Buddhist Terms for Daily Practice
Inchinen

The term ichinen as used in the Gosho means “one mind”—the life-moment, or ultimate reality of each moment within our lives. Ichinen derives from the principle ichinen sanzen—a single moment of life possesses three thousand realms. Sanzen means three thousand and refers to all phenomena in the universe. This principle reveals the moment-by-moment interaction between the world around us and the ultimate reality within us. Our lives simultaneously permeate the entire universe and encompass within us all the laws and phenomena of the universe.

However, as we use the term ichinen in our practice, we usually mean determination or will power. What action we take is determined by our ichinen or determination. President Ikeda says: “The power of ichinen based on faith is supreme. It is stronger than any other weapon.” He also says: “Whether you will be victorious in life or not is all up to your ichinen How you direct your mind is crucial. A victor in his or her ichinen is a true winner in life.” Indeed, how we apply ourselves or our minds is extremely important in practicing the Daishonin’s Buddhism. Without a clear determination and goal in mind, we tend to practice out of formality or out of a sense of obligation. When we practice Buddhism passively, we can find it burdensome.

The first Soka Gakkai President Makiguchi once said: “A goal generates a means to achieve it. Arrows shot randomly can seldom hit a target.” Unless you have a clear-cut goal and determination in your heart, you cannot produce clear-cut actual proof.

Those who do activities enthusiastically, with the understanding it is for their own sake, receive greater benefit. In contrast, if we do activities only because we are expected to, the results will not be great. Our frame of mind, our attitude in practicing Buddhism will be reflected in either progress or stagnation.

Five steps to achieving results are: first, manifest courage; second, make a strong determination; third, develop a concrete goal; fourth, offer resolute prayer to the Gohonzon; and fifth, take action until we see clear actual proof. In offering prayer to the Gohonzon, a persistent, strong conviction to make the impossible possible is vital.

Nichiren Daishonin teaches us what attitude we should have in prayer: “I am praying that, no matter how troubled the times may become, the Lotus Sutra and the ten demon daughters will protect all of you, praying as earnestly as though to produce fire from damp wood or to obtain water from parched ground” (The major Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.6, p.74)

Faith means that when we are faced with a seemingly impossible situation, we continue to pray for the solution and victory. When we pray to the Gohonzon with the determination that “I will make things change in my favor no matter what” we can tap infinite life force and wisdom. This is called the “strategy of the Lotus Sutra.”

As we determine to win, pray to win and act to win, we will surely see actual proof. Unless we repeat the experience of receiving benefit, our faith will not deepen. Even though we practice the Daishonin’s Buddhism, if we adhere to views or beliefs that are not Buddhism, we will reach a deadlock. It is our responsibility to study the Daishonin’s life philosophy and adopt his spirit.

President Toda once said: “Faith is something that you practice to change your situation for the better rapidly and drastically.” The important thing is to have a positive ichinen to better out lives. President Ikeda says: “Faith is not an obligation. It is a right to become happy. To the degree you are determined, and taken action, you will gain.”

In the final analysis, directing our ichinen or faith in a positive direction is the key to elevating our life-condition.