“The bodhisattva represents the principle of compassion, which is the healing principle that makes life possible. Life is pain, but compassion is what gives it the possibility of continuing. The bodhisattva is one who has achieved the realization of immortality yet voluntarily participates in the sorrows of the world. Voluntary participation in the world is very different from just getting born into it.” Joseph Campbell, The Power of Myth, p. 112.
Joseph Campbell included several full-color photos of mandalas in The Power of Myth, the publication of his dialogue with Bill Moyers. He included a Northwest Coast Indian mask, a Vishnu mandala from Nepal, a sun disk from New Guinea, a Navaho sand painting, as well as the rose window from the Cathedral at Chartres. Each of these symbols represents not only the external universe, but the internal psyche. These symbols are found throughout the world and throughout history. They resonate with something deep inside us. These symbols remind us that we are a part of the universe.
In Nichiren Buddhism, the daily practice is to the Mandala of the Mystic Law or Gohonzon inscribed by Nichiren, a 13th century Japanese priest.
“I have offered prayers to the Gohonzon of Myoho-renge-kyo. Though this mandala has but five or seven characters, it is the teacher of all Buddhas throughout the three existences and the seal that guarantees the enlightenment of all women. It will be a lamp in the darkness of the road to the next world and a fine horse to carry you over the mountains of death. It is like the sun and moon in the heavens or Mount Sumeru on earth. It is a ship to ferry people over the sea of the sufferings of birth and death. It is the teacher that leads all people to Buddhahood and enlightenment.” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, p. 414.
One great misconception about Buddhism is where Buddhas can be found. Many teachings refer to Buddhas as living in a pure land or some other far off, unreachable place. In reality, Buddhas are found here on earth or wherever there is life. Once one attains Buddhahood, one comes back as a bodhisattva to relieve others of suffering. In Nichiren Buddhism, the mandala reminds us of what our realization of immortality was like and recharges us to tackle the everyday sorrows of the world and continue the eternal cycle of life and death.
The enlightenment of women is also another unique characteristic of the Lotus Sutra, the Sutra on which Nichiren based his teaching. Included on his mandala are the Ten Demon Daughters and their mother as well as the Sun Goddess. The Lotus Sutra also includes the story of the Dragon King’s daughter who instantly attains enlightenment, much to the surprise of the venerable male bodhisattvas gathered to hear the Buddha preach. Nichiren points out that just as sperm and egg come together to make new life, each life owes a debt to and receives protection from women.
As reflected in the quote from Nichiren’s writings, his Buddhism is also one of action, rather than quiet contemplation. He talks of traveling down the road of life, over the mountains of death, and crossing over the sea of suffering. He emphasizes bringing enlightenment to everyday reality and the practice to transcend life’s problems. His mandala and his teachings are about getting to the other side rather than accepting our circumstances and limiting our abilities.
“Essentially, it might even be said there is but one archetypal mythic hero whose life has been replicated in many lands by many, many people. A legendary hero is usually the founder of something – the founder of a new age, the founder of a new religion, the founder of a new city, the founder of a new way of life. In order to found something new, one has to leave the old and go in quest of the seed idea, a germinal idea that will have the potentiality of bringing forth that new thing. . . . You might also say that the founder of a life – your life or mine, if we live our own lives, instead of imitating everybody else’s – comes from a quest as well.” Campbell, p. 136.
The bodhisattva’s and the hero’s journey are one and the same. Just as the hero must go on a quest and slay the dragon, a Buddha must take on the form of a human being and tackle the sufferings of life. The practice of Nichiren Buddhism is to observe the mandala that represents the ultimate of life and the universe and then engage directly in life at each moment charged with the energy represented by the mandala. Just as the hero has a code and training, the daily practice of Nichiren believers prepares them to successfully triumph over darkness and lead others to light. And more than just a spiritual quest, it is this bodhisattva imperative that allows life to go on and the continual creation of truth, beauty, and goodness.
William Endsley is a management consultant working in the finance, insurance, and real estate sector. He has been practicing Nichiren Buddhism for over 20 years and is a lay leader for the SGI-USA organization in Chicago. He joins Joan Forest Mage to present an evening on the Mandala of the Mystic Law on March 18, 2010, at LFAC.