New Beginnings?

06 Jul 2013 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , ,

The Right PathNever forget that making a decision is the beginning, and not the end of a process. In many ways starting something is the easiest part, seeing things through to their conclusion takes far more effort and patience as well as wisdom, courage and compassion.

Whilst many opportunities need courage to grasp, rarely is it that courage that sees them through to the end. Sometimes it means relinquishing control into someone else’s hands which can be quite a frightening prospect.

Having determination, and the patience to allow others to realise that your chosen path is the right way to proceed is never an easy thing to accomplish. But the alternative is to reverse the decision, fail in the quest, and be prepared to stomach the bitter taste of defeat. That path can only lead to more pain and heartache, be resolute and see it through.

Nobody ever received kudos for starting something, only to quit half way to their goal.

Going The Extra Mile

05 Jul 2013 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , , ,

Do You Really Care?Caring for someone is very different to caring about them.

Caring for someone entails making every effort to giving them the love and support they need, when they need it, not just when they need it most.

Caring about them means very little when it’s not backed up by actions, Saying you are thinking about someone, without showing them in the things you actually do, is of very little use to anyone.

So next time you tell someone you care, take a moment to think about what sort of care it really is and whether you are prepared to go that extra mile.

A Change For The Better

02 Jul 2013 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , , , ,

The Lotus SutraListening to reports of the continuing struggle for change and self determination in Egypt, I was mindful of the wisdom encapsulated in the Lotus Sutra. Generally regarded as Siddhārtha Gautama’s greatest teaching, it forms the basic structure for all forms of Buddhist practice.

The Lotus Sutra has the drama of fighting for justice against evil. It has the warmth that comforts the weary. It has a vibrant pulsing courage that drives away fear. It has a chorus of joy at attaining absolute freedom throughout past, present and future. It has the soaring flight of liberty. It has brilliant light, flowers, greenery, music, paintings and vivid stories.

It offers unsurpassed lessons on psychology, the workings of the human heart, lessons on happiness and lessons on peace. It maps out the basic rules for good health. But more than all of these, it awakens us to the universal truth that a change in our heart can transform everything.

I am praying and chanting for peaceful resolutions of the situation in both Egypt and Syria. It is my hope that a little of the wisdom, courage and compassion contained in the Lotus Sutra might find its way into the negotiations in both conflicts.

Passing It On

29 Jun 2013 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , ,

Postman PatA parcel arrived in the post this morning, the contents of which will offer someone a little inspiration every day.

In the parcel was a copy of Daisaku Ikeda’s Buddhism Day by Day. Like a diary, it offers a different thought provoking passage for every day of the year.

Although it is primarily a compilation of Sensei’s thoughts, with an obvious Buddhist slant, I believe it would be an inspiration for anyone, irrespective of their religion or beliefs.

Here are a few of examples …

February 17

“True individuality never comes to full flower without hard work. Therefore you’re making a big mistake if you think that who you are right now represents all you are capable of being.”

March 25

“The significance of Buddhism lies both in the discovery of the Buddha nature in all beings and in the establishment of a practical method for bringing it out, so that human beings can derive maximum meaning from their lives. This reformation of the inner human world – what we in the Soka Gakkai call ‘human revolution’ – is especially relevant to modern civilisation, which has long been trapped in a sort of spiritual quicksand. We can escape the quicksand by calling forth the supreme human potential available to each of us.”

July 31

“What is the purpose of life? It is happiness. But there are two kinds of happiness: relative and absolute. Relative happiness comes in a wide variety of forms. The purpose of Buddhism is to attain Buddhahood. In modern terms, this could be explained as realising absolute happiness – a state of happiness that can never be destroyed or defeated.”

I think a little snippet of Sensei’s wisdom, each morning, would set us all up for the day.

Tread Carefully

16 Jun 2013 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , ,

DeterminationThe people who are closest to us are the people we can hurt the most. With the best will in the world and with the very best intentions, a wrong word or deed can sometimes cause them a whole world of pain.

Being in the position of being responsible for supporting someone is a full time role, there’s no time off, no period during which one can let things slide. So when a conversation suddenly goes awry because of a thoughtless comment or reaction, the disappointment can be felt by both sides.

The result is like someone who is distracted whilst trying to push a boulder uphill. They have worked tirelessly to get it higher and higher up the hill. But the instant they relax their effort, or take their eye off the ball, the boulder starts back down to the bottom again.

In the same way, the trust and relationship you have worked so hard to nurture can suddenly takes a U turn and you can find yourself back where you were. Not only is that disappointing, but it’s quite possible that the damage caused could change things forever.

