Are we there yet?

[1170epoch]

Fear...

Our minds are made for war, not for love... When I first read this statement from an author I follow, I began to ask myself the same question.. How deeply ingrained are the fears that I carry with myself on a daily, moment-to-moment basis? A good friend recently recommended me a book titled "When Things Fall Apart" by Pema Chodron. Many of you may have heard about this book or perhaps, even read it at some point. Here’s a story from the book that I think will allow for us to have a deeper insight into our own understanding of fear: --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The first time I met Trungpa Rinpoche was with a class of fourth graders who asked him a lot of questions about growing up in Tibet and about escaping the Chinese communists into India. One boy asked him if he was ever afraid. Rinpoche answered that his teacher had encouraged him to go to places like graveyards that scared him and to experiment with approaching he didn't like. Then he told a story about traveling with his attendants to a monastery he'd never seen before. As they neared the gates, he saw a large guard dog with huge teeth and red eyes. It was growling ferociously and struggling to get free from the chain that held it. The dog seemed desperate to attack them. As Rinpoche got closer, he could see its bluish tongue and spittle spraying from its mouth. They walked past the dog, keeping their distance, and entered the gate. Suddenly the chain broke and the dog rushed at them. The attendants screamed and froze in terror. Rinpoche turned and ran as fast as he could - straight at the dog. The dog was so surprised that he put his tail between his legs and ran away.

We can  meet our match with a poodle or with a raging guard dog, but the interesting question is - what happens next? ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

At the crucial moment, when our fears reach the pivotal point of either breaking us or making us - what action do we take? Our attachment to fear can sometimes be very detrimental to our personal growth. We may take a rather primed situation and cultivate paths to an end-approach which essentially is a reflection of our own mind at that given point in time. Fear takes us into a place of unknown territory . This place of “now knowing” weaves itself as anxiety or fear of loss, among other things. We must understand that fear is a master of disguise. Stay with it, and never go against it. Embrace it. When you look away - fear takes on an even larger form of - a sheep disguised as a wolf... a ferocious shadow that disguises itself from afar (larger shadows created from a small point object that is very close to the light)

It disallows us from discerning the situation for what is truly is and instead, channels our thinking into finding ways to conform our mind to an understanding that is based upon past experiences. Buddhism holds that all that integrates from the natural Universe must eventually disintegrate into the same. Impermanence (anicca) is the only constant. From the same  perspective - we must realize that fear is also a sustained integration that arises from within our own minds. It is a natural approach for us to handle unknown territory… when the ground below us is taken away and what we hold to be “permanent” falls apart...disintegrates.

The manifested body (nirmāna-kāya), or the physical form that a Buddha assumes in this world in order to save the people is one of the three bodies a Buddha posses. This body represents courage - courage to take the right action at the crucial moment. When we assume this physical aspect to save all human beings by having the boundless courage to defeat our fears and take actions for the happiness of others - we are not only saving them, we are saving ourselves.

[1170epoch]

...

Our ability to be conscious of our own innermost thoughts - isn't that uniquely human? Underlying all experiences & phenomena, lies the primary question of life - what is one's ultimate purpose ? Every single moment we are in communion with the extrinsic. All distinctions and disparities simply arise from the depths of our mind and our subjective understanding of the world. We are all interconnected - buoyant living organisms amidst the infinite cosmic landscape - traveling at thousands of miles an hour. Our perceptions and beliefs - they create our own reality - we understand it through that very lens. 

But, how encompassing  and far reaching is this lens through which we view our life and that of others? We must always be aware of our own ignorance. Learning begins with the understanding of one's own ignorance and one's own subjective & biased view towards all experiences. From ignorance to awakening - the awakening of knowledge, freedom & the choice to continually seek one's purpose in life. The most essential thing however, is having a strong philosophy. Every action, reaction, words and thoughts - from daily struggles to blissful moments fall under the umbrella of our inner held philosophy. This philosophy - not a mere theory or ideology I must add and to which practicality is quintessential, guides not only our behavior & actions but, also our vision into the far reaching future. We must all understand how important and impediment it is for us to have a strong philosophy in life. Furthermore, to live each day, nay, each moment through that inner compass or principle becomes a joy in itself. At the other end of the spectrum, a life without a core philosophy is akin to a ship that has lost its compass amidst treacherous waters.  Do we create value or anti-value? How are we living on a daily basis? From one moment to the next, are we proactive or reactive? Are we truly living the life of our dreams or living just to live? These questions continually channel through my entire being and I'd suggest for us all to ponder these questions of life. 

