Every Cloud

08 Aug 2013 Leave a comment

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

Cloud ComputingWith the cycle trip to Bristol beginning tomorrow, I’m busy tidying up some of the loose ends here at work before my much anticipated long weekend. There’s a lot going on at present, in fact it’s been this way since all the changes earlier in the year, but a company wide migration to cloud based applications is keeping us all on our toes. I want to leave the decks nice and clear before I head off for home this evening.

During times of heightened stress, albeit self imposed, I find it both enlightening and calming to take a moment to read Daisaku Ikeda’s Buddhism Day by Day during my lunch break, and I thought I would share these two I found with you today …

“There simply are no Buddhas who spend all their time in meditation. Buddhas are Buddhas precisely because they continually ponder and take action to help others resolve their worries.”

“A coward cannot become a Buddha. We cannot attain Buddhahood unless we possess the heart of a lion. The harsher the situation, the bolder the stand we must take. This is the essence of the Soka Gakkai spirit.”

A couple of rousing calls to action if ever there were.

I will try to blog while I’m on the road, but please bear with me if the posts for the next few days are a little concise or tardy. I’m determined to travel light, so the last thing I need to carry with me is a laptop or tablet, but I’m sure I’ll be able to beg, borrow or steal, ok not steal, a machine and get onto the blog, through the wonders of cloud computing.

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo.

Why Are We Here?

07 Mar 2013 3 Comments

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , , , ,

Josei TodaWhy are human beings born? This question has posed a great challenge for civilisations and societies all around the world for thousands of years.

The second president of the Soka Gakkai, Josei Toda, had this to say about his own conclusions.

“This world is a place for people to, as the Lotus Sutra states, ‘Enjoy themselves at ease’.

We were born here to thoroughly savour the joys of life.

Faith in Nichiren Buddhism enables one to bring forth the great life-force needed to lead such an existence.”

The arrival of a new-born baby makes us think about such questions and such an answer goes a long way to solving the riddle.

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.