The Winning Life: An Introduction to Buddhist Practice

by World Tribune Press

Each of us possesses the potential for a winning life. Within us is the ability to live with courage, to have fulfilling relationships, to enjoy good health and prosperity, to feel and show true compassion for others, and the power to face and surmount our deepest problems. Crucial to living a winning life is to undergo an inner transformation that will enable us to bring out our highest human qualities and change our circumstances. This process is a revolution of our own character, an individual human revolution. The practice of Buddhism as taught by Nichiren Daishonin is a catalyst for experiencing this inner revolution. It provides us with immediate access to the unlimited potential inherent in our lives by which we can live a winning life. It is the promise of Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism that we can attain a state of freedom and unshakable happiness for ourselves while creating harmony with others.

Genres: Religion, Buddhism, Philosophy, Nonfiction, Spirituality

47 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book changed the way I feel about everything.Too bad it's connected to an organization that's a little cult-y.

[Selestalis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this very short read at age 25. I had already been well on my way to personal transformation, however my progress was not happening as fast as I wished it to. I had seen countless therapists, read many books on religion/spirituality/psychology/philosophy, took a life-transforming training series called The Landmark Forum, and made a lot of mistakes along the way but kept a sincere seeking spirit. In a heart to heart discussion with someone about my life's challenges and goals, this was recommended to me. I quickly absorbed every word in every page, and this book changed my life. It caused me to seek Nichiren Buddhism further, and once I began to practice my life catapulted into a beautiful, happy life. There are still challenges and struggles I face, but I really owe so much to this practice and those who rally together to liberate human beings from the shackles of past hurts and mistakes. I recommend this book to everyone and anyone.

[Julia Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book after attending a couple Nichiren Buddhism meetings. The topics covered in the book briefly delved into many different topics that I recognized hearing about in meetings: what nam-myoho-renge-kyo means, the three pillars of fair, frequently asked questions like ‘do you have to chant?,’ the history of Buddhism and who started Nichiren Buddhism and how it’s evolved. I read this all in one day, it’s a very easy read and great for starting your practice.

[Roger DeBlanck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Buddhism is a way of life seeking to make no distinction between the individual and the environment. In practicing Buddhism, self-improvement and the development of our circumstances are closely connected in our efforts to reach an awakened or enlightened state. Buddhism also seeks to help us and others overcome problems as a way for each of us to develop our own lives. It is through inner-reforming that we can reach our dreams and fulfill our desires.

Three basics exist in the application of Buddhism. First is faith, which means having hope that something good will happen. This leads to the second application of practice, which means taking action for ourselves and others. The simple practice of chanting and reciting chapters from the Lotus Sutra can help us reach faith. Showing respect, concern, and compassion for others can also help us take action. The third application is study, which means maintaining an adherence to the essential tenets of Buddhism.

With chanting, however, we can attune ourselves to experience the energy, wisdom, peace, and happiness within us in order to reach goals and solve problems. Chanting is not directed towards a deity, but rather with a focus on our inner human depths. We chant to take action and resolve to act in ways to improve our lives and the lives of others.

Buddhism is not merely a practice in pursuit of attaining bliss. It’s a state of life to strive towards where we are connected with the mystery of the universe. Our eternal life has no beginning or end. It’s a cycle of repeated births and deaths, of causes and effects, and of karma where our actions matter so that we can change our circumstances.

In Buddhism, life can be explained through Ten Worlds that are constantly shifting throughout our daily lives. The ten are Hell, Hunger, Animality, Anger, Humanity, Heaven, Voice-Hearers/Learning, Cause-Awakened Ones/Realization, Bodhisattva, and Buddhahood. One world usually manifests while the other nine remain dormant. However, change is always available to us from within.

The purpose of Buddhism is to elevate and achieve Buddhahood, whereby we reach a state of perfect freedom, a type of unity with the universe, as a fundamental realm of being. Ultimate reality in Buddhism regards individuals and the environment as interconnected and inseparable. We can transform our experience of any given environment and liberate ourselves from control of the circumstances around us.

Siddhartha Gautama compiled the Lotus Sutra as teachings for a happy life. As a prince in India, he became distraught with the suffering he saw of others. This led him on a journey for answers where he subjected himself to extreme suffering before he found a middle path where he reached enlightenment through a connection with the universe, whereby he practiced aligning his inner self’s relationship with the larger world.

This short book is an adequate introduction to Buddhism. Its primary focus is on Nichiren Buddhism, which relies heavily on the daily practice of chanting. The seminal chant is Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, which is a catalyst for energy and thoughts to attune our inner depths with our environment so that we can begin to take control of our circumstances.

[Amie Viller · Rating 3 out of 5]

It makes sense. While I loved the history and learning about this practice, the reality of it is that it makes sense. My mom always told me that change starts with me. A change in attitude. You don't necessarily have to chant, or join to find this. It's a mindset that you need to achieve by doing different small changes in your life. I'm not dismissing the people who practice this. Utmost respect for chanting and meditating, it requires a lot of concentration and determination, and if at the end of the day it's what makes you feel better and makes you a better human being, then you do you boo-boo and snaps all around. Am I being skeptical? Maybe. But I do like learning how people manage and achieve their inner peace. Again I liked learning about it, the more I know about how people practice different religions or sects, the more I understand my world.

[Sanjana · Rating 5 out of 5]

A concise yet comprehensive introduction to Buddhism - a philosophy that preaches that every human has the potential unlock, attain and live in peace and happiness regardless of obstacles and change all hardships into joys. An individual must be just willing and know that enlightenment is not a fixed state but rather something that is constantly worked on to be achieved on a daily basis. A process of challenge and renewal. "Beings are to have challenges, without having any problems to face, we would simply run out of gas with little motivation to challenge our lives and reveal our Buddhahood." This book gave me insight to things about Buddhism I hadn't even known despite practicing for so long :). Read this with my roommate, Sarah, as I introduced her and Emma to the practice by taking them to a discussion meeting.

[steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Provides a solid intro into Nichiren Buddhism. Having been involved with this faith in the past, this book offers a great foundation explaining the practice, beliefs and history.

While most of the book read like a nonfiction account, the last part about SGI felt contrived given this book is produced by SGI-USA.

[John Cannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is nice introduction. Of course Buddhism can only be fully understood by practicing it.

Fortunately, the practice very simple, just chanting "Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo" for yourself and others, and contacting sgi-usa on the web to find a (free) discussion meeting near you!

[Sebastian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decent intro to Buddhism.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good reading to approach Buddhism. I was hoping for more spiritual contents and less storical, but it's a great introduction to Buddhism.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Profound. Great intro to Buddhism.

[Moon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book helped me understand and realize that I am on the right path on my spiritual journey.

[aera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple introductory! I’ve been feeling really different lately and while I don’t see myself associating with any religion ever again, I think the practices and beliefs of Buddhism resonate a lot!

[Gloria Ng · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best simple introduction to the practice of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism!

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hm. Well written. Seems a bit.....much..... though, in practice.