February 2012

Rissho Kosei-kai Holds Annual Observance of
Shakyamuni's Entrance into Nirvana

Rissho Kosei-kai commemorated the annual anniversary of Shakyamuni Buddha's entrance into nirvana on February 15, in the Great Sacred Hall at its headquarters in Tokyo as well as at all Dharma centers throughout Japan. Some 3,100 members attended the service in the Great Sacred Hall to learn about the significance of Shakyamuni's entrance into nirvana and rededicate themselves to spreading the teachings.

The event in the Great Sacred Hall opened with a recorded account of the Buddha's death. Then 16 young women members from the Saitama Division made offerings at the altar before the image of the Eternal Buddha Shakyamuni. President-designate Kosho Niwano led the assembly in sutra chanting, and she recited a prayer of devotion to the Buddha written by President Nichiko Niwano. Rev. Kyoichi Soeda, minister of the Kurashiki Dharma Center, testified to his faith. After that a hanging scroll depicting the Buddha's entrance into nirvana was displayed at the altar, before which President Niwano delivered a Dharma talk.

President Niwano explained Shakyamuni Buddha's last discourse to his disciple Ananda soon before his entrance into nirvana. Shakyamuni told Ananda that after his (Shakyamuni's) death, every disciple should take refuge in the Dharma. President Niwano went on to stress that everyone should examine their way of life, since after people die, their example has a lasting influence on the people who knew them.

Finally, referring to words in the Sutta Nipata that true peace of mind comes with practice of the teachings of the Dharma and living according to the Buddha wisdom, President Niwano encouraged each member to strive to become a person who wears a shining smile and lives life as a cheerful, kind, and warmhearted person.

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