When we seek - we change. When we change and take a corrective stance towards every challenge we face and advance along a path of continual growth. Life is never at a stagnant point in space & time - it is either moving up the success curve or moving down the failure curve as famously said by the author of the Slide Edge, Jeff Olson . Let us all win in our individual lives and live a magnificent philosophy that not only adheres to our well-being but, the well-being & happiness of all humanity. 

[1170epoch]

...

Why is the macrocosm so remarkably obscure? What defines this moment? If time itself remains subjective – how do, we define ‘this moment’? Personally, I find the human mind akin to the cosmos – vastly unknown. Amidst the domain of daily reality, we hardly encounter ourselves asking the question of the mind. It is rather eccentric for one to relay questions about the mind without having a sense of where the deriving question originally arises from.

At the most fundamental level, we are largely in-deterministic, relational and perhaps more so, limited by our own capacity to see reality for what it truly is. Our perception is predominantly nurtured through cycles of evolution, but we principally lack the intuition to see beyond our human senses, and there’s much more to reality than triggered through our interactions with the environment. However, when one transcends past the event horizon into the realm of the unknown – herein lies the realm of faith. The realm of faith reaches deep into the consciousness past our senses and our understanding of reality in a purely sense driven approach. The more we learn, the less we know.

[1170epoch]

...

The subtle nature of the mind is truly hard to fathom, almost too great to comprehend. But, it is here that all phenomena exist - both the work of great good and great evil. In a moment reality conforms and subdues to our understanding of the external. From one moment to the next, our mind travels great distances and overshadows greater barriers still. All we have to come to understand, create and sustain has been due to this extraordinarily complex entity. The far and deep reaches of the cosmos, the unending depths of the vast sea should all remind us of the phenomena of our own mind. In coexistence we exist, close to the cosmos and at the depths of the mindful sea....

[1170epoch]

Currently reading ...

Last year, I made a determination to read 24 books (a book every two weeks). I was not able to achieve that goal (roughly 12+ books read in the last one year - lost count) but, this year I’m taking on a fresh start!

Now, in between work hours, Buddhist activities & life - how can one find time, you may ask? Having a Kindle has helped, however I’m trying to cultivate a habit to read during standby times - grocery lines, lunch hours, working out (listening), etc. I did receive a few free months of Audible last year, which went hand-in-hand with reading (audio books while driving & workouts). January (currently reading): The Reluctant Buddhist (50% - I’m not reluctant by any means, but this book has immensely helped me in understanding the author’s perspective) The Hidden Reality :  Parallel Universes & the Deep Law of the Cosmos (25% - fascinating read. Brian Greene puts into layman terms the vast complexity that surrounds us. It’s crucially important we understand how we came to be. If you’re into gravity, hidden dimensions, string theory, quantum fields, inflation - this book is right up your alley) The Miracle Morning - 1% in - came through as a recommendation from one of the blogs I follow. 

[1170epoch]

...

We are all intrinsically connected. For we suffer, we endure, we fall and then continue again. Your past says goodbye, your present is watching and your future awaits the grand arrival. There is no happiness in this world at the cost of someone else's suffering. I feel we are all at a pivotal point in the history of humanity. The world is suffering - I among others, will certainly not dismiss this as an understatement. At times, it may even seem like the sea of hope is slowly receding away from our nearby shores, and it may seem that our hearts are at the brink of falling into deeper despair. But, we have to continue polishing our lives and, help others polish their lives too. No matter what the circumstance, no matter how dark the world may seem on the outside, the light within our hearts will shine all the three existences. The light within your heart will shine forth and illuminate the hearts of all those who surround you. At times, you may feel like giving up but, endure timelessly - forging ahead with the spirit of a lion king. We are continuous in this cycle of life and death. We are continually fighting the grand battle between good and evil and have been, since time without beginning.

We need humanity today more than ever before. We need compassion today more than ever before. Life is eternal. Our dreams should be too. Your dreams are true to you and no less truer than anyone else's. Learn from your mistakes, learn from your past, but most of all learn from yourself. The darker the night, the closer we are to the refreshing dawn. And, the further we move towards the light of the eternal sun - the Buddhism of the Sun.

Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo

[1170epoch]

...Life...

