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Transcript

Therefore, the dimensions that exist in this world are the number that results from multiplying these elements, or 3,000. This also means that any single life has the potential to express 3,000 dimensions.

In this way, one’s life condition at any given moment is determined by three elements: the mutual possession of the Ten Worlds (10 worlds × 10 worlds = 100 worlds), the ten factors of life and the three realms of existence.

Three Thousand Realms in a Single Moment of Life

The Lotus Sutra reveals the ultimate truth of Buddhism, that everyone can attain this state of Buddhahood. Based on its teachings, the sixth-century Chinese Buddhist teacher Tiantai developed a philosophical system to explain why this is possible, which he termed “three thousand realms in a single moment of life” (Jpn. ichinen sanzen). The principle reveals that each individual life is a microcosm of the universe and the life condition of an individual at any point in time is reflected in all aspects of their life, including the society in which they live and the natural environment.

The Boundless Possibilities of Each Person

The philosophical system of the three thousand realms in a single moment of life provides a basis for hope, for it posits that our reality at each moment is a function of our life state, that when our life state changes, the world itself appears in a new light. Furthermore, it is a philosophy that promotes engagement with others and with the challenges of society and empowers one to squarely face and surmount obstacles.

Life is dynamic—each moment is rich with myriad seen and unseen possibilities. Most crucially, the world of Buddhahood is universally inherent in all beings, and when this becomes our manifest reality, life’s most profound possibilities, humanity’s most sublime hopes, come into reach.

Nichiren described the principle of three thousand realms in a single moment of life as the heart and core of the Buddha’s teachings and established a practice to enable all people to experience the life state of Buddhahood in their daily lives. This practice of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with faith in our inherent Buddha nature actualizes the principle of three thousand realms in a single moment of life in the life of the practitioner.

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STUDY MEETING

10 worlds

The Lotus Sutra clarifies that the world of Buddhahood, as with the other nine worlds, is equally inherent in the lives of all people and thus is a potential open to all within this lifetime.

10 worlds

The world of hungry spirits is governed by insatiable desire.

impossible to satisfy.

the world of animals represents a world ruled solely by instinctive desires devoid of reason and a sense of morality.

The first component of the three thousand realms is the principle of the Ten Worlds, which describes the state or condition of our lives. They are, in ascending order of the degree of free will, compassion and happiness one feels: the worlds of

1) hell,

2) hungry spirits,

3) animals,

4) asuras,

5) human beings,

6) heavenly beings,

7) voice-hearers,

8) cause-awakened ones,

9) bodhisattvas, and

10) Buddhas.

Those in the world of voice-hearers come to this awakening through listening to Buddhist teachings,

while

The world of heavenly beings is a condition of contentment and joy, though temporary because dependent upon circumstances.

those in the world of cause-awakened ones awaken to these truths on their own.

The world of hell indicates a state of misery and suffering, devoid of all freedom.

The world of human beings is a state in which we strive to control our desires and impulses through reason and aspire for a higher state of life.

egoistic pride

Similarly, those in the world of Bodhisattva seek after truth but go one step further by compassionately working for the happiness of others.

The world of asuras is marked by animosity, anger and perversion.

The Mutual Possession

Through continuing effort in Buddhist practice—practicing for the happiness of oneself, dismantling one’s prejudices and mistaken beliefs, polishing the inherent qualities of wisdom and compassion—we can solidify the world of Buddhahood inherent within our life.

Mutual Possession of the Ten Worlds

 Attaining Buddhahood does not mean eradicating the lower nine worlds. Instead, under the influence of our inherent Buddhahood, the positive aspects of these worlds become manifest, contributing to the construction of happiness for ourselves and others.

 Buddhahood is not an abstract idea; it reveals itself tangibly in our daily behavior in the form of compassion, wisdom and our efforts to establish happiness for ourselves and others.

• This indicates that life is not fixed in one of the Ten Worlds but at any moment can manifest any one of them.

• we may “inhabit” a particular world, the other nine are present, though dormant, in our lives.

“The mutual possession of the Ten Worlds implies that all individuals have the potential to manifest Buddhahood at any given moment. “

• It implies that all individuals have the potential to manifest Buddhahood at any given moment.

How can we manifest Buddhahood?

• One’s life state may fluctuate from one moment to the next, but from a broader perspective, there is always one state or several states around which our activities revolve and to which we are most likely to revert.

The 10 factors

Ten Factors of Life

The first three factors (appearance, nature and entity) describe the life entity, which manifests the Ten Worlds.

Thus, a life “entity” has attributes that can be perceived by the senses (appearance) and attributes that cannot (nature).

The next six (power, influence, internal cause, relation, latent effect and manifest effect) describe the law of cause and effect—the way in which the Ten Worlds become manifest in the entity.

  • Together with the Ten Worlds and their mutual possession, the next component of the three thousand realms is the principle of “the ten factors of life.”

While the Ten Worlds describe life’s differing expressions, the ten factors describe elements common to all things. It explains how the law of cause and effect activates any of the Ten Worlds.

All life equally possess the same ten factors, regardless of which of the Ten Worlds it manifests. The ten factors are

(1) appearance, (2) nature, (3) entity, (4) power, (5) influence, (6) internal cause, (7) relation, (8) latent effect, (9) manifest effect, and (10) consistency from beginning to end.

The tenth factor, consistency from beginning to end, means that the ten factors are consistent for each of the Ten Worlds.

3 Realms

the 3 realms

(1) the realm of the five components (form, perception, conception, volition, and consciousness; form corresponds to the physical aspect of life, the other four components to the spiritual aspect),

(2) the realm of living beings (the individual living being, formed of a temporary union of the five components, that manifests or experiences any of the Ten Worlds),

The three realms, then, represent the actual world of the individual. They are not separate but, rather, are an integrated whole which simultaneously manifests any of the Ten Worlds.

(3) the realm of the environment (the individual environment that supports the existence of the living being).

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