The story of my path to Buddhahood through the teachings of Nichiren Daishonin
02 Oct 2014 2 Comments
in Buddhism Tags: Challenges, Daisaku Ikeda, Determination, Effort, Self Improvement, Strength
There is no self-improvement without effort.
Without taking action, happiness will never come, no matter how long you wait.
A life without peaks and valleys is a fairy tale. Reality is strict, because it is a win or lose struggle.
This is the way it is for human beings. Therefore, you should not allow yourselves to be battered about by reality but rather willingly rise to its challenges and use them as opportunities to train and strengthen yourselves.
~ Daisaku Ikeda
25 Sep 2014 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Decisions, Individuality, Love, Poetry, Self Awareness, Self Determination, Self Improvement
Remember the scene in the movie Dead Poets Society, where Mr Keating is introducing the concept of poetry to the class?
He cites from the fictional weighty tome “Understanding Poetry”, by Dr. J. Evans Pritchard, Ph.D. which tries to describe a formula for evaluating poetry in pseudo-scientific terms:
To fully understand poetry, we must first be fluent with its meter, rhyme and figures of speech, then ask two questions:
1) How artfully has the objective of the poem been rendered and
2) How important is that objective?
Question 1 rates the poem’s perfection; Question 2 rates its importance. And once these questions have been answered, determining the poem’s greatness becomes a relatively simple matter.
If the poem’s score for perfection is plotted on the horizontal of a graph and its importance is plotted on the vertical, then calculating the total area of the poem yields the measure of its greatness.
A sonnet by Byron might score high on the vertical but only average on the horizontal. A Shakespearean sonnet, on the other hand, would score high both horizontally and vertically, yielding a massive total area, thereby revealing the poem to be truly great. As you proceed through the poetry in this book, practice this rating method. As your ability to evaluate poems in this matter grows, so will, so will your enjoyment and understanding of poetry.
Of course Mr Keating tears the theory to shreds and encourages the boys to rip the whole section out of the book, an action that comes back to haunt him later in the film.
But what is poetry, what is love? Certainly it appears to have a slightly different meaning to each and every one of us.
Here are my thoughts on poetry:
What is poetry?
What is poetry?
A simple question
But I think you’ll find
That the meaning is different
To each person asked
And it’s more of a state of one’s mind
What is poetry?
A stupid question
When asked out of the blue
‘Cos the meaning is different
So what’s this thing to me
May be that thing to you
What is poetry?
A searching question
‘Cos it holds our passions and fears
It can capture just an instant
And at any time later
Remind us of joy or tears
What is poetry?
What a question
You decide …
So what is love? I don’t think I’m even going to try to quantify or qualify that one.
19 Sep 2014 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Beauty, Human Revolution, Nature, Personal Growth, Reflection, Self Awareness, Self Determination, Self Improvement
Self awareness, the realisation of who, or what you really are, comes to some people with age, but for me, it came at a point in life where I was at my all time low.
Seeing my true reflection in the mirror was a long and painful process, there’s no joy in realising that you are someone you don’t really like, but it lead me to a turning point that has allowed me to change for the better.
It is said ‘that we hate in others, what we refuse to see in ourselves’ and I suddenly understood what that meant. Things that annoy us about other people, are sometimes the very things in us that annoy others. Being honest enough with ourselves, to admit our failings or less attractive traits, can be the start of a process of self improvement.
In Nichiren Buddhism we refer to that process as Human Revolution, the nurturing and growth of self improvement through the acquisition of wisdom, courage and compassion. It is achieved, over time, through a determined adherence to our practice and continued learning.
So next time, before you start criticising others, take a long, hard and honest look in that mirror, and have the courage to see the faults you are so desperate to hide from yourself.
It will be a painful process, but you will emerge on the other side, like a butterfly emerging from the chrysalis, a better and more beautiful being for doing it.
18 Sep 2014 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Buddha Nature, Freedom, Gohonzon, Growth, Mystic Law, Nam Myoho Renge Kyo, Self, Self Awareness, Self Determination, Self Improvement
We can all be guilty of trying to hold things, or people, too close to us. This may be for a number of reasons, fear of losing them probably being the most common.
With possessions we may only cause ourselves problems, but with people, the act of holding them close, may actually have the effect of pushing them away.
We must learn to give people the room to grow, to learn, to blossom and the chance to be themselves, otherwise we may lose them forever.
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)
06 Sep 2014 1 Comment
in Buddhism Tags: Bodhisattva, Buddhist Principles, Learning, Nichiren Buddhism, Self Improvement, Wisdom Courage and Compassion
Passing 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
25 Aug 2014 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Goals, Kyo Chi Gyo I, Self Awareness, Self Determination, Self Discipline, Self Improvement
Set your goals with care. Whether they are big or small, work towards realising them.
You must be serious and dedicated to your goals – you will never get anywhere if you set them on a whim, or just treat them like a joke.
