Kosen-rufu means to create an enlightened society. The following recipe is gluten-free. Vegetarian and vegan versions can also be made.

Ingredients:
-You, just as you are
-The real world, just as it is

Serves:
-Everyone well

Step 1: Recognize that the world needs help, but do not impose your help or beliefs on others. Kosen-rufu is not based on converting people to a religion or a theory -- it is based on each individual revealing his or her enlightened nature.

Thoroughly sift dry theories and doctrines. Add four heaping teaspoons of lively discussion, which acts like baking soda to make everything rise. Blend the "wet" ingredients such as heart, soul, prayer and faith. Then mix the wet with the dry. Keep stirring!

Step 2: Discover your own basic goodness. Notice how good it is to be alive. Notice the sky. Notice how great it is to breathe, move and use your senses. Life is a dazzling gift. If you can appreciate anyone or anything in your life, this is an expression of basic goodness. Are you paying attention? Are you noticing the goodness?

Your Buddha nature (basic goodness) can be cultivated with or without a religion. Nichiren taught that the most direct way is to chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. Buddhism is a collection of techniques for cultivating our human dignity and revealing our fundamental enlightened nature. Study these teachings as you stir your batter. (It takes a lot of stirring!)

Step 3: Pour your batter over everything, even your furniture, as if pouring syrup on pancakes. Pour it over your head. Does that sound funny? Good!

At this stage, it's important to develop a light touch, a sense of humor. Kosen-rufu is light and fluffy, so you don't need to be heavy and serious.

Humor does not mean making someone the butt of a joke. Life supports us, it does not mock us. (Well, it mocks our pretensions and fussy attitudes.) On the whole, daily life is our good friend, so we can loosen up and share in the humor and lightness of an easy friendship.

In this lightness and warmth, our "batter" turns golden and delicious!

Step 4: Refuse to give up. On some days, the world looks like a terrible place, a real mess. This is where you have to add the most important ingredients: hope and determination. It is up to you to make kosen-rufu. No one else will do it.

You will discover that your hope and determination soon become fearlessness. Fearlessness does not mean that you are numb and can march through a minefield like a zombie, not caring if you are blown to bits. It means that you feel everything. You feel your vulnerability, sadness and trepidation. You feel the feelings of other people as if they were your own feelings. Being fearless means being unafraid of tears, terror, death and love. You are fearless because you understand your goodness and the goodness of others.

Fearlessness is when you go into the unknown instead of staying where everything is safe and comfortable. You cannot make kosen-rufu without fearlessness.

Serving suggestion:

Kosen-rufu is a dish that must be offered, not forced. By its nature, it is best when shared with others. You will know when you have mastered the recipe, because when others taste it, they will want to learn how to make it themselves. You will have your own twist on the recipe, and this will add flavor and delight.

Above all, do not give up. The world is starving for kosen-rufu.