Burmese Anger

22 Apr 2013 2 Comments

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , , , ,

Myanmar Buddhist MonksWith more reports emanating from Myanmar, Burma, regarding the violence between Buddhist and Muslin groups, it is difficult to see how any good can come from actions fuelled by anger or hatred.

But Nichiren wrote that wrath can be both good and bad. Self-centred anger generates evil, but wrath at social injustice becomes the driving force for reform. Strong language that censures and combats a great evil often attracts adverse reactions from society, but this must not intimidate or deter those who believe they are right.

Remember, a lion is a lion because he roars. Having said that, the roar should be one of strength rather than anger.

Anger that is misdirected or caused by illusion or misconception is a wholly bad thing and can be very damaging. So before you vent such anger on an unsuspecting victim, take stock and let that anger fade. Compassion is far more positive and will achieve far more in the long run.

With the sanctions imposed on Burma by the United Nations being set to be lifted this week, let us hope and pray that wisdom, courage and compassion hold sway and that the violence between people of the same nation will stop before any more death and destruction are caused.

Stick To Your Guns

19 Apr 2013 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , ,

As one of my recent posts said, having the wisdom and courage to make a difficult decision is to be admired and saluted. Even though that decision might be painful, if it is made for the right reasons, it should never be regretted.

At times, we follow the same path as others for many years, sometimes our paths cross very briefly. Either way, the outcome can be beneficial for both parties and have deep and far reaching results. Karma works in ways we sometimes do not understand.

So do not regret those decisions that might have left you in a slightly unsettled situation. Think rather about what the outcome may have been had you not used your wisdom, courage and compassion, at that time, and remember that hindsight is always 20-20 vision.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could run our lives through a ‘what if’ machine, where we could input every situation and foresee the outcome of each and every decision. Would we always make the right decision, given that circumstances change over time? I somehow doubt it.

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

Boston Thoughts

16 Apr 2013 6 Comments

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , , , ,

Boston Marathon BombingWith the shock and sadness upon hearing the news of the bombings in Boston still sinking in, I have again been forced to think about why people could ever consider the injuring and killing of others as a rational form of protest or demonstration?

Of course, it could be said, that these people are sick, psychologically deranged, but such acts require complicated and detailed planning and execution, so there must be a fair degree of intelligence being used.

While the US authorities search for the perpetrators, we should concentrate our thoughts and prayers on the victims and their families and friends. We should also give our full support for those within this country who are planning the security for this weekend’s London marathon in an effort to stop anything similar happening here.

Whether any good ever comes out of such incidents depends, in the broadest sense, on your viewpoint. Whilst it is very difficult for us to see things from the point of view of the bomber, we must try, if we are to make any progress towards averting any future attempts to repeat the events of yesterday.

The only way we can move forward into a world without terror, is for all parties involved, and that means including the bombers, to use Wisdom, Courage and Compassion to address the conflict, what ever that might be.

That may sound naive, but the only way to resolve any of these issues is to resort to dialogue rather than violence.

Making Waves

10 Apr 2013 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , , ,

Making WavesWhen we start changing things through our practice, our life-state, our life-energy, we must expect to encounter a reaction.

Every action has an equal and opposite reaction and these can be rather unexpected in nature. So as we try to improve ourselves, we change the way we react with the world and sometimes the world, or more often the people within it, aren’t quite ready for that change and it can make for some rather uncomfortable situations.

The main thing to remember is, that if you change, your environment must change too. They fit each other perfectly, just like dropping a piece of putty into water. No matter what shape you make the piece of putty, the water will always adapt to fit around it, it has no choice, it is a law of nature.

But even though the ride might get a little bumpy at times, you should see those reactions as confirmation that the changes you are working towards are really happening and remain resolute in working towards your goals.

Just remember to add a little wisdom, courage and compassion into the mix too, that always help to smooth the ripples you are causing in your own little part of the universal pond.

Take A Long Hard Look

05 Apr 2013 3 Comments

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

Mirror, Mirror On The WallSelf awareness, the realisation of who, or what you really are, comes to some people with age, but for me, it came at a point in life where I was at my all time low. Seeing my true reflection in the mirror was a long and painful process, there’s no joy in realising that you are someone you don’t really like, but it lead me to the turning point that has allowed me to change for the better.

It is said ‘that we hate in others, what we refuse to see in ourselves’ and I suddenly understood what that meant. Things that annoy us about other people, are sometimes the very things in us that annoy others. Being honest enough with ourselves, to admit our failings or less attractive traits, can be the start of a process of self improvement.

In Nichiren Buddhism we refer to that process as Human Revolution, the nurturing and growth of self improvement through the acquisition of wisdom, courage and compassion. It is achieved, over time, through a determined adherence to our practice and continued learning.

So next time, before you go criticising others, take a long, hard and honest look in that mirror, and have the courage to see the faults you are so desperate to hide from yourself. It will be a painful process, but you will emerge on the other side, like a butterfly emerging from the chrysalis, a better and more beautiful being for doing it.

Wishful Thinking?

01 Apr 2013 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: ,

Be Careful What You Wish ForSo many of us wish for things we would like, or wish to be things we aren’t. Short people wish they were taller, plump people wish they were thin, people with straight hair wish it was curly, people with curly hair wish it was straight.

Of course we are all ‘trained’ to want things from an early age, it’s a product of the consumerist society, and we are all urged to be dissatisfied with what we have, in favour of what the ad men can tempt us into buying.

