Once upon a time, a very rich man was living in Benares, in northern India. He had a daughter who was one of the most beautiful women in the city. Her skin was as soft as rose petals, her complexion was like lotus blossoms, and her hair was as black as midnight. But unfortunately her beauty was only skin deep. For, on the inside, she was very cruel. She insulted her servants and even enjoyed beating them. She became known as the 'Wicked Lady'.
One day she went down to the river for her bath. While she bathed, her servant girls played and splashed in the water. Suddenly it became dark and a heavy rainstorm came upon them. Most of the attendants and guards ran away. The servant girls said to each other, "This would be a perfect time to get rid of the Wicked Lady once and for all! So they deserted her there, still bathing in midstream. The storm became more and more terrible as the sun set.
When the servant girls arrived home without the Wicked Lady, the rich man asked them, "Where is my precious daughter?" They replied, "We saw her coming out of the river, but since then we haven't seen her. We don't know where she went." The rich man sent out relatives to search for her, but she was nowhere to be found. Meanwhile the Wicked Lady had been swept downstream by the ferocious flooded river.
There just so happened to be a holy man living in the forest next to the river. In this peaceful area he had been meditating for a long time, until he had come to enjoy the inner happiness of a high mental state. Because of this happiness, he was quite sure he had left the ordinary desires of the world behind.
At about midnight the Wicked Lady was carried past the holy man's hut by the raging river. She was crying out and screaming for help. When he heard her, the holy man realised a woman was in danger. So he took a torch down to the river and saw her being swept along. He dived in and saved her. He comforted her, saying, "Don't worry, I'll look after you."
He carried her into his hut and made a fire to dry her off and warm her up. He gave her fruits to eat. When she had eaten her fill, he asked, "Where do you live? How did you fall in the river?" She told him about the storm and how her servants deserted her. He took pity on her and let her sleep in his hut for the next couple of nights. He himself slept under the stars.
When she had recovered her strength, he told her it was time to return home. But she knew that he was the type of holy man who promised never to live with a woman, as husband and wife. That was why he had slept outside while she slept in the hut.
Just to prove her own power and superiority over him, she decided to seduce him into breaking his religious promise. She refused to leave until she had tricked him into falling in love with her.
The Wicked Lady used the poses and tricks and flatteries that women learn. The holy man was not yet strong enough to resist her tempting ways. After a few days she succeeded in seducing him into breaking his promise. They began living together in the quiet forest as if they were husband and wife. He lost the inner happiness he had gained by years of meditating.
But soon the Wicked Lady grew bored with forest life. She missed the noise and excitement of crowded city life. So she cooed and coaxed until she got her way, and they moved to a nearby village.
In the beginning, the holy man supported her by selling buttermilk. Later on, the villagers came and asked him for advice. They soon realised that listening to him brought good fortune. So they started calling him 'the Buttermilk Wise Man', and gave him a hut to live in.
Then one day a gang of bandits attacked the village. They robbed all the valuables and kidnapped some of the villagers, including the Wicked Lady. When they got to their forest hide-out they divided up the loot. When they began dividing up the prisoners, the bandit chief was attracted by the Wicked Lady's great beauty. So he took her for himself as a wife.
All the other prisoners were soon released. When they returned to the village, the Buttermilk Wise Man asked what happened to his wife. They told him she had been kept as wife by the bandit chief. He thought, "She will never be able to live without me. She will find a way to escape and come back to me." Deciding the village was now unlucky, all the others left it. But the Buttermilk Wise Man remained in his hut, convinced that his wife would return.
Lo and behold, the Wicked Lady enjoyed the exciting life of bandits. But she worried that her husband would come and take her back. She thought, "Then I would lose all my newfound luxuries. I would be safer if I got rid of him. Therefore, I will send him a letter, pretending to be deeply in love with him. Just as before I will use my power of seduction to cause his downfall. But this time he will meet his death, and I will remain the bandit queen!"
When the Buttermilk Wise Man received the letter he believed every word. He rushed into the forest and ran to the gang's hide-out. When he called out to her, the Wicked Lady came out and said, "Oh my lord and master, I'm so happy to see you. I can hardly wait to escape with you. But now is not a good time. The bandit chief could easily follow us and kill us both. So let us wait until nightfall." She took him inside, fed him, and hid him in a closet.
When the chief returned in the evening he was drunk. The Wicked Lady asked him, "My lord and chief, if you saw my former husband now, what would you do?" "I would beat him up and kick him from one side of the room to the other!" he bragged, "Where is he now?" "He is much closer than you think," she said, "In fact, he is right here in this closet!"
He opened the door and dragged out the Buttermilk Wise Man. He proceeded to beat him up and kick him around the room, just as he had boasted. His poor victim did not cry out. He only muttered -
"Ungrateful hater, Lying traitor."
That was all he said. It seemed he was finally learning a lesson - but so painfully!
Eventually the drunken bandit got tired of beating him. He tied him up, ate dinner, and passed out into drunken sleep.
The next morning, after sleeping off his drunkenness, the bandit chief woke up sober. He began beating and kicking his tied up victim again. Still the Buttermilk Wise Man did not cry out, but kept on muttering -
"Ungrateful hater, Lying traitor."
The bandit thought, "While I keep punishing this man, why does he keep saying the same thing over and over?" Seeing that his wife was still fast asleep, he asked him what he meant.
The Buttermilk Wise Man replied, "Listen and I will tell. I was a forest holy man, peacefully enjoying a high state of mind. One night I heard this woman crying out as she was being swept down river in a storm. I saved her life and brought her back to health. Meanwhile she seduced me and I lost all my inner calm and happiness. We went to live in a village and I led a very ordinary life. Then you kidnapped her. She sent me a letter saying she suffered living with you, and begged me to rescue her. So you see - she enticed me into this disaster. She put me at your mercy. That is why I say -
"Ungrateful hater, Lying traitor.'"
The bandit chief was not stupid. He thought, "This man was such a good provider, and yet she has put him in this plight. What would she be capable of doing to me? It would be better to finish her off!"
He untied the Buttermilk Wise Man and comforted him, saying, "Don't worry, I'll look after you." He awakened the Wicked Lady and said, "My darling, let us kill this man right next to his own village." He took them to the boundary of the deserted village. He told her to hold her former husband. Then he raised his mighty sword and came down with it. But at the last instant he sliced the Wicked Lady in half!
Even someone as wicked as this murderous bandit can change his ways. He began by nursing his former rival back to health. After a few days of rest he asked, "What are you going to do now?"
The wise man replied, "I don't want to live as householder anymore. I want to return to my old forest and meditate."
The bandit said, "I too would like to be ordained and learn to meditate in the forest." After giving up all his stolen goods, he went and lived in the forest with the Buttermilk Wise Man as his teacher. After much effort, they both attained a high state of inner happiness.
The moral is: Seduction can be dangerous to men and women both.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Do not harbor doubts in our hearts, we will as a matter of course attain Buddhahood
Although I and my disciples may encounter various difficulties, if we do not harbor doubts in our hearts, we will as a matter of course attain Buddhahood. Do not have doubts simply because heaven does not lend you protection. Do not be discouraged because you do not enjoy an easy and secure existence in this life. This is what I have taught my disciples morning and evening, and yet they begin to harbor doubts and abandon their faith. -Nichiren
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 20/7
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 20/7
The present and the future are what are important, not the past.
It's foolish to be obsessed with past failures. And it's just as foolish to be self-satisfied with one's small achievements. The present and the future are what are important, not the past. Those who neglect this spirit of continual striving will start to veer off in a ruinous direction.
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 19/7
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 19/7
Sunday, January 9, 2011
True friendship is the enduring bond that connects self-reliant individuals, comrades who share the same commitment, on a spiritual dimension.
People of conviction, who stand alone, who pursue their chosen path—not only are such people good and trustworthy friends themselves, but they can make genuine friends of others. The bamboo groves of autumn are gorgeous. Each bamboo tree stands independently, growing straight and tall toward the sky. Yet in the ground, out of sight, their roots are interconnected. In the same way, true friendship is not a relationship of dependence, but of independence. It is the enduring bond that connects self-reliant individuals, comrades who share the same commitment, on a spiritual dimension.
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 18/7
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 18/7
Shakyamuni Buddha taught us to strive to win happiness and peace, not outside but within ourselves
Human beings inherently possess the strength to overcome any hardship. Religions have traditionally taught the importance of such spiritual strength. This is Buddhism's point of origin. Shakyamuni Buddha taught us to strive to win happiness and peace, not outside but within ourselves.
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 17/7
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 17/7
What will the future be like?
What will the future be like? No one knows the answer to this question. All we know is that the effects that will appear in the future are contained in the causes made in the present. The important thing, therefore, is that we stand up and take action to achieve great objectives without allowing ourselves to be distracted or discouraged by immediate difficulties.
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 16/7
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 16/7
The Priest Who Gambled With a Life (Misguided Morality)
Once upon a time, there was a king who loved to gamble with his royal priest. When he threw the dice, he always recited this lucky charm:
"If tempted any woman will, for sure, give up her faithfulness and act impure."
Amazing as it may seem, by using this charm the king always won! Before long, the royal priest lost almost every penny he owned.
He thought, "I have lost almost all my wealth to the king. It must be because of his lucky charm. I need to find a way to break the spell and win back my money. I must find a pure woman who has never had anything to do with a man. Then I will lock her up in my mansion and force her to remain faithful to me!"
This seemed like a good plan to him. But then he started having doubts. He thought, "It would be nearly impossible to keep a woman pure after she had already become accustomed to men. Therefore I must find the purest woman possible - one who has never even seen a man!"
Just then he happened to see a poor woman passing by. She was pregnant. The royal priest was an expert in reading the meaning of marks on the body. So he could tell that the unborn baby was a girl. And the thought occurred to him, "Aha! Only an unborn baby girl has never seen a man!"
The royal priest was willing to do anything to beat the king at dice. So he paid the poor woman to stay in his house and have her baby there. When the wonderful little girl was born, the priest bought her from her mother. Then he made sure she was raised only by women. She never saw a man - except of course the royal priest himself. When she grew up, he still kept her completely under his control. It was just as if he owned the poor girl!
The cruel priest did all this only because of his gambling habit. While the girl was growing up, he had avoided playing dice with the king. Now that she was of age, and still his prisoner, he challenged the king to a game of dice once again.
The king agreed. After they had made their bets, the king shook the dice and repeated his favourite lucky charm:
"If tempted any woman will, for sure, give up her faithfulness and act impure."
But just before he threw down the dice, the priest added:
"Except my woman - faithful evermore!"
Lo and behold, the king's charm didn't work. He lost that bet, and from then on the priest won every throw of the dice.
The king was puzzled by this turn of events. After considering, he thought, "This priest must have a pure woman locked up at home, one who is forced to be faithful to him alone. That's why my lucky charm doesn't work anymore."
He investigated and discovered what the cruel priest had done. So he sent for a well-known playboy character. He asked him if he could cause the lady's downfall. He replied, "No problem, my lord!" The king paid him handsomely and told him to do the job quickly.
The man bought a supply of the finest perfumes and cosmetics. He set up a shop just outside the royal priest's mansion. This mansion was seven stories high, with seven entrance gates - one on each floor. Women guarded each gate, and no man except the priest was allowed to enter.
Only only one servant waited on the priest’s lady. She carried everything in and out, including perfumes and cosmetics. The priest gave her money for her purchases.
The playboy saw the servant going in and out of the priest's mansion. Soon he realised she was the one who could get him inside. So he devised a plan and hired some cronies to help him.
The next morning, when the serving lady went out to do her shopping, the playboy dramatically fell to the ground before her. Grabbing her knees he tearfully cried, "Oh my dear mother, it's so wonderful to see you again after such a long time!"
Then his cronies chimed in, "Yes, this must be she! She looks the same - her hands and feet and face and type of dress. Yes, this must be she!" They all kept saying how amazing it was that her looks had changed so little in all that time.
The poor woman must have had a long lost son, for soon she was convinced this must be he. She hugged the king's clever playboy, and both sobbed tears of joy over their miraculous reunion.
In between bouts of sobbing, the man was able to ask her, "Oh dear mother, where are you living now?" "I live next door," she said, "in the royal priest's mansion. Night and day I serve his young woman. Her beauty is without equal, like the mermaids sailors love to praise."
