Question: How do we live in this life and prepare for the next life? How do we live in this moment?

Rev. Hirota:  The Daishonin referred to himself as Nichiren the votary of the Lotus Sutra. Like the Daishonin, we should try everyday to be a votary of the Lotus Sutra. Of course, the most important thing in practicing the Lotus Sutra is to chant Namu-myoho-renge-kyo. But it is also very important to live everyday as the votary of Namu-myoho-renge-kyo.

No one has control over one's movements or actions. That is to say, one cannot do whatever one wants or pleases. Therefore we must chant. The Daishonin said, use this Law of Myohorengekyo in your life no matter what you are doing, whether sitting, standing, lying down or walking. The future continues on from this moment. There is no distinction or separation between the present and the future. The present and the future are one and the same. You must try to be close to Namu-myoho-renge-kyo, this is the most important thing. The way you are living now is the way you will die, and the way you will live in the future.

The Shinjikan sutra states:

If you want to understand the causes that existed in the past, look at the results as they are manifested in the  present. And if you want to understand what results will be manifested in the future, look at the causes that exist in the present. 



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