Get A Life

29 Jul 2013 4 Comments

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , , ,

Don't Just Sit There, Get A Life !!!A life that is lived without purpose or focus, the kind in which one never discovers the reason why one was born, is joyless and lacklustre. To simply live, eat, sleep and die without any real sense of purpose, surely represents a life pervaded by the life-state of Tranquillity or Animality.

On the other hand, to do, to create or to contribute something that benefits others, society or ourselves and to dedicate ourselves for as long as we live, to that challenge, is a life of true satisfaction, and more importantly, a life of value.

To live life with purpose through Buddhist principles is a humanistic and meritorious way to live, so don’t just sit there, get a life !!!

The Middle Way

27 Jul 2013 Leave a comment

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

The Middle WayWe are all aware that life is made up of two components, the physical (ke or ketai) and the spiritual (ku or kutai). They are two, but not two (shikishin funi) and cannot exist one without the other. The body or physical aspect becomes useless without the mind, or spiritual aspect, and the mind is helpless without the body.

The mind however, can continue to function without the body, when we sleep for example. We have all experienced dreams where we perform feats that would be totally impossible in the physical world, like being able to fly.

So we have two rather different components, maybe working in a way that is not necessarily harmonious, until chu (or chutai) takes control. Chu is the harmonisation of ke and ku. It controls each aspect, making sure one or the other does not dominate or drag us off course.

This is known as The Middle Way (chudo).

Life Is A Joy

03 Jul 2013 2 Comments

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

The Lotus SutraWe only have to watch the news on TV, listen to the radio, even simply talk to the people around us, to be aware of the challenges and sadness that can accompany the process of living our daily lives.

Buddhism has at it’s very core, the ultimate goal of removing suffering and promoting a state of happiness in all those with whom it comes in contact. Many may think that this is an unachievable target, and that those who strive towards it are deluded.

But the principles and method for attaining such a state are encompassed by teachings contained in The Lotus Sutra. That is not to say that there is any magic bullet or instant fix to alleviate our suffering, but striving to do so is surely a task worth undertaking.

Daisaku Ikeda summarised it thus:

What is true joy in life?

This is a difficult question – and one that has occupied a great many thinkers and philosophers.

Joy can quickly give way to suffering. Joy is short and suffering long.

Also what passes for joy in society is superficial. It cannot compare with the joy derived from the Mystic Law.

The key then lies in cultivating a state of mind where we can declare without reservation that life is a joy.

This is the purpose of our Buddhist Practice.

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo.

The Effects Of Causes Made

30 Jun 2013 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , , ,

Tipping The ScalesSo all this exercise and watching what I eat is having an effect. How could it not, in all truth? I’ve been burning more calories than I’ve been consuming, every day, well nearly every day, for two months. The result of all this effort, a loss of 10.5kg, excellent.

Now all I need to do is keep the pressure on, and before I know it, I’ll have reached my goal. Then all I have to do is to stay there. It all sounds rather familiar doesn’t it? Very much like the constant effort to change my life through my Buddhist practice.

When you start changing things through practice, your life-state, your life-energy, you may well encounter a reaction. Every action has an opposite reaction and they can be totally unexpected in nature. As we try to improve ourselves, we change the way we react with the world. Sometimes the world isn’t quite ready for that change and it can make for uncomfortable situations.

The main thing to remember is, that if you change, your environment must change. They fit each other exactly, like a hand in a glove. So even though the ride might get a little bumpy at times, use those times as confirmation that the changes in you are happening and be resolute.

Just remember to add a little compassion and wisdom into the mix too, and the odd multivit won’t hurt either.

Passing It On

29 Jun 2013 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , ,

Postman PatA parcel arrived in the post this morning, the contents of which will offer someone a little inspiration every day.

In the parcel was a copy of Daisaku Ikeda’s Buddhism Day by Day. Like a diary, it offers a different thought provoking passage for every day of the year.

Although it is primarily a compilation of Sensei’s thoughts, with an obvious Buddhist slant, I believe it would be an inspiration for anyone, irrespective of their religion or beliefs.

Here are a few of examples …

February 17

“True individuality never comes to full flower without hard work. Therefore you’re making a big mistake if you think that who you are right now represents all you are capable of being.”

March 25

“The significance of Buddhism lies both in the discovery of the Buddha nature in all beings and in the establishment of a practical method for bringing it out, so that human beings can derive maximum meaning from their lives. This reformation of the inner human world – what we in the Soka Gakkai call ‘human revolution’ – is especially relevant to modern civilisation, which has long been trapped in a sort of spiritual quicksand. We can escape the quicksand by calling forth the supreme human potential available to each of us.”

