What are you thoughts on the applicability of this 800 year old Buddhist text?

Question

... Though a person may do good, in the course of doing a single good deed he accumulates ten evil ones, so that in the end, for the sake of a small good, he commits great evil. And yet, in his heart, he prides himself on having practised 'great good'--such are the times we live in...

- Nichiren Daishonin.

To me, it seems that 13th century Japan had many similarities to modern day North American.

Answer 1

As Mother Teresa said, all her works were just a drop in the ocean, but what a poorer place the world would be without that drop in the ocean.  

Answer 2

nichiren daishonin. like that name. love japan.

that buddhist text is waay better than the overpublished christian text. love that.

hate christian who answering people question by text taken from their bible. i'm sick of that.

Answer 3

I would most definitely agree with you.

Answer 4

I think it's pretty wise.  I don't think anything we do as humans is truly "pure."  

"The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure.  Who can understand it?"  --Jeremiah 17:9

Answer 5

Answer: Maybe the more egregious of Fundamentalists of ANY religion need to be reminded of that.

If they continue to insist on trying to "help" the rest of us they way they are it may just kill more people than it "saves"

Answer 6

To me, it applies to here in California. To make it so that people can make it to work on time, they tear down houses of poor innocent people to build another lane.

Answer 7

I have switched to Tibetian Buddhism and lost interest in Nichiren ways. Nevertheless, it is all about how to do the right thing, more about the "emptiness" and the eight right ways. the use of the word "pride" is a red flag. the first ideas the gottama realized was defeating the cravings. that alone, is a lifelong challenge for ordinary people. i do not understand fully about doing great evil in pursuit of doing good. i suppose it is apt to happen. we can try to avoid bad choices but it is impossible. the word "intent" matters. doing the right thing as best we are able and continue on.

Answer 8

To understand these spiritual texts, the reader should have knowledge of these things. I cannot answer any question in physics because I do not understand physics, similarly the level of knowledge only will make you understand the real meaning of that phrase! It can be used out of context by others!

As for the above thought: It is absolutely right!