The Nine Consciousnesses Based on The Buddha in Daily Life By Richard Causton Buddhism began with one person’s search for a solution to human suffering. Shakyamuni (Gautama Sidartha), known as the Buddha, or “awakened one,” lived around 2,500 years ago in India. He was born a prince and raised in luxury but became perplexed at a young age by the inevitable suffering that life entails (sufferings he summed up as birth into this troubled world, sickness, old age and death). At around the age of nineteen he renounced his wealth and titles, determined to seek an answer to the problem of human suffering. After years of strenuous effort he experienced a profound enlightenment to the essential nature of reality, the cause of suffering and how to resolve it. Buddhism in Action Shakyamuni spent the rest of his life traveling throughout India to share with people the insight he had attained. His life was one of active compassion, very different from today’s usual image of the Buddha as an otherworldly, detached figure in an isolated realm of enlightenment. Lotus Sutra Shakyamuni’s teachings were later recorded in written collections called sutras. His key message, contained in the Lotus Sutra, is that Buddhahood -- a condition of absolute happiness, freedom from fear and from all illusions -- is inherent in all life. The development of this inner life state enables all people to overcome their problems and live a fulfilled and active life, fully engaged with others and with society. SGI-USA Lotus Heights District L. Myring

The Five Senses Taste Sight Smell Touch Hearing

Sixth Consciousness Integration of sensory input, Judgement concerning external matters Karma is formed in the 6 consciousnesses

Seventh Consciousness The realm of abstract or spiritual thought and judgement, and ego awareness Source: http://redwing.hutman.net/~mreed/Assets/ego.jpg I love me, what’s your hobby?

Seventh Mano-Consciousness The mano-consciousness [thinking mind] forms a self-concept, often a distorted one, and is characterized by self-attachment. The self-concept created by the mano-consciousness is not experienced consciously in the course of daily living; it is an idea of “self-ness” on an unconscious or subconscious level. In addition to an awareness of and an attachment to the self, the mano-consciousness also includes the ability to distinguish between good and evil. In this sense, the mano-consciousness may be described as a conduit between the manifest mental activities and the dormant ones, between the conscious and the unconscious. Source: Living Buddhism 01/05 v.9 n.1 p.33

Seventh Mano-Consciousness Key Discussion Point 1: How can we avoid being trapped in the cage of our seventh consciousness, or controled by our attachment to ego? Source: abuddhistpodcast.com/

Alaya - Eight Consciousness The repository of the effects of causes made in our eternal past. The source of darkness and delusion arising from our desires. The invocation of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo was established by Nichiren on 28 April 1253. Having studied widely among all the Buddhist sutras, he had concluded that the Lotus Sutra contains the ultimate truths of Buddhism: that everyone without exception has the potential to attain Buddhahood. The title of the Lotus Sutra in its Japanese translation is Myoho-renge-kyo. But to Nichiren, Myoho-renge-kyo was far more than the title of a Buddhist text, it was the expression, in words, of the Law of life which all Buddhist teachings in one way or another seek to clarify. What follows is a brief and unavoidably limited explanation of some of the key concepts expressed by this phrase.  Nam The word nam derives from Sanskrit, a close translation of its meaning is "to devote oneself." Nichiren established the chanting of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo as a means to enable all people to put their lives in harmony or rhythm with the law of life, or Dharma. In the original Sanskrit, nam indicates the elements of action and attitude, and refers therefore to the correct action one needs to take and the attitude one needs to develop in order to attain Buddhahood in this lifetime.  Myoho  Myoho literally means the Mystic Law, and expresses the relationship between the life inherent in the universe and the many different ways this life expresses itself. Myo refers to the very essence of life, which is "invisible" and beyond intellectual understanding. This essence always expresses itself in a tangible form (ho) that can be apprehended by the senses. Phenomena (ho) are changeable, but pervading all such phenomena is a constant reality known as myo. Renge  Renge means lotus flower. The lotus blooms and produces seeds at the same time, and thus represents the simultaneity of cause and effect. The circumstances and quality of our individual lives is determined by the particular of causes and effects, both good and bad, that we accumulate (through our thoughts, words and actions) at each moment. This is called our "karma". The law of cause and effect explains that we each have personal responsibility for our own destiny. We create our destiny and we can change it. The most powerful cause we can make is to chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, the effect of Buddhahood is simultaneously created in the depths of our life and will definitely manifest in time.  The lotus flower grows and blooms in a muddy pond, and yet remains pristine and free from any defilement, symbolizing the emergence of Buddhahood from within the life of an ordinary person.  Kyo Kyo literally means sutra, the voice or teaching of a Buddha. In this sense, it also means sound, rhythm or vibration. Also, the Chinese character for kyo originally meant the warp a piece of woven cloth, symbolizing the continuity of life throughout past, present and future. In a broad sense, kyo conveys the concept that all things in the universe are a manifestation of the Mystic Law.  Primary Practice Chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is the primary practice of SGI members. Through this practice, one is able to reveal the state of Buddhahood in one's life, experienced as the natural development of joy, increased vitality, courage, wisdom and compassion.  

