A Fresh Pair Of Eyes

02 Mar 2013 1 Comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , , , , ,

A Fresh Pair Of EyesA 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.

If you allow yourself to be swayed by the opinions of others, ‘It must be good, because everyone else is raving about it’ or ‘It must be bad, because nobody else likes it’, your feelings, your sensibilities, even your confidence, which are the basis of every artistic experience, may wither and die.

To enjoy art to the fullest, you must abandon any preconceived notions, and look at things through fresh eyes. You should then confront the work directly, with your whole being. If you find that you are deeply moved, then for you, that is a great work of art.

Precisely the same applies to your faith. What moves you is a personal thing, it should not be based on what other people feel, nor should they influence you in any way. Have the wisdom, courage and compassion to stand firm and hold onto your own beliefs.

Stop Killing Whales!!!

01 Mar 2013 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , , , , , ,

Stop Killing Whales!!!Who amongst us, having watched footage of the Japanese whaling fleet hunting and slaughtering whales in the Southern Ocean, would not, in an instant, trade places with Sea Shepherd‘s captain, Paul Watson, or one of his crew?

In 1946, the International Whaling Convention (IWC) was established to oversee the management of the whaling industry worldwide. It was established in response to the rapid decline in the population of whales from whaling. In 1986, the IWC instituted an indefinite ban on commercial whaling. This ban is still in effect, with certain exceptions. To their shame, countries such as Japan and Norway are not honouring the ban.

Japanese Whalling Vessel Yushin Maru

The Japanese whaling fleet’s aim was to kill up to 950 whales this year ‘for scientific purposes’ and they now appear to have gained legal backing from a US court who have branded Watson and his volunteer crew as pirates.

The Sea Shepherd appears to have been able to limit the number of whales taken this year to less than 100, the lowest figure in a decade, and are claiming a victory, but for how long? Whilst the tactics employed by both sides often appear dangerous and potentially life-threatening, the Japanese legal backing by the US could spell further problems for the conservationists.

The good news is that the Australian government is a pending case before the International Court of Justice in The Hague, which considers  the Japanese whaling to be illegal. In its written submission to the court, the government argues that “the whaling carried out by Japan is commercial, not scientific, and does not fall within the exception”.

Now this is not the first time I have written about this topic. Last time it raised all manner of controversy around the killing of sentient creatures and Buddhist beliefs. I’m sure it will do the same this time around, but if it gets the message out there, I for one, am happy about it. The killing of all whales, for whatever purpose, must stop.

Uncomfortably Numb

28 Feb 2013 3 Comments

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , , , ,

Uncomfortably NumbHaving assimilated the situation that arose yesterday, I have spent the day in a rather quiet office, ploughing on regardless and trying to piece together my thoughts on the past, the present and the future.

Having been offered the chance to apply for a new, but not dissimilar role, still in Ringwood, I put in my application yesterday afternoon. Now I have to deal with the conflicting emotions of hope, fear and bewilderment, whilst trying to plan for all eventualities.

People in the office have been very nice. They were aware of the upheaval caused by yesterday’s departures. I’ve been through this type of situation a couple of times, and it is as unsettling for those who remain, as those who leave.

Folks seemed genuinely pleased to see me this morning, though few have been brave enough to ask after the details of the underlying changes, maybe for fear that they might be affected too. After the initial greetings, things settle back into the usual routine.

But I am now in a quandary, trying to soldier on despite having a possible leaving date, trying not to get too optimistic about securing a role for which I am only one candidate in a very competitive job market. To paraphrase Pink Floyd, I have become uncomfortably numb.

Chop, Chop

27 Feb 2013 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , , , ,

Getting The ChopBefore I became a Nichiren Buddhist I found disappointments very difficult to handle, so today, being told that my services are no longer required at work, I was inwardly pleased with the manner in which I handled the fall of the axe.

I have always been prone to setting my expectations too high, and that leads to disappointment when the expectation isn’t met. My Dad, on the other hand, always seemed to be a little pessimistic, he never appeared to have very high expectations, never got overexcited about anything, so didn’t allow himself to feel disappointment, or that was the way it looked to me.