He asked, "Where are you going now, mother?" "I'm going shopping for her perfumes and cosmetics, my son." "There's no need, mother," he said, "from now on I will give you the best perfumes and cosmetics free of charge!" So he gave them to her, along with a bouquet of lovely flowers.
When the priest's lady saw all these, much better quality than usual, she asked why the priest was so happy with her. "No," said the serving woman, "these are not from the priest. I got them at my son's shop." From then on she got perfumes and cosmetics from the playboy's shop, and kept the priest's money.
After a while the playboy began the next part of his plan. He pretended to be sick and stayed in bed.
When the servant came to the shop she asked, "Where is my son?" She was told he was too sick to work, and was taken to see him. She began massaging his back and asked, "What happened to you, my son?" He replied, "Even if I were about to die, I couldn't tell you, my mother."
She continued, "If you can't tell me, whom can you tell?" Then, according to his plan, he broke down and admitted to her, "I was fine until you told me about your beautiful mistress - 'like the mermaids sailors love to praise'. Because of your description, I have fallen in love with her. I must have her. I can't live without her. I'm so depressed, without her I'll surely die!"
Then the woman said, "Don't worry, my son, leave it up to me." She took even more perfumes and cosmetics to the priest's lady. She said to her, "My lady, after my son heard from me about your beauty, he fell madly in love with you! I don't know what to do next!"
Since the priest was the only man she had ever seen, the lady was curious. And of course she resented being locked up by force. So she said, "If you sneak him into my room, it's all right with me!"
The woman guards at the seven gates searched everything the servant took in and out. So she had to have a plan. She swept up all the dust and dirt she could find in the whole mansion. Then she began taking some of it out each day in a large covered flower basket. Whenever she was searched, she made sure some of the dust and dirt got on the guard women's faces. This made them sneeze and cough. Pretty soon they stopped searching her when she went in and out.
Finally one day she hid the playboy in her covered flower basket. He was trim and fit, not heavy at all. She was able to sneak him past all seven guarded gates, and into the priest's lady's private chamber. The two lovers stayed together for several days and nights. So the playboy was able to destroy her perfect faithfulness, which had been forced on her by the cold-hearted priest.
Eventually she told him it was time to go. He said, "I will go. But first, since the old priest has been so mean to you, let me give him one good blow to the head!" She agreed and hid him in a closet. This too was part of his secret plan.
When the priest arrived, his lady said, "My lord and master, I'm so happy today! I'd like to dance while you play the guitar."
The priest said, "Of course, my beauty." "But I'm too shy to dance in front of you," she added, "so please wear this blindfold while I dance." Again he agreed to her request and she put a blindfold over his eyes.
The priest played a pretty tune on his complicated Indian guitar, while his lady danced. After a bit she said, "As part of my dance, won't you let me give you a tap on the head?" "As you wish, my dear," he said.
Then she motioned to the playboy, who came out of the closet, snuck up from behind, and hit the old priest on the head! His eyes nearly popped out, and a bump began rising from the blow. He cried out and the lady put her hand in his. He said, "Such a soft hand sure can deliver a wallop, my dear!"
The playboy returned to the closet. The lady removed the priest's blindfold and put some ointment on his bump. When he had left, the serving woman hid the playboy in her flower basket and smuggled him out of the mansion. He went immediately to the king and told him the whole story, in a very boastful way of course.
The next day the royal priest went to the palace as usual. The king said, "Shall we gamble on the throw of the dice?" The priest, expecting to win once more, agreed. Just as before, the king recited his lucky charm:
"If tempted any woman will, for sure, give up her faithfulness and act impure."
As usual the priest added:
"Except my woman - faithful evermore!"
But lo and behold the dice fell in the king's favour and he took the priest's money.
The king said, "Oh priest, your woman is no exception! True faithfulness cannot be forced! Your plan was to snatch a newborn baby girl, lock her up behind seven gates guarded by seven guards, and force her to be good. But you have failed. Any prisoner's greatest wish is freedom!
"She blindfolded you and then her playboy lover gave you that bump on your old bald head - which proves your gates and guards were useless!
The priest returned home and accused his lady. But in the meantime, she had come up with a plan of her own. She said, "No, my lord, I have been completely faithful to you. No man has ever touched me except you! And I will prove it in a trial by fire. I will walk on fire without being burned to prove I speak the truth."
She ordered the old servant woman to fetch her son, the playboy. She was to tell him to take the lady by the hand and prevent her from stepping in the flames. This the woman did.
On the day of the trial by fire, the priest's lady said to the crowd of onlookers, "I have never been touched by any man except this priest, my master. By this truth, may the fire have no power over me."
Then, just as she was about to step into the fire, the playboy leaped from the crowd and grabbed her hand. He shouted, "Stop! Stop! How can this priest be so cruel as to force this tender young lady into a raging fire!"
She shook her hand free and said to the priest, "My lord, since this man has touched my hand, the trial by fire is useless. But you can see my good intention!"
The priest realised he had been tricked. He beat her as he drove her away forever. At last she was free of him and mistress of her own fate.
The moral is: You can't force someone to be good.
"If tempted any woman will, for sure, give up her faithfulness and act impure."
Amazing as it may seem, by using this charm the king always won! Before long, the royal priest lost almost every penny he owned.
He thought, "I have lost almost all my wealth to the king. It must be because of his lucky charm. I need to find a way to break the spell and win back my money. I must find a pure woman who has never had anything to do with a man. Then I will lock her up in my mansion and force her to remain faithful to me!"
This seemed like a good plan to him. But then he started having doubts. He thought, "It would be nearly impossible to keep a woman pure after she had already become accustomed to men. Therefore I must find the purest woman possible - one who has never even seen a man!"
Just then he happened to see a poor woman passing by. She was pregnant. The royal priest was an expert in reading the meaning of marks on the body. So he could tell that the unborn baby was a girl. And the thought occurred to him, "Aha! Only an unborn baby girl has never seen a man!"
The royal priest was willing to do anything to beat the king at dice. So he paid the poor woman to stay in his house and have her baby there. When the wonderful little girl was born, the priest bought her from her mother. Then he made sure she was raised only by women. She never saw a man - except of course the royal priest himself. When she grew up, he still kept her completely under his control. It was just as if he owned the poor girl!
The cruel priest did all this only because of his gambling habit. While the girl was growing up, he had avoided playing dice with the king. Now that she was of age, and still his prisoner, he challenged the king to a game of dice once again.
The king agreed. After they had made their bets, the king shook the dice and repeated his favourite lucky charm:
"If tempted any woman will, for sure, give up her faithfulness and act impure."
But just before he threw down the dice, the priest added:
"Except my woman - faithful evermore!"
Lo and behold, the king's charm didn't work. He lost that bet, and from then on the priest won every throw of the dice.
The king was puzzled by this turn of events. After considering, he thought, "This priest must have a pure woman locked up at home, one who is forced to be faithful to him alone. That's why my lucky charm doesn't work anymore."
He investigated and discovered what the cruel priest had done. So he sent for a well-known playboy character. He asked him if he could cause the lady's downfall. He replied, "No problem, my lord!" The king paid him handsomely and told him to do the job quickly.
The man bought a supply of the finest perfumes and cosmetics. He set up a shop just outside the royal priest's mansion. This mansion was seven stories high, with seven entrance gates - one on each floor. Women guarded each gate, and no man except the priest was allowed to enter.
Only only one servant waited on the priest’s lady. She carried everything in and out, including perfumes and cosmetics. The priest gave her money for her purchases.
The playboy saw the servant going in and out of the priest's mansion. Soon he realised she was the one who could get him inside. So he devised a plan and hired some cronies to help him.
The next morning, when the serving lady went out to do her shopping, the playboy dramatically fell to the ground before her. Grabbing her knees he tearfully cried, "Oh my dear mother, it's so wonderful to see you again after such a long time!"
Then his cronies chimed in, "Yes, this must be she! She looks the same - her hands and feet and face and type of dress. Yes, this must be she!" They all kept saying how amazing it was that her looks had changed so little in all that time.
The poor woman must have had a long lost son, for soon she was convinced this must be he. She hugged the king's clever playboy, and both sobbed tears of joy over their miraculous reunion.
In between bouts of sobbing, the man was able to ask her, "Oh dear mother, where are you living now?" "I live next door," she said, "in the royal priest's mansion. Night and day I serve his young woman. Her beauty is without equal, like the mermaids sailors love to praise."
He asked, "Where are you going now, mother?" "I'm going shopping for her perfumes and cosmetics, my son." "There's no need, mother," he said, "from now on I will give you the best perfumes and cosmetics free of charge!" So he gave them to her, along with a bouquet of lovely flowers.
When the priest's lady saw all these, much better quality than usual, she asked why the priest was so happy with her. "No," said the serving woman, "these are not from the priest. I got them at my son's shop." From then on she got perfumes and cosmetics from the playboy's shop, and kept the priest's money.
After a while the playboy began the next part of his plan. He pretended to be sick and stayed in bed.
When the servant came to the shop she asked, "Where is my son?" She was told he was too sick to work, and was taken to see him. She began massaging his back and asked, "What happened to you, my son?" He replied, "Even if I were about to die, I couldn't tell you, my mother."
She continued, "If you can't tell me, whom can you tell?" Then, according to his plan, he broke down and admitted to her, "I was fine until you told me about your beautiful mistress - 'like the mermaids sailors love to praise'. Because of your description, I have fallen in love with her. I must have her. I can't live without her. I'm so depressed, without her I'll surely die!"
Then the woman said, "Don't worry, my son, leave it up to me." She took even more perfumes and cosmetics to the priest's lady. She said to her, "My lady, after my son heard from me about your beauty, he fell madly in love with you! I don't know what to do next!"
Since the priest was the only man she had ever seen, the lady was curious. And of course she resented being locked up by force. So she said, "If you sneak him into my room, it's all right with me!"
The woman guards at the seven gates searched everything the servant took in and out. So she had to have a plan. She swept up all the dust and dirt she could find in the whole mansion. Then she began taking some of it out each day in a large covered flower basket. Whenever she was searched, she made sure some of the dust and dirt got on the guard women's faces. This made them sneeze and cough. Pretty soon they stopped searching her when she went in and out.
Finally one day she hid the playboy in her covered flower basket. He was trim and fit, not heavy at all. She was able to sneak him past all seven guarded gates, and into the priest's lady's private chamber. The two lovers stayed together for several days and nights. So the playboy was able to destroy her perfect faithfulness, which had been forced on her by the cold-hearted priest.
Eventually she told him it was time to go. He said, "I will go. But first, since the old priest has been so mean to you, let me give him one good blow to the head!" She agreed and hid him in a closet. This too was part of his secret plan.
When the priest arrived, his lady said, "My lord and master, I'm so happy today! I'd like to dance while you play the guitar."
The priest said, "Of course, my beauty." "But I'm too shy to dance in front of you," she added, "so please wear this blindfold while I dance." Again he agreed to her request and she put a blindfold over his eyes.
The priest played a pretty tune on his complicated Indian guitar, while his lady danced. After a bit she said, "As part of my dance, won't you let me give you a tap on the head?" "As you wish, my dear," he said.
Then she motioned to the playboy, who came out of the closet, snuck up from behind, and hit the old priest on the head! His eyes nearly popped out, and a bump began rising from the blow. He cried out and the lady put her hand in his. He said, "Such a soft hand sure can deliver a wallop, my dear!"
The playboy returned to the closet. The lady removed the priest's blindfold and put some ointment on his bump. When he had left, the serving woman hid the playboy in her flower basket and smuggled him out of the mansion. He went immediately to the king and told him the whole story, in a very boastful way of course.
The next day the royal priest went to the palace as usual. The king said, "Shall we gamble on the throw of the dice?" The priest, expecting to win once more, agreed. Just as before, the king recited his lucky charm:
"If tempted any woman will, for sure, give up her faithfulness and act impure."
As usual the priest added:
"Except my woman - faithful evermore!"
But lo and behold the dice fell in the king's favour and he took the priest's money.
The king said, "Oh priest, your woman is no exception! True faithfulness cannot be forced! Your plan was to snatch a newborn baby girl, lock her up behind seven gates guarded by seven guards, and force her to be good. But you have failed. Any prisoner's greatest wish is freedom!
