The story of my path to Buddhahood through the teachings of Nichiren Daishonin
28 Aug 2011 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Challenges, Determination, Winners
Life is all about scaling one mountain, then facing the next, followed by the one after that. Those who persevere and finally succeed in conquering the highest mountain of all are victors in life.
Those people, on the other hand, who avoid such challenges and take the easy route down into the valleys, will never experience the feelings of success, nor see the magnificent views from the highest peaks.
27 Aug 2011 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Determination, Effort, Happiness
There are times when it seems that no matter how hard we work at something, it’s like pushing a rock uphill. In one of his writings, renowned microbiologist René Dubois said, ‘History teaches that man without effort is sure to deteriorate, man cannot progress without effort and man cannot be happy without effort.’ This is indisputable.
We may be experiencing various hardships now, but if we continue to make efforts in the midst of these challenges, no matter how painful they may be, we will definitely arrive at a happy outcome. Effort and happiness are indivisible, in the same way as submission and unhappiness are equally connected.
Let me sum it up in the immortal words of Harry Lauder …
Keep right on to the end of the road,
Keep right on to the end,
Though the way be long,
Let your heart be strong,
Keep right on round the bend,
Though you’re tired and weary,
Still journey on,
Till you come to your happy abode,
Where all the love you’ve been dreaming of,
Will be there.
At the end of the road.
11 Aug 2011 1 Comment
in Buddhism Tags: Determination, Human Revolution, Responsibility, Wisdom Courage and Compassion
It all comes down to you. I hope you will 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 opposition and come out of the other side, confident in your ability to win.
Please confront reality, look it squarely in the face, and with wisdom, courage and compassion, challenge everything that lies ahead of you.
08 Aug 2011 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Determination, Happiness, Positive
So our little man is finally home. Fantastic news from every point of view, and cause for understandable jubilation in the Savage and Blake households.
Obviously I am over the moon too, but more than that, I am so proud that Charlotte has dug deep and remained positive throughout the entire process. To imagine that there were people suggesting she should take the ‘easy’ way out, look after herself, and terminate the pregnancy is now unbelievable.
But Charlotte was determined to have her baby, the little chap we now call Oliver. She went through mental anguish, wondering whether she was making the right decision. Well today we all know that she did. The situation with her chemotherapy is ongoing, and there will good days and bad days, but today is one of the very best of good days!
07 Aug 2011 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Buddhist Practice, Confidence, Determination
It’s been a really super Sunday. It started with an hour’s Gongyo, followed by a half hour chat to a very good friend and it just got better and better.
The sun has shone through beautiful billowing white clouds and it has been a wonderful day, weather wise. The stroll through Hamworthy park and on to Poole quay was very pleasant and everyone seemed to be sporting a broad smile in the sunshine.
Follow that up with a cracking Charity Shield match, a scary horror movie, all topped off with a huge thunderstorm this evening, and the day has been pretty much complete. I still have no proper broadband, so the posts are bit short and sweet, but I hope Sky will meet or beat their 17th deadline for activation.
06 Aug 2011 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Buddhist Practice, Confidence, Determination
What would you say if I told you that I have come to believe that my own practice, practiced in my own way, gives me courage, wisdom and compassion. That I believe that we must all follow our own path and that being lead, or listening too intently to others can confuse and distract us.
We must all be true to ourselves, and decide the path we must take in our own way. To allow others to cajole us into being or doing something that is foreign to our nature is to forfeit our integrity.
Take a moment to look at your own situation and decide whether you are compromising your own integrity. If you find that you are, you might want to reconsider your own path and take steps to get back on track.
03 Aug 2011 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Determination, Poison Into Medicine, Practice, Recovery
There is a saying that the earth upon which we fall is the same ground which enables us to push ourselves back up again. There is another which maintains that barley grows better after it has been trampled on.
Human relationships are sometimes painful, but there is no such thing as pain from which we cannot recover. It is up to us to decide to live a life free from self doubt and despair in spite of our doubts and failures.
Indeed, it is during our most humbling moments that we should show the greatest poise and grace. Then the dignity of our lives will truly shine forth.
02 Aug 2011 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Determination, Friendship, Independence, Networks
Determined people of conviction, who stand alone, who pursue their chosen path. Not only are such people good and trustworthy friends themselves, but will also make genuine friends of others.
The bamboo groves of the autumn are gorgeous. Each bamboo tree stands independently, growing straight and tall towards the sky. Yet in the ground, way out of sight, their roots are interwoven and interconnected.
In the same way, true friendship is not a relationship based upon dependence, but one of individual independence. It is the enduring bond that connects self-reliant individuals, comrades who share the same commitment, on a spiritual plane.
26 Jul 2011 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Challenges, Determination, Poison Into Medicine, Problems
It is a well known Buddhist saying that our problems are not the real problem, it is the way we perceive them that is the problem.
Don’t have problems, have a series of challenges. Challenges are just problems that we are confident that we can overcome. Our problems come and go, nothing lasts forever, so view them with an open mind, look on them as challenges and remember, you are turning poison into medicine.
Even places that have been shrouded in darkness for billions of years can be illuminated by a simple lit candle. Even a stone from the bottom of the deepest river can be used to produce fire.
Our present sufferings, no matter how dark, have certainly not existed for billions of years, nor will they linger forever.
The sun will definitely rise, in fact its ascent has already begun. With determination, we can all overcome our problems, so look on them as challenges and enjoy the victory when it arrives.
24 Jul 2011 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Cause And Effect, Determination, Karma, Wisdom Courage and Compassion
This is my 300th post on The Search For Enlightenment, quite a milestone for me, a post a day since the 30th of September 2010. So wanted to share the one thing that I feel has most changed my life in that time.
My Practice has become a major part of my life, a routine that keeps me on track and provides a constant beacon that keeps me on the path, but that’s not it.
My understanding of how life works has improved in leaps and bounds, that we are all connected with the Universe and that our actions ripple out to affect everything and everyone else, but that’s not it either.
What has changed my life most in the last 300 days is the realisation that through the laws of Karma, those of cause and effect, my life, my happiness, everything is in my own hands. It is such an empowering feeling, to take control, and to look back and see where I went right and wrong in the past, and learn from it.
Of course, with control comes responsibility, but that is one of the main principles of Nichiren Buddhism. As there are no rules, no do’s or don’ts in our practice, the effects of the causes we all make, through the thoughts, words and deeds, are our responsibility.
If you feel your life is like a leaf in the breeze, that you are being blown along by external factors or the whim of others, take time to study the laws of Karma. Take back control, take responsibility and start living your life the way you want for the very first time.
The Search For Enlightenment 
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