Salvation from the Cycle of Birth and Death

by Rev. Shokai Kanai

The aim of Buddhism is the salvation from the cycle of birth and death which is called "Attaining Buddhahood" or "Nirvana."

Rebirth means that one has not attained Buddhahood and that one is born in one of the six worlds such as in the realm of Hell, Hungry Spirits, Animals, Fighting Spirits, Humans or among Heavenly Beings. The three worse worlds are Hell, Hungry Spirits and Animals. It is said that once we fall in to these three worse realms, it is very hard to get out of it for many lives. Nichiren Shonin says that even if you kill an ant, your soul will fall into hell; however, Segaki memorial service is a way to save souls from these worse worlds. The Segaki memorial service could be held any time of the year, but it is very popular to hold it during Obon season, which is July or August.

St. Nichiren teaches us that only the faith in the Lotus Sutra will save the souls and living beings from the cycle of the birth and death in the six worlds. Kingo Shijo, one of the most devoted followers of Nichiren Shonin, requested his master to hold Segaki memorial service for his mother's one year memorial anniversary and sent him various offerings of food and money. He also asked meaning of the Segaki. Nichiren Daishonin answers to him in a letter,

"The Obon Segaki Memorial Service is originated at the time of Sakyamuni Buddha when his disciple, Maudgalyayna's mother, who had been starving in hell, was saved. At first Maudgalyayana could not save his mother because he had not practiced the Lotus Sutra. However, he listened to the Buddha preaching the Lotus Sutra at Mt. Sacred Eagle. He then practiced the teaching of the sutra and chanted "Namu Myoho Renge Kyo." and thus attained Buddhahood called Tamalapattra-candana-Fragrance Tathagata. As a result his mother also became a Buddha. . . . Your mother, Nun Myoho, was a practitioner of the Lotus Sutra and one of my followers. She has never fallen into the realm of Hungry Spirit. She is surely before the Buddha Sakyamuni, Buddha Taho and many Buddhas from the Ten Quarters."

As you read the above sacred word, Nichiren Shonin ensures that Kingo Shijo's mother is together with Buddha Sakyamuni, Taho Buddha and many Buddhas from the ten quarters because she was a practitioner of the Lotus Sutra. He also praised Kingo Shijo for his devotion to his mother and the sutra in the letter.

Chapter 11 of the Lotus Sutra says, "It is difficult to keep this sutra. I (Buddha Sakyamuni) shall be glad to see anyone keeping it even for a moment. So will all the other Buddhas. He will be praised by all the Buddhas."

Let us practice in faith of the Lotus Sutra like Kingo Shijo and his mother, Nun Myoho. So we will be praised by all the Buddhas.