Spring Has Sprung

24 Mar 2014 1 Comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , , ,

Spring LambsDespite the drop in temperature over the weekend, it is so heartwarming to see the green shoots of Spring. I’ve been driving past fields of bouncy lambs for a few days now and it lifts the spirits to see them.

It is a pity that they are only being raised to furnish the dinner tables of people who conveniently forget where meat comes from.

But I digress. Of course, in Buddhist terms, Spring is the first chapter in the year’s Wheel of Life. The reincarnation of nature, following the apparent demise of trees, flowers and shrubs over the Winter months.

As sure as day will follow night and Spring will follow Winter, our rebirth follows the death of our earthly bodies. Exactly the same way that plants use Winter to build their reserves for the Spring, we use death to recharge our souls ready for rebirth.

It is a time of lengthening days, warmer sunshine and the emergence of banks of daffodils  and other Spring flowers. In fact the clocks go forward this weekend (in the UK), so we can look forward to the nice long evenings again.

The Wheel of Life continues to turn, today, tomorrow and for Eternity.

Finally, We’re On The Way Back

23 Dec 2013 Leave a comment

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

The Shortest DayLast Saturday was the shortest day of the year here in the UK and strangely, some may say, it’s my favourite day of the year. Why, I can hear you asking, isn’t the longest day of the year more favoured, all those lovely hours of daylight, and often sunshine too? Well it’s because today marks the nadir of the year in terms of daylight. From now on we get an extra minute or so more light each day, and that’s something to look forward to.

Daisaku Ikeda has some very wise words for these long dark days, and offers a welcome ray of hope …

“Even if today may seem to be a time of total darkness, it will not last forever. The dawn will surely come if you advance, ever forward, without being defeated.

The day will definitely come when you can look back fondly and declare, “I am savouring this happiness because I struggled back then.” It is those who know the bitterness of winter that can savour the true joy of spring.”

~ Daisaku Ikeda

Is It Finally Here?

24 Apr 2013 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , , ,

Spring LambsDespite the recent gloomy weather it is so heart warming to see the green shoots of Spring finally starting to appear. It was beautiful in Ringwood yesterday, temperatures of over 20°C and lovely warm sunshine. And not before time, farmers all around the country are warning of late starts to their crops, with the ground temperature being kept low by the cold east winds.

Of course, in Buddhist terms, Spring is the first chapter in the year’s Wheel of Life. The reincarnation of nature, following the apparent demise of trees, flowers and shrubs over the Winter months.

As sure as day will follow night and Spring will follow Winter, our rebirth follows the death of our earthly bodies. Exactly the same way that plants use Winter to build their reserves for the Spring, we use death to recharge our souls ready for rebirth.

It is a time of lengthening days, warmer sunshine and the emergence of banks of daffodils  and other Spring flowers. With the recent change to British Summer Time, we can but hope for a better summer than last year and to being able to make the most of the nice long evenings again.

The Wheel of Life continues to turn, today, tomorrow and for Eternity.

At Long Last

04 Mar 2013 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , , ,

Here Comes The SunAfter what seems to have been the longest winter, today really feels like spring. Not that it’s really that warm, about 9°C here in Poole, but the sun is just so beautiful it makes you want to smile.

Now sometimes, when you get a tune stuck in your head, it drives you a bit bonkers. Today I have this one stuck in mine, but it’s alright…

Here Comes The Sun

Here comes the sun
Here comes the sun, and I say
It’s all right

Little darling, it’s been a long cold lonely winter
Little darling, it feels like years since it’s been here
Here comes the sun
Here comes the sun, and I say
It’s all right

Little darling, the smiles returning to the faces
Little darling, it seems like years since it’s been here
Here comes the sun
Here comes the sun, and I say
It’s all right

Sun, sun, sun, here it comes
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes

Little darling, I feel that ice is slowly melting
Little darling, it seems like years since it’s been clear
Here comes the sun
Here comes the sun, and I say
It’s all right

Here comes the sun
Here comes the sun, and I say
It’s all right
It’s all right

~ George Harrison 1969

And so the Wheel of Life continues to turn, before we know it, it will be the longest day.

Boing … Spring Is Here

21 Mar 2012 2 Comments

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , ,

Spring LambsDespite the recent gloomy weather it is so heart warming to see the green shoots of Spring. I’ve been driving past fields of bouncy lambs for a few days now and it lifts the spirits to see them. It has been beautiful in Ringwood today, temperatures of over 20° and lovely warm sunshine.

Of course, in Buddhist terms, Spring is the first chapter in the year’s Wheel of Life. The reincarnation of nature, following the apparent demise of trees, flowers and shrubs over the Winter months.

As sure as day will follow night and Spring will follow Winter, our rebirth follows the death of our earthly bodies. Exactly the same way that plants use Winter to build their reserves for the Spring, we use death to recharge our souls ready for rebirth.

It is a time of lengthening days, warmer sunshine and the emergence of banks of daffodils  and other Spring flowers. In fact the clock go forward this weekend, so we can look forward to the nice long evenings again.

The Wheel of Life continues to turn, today, tomorrow and for Eternity.