July 31

“What is the purpose of life? It is happiness. But there are two kinds of happiness: relative and absolute. Relative happiness comes in a wide variety of forms. The purpose of Buddhism is to attain Buddhahood. In modern terms, this could be explained as realising absolute happiness – a state of happiness that can never be destroyed or defeated.”

I think a little snippet of Sensei’s wisdom, each morning, would set us all up for the day.

Keep On, Keepin’ On

28 Jun 2013 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , , ,

Keep On, Keepin' OnBuddhist Practice is rather like a dog, for life, and not just for Christmas, and must be part of your very being.

Now I’m not suggesting that I have been back sliding, because I haven’t, but I know there is still more I can do towards achieving my goal. The difficulty is getting the balance right, treading a fine line between strenuous regular practice and learning, and forming an obsession with the new way of life. Given the fact that the whole point of adopting Buddhism as a way of life is to gain a happier existence for me and those around me, I need to get this right.

Those of you who know me, know that I have an addictive nature and throw myself into new ventures wholeheartedly. The problem, in the past, has been keeping that going. I have been, I admit openly, in the World of Hunger, for most of my life, always looking for the next new thing. I am certain that I am managing that and have already made some headway, but self criticism is healthy in this respect.

One reason for keeping this blog, and we’re past the 1000 post mark now,  is to prove to myself that I have changed, and that I have the drive and desire to keep my practice strong. You have my permission to tell me, if you see any cracks appearing.

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo, Nam Myoho Renge Kyo, Nam Myoho Renge Kyo.

Limited Visibility

26 Jun 2013 Leave a comment

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

Thick FogLiving on the coast, it can get very foggy at times, to the point where you can’t see your hand in front of your face. The fog horn blares out all night, you can’t sleep, and your surroundings take on a surreal air.

That’s what life can be like at times. All the landmarks, the points of reference seem have gone and we can feel lost. The very things we took for granted have disappeared, maybe because we took them for granted.

So we try to get life back into perspective but have nothing to guide us, unless we are fortunate enough to have our Honzon, our anchor, our Practice. Using chanting to clear the mind, to allow us to see things the way they really are, instead of how we remembered or wished they were. Chanting, long and hard, will shine a new clarity on the situation.

Like a driver who has invested in a powerful set of fog lamps, we start to see things more clearly, we become better able to manage our life-state, and more able to navigate through the challenges that life continuously throws at us.

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

Sticking With It

20 Jun 2013 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , , , ,

Strength When times are easy and things go our way, it is easy to stick to the plan. It is when things go wrong, problems arise, or we are distracted from our Practice that we need to summon up our inner strength.

Practicing Nichiren Buddhism is rewarding and fulfilling. Chanting and praying before the Gohonzon becomes part of the everyday routine, and wavering makes us feel that we are letting ourselves and our mentor down.

But we have to remember that being constant takes effort and that allowing ourselves to back slide can be the easiest of things. Nichiren Daishonin wrote to Shinjo Kingo on this very topic way back in 1275 ad, so it’s certainly not a new problem.

This is in regard to the passage “This sutra is hard to uphold.” According to Acharya Ben, you said to him: “I have been practicing the Lotus Sutra correctly since last year, when you told me that those who embrace this sutra will ‘enjoy peace and security in their present existence and good circumstances in future existences.’ Instead, however, great hardships have showered down on me like rain.” Is this true, or did he give me a false report? In either case, I will take advantage of this opportunity to resolve any doubts you may have.

A passage from the Lotus Sutra reads that it is “the most difficult to believe and the most difficult to understand.” Many hear about and accept this sutra, but when great obstacles arise, just as they were told would happen, few remember it and bear it firmly in mind. To accept is easy; to continue is difficult. But Buddhahood lies in continuing faith. Those who uphold this sutra should be prepared to meet difficulties. It is certain, however, that they will “quickly attain the unsurpassed Buddha way.” To “continue” means to cherish Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, the most important principle for all the Buddhas of the three existences. The

sutra reads, “We will protect and uphold what the Buddha has entrusted to us.” The Great Teacher T’ien-t’ai stated, “One accepts because of one’s power of faith and continues because of one’s power of constant thought.” Another part of the sutra reads, “This sutra is hard to uphold; if one can uphold it even for a short while I will surely rejoice and so will the other Buddhas.”