Life is eternal. When we look back into our past, it shadows on us like a distant dream. What’s holding you back to live life to its true potential today? At times, we can’t let go and at other times, we can’t let in. Amongst the three existences, we can only live in the present - both our past and our future lay out of reach. We can only hope and do our best and learn from our mistakes.

Buddhism teaches that life is eternal. From Wisdom of the Lotus Sutra Vol 4, Suda writes, “Dying and living are opposites; they were like the two sides of a coin. If you cannot clearly articulate the significance of your own life and existence, you cannot tell another person, ‘You must not die’”.  The opposites sides of a coin. Life is indeed like a dream - from one moment to the next, we endure and encounter different phases of it. What are we waking up to every single day? What are you waking up to? What is your purpose? Sensei in the same volume writes that everything in life is uncertain, impermanent. But, death is certain for every single being. No matter how much we evade the question of death or the thought of it, death is certain for all of us. For one who is born, must some day pass. It is the unchanging law of the Universe. What arises must eventually decay. All things have a time and purpose. 

Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo

[1170epoch]

Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo

Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo is a vibration. Everything around us in flux - nothing is unchanging. From the microcosmic scale - an atom, to the macro cosmic scale - the Universe, is in some or other type of cycle. Our bodies go through cycles, and what arises must eventually decay. Nothing is independent - all entities are interdependent as nothing exists in isolation.  So, when we use our voice - the vibration of our voice is reaching throughout the Universe. We are making a great cause and the effect is the manifestation of our innate Buddhahood. Three realms need to be in harmony for happiness and everlasting peace:  Body and mind (the realm of five components) - an inner harmony resonates in the outer realm. When we become happy, we transmute happiness into our immediate environment.  

Social environment (the realm of human beings) - harmony is essential in society for a peaceful life. We cannot possibly live in harmony when everything around us is falling part. The collective karma - what is our shared intent? When a group intends to “kill” - who is to blame, the group or the individual who decides to join? As such, a harmonious society is a necessity towards our own tranquility - again due to our interconnectedness. 

Natural environment (realm of the environment) - to live in accordance with nature, respecting it while acknowledging it’s presence that permeates within the depths of our lives. We cannot live in an unbalanced state with nature. From trees, plants, sentient and insentient beings - everything encompasses Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo and as such, we are also able to change our natural environment with strong daimoku because we are harmonizing our lives it. Nichiren wrote, “If you light a lamp for another, your own way will be lit.” By chanting we are able to harmonize these three realms and completely transform it. One by one - person by person - we can achieve a great human revolution - synonymous to lighting one candle after the other, continuing in faith. World peace can never be achieved without unity. Therefore, it’s as much of an illusion to think that we can achieve happiness while others live in misery. It is as much of an illusion to think that society and nature do not need balance, and only inner balance is necessary for happiness. Our daimoku permeates the three existences and as more bodhisattvas emerge, we grow stronger in harmonizing these three realms of existence. As unity grows and we walk the path of mentor & disciple - we move humanity towards lasting eternal peace (kosen-rufu). 

[1170epoch]

... Buddhism of the Sun..

Our prayer determines everything. The state of our inner life is reflected wholly within our immediate environment. Your strongest determinations manifest themselves into actual proof. As bodhisattvas emerge, they transform the land. The most important aspect of your prayer stands alongside your determination. You will be able to achieve absolutely anything without fail. It is only a matter of when as there is no such thing such as failure until one acknowledges it. 

What is the ultimate goal of our practice? Why practice Buddhism?

To avoid all schisms. Instead of competition, we need collaboration and equality amongst all sentient beings. We share this planet, yet have sadly developed to be selfish. We have failed to see the interdependence of all entities and continue to abuse the resources nature provides us with. In deluding ourselves with differences, we instead rely on them to make us unique. Every individual is unique beyond reason. Never diminish the jewel in your heart. Let us never diminish the value of life. 

We cannot armor ourselves within the world of greed, and let nature go otherwise. The same balance that humanity has survived and relied upon, will one day lead to our extinction if we do not respect nature’s equilibrium.

Our lives are wholly dependent upon our environment. Let’s never forget that - we need this planet but, the planet does not need us. Sensei says, “The true way of life of a Buddhist is to be aware of the principles of dependent origination that unifies all human beings.” Under the sun of Nichiren Buddhism, I hope that we are all able to unite as one and help humanity reach a new level of understanding. 

One person’s happiness should not be won at the expense of another’s. - Daisaku Ikeda

[1170epoch]

[1170epoch]

...