"She blindfolded you and then her playboy lover gave you that bump on your old bald head - which proves your gates and guards were useless!
The priest returned home and accused his lady. But in the meantime, she had come up with a plan of her own. She said, "No, my lord, I have been completely faithful to you. No man has ever touched me except you! And I will prove it in a trial by fire. I will walk on fire without being burned to prove I speak the truth."
She ordered the old servant woman to fetch her son, the playboy. She was to tell him to take the lady by the hand and prevent her from stepping in the flames. This the woman did.
On the day of the trial by fire, the priest's lady said to the crowd of onlookers, "I have never been touched by any man except this priest, my master. By this truth, may the fire have no power over me."
Then, just as she was about to step into the fire, the playboy leaped from the crowd and grabbed her hand. He shouted, "Stop! Stop! How can this priest be so cruel as to force this tender young lady into a raging fire!"
She shook her hand free and said to the priest, "My lord, since this man has touched my hand, the trial by fire is useless. But you can see my good intention!"
The priest realised he had been tricked. He beat her as he drove her away forever. At last she was free of him and mistress of her own fate.
The moral is: You can't force someone to be good.
What happens we fall in love or lost in love?
Daily life can seem all too drab and unexciting. Living itself can sometimes seem a strain, and few of us realistically expect what joy we feel to last forever. But when we fall in love, life seems filled with drama and excitement. We feel like the leading character in a novel. But, if you get lost in love just because you are bored, and consequently veer from the path you should be following, then love is nothing more than escapism.
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 15/7
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 15/7
When confronting the reality of death actually enables us to bring unlimited creativity, courage and joy into each instant of our lives
An awareness of death enables us to live each day each moment—filled with appreciation for the unique opportunity we have to create something of our time on Earth. I believe that in order to enjoy true happiness, we should live each moment as if it were our last. Today will never return. We may speak of the past or of the future, but the only reality we have is that of this present instant. And confronting the reality of death actually enables us to bring unlimited creativity, courage and joy into each instant of our lives.
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 14/7
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 14/7
To give up even before you've tried is actually arrogance and coward
People shouldn't hesitate to exert their all, in a way true to themselves. How can you possibly ever know how far or fast you can go if you've never run all-out? To give up even before you've tried is actually arrogance—an affront to the wondrous power of life within you and disrespectful to yourself. It is cowardly.
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 12/7
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 12/7
The person who has transformed the worst of fate into the best of fortune is life's champion.
No one can better bask in summer's balm than those who have endured winter's bite. Similarly, it is those who have suffered through life's darkest hours who are able to truly savor the bright dawn of happiness. The person who has transformed the worst of fate into the best of fortune is life's champion.
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 12/7
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 12/7
Saturday, January 8, 2011
What does Bodhisattva Never Disparaging's profound respect for people signify?
The heart of the Buddha's lifetime of teachings is the Lotus Sutra, and the heart of the practice of the Lotus Sutra is found in the "Never Disparaging" chapter. What does Bodhisattva Never Disparaging's profound respect for people signify? The purpose of the appearance in this world of Shakyamuni Buddha, the lord of teachings, lies in his behavior as a human being. -Nichiren
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 11/7
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 11/7
The key to winning in life.
People's hearts are growing more complex, more confused and harder to understand. The same is true for human institutions. The darkness of this complicated and disturbed age may grow even deeper. This is why there is an even greater need for the brilliant inner light of culture, for education that polishes people's wisdom and character. This is the key to winning in life.
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 10/7
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 10/7
When our viewpoint expands beyond the boundaries of our present existence to include the entire, eternal universe, we can live deeply fulfilling lives
When open and engaged, we are experiencing the greater self. When closed off, we are putting forth our "lesser self." The lesser self is a deluded condition, while the greater self is synonymous with the Buddha nature. To live for the greater self means to recognize the universal principle behind all things and, thus awakened, rise above the suffering caused by awareness of impermanence. A belief in something eternal is needed to enhance our quality of existence. By believing this lifetime is the be-all and end-all of existence, we will miss out on living a truly profound life. When our viewpoint expands beyond the boundaries of our present existence to include the entire, eternal universe, we can live deeply fulfilling lives.
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 9/7
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 9/7
Battling against life's negative functions is an indivisible part of Buddhism
Buddhism concerns itself with winning. When we battle a powerful enemy, either we will triumph or we will be defeated—there is no middle ground. Battling against life's negative functions is an indivisible part of Buddhism. It is by being victorious in this struggle that we become Buddhas. We have to win. Moreover, Buddhism ensures that we can definitely do so.
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 8/7
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 8/7
The good news is that, unlike fate, our karma can be changed by causes we make from this moment forward.
Buddhism, which is founded on the law of cause and effect, stresses the concept of karma. This principle explains that life at each moment is subject to the cumulative effects of causes made in the past. What we do, what we say and what we think are all causes. And according to Buddhism, the moment we do something, say something or think something, an effect is registered in the depths of our being. Then, as our lives meet the right circumstances, the effect becomes apparent. Personality traits are strongly connected to our karma. The good news is that, unlike fate, our karma can be changed by causes we make from this moment forward. In fact, the practice of Buddhism is essentially the practice of continually changing our karma.
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 7/7
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 7/7
Greet everything positively, weather all storms with a strong, resilient spirit, and emerge triumphant. That is the Buddhist way of life.
A strong opponent helps us develop and forge our own strength and ability. When you encounter some challenge, rejoice and say to yourself, "I have met a rare and worthy adversary!" Greet everything positively, weather all storms with a strong, resilient spirit, and emerge triumphant. That is the Buddhist way of life.
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 6/7
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 6/7
The Priest Who Gambled With a Life (Misguided Morality)
Once upon a time, there was a king who loved to gamble with his royal priest. When he threw the dice, he always recited this lucky charm:
"If tempted any woman will, for sure, give up her faithfulness and act impure."
Amazing as it may seem, by using this charm the king always won! Before long, the royal priest lost almost every penny he owned.
He thought, "I have lost almost all my wealth to the king. It must be because of his lucky charm. I need to find a way to break the spell and win back my money. I must find a pure woman who has never had anything to do with a man. Then I will lock her up in my mansion and force her to remain faithful to me!"
This seemed like a good plan to him. But then he started having doubts. He thought, "It would be nearly impossible to keep a woman pure after she had already become accustomed to men. Therefore I must find the purest woman possible - one who has never even seen a man!"
Just then he happened to see a poor woman passing by. She was pregnant. The royal priest was an expert in reading the meaning of marks on the body. So he could tell that the unborn baby was a girl. And the thought occurred to him, "Aha! Only an unborn baby girl has never seen a man!"
The royal priest was willing to do anything to beat the king at dice. So he paid the poor woman to stay in his house and have her baby there. When the wonderful little girl was born, the priest bought her from her mother. Then he made sure she was raised only by women. She never saw a man - except of course the royal priest himself. When she grew up, he still kept her completely under his control. It was just as if he owned the poor girl!
The cruel priest did all this only because of his gambling habit. While the girl was growing up, he had avoided playing dice with the king. Now that she was of age, and still his prisoner, he challenged the king to a game of dice once again.
The king agreed. After they had made their bets, the king shook the dice and repeated his favourite lucky charm:
"If tempted any woman will, for sure, give up her faithfulness and act impure."
But just before he threw down the dice, the priest added:
"Except my woman - faithful evermore!"
Lo and behold, the king's charm didn't work. He lost that bet, and from then on the priest won every throw of the dice.
The king was puzzled by this turn of events. After considering, he thought, "This priest must have a pure woman locked up at home, one who is forced to be faithful to him alone. That's why my lucky charm doesn't work anymore."
He investigated and discovered what the cruel priest had done. So he sent for a well-known playboy character. He asked him if he could cause the lady's downfall. He replied, "No problem, my lord!" The king paid him handsomely and told him to do the job quickly.
The man bought a supply of the finest perfumes and cosmetics. He set up a shop just outside the royal priest's mansion. This mansion was seven stories high, with seven entrance gates - one on each floor. Women guarded each gate, and no man except the priest was allowed to enter.
Only only one servant waited on the priest’s lady. She carried everything in and out, including perfumes and cosmetics. The priest gave her money for her purchases.
The playboy saw the servant going in and out of the priest's mansion. Soon he realised she was the one who could get him inside. So he devised a plan and hired some cronies to help him.
The next morning, when the serving lady went out to do her shopping, the playboy dramatically fell to the ground before her. Grabbing her knees he tearfully cried, "Oh my dear mother, it's so wonderful to see you again after such a long time!"
Then his cronies chimed in, "Yes, this must be she! She looks the same - her hands and feet and face and type of dress. Yes, this must be she!" They all kept saying how amazing it was that her looks had changed so little in all that time.
The poor woman must have had a long lost son, for soon she was convinced this must be he. She hugged the king's clever playboy, and both sobbed tears of joy over their miraculous reunion.
In between bouts of sobbing, the man was able to ask her, "Oh dear mother, where are you living now?" "I live next door," she said, "in the royal priest's mansion. Night and day I serve his young woman. Her beauty is without equal, like the mermaids sailors love to praise."
He asked, "Where are you going now, mother?" "I'm going shopping for her perfumes and cosmetics, my son." "There's no need, mother," he said, "from now on I will give you the best perfumes and cosmetics free of charge!" So he gave them to her, along with a bouquet of lovely flowers.
When the priest's lady saw all these, much better quality than usual, she asked why the priest was so happy with her. "No," said the serving woman, "these are not from the priest. I got them at my son's shop." From then on she got perfumes and cosmetics from the playboy's shop, and kept the priest's money.
After a while the playboy began the next part of his plan. He pretended to be sick and stayed in bed.
When the servant came to the shop she asked, "Where is my son?" She was told he was too sick to work, and was taken to see him. She began massaging his back and asked, "What happened to you, my son?" He replied, "Even if I were about to die, I couldn't tell you, my mother."
She continued, "If you can't tell me, whom can you tell?" Then, according to his plan, he broke down and admitted to her, "I was fine until you told me about your beautiful mistress - 'like the mermaids sailors love to praise'. Because of your description, I have fallen in love with her. I must have her. I can't live without her. I'm so depressed, without her I'll surely die!"
Then the woman said, "Don't worry, my son, leave it up to me." She took even more perfumes and cosmetics to the priest's lady. She said to her, "My lady, after my son heard from me about your beauty, he fell madly in love with you! I don't know what to do next!"
Since the priest was the only man she had ever seen, the lady was curious. And of course she resented being locked up by force. So she said, "If you sneak him into my room, it's all right with me!"
The woman guards at the seven gates searched everything the servant took in and out. So she had to have a plan. She swept up all the dust and dirt she could find in the whole mansion. Then she began taking some of it out each day in a large covered flower basket. Whenever she was searched, she made sure some of the dust and dirt got on the guard women's faces. This made them sneeze and cough. Pretty soon they stopped searching her when she went in and out.
Finally one day she hid the playboy in her covered flower basket. He was trim and fit, not heavy at all. She was able to sneak him past all seven guarded gates, and into the priest's lady's private chamber. The two lovers stayed together for several days and nights. So the playboy was able to destroy her perfect faithfulness, which had been forced on her by the cold-hearted priest.
Eventually she told him it was time to go. He said, "I will go. But first, since the old priest has been so mean to you, let me give him one good blow to the head!" She agreed and hid him in a closet. This too was part of his secret plan.
When the priest arrived, his lady said, "My lord and master, I'm so happy today! I'd like to dance while you play the guitar."
The priest said, "Of course, my beauty." "But I'm too shy to dance in front of you," she added, "so please wear this blindfold while I dance." Again he agreed to her request and she put a blindfold over his eyes.
The priest played a pretty tune on his complicated Indian guitar, while his lady danced. After a bit she said, "As part of my dance, won't you let me give you a tap on the head?" "As you wish, my dear," he said.
Then she motioned to the playboy, who came out of the closet, snuck up from behind, and hit the old priest on the head! His eyes nearly popped out, and a bump began rising from the blow. He cried out and the lady put her hand in his. He said, "Such a soft hand sure can deliver a wallop, my dear!"
The playboy returned to the closet. The lady removed the priest's blindfold and put some ointment on his bump. When he had left, the serving woman hid the playboy in her flower basket and smuggled him out of the mansion. He went immediately to the king and told him the whole story, in a very boastful way of course.
