishment (or reward), better to think of it as an ingrained habit, a rut you have got into life time after life time. Some buddhist practice in this lifetime for a fortunate rebirth and better karma (just as early christians did). Why not fix your karma in this lifetime by doing your Human Revolution. In contrast to this, people who believe in Fate, acknowledge that 'Fate is in the hans of the Gods' so there is nothing you can do, what will be will be, you are Not Empowered, you are helpless, a victim.

However in Nichiren Buddhism and especially the SGI variant Karma is not fixed in stone and not for this lifetime. The Lotus Sutra spoke of many ways you can take back control. Where as Law of Attraction comes from a different angle, do dont care about karma we change the here and now.

Law of Attraction

One of the great secrets of life is whats often called the Law of Attraction, Like attracts Like. What this means is what you you are attracting into your life the experiences, circumstances, reality that are like the thoughts and images in your head, what you hold to be true.

Im our Buddhism we refer to this as being the Script Writer of your own life. In contrast to The Secret/Law of Attraction where all this is JUST on a vision board, in our buddhism we would chant for this reality with laser like focus morning and evening for the view point of victory.
That is we are expressing Gratitude as if it already happened, from the point of Victory.

There is a similar process in the Law of Attraction. If you think about what you want constantly you will bring it into your life. This is the most powerful law, your thoughts become things in your life. Your current thoughts are creating your future life, and so by changing your thoughts now you change your life later:

First Ask

Then Believe

Law of Attraction

Ask, believe,receive - just 3 simple steps to create what you want. However, very often this second step, believe, can be the most difficult, yet it is the greatest step you will ever take:

• Believing contains no doubt.
• Believing does not waver.
• Believing is absolute faith.
• Believing remains steadfast despite what is happening in the outside world.
• When you master Believing, you have mastered your life.

In the book "HOW The Secret CHANGED MY LIFE Real preople, Real Stories" is about everyday people completely transforming their Wealth, HealthLove and Careers by applying the teaching of The Secret and about how you can too, can change your whole life for the better with this most powerful law of the universe.

Nichiren Buddhism

The Then Believe bit is hard so faith alone does not always cut it. It is typical that we say try it for yourself with the 50 Day challenge if it does not work then this practice is not for you. However, back in the 12th Century Nichiren discovered what is covered in The Secret.
In his case the most powerful law of the universe was Nam Myōhō Renge Kyō. Yet the Confidence to Believe is just the same.

Actual Proof and the 50 Day challenge More Info

Life Stories - Developing the Courage to Fight for the Unimaginable More Info

Then Receive

Law of Attraction

Most people can manifest the small things quickly. This is because they do not have any resistance around the small things, and because they dont think contradictory thoughts (to cancel things out). When it comes to bigger things however, people often emit thoughts of doubt and worry that contradict those bigger things - self-sabotage. This is the only difference in terms of the time it takes for something to manifest.
Nothing is too big or too small for the Universe / Mystic Law

Nichiren Buddhism

Most people can manifest the small things quickly - for me its a parking space, thats actual proof surely.

We chant from the the Position of Victory, we are NOT wishing/praying/hoping for something to happen we are Giving Thanks / Offering Gratitude from the point of Victory, that is, it has already happened.
Nothing is too big or too small for the Universe / Mystic Law

Some further comparisons between The Law of Attraction and Nichiren Buddhism

• For The Law of Attraction Nothing is impossible and everything is possible.
  Same to with the Lotus Sutra, because of Oneness of self and environment etc.
• The Law of Attraction: Whatever you consistently think about, you will attract into your life.
  Lotus Sutra: Whatever you consistently chant about, you will attract into your life, you are strongly focused on this determination. You chant with 'The Lions Roar' and from the point of Victory.
• The Law of Attraction: Ask,Believe,Receive - just 3 simple steps
  Lotus Sutra: You are the Script Writer of your own life so chant for it and it will come into your life.
• The Law of Attraction: To Ask, simple get clear in your mind about what you want.
  Lotus Sutra: To Determine, simple get clear in your mind about what you want.
• The Law of Attraction:You can be as specific as you want
  Lotus Sutra: You can be as specific as you want, or if you dont know, ask for that anwser. For example if you are looking for 'Mr Right' you can say "since I have always chosen the wrong man, I want someone I will be happy with, thats right for me, and I will grow old and grey with" (it worked for me 100%).
• The Law of Attraction: Once you have asked, know that it is yours.
  Lotus Sutra: Give gratitude for having it already.
  In my case, I pretended that I already had a man, I accommodated / made space for him in my life.
  As for money, that I would no longer have to worry about it - I doubled my salary with a new job.
  As for work, chanted for a Kosen-Rufu job, I have a job that I love, that is all about well-being at work, to create value at work, to make the workplace safe and enjoyable.
  I had a list by my shrine (like a vision board) and everything on it I got.
• The Law of Attraction: To Believe - act,speak and think as if you have already received your desire.
  Lotus Sutra:To chant from the point of Victory, giving gratitude as if you have already received your desire.
  In my case, not only did I chant with complete conviction and focus, but I also act,speak and think as if you have already received it. Hold the imagine to mind in the Present Tense you brain cant cope with future or past, it cant cope with Negation so whatever you do DONT chant for what you dont want as, your brain does not see the negation and attracts it to your life anyway. Liikewise, dont chant from the point of fear (you pull into your life what you fear), a Lion King is not fearful its victorious. Faith is hard, that is why you try it out on little things.
• The Law of Attraction: How the Universe will bring your desire to you is not your concern or job
  Lotus Sutra: The Mystic Law is mystic,dont worry about the HOW just the WHAT
  Clearly The Mystic Law and The Universe have a lot in common :)
• The Law of Attraction: Ask once, believe you have received it and all you have to do to receive it is feel good
  Lotus Sutra: Write down the deterimation, keep it next to your butsudan, and give gratitude for it.
  Dont keep begging for it (future tense) give gratitude (present tense) for it. Its in your life already. If you were a mystic you have created the Thought Form, it is reality in the Astral Plane, and it on the cosmic FedEx van to be manifest in your life. Dont bother with that machinery, its possible to over think it - I have and its not helpful its easier to think of your Gohonzon as a Cosmic Vending Machine and leave it at that.
• The Law of Attraction: When you feel good, you are on the frequency of receiving, and the things you want will come to you
  Lotus Sutra: When you are Chanting, you are on the frequency, you have Joined the Ceremony in the Air with the the countless Buddhas and Bodhisattvas 'out side of space and time'.
  The Ceremony in the Air More Info

