The story of my path to Buddhahood through the teachings of Nichiren Daishonin
08 Nov 2014 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Criticism, Feelings, Negative, Point Of View, Positive, 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, even for a moment, each day, and try to consider the feelings and positive qualities of those of whom you are critical.
02 Nov 2014 3 Comments
in Buddhism Tags: Cause And Effect, Family, Friendship, Karma, Relationships, Responsibility, Wisdom Courage and Compassion
Sometimes we find ourselves in difficult or disappointing circumstances, and might believe that they are not of our making. The laws of Karma are universal, we get what we deserve, so whether we recognise the causes or not, the effects speak for themselves.
We might feel sorry for ourselves, we may think it’s unfair, but we make the causes for the effects we experience day in, day out.
Now you may be saying that it’s destiny, fate, or coincidence, but that simply means you are delegating responsibility for your life to chance or a mystical figure whose existence can never be proven.
Why do we allow ourselves to be fooled? When we know the reason for events, we accept the situation and move on. When we don’t know, or remember why something has happened, we waft it away with airy fairy excuses, like fate or God’s will.
I’ve been through the mill at various times in life. Failed relationships, jobs losses, illness and even death in the family. More than enough to make me feel, at times, that enough is enough. But when I sit and think things through, at the bottom of every disaster, there is, at least in part, a cause of my own making.
So I have to be the first to hold my hand up, I’m culpable, in part at the very least, and my chanting, prayer and meditation are the tools I use to put things right.
You might be sitting there thinking this doesn’t apply in your case, but you are wrong. You are where you are at this very second, as a result of all the decisions and actions you have taken up to this moment. Accept your responsibility and start making your own causes to get the effects you would like to see. If you don’t, you have nobody else to blame if things refuse to improve.
27 Oct 2014 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Experience, Illusions, Self Awareness, Self Improvement, Wisdom Courage and Compassion
We are weird creatures aren’t we? We see the world through amazing eyes, and still we manage to put our own spin on reality. Let true reality find its way into your consciousness.
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.
23 Oct 2014 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Animals, Cruelty, Speciesism, Vegan, Veganism, Vegetarian, Vegetarianism, Wisdom Courage and Compassion
As a vegan, I don’t eat any meat, fish or dairy products, and for a good reasons.
First and foremost, I don’t feel that I have the right to eat our fellow earthlings. Secondly, it is well documented that animals suffer all manner of cruelty and hardship as they are reared for slaughter. And thirdly, there is little or no documentation or meaningful labelling of the meat, fish or dairy products consumed by those who are not vegan.
If a stranger came up to you in the street, and offered you something to eat, would to accept it? Of course not, you don’t know the person, you don’t know the contents or safety of the item they are offering. So why do you eat products offered by shops and supermarkets?
What we need is a deal more courage and wisdom in our eating habits. The courage to ask more questions and to demand real answers, and the wisdom to see that behind the attractive slogans and packaging, there is a litany of deceit and misinformation.
If you don’t believe me, maybe you will believe the BBC … read more
22 Oct 2014 Leave a comment
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 six hundred people following my blog, so I need to continue to think 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.
21 Oct 2014 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Canals, Cause And Effect, Changes, Friends, Friendship, Holidays, Wisdom Courage and Compassion, Work
The holiday is well and truly over and the crew are suffering. A week of not having to be anywhere at any time is a true luxury, but one to which one can quickly become accustomed.
Like a fool, I made the huge mistake, last night, of looking at narrowboats for sale online, knowing full well that now was not the time. Sadly I found several that fitted the bill, beautiful, well equipped and (relatively) cheap.
So today I am busy getting my mind back into ‘sensible mode’ and dealing with the problems that every day life brings. Though I have to admit that I keep drifting back to last week, and an afternoon spent in the Cotton Arms in Wrenbury with Richard, a retired IT professional, now living full time on narrowboat Sarah Pay with his Welsh Collie Megan.
We all set ourselves goals and we are all guilty of looking over the fence to the greener fields, but we must use Wisdom when we navigate through these mental flights of fancy.
Meanwhile, back in the real world, at least for now, I have to concentrate on performing the role for which I am paid. The holiday is gone, albeit that the memories are still fresh in the mind. To make changes we must make causes, and to make causes we need to use our wisdom and courage. We will see, time will tell … again.
15 Oct 2014 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Life-Energy, Ten Worlds, Wisdom Courage and Compassion
Every day we have highs and lows, wins and losses, good things happen, bad things happen, every single day.
Problems are an everyday reality, they 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.
09 Oct 2014 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Challenges, Daisaku Ikeda, Nichiren Buddhism, Problems, Relationships, Wisdom Courage and Compassion
Being in a fantastic relationship is just the best thing. But we all know that even the smoothest mill pond has the occasional ripple.
It’s these ripples that teach us how to navigate more effectively through the problems they represent.
Relationship problems are opportunities to grow and mature. Such problems can be character building if you don’t let them defeat you.
That’s why it’s important not to isolate yourself. No one can exist apart from others. Remaining aloof from others cultivates selfishness, which accomplishes nothing.
~ Daisaku Ikeda
01 Oct 2014 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Criticism, Feelings, Positive, Qualities, Strength, Weakness, 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 just a moment each day, and try to consider the feelings and positive qualities of those of whom you are critical.
30 Sep 2014 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Anniversary, Determination, Enlightenment, Learning, Mindfulness, Patience, Posts, Practice, Wisdom Courage and Compassion
Yet again, today is the anniversary of my blog, and there’s been a post of some description each and every day.
As it says in the About it is the story of my path to enlightenment, but it also logs the past four years highs and lows of life.
I would like to think that you can see the progress, gradual though it may be, that I have made since last September.
It’s a fascinating journey as many of you know, and everyone’s is different. I would really like to thank all the people who have left comments on here or on Facebook or Twitter, they are all greatly appreciated and very often show that we are all learning as we go along.
When I wrote the first post, I was determined to keep it up. Whilst I cannot, hand on heart, say that there haven’t been days when I’ve though ‘Oh bum, it’s late, I’m tired and I still haven’t written today’s post’ but I have always made the effort.
As with my practice, it’s the routine of it that makes the difference. It’s the discipline needed to keep going that adds to the progress through the practice, so when you feel like giving up on something, don’t !!!
Barring fire, pestilence or flood, I’ll still be here, blogging away this time next year, and I hope that you are all still reading the posts too.
The Search For Enlightenment 
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