1. Monthly Discussion Series: Unlocking the Mysteries of Birth & Death and Everything in Between (Ikeda 2003) Chapter 5: Life’s Unlimited potential April 6, 2006 Hosted by World Peace Buddhists of Stanford

2. Agenda 7-8pm Quick introductions of participants and WPB Intro to The Ten Worlds Power Point Presentation & Discussion on The Ten Worlds Experience: Applying Buddhism, making victories in daily life Learn & practice chanting Discussion Series: Unlocking the Mysteries of Birth & Death and Everything in Between (Ikeda 2003)

3. Discussion Series: Unlocking the Mysteries of Birth & Death and Everything in Between (Ikeda 2003) Buddhahood Bodhisattva Realization Learning Heaven Humanity Anger Animality Hunger Hell The Ten Worlds

4. Discussion Series: Unlocking the Mysteries of Birth & Death and Everything in Between (Ikeda 2003) Buddhahood infinite compassion, absolute freedom, recognize reality of our lives, not a special being Bodhisattva compassion and altruistic behavior, working toward enlightenment of oneself and others, happiness alone is only partial Realization seeking truth through direct perception, abstract, no longer merely subject to environment, distracted from life’s harsh realities Learning aware of impermanence of life, dedicate oneself to self-reformation/improvement Heaven joy at having attained tangible and non-tangible items, something long desired such as an end to suffering, extremely vulnerable to external circumstances Humanity strive to control desires and impulses through reason, first step toward attaining self-mastery Anger perversity, hides true feelings while making false show of loyalty, arrogant state of life Animality driven by instinct, foolishness, fear the strong but prey on the weak, lack reason and wisdom, caught in immediate circumstances Hunger endless appetite, greed, a slave to one’s own desires Hell life is painful, shackled, extremely weak life force, feeling unable to affect life, further self destruction

5. Discussion Series: Unlocking the Mysteries of Birth & Death and Everything in Between (Ikeda 2003) Mutual Possession of The Ten Worlds KEY CONCEPT: Each of the Ten Worlds contains all the Ten Worlds within it What does this reveal about our unlimited potential?

6. "Each droplet of water contains all essence of the vast ocean" Our lives permeate the entire universe

7. It’s our heart (mind) that’s important "Hungry spirits perceives Ganges River as fire, human being perceives it as water, heavenly beings perceive it as amrita [divine nectar]"

8. "Buddhahood is a state to access to the boundless wisdom compassion courage inherent in our own life"

9. Buddhahood can only be attained in an uncanny way "To straighten the horn of a cow kills the cow"

10. "Suffer what is to suffer, enjoy what is to enjoy" Buddhahood doesn’t means absence of problems, but possessing the abilities and to face whatever challenge

11. Chanting Nam myoho renge kyo + action = Buddhahood

12. Discussion Series: Unlocking the Mysteries of Birth & Death and Everything in Between (Ikeda 2003) So What Does All This Suggest… Establish the state of Buddhahood as the basis of everything we do Our innate compassion and wisdom then moves into action By working to demonstrate our Buddha Nature, through cause and effect, our Buddha Nature is consistently strengthened and Buddhahood becomes integral to all our experiences By establishing Buddhahood as our primary state we can then properly harmonize the other Nine Worlds and make positive use of the time spent in them Our happiness becomes invulnerable to any changes in our surroundings We also, then, have good influence on all those around us thereby transforming our environment

13. Discussion Series: Unlocking the Mysteries of Birth & Death and Everything in Between (Ikeda 2003) Discussion Points -What are your thoughts on each of the Ten Worlds? -Why strive to reveal our Buddha Nature? -Can you share an example of how you might apply this understanding of the Ten Worlds in your life? -What relevancy does studying the Ten Worlds hold in your life?