Belief

An acceptance that something exists or is true, especially one without proof, trust, faith or confidence in something - such as the Lotus Sutra

When Boy Snow Mountain had mastered all the teaching, but there was one left, how to “Extinguishing the cycle of birth and death, one enters the joy of nirvana”. A hungry demon told him the first part, but to hear the second part the demon would eat him. The boy agreed to this know his certain death, but before he lept into the mouth of the demon, he wrote the full text on the rocks, trees and Mountain face, so that those that may pass they way will find enlightenment. Thats Confidence.

Self-Confidence

When does Belief become Confidence?
Some point out its when your subconscious believes you - when you have had actual proof.

Our confidence can change with Life State or Context - many actors have stage-fright every time the step onto the stage; and yet they still do it night after night.

But this page is about Manifesting, you need to Believe, start small and the Actual Proof, will grow your confidence.

Arrogance

Arrogance is an unhealthy ego in need of repair
-- Thomas Faranda

An attitude of superiority manifested in an overbearing manner or in presumptuous claims or assumptions to an audience.

Boy Snow Mountain was not arrogant, nor will you.
We chant to reveal our buddhanature to reveal our higher selves.

I added this section following tonight District Discussion Meeting, in the contrast between 'Self-Confidence' and 'Arrogance'

The Law of Abundance

In the The Law of Abundance there is no lack, there is no finite money in the world, you getting wealth or happiness does not deprive it from others. Its worth considering as of 2020, if you distributed the worlds wealth out to every adult in the world, all adults would be millionaires, there is just blockages and hoarding. So when you chant for something you need to know that there is an infinite supply of it - This might be a challenge if chanting for more oil or less global warming. That then is when you chant for wisdom and why World Wide Kosen-Rufu is important.

The Law of Abundance is a precise science that brings great clarity and predictability to every outcome; a philosophy that broadens insights and expands influence; a spirituality that can insulate you from failure; a journey that can take you anywhere you want to go; a vision that can bring you great fortune; a process for real transformation; a key to unlocking life's mysteries; a gift to all humanity. This book will change the way you look at everything. It presents a completely new paradigm that goes far beyond any previous attempt at explaining how and why life unfolds as it does. Here you will learn exactly how the most successful people throughout history have used the Law of Abundance to create the world we live in, to earn vast amounts of money, gain tremendous respect and personal power, maintain exceptional relationships, find deep joy and contentment, and accomplish every great thing. The Law of Abundance is based on scientifically proven principles that never change and never fail. So, if you believe you have tried everything and are still not experiencing wealth, health, happiness, achievement, great relationships and every other thing you desire, understanding and applying the Law of Abundance can completely and profoundly change your life - guaranteed.

The Power of Daimoku

Every day, by chanting, we elevating our life-condition. We intone the rhythm of the name of the universe itself, Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, meaning: I fuse my life with the mystic law of cause and effect through sound vibration. Often called the mystic law because its hard to explain, some says its the rhythm of the universe, I guess Jedi's would call it the Force.

In the 1950s, Yoichiro Nambu recognized that process a symmetric system becomes asymmetric, could occur under certain conditions; basically the laws of physics breakdown. Some decades later this is called the "Higgs Field", that exists throughout space. A long time later, The importance of this fundamental question led to a 40-year search, and the construction of one of the world's most expensive and complex experimental facilities to date, CERN's Large Hadron Collider, in an attempt to create Higgs bosons and other particles for observation and study. On 4 July 2012, the discovery of a new particle, now refereed to as the God Particle. Then there is the amount of effort that went into creating a tool to detect Gravitational Waves that Einstein predicted back in 1916. Now that we know all this stuff, some would say the money could have been better spent on something else than Einsteins scribbles on a bit of paper.

So I really not that bothered about the mechanics of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo or of the Ninth Consciousness. Nor am I bother when I ask Alexa Echo or Google something and it pings that over to california, to have the voice translated into text, typed into googled, answered, then converted from text back into YOUR language in under a second. Lets pretend that the speed of light is about 300,000 kilometers per second, and your router for your wifi is not top of the ranged then the round trip (for me) to CA,USA from London,UK is about 15ms that is still pretty quick, oh and the other hundreds of thousands as asking different questions, or wanting their living room lights a bit dimmer - we just ask! Read More

Pulling it all together

Chanting Daimoku is like Turbo Charging the Law of Attraction. Just because the machine behind it all in one book is called The Universe and in another its called The Mystic Law does not really bother me. Doing this practice works. There is plenty of Actual Proof both from Nichiren Buddhists and from people that have put into practice The Secret. The next question is what do you want to do about your Karma, what about your Human Revolution/Evolution, The Secret wont fix that. Either path will get you Manifesting and that what this App is for, Nichiren Buddhists would prefer it for Kosen Rufu, though they might want other things in the mean time.

By: CFOD July 15th 2024