The story of my path to Buddhahood through the teachings of Nichiren Daishonin
11 Aug 2011 1 Comment
in Buddhism Tags: Determination, Human Revolution, Responsibility, Wisdom Courage and Compassion
It all comes down to you. I hope you will not rely on others, or wait for them to do something.
Try to develop such a strong sense of responsibility that you can stand up to the fiercest opposition and come out of the other side, confident in your ability to win.
Please confront reality, look it squarely in the face, and with wisdom, courage and compassion, challenge everything that lies ahead of you.
10 Aug 2011 Leave a comment
in Buddhism
My post yesterday about the London riots seems to have ruffled a few feathers out there. I had quite a few messages about it, some supportive, others less so, but all from people who rarely, if ever, make comment about my blog. So let me set the record straight.
In no way was I condoning the mindless actions of the people involved. Like all public spirited people, I was shocked by something like this happening on the streets of Britain. The very fact that it was reported all round the world tends to suggest that it is, fortunately, a rare occurrence.
The idea that we should try to see both sides is right at the centre of Buddhist thinking. Having the wisdom, courage and compassion to give up our ingrained mindset and expand our vision will not present us with all the answers, but it will give us a more balanced view.
I thank those of you who made your opinions clear, whether you agreed or not. At least we are thinking about the issue, and we as individuals can do little more at this time. It is never my intention to anger or alienate anyone with my posts, simply to offer thought provoking ideas. Some of those ideas are less painful to consider than others.
09 Aug 2011 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Hope, London Riots, Youth
We have all been shocked by the street violence in London and other major cities over the past couple of days. Groups of youths looting and setting fire to shops, cars and houses for the ‘fun’ of it. It’s disgraceful and one has to feel sympathy for the owners and the police who are having to deal with it. But let us, for one minute, see things from the youths point of view.
Many, if not all of them, come from deprived backgrounds, maybe going back several generations, and they realistically have no hope of any improvement. They see these premises as easy targets, owned by rich people or companies, in their eyes, and are using them as the target of their frustration and anger. Whilst not condoning any of their actions, it is all too easy to take the blinkered view and blame it all on mindless individuals.
These people are going through the same recession we all face every day. Many have no work, no money and more importantly, no hope. Who can really blame them for lashing out? I hope sense prevails, that the police take back control of the streets, and that the innocent victims are fully recompensed for their losses. But I also hope that our politicians see the wider picture, and make more of an effort to support the youth of this country. If nothing is done we should not be surprised if incidents like this become commonplace.
08 Aug 2011 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Determination, Happiness, Positive
So our little man is finally home. Fantastic news from every point of view, and cause for understandable jubilation in the Savage and Blake households.
Obviously I am over the moon too, but more than that, I am so proud that Charlotte has dug deep and remained positive throughout the entire process. To imagine that there were people suggesting she should take the ‘easy’ way out, look after herself, and terminate the pregnancy is now unbelievable.
But Charlotte was determined to have her baby, the little chap we now call Oliver. She went through mental anguish, wondering whether she was making the right decision. Well today we all know that she did. The situation with her chemotherapy is ongoing, and there will good days and bad days, but today is one of the very best of good days!
07 Aug 2011 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Buddhist Practice, Confidence, Determination
It’s been a really super Sunday. It started with an hour’s Gongyo, followed by a half hour chat to a very good friend and it just got better and better.
The sun has shone through beautiful billowing white clouds and it has been a wonderful day, weather wise. The stroll through Hamworthy park and on to Poole quay was very pleasant and everyone seemed to be sporting a broad smile in the sunshine.
Follow that up with a cracking Charity Shield match, a scary horror movie, all topped off with a huge thunderstorm this evening, and the day has been pretty much complete. I still have no proper broadband, so the posts are bit short and sweet, but I hope Sky will meet or beat their 17th deadline for activation.
06 Aug 2011 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Buddhist Practice, Confidence, Determination
What would you say if I told you that I have come to believe that my own practice, practiced in my own way, gives me courage, wisdom and compassion. That I believe that we must all follow our own path and that being lead, or listening too intently to others can confuse and distract us.
We must all be true to ourselves, and decide the path we must take in our own way. To allow others to cajole us into being or doing something that is foreign to our nature is to forfeit our integrity.
Take a moment to look at your own situation and decide whether you are compromising your own integrity. If you find that you are, you might want to reconsider your own path and take steps to get back on track.
05 Aug 2011 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Buddhist Practice, Fundamental Darkness, Honzon
Do you ever find yourself getting into a state over a situation that is mainly in your own head? If your world is not anchored by your faith and is dependant on factors outside your control, your imagination can run riot. Our Fundamental Darkness, or My Evil Friend, is a devious character and will use everything tot get it’s way. Your imagination is one of it’s most powerful weapons.
This is how I was until I found Nichiren Buddhism, and it is a very precarious state in which to live. Each day can be up, or down, at the whim of something or someone else, and that’s no life. Particularly if that something or someone cannot be relied upon.
Taking back control of your life is simple, it is a state of mind, a determination to re-centre, re-focus your life. That certainly doesn’t mean that you have to rid yourself of the something or someone, and it doesn’t mean that your relationship with them is any less important. It’s just that your life centres around something infinitely stable, and that can make all the difference in the world.
My anchor, my honzon is my practice, and I’m a better, calmer, more contented person for that. I am happier for that, and at the end of the day, isn’t that what we all seek from life, a little more happiness?
04 Aug 2011 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Poison Into Medicine
I’m having a lot of trouble getting onto t’internet at the moment.
Changing ISP can be such a traumatic experience, but it won’t last forever.
This post will be replaced as soon as normal service is resumed.
03 Aug 2011 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Determination, Poison Into Medicine, Practice, Recovery
There is a saying that the earth upon which we fall is the same ground which enables us to push ourselves back up again. There is another which maintains that barley grows better after it has been trampled on.
Human relationships are sometimes painful, but there is no such thing as pain from which we cannot recover. It is up to us to decide to live a life free from self doubt and despair in spite of our doubts and failures.
Indeed, it is during our most humbling moments that we should show the greatest poise and grace. Then the dignity of our lives will truly shine forth.
02 Aug 2011 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Determination, Friendship, Independence, Networks
Determined people of conviction, who stand alone, who pursue their chosen path. Not only are such people good and trustworthy friends themselves, but will also make genuine friends of others.
The bamboo groves of the autumn are gorgeous. Each bamboo tree stands independently, growing straight and tall towards the sky. Yet in the ground, way out of sight, their roots are interwoven and interconnected.
In the same way, true friendship is not a relationship based upon dependence, but one of individual independence. It is the enduring bond that connects self-reliant individuals, comrades who share the same commitment, on a spiritual plane.
The Search For Enlightenment 
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