Daisaku Ikeda on the Eight Consciousness: “Both good karma and bad karma are stored there like seeds in a granary. The term ‘storehouse’ conjures up the image of an actual structure into which things of substance can be placed. But in fact it may be more accurate to say that the life-current of karmic energy itself constitutes the eighth consciousness.” Daisaku Ikeda in: Wisdom Of The Lotus Sutra p. 35 The invocation of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo was established by Nichiren on 28 April 1253. Having studied widely among all the Buddhist sutras, he had concluded that the Lotus Sutra contains the ultimate truths of Buddhism: that everyone without exception has the potential to attain Buddhahood. The title of the Lotus Sutra in its Japanese translation is Myoho-renge-kyo. But to Nichiren, Myoho-renge-kyo was far more than the title of a Buddhist text, it was the expression, in words, of the Law of life which all Buddhist teachings in one way or another seek to clarify. What follows is a brief and unavoidably limited explanation of some of the key concepts expressed by this phrase.  Nam The word nam derives from Sanskrit, a close translation of its meaning is "to devote oneself." Nichiren established the chanting of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo as a means to enable all people to put their lives in harmony or rhythm with the law of life, or Dharma. In the original Sanskrit, nam indicates the elements of action and attitude, and refers therefore to the correct action one needs to take and the attitude one needs to develop in order to attain Buddhahood in this lifetime.  Myoho  Myoho literally means the Mystic Law, and expresses the relationship between the life inherent in the universe and the many different ways this life expresses itself. Myo refers to the very essence of life, which is "invisible" and beyond intellectual understanding. This essence always expresses itself in a tangible form (ho) that can be apprehended by the senses. Phenomena (ho) are changeable, but pervading all such phenomena is a constant reality known as myo. Renge  Renge means lotus flower. The lotus blooms and produces seeds at the same time, and thus represents the simultaneity of cause and effect. The circumstances and quality of our individual lives is determined by the particular of causes and effects, both good and bad, that we accumulate (through our thoughts, words and actions) at each moment. This is called our "karma". The law of cause and effect explains that we each have personal responsibility for our own destiny. We create our destiny and we can change it. The most powerful cause we can make is to chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, the effect of Buddhahood is simultaneously created in the depths of our life and will definitely manifest in time.  The lotus flower grows and blooms in a muddy pond, and yet remains pristine and free from any defilement, symbolizing the emergence of Buddhahood from within the life of an ordinary person.  Kyo Kyo literally means sutra, the voice or teaching of a Buddha. In this sense, it also means sound, rhythm or vibration. Also, the Chinese character for kyo originally meant the warp a piece of woven cloth, symbolizing the continuity of life throughout past, present and future. In a broad sense, kyo conveys the concept that all things in the universe are a manifestation of the Mystic Law.  Primary Practice Chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is the primary practice of SGI members. Through this practice, one is able to reveal the state of Buddhahood in one's life, experienced as the natural development of joy, increased vitality, courage, wisdom and compassion.  

Buddha Nature Ninth Consciousness The fundamental, original and absolutely pure consciousness which is universal and constitutes the essence of our lives. Without tapping the ninth, our destiny lies in the eighth – and is fixed. Buddhist thought outlines a practical method for not only helping individuals overcome various sufferings, but changing society as a whole. Human revolution is the name Josei Toda, Second President of Soka Gakkai, used to describe this process--the liberation of the spirit from within. It is a continual process of renewal and invigoration, the development of one person's boundless inner capacity to lead a creative and contributive life through his or her own effort. Inner Change in a Single Person There have been a number of different revolutions in recent centuries: political, economic, industrial, scientific, etc. Toda's view was that, regardless of how external factors are changed, society will not fundamentally improve as long as people--the foundation of everything--fail to transform the inherent negative and destructive tendencies of their own lives.  An inner change for the better in a single person is the essential first turn of the wheel in the process of making the human race stronger and wiser. Human revolution is the most fundamental and most vital of all revolutions. This revolution--an inner process of self-reformation--is completely bloodless and peaceful.  Process of Growth and Self-Realization Every single person has tremendous potential which is largely untapped. Through one's human revolution, this potential can be revealed and we can establish an independent, unconquerable self; enabling one to deal creatively with any situation that life has to offer. This process enables one to keep growing and developing indefinitely.