The next day the royal priest went to the palace as usual. The king said, "Shall we gamble on the throw of the dice?" The priest, expecting to win once more, agreed. Just as before, the king recited his lucky charm:
"If tempted any woman will, for sure, give up her faithfulness and act impure."
As usual the priest added:
"Except my woman - faithful evermore!"
But lo and behold the dice fell in the king's favour and he took the priest's money.
The king said, "Oh priest, your woman is no exception! True faithfulness cannot be forced! Your plan was to snatch a newborn baby girl, lock her up behind seven gates guarded by seven guards, and force her to be good. But you have failed. Any prisoner's greatest wish is freedom!
"She blindfolded you and then her playboy lover gave you that bump on your old bald head - which proves your gates and guards were useless!
The priest returned home and accused his lady. But in the meantime, she had come up with a plan of her own. She said, "No, my lord, I have been completely faithful to you. No man has ever touched me except you! And I will prove it in a trial by fire. I will walk on fire without being burned to prove I speak the truth."
She ordered the old servant woman to fetch her son, the playboy. She was to tell him to take the lady by the hand and prevent her from stepping in the flames. This the woman did.
On the day of the trial by fire, the priest's lady said to the crowd of onlookers, "I have never been touched by any man except this priest, my master. By this truth, may the fire have no power over me."
Then, just as she was about to step into the fire, the playboy leaped from the crowd and grabbed her hand. He shouted, "Stop! Stop! How can this priest be so cruel as to force this tender young lady into a raging fire!"
She shook her hand free and said to the priest, "My lord, since this man has touched my hand, the trial by fire is useless. But you can see my good intention!"
The priest realised he had been tricked. He beat her as he drove her away forever. At last she was free of him and mistress of her own fate.
The moral is: You can't force someone to be good.
"If tempted any woman will, for sure, give up her faithfulness and act impure."
Amazing as it may seem, by using this charm the king always won! Before long, the royal priest lost almost every penny he owned.
He thought, "I have lost almost all my wealth to the king. It must be because of his lucky charm. I need to find a way to break the spell and win back my money. I must find a pure woman who has never had anything to do with a man. Then I will lock her up in my mansion and force her to remain faithful to me!"
This seemed like a good plan to him. But then he started having doubts. He thought, "It would be nearly impossible to keep a woman pure after she had already become accustomed to men. Therefore I must find the purest woman possible - one who has never even seen a man!"
Just then he happened to see a poor woman passing by. She was pregnant. The royal priest was an expert in reading the meaning of marks on the body. So he could tell that the unborn baby was a girl. And the thought occurred to him, "Aha! Only an unborn baby girl has never seen a man!"
The royal priest was willing to do anything to beat the king at dice. So he paid the poor woman to stay in his house and have her baby there. When the wonderful little girl was born, the priest bought her from her mother. Then he made sure she was raised only by women. She never saw a man - except of course the royal priest himself. When she grew up, he still kept her completely under his control. It was just as if he owned the poor girl!
The cruel priest did all this only because of his gambling habit. While the girl was growing up, he had avoided playing dice with the king. Now that she was of age, and still his prisoner, he challenged the king to a game of dice once again.
The king agreed. After they had made their bets, the king shook the dice and repeated his favourite lucky charm:
"If tempted any woman will, for sure, give up her faithfulness and act impure."
But just before he threw down the dice, the priest added:
"Except my woman - faithful evermore!"
Lo and behold, the king's charm didn't work. He lost that bet, and from then on the priest won every throw of the dice.
The king was puzzled by this turn of events. After considering, he thought, "This priest must have a pure woman locked up at home, one who is forced to be faithful to him alone. That's why my lucky charm doesn't work anymore."
He investigated and discovered what the cruel priest had done. So he sent for a well-known playboy character. He asked him if he could cause the lady's downfall. He replied, "No problem, my lord!" The king paid him handsomely and told him to do the job quickly.
The man bought a supply of the finest perfumes and cosmetics. He set up a shop just outside the royal priest's mansion. This mansion was seven stories high, with seven entrance gates - one on each floor. Women guarded each gate, and no man except the priest was allowed to enter.
Only only one servant waited on the priest’s lady. She carried everything in and out, including perfumes and cosmetics. The priest gave her money for her purchases.
The playboy saw the servant going in and out of the priest's mansion. Soon he realised she was the one who could get him inside. So he devised a plan and hired some cronies to help him.
The next morning, when the serving lady went out to do her shopping, the playboy dramatically fell to the ground before her. Grabbing her knees he tearfully cried, "Oh my dear mother, it's so wonderful to see you again after such a long time!"
Then his cronies chimed in, "Yes, this must be she! She looks the same - her hands and feet and face and type of dress. Yes, this must be she!" They all kept saying how amazing it was that her looks had changed so little in all that time.
The poor woman must have had a long lost son, for soon she was convinced this must be he. She hugged the king's clever playboy, and both sobbed tears of joy over their miraculous reunion.
In between bouts of sobbing, the man was able to ask her, "Oh dear mother, where are you living now?" "I live next door," she said, "in the royal priest's mansion. Night and day I serve his young woman. Her beauty is without equal, like the mermaids sailors love to praise."
He asked, "Where are you going now, mother?" "I'm going shopping for her perfumes and cosmetics, my son." "There's no need, mother," he said, "from now on I will give you the best perfumes and cosmetics free of charge!" So he gave them to her, along with a bouquet of lovely flowers.
When the priest's lady saw all these, much better quality than usual, she asked why the priest was so happy with her. "No," said the serving woman, "these are not from the priest. I got them at my son's shop." From then on she got perfumes and cosmetics from the playboy's shop, and kept the priest's money.
After a while the playboy began the next part of his plan. He pretended to be sick and stayed in bed.
When the servant came to the shop she asked, "Where is my son?" She was told he was too sick to work, and was taken to see him. She began massaging his back and asked, "What happened to you, my son?" He replied, "Even if I were about to die, I couldn't tell you, my mother."
She continued, "If you can't tell me, whom can you tell?" Then, according to his plan, he broke down and admitted to her, "I was fine until you told me about your beautiful mistress - 'like the mermaids sailors love to praise'. Because of your description, I have fallen in love with her. I must have her. I can't live without her. I'm so depressed, without her I'll surely die!"
Then the woman said, "Don't worry, my son, leave it up to me." She took even more perfumes and cosmetics to the priest's lady. She said to her, "My lady, after my son heard from me about your beauty, he fell madly in love with you! I don't know what to do next!"
Since the priest was the only man she had ever seen, the lady was curious. And of course she resented being locked up by force. So she said, "If you sneak him into my room, it's all right with me!"
The woman guards at the seven gates searched everything the servant took in and out. So she had to have a plan. She swept up all the dust and dirt she could find in the whole mansion. Then she began taking some of it out each day in a large covered flower basket. Whenever she was searched, she made sure some of the dust and dirt got on the guard women's faces. This made them sneeze and cough. Pretty soon they stopped searching her when she went in and out.
Finally one day she hid the playboy in her covered flower basket. He was trim and fit, not heavy at all. She was able to sneak him past all seven guarded gates, and into the priest's lady's private chamber. The two lovers stayed together for several days and nights. So the playboy was able to destroy her perfect faithfulness, which had been forced on her by the cold-hearted priest.
Eventually she told him it was time to go. He said, "I will go. But first, since the old priest has been so mean to you, let me give him one good blow to the head!" She agreed and hid him in a closet. This too was part of his secret plan.
When the priest arrived, his lady said, "My lord and master, I'm so happy today! I'd like to dance while you play the guitar."
The priest said, "Of course, my beauty." "But I'm too shy to dance in front of you," she added, "so please wear this blindfold while I dance." Again he agreed to her request and she put a blindfold over his eyes.
The priest played a pretty tune on his complicated Indian guitar, while his lady danced. After a bit she said, "As part of my dance, won't you let me give you a tap on the head?" "As you wish, my dear," he said.
Then she motioned to the playboy, who came out of the closet, snuck up from behind, and hit the old priest on the head! His eyes nearly popped out, and a bump began rising from the blow. He cried out and the lady put her hand in his. He said, "Such a soft hand sure can deliver a wallop, my dear!"
The playboy returned to the closet. The lady removed the priest's blindfold and put some ointment on his bump. When he had left, the serving woman hid the playboy in her flower basket and smuggled him out of the mansion. He went immediately to the king and told him the whole story, in a very boastful way of course.
The next day the royal priest went to the palace as usual. The king said, "Shall we gamble on the throw of the dice?" The priest, expecting to win once more, agreed. Just as before, the king recited his lucky charm:
"If tempted any woman will, for sure, give up her faithfulness and act impure."
As usual the priest added:
"Except my woman - faithful evermore!"
But lo and behold the dice fell in the king's favour and he took the priest's money.
The king said, "Oh priest, your woman is no exception! True faithfulness cannot be forced! Your plan was to snatch a newborn baby girl, lock her up behind seven gates guarded by seven guards, and force her to be good. But you have failed. Any prisoner's greatest wish is freedom!
"She blindfolded you and then her playboy lover gave you that bump on your old bald head - which proves your gates and guards were useless!
The priest returned home and accused his lady. But in the meantime, she had come up with a plan of her own. She said, "No, my lord, I have been completely faithful to you. No man has ever touched me except you! And I will prove it in a trial by fire. I will walk on fire without being burned to prove I speak the truth."
She ordered the old servant woman to fetch her son, the playboy. She was to tell him to take the lady by the hand and prevent her from stepping in the flames. This the woman did.
On the day of the trial by fire, the priest's lady said to the crowd of onlookers, "I have never been touched by any man except this priest, my master. By this truth, may the fire have no power over me."
Then, just as she was about to step into the fire, the playboy leaped from the crowd and grabbed her hand. He shouted, "Stop! Stop! How can this priest be so cruel as to force this tender young lady into a raging fire!"
She shook her hand free and said to the priest, "My lord, since this man has touched my hand, the trial by fire is useless. But you can see my good intention!"
The priest realised he had been tricked. He beat her as he drove her away forever. At last she was free of him and mistress of her own fate.
The moral is: You can't force someone to be good.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Two Mothers (Renunciation)
Once upon a time there was a very well known teacher in the city of Takkasila, in northern India. He taught religion, as well as all other subjects. His knowledge was enormous and his teaching ability made him world famous.
At that time a son was born to a rich family in Benares. The family kept a holy fire burning constantly from that day on. When the son turned 16, they gave him a choice. They said, "This holy fire has been burning since your birth. If you wish to be reborn in a high heaven world, take it into the forest and worship the fire god.
"However, if you wish to live the home life of a family man, you must learn how to manage the wealth of our family in the affairs of the world. If that is the life you choose, go and study under the world famous teacher of Takkasila."
The young man said, "I don't want to be a holy man. I would much rather be a family man. Then I will be happy for the rest of my life." So his parents sent him to the world famous teacher. They gave him a thousand gold coins to pay for his lessons.
After several years the man graduated with honours and returned home to Benares.
Meanwhile, his parents had come to wish more and more that he would become a holy man in the forest. This was just as they had wished on the day he was born. His mother wanted the best life possible for her son. She thought, "My son wants to marry and raise a family. He does not realise how dangerous a wicked woman can be to a man. I must find a way to get his teacher to teach him this."
So the wise woman asked her son, "Did you earn only the Ordinary Degree without also obtaining the higher Unhappiness Degree?" Her son replied, "I have earned only the Ordinary Degree."
His mother said, "How can you be called educated in the ways of the world if you have learned nothing about unhappiness? Return to the great teacher and ask for the Unhappiness Degree." The son dutifully followed his good mother's advice and returned to Takkasila.
It just so happened that the world famous teacher had a mother who was 120 years old. She was blind and very weak. The teacher bathed and fed and cared for her with his own hands. Since it took more and more of his time, he was forced to give up teaching. He and his mother moved into a forest hut, where he looked after her, night and day.
When the young student arrived from Benares he found that his old teacher was no longer at the college. Hearing that he had retired to the forest, he went and found him there.
After greeting each other, the teacher asked him, "Why have you come back so soon?" He replied, "Honourable professor, you did not give me the Unhappiness Degree." "Who told you about that degree?" asked the teacher. "My mother, sir," he said.