“Personality is what gets you in the door. Character is what keeps you there. Character is what you do when no one's looking” - these words were expressed by the guest speaker at our commencement last week. It hit me hard. We live during a pivotal time in the history of mankind, a time of technological revolution. Technology has not only changed the way we live but how we communicate and respond to events. Our bookstore shelves are filled with personality developmental books, self-help books. Media channels constantly bombard us with “3 weeks” arrangements to change the way we live life. However, it is vital that we address the root of the problem than the outside coating that seldom discusses character.

The underlying problem does not simply fade away with time. It only becomes harder as we age to develop a strong character, so the sooner we start, the sooner we are able to sculpt it. Personally, I've found that with Buddhism, specifically Nichiren Buddhism which is based on the Lotus Sutra. Developing a strong character is a gradual process and does not happen overnight. Small decisions add up to the bigger picture, and through small decisions, we implicitly also develop our bigger decisions. Most importantly, we need to be aware of our actions, the causes we make every single day. When we realize the causality of our decisions, we awaken to the fundamental law of the Universe -  the law that permeates through space and time, through life. Character develops from the heart. Character develops when we realize that the Buddha resides within us, within you. I'd like to think of character as being synonymous with habit. When you repeatedly exercise your willingness to be a better human being, to live in harmony with others and to respect the dignity of life – that willingness will invariably manifest in your environment.

We are not perfect, and perhaps we will never be. But, we must persevere to become the best of our abilities. When we change for the better, we change our environment alongside us. The oneness of life and environment, young bodhisattvas – let us all awaken to our Buddha nature.

[1170epoch]

... Buddhahood

We cannot be truly happy when others are miserable. How can we be an island of happiness within an ocean of misery? 

Let us briefly delve into the four noble truths: 1) all existence within the Saha world, the world in which we live at present, is marked by suffering 2) suffering is caused by craving – sometimes represented as a burning fire. A fire that only heightens due to our insatiable nature. 3) By doing away with craving one can gain release from suffering. When the Buddha touches mother Earth to bear witness against Mara, water springs forward. Nibbana (blowing out, extinguishing the flame) is seen as a state of peace and enlightenment. 4) the eightfold path – right views, right thinking, right speech, right action, right way of life, right endeavor, right mindfulness and right meditation

Bodhisattva – out of compassion postpone their entry into Buddhahood and remain within the Saha world to alleviate the sufferings of others. We are all on the Bodhisattva path, regardless of who we are and where we dwell at this very present moment. Silence. Emptiness or sunyata is an integral part of Mahayana Buddhism. The rise and cessation of distinctions are all due to the non-dualistic viewpoint that one possesses. What is really inherent in this world that is at any given point at flux? From one moment to the next, what has changed? Everything.

Life is a miracle. The vast Unknown, the nature of the Universe, the cosmos are all miracles. This present moment (three thousand realms in a single moment of life) is a miracle. We do not have to seek further to find miracles in life. We are made up of 37.2 trillion cells, as recently suggested through research. A staggering number, indeed… Inconceivable even. This physical manifestation of ours is a miracle. My point is, we do not have to seek further into the Unknown in order to realize miracles, when miracles lie right here before us, within us.

Buddha was an ordinary being. What is the difference between an ordinary person and a Buddha? Ignorance. A Buddha is one who sees the truth as it is (true aspect). Our self is an integral part of our identity, an integral truth to our nature. The self-raises our egocentric view, one that is identical to our very existence within this Saha world. To raise compassion, one needs to annihilate the egocentric view. In the realm of non-dualism, are we all not the same? Do we all not experience the same sufferings of birth, aging, sickness and death? The mind gives definition to distinctions, and distinctions give way to segregation. Are we all not subject to the three poisons of anger, greed and foolishness? When one experiences anger, where is the anger directed towards? For a moment, imagine complete darkness. In the dark, where or who is your anger directed towards when darkness annihilates all physical distinctions? When your perception ceases to realize the visible spectrum, where is the anger? 

Be an empty cup. The greatest learning comes when we realize that we know nothing. Everything then presents a lesson to be learned. Every person you encounter has the Buddha nature. Where does the Buddha reside? Within you. When asked, Buddha said he was the one who “woke up”. So, wake up my fellow Bodhisattvas and tap into your own Buddhahood. We can all look into the distant stars and marvel at its magnificent beauty. But, it is also equally important and perhaps more importantly so, that we look within and marvel at the beauty that lies within us.

