And Relax … But Not Too Much

06 Jan 2013 1 Comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , , ,

Peace And QuietLet’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 to get things done.

Get chanting, raise your life-energy and hence your life-state, after all, the weekend is over for another week.

Good News Friday

04 Jan 2013 Leave a comment

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

Mark Cahill - Hand TransplantAmid all the usual doom and gloom of the news stories, there were two shining rays of hope to brighten the day. The first was regarding the UK’s first hand transplant patient, Mark Cahill, who is making excellent progress after receiving a donor hand on Boxing Day.

Malala Going HomeThe second, and for me even more exciting news, is that 15 year old Malala Yousafzai, the young lady who was shot in the head by a Taliban gunman, for campaigning for education for girls, left hospital today to join her family in their temporary home in Birmingham.

The attack on Malala, back in October, sparked outrage around the world. The resulting press coverage and negative reaction towards the Taliban, promoting the cause of girls education in Pakistan still further. Another case of this misguided radical Muslim group metaphorically shooting themselves in the foot.

Whilst we can only wish Mark good fortune and a speedy recovery from his surgery, we should spare a thought for the family of the donor, who having lost their loved one at Christmas, bravely allowed the hand to be used for the benefit of another. Can there be a more compassionate act?

Instant Buddhahood? – Simply Add Practice

30 Dec 2012 Leave a comment

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

Nichiren DaishoninReligion must teach an “attitude to life.” To live a life of true human dignity is certainly difficult.

Life is change; it is continuous change. Nothing is constant. The four sufferings of birth, old age, sickness and death are an eternal theme that no one can escape.

Amid harsh reality, people yearn from the depths of their beings to live with dignity and for their lives to have meaning, and they make efforts toward that end. The product of these human yearnings, these prayers, is religion. Religion was born from prayer.

What is Nichiren’s response to these prayers of human beings? What attitude toward life does he teach? The answer, in short, is the principle of attaining Buddhahood in this lifetime.

What is needed to attain Buddhahood in this lifetime? Wisdom, Courage and Compassion and that comes from sustained, diligent practice.

Speaking Out

29 Dec 2012 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , ,

The Lotus SutraNichiren Daishonin, in his writings to Soya Jiro Hyoe-no-jo Kyoshin, said this about speaking out in defence of slander of The Lotus Sutra …

To hope to attain Buddhahood without speaking out against slander is as futile as trying to find water in the midst of fire or fire in the midst of water.

No matter how sincerely one believes in the Lotus Sutra, if one is guilty of failing to rebuke slander of the Law, one will surely fall into hell, just a single crab leg will ruin a thousand pots of lacquer.

This is the meaning of the passage in the sutra, “Because the poison has penetrated deeply and their minds no longer function as before.”

Nichiren was referring specifically of The Lotus Sutra, but we should speak out against all manner of slander, the likes of which appear to be on the increase in modern life.

Awesome Animated Instruction

26 Dec 2012 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , , ,

OogwayWatching DreamWork’s Kung Fu Panda on TV last night, not for the first time I have to admit, was another good lesson in humility, wisdom, trust and self confidence.

If you haven’t seen the film it is, on the face of it, a kids cartoon, lots of action, lots of fun.

At a deeper level, it tells the story of the underdog, Po the Panda, who is chosen as the Dragon Warrior against the odds. Nobody believes that Oogway the Turtle has made the right decision, that he was chosen by chance, even though Oogway explains that there is no such thing as chance.

Even Po is convinced that he has been chosen by mistake, and cannot believe that he is the Dragon Warrior. He is slandered by everyone, even Shifu, who is charged with training Po in the ways of Kung Fu. The other pupils of Shifu, Tigress, Monkey, Crane, Viper and Mantis also look down on Po, though they slowly come to see that his determination is to be admired.

After Oogway passes on, having asked Shifu to believe in Po and following a lot of learning, Po has to meet his nemesis Tai Lung to save the valley.

Lots of Buddhist principles are woven through the film, a great cast, a good watch and a fun way to learn. Look out for the sequel, inventively called Kung Fu Panda II, more fun and yet more lessons.

Money Can’t Buy Me Love

22 Dec 2012 1 Comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , , ,

Money Can’t Buy Me LoveSometimes, a fresh pair of eyes, a questioning soul, an inquisitive heart, make us look anew at an old thought.

