Ryusho Jeffus > Quotes

“The Eightfold Path, the path leading to the cessation of suffering is: 1) Right View 2) Right Intention 3) Right Speech 4) Right Action 5) Right Livelihood 6) Right effort 7) Right Mindfulness 8)Right Concentration. Let me point out here that ‘right’ in the above is not the opposite of ‘wrong’.  Right in the above is about doing those things which will yield the greatest good.  In Buddhism it is not merely enough to do no harm, we are striving to do the greatest good.  We call this living skillfully, and that is what we strive to do when following these Eight Right Ways.  Not all of the time will we be presented with clear choices, sometimes our options may all be less than favorable.  In all things though our intention, our basis for action, is to do the least harm and the greatest good.”
― Ryusho Jeffus, Lotus Sutra Practice Guide

“It is appropriate to realize that through our many manifestations as original disciples of the Buddha we are in fact representing the many manifestations of Kanzeon.  Also, through our vow to spread the Lotus Sutra in this age after the death of the Buddha, and our vow to protect the sutra and its practitioners we naturally fulfill the function of “This World-Voice-Perceiver Bodhisattva does these meritorious deeds.  He takes various shapes, walks about many worlds, and saves the living beings of those worlds.” I believe that rather than Kanzeon being a Bodhisattva we rely upon for some benefit, it would be more appropriate to look to Kanzeon as an example of how to live in this age, in this world of suffering.  Also our fundamental relationship is directly to and with the Eternal Buddha as original disciples and it isn’t necessary to have any intermediary in that relationship.”
― Ryusho Jeffus, Lotus Sutra Practice Guide

“The parable of the gem in the robe is very short, only one paragraph long in the Murano translation.  Yet in spite of its brevity it packs a very powerful message.  In each of us is already the enlightened nature or potential.  Enlightenment isn’t something we have to bring into our lives, it is already resident.  The practice of Buddhism isn’t so much about becoming someone different, as it is about becoming who we really are.  We do not take on enlightenment from outside ourselves, but develop what we already have.  We have the gem, we just need to take it out and use it, there is no need for us to continue our sufferings.”
― Ryusho Jeffus, Lotus Sutra Practice Guide

“Today as you continue to read the Lotus Sutra, and chant Namu Myoho Renge Kyo, and of course continue observing your selected Right Way, also think about what your future would be like if you overcame the sufferings you may currently be dealing with.  You should know that no matter what point you start from on the path to enlightenment, no matter what your past has been, no matter what you think you are capable of, enlightenment is not just a possibility but a certainty if you continue your practice.  If even the worst of the worst, as I have mentioned before, can attain enlightenment through the practice of Buddhism then you certainly can as well.”
― Ryusho Jeffus, Lotus Sutra Practice Guide

“We are like the poor son and the Buddha is like the rich father.  We may feel no connection, or we may feel that we are not deserving of great joy.  We may be just like the son who runs in fear of the man who is his father.  We may run from the promise of enlightenment, thinking we are not worthy or that it isn’t possible for us to be happy. Yet, through your daily practice of Buddhism you can slowly elevate your life condition and see potentials for unimaginable benefits.”
― Ryusho Jeffus, Lotus Sutra Practice Guide

“Finally, let me close today by pointing out, as I mentioned earlier, that in this section we read we are now looking forward into the future to a time after the Buddha has died.  We see the great promise of enlightenment given to those who practice and have faith in the Lotus Sutra at this time.  We see that they, meaning us, will be born in an evil world, a world where Buddhist ideals are not widely observed.  We see that the people who appear after the Buddha’s life and practice the Lotus Sutra actually have given up rewards of good karma just so they can practice in this time and lead countless people to faith in the Lotus Sutra. ”
― Ryusho Jeffus, Lotus Sutra Practice Guide

“Also today when you sit down to eat your meal, no matter where you are, try to think about the many people who have made the meal possible.  See if you can engage in this activity while you eat slowly.  Let appreciation well up from within you as your taste buds are activated.  Think of the people who built your car with all of its complex components that work together to provide transportation.  Or think of the bus driver or train engineers.  Think of those who laid the roads or rails.  Think of the cashier who stands on their feet all day long ringing up purchases.  Think of the truck driver who delivered the merchandise to the store.  Think of the packagers.  Think of the farm laborers who make the food possible.  Think of those in oil producing countries who provide their natural resources and labor.  The list is almost endless.  I can imagine that by the end of the meal you still have not thought of all the countless labors, big and small, that made that meal possible.  Don’t forget to include your own labors as well.”
― Ryusho Jeffus, Lotus Sutra Practice Guide

“In the first short section we learn of the deep connection that existed between the Buddha and this person who sought to destroy Buddhism.  We learn that the Buddha praises this person who has done so much evil saying that because of their relationship in the past the Buddha was able to become the Buddha.   I wonder how many of us can look at those who cause us grief and thank them for the growth opportunities they provide us.  It isn’t easy to express appreciation for such opportunities.  Normally we just want to avoid at all cost those things that bother us.  Or perhaps we may want to seek out only pleasurable things or the easy way.  Yet in doing the easy things we don’t always grow in the same way as if we were to challenge ourselves.  You have chosen to try something of great difficulty, you have chosen to challenge your life.  You are to be commended for this effort, and you should know that without doubt your life is changing, even if you don’t yet see it.”
― Ryusho Jeffus, Lotus Sutra Practice Guide