[1170epoch]

....One step at a time.

So, I recently came upon this book called the 30 Lessons for Living by Karl Pillemer. Karl over the course of several years interviewed more than one thousand Americans over the age of sixty-five to seek their counsel on all big issues in life. I’m almost (90 percent) done with the book, as it’s quite a short read. I’d highly recommend reading it if you get a chance.

Today, I’d like to shortly discuss a chapter from the book - Unlocking the Mysteries of Life & Death by Daisaku Ikeda. The title of the chapter is Life’s Unlimited Potential. A short excerpt, “Our worldview is shaped by our consciousness of self. Perceiving that the universe is divided into self and other – internal and external – arises from our consciousness of self. This consciousness likewise gives rise to other dualities: for example – the duality of mind and body, in which we regard the mind as the true self whereas the body somehow is not; the duality of the material and the spiritual; the duality of humankind and nature.”

Non-dualistic concepts are heavily ingrained in Mahayana Buddhism. Buddha remains silent on the question of duality and this short passage will illustrate why non-dualism was thoroughly studied and applied within Mahayana thought:

----------------------------------

Then Vacchagotta, the wandering ascetic, approached the Blessed One, greeted him courteously, sat down to one side, and said, “Well, now, good Gotama, is there a Self?”

The Blessed One remained silent.

“Well, then, good Gotama, is there not a Self?”

Once again, the Blessed One remained silent and the wandering Vacchagotta got up and went away. Soon thereafter, the Venerable Ananda said to the Blessed One: “Master, why did you not respond to the wandering ascetic Vacchagotta’s question?”

“Ananda, if in response to Vacchagotta’s first question I asserted that there is a Self, that would be associating myself with the renouncers and brahmins who are eternalists. But, Ananda, if in response to his second question I asserted that there is no Self, that would be associating with the renouncers and brahmins who are annihilationists.”

“Or again, Ananda, if in response to the wandering ascetic Vacchagotta’s first question I asserted that there is a Self, would that be in accord with the knowledge that all elements of reality are without Self?”

“No, it would not be Master.”

“But, Ananda, if in response to Vacchagotta’s second question I asserted that there is no Self, the confused Vacchagotta would have been even more confused, saying, “Formerly, I had a Self, but now it does not exist. “”

------------------------------------

Source: Translated from the Pali Samyutta-Nikaya [ The Collection of Connected Discourses]

Buddha denies the dualistic nature by essentially remaining silent on both matters of self and no-self. Even though no-self accords with his teachings, he remains silent because in the mind of his interlocutor, if the notion of self is denied, then there must be a self to begin with, and how can one deny something that never existed?

Now, having said that, let’s turn to the first quotation which talks about the duality of humankind and nature. This separation of humankind and nature, has led to many disturbances and imbalances over the years, would you not agree? From the perspective of Buddhism, we are one with the environment. We may view ourselves as separate entities, but how separate are we really? To respect the dignity of life, to respect humankind, is to respect nature as well. And, we must begin this paradigm shift by dismissing the view that we are separate from our roots – nature. Our bodhisattva practice must develop from within the depths of our heart, for all humankind including our immediate environment which is inherently one with us.. An egocentric stance originates when we only seek our desires and needs, without consideration of others. Every moment is precious. Every single day is a gift (one of the lessons from - 30 lessons for living). Research has shown that happiness is a choice, and an “if” condition for seeking happiness never yields any positive result, at least in the long run. This may also be referred to as relative happiness – a short burst of happiness that you may experience due to a materialistic or some other type of gain. But, we must seek out absolute happiness. A life state that towers above all obstacles. We are not able to see ten years ahead, so we must learn from our elders who have already experienced and learned through many obstacles, some of which we have yet to experience (such as a the passing away of loved ones as we age).. read the book :)

The law of cause and effect is absolute, therefore, it is paramount that we make good causes. I’m certain you are making tremendous changes within your own life, and the lives of all those you encounter. Stay smiling. 

[thecalminside]

A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes.

Mark Twain 

Let your past be and vow to speak the truth and be honest from this moment. To live well is to accept yourself completely and lies can never be fully accepted from the heart. Stay blessed bodhisattvas !