The teacher thought, "I've never heard of such a degree! No doubt his wise mother wanted me to teach him how wicked some women can be. For they bring great unhappiness to men."
He said, "All right, I will teach you so you can earn this high degree. The course is a work-study program. Your lessons will consist of taking care of my old mother for me. You will bathe, feed and care for her tenderly with your own hands.
"While you are washing and massaging her body, you must say, 'Dear lady, even in your old age your skin remains fair and beautiful.' You must constantly exaggerate her beauty in this way, saying, 'When you were young, you must have been even more beautiful!' And if she says anything to you, you must tell me without shame, whatever it is, hiding nothing.
"If you do these things correctly, you will earn the Unhappiness Degree. Then your mother will be proud of you."
The student agreed and began tending to the 120-year-old lady. He bathed and fed her with his own hands. He massaged her arms, legs, back and head. While doing this he said, "Madam, it is marvellous indeed! Even in such great old age, your arms and legs are so very beautiful! I can guess how beautiful you were in your youth!" In this way he exaggerated her beauty again and again, for many days.
Gradually, desire began to arise in the old lady's mind. Even though she knew she was blind and her body was rotten from old age, she thought, "No doubt this young man would like to live with me like a husband." So she asked him, "Do you want to be with me, just like a husband and wife?"
The man replied, "Oh yes of course, madam. I want to very much. But how can I? Your son is my teacher and he is very respectable. It would cause such a scandal! I will not dishonour my teacher."
Then the teacher's mother said, "Well in that case, if you really want to be with me, then kill my son!"
The student said, "How can I kill him when I have been studying with him for so long? How can I kill him just because of this desire for you?" Then she said, "If you will stay with me and not desert me, I will kill him myself!"
As he had agreed, the student went to the world famous teacher and told him all that had taken place. Amazingly, the teacher did not seem surprised. He said, "You have done well to tell me this, my pupil. I appreciate your good work."
Then he examined his mother's horoscope and discovered that this was to be the day of her death. He said, "I will arrange a test for her."
The teacher carved a statue from the softwood of a tree limb. He made it look exactly like himself, life-size. He laid it in his own bed and pulled the sheet up over it. He attached a long string to it and gave it to his pupil. He told him, "Now take this string and axe to my mother. Tell her it is time to do the killing."
Obediently the student returned to the blind old lady. He said, "Madam, my master is sleeping in his bed. If you follow this string it will lead you to him. Then kill him with this axe, if you really can do such a thing!"
She replied, "If you do not abandon me, I will do it." He said, "Why should I abandon you?"
Then she took the axe in her hands. She trembled as she stood up. Slowly she followed the string to her son's bed. She felt the statue and thought she recognised her son. She pulled down the sheet from the head and raised the axe. Thinking to kill him with one blow she struck the neck as hard as she could with the axe. But it made a thumping sound, so she knew it had struck wood.
The teacher asked, "What are you doing, my mother?" Suddenly she realised she had been deceived and discovered. The shock was so overwhelming that she dropped dead on the spot! This time the horoscope had been correct.
The world famous teacher respectfully burned his mother's body and offered flowers on her ashes.
Then he said to his pupil, "My son, there really is no such thing as the 'Unhappiness Degree'. Wicked women cause unhappiness. You are fortunate to have such a good and wise mother. By sending you here to earn the Unhappiness Degree, she wanted you to learn how evil some women can be.
"You have seen with your own eyes how my mother was filled with craving and vanity. She has taught you this lesson. Now return to your wise mother, who cares so much for your well-being."
When he arrived home his mother asked, "My dear son, have you finally earned the high degree in the subject of Unhappiness?" He replied, "Yes mother."
Then she said, "I ask you again, my son, do you wish to leave the worldly life and go into the forest to worship the fire god? Or do you wish to marry and lead the family life?"
Her son replied, "I do not wish to lead the family life. I have seen with my own eyes how evil some women can be. There is no limit to their craving and vanity. Therefore I want nothing to do with family life. I will seek peace as a forest monk."
He respectfully took leave of his parents. After many years of peaceful meditation in the forest, he eventually died and was reborn in a high heaven world.
The moral is: Wickedness between women and men brings unhappiness to both.
At that time a son was born to a rich family in Benares. The family kept a holy fire burning constantly from that day on. When the son turned 16, they gave him a choice. They said, "This holy fire has been burning since your birth. If you wish to be reborn in a high heaven world, take it into the forest and worship the fire god.
"However, if you wish to live the home life of a family man, you must learn how to manage the wealth of our family in the affairs of the world. If that is the life you choose, go and study under the world famous teacher of Takkasila."
The young man said, "I don't want to be a holy man. I would much rather be a family man. Then I will be happy for the rest of my life." So his parents sent him to the world famous teacher. They gave him a thousand gold coins to pay for his lessons.
After several years the man graduated with honours and returned home to Benares.
Meanwhile, his parents had come to wish more and more that he would become a holy man in the forest. This was just as they had wished on the day he was born. His mother wanted the best life possible for her son. She thought, "My son wants to marry and raise a family. He does not realise how dangerous a wicked woman can be to a man. I must find a way to get his teacher to teach him this."
So the wise woman asked her son, "Did you earn only the Ordinary Degree without also obtaining the higher Unhappiness Degree?" Her son replied, "I have earned only the Ordinary Degree."
His mother said, "How can you be called educated in the ways of the world if you have learned nothing about unhappiness? Return to the great teacher and ask for the Unhappiness Degree." The son dutifully followed his good mother's advice and returned to Takkasila.
It just so happened that the world famous teacher had a mother who was 120 years old. She was blind and very weak. The teacher bathed and fed and cared for her with his own hands. Since it took more and more of his time, he was forced to give up teaching. He and his mother moved into a forest hut, where he looked after her, night and day.
When the young student arrived from Benares he found that his old teacher was no longer at the college. Hearing that he had retired to the forest, he went and found him there.
After greeting each other, the teacher asked him, "Why have you come back so soon?" He replied, "Honourable professor, you did not give me the Unhappiness Degree." "Who told you about that degree?" asked the teacher. "My mother, sir," he said.
The teacher thought, "I've never heard of such a degree! No doubt his wise mother wanted me to teach him how wicked some women can be. For they bring great unhappiness to men."
He said, "All right, I will teach you so you can earn this high degree. The course is a work-study program. Your lessons will consist of taking care of my old mother for me. You will bathe, feed and care for her tenderly with your own hands.
"While you are washing and massaging her body, you must say, 'Dear lady, even in your old age your skin remains fair and beautiful.' You must constantly exaggerate her beauty in this way, saying, 'When you were young, you must have been even more beautiful!' And if she says anything to you, you must tell me without shame, whatever it is, hiding nothing.
"If you do these things correctly, you will earn the Unhappiness Degree. Then your mother will be proud of you."
The student agreed and began tending to the 120-year-old lady. He bathed and fed her with his own hands. He massaged her arms, legs, back and head. While doing this he said, "Madam, it is marvellous indeed! Even in such great old age, your arms and legs are so very beautiful! I can guess how beautiful you were in your youth!" In this way he exaggerated her beauty again and again, for many days.
Gradually, desire began to arise in the old lady's mind. Even though she knew she was blind and her body was rotten from old age, she thought, "No doubt this young man would like to live with me like a husband." So she asked him, "Do you want to be with me, just like a husband and wife?"
The man replied, "Oh yes of course, madam. I want to very much. But how can I? Your son is my teacher and he is very respectable. It would cause such a scandal! I will not dishonour my teacher."
Then the teacher's mother said, "Well in that case, if you really want to be with me, then kill my son!"
The student said, "How can I kill him when I have been studying with him for so long? How can I kill him just because of this desire for you?" Then she said, "If you will stay with me and not desert me, I will kill him myself!"
As he had agreed, the student went to the world famous teacher and told him all that had taken place. Amazingly, the teacher did not seem surprised. He said, "You have done well to tell me this, my pupil. I appreciate your good work."
Then he examined his mother's horoscope and discovered that this was to be the day of her death. He said, "I will arrange a test for her."
The teacher carved a statue from the softwood of a tree limb. He made it look exactly like himself, life-size. He laid it in his own bed and pulled the sheet up over it. He attached a long string to it and gave it to his pupil. He told him, "Now take this string and axe to my mother. Tell her it is time to do the killing."
Obediently the student returned to the blind old lady. He said, "Madam, my master is sleeping in his bed. If you follow this string it will lead you to him. Then kill him with this axe, if you really can do such a thing!"
She replied, "If you do not abandon me, I will do it." He said, "Why should I abandon you?"
Then she took the axe in her hands. She trembled as she stood up. Slowly she followed the string to her son's bed. She felt the statue and thought she recognised her son. She pulled down the sheet from the head and raised the axe. Thinking to kill him with one blow she struck the neck as hard as she could with the axe. But it made a thumping sound, so she knew it had struck wood.
The teacher asked, "What are you doing, my mother?" Suddenly she realised she had been deceived and discovered. The shock was so overwhelming that she dropped dead on the spot! This time the horoscope had been correct.
The world famous teacher respectfully burned his mother's body and offered flowers on her ashes.
Then he said to his pupil, "My son, there really is no such thing as the 'Unhappiness Degree'. Wicked women cause unhappiness. You are fortunate to have such a good and wise mother. By sending you here to earn the Unhappiness Degree, she wanted you to learn how evil some women can be.
"You have seen with your own eyes how my mother was filled with craving and vanity. She has taught you this lesson. Now return to your wise mother, who cares so much for your well-being."
When he arrived home his mother asked, "My dear son, have you finally earned the high degree in the subject of Unhappiness?" He replied, "Yes mother."
Then she said, "I ask you again, my son, do you wish to leave the worldly life and go into the forest to worship the fire god? Or do you wish to marry and lead the family life?"
Her son replied, "I do not wish to lead the family life. I have seen with my own eyes how evil some women can be. There is no limit to their craving and vanity. Therefore I want nothing to do with family life. I will seek peace as a forest monk."
He respectfully took leave of his parents. After many years of peaceful meditation in the forest, he eventually died and was reborn in a high heaven world.
The moral is: Wickedness between women and men brings unhappiness to both.
When we develop a broad state of life, then even our partner's ranting and raving will sound like the sweet song of a bird.
Having the energy to argue is a sign of good health! When the two people in a relationship share similar conditions, it is only natural that they will lock horns from time to time. On the other hand, if one party begins to outgrow the other, then the two will probably not have serious confrontations, because their states of life are so different.
It would be great if we could live cheerfully, enjoying life to the extent that we regard our partner's nagging as a sign of his or her good health and proof that he or she is still alive and kicking. When we develop a broad state of life, then even our partner's ranting and raving will sound like the sweet song of a bird.
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 5/7
It would be great if we could live cheerfully, enjoying life to the extent that we regard our partner's nagging as a sign of his or her good health and proof that he or she is still alive and kicking. When we develop a broad state of life, then even our partner's ranting and raving will sound like the sweet song of a bird.
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 5/7
Change in human destiny starts from a great inner revolution in just a single individual
A great inner revolution in just a single individual will help achieve a change in the destiny of an entire society and, further, will cause a change in the destiny of humankind.
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 4/7
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 4/7
In the mentor-disciple relationship, we can find the very essence for achieving victory in life.
A mentor is indispensable if we are to develop into people of outstanding character. Viewed on a deeper level, our relationship with our mentor can have an even greater significance for us than our relationship with our parents. In the mentor-disciple relationship, we can find the very essence for achieving victory in life.
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 3/7
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 3/7
If we attain the state of Buddhahood in this lifetime, that state will forever pervade our lives.
If we attain the state of Buddhahood in this lifetime, that state will forever pervade our lives. Throughout the cycle of birth and death, in each new lifetime, we are endowed with good health, wealth and intelligence, along with a supportive, comfortable environment, and lead lives that overflow with good fortune. Each of us will also possess a unique mission and be born in an appropriate form to fulfill it.
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 2/7
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 2/7
If we cherish the spirit to repay our debt of gratitude in the depths of our hearts, then our good fortune will increase by leaps and bounds.
No matter how much action people might seem to be taking outwardly, if they lack the spirit to repay their debt of gratitude, their arrogance will destroy their good fortune.
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 1/7
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 1/7
"History teaches that man without effort is sure to deteriorate; man cannot progress without effort, and man cannot be happy without effort."
