ILLUSION
CITY
By.Rev.Shokai Kanai
Have you ever bought super lottery tickets? I wondered who won
53 million dollars. I did not buy it, so I did not win and no
loose. Have you ever gone to Las Vegas and played a slot machine?
I have been there for our honeymoon and some other times. There
was no luck so far. When we buy a lottery ticket, and when we
go to Las Vegas, we wish to win.
Of course there is no story of the lottery in the Lotus Sutra.
But there is a story of treasure hunt. The story is in Chapter
7. It goes like this:
Thousands of men seeking treasures. After much traveling they
came to a dreadful forest without a place of refuge or shelter
from the wild beasts and unfamiliar weather. They ran out of water
and the treasure hunters became fearful and quarrelsome.
A wise and brave man was selected as their guide to lead the group
through this horrible forest. However, the hunters became tired
and said to the guide, "Chief! We are too tired. We can not
go on like this. We want to give up and go back home." The
wise guide thought, that how pitiful they are! If these foolish
men go back now they will not get the treasures.
So, the wise man used his magic power to produce before them a
beautiful city with thousands of buildings and embellished by
great monasteries and parks. There were ponds and canals with
trees and flowers. After, he created a castle, he spoke to the
men and told them, "Do not fear, you have reached a most
wonderful castle. Let's go in! Let's have fun!" This was
to give them a time for rest, and in fact, to recover from their
weariness.
After for a while, as they had rested, he gathered them and addressed
them again, "Come over here, everyone! Listen to what I have
to tell you. This castle was produced by my magic. On seeing you
are fatigued, and so not to let you give up the treasure, I have
made use of magic; now strengthen your energy, let's go to find
the jewel!" Thus, they continued the journey. Finally, many
thousands of people reached for the treasures.
When Sakyamuni Buddha preached his true teaching of the Universe,
nobody could understand what the real treasure is because they
were too ignorant, and tired from suffering, illness, and daily
living. So, He preached the existence of Pure Land in the west
which is easy to understand.
Those who gathered here today do not need the teachings of the
Pure Land; however, some of Nichiren members still need teachings
of merit giving deities such as Kishimo-jin and Daikoku-sama.
These deities are one of steps to understand the true teachings
of the Lotus Sutra as the Lotus Sutra explains in the parable
of the magic castle. After receiving the deities' merits, they
will start to look for real treasure which is to understand the
existence of Original Buddha.
Every first Sunday of the month, we will have the special ceremony
for you to be blessed. You write your prayers on the tablets,
and I read them individually and pray for you. Some of you receive
charm or OMAMORI. These are all steps to understand the existence
of the Original Buddha.
Therefore, the parable of the magic castle in Chapter 7 of the
Lotus Sutra reminds us that we need to rest sometimes but never
give up to seek ultimate treasure.
Namu Myoho Renge Kyo - Namu Myoho Renge Kyo- Namu Myoho Renge
Kyo