Since I have been practicing Nichiren Buddhism I have an inner strength that helps me through difficult times. It is a great comfort and I would recommend it to anyone who is struggling with issues or problems.

The strange thing is that Buddhism doesn’t always make the problems go away, although that does sometimes happen, but it gives me a different way of looking at the situation and a focus that makes the problems more easy to understand and to bear.

In general, my life has been very easy. I have a very loving family, great parents and had a very stable home life in my formative years. I’ve been through a few troughs, the usual things like losing my grandparents, my father and failed relationships, the same as every one else. I’m not looking to test my practice, but I truly believe that my inner strength is helping me cope with such times much better now.

If I were to try to pinpoint the single most important reason for this, I would say it was a new found mental calm. I’ve never been a fighter. At school I used to use humour to get out of the usual scrapes all kids get into. But I was prone to letting my feeling show, particularly when disappointment was involved.

Now, because I can see the situation from all angles, just like those reviews on the web, where you can spin the item around and look at it every which way, I can rationalise more easily. Being able to see a situation from other peoples perspective allows me to make sense of how things appear to them, and understand why they are reacting in the way they are.

It has changed my life, or at least the way I look at it, and it can help anyone. Maybe it could help you.

Setting Our Goals

26 Feb 2013 1 Comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , , , ,

Goal SettingSet your goals with care. Whether they are big or small, work towards realising them.

You must be serious and dedicated to your goals – you will never get anywhere if you set them on a whim, or just treat them like a joke.

An earnest, dedicated spirit shines like a diamond and moves the hearts of people. That is because a brilliant flame burns within.

If we are sincere, people will understand our intentions, and our positive qualities will shine forth. It is pointless and destructive to be overly conscious about outward appearances.

As the German poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe wrote,

“How may one get to know oneself?

Never by contemplation, only indeed by action

Seek to do your duty, and you will know at once how it is with you”

Goals are at the heart of our success, in fact they are the Kyo, and indeed the very basis of Kyo Chi Gyo I. Set your goals with care, and once they are set, aim for them with vigour passion and determination in equal measure.

Oops !!!

25 Feb 2013 3 Comments

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , , ,

PoisonMy progress, through my Practice, has been pretty steady and positive for quite a while now.

So imagine my surprise when I seemed to take a step backwards today. Nothing terminal, of course, and maybe it was long overdue and rather understandable.

Naturally, it’s tempting to only blog my successes, the good things, and paint a rosy picture. But that wouldn’t be a true reflection of my path.

I’m not going to go into details, those who need to know, already know, but I am going to use this challenge to strengthen my resolve, so more poison into medicine and proof that my faith is strong.

The Law Is Central

24 Feb 2013 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , ,

The Lotus SutraWhen we are sick, or the challenges of everyday life are coming thick and fast, it is all too easy to concentrate on ourselves, forgetting about those around us. To stop this happening takes mindfulness and courage, as noted by Sensei in today’s encouragement.

Buddhism is not about leading a self-centred existence. If we do not base our lives on the Law, we are not practicing Buddhism.

The German writer Friedrich von Schiller writes, “The brave man thinks upon himself the last.”

This is analogous to the spirit of not begrudging one’s life taught in the Lotus Sutra.

This means treasuring the Law more highly than one’s life.

The Law and kosen-rufu are central.

The old adage that ‘No Man is an island’ is very true. It is our family, friends and those we meet each day in our communities, who make our lives meaningful, and it is The Law that shows us the way we are to conduct ourselves and how we should relate to them.

Steering A Steady Course

23 Feb 2013 2 Comments

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , , ,

Steering A Steady CourseWhen you devote yourself to achieving your goals, you will not be bothered by shallow criticism.

Nothing important can be accomplished if you allow yourself to be swayed by some trifling matter, always looking over your shoulder and wondering what others are saying or thinking.

The key to achievement is to move forward along your chosen path with firm determination.

