Which Did You Think?

16 Jun 2011 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , ,

Ayman Al-ZawahiriOn the day when al-Qaeda announced that Ayman al-Zawahiri is to take over as leader in place of the late Osama Bin Laden I did wonder how I should look upon his appointment.

On the one hand, he is leading a fanatical organisation which is totally opposed to every principle I hold dear, both Buddhist and social.

On the other, he is the man who, if he will engage in dialogue with politicians, could bring to an end the string of terrorist atrocities for which al-Qaeda are responsible.

I would like to believe in the latter, but I fear that may be wishful thinking.

I do however find it amazing, that an educated man, trained as a doctor, could become so fanatical that he would throw his Hippocratic principles away and plot to kill innocent people. I note that the USA have already stated that they will hunt him down and kill him in a Bin Laden like way, which is not going to help the situation.

I also find it strange that he can claim to be in a Holy war, when the Koran teaches peace, compassion and understanding. Maybe he meant wholly (as in inappropriate) war, but I doubt it.

Leaving cheap shots apart, the only way to move towards any form of peaceful settlement, with him, or anyone else, is through dialogue.

When will we all learn to live together through understanding?

Better a war of words than a war.

Take Courage

14 Jun 2011 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags:

CourageNichiren wrote:

“None of you who declare yourselves to be my disciples should ever give way to cowardice”

When the crucial moment comes, it is crucial to battle through it with the ferocity of a charging lion.

This is the key to creating a record of lasting brilliance. As the ancient Greek poet and playwright Euripides inscribed:

“Courage is very powerful against misfortune.”

The more courageous you can become, the less the possibility you will be overcome by misfortune.

A Ray Of Hope

13 Jun 2011 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: ,

BuddhaIn the midst of all the news from Libya and Syria, of killing and atrocities against their own people, there was a tiny ray of hope that humanity struggles on.

In a meeting in London today, lasting around four hours, a number of governments, businesses and philanthropists pledged to give over £2.5bn to fund third world immunisation programs.

It is predicted that in excess of 4 million children will be saved from fatal illnesses between now and 2015, with further programs planned into the future.

We all know that our current economic plight could be used as an excuse for not contributing, but promises had been made, and I am proud that despite everything, we have honoured those promises.

We are not all in a position to be involved in such humanitarian efforts, but we can all see they are for the good of humankind and we can all offer our full support.

Getting Back On The Horse

09 Jun 2011 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: ,

Back On The HorseWhen experiencing failure or disappointment, frustration or illness, we tend to lose confidence and let fear overtake us.

At such times, we need to make a conscious effort to move forward with strength and courage.

When we say to ourselves, “Next time I’ll succeed” or “I’m going to get better and make it through this”, we have already won.

Challenge Everything

04 Jun 2011 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags:

Wisdom Courage and CompassionIt all comes down to you. Do not rely on others or wait for them to do something. Try to develop such a strong sense of responsibility, that you can stand up to the fiercest of problems, confidently proclaiming, “I can do it!, I will win!”

Boldly confront reality, look it squarely in the face, and with wisdom, courage and compassion, challenge everything that lies ahead of you.

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

Why Buddhahood?

02 Jun 2011 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , ,

BuddhahoodEven if you are born into the most affluent 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 the life state of Buddhahood.

This is why we chant, it is why we strive daily to grow ever nearer to that life-state. This is not a selfish or exclusive goal, as we learn the Wisdom, Courage and Compassion needed to achieve our aim, we willingly take our family, friends and colleagues along with us.

Happy Birthday Dad

30 May 2011 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , ,

My DadToday would have been my Dad’s 85th birthday.

This photograph of him hangs on the wall next to my desk at home, and I look at it often and remember him with great fondness and love.

He wasn’t a religious man, only going to church for weddings and the like, though he always supported my Mom in her church activities.

As a boy, I remember him as always being at work. Back then, it was quite common for people to work on Saturdays too, and as a printer, he was always busy.

My Mom was definitely his Honzon. If ever she went away for the day, she would leave him a packed lunch, an apple cut into quarters and maybe a cheese sandwich, just to make sure he ate something. He was a bit lost whenever she wasn’t around.

His one big love in life, apart from his family, was printing. Our house was always full of books and paper and print samples, and if he was ever given a book as a present, he was far more interested in who had printed it than what it was about.

