The story of my path to Buddhahood through the teachings of Nichiren Daishonin
18 Jan 2011 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Ten Worlds, The Dark Passenger
On one of those days, where your world has gone to hell in a handcart, there are always things that can make life worthwhile.
These photos were taken using my mobile, at the back of our offices in Ringwood …
Morning
River
Panorama
Geese
Twilight
The Dark Passenger had taken control, but just going and looking at nature in all it’s beauty, made me feel a whole lot better.
To view or save the originals, click on the photo and keep it for a day when you need a lift.
Namaste
12 Jan 2011 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Ichinen, Kyo Chi Gyo I, Learning, Ten Worlds
My day has been a spent in the world of learning, though not as you might expect, about Buddhism.
We are using a new software package at work, to build and support a brand new website. As webmaster I will be responsible, to some extent, for the performance, stability and content of the new site, and today was a very pleasurable learning session.
Ok, it’s not rocket science, though they do say that even rocket science isn’t rocket science. Learning of any kind, is a process of personal growth, and I find it very stimulating. As with so much software, is has it’s little quirks and problems, but that almost makes it more fun.
I look on it as a game of mental chess, the software taking the role of a very capable opponent. I want it to lay out a page in a certain manner, it lays it out in the way I tell it, and the two are not always a convergent point. So I have had to exercise the grey matter and, so far, progress has been good.
A project as large as this requires the skills of a dedicated team. My colleagues have, and continue to do, a fantastic job. Some have designed data structures and management processes that will never be visible to our visitors. Others have been concentrating on the look and feel of the new site and have been honing the copy that will appear on the web pages. Everyone has done their bit, and the result is far more than the sum of the parts.
So the learning goes on tomorrow and the pleasure of working in a close kit team continues.
As a slight aside, I have continued to listen to the podcasts of The Buddha, Geoff and Me, so my Buddhist learning has not taken a back seat, and that gives me a great deal of satisfaction too. Chapter 3 of this great book is about Ichinen and Kyo Chi Gyo I. Click on the links to learn more for yourself.
Nam Myoho Renge Kyo.
15 Dec 2010 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Amala Consciousness, Buddha, Buddhahood, Nichiren Daishonin, Siddhārtha Gautama, Ten Worlds
The purpose for, or the idea behind, my Buddhist Practice is to bring me closer to Buddhahood, each and every day.
That is to say, to emulate, as closely as possible, the Buddha himself in the way he was able to see life and all things in a pure clarity.
Siddhārtha Gautama was a man, albeit a prince, who forsaking his life of comfort and position, went out into the world to meditate on the causes of, and ways to reduce or remove, the suffering of life.
In Nichiren Buddhism we learn about the Ten Worlds, from Hell to Buddhahood.
The Buddha state originates from the very depths of life, called the amala consciousness, meaning the fundamentally pure life force or consciousness. The function of the Buddha state is to bring out the positive side of the other nine worlds.
This principle of the Ten Worlds shows that the Buddha state is a naturally occurring condition of life in every living being. The purpose of Buddhist practice is to enable us to cause the Buddha state to appear; to have it working strongly in us.
In Nichiren Buddhism, therefore, the Buddha is not some perfect, ideal being, but is rather an ordinary person living in rhythm with the law of the universe, taking wise, courageous and compassionate action for the benefit of others, through the functioning of the nine worlds in daily life.
The more I practice, the closer I come to Buddhahood, a very positive thought for today.
11 Dec 2010 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Buddhist Practice, Nam Myoho Renge Kyo, Ten Worlds
As bad as yesterday was, today has been a day of productivity and smiles. From Hell to Humanity in twenty four hours.
By the time I had written my blog last night, I was well on my way back to a higher world. After a good night’s sleep and a chanting session that probably took a few tiles off the roof, I was buzzing.
So I got down to all manner of chores and odd jobs that have been sitting staring at me for while. Very therapeutic and a nice satisfied feeling that accompanies a blank to-do list.
Having sorted myself out, I decided I deserved a lazy evening watching some great programs about The Who, one of the bands I went to see in my teens. Brilliant music and fantastic memories of over forty years ago.
Nice to be able to report a step forward again, especially for those who had asked how I was.
04 Dec 2010 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Nam Myoho Renge Kyo, Ten Worlds
Having stayed up till half past stupid last night, watching the Ashes on TV, today was really a day of doing next to nothing.
