No Rush

24 Mar 2012 1 Comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , ,

Lazy DayToday was the first day of our holiday, and we had such plans. Some guy from a well known double glazing company was due to arrive about 10:00 so we were planning to get up and eat breakfast in good time. In the event, he called to say that he had a family emergency and couldn’t make it. B thought it was sad and felt sorry for him, I was a little less than convinced.

Anyway, whether it was true, or whether he saw how beautiful the weather was and decided to head for the coast, was immaterial, we had nothing planned for the rest of the morning. So we went back to bed, and talked and talked and talked. Living apart gives us both space, but there is always so much to discuss when we are together.

We also slept, even though we had both slept well last night. I’ve spoken before about recharging the batteries, and today was just such a day. In the end, we got up about 4:00pm, a very lazy day. J & H popped in for a cup of tea and a chat, we did a bit of shopping and went over to see B’s mum, but that was about it.

We have a ton of things to do this week, DIY, paperwork, all sorts, but it couldn’t have been finished today or tomorrow, and taking some time to relax has put us in a good place to begin in earnest on Monday.

Ask A Silly Question

17 Mar 2012 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , ,

Qs and AsI learned a really important lesson today, one which at my age, you might expect I had already learned. When you ask someone a question, you must be prepared to receive an answer, and not necessarily the answer you were expecting.

Without going into any detail, I asked a light hearted question of someone this evening, and already had the answer ready in my own head. To my huge surprise, I actually got a completely different response to the one I expected and it really threw me.

After further discussion, and not a little self reflection, the mini wobble was stabilised, but it did teach me a good lesson as I said. That is, to never ask a question of someone unless you are truly prepared to deal with the answer.

Totally Lacking Compassion

09 Mar 2012 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , ,

Fat Cats - Laughing all the way to the bankFollowing the taxpayer bailout of HBOS and Lloyds TSB, you might expect the other banks to see the error of their ways and show a little compassion, or at least common sense, when it comes to paying out bankers bonuses. But not a bit of it, they have shown neither in the current round of astronomical pay settlements to their executives and top analysts.

Bob Diamond, the head of Barclays, is in line to receive around £27m in perks and other pay outs, with Lloyds and RBS chiefs Antonio Horta-Osorio and Stephen Hester in line for awards worth up to £8.2million and £7.9million respectively, despite presiding over combined losses of £5.5 billion last year.

Not only are such salaries and bonuses immoral, they show a complete lack of compassion for those people who are being destroyed by the current bank-lead recession, both here and on the continent. How can anyone, with an ounce of respect, justify such obscene amounts?

Whilst it is clear that the UK banking industry contributes hugely to the economy through employment and taxes, it has also left us all with a legacy of debt and negative equity on such a scale that it will take several generations to work off the outstanding amounts.

Such situations fly in the face of both common sense and common decency. Surely, given the scale of these offensive payments, and the fact that the taxpayers effectively ‘own’ HBOS and Lloyds TSB, it is beholding to the Government to put a stop to them once and for all.

Whilst it may be too late to avert these remunerative packages, I call upon those on the receiving end of the huge amounts to look at themselves in the mirror and to donate the majority, if not all of it, to worthy causes. At least that would go some way to restoring any respect we may have for these grossly overpaid fat cats.

Just Look Around

08 Mar 2012 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , ,

Just Look AroundWe all have an inbuilt 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 the chances are that there are many other people in much worse circumstances.

In Buddhist terms, the effects in our lives are the result of 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.

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 wisdom, courage and compassion towards yourself, and that doesn’t help anyone, least of all you.

Exquisite Pain

07 Mar 2012 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , ,

Look In The MirrorSelf 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 the 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 our practice and 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.

A Christian Attitude?

06 Mar 2012 2 Comments

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , ,

The Most Reverend Vincent NicholsFollowing the storm around Cardinal O’Brien’s bigoted statement about the Government’s proposed changes in the law allowing same-sex marriages, it now appears that The Most Reverend Vincent Nichols, the Archbishop of Westminster has decided to pour more fuel on the fire.

He has been reported as saying that such a legal change would be a ‘profoundly radical step’ that threatens the ‘fundamental humanity’ expressed by matrimony. But who are these people to try to dictate just what humanity’s fundamentals should, or more importantly, shouldn’t be?

His statements come in a letter, due to be read out in 2,500 Catholic churches across the country this Sunday. The aim of said letter is to urge parishioners to sign a petition by former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Carey’s Coalition for Marriage, which argues that the current law does not discriminate against same-sex couples.