A fire burns higher when logs are added, and a strong wind makes a kalakula grow larger. The pine tree lives for ten thousand years, and therefore its boughs become bent and twisted. The votary of the Lotus Sutra is like the fire and the kalakula, while his persecutions are like the logs and the wind. The votary of the Lotus Sutra is the Thus Come One whose life span is immeasurable; no wonder his practice is hindered, just as the pine tree’s branches are bent or broken. From now on, always remember the words “This sutra is hard to uphold.”

With my deep respect, Nichiren

So when times get tough, or distractions occur, be strong and maintain a strong practice. It will help you through the bad times and being constant will help sustain your faith.

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

Life’s Ups And Downs

19 Jun 2013 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , ,

Snakes & LaddersLife is a series of ups and downs, most inconsequential, others more serious. Given that they are the very nature of our existence, wouldn’t it make sense to develop a strategy by which we can cope with the bumps?

It occurred to me that our moods, or life-states within the Ten Worlds, mirror the board game Snakes and Ladders. I remember to this day, playing the game with my family and feeling the disappointment of landing on the snake on the 99th square.

In life, there you are happily plodding along when you find yourself being whisked up a ladder to a higher life-state by something you find agreeable or exciting.

You may well stay at that higher life-state, again plodding along blissfully unaware that the next step may scoot you down a snake, maybe even back to square one (which may well be where the saying comes from) when a disappointment, or sadness comes your way.

The trick to winning the game, and indeed to being happy in life, is to aim for the ladders and try to avoid the snakes, to state the rather obvious.

Easier said than done, but if by taking step ladders and short snakes, by seeing events in a composed manner, you can even out the variations in your life-state. And the best way I have found to achieve that is through my learning and Practice.

Flying Free

14 Jun 2013 Leave a comment

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

Little Owl ChickVisiting our local Owl and Raptor centre yesterday, and seeing the birds flying around so effortlessly, reminded me of this lesson from Nichiren Daishonin in which he uses the metaphor of us as caged birds, striving to be free …

Nichiren writes: “Myoho-renge-kyo is the Buddha nature of all living beings…. The Buddha nature that all these beings possess is called by the name Myoho-renge-kyo” (wnd, 131). Regarding how to manifest one’s innate Buddha nature, Nichiren explains: “When we revere Myoho-renge-kyo inherent in our own life as the object of devotion, the Buddha nature within us is summoned forth and manifested by our chanting of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. This is what is meant by ‘Buddha.’ To illustrate, when a caged bird sings, birds who are flying in the sky are thereby summoned and gather around, and when the birds flying in the sky gather around, the bird in the cage strives to get out. When with our mouths we chant the Mystic Law, our Buddha nature, being summoned, will invariably emerge” (wnd, 887).

In Nichiren’s metaphor, our innate Buddha nature, whose name is Nam myoho renge kyo, is a bird trapped in the cage of ignorance. In other words, our deluded minds create this cage that imprisons our Buddha nature. But when we chant Nam myoho renge kyo to the Gohonzon, which expresses Nichiren’s enlightened life and the potential of all people, our dormant Buddha nature becomes activated.

The singing of the caged bird is our chanting, and the birds flying in the sky are the Buddha nature in our environment, particularly as it is expressed in the Gohonzon. Through our chanting, the Buddha nature within our lives and the Buddha nature inherent in the universe begin their dynamic interaction.

For Nichiren’s metaphor to work, however, it is necessary for the caged bird to recognize the birds in the sky as being its own kind. In other words, when we pray to the Gohonzon, rather than thinking of it as an external power or deity, we must think of it as the mirror image of our own Buddha nature. If the caged bird thinks of itself as an elephant, it is unlikely to give the slightest thought to flying.

Nichiren Buddhism clarifies that the teaching of the Buddha nature is a teaching of faith and practice. All people have it, but not many can believe in it. Furthermore, some of those who believe in their Buddha nature may not practice to manifest it, erroneously thinking-I’m already a Buddha, so I don’t have to do anything. One’s faith in the Buddha nature must be expressed in one’s actions to manifest it.

Those who see the universal Buddha nature of oneself and others, and work to awaken it in all people are already Buddhas, for such actions belong to none other than a Buddha. As we cultivate our inherent Buddha nature through our conviction and actions to manifest it no matter our circumstances, we begin to see it and experience it. In our everyday lives, seeing may be believing. But in the world of Buddhism, believing in the Buddha nature is the first step toward seeing it.

(from Living Buddhism – February 2005)

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