So be mindful. If you are putting yourself in a position where your support is important, be aware of the responsibility it entails. Be self-aware, show determination, compassion and resilience and be prepared to keep on giving, no matter what the circumstances.

The Law Of Cause And Effect

12 Jun 2013 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , , ,

Causing RipplesWe all have the ability to feel sorry for ourselves. Sometimes it seems we have problem after problem, and think the world is against us. But we can all take a step back and look at our situation compared to others, and be honest enough to see that there are other people in much worse circumstances.

In Buddhist terms, the effects in our lives are caused by the causes we make along our way, it’s called Karma. Whilst it is difficult sometimes, to reconcile ourselves with the fact that we have in some way, caused our own problems, it is important to remember that we are not being punished. It is simply the law of cause and effect playing out.

So when you have had enough of your troubles, and are ready to throw in the towel, just take time to look around and realise that there is always someone worse off somewhere.

Be grateful for what you have, and concentrate on making causes for the effects you need to improve the situation. To do anything else is to lack Courage and Wisdom and that doesn’t help anyone, least of all yourself.

The Power Of Silence

05 Jun 2013 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , , ,

The Power Of SilenceIf we were to believe all we saw on TV soaps, we might think that there was only one way to deal with the challenges of daily life, and that is to shout, argue, even fight about them. Of course we know that this is not real-life, but there is one approach that is sometimes overlooked.

When we find ourselves struggling with a difficult problem or situation, from which there seems to be no positive outcome, remaining silent may be the most powerful action.

There are certain situations when, apart from unstinting spiritual support, there is nothing more a person can do.

So remain silent.

The unspoken understanding between people is the strongest bond of all. When you need to say nothing and nothing needs to be said, then all is understood.

Chant for resolution and let the power of silence be your only other contribution.

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo.

Get The Message?

04 Jun 2013 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , , , ,

Errr Hello !!!Sometimes it feels as though nobody is listening to us. No matter how important our message may be, it is falling on deaf ears, or so it seems. So maybe we speak a little louder, make our words a little more pronounced, like we are speaking to a child, nothing happens.

Actually, we may be right, maybe our message really isn’t getting across, but speaking louder, even shouting, still won’t make people listen. So what is really going on here? Well, the problem is that we are transmitting on the wrong frequency, or using the wrong type of media, or language.

Of course I am being metaphorical, we all speak within a frequency range between about 60 and 7000Hz, varying slightly person to person. But unless someone is ready to hear something in particular, they may not respond to you at all.

We have all had the experience of being in a noisy room, at a party or on a busy street where all conversation is a jumble, until someone calls out our name. We hear it, we can pick it out from all the background chatter and clatter, we are programmed to do exactly that, almost from birth.

So if you want to get a message across, say the name of the person with whom you wish to converse. Then, when they have stopped saying whatever they were saying, or doing whatever they were doing, they will be ready, and most likely willing, to listen to what you have to say.

If, having got their attention, you can deliver the message in a positive and friendly manner, there is even more chance that they will take in the content of the message. If you can actually make those contents helpful to the recipient, you really have got it cracked.

Focusing On The Positive

03 Jun 2013 Leave a comment

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

Sunshine On A Rainy DayEvery day we have highs and lows, wins and losses, good things happen, bad things happen, each and every day.

Problems are an everyday reality, challenges are part of life and ignoring them will never make them go away.

So focus on what’s good, what’s going right, enjoy that brief spell of sunshine on an otherwise rainy day. Smile, laugh when you can, and always focus on the positives. Make the most of every minute, you will never have the opportunity to use that minute again, so don’t waste it.

Make causes today, to make tomorrow better and never give in to the inevitable resistance that you feel when you are nearing your goal. Don’t be afraid to speak your mind, never fear the truth, use the Wisdom, Courage and Compassion, we all possess, to help others to be positive, it will increase your own life-energy as you encourage them to increase theirs.

As Rare As Hens Teeth

02 Jun 2013 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , ,

Mr TurtleA few simple thoughts on finding good friends …

“The best way to attain Buddhahood is to encounter a good friend.

How far can our own wisdom take us? If we have even enough wisdom to distinguish hot from cold, we should seek out a good friend. But encountering a good friend is the hardest possible thing to do.

For this reason, the Buddha likened it to the rarity of a one-eyed turtle finding a floating log with a hollow in it, the right size to hold him, or to the difficulty of trying to lower a thread from the Brahma heaven and pass it through the eye of a needle on the Earth.”

Nichiren Daishonin

Which in modern parlance means, it’s pretty difficult to find good friends.

So thank you to all the people I am privileged to call my friends, there are too few one-eyed turtles in life.

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

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