[1170epoch]

THE LIVING BUDDHA

The Living Buddha by Daisaku Ikeda Shakyamuni's Enlightenment

Thus, after many years of practicing austerities and after struggling with and overcoming Mara and his armies, Shakyamuni attained enlightenment. He was either thirty or thirty-five at the time he attained enlightenment, depending upon which account one accepts regarding the age at which he entered the religious life and the number of years he pursued it. Scriptures refer to his enlightenment by the Sanskrit term anuttara-samyak-sambodhi, which means "supreme perfect enlightenment," the kind that can perceive the true nature of all the manifold phenomena of existence. But what exactly was this unsurpassed wisdom? What was the essential nature of the world that Shakyamuni perceived that night under the bodhi tree in Buddha-gaya?

The scriptures give various accounts of the content of Shakyamuni's enlightenment, but as we study each of these in turn, we are left in some confusion as to its exact nature. According to the Agama sutras, that enlightenment unfolded in three stages corresponding to the three watches of the night, and reached the stage of supreme perfect enlightenment during the third watch.

The Law of Causation

Having seen how living beings are destined to be constantly reborn in the worlds of the past, present, and future, Shakyamuni entered the final stage of his enlightenment in the third watch of the night. He apprehended the ultimate truth about life and the world, and thereby completed the process of becoming a Buddha. But what exactly was this final truth? The scriptures are in general agreement in their accounts concerning the first and second watches, but they differ considerably as to what Shakyamuni realized during the third watch. One scripture says that it was the twelve-linked chain of causation, while other sources identify it as the four noble truths or simply declare that he "attained sublime serenity and peace beyond old age, disease, death, anxiety, and defilements." Thus there is disagreement even among scholars concerning the nature of this last stage of enlightenment, though the general opinion seems to be that it concerned the law of causation.

The concept of causation, known in Sanskrit as pratitya-samutpada, or dependent origination," explains the fundamental process whereby all phenomena in the universe (including sentient beings) come into being as a result of causes. All things in the universe are subject to this law of cause and effect, and consequently nothing can exist independently of other things or arise of its own accord. For this reason, the theory of causation is often explained as either dependent origination or conditioned co-arising. This web of causation that binds all things is temporal as well as spatial, so that not only are all things in existence at the present moment dependent upon one another but all things existing in the past and future as well.

Scriptural accounts of the enlightenment of Shakyamuni contain the twelve-linked chain of causation, and followers of Theravada Buddhism seem to accept this formula as descriptive of Shakyamuni's insight concerning the law of causation. This may, however, be an oversimplification. Shakyamuni had set out upon the religious life in an effort to find a solution to the problems posed by birth, old age, sickness, and death. The concept of dependent origination that came to him at the moment of his enlightenment represents a universal law capable of solving those problems, but it is a law that is extremely profound in content and subtle in structure, and hence very difficult to explain in simple language. To provide something that would be easier for ordinary people to comprehend, he devised the formula known as the twelve-linked chain of causation.

The formula begins with the question, Why is man afflicted with old age and death? The twelve links in the chain, presented here in reverse order, proceed as follows: (12) Aging and dying are caused by birth, for without birth there would be no death. Then follows the question, How does birth arise? (11) Birth is caused by existence; (10) existence in turn is caused by attachment; (9) attachment is caused by desire; (8) desire is caused by sensation; (7) sensation is caused by contact; (6) contact is caused by the six sense organs; (5) the six sense organs are caused by name and form; (4) name and form are caused by consciousness; (3) consciousness is caused by karma; (2) and karma is caused by ignorance. (1) Ignorance is thus the ultimate link in the chain, the source from which all pain and suffering arise. If only ignorance can be wiped out, the links in the chain of causation will be broken one by one until aging and dying cease to exist. This is what Shakyamuni is saying.

I am inclined to take this formula as not much more than an expedient for preaching the truth that ignorance hinders man from achieving happiness. As a matter of fact, I do not believe that this doctrine, at least as it is expressed in this formula, represents the essence of the ultimate truth that Shakyamuni realized at the foot of the bodhi tree. That ultimate reality grasped by Shakyamuni can be better described, in my opinion, as the Law of Life, the world as it exists in a state of constant change.

When we look dispassionately at the great universe around us, we find that what at first glance appears to be a vast stillness is in fact constantly throbbing with creation and change. The same is true of human beings: they age, die, are reborn, and die again. Nothing, either in the world of nature or that of human society, knows a moment of stagnation or rest. All things in the universe are in flux, arising and ceasing, appearing and disappearing, caught in an unending cycle of change that is conditioned by the law of causation at work both temporally and spatially. Such is the nature of ultimate reality. My conviction is that Shakyamuni's enlightenment was a cry of wonder at the mysterious entity called life, whose myriad manifestations are joined to and dependent upon one another through the links of cause and effect . . .

