The story of my path to Buddhahood through the teachings of Nichiren Daishonin
12 Oct 2012 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Chanting, Faith, Nam Myoho Renge Kyo, Poison Into Medicine, Practice
Some days we are strong, some days not so strong.
When water is clear, the moon is reflected. When the wind blows, the trees shake. Our minds are like the water. Faith that is weak is like muddy water, while faith that is brave is like clear water. Understand that the trees are like principles, and the wind that shakes them is like the recitation of the sutra.
~ Nichiren
02 Jul 2012 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Chanting, Darkness, Enlightenment, Faith, Nichiren Daishonin
I don’t know what it was that woke me early today, maybe it was the rocking of the boat, or maybe the sun shining in through the cabin window. Whatever it was, I dressed quietly and left the others sleeping soundly.
The stillness of the morning air was quite magic. I walked down the towpath, away from the boat and towards the Whitehouse tunnel a few hundred yards away. There were birds singing in the trees and an earthy smell from the wet soil, it was all very calm.
As I entered the tunnel I started chanting, quietly at first, then louder and louder. The tunnel is about 200 yards long and I could see the sunlight shining in at the far end. But as I got deeper and deeper inside, I could not see the towpath, my feet, even my hand in front of my face, other than by silhouetting it against the half circle of light ahead.
The resonance of my chanting got louder and louder and it got darker and darker. I could not see where I was walking, so I trusted in my senses and in the engineering expertise of the people who built the tunnel all those many years ago.
It struck me that walking through that dark tunnel was a little like my faith in my practice and in Nichiren Daishonin who had laid the path before me. Like the light at the far end of the tunnel, we walk forward, trusting our steps will rest on solid ground, towards the enlightenment we seek. We are never disappointed, the way is solid and supports us in our quest.
08 Apr 2012 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Easter, Faith, Holidays, Sprituality
Buddhism is an inclusive faith, every other religion is accepted and respected. So on one of the most important days in the Christian calendar it was wonderful to make our way to Glastonbury and immerse ourselves in the very special spiritual atmosphere that always pervades that amazing place.
The weather was kind and, although it was no heat wave, the sun kept us company for most of the day. The drive to the Isle of Avalon was really nice. There is a lot of very beautiful countryside along the way, culminating with a first glimpse of the tor more than five miles from the town itself.
We parked the Yaris a couple of hundred yards from the Chalice Well and decided to visit the solitude of its gardens to eat our packed lunch. The Well really is a special place with lots of secluded little corners set aside for quiet contemplation. Although there were quite a number of visitors, the quiet calm was very much in evidence as always.
Glastonbury, outside the festival season, does seem to attract a certain type of person and today was no different. Everyone we met appeared to be there for the spiritual atmosphere and walking around the town was as interesting as ever. For those who appreciate the finer side of faith based artefacts, the place is bursting with shops of every kind.
Having waited till late in the afternoon, so the crowds could start wending their way home, we set off to climb the tor. It’s a bit of a climb I can tell you, but with only a handful of people at the summit, it was worth every deep breath. The view over the landscape is just amazing and it’s obvious why it has been a site of spiritual importance for such a long time.
The stroll back down to the car was, understandably, much less strenuous, though the drive back home was equally picturesque. So a day full of Easter biscuits, hot cross buns, Christian imagery and spiritual ambiance was enjoyed with due deference to a most important religious day. I hope everyone also had a very special Easter day however you celebrated it.
11 Oct 2011 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Faith, Nichiren Buddhism, Practice
The true victors in life are those who, having endured repeated challenges and setbacks, have sent the roots of their spiritual being to such a depth, that nothing can ever shake them loose.
By practicing Nichiren Buddhism, with all our heart and mind, on a daily basis, can allow us to grow our own spiritual roots to a great depth. Whilst our practice takes us along the road to enlightenment, this is a powerful side-effect that makes us able to defeat anything that life throws at us.
19 Jul 2011 1 Comment
in Buddhism Tags: Faith, Nichiren Daishonin, Sairen-bo, Wisdom Courage and Compassion
Tonight’s study group concerned itself with Nichiren’s reply to his disciple Sairen-bo regarding The True Aspect of All Phenomena (WND383)
In the letter Nichiren writes
‘Now, no matter what, strive in faith and be known as a votary of the Lotus Sutra, and remain my disciple for the rest of your life. If you are of the same mind as Nichiren, you must be a Bodhisattva of the Earth. And if you are a Bodhisattva of the Earth, there is not the slightest doubt that you have been a disciple of Shakyamuni Buddha from the remote past.’
It is easy to miss the phrase ‘No Matter What’ in the first sentence, but studying it more closely, and taking into account the circumstances in which Nichiren and Sairen-bo found themselves when it was written, we see a deep and most profound meaning.
Both of them were in exile on Sado Island and being held in less than pleasant conditions. So when Nichiren wrote ‘No Matter What’, he was asking Sairen-bo to keep his faith and maintain his practice whatever situation he found himself in.
There is little doubt that both Nichiren and Sairen-bo were subjected to much worse conditions than we can ever imagine, let alone experience. Due to their fortitude and strength, Nichiren Buddhism exists today. If they had lost their faith, or stopped practicing in order to improve their situation, Nichiren Buddhism would have died at that time.
So when we find ourselves in difficult situations, when we feel that we are too tired or too busy to practice, we must remember their resolute stance and practice all the harder. To do anything less would be to let their efforts be for nought. Let your practice reflect their strength and your efforts be worthy of their sacrifice.
05 Jul 2011 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Faith, Mentor, Practice
Imagine a person standing at the foot of a steep cliff, being unable to climb to the top. Suppose there is someone on the cliff edge who lowers a rope and says ‘If you take hold of the rope, I will pull you up to the cliff top’.
If the person at the foot of the cliff begins to doubt that the other has the strength to pull them up, or wonders if the rope is strong enough to hold their weight, they might refuse the offer. How then would they ever get to the top of the cliff.
Having faith in your mentor and in the strength of your Practice will see you scale the tallest obstacles.
28 Jun 2011 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Determination, Faith, Nam Myoho Renge Kyo, Practice
Life has it’s ups and downs, the ups are easy, the downs are not, and that’s where we need to be strong and persevere in our quest for happiness.
What was the secret of Thomas Edison’s success? He explained that it was to never give up before he succeeded in what he was trying to do.
Not giving up, that’s the only way. Once we give up we are defeated.
This is equally true in respect of faith. Quitting is not faith.
We must keep chanting until our prayers are answered and our goals are achieved.
This is the correct way of practice.
Nam Myoho Renge Kyo.
05 Jun 2011 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Faith, Nam Myoho Renge Kyo
The important thing, is not whether we are optimistic or pessimistic, but rather that while keeping a careful eye on reality, we are neither overwhelmed by it, nor content with the status quo.
We must keep the flame of our ideals alight while being ready to pioneer uncharted paths. Faith in life and the human spirit is the necessary foundation of this approach.
Nam Myoho Renge Kyo
The Search For Enlightenment 
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