I have been listening to reports recently of how some mainstream religions are feeling marginalised by “militant secularists”. People are refusing to accept religious overtones in any state facilities. I have to agree with the sentiment that religion and state should not be confused. However, when one considers the gross errors in the teachings of certain religions, it is hardly surprising that people are now rejecting them. Daisaku Ikeda has said: A higher religion does not negate rationality. No religion [...]
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The importance of a spirit of gratitude
It’s easy to blame others for where we are in life, but in truth, only we are responsible for where we are and certainly it is we who are solely responsible for our individual futures. I am so saddened when those around me constantly complain about their condition, particularly when they have the means at hand to change their lives entirely. I found this passage from president Ikeda’s New Human Revolution, which I am currently reading, particularly poignant. …those who [...]
Two kinds of faith
In February 1278, The Daishonin wrote a short letter to Nanjo Tokimitsu, the steward of Ueno village in Suruga Province. The Daishonin’s relationship with Nanjo Tokimitsu began in 1265 when, upon the death of Nanjo’s father, Nanjo Hyoe Shichiro, the Daishonin had dropped everything to travel from Kamakura to Ueno in the Fuji area so that he could pray over Hyoe Shichiro’s grave. Nanjo Tokimitsu, at the time aged just 7, was so moved by the compassion shown for his [...]
Revealing Buddhahood by example
The limits of my Buddhist wisdom was demonstrated profoundly to me recently when I learned that my grand-daughter had been born with a large cyst in her brain. It wasn’t clear if she was going to suffer from hydrocephalus, but she had a cyst that was approaching the size of a tennis ball in the right of her brain, and my daughter, who had worked for many years in a healthcare, demonstrating compassion and patience on a daily basis, now [...]
The hardest woods come from trees that grow slowly
When I first became involved in the SGI I formed the opinion that they were not marketing this Buddhism effectively. Marketing is perhaps not the correct terminology, but in essence, I felt they were not “putting this Buddhism out there” as aggressively as they could. My head was full of Shakabuku – or rather my interpretation of it, and my mind was busy developing plans and schemes to recruit new Buddhists. Later that year, however, during a discussion someone explained [...]
The correct kind of courage
President Ikeda has said, “Courage is the driving force of our lives”. So, what does he mean by this? To what kind of courage does he refer? The driving force he speaks of is when we stand up, and begin challenging those aspects of our life that are not working for the happiness of ourselves and others. Only when we make human happiness our intent can our buddha-state become our dominant life condition – and then, together with our friends and family, [...]
The hell of incessant suffering IS the land of tranquil light
By realising the mystic law inherent in all living beings, we escape the confines of the physical and realise the unlimited potential of the human spirit. Just as the sun dries the newly hatched butterfly’s wings, the compassion and warmth of the Lotus Sutra allows us all to soar from our pitiful cocoons and look out over a landscape of infinite possibilities. The potential for enlightenment exists within all human beings. An ungainly chick has the potential to become a [...]
What would your children think?
At the end of every day ask yourself – have I done all I can today to make a better future for my children? Would my children respect me for what I have done today? There are days when we all feel tired, and need to rest, but to become habitually lazy and feckless is to decay your life force. Nichiren Diashonin once wrote “those who stay long in privies forget how foul the smell is”.
20 years to receive the Gohonzon
I recently wrote an experience describing some of the life events that lead to me receiving [the] Gohonzon last year (I’ve never been sure people insist on omitting the definite article when referring to the Gohonzon). I originally sent this to my great friend, Jason Jarrett (pictured – me on the right) who had been so instrumental in nurturing my Buddhist faith. He read it out so beautifully in the October 2011 episode of his wonderful abuddhistpodcast. So, a few [...]
Earning respect
Respect cannot be purchased, or achieved through external factors. One can cloth and surround oneself with the trappings of wealth and still be seen a fool. The respect and admiration of others is earned only through striving to connect with people’s hearts, and demonstrating your commitment to improve the lives of those around you.
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