The whole episode smacks of rank homophobia and flies in the face of the Christian teaching that we are all made in the image of God. If there is a God, and we are indeed made in his image, surely that applies to everyone, not just the heterosexual amongst us. It is akin to the apartheid laws banning mixed race marriages that existed in South Africa or the similar colour bar laws in the USA. Both of which have been repealed many, many years ago.

Buddhism is an inclusive religion, it does not exclude anyone, for any reason. Nor, in the case of Nichiren Buddhism, does it have any form of duality, a set of dos and don’ts, just the fundamental principle of personal responsibility. Having exclusive rules, such as those of marriage, simply serves to promote the idea of ‘them and us’ and totally belittles the idea of loving thy neighbour.

We live in a modern, accepting, multicultural society and should strive to embrace the differences between the members of that society. If we are found to be discriminating against sex, race or creed, we are rightly subject to censure, so why are homosexuals excluded from those social ideals?

In this respect, the Catholic church further illustrates the fact that it is totally out of touch with modern thinking. Of course there will be people who champion that, but these are the very people who aim to divide society and subjugate minorities with whom they disagree.

Surely the people who look to the Catholic church for spiritual guidance deserve better. A good Christian attitude is to be applauded, it shows wisdom, courage and compassion, all of which are needed to accept the differences between us. But in my view, this is anything but a good Christian attitude, so let’s nip this farce in the bud and urge the Government to press ahead with these long-overdue changes to an arcane law.

Cardinal Sin?

05 Mar 2012 2 Comments

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , ,

Cardinal Keith O'BrienAm I just being picky, or is it a nasty case of double standards for the Catholic Church, the same church that condones, or at least covers up paedophilia in its clerical ranks, to be kicking up such a stink about same sex marriage?

Cardinal Keith O’Brien, leader of the Catholic Church in Scotland, has set out his opposition to the Government’s plans to legalise same sex marriage, likening it to reintroducing legalised slavery. Either the man has been spending too much time near the incense burners, or he is totally out of touch with our liberal modern society.

I did have a little chuckle to myself, listening to John Humphrys interviewing the Cardinal on Today on Radio 4 this morning. Cardinal O’Brien floundered around and sounded flustered by Mr Humphrys’ questions, but it seems rather two faced when compared to the Catholic Church’s bungled cover-up of a number of paedophile cases involving their own priests around the world.

Surely the principle of personal responsibility should come into play in all cases like these. Whilst I do not pretend to understand the nature of homosexuality, I am totally prepared to accept it as a fact of life, and would never condemn such relationships simply because they do not conform to my own views. If two people love each other and want to enter into an institution that shows their commitment to one another, does it matter whether they are both of the same sex?

Having said all that, I do think we have to be careful not to tar the entire Catholic Church with the same dogmatic brush, but incidences such as this cannot serve to promote respect of such institutions. Life has moved on in the two thousand years since Christianity was born and the church has to accept that. What will they want to bring back next, the burning of witches?

Cheer The Folk Up !!!

02 Mar 2012 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , ,

Be Their Sunshine

Life has it’s ups and downs, as we all know. Little things can make friends and family members unhappy or even depressed, so make it your job to make them feel better.

There are so many people, so many lives on this planet, too numerous, in fact, to count.

From this great multitude, we wondrously find ourselves together with those in our families, as parents and children, as brothers and sisters, as husbands and wives.

If we do not live joyfully and cheerfully with whom we share this profound bond, what is life for?

Should the atmosphere at home be sombre, you can be the ‘sunshine’. By being a shining presence, you can cast the light of hope on your mother, father, children and indeed the whole family.

Views From The Other Side

28 Feb 2012 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , , ,

Views From The Other SideMy dear old friend Billy Brown had a favourite saying, ‘that everyone had a right to his opinion’. He was generally joking, but sometimes he meant it. My view is rather different, in that I believe that everyone has a right to their own opinion, whether it matches mine, or not.

Seeing things from another’s viewpoint is a critical part of being able to meet that person half way in any situation. That then gives us the ability to resolve, or at least come to terms with any potential point of conflict in a positive and constructive way.

If someone stands by their beliefs, even when doing so might run the risk of causing hurt in some manner, those beliefs must be respected. To do anything else would be to concur with Billy’s ideas, and that is not a recipe for peace, love or understanding.

Stick To It !!!

22 Feb 2012 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , ,

Stick To It !!!When you make a difficult decision for all the right reasons, stick to that decision.

Whether it is painful, or someone tries to convince you that it was a mistake, stick to that decision.

Back tracking, skirting round the issue, being persuaded to change your mind, what ever it may be, will end in tears.

So don’t be swayed … stick to that decision !!!

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