On Wiping The Slate Clean

21 Nov 2014 Leave a comment

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

Wiping The Slate CleanSometimes we need to wipe the slate clean, take a deep breath, and start anew. With my impending change of career, this might just be the perfect time to do so. Having new goals, new horizons and renewed vigour is just the ticket.

I know that some people fear change, are loath to relinquish all the effort put into a particular path, even if that path may be taking them in the wrong direction. I am not one of those people, I embrace change and actually find it rather exciting.

Setting sail on a new career in teaching or writing, I intend to make the most of each and every day, and when that change does arrive, I will enjoy the excitement of being reborn into a new and exciting experience.

Chapter And Verse

04 Nov 2014 Leave a comment

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

Chapter And VerseTonight should be interesting, it’s my second appearance at the Open Mic Night, arranged by The Platform at the Mad Cucumber in Bournemouth.

Yes, the very same Mad Cucumber we frequent with our vegan chums, though tonight the audience will not be comprised entirely of veggie / vegan folk. This presents both a challenge, and an opportunity.

With luck, I’ll get time to perform four poems. One about the buzz that public performance gives you, much like chanting actually. One about how we are slowly destroying the Earth, another about our recent narrowboat holiday and the last about a certain single vegan female.

So rather varied subjects and topics, but the chance to broadcast my views about everything from Buddhism to veganism, overfishing to canal holidays. I’m sure some people will like some of the poetry better than others, some may not like it at all. But if I make one person think about things, and in some small way, change their lives for the better because of that, I will be pleased with the outcome.

A Gem Of An Idea

06 Sep 2014 1 Comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , , , ,

Sew Those Hidden GemsPassing on the ideas and ideals behind Buddhist teachings is a little like sewing a hidden gem into the lining of a friends clothes.

This is the parable about the rich man, the poor man, and the hidden gem …

A poor man visits a rich friend, gets drunk, and passes out.

The rich man, who has to leave on business, gives his poor man a priceless gem, which he secretly sews into the lining of his friend’s clothes.

When the poor man comes to, he resumes his life as a vagrant, unaware of the treasure he received during his blackout.

Later, he meets the rich man again, who shows him where the gem is concealed, and the poor man realizes his wealth.

Discovering the gem, even years later, can transform a poor life into one of untold enlightened riches, so keep sewing those gems of wisdom into the people you meet in life.

The act of giving benefits both parties and you never know when you might be giving to just the right person, at the right time and place, to transform their life for the better, forever.

Namaste

TTTT – Take Time To Talk

30 Jul 2014 Leave a comment

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

Take Time To TalkA Buddhist scripture states that “the voice does the Buddha’s work.” The voice has the power to convey one’s compassion for another.

No matter how much you care, the sentiment alone will not communicate itself. When your thoughts and feelings are conveyed in words, your voice will have the immense power to move another person’s heart.

Talking things through, in a compassionate and understanding manner, can solve any situation if both parties reciprocate. Of course, a one sided conversation cannot solve anything, but when people open their hearts to one another, we have the power to move mountains.

If there is a situation in your life, something that has perhaps been present for longer than is healthy or constructive for all those concerned, take time to sit and talk. In a state of calm mindfulness, with the willingness to listen to, and understand the point of view of the others concerned, resolution may be reached sooner than any of you dreamed possible.

The Joy Of Creating A Life

10 Jul 2014 2 Comments

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

The Colour Of JoyNo need to panic folks, there is no impending patter of tiny feet or anything like that. But it’s been an interesting year for me so far.

Having put in the effort to get my CELTA, I’m now teaching again. Having taken strides to become more involved in the vegan community, in and around Bournemouth, I have forged new relationships.

Sensei has some very wise words to elaborate the reasons why such events have brought joy into my life …

There is no one lonelier or more unhappy than a person who does not know the pure joy of creating a life for himself or herself. To be human is not merely to stand erect and manifest intelligence or knowledge. To be human in the full sense of the word is to lead a creative life.

The struggle to create new life from within is a truly wonderful thing. There is found the brilliant wisdom that guides and directs the workings of reason; the light of insight that penetrates the farthest reaches of the universe; the undaunted will to see justice done that meets and challenges all the assaults of evil; the spirit of unbounded care that embraces all who suffer.

When these are fused with that energy of compassion that pours forth from the deepest sources of cosmic life, an ecstatic rhythm arises to colour the lives of all people.

~ Daisaku Ikeda

Rough Or Smooth, It’s Covered

01 Jun 2014 Leave a comment

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

Rough & SmoothYou know the saying about taking the rough with the smooth? Well life generally consists of a mixture of good times and bad times, happiness and sadness, health as well as sickness. In general, it is the ratio of these opposites that makes us feel that life is going well, or going badly.