Tell me, what do you think you would do then?

22 Feb 2013 2 Comments

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , , , , , ,

And Then There Were Three ~ GenesisWhen life gets a little messy, I tend to go for familiar things from life, things that help me feel more comfortable. While working from home today, I took the opportunity to listen to some classic, and very familiar music, the Genesis album, And Then There Were Three, released in 1978.

I have loved Genesis since seeing their inaugural tour way back in 1969 and can still remember the dismay when Peter Gabriel left the band. He was such a figurehead, being the lead singer, we wondered whether the band could survive. And Then There Were Three answered that question, and is still one of my favourite albums.

Maybe because of my heightened sense of awareness, maybe because I am looking for meaning in events, I don’t know, but suddenly a set of lyrics that I have known for thirty five years, seemed more relevant than they had ever been before …

Undertow

The curtains are drawn
Now the fire warms the room.
Meanwhile outside
Wind from the north-east chills the air,
It will soon be snowing out there.

And some there are
Cold, they prepare for a sleepless night.
Maybe this will be their last fight.

But we’re safe in each other’s embrace,
All fears go out as I look on your face –

Better think awhile
Or I may never think again.
If this were the last day of your life, my friend,
Tell me, what do you think you would do then?

Stand up to the blow that fate has struck upon you,
Make the most of all you still have coming to you,
Lay down on the ground and let the tears run from you,
Crying to the grass and trees and heaven finally on your knees

Let me live again, let life come find me wanting.
Spring must strike again against the shield of winter.
Let me feel once more the arms of love surround me,
Telling me the danger’s past, I need not feel the icy blast again.

Laughter, music and perfume linger here
And there, and there,
Wine flows from flask to glass and mouth,
As it soothes, confusing our doubts.

And soon we feel,
Why do a single thing to-day,
There’s tomorrow sure as I’m here.

So the days they turn into years
And still no tomorrow appears.

Better think awhile
Or I may never think again.
If this were the last day of your life, my friend,
Tell me, what do you think you would do then?

Stand up to the blow that fate has struck upon you,
Make the most of all you still have coming to you,
Lay down on the ground and let the tears run from you,
Crying to the grass and trees and heaven finally on your knees

Let me live again, let life come find me wanting.
Spring must strike again against the shield of winter.
Let me feel once more the arms of love surround me,
Telling me the danger’s past, I need not feel the icy blast again.

~ Tony Banks 1978

Genesis have provided much of the soundtrack for my life, sometimes happy, sometimes not so happy. Now Nichiren Buddhism is providing the anchor, the Honzon of my life and between the two, I am striving to pull things back together again and move forward.

Positively Choosey

21 Feb 2013 3 Comments

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , , , ,

Choosing The Right WayIt may seem to be a strange thing to say, but our happiness, or otherwise, is actually a choice we make for ourselves. It’s basically tied to the way we view the challenges that life throws at us. When something happens, something we would rather hadn’t happened, we have a choice to make. Do we throw our hands in the air and go into a selfish mood of depression, or do we face the issue head on?

If we take the former route, only seeing the bad side of things, the issue will seem to get bigger and worse than it actually is. Our depression will make things even worse, and a negative spiral ensues. This is not a good route to a positive outcome, and even if we were to conquer the problem, it would take us longer and require more effort in the long run. How often have you got into a state over something, only to realise, in the fullness of time, that it really wasn’t as bad as you thought?

The other way to approach things, is to remain calm, look for the positives, and there will be some, rather than focussing on the negatives. A calm mind works better than a frantic mind. Focussing on the positives actually raises our life-state, which makes us feel more energetic and more able to do what needs to be done and meet the challenges head on.

Enlightenment has been described as a state in which we are continuously happy. Now that might sound a bit far fetched, but if we make the right choices, consciously and subconsciously, we can maintain a state of happiness. To attain the ability to control our minds to such a degree that we make the right choices every time is no small matter, which is why the path to enlightenment is long and winding. But I know that I am further down the path each day, and the goal is worth every ounce of effort.

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