In later years, he had a passion for free pistol shooting, he kept meticulous sets of figures of his scores, and used to compile the tables of scores for the club to which he belonged. He was very angry when the Government brought in stricter gun laws, and he was unable to keep his much cherished guns. He always felt that they were punishing the innocent, for the sins of the guilty.

Sadly he spent the last couple of years of his life in the World of Tranquillity. He had a heart condition that meant he didn’t have the life-energy to get out and do very much. He still read quite a lot and watched sport on TV, but he slept a lot more.

You were a great Dad, and, in your own quiet way, a great man. You were Wise, Courageous and Compassionate in so many ways, though maybe I didn’t always appreciate it at the time. I pray for you every morning and evening during Gongyo, and although I know you are back here with us somewhere, I miss you a great deal.

Happy Birthday Dad.

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

Ichinen Sanzen Explained

29 May 2011 1 Comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , ,

Ichinen Sanzen

Many thanks to Ken Hawkins for providing the following explanation of the Chinese symbols of Ichinen Sanzen.

Ichinen Sanzen is the wish-granting gem. There are as many sides to this gem as there are living beings. Like a gem, each side reflects its own reality. Our life is a wish-granting gem.

When we peer into our lives we can barely see our own reflection. But when we polish our lives through chanting and making efforts to improve ourselves, we can see ourselves reflected clearly.

When our gem is polished in this way we can see beyond our own reflection and see inside the gem that is the ultimate reality of all life.

Ichinen Sanzen in Chinese is composed of four main Chinese characters.

Ichi

Ichi

The first character (Ichi) is a horizontal line. It is the character one. It is both the beginning of the Chinese alphabet and  numbering system. In Buddhism, Ichi is the source of all beings.  The “Fundamental Essence” in the Japanese title of  Heritage of the Ultimate Law

Nen

Nen

Nen  is composed of three elemental characters. On top are three lines  forming a triangle. Under the triangle is a person bending to  completely enclose an object, and under the bending person is a  heart.

 – The triangle is a convergence of the elements of one’s life.

 – It combines with the bending person to form a compound meaning the  present moment. (All of one’s life is enfolded in the present  moment.)

 – The character, Kokoro or shin. The heart, in this case, is the core of intention. The derived meaning is to make present the heart’s intent, reviving or making real a person’s intent.

In some sects, “Nen” means mindfulness – that is being aware of the Buddha in the present moment.

San

San

San is the number three, representing heaven (the cosmos), earth, and humanity (also known as the three realms).

Zen

Zen

Zen is ten times 100. Connected to this concept is the harvest of crops or a thousand grains. The character for 1000 is also used to indicate an uncountable number.

Putting it all together:

Ichi

a single (Ichi) core intention in the present moment

Nen

makes real, enfolds, and harvests (Nen)

San

three (San)

Zen

thousand (Zen) – or uncountable – realms and possibilities.

A determination or decision (Ichi) at the core of your being makes real (Nen) that self-pledge or vow in all the realms (Sanzen) of your life.

The Joy Of A Creative Life

28 May 2011 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: ,

Colours Of LifeThere is nobody lonelier or more unhappy than person who does not know the pure joy of creating a life for her or himself. To be human is not merely to stand erect and manifest intelligence or knowledge. To be human, in the full sense of the word, is to lead a creative life.

The struggle to create new life from within is a truly wonderful thing. Here we find the brilliant wisdom that guides and directs the workings of reason, the light of insight that penetrates the furthest reaches of the Universe, the undaunted will to see justice done that meets and challenges all the assaults of evil, the spirit of unbounded care that embraces all who suffer.

When these are fused with the energy of compassion that pours fourth from the deepest sources of cosmic life, an ecstatic rhythm arises to colour the lives of all people.

The Right Influence

26 May 2011 4 Comments

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags:

MugwortNichiren said …

‘Mugwort that grows in the midst of hemp, or a snake that is put inside a tube, will as a matter of course become straight. Likewise, those who associate with people of good character will consequently become upright in heart, deed and word’.

If we apply this passage to various influences upon children, we may say that the environment surrounding children, particularly the behaviour of adults, has a great bearing on the way they develop.

Parents must set a good example for their children before nagging them to do, or not to do, this or that. They must strive to become a good, upright influence for their children, like the hemp or the tube are for the Mugwort or the snake.

It is also important for parents to encourage their children to be influenced by people of good character outside their own family circle, so that the children are guided in a more positive direction.

In this age of increasingly disenfranchised youth, the stronger the influence to become a person of good character, the better it will be for them, and for society as a whole.

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