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Ten Worlds
The document outlines the concept of the Ten Worlds in Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism, detailing the ten life conditions that humans experience, ranging from six lower worlds (e.g., hell, hunger, animality) to four noble worlds (e.g., learning, realization, bodhisattva, buddhahood). It emphasizes that all beings possess these conditions and can transform their lives through sincere practice, such as chanting and belief in the gohonzon, ultimately leading to the manifestation of buddhahood. The text also highlights that anyone can achieve buddhahood regardless of their current condition by connecting with the gohonzon and embodying the three components of sincere practice.
Ten Worlds
- 1. Ten Worlds 十界 Nichiren ShoshuBuddhism Learning © Nichiren Shoshu Buddhist Association (Singapore). All Rights Reserved. www.nsba.sg
- 2. Summary ● The tenworld are the ten types of life conditions within all of us, which undergo constant change. ● These ten conditions exist in all human beings throughout the world, regardless of national origin, or race. ● The ten worlds from the lowest to the highest, consists of: ○ Six Lower Worlds: Hell, Hunger, Animality, Anger, Humanity, Rapture ○ Four Noble Worlds: Learning, Realisation, Bodhisattva, Buddhahood ● As humans, we possess the basic life condition of Humanity, which can be instantaneously transformed into the worlds of Rapture, Learning, Realisation and Bodhisattva. Buddhahood, however, is not as easily manifested. ● When we believe in the Gohonzon, chant Daimoku and exert our utmost effort in our Buddhist practice, we can manifest the process through which to construct the most supreme existence and daily life. ● Such is the “true and living” form of enlightenment that represents the life condition of Buddhahood. © Nichiren Shoshu Buddhist Association (Singapore). All Rights Reserved.
- 3. SIX LOWER WORLDS © Nichiren ShoshuBuddhist Association (Singapore). All Rights Reserved. In our lives, we go back and forth through the six paths, which are governed by our earthly desires. This is known as the transmigration of the six paths.
- 4. Six Lower Worlds Hell ●Life condition of anger and suffering ● Anger is a manifestation of the world of hell Hunger ● Life condition where desires are unfulfilled ● Greed is a manifestation of world of hunger Animality ● Life condition governed by animal instincts ● Foolishness is a manifestation of world of animality Hunger Animality Hell Six Lower Worlds Hell Hunger Buddhahood Bodhisattva Realisation Learning Rapture Humanity Anger Animality © Nichiren Shoshu Buddhist Association (Singapore). All Rights Reserved.
- 5. Six Lower Worlds Anger ●Life condition of resentment and jealousy ● Flattery is a manifestation of anger Humanity ● Life condition of living in peace with environment and tranquility as human beings ● Calmness is a manifestation of humanity Rapture ● Life condition of happiness ● Joy is a manifestation of world of rapture Hunger Animality Hell Six Lower Worlds Buddhahood Bodhisattva Realisation Learning Rapture Humanity Anger Anger Humanity Rapture © Nichiren Shoshu Buddhist Association (Singapore). All Rights Reserved.
- 6. Transmigration of SixLower Worlds In our daily lives, we express our feelings and emotions based on our karmic relationships with the environment. Nichiren Daishonin stated in “The True Object of Worship”: “When we look at a person’s face, at times he appears joyful, enraged or calm. At other times, we may see the appearance of greed, foolishness, or flattery…” Hunger Animality Hell Six Lower Worlds Buddhahood Bodhisattva Realisation Learning Rapture Humanity Anger Anger Humanity Rapture Hell Hunger Animality © Nichiren Shoshu Buddhist Association (Singapore). All Rights Reserved.
- 7. Our Basic LifeCondition As humans, our basic life condition is Humanity ● Although it forms the base of being human, it is also a world on edge ● Everyday, we have about 75 different thoughts per second ● If we are not careful, it is very easy for us to be swayed by our thoughts ● That is why humanity is such a turbulent world, as it can all pivot very easily due to our thoughts Humanity “ ” Hunger Animality Hell Buddhahood Bodhisattva Realisation Learning Rapture Anger © Nichiren Shoshu Buddhist Association (Singapore). All Rights Reserved.
- 8. FOUR NOBLE WORLDS There are actuallyfour other worlds that we possess, but they lay dormant and cannot be seen, due to the strong forces of earthly desires in our hearts © Nichiren Shoshu Buddhist Association (Singapore). All Rights Reserved.
- 9. Four Noble Worlds Byperforming Buddhist practice, we are able to free ourselves from the six lower worlds, and attain the life conditions of the four noble worlds, particularly Buddhahood Four Noble Worlds Hunger Animality Hell Buddhahood Bodhisattva Realisation Learning Rapture Humanity Anger Learning Realisation Bodhisattva Buddhahood © Nichiren Shoshu Buddhist Association (Singapore). All Rights Reserved.
- 10. Four Noble Worlds Learning ●Life condition in which one hears the Buddha’s teachings and achieves Hinayana enlightenment Realisation ● Life condition in which a person perceives reason and achieves Hinayana enlightenment based on one’s karmic association with natural phenomena Collectively, Learning and Realisation are known as the two vehicles (“nijo”) However, people in “nijo” are self-satisfied in their own lowly form of enlightenment and not motivated to seek salvation for others Four Noble Worlds Hunger Animality Hell Buddhahood Bodhisattva Realisation Learning Rapture Humanity Anger Learning Realisation Bodhisattva Buddhahood Learning Realisation © Nichiren Shoshu Buddhist Association (Singapore). All Rights Reserved.
