The Principle of the Buddha Nature Manifesting from Within And Bringing Forth Protection from Without

Here, the Daishonin explains one of the key Buddhist principles – namely, the principle of “the Buddha nature manifesting itself from within and bringing forth protection from without “. In other words when we activate the Buddha nature inside us, it will induce the protective functions to work from without.

It is we ourselves who posses the Buddha nature, and as such it is also up to us to awaken to it and manifest it. When we practice the Daishonin`s Buddhism, the mystic life comes to “permeate our life and exert its influence“; that is our Buddha nature once revealed pervades in our life in the same way as the burning incense imbues our clothings with its fragrance. Our Buddha nature emerges like a fragrance wafting in the breeze. And while we speak of receiving protection from the heavenly deities or the positive forces of the universe, the first step in that process is to embark on our own inner transformation.

Chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo to the Gohonzon, the object of devotion in the Nichiren Daishonin`s Buddhism, is infact the same as summoning forth and praising the Buddha nature that is inherent in our own life and resides in all things in the universe. In response to the sound of our chanting, by which means we reveal our Buddha nature, all benevolent deities throughout the universe move into action to protect us. This principle succinctly expresses the unique character of Nichiren Daishonin`s Buddhism, which is completely different from faith that pins hope for salvation on the agency of some external power.

This concept of “Buddha nature manifesting itself from within“indicates a power that is existing and is generated from inside us. Buddhism is known as the inner way. Therefore we do not seek Buddhahood, or the life of Buddha, outside of us, but rather within.The life state of Buddha that is characterized by the four noble virtues of eternity, purity, trueself and happiness is found within our own mortal being that experiences the delusion of earthly desires and sufferings of birth and death .The Daishonin`s Buddhism enables us to tap into and manifest that benefit in our life.

In other words, because we all possess the Buddha nature, when we chant Nam Myoho Renge Kyo with a clearly focused mind, the life of the Buddha is summoned forth within us and emerges. Manifesting our inner Buddhahood causes protection to arise from without. All of this hinges on our inner focus or resolve.

In the light of the principle of “The Buddha nature manifesting itself from within and bringing forth protection from without “, we can definitely change any situation or environment by transforming our fundamental mindset and revealing our Buddha nature. All fear vanishes the moment we believe with all our heart “ I alone am the scriptwriter of my life“.

Next, in this letter the Daishonin states: “What is hidden turns into manifest virtue“. Unseen virtue turns into conspicuous rewards. To practice the mystic law is to proceed along the path of victory; all virtue will manifest in visible form without fail. When we forge ahead with this deep, unshakable conviction, our future will open up in wonderful ways that we could never possibly have imagined. This is the conviction and the declaration of the Daishonin, The Buddha of the latter day of the law.

Source : Value Creation Jan 2010/Vol 5 /Issue 1: Pg. 69-71