“I think at times such as when we are facing a difficult situation we have an opportunity to really internalize the teachings of the Buddha.  All at once it becomes not so much of an intellectual endeavor as one rooted deep down reaching the core of our lives.  It is at times like those when we can really understand what it means to take on the Buddha’s mantle and try to teach others of the greatness of Buddhism as we have read in the Lotus Sutra.”
― Ryusho Jeffus, Lotus Sutra Practice Guide

“As the son of the Buddha I imagine Rahula lived with a lot of stress and pressure and yet always in the shadow of his teacher, his father.  It is not an easy place to practice.  If we think of the Buddha’s cousin, Devedatta we see that he succumbed to jealousy and even envy of the Buddha and sought to kill the Buddha.  Rahula on the other hand lived quietly and meekly never causing problems and never seeking fame based upon his relationship to his father. Being content with ourselves as we awaken to the Buddha residing in our lives is not easy.  We may think that we are not doing enough for Buddhism, but we should never feel this way.  It is the ordinariness of our lives and our ability to attain enlightenment that will be most encouraging to others.”
― Ryusho Jeffus, Lotus Sutra Practice Guide

“Yesterday you learned of the Eightfold Path.  Beginning today for the next 7 days try to focus on one of those eight right ways.  Make this the focus of your practice outside of your dedicated time reading and chanting.  You might pick Right Speech and then for the rest of the week try, to the best of your ability, to only engage in speech that, not only causes no harm, but encourages good.  Or you might pick another of the Eight Right Things.  Focus on one, maybe even write it on a card and tape it to your computer or bathroom mirror to remind you of your intention.  Actually this kind of setting your intention is engaging in another of the Eight Right Ways, that of Right Intention.  See how easy it is to do this practice, or at least try to do the practice.  If in the course of this week you should mess up or forget, please do not worry about it.  Use it as a lesson to advance your growth.”
― Ryusho Jeffus, Lotus Sutra Practice Guide

“The fourth thing is to always hold in our heart the vow to save all living beings. When we become sidetracked with our own problems, or with our own gains, to the exclusion of the sufferings of other beings we can no longer experience a relationship with the ultimate teaching of the Buddha contained in the depths of the Lotus Sutra.”
― Ryusho Jeffus, Lotus Sutra Practice Guide

“Today, as you prepare for beginning the third week of practice I encourage you to write down some things that you may have noticed that appear to hinder your practice.  Write down things like “I get busy”, or “I sleep too late” or “I am too tired”, or even “It is too confusing”.  Whatever the obstacle is write it down, try to do so without guilt, and try not to have too much remorse.  Just be honest, that is also a key practice in Buddhism, to get to know ourselves in a frank and honest manner so that we can begin to work on changing the things that are preventing us from becoming happy.”
― Ryusho Jeffus, Lotus Sutra Practice Guide

“Day by day we make effort to change our life, to become enlightened, and if you’re like most people you become discouraged and maybe you even want to take a break from your efforts, or even give up. Having a good friend at times like this to encourage us is without value.”
― Ryusho Jeffus, Lotus Path: Living the Lotus Sutra - Volume 1

“Complacency has no place in Buddhism. Continuous efforts are required to fully polish our lives so that we can manifest our inherent Buddha. We should not be lulled into accepting our life, as it is no matter if it is good or not so good. We can always improve ourselves. Polishing away the rough edges, working on the things in us that seem to pop up when faced with certain situations. Changing our response to things in our environment, which cause us suffering.”
― Ryusho Jeffus, Lotus Path: Living the Lotus Sutra - Volume 1

“Wonderful-Voice is told not to think less of this world, our world, just because it is full of mud, stones, and impurities.  I think this is an important reminder for us.  We should not think that we are somehow inferior, or that our faults are something to be ashamed of.  There is much in society that seeks to have us believe that we are somehow inferior.  Think about advertisements for example, the whole purpose of advertisements is to convince you that you are incomplete, or lacking, or inferior to some ideal because you don’t use a particular product.  You may have even received messages in school or growing up, which you carry around, that make you feel you are not worthy of being happy. The message of this chapter is that there is not one among us who is disqualified from attaining enlightenment or of being happy.  We are not missing anything, nor are we short of anything, nor are we not good enough to become Buddhas.”
― Ryusho Jeffus, Lotus Sutra Practice Guide

“We too, must overcome our own Mara, those things that arise in our minds to try to become discouraged and give up our Buddhist practice.  Previously I talked about those things that occur in our environment to try to prevent us from practicing, today we deal with the obstacles occurring in our mind.  These obstacles may be in the form of doubts such as our self-worth or our personal ability to become enlightened.  It also may be doubts about the truth of Buddhism, or doubts about the value of practicing.  We all experience these moments when we may think things impossible or not worth it. Being aware of the workings of our minds is the first step to overcoming these kinds of difficulties.  Mara isn’t so much of a real thing as it is a figurative example or a personification of those things in our mind that prevent us from becoming happy or enlightened.”
― Ryusho Jeffus, Lotus Sutra Practice Guide

“The story of the Burning House is really about our practice of Buddhism.  We are constantly living in a burning house, a house of the sufferings of life.  Sometimes we distract ourselves from these sufferings by indulging in a variety of things, all basically misguided attempts to eliminate suffering but actually often contributing to more suffering.”
― Ryusho Jeffus, Lotus Sutra Practice Guide

“But practicing in and with a Sangha can provide us that lifeline. We can find a clever, or wise, or well-informed person who can understand the conditions of the road we are traveling, and encourage us.”
― Ryusho Jeffus, Lotus Path: Living the Lotus Sutra - Volume 1