Perfect Kindling For Faith

28 Apr 2013 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , , , ,

Click here for detailsI know, I’m always going on about this brilliant book, but The Buddha, Geoff and Me will be available in Kindle format from May 3rd and not before time.

An amazing, invigorating and enlightening story about a young man’s friendship with a Nichiren Buddhist, who teaches him the principles of the religion and a lot more about the lessons of life.

For anyone interested in Buddhism (particularly Nichiren Buddhism) its teachings and practices, in the most readable style, the book is a must read.

This book will transform your thinking, help you to control your mood (life states) and lead you toward a more meaningful life. Buy it here in book form or in Kindle format here.

I don’t think it is overstating the case, when I say that this book changed the course of my life forever. It lead me to Nichiren Buddhism, and that in turn has transformed the way I think, speak and act, each and every day of my life.

It relates Nichiren Buddhism to everyday life so well, and in such an understandable form, it should be required reading for all students, it would change the world.

A Book To Change The World

09 Mar 2013 1 Comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , , , ,

A Book To Change The WorldI know, I know, I know, I keep banging on about Edward Canfor-Dumas’ The Buddha, Geoff and Me. I must have read it half a dozen times and listened to the podcasts twenty or thirty times at least. But having recently given a copy to a friend, I am thoroughly enjoying hearing the positive feedback about the book.

It’s not just a really good story, written beautifully, in convenient bite sized chapters, it covers pretty much every aspect of Nichiren Buddhism at least once. I love hearing about my good friends, Ed, Geoff, Dora and Piers weaving their way through the story, the ups, the downs and every time I hear or read it, I take in a little bit more.

I truly believe that the book should be a compulsory read for every school kid, and every parent and adult too actually. It’s a modern classic, in my opinion, and could change the whole world given the chance. It changed my life, and it might just change yours.

It’s not for everyone, my mom doesn’t like the ‘modern’ language and I must admit that there’s a bit too much to take it all in with a single read, but I implore you, listen to one chapter and give it a chance. Chapter seven is my favourite, but that’s just me.

Ripples In A Pond

08 Mar 2013 3 Comments

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , , , ,

Ed is having a hard time - at work, in his love life and, well, generally. Then he meets an unlikely Buddhist - who drinks and smokes and talks his kind of language. Bit by bit, things begin to change...When you find something that excites and enthuses you, you want to tell people about it and spread the news. When it is a spiritual matter it can be a more delicate situation, wanting to be enthusiastic without being evangelical or overbearing.

My goto book, as we all know, is The Buddha, Geoff and Me, beautifully simple, brilliantly written and, for me at least, a life changer. So to make a present of the book, to someone you care about, might be an idea.

That way, you show you care, you pass on the idea , but you don’t force the issue. If they are interested they may choose to read it. They also have the chance to pass on the news at a later date, if they so decide.

And so the good news spreads, like the ripples in a pond.

Using Time Wisely

12 Jan 2013 Leave a comment

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

The World of LearningSince finding Nichiren Buddhism a couple of years ago, even though I have been a Buddhist for nearly twenty years, I still have a huge thirst for learning.

The Soka Gakkai Dictionary of Buddhism contains over a 1000 pages of definitions, offering days, months and years of fascination.

Every day I try to add a little to my knowledge of the religion, either the tradition, the practice or the background. Every bit makes my life more complete and like a snowball rolling down a hill, the greater the knowledge, the more momentum it gains.

I have also been inspired by Edward Canfor-Dumas’ website, finding that people have been giving away copies of his book, The Buddha, Geoff and Me. As you know, I am a huge fan of the book and my Bodhisattva nature compels me to pass on the good news too.

The more I learn, the more I find Nichiren Buddhism working. I realise it may not be for everyone, and that many have their own beliefs. But if you are looking for a way to make your life happier, more fulfilling and need an anchor to steady the ship, I thoroughly recommend giving it a try.

The Wonderful World Of Learning

27 Dec 2012 2 Comments

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

The Wonderful World Of LearningHaving used all my holiday, and more, over the summer, I’m the muggins who has had to look after the office today. Not that I’m here completely alone, there are others around the place, but in terms of IT, I’m it … if you see what I mean. So in the quietness of the office, I’ve been able to keep one hand on the tiller and one ear on my Buddhist audio books.

As we all strive for Buddhahood, the life-state of Learning is a wonderful place to be. I love reading and listening to instructional podcasts and devote as much time as I can to these every day. Understanding the principles behind the practice is so important. If understanding is missing, chanting and working towards enlightenment is an uphill, and potentially futile, struggle.

So much is available on the internet that you can always find the information you need to take your knowledge to the next level. To make the most of every free minute of every day, I download podcasts from Karen and Jason Jarrett’s website, A Buddhist Podcast.

There are dozens of topics covered, as you would imagine, they have been online for over five years now. There are also audiobook versions of The Reluctant Buddhist, and Buddhism and the Science of Happiness, read by William Woollard himself, and The Buddha, Geoff and Me, all of which are hugely instructional and inspirational.

Learning is not just the way forward, it is insurance against going back to where we have come from. I love it, and I’m sure you will too.

TGIF

16 Nov 2012 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , , ,

TGIF and TBG&MFinally, after what feels like a month, Friday has finally got here. Having battled with this cough and cold all week, seemingly pretty ineffectively, it’s been a very long week. Monday wasn’t the best, but today has been even more challenging.