Having attained enlightenment, he himself was free of the ignorance that blinded other men and could live in accordance with the true Law of Life. What joy he must have felt!

[1170epoch]

... Be the change...

Unjustified killings. Violence. In the name of religion, thousands of lives vanish in an instant. Hatred. People fighting for their “place” within this world.

This is the age of the Decline of the Dharma (Latter Day), so are you surprised? What must be the life state of one who desire to harm others? Are you surprised that families are left mourning for years, brothers and sisters are in tears, and the collective karma of the entire nation/planet is plummeting to the depths?

Everything is in flux, including our karma. Karma is created through thoughts, words and actions. It is latent and manifesting at the same time. Karma is deeply enriched within our lives, and our conditioned mind is not simply able to grasp the profoundness of the unconditioned.

During the three watches, the Thus Come One reaches the Unconditioned, the deathless.

Niji seson. Ju sanmai. Anjo ni ki. Go shari-hotsu. Sho-but chi-e. Jinjin muryo. Go chi-e mon. Nange nannyu. Issai shomon. Hyaki-shi-butsu. Sho fu no chi. 

“At that time world-honored one calmly arose from his samadhi and addressed Shariputra, saying: “The wisdom of the buddhas is infinitely profound and immeasurable. The door to this wisdom is difficult to understand and difficult to enter. Not one of the voice-hearers or pratyekabuddhas is able to comprehend it.”

The Buddha at this time explains to his foremost disciple Shariputra the unconditioned state. The above precept is taken from the very beginning of Chapter 2 of the Lotus Sutra, “Expedient Means”.  All negative consequences arise within the conditioned mind. Our perception comes as a result of our karma, and when fallacious can have devastating results. We are the result of the three existences – past, present and future. The Gohonzon is within our life. Faith is the practice for oneself and others while steadfastly believing in the Buddha nature of all those who we encounter.

The law of causality is absolute. When people understand the treasure within their own lives and the lives of all others, they will never slander or make others suffer. The sufferings of others develop into your own suffering (such was the compassion of the Buddha, who was able to comprehend the sufferings of all) We are ALL (yes, each and every one of us) on the bodhisattva path (One Vehicle). This is the greatest difference from Mainstream Buddhism (out of the 18 schools, only Theravada remains), as only arhats are able to achieve complete enlightenment through taking refuge in the three jewels. However, in the Parable of the Burning House, the Thus Come One explains the significance of the One Vehicle. I’d urge you to read the Burning House Parable from the Lotus Sutra, as we have reached a day and age where compassion for others is not just an option, but a necessity.  

When you take a vow to serve others and strengthen the pillars of society, the entire environment will echo your magnanimous effort towards peace and prosperity. At the hours end, our paths may have changed, but our destination remains the same. Strive forward my dearest bodhisattvas ..  

[1170epoch]

... Each day. .

I received this month’s Living Buddhism a short while ago. President Ikeda writes, “Today will never come again, so each day must be treasured, lived mindfully, with complete commitment. Each meeting may be my last encounter with that person. That’s why I’m determined to give my all to encouraging the person right in front of me and to treasure each individual to the utmost.”

Now is the moment. Now is the time. I know we have all heard this time and time again, but why then do most of us wait for the right moment? Each moment encompasses the entirety of space and time. Among the three treasure towers, the treasures of our heart are the most important. Take action towards what you seek the most, and never wait for the right moment to come along. President Ikeda further writes, “To live each day bravely with all one’s might - this honest, preserving way of life is the essence of our practice of human revolution. Nothing remains same for a single moment.”  Recently, I came upon this interesting idea of a “zero day”. I’ve vowed to never again have a zero day, and neither should you. What are your goals? Life will hand you with many options ( good and bad ), but with the choices we make, we are either moving towards our goals or away from it. A non-zero day is a day during which we actively (even if it’s a minuscule change) work towards our goal. One pushup? A single line for your upcoming book? Progress. Most of us focus on our end-goals but, it is easy to be overwhelmed. From the ground below, the top of the mountain will always look like an impossible feat, but as you make progress, the top will ever-so-slowly come closer to your reach. Fight to be your best young bodhisattvas!