The Ten Worlds each contain every other World within them, so being in the World of Tranquillity I was also troubled by the World of Hell, worrying about our ill relative.
Being so far removed, geographically, from the issue is difficult. I am the sort of person who needs to feel I am helping and, with this, I can’t.
So trying to be as supportive as possible, wondering all the while, what the situation is, is tough for me. Putting that in context, it’s a lot easier than being there, and still being able to do very little.
Chanting and Prayers will help everyone, so that’s what I am doing. My body is in the UK, but my thoughts are 6000 miles away.
Nam Myoho Renge Kyo.
28 Nov 2010 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Ten Worlds, Tranquillity
Let’s just think back to Friday evening. The anticipation of a couple of days away from the office, maybe big plans, maybe just looking forward to the chance to recharge the batteries.
But where is that time now? Of course you can remember what you got up to, at least most of it I hope, but it’s time that has gone and you can never get it back.
It’s just a simple example of the unending passage of time, something we take so much for granted we often fail to remember how important it is. Because, although we have all the time in world through the process of reincarnation, to waste a single second it is to lack Wisdom.
If there is something you have been meaning to do, someone you intended to phone, but keep putting it off for any reason you can lay your hands on, you might have found the world of Tranquillity.
It’s maybe not the worst of the Lower Worlds (Hell, Hunger, Animality, Anger, Tranquillity, Heaven) but can mean that you lack the life-energy to drive you get things done.
Get chanting, raise your life-energy and hence your life-state, after all, the weekend is over for another week.
21 Nov 2010 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Ten Worlds
Some days just start slowly, get slower and end at a snails pace.
Apart from a little therapeutic ironing, my day was a fitting finale to my holiday and a quiet prelude to the change of pace that the office will bring tomorrow.
Peace and quiet, being home alone, can be a bit of a double edged sword. It gives you time to think about things, and get them prioritised. It also gives you time to think about things, and wonder whether you have things straight.
I guess we have been trained to expect, and enjoy, the roller-coaster ride that modern living brings. Staying in, being quiet and contemplative and living in a world of Tranquillity at the weekend might be construed by some as a bit ‘sad’. But it happens all too rarely, so I look on it as a little luxury and make the most of it when I can.
It has been said that we should all have a period of thirty minutes of silence every day. Not to catch up on a little sleep, but to allow our brains to process all the input from the day. I fully endorse that theory, I feel better for it, fully refreshed and ready for the onslaught once more.
12 Nov 2010 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Heaven & Hell, Ichinen Sanzen, Lotus Sutra, Ten Worlds
The two Worlds of Heaven and Hell are two sides of the same coin.
Yesterday I was in Heaven, safe in the arms of the woman I love, today we are 100 miles apart and Hell is very much in evidence.
It seems to me that the higher the highs, the lower the lows, like someone on a bungee.
Now I am getting a little poetic, because since practicing Nichiren Buddhism, life is a lot more even, emotionally, but the effects are still there, running just below the surface.
Having more, if not yet full control over my emotions is amazing. I can see things more clearly and those black moments are very few and far between.
Ichinen Sanzen, 3000 Worlds in one moment, means we can go from any emotion, to any other in an instant. Chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo and study have allowed me to control those mood swings and if I could ‘give’ any gift to others, it would be that control.
Take time to left practice into your life, your routine, your heart and you will never look back believe me.
07 Nov 2010 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Ten Worlds
What a day !!!
I won’t say all Ten Worlds, but quite a few experienced in quick succession.
Anger at the result of a certain football match, Tranquillity during the Grand Prix, Rapture at the result of some inspired web design work, Learning whilst immersed in my books and Animality at an innocuous incident.
All lessons learned, so nothing wasted, but disappointed with myself for the reactions. I guess it’s a bit like Snakes and Ladders.
Oh well, lots more chanting tomorrow to make amends.
24 Oct 2010 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Buddhism, Ichinen Sanzen, Ten Worlds
There are times when the less you say, the louder the message becomes.
A wonderful day, shared chanting, closeness and fresh air and sunshine, who could ask for more.
Ok, I know it’s the Worlds of Rapture, Hunger, Animality as well as the other seven in various measures all rolled into one.
So a real world case of ichinen sanzen, 3000 worlds in one moment.
Enough said.
The Search For Enlightenment 
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