The story of my path to Buddhahood through the teachings of Nichiren Daishonin
28 Oct 2013 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Experience, Illusions, Self Awareness, Self Improvement, Wisdom Courage and Compassion
Illusion about the true nature of existence is literally illusion about the nature of one’s own life. This is the fundamental source of all illusions.
If we are ignorant about the nature of our own existence, then we will be ignorant about the nature of other people’s lives too.
On the other hand, when our lives are free from illusion, we perceive the treasure that shines resplendent in all people. in all beings.
27 Oct 2013 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Challenges, Choices, Decisions, Right Thinking, Wisdom Courage and Compassion
Life is a journey full of possibilities, for which we have to make decisions, and for which in turn, we are all accountable.
Wouldn’t it be marvellous if there was a What-If machine, which you could use to play out each possible choice, see which one worked out best, and then make your decision based on that outcome?
Sadly there isn’t, nor will there ever be. So it is left up to us to make the best decision at the time, and then live with the consequences.
Of course, many of the decisions we make are of little consequence, tea or coffee, red or white wine, vote or abstain etc. none or these will, in all probability, change your life. But there are some decisions that, whichever way you decide, change the course of your life irrevocably. Not only that, but whatever you decide, you will never, ever know how things would have turned out had you made the opposite choice.
When I find myself faced with such a conundrum I chant, and chant and chant, until the possible outcomes are clear in my head, as well as all the reasons for why I might make each of the choices available, that I have identified all the pros and cons, I make the choice, and it is made with wisdom, courage and compassion. Once it’s made, there should be no going back. There is nothing worse than flip-flopping between decisions. It does no good, and can do a lot of harm, so stick to your guns.
25 Oct 2013 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Family, Friendship, Happiness, Love, Wisdom Courage and Compassion
Does it sound a bit sad to say that my Mom is my best friend? I don’t think anyone would describe me as a mommy’s boy, but speaking to her virtually every day, shows me that she is just that, my very best friend.
We have a similar outlook on life, albeit that we are a generation apart, and the changes in life between those two generations are vast. She doesn’t always agree with the things I say or do, and will tell me so, but she doesn’t tell me what to do, or how to live my life either.
She has always been there when I have needed support, and that is true for my brothers too. She tells me that I am her golden boy, but I’m sure she says the same to the other two too. She always tries to see both sides of a situation, and puts her point across with wisdom, courage and compassion. We always know where we stand, and we know that she will always stand by us in times of trouble.
So yes, my Mom is my best friend, and I feel very fortunate to be in that position. As someone who has lost her best friend in this lifetime, namely my father, I would like to think that I can, in some small way, reciprocate, and be her best friend now, in his absence.
If it wasn’t for the fact that she is a committed Methodist Christian, she would make a marvellous Buddhist. We talk about the differences between our beliefs, though neither of us would try to impose those beliefs on the other. We both take comfort from the other having a faith on which to base their life. I love you Mom, thank you for always being there, and I hope I can support you in any less happy times as much as you have supported me when I have needed it.
24 Oct 2013 1 Comment
in Buddhism Tags: Daisaku Ikeda, Happiness, Helping Others, Josei Toda, Wisdom Courage and Compassion
Happiness, as my friend and I discussed recently, is connected to everything, and connected to nothing. It cannot be bought or sold and it cannot be measured against any physical scale. It is determined by a combination of our circumstances and the way in which we are controlled by, or are controlling, those circumstances.
To be concerned only with one’s own happiness is egoism. To claim you care only about the happiness of others is hypocrisy. Genuine happiness is becoming happy together with others. Josei Toda said: “Just becoming happy oneself – there’s nothing difficult to that. It’s easy. Helping others become happy is the foundation of our faith.”
23 Oct 2013 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Challenges, Confidence, Responsibility, Winners, Winning, Wisdom Courage and Compassion
What happens in your life all comes down to you. Do not rely on others, or wait for them to do something. Try to develop such a strong sense of responsibility, that you can stand up to the fiercest of challenges, confidently proclaiming, “I can do it, I will succeed”
Boldly confront reality, look it squarely in the face, and with wisdom, courage and compassion, challenge everything that lies ahead of you.
Nam Myoho Renge Kyo
22 Oct 2013 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Enlightenment, Learning, Self Awareness, Self Discipline, Self Improvement, Wisdom Courage and Compassion
The path to enlightenment involves a lot of learning, much of it about yourself.
Wisdom is rooted in the souls of human beings. The way to acquire it is to follow the simple advice of Socrates – ‘Know Thyself’.