- 11. Four Noble Worlds Bodhisattva ●Life condition in which one seeks to achieve one’s own enlightenment while striving to save all mankind, carrying out Buddhist practices based on mercy. ● They live by their vow to benefit themselves and others. Four Noble Worlds Hunger Animality Hell Buddhahood Bodhisattva Realisation Learning Rapture Humanity Anger Learning Realisation Bodhisattva Buddhahood Bodhisattva © Nichiren Shoshu Buddhist Association (Singapore). All Rights Reserved.
- 12. Four Noble Worlds Buddhahood ●To elevate into this ultimate life condition, we would need to chant Nam-Myo-Ho-Renge-Kyo and practice Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism ● This is the life condition of the Buddha who has achieved enlightenment through Buddhist practice, and a life condition of absolute happiness ● This life condition is inherent in our lives, but the forces of earthly desires are strong, and makes it difficult for us to manifest our Buddha nature Four Noble Worlds Hunger Animality Hell Buddhahood Bodhisattva Realisation Learning Rapture Humanity Anger Learning Realisation Bodhisattva Buddhahood © Nichiren Shoshu Buddhist Association (Singapore). All Rights Reserved.
- 13. Buddhahood is inherentin our lives “All living beings are the entities of the Mystic Law. Actually, according to the Law, all existence is the precious entity of Myo-Ho-Renge-Kyo. However, people, other than those who believe in the true significance of the Mystic Law and chant the Daimoku, are completely ignorant of how precious they really are. In particular, sentient beings who posses various mental functions based on earthly desires, are unaware that they are the entities of Myoho-Renge-Kyo, because this fact is concealed.” 67th High Priest Nikken Shonin, April 2004 Kosenrufu Shodai-kai “Living beings have already believed and obeyed me.” (Kaiketsu, p. 439) Gongyo book page 24 © Nichiren Shoshu Buddhist Association (Singapore). All Rights Reserved.
- 14. MANIFESTING THE BUDDHAHOOD WITHIN US ● Theonly way to manifest Buddhahood within us is to project our life condition upon the Gohonzon ● It is essential for us to face Gohonzon with no doubts and to maintain a practice in which we can muster our faith ● Sincerely performing Gongyo and chanting Daimoku brings about this immediate manifestation of our Buddhahood, even if one may now be in the world of hell ● When our life condition connects with the Gohonzon, this is known as the fusion of reality and wisdom (kyochi myogo 境智冥合) © Nichiren Shoshu Buddhist Association (Singapore). All Rights Reserved.
- 15. Why is Buddhahood important to me? Somecommon thoughts... Because I don’t want to suffer Because I want to be happy Because people encourage me to do so Never tried before, curious to know how it feels like... I don’t want to transmigrate in the lower 6 worlds © Nichiren Shoshu Buddhist Association (Singapore). All Rights Reserved.
- 16. How can Istart to achieve Buddhahood? ● It doesn’t matter at what stage of life, or life condition you are at currently. ● Even those in the world of hell can directly achieve Buddhahood if they chant sincerely in front of the Gohonzon, as the world of Buddhahood is inherent in all the other nine worlds. "The world of Buddhahood encompasses all the nine worlds and each of the nine worlds contains within it the world of Buddhahood.” Nichiren Daishonin Hunger Animality Hell Buddhahood Bodhisattva Realisation Learning Rapture Humanity Anger Learning Realisation Bodhisattva Buddhahood © Nichiren Shoshu Buddhist Association (Singapore). All Rights Reserved.
- 17. How can Istart to achieve Buddhahood? “Without a karmic association with the Gohonzon, the entity of absolute enlightenment, the supreme life condition of Buddhahood cannot be manifested… Regardless of what negative karma we may possess, when we uphold True Buddhism, we can come in contact with the supreme karmic entity of Buddhahood, which will awaken the dormant Buddha nature within our hearts. As a result we will be able to lead a wonderful life.” 68th High Priest Nichinyo Shonin Hunger Animality Hell Buddhahood Bodhisattva Realisation Learning Rapture Humanity Anger Learning Realisation Bodhisattva Buddhahood © Nichiren Shoshu Buddhist Association (Singapore). All Rights Reserved.
- 18. How can Istart to achieve Buddhahood? 3 Key Components ● Sincere mouth ● Sincere body ● Sincere heart To manifest Buddhahood, we must strive to achieve all 3 components Hunger Animality Hell Buddhahood Bodhisattva Realisation Learning Rapture Humanity Anger Learning Realisation Bodhisattva Buddhahood © Nichiren Shoshu Buddhist Association (Singapore). All Rights Reserved.
- 19. How can Istart to achieve Buddhahood? “ If we sincerely believe in the Gohonzon, it will permeate our hearts and function as the true cause (honnin-myo) based on the principle that the world of Buddhahood possess all nine worlds. If we recite the mystic law (Myoho) with our mouths, our lives will immediately permeate the Gohonzon and manifest the true effect (honga-myo) based on the principle that the nine worlds posses the world of Buddhahood. As a result, reality and wisdom will fuse. Then, how could the body and mind be separate from one another? The actual practice of Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo will be characterized by the mutual possession of the ten worlds, the hundred realms and the thousand factors, and three thousand realms in a single life-moment (ichinen sanzen).” 26th High Priest Nichikan Shonin in the Exegesis on the “Essentials of the Lotus Sutra” (Hokke shuyo-sho mondan) © Nichiren Shoshu Buddhist Association (Singapore). All Rights Reserved.
- 20. New to NichirenShoshu? Find out more at www.nsba.sg Reference Source “The Ten Worlds”, Reverend Rikido Takeyasu, Reverend Yushin Nishioka, Reverend Endo Ishida, Reverend Nendo Uragami, Reverend Shinga Takikawa. Kaimyo Magazine Issue 11, Apr May 2004. As extracted from Shinyo, October 1997, The 5th Overseas Believers Summer Study Tozan. © Nichiren Shoshu Buddhist Association (Singapore). All Rights Reserved.