In one of his writings, renowned microbiologist René Dubos, stated. "History teaches that man without effort is sure to deteriorate; man cannot progress without effort, and man cannot be happy without effort." This is indisputable. You may be experiencing various hardships now, but because you continue to make efforts in the midst of those challenges, no matter how painful they are, you will definitely become happy. Effort and happiness are indivisible
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 30/6
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 30/6
A polished mirror is the Buddha's life, whereas a tarnished mirror is that of a common mortal.
Originally, every person's life is a brilliantly shining mirror. Differences arise depending on whether one polishes this mirror: A polished mirror is the Buddha's life, whereas a tarnished mirror is that of a common mortal. Chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is what polishes our lives.
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 29/6
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 29/6
If you are unwilling to make efforts to heal yourself, it will be very difficult to cure your illness.
If you are unwilling to make efforts to heal yourself, it will be very difficult to cure your illness. One day of life is more valuable than all the treasures of the major world system, so first you must muster sincere faith. -Nichiren
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 28/6
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 28/6
Religion not only deals with spirituality but also has a significant impact—positive or negative—upon people's daily lives and their society.
When individuals practice a teaching as intended, the expected result becomes manifest in their lives as well as in their environment. Religion not only deals with spirituality but also has a significant impact—positive or negative—upon people's daily lives and their society. The nature and extent of a particular religion's impact becomes the standard for evaluating its validity.
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 27/6
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 27/6
To live without regret, we must have a concrete purpose, continually setting goals and challenges for ourselves.
This lifetime will never come again; it is precious and irreplaceable. To live without regret, we must have a concrete purpose, continually setting goals and challenges for ourselves. And we need to keep moving toward those specific targets steadily and tenaciously, one step at a time.
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 26/6
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 26/6
From the moment we chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with a deep and powerful resolve, the sun begins to rise in our hearts.
The first thing is to pray. From the moment we begin to pray, things start moving. The darker the night, the closer the dawn. From the moment we chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with a deep and powerful resolve, the sun begins to rise in our hearts. Hope—prayer is the sun of hope. To chant each time we face a problem, overcoming it and elevating our life-condition as a result—this is the path of "changing earthly desires into enlightenment," taught in Nichiren Buddhism.
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 25/6
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 25/6
We ordinary people can see neither our own eyelashes, which are so close, nor the heavens in the distance.
Flint has the potential to produce fire, and gems have intrinsic value. We ordinary people can see neither our own eyelashes, which are so close, nor the heavens in the distance. Likewise, we do not see that the Buddha exists in our own hearts. -Nichiren
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 24/6
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 24/6
Let us give something to each person we meet: joy, courage, hope, assurance, philosophy, wisdom, a vision for the future.
If a person is hungry, we should give them bread. When there is no bread, we can at least give words that nourish. To a person who looks ill or is physically frail, we can turn the conversation to some subject that will lift their spirits and fill them with the hope and determi-nation to get better. Let us give something to each person we meet: joy, courage, hope, assurance, philosophy, wisdom, a vision for the future. Let us always give something.
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 23/6
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 23/6
The Buddha knows no path of living apart from that of living with compassion
The Buddha keenly understands various sufferings as though his own children were experiencing them. Sorrow and empathy well from his life. A Buddha is a person of compassion. Josei Toda said: "Compassion is not a Buddhist austerity. It is something that should be expressed unconsciously and naturally in one's actions, and in the workings of one's heart. The Buddha knows no path of living apart from that of living with compassion."
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 22/6
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 22/6
Within the restrictions, the only thing to do is to discipline yourself and head in the direction of growth and self-improvement
Certainly there will be times when you wish you had more spending money, more time to sleep and more time for fun and recreation. You may feel restricted now, but you should consider your current situation as the perfect set of circumstances for your growth. Within the restrictions that define your present existence, the only thing to do is to discipline yourself and head in the direction of growth and self-improvement.
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 21/6
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 21/6
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Two Ways of Beating a Drum (Excess)
Once upon a time there was a drummer living in a small country village. He heard there was going to be a fair in the city of Benares. So he decided to go there and earn some money by playing his drums. He took his son along to accompany him when playing music written for two sets of drums.
The two drummers, father and son, went to Benares Fair. They were very successful. Everyone liked their drum playing and gave generously to them. When the fair was over they began the trip home to their little village.
On the way they had to go through a dark forest. It was very dangerous because of muggers who robbed the travellers.
The drummer boy wanted to protect his father and himself from the muggers. So he beat his drums as loudly as he could, without stopping. "The more noise, the better!" he thought.
The drummer man took his son aside. He explained to him that when large groups passed by, especially royal processions, they were in the habit of beating drums. They did this at regular intervals, in a very dignified manner, as if they feared no one. They would beat a drum roll, remain silent, then beat again with a flourish, and so on. He told his son to do likewise, to fool the muggers into thinking there was a powerful lord passing by.
But the boy ignored his father's advice. He thought he knew best. "The more noise, the better!" he thought.
Meanwhile, a gang of muggers heard the boy's drumming. At first they thought it must be a powerful rich man approaching, with heavy security. But then they heard the drumming continue in a wild fashion without stopping. They realised that it sounded frantic, like a frightened little dog barking at a calm big dog.
So they went to investigate and found only the father and son. They beat them up, robbed all their hard-earned money, and escaped into the forest.
The moral is: Overdoing leads to a downfall.
The two drummers, father and son, went to Benares Fair. They were very successful. Everyone liked their drum playing and gave generously to them. When the fair was over they began the trip home to their little village.
On the way they had to go through a dark forest. It was very dangerous because of muggers who robbed the travellers.
The drummer boy wanted to protect his father and himself from the muggers. So he beat his drums as loudly as he could, without stopping. "The more noise, the better!" he thought.
The drummer man took his son aside. He explained to him that when large groups passed by, especially royal processions, they were in the habit of beating drums. They did this at regular intervals, in a very dignified manner, as if they feared no one. They would beat a drum roll, remain silent, then beat again with a flourish, and so on. He told his son to do likewise, to fool the muggers into thinking there was a powerful lord passing by.
But the boy ignored his father's advice. He thought he knew best. "The more noise, the better!" he thought.
Meanwhile, a gang of muggers heard the boy's drumming. At first they thought it must be a powerful rich man approaching, with heavy security. But then they heard the drumming continue in a wild fashion without stopping. They realised that it sounded frantic, like a frightened little dog barking at a calm big dog.
So they went to investigate and found only the father and son. They beat them up, robbed all their hard-earned money, and escaped into the forest.
The moral is: Overdoing leads to a downfall.
Buddhism is a practice to revere human life, one's own as well as others
Buddhism elucidates the dignity of human life on the most fundamental level. Buddhism is not merely a philosophy that observes truth from an objective point of view or in light of reason. It is oriented toward practice and the study of human beings that shows the correct way to live. Buddhism aims to prove the true dignity of human life through the individual's life and his or her actions to help others do the same. In other words, Buddhism is a practice to revere human life, one's own as well as others'.
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 20/6
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 20/6
Look at life from a broad viewpoint
If you always have a shallow perspective and pay attention only to trivial things, you are sure to get bogged down in all kinds of petty worries and concerns, and not be able to move forward. Even relatively minor hurdles or problems will seem insurmountable. But if you look at life from a broad viewpoint, you naturally spot the way to solve any problem you may confront. This is true when we consider our own personal problems as well as those of society and even the future of the entire world.
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 19/6
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 19/6
What decides our real merit as human beings? Ultimately, it comes down to the philosophy we uphold and the actions we take based on our convictions.
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 18/6
Let us open the path to mutual respect and harmonious coexistence so as to bring an end to this vicious circle that has been part of human destiny
When we interact with others with true sincerity, the other person will more often than not come to respect and value our own character. And this is all the more so when our actions are based on prayer.
Conversely, holding others in contempt only leads to being held in contempt oneself: one whose life is tainted by feelings of hate toward others will come to be reviled by others.
Let us open the path to mutual respect and harmonious coexistence so as to bring an end to this vicious circle that has long been part of human destiny.
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 17/6
Conversely, holding others in contempt only leads to being held in contempt oneself: one whose life is tainted by feelings of hate toward others will come to be reviled by others.
Let us open the path to mutual respect and harmonious coexistence so as to bring an end to this vicious circle that has long been part of human destiny.
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 17/6
How to maintain optimism?
The writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe was an unflagging optimist. How was he able to maintain such optimism? Because he was always active. He did not allow his life to stagnate. He writes: "It is better to do the smallest thing in the world than to hold half an hour to be too small a thing." Spending thirty minutes a day assiduously challenging some undertaking can completely change our lives.
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 16/6
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 16/6
The purpose of Buddhist practice is to establish an internal palace of happiness that will last throughout all time
The joy of heaven is ephemeral like a mirage or a dream. A life spent in pursuit of a mirage is itself a mirage. The purpose of Buddhist practice is to establish an eternally indestructible state of happiness; not a fleeting happiness that perishes like a flower but an internal palace of happiness that will last throughout all time.
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 15/6
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 15/6
The revitalization of individual human beings will lead to the reformation of society and the world through human revolution.
Wherever we are, it is necessary to begin with the revitalization of individual human beings. That will lead to the reformation of society and the world through human revolution. That is the teaching of the Lotus Sutra. And actions directed toward that end, I would like to stress, represent the wisdom of the Lotus Sutra.
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 14/6
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 14/6
Live life to the fullest extent
No one can escape death. Precisely because of this, when people resolve to live at each instant with all their might, to make the present moment shine by living true to themselves and leading truly humane existences, they can summon forth immense strength. At the same time, they can manifest a considerate spirit toward others. Herein lies the Middle Way. Buddhism is the philosophy that teaches this essential way of life.
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 13/6
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 13/6
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
How to overcome gloomy things in life?
There may be times when life seems gloomy and dull. When we feel stuck in some situation or other, when we are negative toward everything, when we feel lost and bewildered, not sure which way to turn—at such times we must transform our passive mindset and determine, "I will proceed along this path," "I will pursue my mission today." When we do so a genuine springtime arrives in our hearts, and flowers start to blossom.
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 12/6
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 12/6
Victors and failures
Life is about scaling one mountain, then facing the next one, followed by the one after that. Those who persevere and finally succeed in conquering the highest mountain are victors in life. On the other hand, those who avoid such challenges and take the easy route, descending into the valleys, will end in defeat.
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 11/6
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 11/6
Those who avoid hard work or neglect the things they have to do will never experience true happiness, satisfaction or joy
"All right, let's get to work again!"—this is the spirit of people of genuine substance. Those who avoid hard work or neglect the things they have to do, who just while away their time, eating, sleeping, playing, watching television—such individuals will never experience true happiness, satisfaction or joy.
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 10/6
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 10/6
In any field of endeavor, making a vow is the foundation for achieving something great
In any field of endeavor, making a vow is the foundation for achieving something great. If for whatever reason a person gives up halfway or backslides, his or her commitment hasn't been based on a vow. Halfhearted desire doesn't amount to a vow.
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 9/6
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 9/6
A Prince of Monkeys (Carefulness)
Once upon a time there was a cruel monkey king who ruled in the Himalayas. All the monkeys in his band were his own wives and children. He was afraid that one of his sons might grow up and take over as king. So it was his policy to bite each son just after he was born. This altered him so he would be too weak to ever challenge his father.
A certain wife of the monkey king was pregnant. Just in case the unborn one was a son, she wanted to protect him from the cruel policy of her husband. So she ran away to a forest at the foot of a distant mountain. There she soon gave birth to a bright little baby boy monkey.
Before long this baby grew up to be big and strong. One day he asked his mother, "Where is my father?" She told him, "He is king of a band of monkeys living at the foot of a far-off mountain. That makes you a prince!"
The prince of monkeys said, "Kindly take me to my father." His mother said, "No my son, I am afraid to do so. Your father bites all his sons in order to weaken them for life. He is afraid one of his sons will replace him as king." The prince said, "Don't be afraid for me, mother. I can take care of myself." This gave her confidence, so she agreed and took him to his father.
When the cruel old king saw his strong young son, he thought. "I have no doubt that when this my son grows stronger he will steal my kingdom from me. Therefore I must kill him while I still can! I will hug him, pretending it is out of love for him. But really I will squeeze him to death!"
