As a Buddhist I am oh so aware of the power the each of us have to influence our environment. This is something I believe we all know to some degree but until you actually study the Mystic Law of cause and effect and it’s simultanaety it’s real powers aren’t always apparent.
Part of our teaching is to at least plant the seeds of Buddhism where ever and when ever possible. When the time is correct that seed will germinate. Often times that seed is carried on in a karmic river without that carrier even being aware of it.
Ever since I’ve discovered the karaoke website SingSnap, I’ve been having a blast revisiting songs that I’ve enjoyed in my youth. Seeing and singing the lyrics to this RUSH song, one could surmise that somewhere along Geddy Lee may have had a seed planted, though by practice he is Jewish.
Hint: Press the button on the lower right of the video to reveal the on-screen lyrics.
First, I start seeing obscure reference so peas. One of the first is from my good friend Jason Jarrett of A Buddhist Podcast. I don’t think much of it at first, he’s a Brit after all and well… you know how their humor can be! You know, Monte Python, Benny Hill et. al.
Then see xpunkx from Geocaching Podcast and well.. he’s a geocacher… they take their veggies seriously and by this time I’m seeing peas in peoples avatars all over the place, so I had to investigate!
I was a little suprised to see that it did take a little bid of effort to unravel the whole store but alas…
In her own words…
When I discovered a very thick area in my breast I called the doctor. The next day I was in her office. A half hour after that I was in the diagnostic radiologist’s.
A full afternoon and multiple stab wounds later we had a variety of samples of malignant tentacles of tissue that were on their way to the lab.
I was in a little pain - it would increase as the local anesthetic wore off - but left his office with a soft cold pack in my bra.
Last year was just an amazing year, through this practice of Nichiren Buddhism I’ve overcome the death of my wife, reversed a downward spiral into very unhealthy lifestyle and financially turned myself around. Though these are things that need to continually monitor, they finally to the point where they are simple maintenance items that only require a minimum of attention.
So what do I do now? I really had a problem with this. It’s easy to maintain faith when your stuggling and trying get yourself out of a situation but once you acheive those goals and life is good.. well.. it’s easy to just sit back an enjoy it.
The problem with just sitting back is that you slowly backslide without realizing it, much like being in a pot on a stove with the water slowly being brought up to a boil. Before you know it your in trouble and you’re in a desparate situation again.
The practice of Buddhism teaches the true law of the universe and the simulteneaty of cause and effect. Having embraced this practice I know through the many experiences I have both witnessed and heard of that there is no limit to what can be achieved.
So for 2008, my determination is utilize my practice to not simply turn my life around which I have already accomplished, but to rocket forward and to live at a level I have never before achieved. My goals are to concentrate productivity, efficiency and health. Physical, emotional and financial success will be the result.
“Faith is a source of unfathomable good fortune and wisdom. When just one woman stands up with faith, a pure and refreshing realm of happiness and peace will emerge and expand from wherever she is. When the sun of truth and justice rises, the night of unhappiness and iniquity will be dispelled without fail” - Kaneko Ikeda
The January-February issue of Living Buddhism is focusing on The Women of the SGI-USA. The Sokka Gakkai is a Buddhist lay organization dedicated to world peace and the practice of Nichiren Buddhism.
The Lotus Sutra preached by Shakyamuni is a great teaching of gender equality. Nichiren states..
“There should be no discrimination among those who propagate the five characters of Myoho-renge-kyo in the Latter Day of the Law, be they men or women” (WND-1, 385)
and while praising a female disciple of particularly strong faith…
“Only in the Lotus Sutra do we read that a woman who embraces this sutra not only excels all other women, but also surpasses all men” (WND-1, 464)
The equality of this practice is one of the key aspects that has led to my embracing of it. There is no discrimination what so ever between the sexes or races. We are simply all human beings.
Last Wednesday, marked the anniversary of 12-million Soka Gakkai members being excommunicated by the Nichiren Shoshu high priest, Nikken in 1991. (more info)
This is well before my involvement with the Soka Gakkai and my emotional ties to this event are not as defined as those of senior members who were practicing at that time but it does make me reflect a bit on what lead me down this path.
As most in my community, I was brought up a Catholic. We went through all the motions, Catechism, First Communion, Confirmation and even had a Catholic wedding (the first time around). But “going through the motions” was about all thee was to it. The blind faith and dogma just didn’t captivate me and filled me with many questions and even fewer answers.
Through out the years, a few people have convinced me to join them at their house of worship and I quickly noticed the same underlying problem. The preacher / priest / reverend was always this figure of authority that not only “spread the word” but also spoon fed his own personal views and philosophies of every aspect of life and politics.
When I was introduced to the Soka Gakkai and this correct practice of Nichiren Buddhism I quickly saw that this was different. Now don’t bombard me with comments about the SGI and the New Komeito Party. I know about all that and when you get to the upper levels of any large organization some political posturing is going to be necessary to protect ideologies and interests.
The difference was in the day to day grass roots level and the people in the organization I interact with regularly. Our leadership structure is that of responsibility, not authority. Leaders are in charge of organizing meetings and planning events. Leaders do also guide, but do so by seeking guidance themselves from the writings of Nichiren Daishonin. When we meet our leaders do have a basic plan in place and an itinerary of topics, but each member has ample opportunity to “take the floor” and bring up virtually any relevant topic or concern.
I guess what I’m trying to say is I’ve adopted this day as sort of my own time to reflect upon my personal Spiritual Independence.
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