An earnest, dedicated spirit shines like a diamond and moves the hearts of people. That is because a brilliant flame burns within.
If we are sincere, people will understand our intentions, and our positive qualities will shine forth. It is pointless and destructive to be overly conscious about outward appearances.
As the German poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe wrote,
“How may one get to know oneself?
Never by contemplation, only indeed by action
Seek to do your duty, and you will know at once how it is with you”
Goals are at the heart of our success, in fact they are the Kyo, and indeed the very basis of Kyo Chi Gyo I. Set your goals with care, and once they are set, aim for them with vigour passion and determination in equal measure.
24 Aug 2014 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Challenges, Poison Into Medicine, Problems, Proof Of Practice, Self Improvement
My progress, through my Practice, has been pretty steady and positive for quite a while now.
So imagine my surprise when I seemed to take a step backwards yesterday. Nothing terminal, of course, and maybe it was long overdue and rather understandable.
Naturally, it’s tempting to only blog my successes, the good things, and paint a rosy picture. But that wouldn’t be a true reflection of my path.
I’m not going to go into details, those who need to know, already know, but I am going to use this challenge to strengthen my resolve, so more poison into medicine and proof that my faith is strong.
13 Aug 2014 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Cause And Effect, Changes, Happiness, Karma, Sadness, Self Awareness, Self Discipline, Self Improvement
Going back over our errors, asking ourselves painful questions and giving honest answers is a difficult experience.
We’ve all made mistakes in life, some more serious than others, but talking them through, trying to explain why you made this decision at that point in time, makes you re-examine your own values.
Our history is set in stone, we cannot go back and make those decisions anew. But we can try to make amends, apologise for any hurt we have caused, and, above all, be honest with ourselves and others.
We can also learn from mistakes, to do anything else would be considered foolish, but sometimes those mistakes are not as obvious as we might think. If you find yourself in a repeating cycle of events over time, it is definitely worth taking a long hard look at why that appears to be happening.
Karma, the law of cause and effect, will be behind the cycle somewhere, so we need to examine the causes and change them if we are to break the merry-go-round of sadness, and move onto pastures new.
Some people fear change, but if life is just not working the way we want it to, then we have to make changes. Embrace the opportunity to make life better, examine the causes that need to change and make those changes whole-heartedly, you will not regret it once the effects, and the happiness, start coming through.
09 Aug 2014 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Daisaku Ikeda, Lotus Sutra, Mindfulness, Nichiren Buddhism, Nichiren Daishonin, Self Awareness, Self Improvement
When we are feeling down, or simply the challenges of everyday life are coming at us too fast, it is all too easy to concentrate on ourselves, forgetting about those around us.
To stop this happening takes mindfulness and courage, as noted by Sensei in Daily Encouragement.
Buddhism is not about leading a self-centred existence. If we do not base our lives on the Law, we are not practicing Buddhism.
The German writer Friedrich von Schiller writes, “The brave man thinks upon himself the last.”
This is analogous to the spirit of not begrudging one’s life taught in the Lotus Sutra.
This means treasuring the Law more highly than one’s life.
The Law and kosen-rufu are central.
The old adage that ‘No Man is an island’ is very true. It is our family, friends and those we meet each day in our communities, who make our lives meaningful, and it is The Law that shows us the way we are to conduct ourselves and how we should relate to them.
To help with increasing our mindfulness, consciously focus on a simple task each day. Be that taking a shower, doing the dishes, going upstairs, even breathing, anything will do, but concentrate on every aspect of your feelings, your surroundings, everything, and you will find that even the simplest task takes on a whole new meaning.
23 Jul 2014 1 Comment
in Buddhism Tags: Calm, Learning, Point Of View, Self Discipline, Self Improvement, Tranquillity
As you know, I’ve just had the perfect long weekend. Albeit that it’s a couple of days ago now, but the memories are still sinking in. In the past, I might be rueing having to come back to work, but the period I had without work has rather put a stop to that, and it’s also because I now have the ability to pour a mental calm over everything.
You know the calm I mean, at least I hope you do, when slowly everything starts to come together, to fit into place and there’s a soft and easy feel about things. At work, at home, in my practice, in fact in life, I have definitely turned some magical corner and tranquillity is the result.
Not that tranquillity itself is necessarily always a good thing. It can make us lazy, complacent, stop setting goals for ourselves or making the causes for the effects we want to see. But the tranquillity that accompanies the calmness of a balanced situation is very magical indeed.
Sometimes we have to go through a rough ride to reach the place we want to be. During the ride it’s tough, tranquillity is a million miles away and sometimes appears to be receding fast. But if you stick with it, learn from the pain and make the necessary causes, you will reap the benefits of the effects when they arrive.
So stick with it. If you have confidence in your goals, remain determined and resolute in your quest, and have the courage to withstand the pain, you too will see the benefits. It’s marvellous.
The Search For Enlightenment 
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