The king welcomed his son, saying, "Ah, my long lost son! Where have you been all this time? I have missed you dearly." Then he took him in his arms and hugged him. He kept squeezing harder and harder, trying to squeeze the life out of him! But the prince of monkeys was as strong as an elephant. He hugged his father right back. He squeezed him tighter and tighter, until he could feel the old king's rib bones starting to crack!
After this terrible greeting, the monkey king was even more terrified that one day his son would kill him. He thought, "Nearby there is a pond possessed by a water demon. It would be easy to get him to eat my son. Then my problems would be over!"
The monkey king said, "Oh my dear son, now is the perfect time for you to come home. For I am old and I would like to hand over my band of monkeys to you. But I need flowers for the coronation ceremony. Go to the nearby pond and bring back two kinds of white water lilies, three kinds of blue water lilies and five types of lotuses."
The prince of monkeys said, "Yes my father, I will go and get them."
When he arrived at the pond, he saw that there were many kinds of water lilies and lotuses growing all over it. But instead of jumping right in and picking them, he investigated carefully. He walked slowly along the bank. He noticed there were footprints going into the pond, but none coming out! After considering, he realised this was a sure sign the pond was possessed by a water demon. He also realised his father must have sent him there to be killed.
He investigated further, until he found a narrow part of the pond. There, with great effort, he was able to jump from one side clear across to the other. In the midst of his leap he reached down and picked flowers, without actually getting into the water. Then he jumped back again, picking more flowers. He continued jumping back and forth, collecting lots of flowers.
Suddenly the water demon stuck his head up above the water. He exclaimed, "In all the time I've lived here I have never seen anyone, man or beast, as wise as this monkey! He has picked all the flowers he wanted, without ever coming within the grasp of my power, here in my kingdom of water."
Then the ferocious demon made a path for himself through the water and came up onto the bank. He said, "My lord, king of monkeys, there are three qualities that make a person unbeatable by his enemies. It appears that you have all three - skill, courage and wisdom. You must be truly invincible! Tell me, mighty one, why have you collected all those flowers?"
The prince of monkeys replied, "My father wants to make me king in his place. He sent me to gather these flowers for the coronation ceremony."
The water demon said, "You are too noble to be burdened by carrying these flowers. Let me carry them for you." He picked up all the flowers and followed him.
From a distance, the monkey king saw the water demon carrying the flowers and following the prince. He thought, "I sent him to get flowers, thinking he would be eaten by the demon. But instead he has made the water demon his servant. I am lost!"
The monkey king was afraid all his unwholesome deeds had caught up with him. He went into a sudden panic, which caused his heart to break into seven pieces. Of course this killed him on the spot!
The monkey band voted to make the strong young prince the new king.
The moral is: It pays to be careful.
A certain wife of the monkey king was pregnant. Just in case the unborn one was a son, she wanted to protect him from the cruel policy of her husband. So she ran away to a forest at the foot of a distant mountain. There she soon gave birth to a bright little baby boy monkey.
Before long this baby grew up to be big and strong. One day he asked his mother, "Where is my father?" She told him, "He is king of a band of monkeys living at the foot of a far-off mountain. That makes you a prince!"
The prince of monkeys said, "Kindly take me to my father." His mother said, "No my son, I am afraid to do so. Your father bites all his sons in order to weaken them for life. He is afraid one of his sons will replace him as king." The prince said, "Don't be afraid for me, mother. I can take care of myself." This gave her confidence, so she agreed and took him to his father.
When the cruel old king saw his strong young son, he thought. "I have no doubt that when this my son grows stronger he will steal my kingdom from me. Therefore I must kill him while I still can! I will hug him, pretending it is out of love for him. But really I will squeeze him to death!"
The king welcomed his son, saying, "Ah, my long lost son! Where have you been all this time? I have missed you dearly." Then he took him in his arms and hugged him. He kept squeezing harder and harder, trying to squeeze the life out of him! But the prince of monkeys was as strong as an elephant. He hugged his father right back. He squeezed him tighter and tighter, until he could feel the old king's rib bones starting to crack!
After this terrible greeting, the monkey king was even more terrified that one day his son would kill him. He thought, "Nearby there is a pond possessed by a water demon. It would be easy to get him to eat my son. Then my problems would be over!"
The monkey king said, "Oh my dear son, now is the perfect time for you to come home. For I am old and I would like to hand over my band of monkeys to you. But I need flowers for the coronation ceremony. Go to the nearby pond and bring back two kinds of white water lilies, three kinds of blue water lilies and five types of lotuses."
The prince of monkeys said, "Yes my father, I will go and get them."
When he arrived at the pond, he saw that there were many kinds of water lilies and lotuses growing all over it. But instead of jumping right in and picking them, he investigated carefully. He walked slowly along the bank. He noticed there were footprints going into the pond, but none coming out! After considering, he realised this was a sure sign the pond was possessed by a water demon. He also realised his father must have sent him there to be killed.
He investigated further, until he found a narrow part of the pond. There, with great effort, he was able to jump from one side clear across to the other. In the midst of his leap he reached down and picked flowers, without actually getting into the water. Then he jumped back again, picking more flowers. He continued jumping back and forth, collecting lots of flowers.
Suddenly the water demon stuck his head up above the water. He exclaimed, "In all the time I've lived here I have never seen anyone, man or beast, as wise as this monkey! He has picked all the flowers he wanted, without ever coming within the grasp of my power, here in my kingdom of water."
Then the ferocious demon made a path for himself through the water and came up onto the bank. He said, "My lord, king of monkeys, there are three qualities that make a person unbeatable by his enemies. It appears that you have all three - skill, courage and wisdom. You must be truly invincible! Tell me, mighty one, why have you collected all those flowers?"
The prince of monkeys replied, "My father wants to make me king in his place. He sent me to gather these flowers for the coronation ceremony."
The water demon said, "You are too noble to be burdened by carrying these flowers. Let me carry them for you." He picked up all the flowers and followed him.
From a distance, the monkey king saw the water demon carrying the flowers and following the prince. He thought, "I sent him to get flowers, thinking he would be eaten by the demon. But instead he has made the water demon his servant. I am lost!"
The monkey king was afraid all his unwholesome deeds had caught up with him. He went into a sudden panic, which caused his heart to break into seven pieces. Of course this killed him on the spot!
The monkey band voted to make the strong young prince the new king.
The moral is: It pays to be careful.
We must pour upon all children our great love and compassion so that each child can blossom, true to his or her unique quality.
Every child is precious. The Lotus Sutra tells the parable of the three kinds of medicinal herbs and two kinds of trees. There are many different kinds of plants; their shape, size and nature come in myriad varieties. Some plants grow fast while others take time to mature. In this parable, however, the heavens rain upon all the plants equally, nurturing their growth. And the plants blossom and bear fruits according to their own unique character. This parable symbolizes the Buddha's vast compassion to nurture all living beings despite their differences. All children are different; each possesses his or her wonderful unique quality. We must pour upon all children our great love and compassion so that each child can blossom, true to his or her unique quality.
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 8/6
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 8/6
Nam-myoho-renge-kyo enables us to make any hardship or setback the source of our new advancement and our treasure for the future.
Therefore, you don't have to be afraid of making a mistake or encountering an obstacle. In short, as long as you are devoted to staying in the correct orbit of faith, you won't ever cease to advance toward your victory, even if you may go through some twists and turns in life.
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 7/6
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 7/6
I have profound reverence for you, I would never dare treat you with disparagement or arrogance.
Why? Because you are all practicing the bodhisattva way and are certain to attain Buddhahood. -The Lotus Sutra
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 6/6
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 6/6
Everything starts with you
Everything starts with you. You must forge yourself through your own efforts. I urge each of you to create something, start something and make a success of something. That is the essence of human existence, the challenge of youth. Herein lies a wonderful way of life always aiming for the future.
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 5/6
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 5/6
The true meaning of friendship
It's so important to keep the promises made to friends. This is the true meaning of friendship. To become people who can do so, however, we must first learn to keep our resolutions—the promises we have made to ourselves.
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 4/6
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 4/6
We have to bear in mind, however, that we cannot plant a seed today and expect it to bear fruit tomorrow
When we plant the seed of happiness that is faith and carefully tend its growth, it will produce fruit without fail. We have to bear in mind, however, that we cannot plant a seed today and expect it to bear fruit tomorrow. That's not reasonable and Buddhism is reason. If we persevere, bearing in mind the principle faith equals daily life in accord with reason, then our prayers will definitely be answered. This is Nichiren's promise to us. And his words are true beyond any doubt.
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 3/6
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 3/6
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
How to free the world of conflicts and wars?
Unless we can perceive our fellow human beings and feel their sufferings as our own, we will never be free of conflict and war. In other words, a transformation within our own lives is important.
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 2/6
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 2/6
Joy in life is cultivating a state of mind where we can declare without reservation.
What is true joy in life? This is a difficult question—and one that has occupied a great many thinkers and philosophers. Joy can quickly give way to suffering. Joy is short and suffering long. Also what passes for joy in society is superficial. It cannot compare with the joy deriving from the Mystic Law. The key then lies in cultivating a state of mind where we can declare without reservation that life itself is a joy. This is the purpose of our Buddhist practice.
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 1/6
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 1/6
The poetic spirit encourages people in all ranks and places to return to their naked humanity.
The poetic spirit encourages people in all ranks and places to return to their naked humanity. Neither sentimental nor fantastic, it embraces and affirms the whole world and all its inhabitants; it imparts the will to remain optimistic and unbending in the face of all hardships.
As a believer in innate human goodness, I am certain that the concentrated power of good can overcome the greatest forces of evil. The poetic spirit helps us control the greed-dominated self. It helps us handle the actual while keeping our eyes turned toward the ideal.
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 31/5
As a believer in innate human goodness, I am certain that the concentrated power of good can overcome the greatest forces of evil. The poetic spirit helps us control the greed-dominated self. It helps us handle the actual while keeping our eyes turned toward the ideal.
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 31/5
Children are mirrors that reflect adult society
All children are gems, full of precious potential. There is hope in every child since life itself is full of hope. Should the hopes of children be stifled or broken, that would be our responsibility as adults. It pains my heart to see what goes on in today's society. I do not want to see the eyes of children darkened with fear and clouded with tears of sorrow. Society must be absolutely transformed. Children are mirrors that reflect adult society. When adults are ailing and their vision clouded, children will also suffer. Let us wipe away the tears of sorrow from the face of each child! We must protect children and give them courage, strength and vitality. It is parents who nurture children, the hope of humanity. How noble parents are! What a great mission and responsibility they fulfill.
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 30/5
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 30/5
Unremitting diligence in our Buddhist practice—brave and vigorous exertion—infuses our lives with the great life force of the eternal Buddha
Shakyamuni proclaims, "People who are vigilant do not die; people who are negligent are as if dead." This is definitely true. Unremitting diligence in our Buddhist practice—brave and vigorous exertion—infuses our lives with the great life force of the eternal Buddha. In contrast, people who try to get by in life through cunning and deception enact a living death.
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 29/5
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 29/5
The belief taught in the Lotus Sutra provides no easy answers, no escape route from the difficulties of human life.
The belief taught in the Lotus Sutra provides no easy answers, no escape route from the difficulties of human life. In fact, it rejects such easy answers; instead it implores us to take up the two tools for exploring life, belief and understanding, and use them to continually challenge and work to perfect ourselves. And it also provides us the energy to do just that.
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 28/5
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 28/5
The greater self always seeks to alleviate pain and to augment the happiness of others here amid the realities of everyday life.
Similar to the unifying and integrating self that Carl Jung perceived in the depths of the ego, the term greater self in Buddhism expresses the openness and expansiveness of character by which we can embrace all people's sufferings as our own. The greater self always seeks to alleviate pain and to augment the happiness of others here amid the realities of everyday life. Furthermore, the dynamic, vital awakening of the greater self enables each individual to experience both life and death with equal delight.
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 27/5
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 27/5
When engaging in a struggle, "Speaking out is golden and silence is defeat".
There is a saying that "Speech is silver, silence is golden." But when you are engaged in a struggle, the opposite is true. Then, speaking out is golden and silence is defeat.
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 26/5
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 26/5
The Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore compares the function of evil to the banks of a river. The riverbanks are obstructions
The Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore compares the function of evil to the banks of a river. The riverbanks are obstructions, but they are necessary for keeping the river on track and flowing steadily forward. Without banks, the river would overflow, causing destruction instead of creating value.
