A society that has sacrificed so much to material wealth that is has forgotten the human heart and the best of human aspirations, degenerates into something compassionless, doctrinaire, ignorant and ultra-conservative. When this happens, fundamental solutions to the issues of that society become impossible. If we protect the truth and are resolute, we are capable of creating peace and prosperity, and the truth that we should be protecting has to be high and great.
The great truth of Nichiren Buddhism, the thing that we must do our utmost to protect, involves ethics and the very best of human nature. At the very heart of this lies our duty to protect the truth of life, the truth that we are all one with the universe, and that every single human thought contains the entirety of universal life.
All the talk, this week, about 9/11, al Qaeda, terrorists and political strife fails to address the fact that we are all one, connected by our membership of the global society, and that the only solution to such deep seated issues is that of human revolution. If we all conduct ourselves with wisdom, courage and compassion for others, there are no issues that are beyond solving.
Surely the ultimate measure of a civilised society is the way it considers the sanctity of life itself. As civilised human beings we believe that the right to life of another person is beyond question, or do we? Two back to back news items, on the BBC tonight, tend to suggest that we do not, that the value of any two lives can be measured against each other, and ultimately be found to be different.
A great work of art is one that truly moves and inspires you. The test is when you yourself are moved. Don’t look at art with anyone else’s eyes. Don’t listen to music with others’ ears. You should view art with your own feelings, your own heart and mind.
There are times when you need to take a pace backwards, re-evaluate your situation and start to rebuild from a position of strength.
Why was Shakyamuni Buddha so well respected? One of the reasons was the power of this voice, which was said to be ‘beautiful, sweet like honey, warm and graceful, resounding and clear’. He is also described as an individual who ‘speaks brightly, remarks positively, narrates gracefully, talks clearly and expresses himself eloquently to make himself understood’.
We all have to find our own path to enlightenment. One person’s way may not be that of another, but we all have a path, if we take the time, and have the courage to find it.
Two of the closest people in my life are struggling with almost impossible situations. They are in positions where it seems that whichever way they choose, they will lose. Whilst I am in no position to influence either of them directly, I would like to help them if I can.
Time only moves in one direction, forwards. That is why we say time after time, and not time before time.
After much chanting, the great news is that, all being well, young Oliver will be going home from hospital tomorrow. I am so pleased that he is better, but even happier for Charlotte and Rob, that they have their little man back at home.
Sometimes we get a really sharp reminder about what is truly precious in life. Baby Oliver is being kept in hospital with a very high temperature. Tests indicate that it is not meningitis, but such a condition, in such a young baby is cause for concern.
The Search For Enlightenment 
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