The story of my path to Buddhahood through the teachings of Nichiren Daishonin
28 Oct 2013 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Experience, Illusions, Self Awareness, Self Improvement, Wisdom Courage and Compassion
Illusion about the true nature of existence is literally illusion about the nature of one’s own life. This is the fundamental source of all illusions.
If we are ignorant about the nature of our own existence, then we will be ignorant about the nature of other people’s lives too.
On the other hand, when our lives are free from illusion, we perceive the treasure that shines resplendent in all people. in all beings.
27 Oct 2013 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Challenges, Choices, Decisions, Right Thinking, Wisdom Courage and Compassion
Life is a journey full of possibilities, for which we have to make decisions, and for which in turn, we are all accountable.
Wouldn’t it be marvellous if there was a What-If machine, which you could use to play out each possible choice, see which one worked out best, and then make your decision based on that outcome?
Sadly there isn’t, nor will there ever be. So it is left up to us to make the best decision at the time, and then live with the consequences.
Of course, many of the decisions we make are of little consequence, tea or coffee, red or white wine, vote or abstain etc. none or these will, in all probability, change your life. But there are some decisions that, whichever way you decide, change the course of your life irrevocably. Not only that, but whatever you decide, you will never, ever know how things would have turned out had you made the opposite choice.
When I find myself faced with such a conundrum I chant, and chant and chant, until the possible outcomes are clear in my head, as well as all the reasons for why I might make each of the choices available, that I have identified all the pros and cons, I make the choice, and it is made with wisdom, courage and compassion. Once it’s made, there should be no going back. There is nothing worse than flip-flopping between decisions. It does no good, and can do a lot of harm, so stick to your guns.
26 Oct 2013 2 Comments
in Buddhism Tags: Determination, Injustice, Reforms, Social Values
Nichiren wrote that wrath can be both good and bad. Self-centred anger generates evil, but wrath at social injustice becomes the driving force for reform.
Strong language that censures and combats a great evil often attracts adverse reactions from society, but this must not intimidate or deter those who believe they are right.
Remember, a lion is a lion because he roars.
25 Oct 2013 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Family, Friendship, Happiness, Love, Wisdom Courage and Compassion
Does it sound a bit sad to say that my Mom is my best friend? I don’t think anyone would describe me as a mommy’s boy, but speaking to her virtually every day, shows me that she is just that, my very best friend.
We have a similar outlook on life, albeit that we are a generation apart, and the changes in life between those two generations are vast. She doesn’t always agree with the things I say or do, and will tell me so, but she doesn’t tell me what to do, or how to live my life either.
She has always been there when I have needed support, and that is true for my brothers too. She tells me that I am her golden boy, but I’m sure she says the same to the other two too. She always tries to see both sides of a situation, and puts her point across with wisdom, courage and compassion. We always know where we stand, and we know that she will always stand by us in times of trouble.
So yes, my Mom is my best friend, and I feel very fortunate to be in that position. As someone who has lost her best friend in this lifetime, namely my father, I would like to think that I can, in some small way, reciprocate, and be her best friend now, in his absence.
If it wasn’t for the fact that she is a committed Methodist Christian, she would make a marvellous Buddhist. We talk about the differences between our beliefs, though neither of us would try to impose those beliefs on the other. We both take comfort from the other having a faith on which to base their life. I love you Mom, thank you for always being there, and I hope I can support you in any less happy times as much as you have supported me when I have needed it.
24 Oct 2013 1 Comment
in Buddhism Tags: Daisaku Ikeda, Happiness, Helping Others, Josei Toda, Wisdom Courage and Compassion
Happiness, as my friend and I discussed recently, is connected to everything, and connected to nothing. It cannot be bought or sold and it cannot be measured against any physical scale. It is determined by a combination of our circumstances and the way in which we are controlled by, or are controlling, those circumstances.
To be concerned only with one’s own happiness is egoism. To claim you care only about the happiness of others is hypocrisy. Genuine happiness is becoming happy together with others. Josei Toda said: “Just becoming happy oneself – there’s nothing difficult to that. It’s easy. Helping others become happy is the foundation of our faith.”
23 Oct 2013 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Challenges, Confidence, Responsibility, Winners, Winning, Wisdom Courage and Compassion
What happens in your life all comes down to you. Do 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 of challenges, confidently proclaiming, “I can do it, I will succeed”
Boldly confront reality, look it squarely in the face, and with wisdom, courage and compassion, challenge everything that lies ahead of you.
Nam Myoho Renge Kyo
22 Oct 2013 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Enlightenment, Learning, Self Awareness, Self Discipline, Self Improvement, Wisdom Courage and Compassion
The path to enlightenment involves a lot of learning, much of it about yourself.
Wisdom is rooted in the souls of human beings. The way to acquire it is to follow the simple advice of Socrates – ‘Know Thyself’.
This is the starting point for the establishment of a sense of human dignity, preventing the degradation of human beings into anonymous, interchangeable cogs in a machine.
The essence of true knowledge is self knowledge.
21 Oct 2013 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Calm, Challenges, Enlightenment, Problems, Self Discipline, Self Improvement
Now you know that Monday isn’t my favourite day. A whole weekend worth of questions and issues, a change of email servers, and really terrible weather making for a late start. The perfect storm, literally.
But having weathered said storm, resolved the issues and answered the questions, there was still time enough to lose a system we had fixed on Friday … nightmare !!!
But you know what was really amazing. Despite all the grief, all the angst, I was stoic and composed, I took it all in my stride. The day flew by, so much to do, so little time to do it in, but another set of challenges dealt with and another tick in the ‘we’re really getting there’ column.
20 Oct 2013 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Criticism, Feelings, Point Of View, Positive, Self Awareness, Self Discipline, Wisdom Courage and Compassion
It is very easy to be critical of others, particularly when they are out of earshot. It is, however, valuable to also look for their strengths, as you gain nothing by only criticising others imperfections.
In fact, it is helpful to take a step back, for even a moment each day, and try to consider the feelings and positive qualities of those of whom you are critical.
19 Oct 2013 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Life, Stardust, The Oneness of Self and the Environment, Universal Energy, Universe, Wheel of Life
We are all made of the same stuff, in fact everything we know about through science supports my Buddhist belief that we are at one with the Universe, being literally made of stardust.
The elements of Hydrogen and Helium, that are involved in the fusion taking place in a star, such as our sun, are the building blocks of all other elements, created as the star collapses under the force of gravity.
This process sometimes creates what we now call a supernova, a huge, intensely bright, but very short lived source of light. This in fact may have been the source of the ‘star’ that guided the Three Wise Men in the Christian religion.
Our bodies are made of a collection of the same elements as those created in the stars, iron, carbon even a little gold, but in essence, we are all stardust. When we die, those elements are returned to the Universe and the cycle goes on.
The Universe is around 13.5 billion years old and the cycle of birth and death has been going on for much of that time. We have come from the Universe, we will go back into the Universe. Science facts for the last few years and Buddhist beliefs for more than two millennia. As I say, a little tongue in cheek, science is finally catching up with Buddhism.
The Search For Enlightenment 
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