As the Beatles song from the Sixties said, ‘I don’t care too much for money, money can’t buy me love. Sadly, in our capitalist western society, too many are driven and judged by the money they own, but at what cost?

Sensei was speaking of exactly this issue when he said …

Even if you are born into the most affluent of circumstances or enjoy a spectacular marriage that is the envy of others, there is no guarantee that you will be happy.

Happiness does not depend on wealth or personal appearance, nor does it hinge on fame or recognition. If your heart is empty, you cannot build genuine happiness.

There is an expansive life-state of profound, secure happiness that transcends any material or social advantage. It is called faith; it is called the life-state of Buddhahood.

Of course, money may allow a greater degree of choice in the decisions we take in life, but be assured, it cannot guarantee the happiness that the faith in Buddhahood provides.

Be Fearless

20 Dec 2012 4 Comments

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , ,

In The Fullness Of TimeSometimes, we may have to  summon the courage to speak out against injustice.

Nichiren Daishonin illustrated why we should do just that, most eloquently …

“To speak out without fearing others and without flinching before society—this is what the sutra means when it says, “We care nothing for our bodies or lives but are anxious only for the unsurpassed way.”

It is not that one does not recall the calumny, the staves and stones that were suffered by Bodhisattva Never Disparaging. It is not that one is unafraid of the world. It is just that the censure of the Lotus Sutra is even more severe.”

In other words, to speak out may cause one pain, but to not speak out will be even more painful in the fullness of time.

Everything From Nothing

17 Dec 2012 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , , ,

Everything From NothingThere is the temptation, whilst continuing to practice, to wonder whether we will ever become a Buddha or doubt whether Buddhahood even resides within us. With his usual wisdom, Nichiren showed us the truth of the matter in his simple words.

“A bird’s egg contains nothing but liquid, yet by itself this develops into a beak, two eyes, and all the other parts, and the bird soars into the sky.

We, too, are the eggs of ignorance, which are pitiful things, but when nurtured by the chanting of Nam Myoho Renge Kyo, which is like the warmth of the mother bird, we develop the beak of the thirty-two features and the feathers of the eighty characteristics and are free to soar into the skies of the true aspect of all phenomena and the reality of all things.”

~ Nichiren Daishonin

Being There

16 Dec 2012 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , ,

Bridge Over Troubled WaterI was watching the Imagine documentary about the famous duo Simon and Garfunkel  and although it has been said many, many times before, Bridge Over Trouble Water is an amazing track. The documentary explored the development of the song, from a two verse gospel hymn, into the beautifully produced anthem it finally became. Although that was very interesting, and gave an insight into the way the duo worked together to produce the song and the album of the same name, nothing can compare to the power and simplicity of the lyrics.

Read them, then read them again, and see how they relate, in such a simple but powerful way, to the supporting role of being there for someone who needs you …

Bridge Over Troubled Water
When you’re weary, feeling small
When tears are in your eyes,
I will dry them all
I’m on your side
When times get rough
And friends just can’t be found

Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down

When you’re down and out
When you’re on the street
When evening falls so hard
I will comfort you
I’ll take your part
When darkness comes
And pain is all around

Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down

Sail on silver girl
Sail on by
Your time has come to shine
All your dreams are on their way
See how they shine
When you need a friend
I’m sailing right behind

Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind

Paul Simon, 1969

I couldn’t have put it better myself and even Paul Simon himself believes it is the best song he ever wrote.

Time For A Change

15 Dec 2012 4 Comments

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , , ,

US Gun Laws - Time For A ChangeAs the details of the latest shooting tragedy in Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newton, USA start to sink in, it is surely time for all sane people to get behind President Obama’s heartfelt call for a change to the gun laws.

Those of us outside the United States find it difficult to understand the almost manic determination to protect the second amendment, allowing each US citizen to bear arms. A couple of hundred years ago, when settlers were faced by mountain lions and (understandably) angry native Indians, having a gun was arguably necessary.

That is no longer the case, and the short-sighted politics that allow this situation to continue, is also allowing these incidents of mass murder to continue too. Surely, apart from the arms and ammunition manufacturers, everyone would be far better off without this proliferation of weapons.

Please see sense. Please use the wisdom, courage and compassion necessary to make the changes to your constitution, before we are once again talking about dead innocents. Following the Hungerford shootings in the UK, our gun laws were tightened and although we cannot claim that we have cracked gun crime, the incidence of mass shootings is tiny compared to the US. Surely it really is time for a change.

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