Bad job.

Today is the first DMK that I'm presenting (3 powerful enemies) for the sem and things are off to a bad start.

I dun really know how many ppl really understand and how much they learn. Haiz'

I'm very sorry to those that make time to attend. I hope they have take home the point I wanted to drive at, which is "3 powerful enemies arise due to Fundamental Darkness".

This is what I've prepared:

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3 Powerful Enemy: Arrogant lay people, arrogant priests, Arrogant False Sages.

“Others … will be terrified,” (WDN-1, pg 269), refers to the heart of those who do not practise with an ungrudging spirit and are in danger of abandoning their faith out of cowardice. People who lacked firm resolve and commitment in faith would read the passage abt 3 powerful enemies in the “Encouraging Devotion” chapter and be overcome by fear and apprehension.

We know that these powerful enemies only attack the practitioners of Lotus Sutra, does it means that once we give up practise and we will not be attacked?

Cowardice itself is a state in which ppl have succumbed to inner devilish functions and eventually lose their vitality and wisdom, and even find their whole lives tumbling inexorably towards defeat; unless we stand up with the same resolve as our mentor in faith, we will be defeated by devilish functions.

How many are practitioners of the Lotus Sutra?
How many are genuine practitioners of the Lotus Sutra?
Am I a genuine practitioner of the Lotus Sutra?

Genuine practitioners of the Lotus Sutra correctly spread the teaching of universal enlightenment and fight without retreating against the devilish forces that seek to fundamentally distort the spirit of Buddhism. When we understand the true nature of this struggle, we can naturally foresee that ignorance of the correct teaching – namely, fundamental darkness – will manifest itself in the form of arrogant lay ppl, arrogant priests, and arrogant false sages who will persecute the votaries of the Lotus Sutra.

The Daishonin writes: “The Buddha and Devadatte are like a form and its shadow – in lifetime after lifetime, they are never separated.” (WND-1, pg 278). The activities of the votary of the Lotus Sutra call forth the three powerful enemies – functions that are activated by the fundamental darkness that seeks to obstruct the votary’s effort. Just as a moving form is followed by its shadows, so the votary of the Lotus Sutra is dogged by the three powerful enemies.

When evil flourishes and good is defeated, the function of the Dharma nature, or inherent enlightenment, is extinguished. On the other hand, when good flourishes and evil is defeated, the function of fundamental darkness, or ignorance, is extinguished. A struggle between good and evail is taking place in out lives every moment.

The only way to strengthen good is to wage a continuous struggle against evil.

It is extremely rare to encounter a votary of the Lotus Sutra who struggles against and triumphs over the three powerful enemies. It is hard to encounter a genuine leader of Buddhism. Therefore he urged us to seek out the votary of the Lotus Sutra and make him our teacher, our mentor.

Anyone can tell me any example of individuals that struggles and triumphs over 3 powerful enemies?

The opening of the eyes is the call for us to awaken to the true votary of the Lotus Sutra who battles fundamental darkness and arrogant false sages, as well as to our own true selves as people who seek their mentor and join him in fighting unceasingly against the devilish nature inherent in life.

Lastly, I would like to end with a quote by Mrs Ikeda:

“You may not always win but never give in to defeat”.

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I'll do better next time.