The story of my path to Buddhahood through the teachings of Nichiren Daishonin
21 Oct 2012 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Blessings, Bodhisattva, Buddha, Buddha Nature, Nam Myoho Renge Kyo, Nichiren Buddhism, Nichiren Daishonin
The function of fire is to burn and give light. The function of water is to wash away filth. The winds blow away dust and breathe life into plants, animals, and human beings. The earth produces the grasses and trees, and heaven provides nourishing moisture.
The five characters of Myoho-Renge-Kyo are also like that. They are the cluster of blessings brought by the Bodhisattvas of the Earth, disciples of the Buddha in his true identity.
~ Nichiren Daishonin
20 Oct 2012 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Connections, Family, Happiness, Relationships, Sadness
Relationship problems are opportunities to grow and mature. Such problems can be character building if you don’t let them defeat you.
That’s why it’s important not to isolate yourself. No one can exist apart from others. Remaining aloof from others cultivates selfishness, which accomplishes nothing.
~ Daisaku Ikeda
19 Oct 2012 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Daisaku Ikeda, Oneness Of Self And The Environment, Practice, Reflection, Wisdom Courage and Compassion
The misfortune of others is our misfortune. Our happiness is the happiness of others. To see ourselves in others and feel an inner oneness and sense of unity with them represents a fundamental revolution in the way we view and live our lives.
Therefore, discriminating against another person is the same as discriminating against oneself. When we hurt another, we are hurting ourselves. And when we respect others, we respect and elevate our own lives as well.
~ Daisaku Ikeda
18 Oct 2012 1 Comment
in Buddhism Tags: Daisaku Ikeda, Happiness, Materialism, Self Awareness, Self Improvement, Transformation
Such things as money, fame, and material possessions offer a fleeting satisfaction, something that can be called relative happiness.
However, when we transform our lives internally, when we develop within ourselves a brilliant inner palace, then we can be said to have established absolute happiness.
If we develop a state of mind as vast and resplendent as a magnificent palace, then nothing—no matter where we go or what we may encounter in life-can undermine or destroy our happiness.
~ Daisaku Ikeda
17 Oct 2012 2 Comments
in Buddhism Tags: Cause And Effect, Destiny, Eternal Life, Nichiren Buddhism, Practice
Our actions in previous lives are all engraved upon, and contained within, this lifetime. The causes for our present suffering, our joy, happiness or misery, all lie with our own past actions. But Nichiren Buddhism enables us to fundamentally transform our destiny.
When we truly base ourselves on the Buddhist view of eternal life, we realise the first thing that must change is how we live in the present. In Nichiren Buddhism, change arises from the very depths of our being, brought about by our daily Practice.
When we practice with vigour, strong, pure vitality wells forth in abundance. The chains of our destiny are broken, and our original identity, the fresh and robust world of Buddhahood, shines forth. Far from being set in stone, our destiny truly is in our own hands, through our everyday thoughts, words and deeds.
16 Oct 2012 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Challenges, Happiness, Nam Myoho Renge Kyo, Practice
There are times in life, when it’s very reminiscent of being on a narrowboat, when the main object of each day is to get closer to an overall destination without rocking the boat. Steering the middle way, taking no risks, trying to get to the other end without making waves or upsetting the people you pass along the way.
When you find yourself in situations where the only outcomes you can actually influence are all negative, you find yourself trying to switch off from the effects these situations are having on you. Find yourself trying to create distractions with unrelated things, which will have no bearing on the final outcome.
And this can be so very tiring. Like sitting in a room with no windows, no books, nothing to occupy your mind. Time passes so slowly. As a boy, I would sit on a lake or river bank from the first light of dawn, till the last rays of sunset, fishing for elusive creatures that sometimes never showed themselves.
I was never bored, I was so engrossed that there were times that I forgot to eat my packed lunch. Those summer, and often winter, days flew by even when the trials and tribulations of my teenage years were buzzing around my head. Concentrating on that fluorescent float tip, bright against the dark, slow moving waters, held my attention like nothing else could.
I don’t get to do much fishing these days, I have reservations about the cruelty of the sport, and being a Buddhist means I can’t really ignore that with a clean conscience. But I do have my Practice, my chanting and my prayer which are just as enthralling and can hold my attention even better than my piscatorial past.
So I’m moving ever closer to my goal of enlightenment through my daily practice. Being able to see the bigger picture means that I can actually measure the progress. It also means that these awkward situations are there in the background, and although I never ignore or forget about them, that my boat is a little steadier each day.
Nam Myoho Renge Kyo
15 Oct 2012 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Buddhist Practice, Daisaku Ikeda, Happiness, Joy, Lotus Sutra, Mystic Law, Sadness
What is true joy in life? This is a difficult question to answer, and one that has occupied the time of a great many thinkers and philosophers.
Joy is transitory and can quickly give way to suffering. Joy is often short and suffering often long.
Also, what passes for joy in society is superficial. It cannot compare with the joy derived from the Mystic Law. The key therefore, lies in cultivating a state of mind where we can declare without reservation, that life itself is a joy.
This is the purpose of our Buddhist practice.
~ Daisaku Ikeda
14 Oct 2012 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Baumgartner, Faith, Science, Skydive
and do it anyway … a rather overused cliché, was perfectly illustrated less than an hour ago as Felix Baumgartner jumped from just over 128,000ft, 24 miles high, to set a whole bunch of world records.
I sat transfixed as Baumgartner and his team went through the pre-launch checklist. The professionalism and calm atmosphere was awe inspiring as the time for him to jump grew ever nearer.
The level of faith and trust in the people involved in making this jump possible must be immense. Imagine standing on the 
capsule steps, 24 miles above the Earth, knowing that your life, your very existence is in the hands of those who designed, built and tested your life-support suit.
Congratulations to you and all the team Felix. In the absence of space flight, in these austere times, you are a genuine legend in your own lifetime.
13 Oct 2012 4 Comments
in Buddhism Tags: Dark Passenger, Friendship, Nature, Outdoors, Sunshine
There is nothing better than getting out in the fresh air and sunshine. Today has been really beautiful, a striking contrast from most of the days this week, so a few hours down by the sea has done me a world of good. It’s all too easy to get depressed about the things that aren’t going quite the way we would like them to.
So getting out into the sunshine, instead of sitting in front of the PC, seemed like a very good idea. Walking along the prom from Branksome Chine to Sandbanks and back, taking in the sights and sounds of the seaside was just what I needed today. Having Steve and young Riley for company just made the trip all the better.
It’s funny, because The Dark Passenger was doing his best to persuade me to give it a miss. Just shows how wrong he can be sometimes.
12 Oct 2012 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Chanting, Faith, Nam Myoho Renge Kyo, Poison Into Medicine, Practice
Some days we are strong, some days not so strong.
When water is clear, the moon is reflected. When the wind blows, the trees shake. Our minds are like the water. Faith that is weak is like muddy water, while faith that is brave is like clear water. Understand that the trees are like principles, and the wind that shakes them is like the recitation of the sutra.
~ Nichiren
The Search For Enlightenment 
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