There seems to be some undocumented universal law, whereby the more important the task, the less likely it is, that any required hardware or software will act in any helpful manner.

I can’t remember how many times I added the new copy to the CMS before it deigned to allow said copy to appear on the live pages. It was almost as though the software was thumbing its nose to me and saying ‘Not today mate, oh no, not today’.

Of course, the marketing department were crying out for the changes, so they could launch their latest email campaign, and the pressure was on. Fortunately I had my audiobook version of The Buddha, Geoff and Me to hand, and it helped me keep my cool, stay focussed and conquer the challenge.

I love that book, you might have noticed. It’s brilliantly written, wonderfully read, and each and every chapter has a whole new bunch of lessons. It always amazes me, I listen to it rather regularly, but it never gets stale or boring, and it always gets me through tough times.

Maybe you should try it yourself and give praise to Saint Eddy of Canfor-Dumas 🙂

The Read To Enlightenment (pun intended)

22 Mar 2012 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , ,

The Buddha, Geoff and MeAnyone who follows my blog will be sick and tired of hearing about The Buddha, Geoff and Me, but I make no excuses for mentioning it yet again. I listen to it, in audiobook form, all the time at home, on my smartphone and in the car and suggest people read or listen to it if they show an interest in Nichiren Buddhism.

It’s an amazing, invigorating and enlightening story about a young man’s relationship and growing friendship with a Buddhist, Geoff, who attempts to teach him the basics of the religion and covers many aspects of the philosophy and practice. For anyone, interested in Nichiren Buddhism, its teachings and practices, this book covers the basics in a most readable form.

If you find the story as enthralling and the lessons as invaluable as I did, this book will transform your thinking, help you to control your mood (life states) and lead you towards a more meaningful life. Give it a try, and chant your way towards enlightenment, it’s a wonderful and life changing experience.

Buy the book here or listen to it in podcast form here.

The Perfect Gift

14 Dec 2011 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , ,

tbgamI know, I’m always going on about this brilliant book, but The Buddha, Geoff and Me is the perfect Christmas gift for the Buddhist in your life (if that isn’t an oxymoron).

An amazing, invigorating and enlightening story about a young man’s friendship with a Buddhist, who teaches him the basics of the religion and covers aspects of practice.

For anyone, interested in Buddhism (particularly Nichiren Buddhism) its teachings and practices, in most readable form, this book is a must read.

This book will transform your thinking, help you to control your mood (life states) and lead you towards a more meaningful life. Buy it here or listen to it in podcast form here.

I don’t think it is overstating the case, when I say that this book changed the course of my life forever. It relates Nichiren Buddhism to everyday life so well, and in such an understandable form, it should be required reading for all students, it would change the world.

Taking A Pace Back

05 Sep 2011 1 Comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: ,

The Buddha, Geoff and MeThere are times when you need to take a pace backwards, re-evaluate your situation and start to rebuild from a position of strength.

On my path to enlightenment, my epiphany moment came whilst I was reading, or rather listening to, The Buddha, Geoff and Me by Edward Canfor-Dumas. Ok, so it’s a story, it’s not a text book or a definitive work of Buddhist teaching, but it changed my life, forever.

I have many books on Buddhism, in fact most of my limited library consists of them. Nichiren’s writings, Daisaku Ikeda’s writings, study materials and dictionaries, that help me learn the finer details about my religion. But the fact is that, for me, none of them strike that unique chord that brought me to Nichiren Buddhism in the first place.

So I have taken that pace back, I’m re-reading The Buddha, Geoff and Me, and it’s working. The chord is resonating once again, I’m fired up about my belief, and feeling all the better for it.

This post may come as a bit of a shock to some of you who read the blog regularly. So let me just explain a little more. My faith has never wavered, my chanting is as constant and central to my life as it has been from the start, but now I feel ‘unburdened’ from some of the fog that had started to cloud my view. Maybe my mirror needed polishing, I’m sure it still does, but I am confident that I am going about it the right way, and that feels good.

Always Learning

25 Feb 2011 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , ,

The World of LearningSince finding Nichiren Buddhism last year, even though I have been a Buddhist for over ten years, I have developed a huge thirst for learning.

I have a growing collection of books, only today the Soka Gakkai Dictionary of Buddhism arrived from Amazon. Over 1000 pages of definitions, days, months and years of fascination.

Every day I try to add a little to my knowledge of the religion, either the tradition, the practice or the background. Every bit makes my life more complete and like a snowball rolling down a hill, the greater the knowledge, the more momentum it gains.

I have also found a study group, in Salisbury, and although I’ve missed the first couple of lessons, on ‘What do we mean by Happiness?’ and ‘States of Mind – The Ten Worlds’, the next one is ‘What is Karma all about?’ which will be very interesting.

Another interesting discovery, on Edward Canfor-Dumas’ website, that other people have been giving away copies of his book, The Buddha, Geoff and Me. As you know, I am a huge fan of the book and my Bodhisattva nature compels me to pass on the good news.

So, the more I learn, the more I find Buddhism working. I realise it may not be for everyone, and that many have their own beliefs. But if you are looking for a way to make your life happier, more fulfilling and need an anchor to steady the ship, I thoroughly recommend giving it a try.

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