But surely this way of going about things is a recipe for a certain degree of unhappiness. There are bound to be things we cannot have, maybe because it’s a physical impossibility, being taller when you are short, curly haired when your own is straight. So maybe there is a better way to look at things.

How about concentrating on the good aspects of our lives? You only have to take a few moments to think about it, and you will find that there are dozens, if not hundreds of things you are happy to have.

Maybe it’s your partner, family and friends. Maybe it’s good health, a decent job or even just having enough. So rather than thinking about the things you would like to have, take time to celebrate the things you already have, that are so precious to you, and things you would not like to live without.

And remember, you should always be careful about what you wish for. As a wise man once said, ‘Don’t wish for the stars, after all, where would to keep them all?’

Say Something Nice

22 Mar 2013 1 Comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , , ,

More Bad WeatherWe’re all reeling under the onslaught of the latest surge of bad weather to hit Great Britain. The sheer volume of rain and snow, combined with the strong winds shows us how powerful nature can be, and with at least one person missing, just how fragile our existence on this Earth really is.

It may strike you as a rather strange thought, but something kept playing on my mind all day. I wonder how many people who might lose loved ones in the storms and floods, took the time to tell their partner, child, friend or neighbour, that they loved them this morning.

They will never get that chance again, and may forever wish that they had taken those extra few precious seconds to express their feelings.

We all take life, and the immediate future for granted. Sometimes days, weeks, months or even years go by, without us taking time to make contact with someone for whom we care, but our lives are just too busy or complicated for us to make that call, write that email or even take that trip to reconnect.

Impermanence is key to Buddhist philosophy, nothing is forever. So before it is too late, before the chance has slipped from your grasp, make that contact and tell the person just how much you care.

When you leave the house in the morning, or part company with any other person, let the last thing you say to them, be full of Wisdom, Courage and Compassion, not something you might regret saying for the rest of your life.

Biting My Virtual Tongue

21 Mar 2013 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , ,

Fundamental DarknessWhen a lengthy email, filled with sarcastic comments, from a notorious client, let’s call him Mr Smith, dropped into my inbox, my heart sank.

In the first week of my new position, it is my job to respond to him, but I have no remit to action the changes he requires.

I had already sent the ‘standard’ response to his last email a couple of days ago, but that clearly was inadequate. So I had to put together another response, covering the points he raised in a sarcastic and overtly antagonistic manner, without stooping to his level.

That’s no an easy thing to do at times. I’m still feeling a bit like death warmed up, and the Dark Passenger is whispering that I should tell him to go swivel, to tell him that although he is a valued client, he isn’t so valued that he can talk to us (me) in that manner.

Doing so might just be enough to terminate my newly fledged career, so I bite my virtual tongue and tell him that although we appreciate his frustration, and will address the issues he has raised, that there are underlying reasons for the delays about which he is complaining.

Well the email has been sent, and a response is expected shortly, we will see whether he is at all placated. If not, it will offer another ‘real life’ chance to test my Wisdom, Courage and Compassion. I’m sure they will pass muster, I just wonder about the Dark Passenger.

Virtual Sunshine And Showers

15 Mar 2013 2 Comments

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

Sunshine And ShowersIt is Friday, meaning that we have made it through another working week, with the emphasis strongly on the working bit. With the sword of Damocles still hanging over my head, it is a bit of a challenge to remain focussed, even though people keep telling me ‘You’ll be fine’. Sadly it’s not their decision, and the wait continues.

So it was a really nice surprise, when we had a visitor to the Ringwood office, a new guy who has been brought in to head up our ecommerce business unit, and it turned out that he’s only got one head, has worked for the likes of Amazon and Love Film, is very passionate about building the business and listens when people talk to him.

I really can see a positive light falling on the IT team. It felt like everyone has embraced the new energy and are buzzing with the enthusiasm our new leader has instilled. It remains to be seen where the line between the companies legacy ends, being established in 1856, and the adoption of new technologies begins. Philatelists are a funny bunch, in the nicest possible way, and it’s a fine line to be trodden.

The excitement is palpable and the way forward, for the team at least, is becoming clearer. The minor fly in the ointment, from my side of things, is that by this time next week, I may not be part of the team.

This is where my Buddhism kicks in, and in more ways than I had expected. My initial feeling is one of joy and excitement for the team. With second thoughts I see that their future may not be mine, but with that split comes a series of possibilities. I could see it as a potential crisis, but I am weighing up the balance between the danger and the opportunities and I see that the opportunities are winning hands down.

The way forward is to keep chanting, stay positive and wait to see what happens.

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

A Fresh Pair Of Eyes

02 Mar 2013 1 Comment

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

A Fresh Pair Of EyesA great work of art is one that truly moves and inspires you. The test is when you yourself are moved. Don’t look at art with anyone else’s eyes. Don’t listen to music with others’ ears. You should view art with your own feelings, your own heart and mind.

If you allow yourself to be swayed by the opinions of others, ‘It must be good, because everyone else is raving about it’ or ‘It must be bad, because nobody else likes it’, your feelings, your sensibilities, even your confidence, which are the basis of every artistic experience, may wither and die.

To enjoy art to the fullest, you must abandon any preconceived notions, and look at things through fresh eyes. You should then confront the work directly, with your whole being. If you find that you are deeply moved, then for you, that is a great work of art.

Precisely the same applies to your faith. What moves you is a personal thing, it should not be based on what other people feel, nor should they influence you in any way. Have the wisdom, courage and compassion to stand firm and hold onto your own beliefs.

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