This is the starting point for the establishment of a sense of human dignity, preventing the degradation of human beings into anonymous, interchangeable cogs in a machine.
The essence of true knowledge is self knowledge.
20 Oct 2013 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Criticism, Feelings, Point Of View, Positive, Self Awareness, Self Discipline, Wisdom Courage and Compassion
It is very easy to be critical of others, particularly when they are out of earshot. It is, however, valuable to also look for their strengths, as you gain nothing by only criticising others imperfections.
In fact, it is helpful to take a step back, for even a moment each day, and try to consider the feelings and positive qualities of those of whom you are critical.
14 Oct 2013 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Challenges, Point Of View, Problems, Self Awareness, Self Improvement, Wisdom Courage and Compassion
When we become submerged in difficult situations, when the way forward looks bleak and less than inviting, it can be tempting to start pointing a finger at others in order to find a way to lay the blame at their door.
But there is an old Buddhist saying about pointing fingers at others. When you point, one finger points out, away from you, towards the one you are blaming.
But look at your hand, three fingers are pointing back, at you, towards the person who is also to blame. Meaning that for each inference you point at others, three will be pointed back at you. But there is another way.
If you are honest with yourself, really, truly honest, and you examine the situation from all angles, you will almost certainly find that you are indeed responsible for making some of the causes that, in conjunction with another or others, have contributed to the outcome in which you find yourself.
Rather than trying to apportion blame, take responsibility for your own actions, you will find it a very cathartic experience, I know, I’ve been there. The unsurprising side effect is that it will also change the way in which others perceive you. They will recognise the Wisdom, Courage and Compassion in your new found attitude, and will respect you for all it represents.
30 Sep 2013 2 Comments
in Buddhism Tags: Buddhist Practice, Cause And Effect, Happiness, Life-State, Oneness Of Self And The Environment, Wisdom Courage and Compassion
It appears that there are now over three hundred people following my blog, so I need to think even more carefully about the things I post.
Each topic will be, however small, a source for potential change in those who read it.
One of the principles of Nichiren Buddhism is that of the Oneness of Self and the Environment.
If you drop a pebble, no matter how small, into a pond, the ripples spread out in all directions and interact with everything in their path.
This principle states that there is a connection between the person and others around him or her. It is therefore clear that changes in our life-state, the way we relate or react to others and changes due to our Practice will affect those whose lives we interact with.
Some of these affects are very obvious. If we walk around with a happy demeanour, we find that people are more likely to be pleasant towards us. If, on the other hand, we walk around in a bad mood, with a scowl on our face, we find that people are less friendly and may try to avoid us completely.
Ok, so no rocket science there then, but there are more subtle ways in which changes can be felt. In my own case, my Practice has allowed me to stabilise my life-state, generally I am now more often in the higher Worlds than lower ones. The result of that is that I am better placed to create value, for myself and those around me.
My Practice has changed me and those changes are affecting others. That’s why it is so important for me to ensure that as these changes take place, my Wisdom, Courage and Compassion increases too, so I can make sure the changes are all good ones.
29 Sep 2013 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Cause And Effect, Cycling, Life-Energy, Life-State, Pain, Progress, Self Awareness, Self Improvement, Wisdom Courage and Compassion
Those of you who have followed my blog for a while will have seen posts about my cycling exploits over the past few years.
Just the same way we test the progress of our Buddhist practice, I have been monitoring my progress in cycling terms.
In some ways, comparing my training times is an easier process. Am I completing the distance more quickly, is my heart rate lower for the same effort, so many metrics to compare. But testing the progress of my practice is more obvious to me day to day.
Almost a year ago to the day, I rode to Hengistbury Head and back, a journey that really caused me a whole world of pain. So much so, that I blogged about the experience. Today I repeated the journey with ease, I even raced, and beat, a bunch of lads who were waiting at the closed Poole bridge on the way home.
The difference? Last year, I was so much less fit. This year, I have been putting my heart and soul into my training. Today’s trip pushed my monthly training distance over the 900km mark, and that has made a huge difference.
When we put all our effort into something, be that training, or our Buddhist practice, we see the results. My cycling effort is backed up by lists and lists of figures and statistics. My effort in Buddhist practice terms shows up in my self awareness, my life-energy and life-state and I can feel the progress each and every day.
And there is an added bonus. The fitter I get, the higher my life-state, the more I chant, the higher my life-energy and the fitter I can get … the ultimate positive spiral !!!
The Search For Enlightenment 
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