Buddhism teaches us that human life is endowed simultaneously with both good and evil. The human mind is interpreted as partaking of ten different conditions, or states, the Ten Worlds, including, at one end of the scale, hell, which is filled with suffering; hunger, dominated by greed; and animality, characterized by fear of the strong and contempt for the weak.

At the other end are the worlds of Bodhisattva and Buddhahood – states of mind in which people strive to help others by eliminating suffering and imparting happiness. Buddhism further teaches us that it is the nature of life for good and evil to be essentially inseparable.

As we have seen previously, all ten worlds contain, and are contained within the other worlds. This explains how we can be flying high one second and down in the dumps the next, generally at the whim of some external cause.

By realising that the worlds are so interconnected, we can learn to exercise more control over our changing life-states, or mood swings as they are commonly known. The result of greater self-awareness, brought about by the self-improvement that our practice brings, is that we can maintain a more stable, happier state of mind, and isn’t that the whole point?

All In Good Time

05 May 2014 2 Comments

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , , ,

You Can Lead A Horse To WaterYou’ve probably heard the old adage, ‘you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink’.

I believe it means that you can introduce an idea to someone, but you can’t make them accept the suggestion.

So it is with Nichiren Buddhism, or in fact vegetarianism or veganism, but let’s focus on Buddhism in this instance.

I have many friends who show an interest in my Practice. They ask lots of questions, often offer their views and sometimes will join me in Daimoku or Gongyo.

I find that the most difficult thing about this, is to feed their inquisitive nature without allowing my own enthusiasm to take over. It is so easy to appear evangelical and that can be a most unattractive trait, particularly for someone who is just taking the first tentative steps.

If you were teaching a child to swim, you wouldn’t take them to the poolside, explain a little about how to do the breast stroke and then push them into the deep end to experience it for themselves. At best, they might flounder their way back to the side, never to ask you for guidance ever again, at worst they might get into real difficulties, need rescuing and develop such a phobia, that they would never go near deep water again.

And so it can be with Buddhism. Like learning to swim, Buddhist practice can open up amazing new vistas on the world and be a life-long pleasure, but it has to be introduced gently, wisely and at the right pace for each and every individual.

To try to rush someone into Buddhism, or swimming for that matter, may be depriving that person of a life-changing journey, so show some wisdom and let them go at their own pace.

Two Inseparable Parts

01 Apr 2014 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , , , ,

Two Inseparable PartsBuddhism teaches that human life is endowed simultaneously with both good and evil.

The human mind is interpreted as partaking of ten different conditions, or states, including, at one end of the scale, hell, which is filled with suffering; hunger, dominated by greed; and animality, characterized by fear of the strong and contempt for the weak.

At the other end are the Bodhisattva and Buddha conditions—states of mind in which people strive to help others by eliminating suffering and imparting happiness.

Buddhism further teaches that the nature of life is for good and evil to be essentially inseparable.

~ Daisaku Ikeda

Sharing the Love

25 Mar 2014 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , , , ,

Sharing the LoveThat makes me sound like a ‘60s flower child, doesn’t it? I was a bit too young to really take part in the Swinging Sixties, with their free love, flower power and peace signs. It must have been a very exciting time, so much was happening, in so many ways.

That’s how I feel about my experiences through chanting. The world is a much brighter, more enjoyable place to be and I really want everyone to share in those experiences.

Of course, trying to explain in detail how Nichiren Buddhism can transform your life is not something you can do on the tube or in your local, uninvited. At least not without clearing the carriage, or the snug of the Red Lion, at one fell swoop.

So with my slowly increasing self-awareness and understanding of karma and Buddhist principles, I am chanting more for others than for myself, for their health, wealth and happiness, and am always willing to discuss my practice if people want to hear more.

I like the way this new world of Bodhisattva, well largely new to me, makes me feel, and I have this increasing urge to do things for others, rather than for me. What a wonderful world we would live in, if we all felt the same way.

Clearing The Decks

28 Nov 2013 2 Comments

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

Clearing The DecksSometimes we need to wipe the slate clean, take a deep breath, and start anew. With my decision to change career, this might just be the perfect time to do so. Having new goals, new horizons and renewed vigour is just the ticket.

I know that some people fear change, are loath to relinquish all the effort put into a particular path, even if that path may be taking them in the wrong direction. I am not one of those people, I embrace change.

Setting sail on a new career, I intend to make the most of each and every day, and when change does arrive, I will enjoy the excitement of being reborn into a new and exciting experience.

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