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 25/5
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 25/5
Mr Monkey and Sir Crocodile (Good Manners)
Once upon a time, Mr. Monkey was living by himself near a riverbank. He was very strong, and he was a great jumper.
In the middle of the river there was a beautiful island covered with mango, jackfruit and other fruit trees. There happened to be a rock sticking out of the water halfway between the bank and the island. Although it looked impossible, Mr. Monkey was used to jumping from the riverbank to the rock, and from the rock to the island. He would eat fruits all day and then return home by the same route each evening.
A high-class couple was living next to the same river - Sir Crocodile and Lady Crocodile. They were expecting their first brood of baby crocks. Because she was pregnant Lady Crocodile sometimes wished for strange things to eat. So she made unusual demands on her faithful husband.
Lady Crocodile had been amazed, just like the other animals, by the way Mr. Monkey jumped back and forth to the island. One day she developed a sudden craving to eat the heart of Mr. Monkey! She told Sir Crocodile about her desire. To please her, he promised to get Mr. Monkey's heart for her in time for dinner.
Sir Crocodile went and laid himself down on the rock between the riverbank and the island. He waited for Mr. Monkey to return that evening, planning to catch him.
As usual, Mr. Monkey spent the rest of the day on the island. When it was time to return to his home on the riverbank, he noticed that the rock seemed to have grown. It was higher above water than he remembered it. He investigated and saw that the river level was the same as in the morning, yet the rock was definitely higher. Immediately he suspected the cunning Sir Crocodile.
To find out for sure, he called out in the direction of the rock, "Hi there, Mr. Rock! How are you?" He yelled this three times. Then he shouted, "You used to answer me when I spoke to you. But today you say nothing. What's wrong with you, Mr. Rock?"
Sir Crocodile thought, "No doubt on other days this rock used to talk to the monkey. I can't wait any longer for this dumb rock to speak! I will just have to speak for the rock, and trick the monkey." So he shouted, "I'm fine, Mr. Monkey. What do you want?"
Mr. Monkey asked, "Who are you?"
Without thinking, the crocodile replied, "I'm Sir Crocodile."
"Why are you lying there?" asked the monkey.
Sir Crocodile said, "I'm expecting to take your heart! There's no escape for you, Mr. Monkey."
The clever monkey thought, "Aha! He's right - there's no other way back to the riverbank. So I will have to trick him."
Then he yelled, "Sir Crocodile my friend, it looks like you've got me. So I'll give you my heart. Open your mouth and take it when I come your way."
When Sir Crocodile opened his mouth, he opened it so wide that his eyes were squeezed shut. When Mr. Monkey saw this, he immediately jumped onto the top of Sir Crocodile's head, and then instantly to the riverbank.
When Sir Crocodile realised he'd been outsmarted, he admired Mr.Monkey's victory. Like a good sport in a contest, he praised the winner. He said, "Mr. Monkey, my intention towards you was unwholesome - I wanted to kill you and take your heart just to please my wife. But you wanted only to save yourself and harm no one. I congratulate you!"
Then Sir Crocodile returned to Lady Crocodile. At first she was displeased with him, but when the little ones came they forgot their troubles for a time.
The moral is: A good loser is a true gentleman.
In the middle of the river there was a beautiful island covered with mango, jackfruit and other fruit trees. There happened to be a rock sticking out of the water halfway between the bank and the island. Although it looked impossible, Mr. Monkey was used to jumping from the riverbank to the rock, and from the rock to the island. He would eat fruits all day and then return home by the same route each evening.
A high-class couple was living next to the same river - Sir Crocodile and Lady Crocodile. They were expecting their first brood of baby crocks. Because she was pregnant Lady Crocodile sometimes wished for strange things to eat. So she made unusual demands on her faithful husband.
Lady Crocodile had been amazed, just like the other animals, by the way Mr. Monkey jumped back and forth to the island. One day she developed a sudden craving to eat the heart of Mr. Monkey! She told Sir Crocodile about her desire. To please her, he promised to get Mr. Monkey's heart for her in time for dinner.
Sir Crocodile went and laid himself down on the rock between the riverbank and the island. He waited for Mr. Monkey to return that evening, planning to catch him.
As usual, Mr. Monkey spent the rest of the day on the island. When it was time to return to his home on the riverbank, he noticed that the rock seemed to have grown. It was higher above water than he remembered it. He investigated and saw that the river level was the same as in the morning, yet the rock was definitely higher. Immediately he suspected the cunning Sir Crocodile.
To find out for sure, he called out in the direction of the rock, "Hi there, Mr. Rock! How are you?" He yelled this three times. Then he shouted, "You used to answer me when I spoke to you. But today you say nothing. What's wrong with you, Mr. Rock?"
Sir Crocodile thought, "No doubt on other days this rock used to talk to the monkey. I can't wait any longer for this dumb rock to speak! I will just have to speak for the rock, and trick the monkey." So he shouted, "I'm fine, Mr. Monkey. What do you want?"
Mr. Monkey asked, "Who are you?"
Without thinking, the crocodile replied, "I'm Sir Crocodile."
"Why are you lying there?" asked the monkey.
Sir Crocodile said, "I'm expecting to take your heart! There's no escape for you, Mr. Monkey."
The clever monkey thought, "Aha! He's right - there's no other way back to the riverbank. So I will have to trick him."
Then he yelled, "Sir Crocodile my friend, it looks like you've got me. So I'll give you my heart. Open your mouth and take it when I come your way."
When Sir Crocodile opened his mouth, he opened it so wide that his eyes were squeezed shut. When Mr. Monkey saw this, he immediately jumped onto the top of Sir Crocodile's head, and then instantly to the riverbank.
When Sir Crocodile realised he'd been outsmarted, he admired Mr.Monkey's victory. Like a good sport in a contest, he praised the winner. He said, "Mr. Monkey, my intention towards you was unwholesome - I wanted to kill you and take your heart just to please my wife. But you wanted only to save yourself and harm no one. I congratulate you!"
Then Sir Crocodile returned to Lady Crocodile. At first she was displeased with him, but when the little ones came they forgot their troubles for a time.
The moral is: A good loser is a true gentleman.
The ultimate and most glorious of human relationships is the relationship of spiritual successors.
Even animals have relationships of parent and child. There are animals that share partnerships similar to marriage, and even those that enjoy friendships. However, the relationship of mentor and disciple, of spiritual successors, exists only among human beings.
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 24/5
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 24/5
As a Buddhist, it is helpful to compare the cycles of life and death to the daily rhythms of waking and sleeping.
I believe that whether we can live a truly satisfying life to the end depends to a considerable extent on how we view death. Sadly, many older people are anxious and fearful about death. But, as a Buddhist, I find it helpful to compare the cycles of life and death to the daily rhythms of waking and sleeping. Just as we look forward to the rest sleep brings after the efforts and exertions of the day, death can be seen as a welcome period of rest and re-energizing in preparation for a new round of active life. And just as we enjoy the best sleep after a day in which we have done our very best, a calm and easy death can only follow a life lived to the fullest without any regrets.
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 23/5
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 23/5
Monday, January 3, 2011
We can learn to know ourselves and others by immersion in the ocean of language and dialogue fed by the springs of cultural tradition
Only within the open space created by dialogue, whether conducted with our neighbors, with history, with nature or the cosmos, can human wholeness be sustained. We are not born human in any but a biological sense; we can only learn to know ourselves and others and thus be trained in the ways of being human. We do this by immersion in the ocean of language and dialogue fed by the springs of cultural tradition.
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 22/5
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 22/5
Finding a good friend is like a one-eyed turtle finding a floating log with a hollow in it the right size to hold him
The best way to attain Buddhahood is to encounter a good friend. How far can our own wisdom take us? If we have even enough wisdom to distinguish hot from cold, we should seek out a good friend. But encountering a good friend is the hardest possible thing to do. For this reason, the Buddha likened it to the rarity of a one-eyed turtle finding a floating log with a hollow in it the right size to hold him, or to the difficulty of trying to lower a thread from the Brahma heaven and pass it through the eye of a needle on the earth. -Nichiren
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 21/5
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 21/5
A Huge Lump of Gold (Moderation)
Once upon a time there was a rich village. The wealthiest of the villagers decided to hide a huge lump of gold to protect it from bandits and robbers. So he buried it in a nearby rice field.
Many years later, the village was no longer rich, and the rice field was abandoned and unused. A poor farmer decided to plow the field. After some time plowing, it just so happened that his plow struck the long forgotten buried treasure.
At first he thought it must be a very hard tree root. But when he uncovered it, he saw that it was beautiful shining gold. Since it was daytime he was afraid to try and take it with him. So he covered it up again and waited for nightfall.
The poor farmer returned in the middle of the night. Again he uncovered the golden treasure. He tried to lift it, but it was far too heavy. He tied ropes around it and tried to drag it. But it was so huge he couldn't budge it an inch. He became frustrated, thinking he was lucky to find a treasure, and unlucky to not be able to take it with him. He even tried kicking the huge lump of gold. But again it wouldn't budge an inch!
Then he sat down and began to consider the situation. He decided the only thing to do was to break the lump of gold into four smaller lumps. Then he could carry home one piece at a time.
He thought, "One lump I will use for ordinary day-to-day living. The second lump I will save for a rainy day. The third lump I will invest in my farming business. And I will gain merit with the fourth lump by giving it to the poor and needy and for other good works."
With a calm mind he divided the huge lump of gold into these four smaller lumps. Then it was easy to carry them home on four separate trips.
Afterwards he lived happily.
The moral is: "Don't bite off more than you can chew."
Source unknown
Many years later, the village was no longer rich, and the rice field was abandoned and unused. A poor farmer decided to plow the field. After some time plowing, it just so happened that his plow struck the long forgotten buried treasure.
At first he thought it must be a very hard tree root. But when he uncovered it, he saw that it was beautiful shining gold. Since it was daytime he was afraid to try and take it with him. So he covered it up again and waited for nightfall.
The poor farmer returned in the middle of the night. Again he uncovered the golden treasure. He tried to lift it, but it was far too heavy. He tied ropes around it and tried to drag it. But it was so huge he couldn't budge it an inch. He became frustrated, thinking he was lucky to find a treasure, and unlucky to not be able to take it with him. He even tried kicking the huge lump of gold. But again it wouldn't budge an inch!
Then he sat down and began to consider the situation. He decided the only thing to do was to break the lump of gold into four smaller lumps. Then he could carry home one piece at a time.
He thought, "One lump I will use for ordinary day-to-day living. The second lump I will save for a rainy day. The third lump I will invest in my farming business. And I will gain merit with the fourth lump by giving it to the poor and needy and for other good works."
With a calm mind he divided the huge lump of gold into these four smaller lumps. Then it was easy to carry them home on four separate trips.
Afterwards he lived happily.
The moral is: "Don't bite off more than you can chew."
Source unknown
The wonderful things the Lotus Sutra can do
The Lotus Sutra has the drama of fighting for justice against evil. It has a warmth that comforts the weary. It has a vibrant, pulsing courage that drives away fear. It has a chorus of joy at attaining absolute freedom throughout past, present and future. It has the soaring flight of liberty. It has brilliant light, flowers, greenery, music, paintings, vivid stories. It offers unsurpassed lessons on psychology, the workings of the human heart; lessons on life; lessons on happiness; and lessons on peace. It maps out the basic rules for good health. It awakens us to the universal truth that a change in one's heart can transform everything.
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 20/5
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 20/5
Create a peaceful society by widely disseminating the teachings of Buddhism
Nichiren was utterly convinced we could change even the most dire and painful reality, including the danger of war, and, indeed, that it was imperative we do so. This conviction underlies his unwavering determination to create a peaceful society by widely disseminating the teachings of Buddhism.
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 19/5
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 19/5
Nichiren Buddhism is concerned with a very practical problem—how people should live their lives
Nichiren Buddhism is concerned with a very practical problem—how people should live their lives—and never for an instant allows its attention to be diverted from that problem. And because this is its purpose, it demands as a first step that one conduct a thorough and fearless examination into the true nature of human life.
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 18/5
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 18/5
The essence of true knowledge is self-knowledge.
Wisdom is rooted in the souls of human beings. The way to acquire it is to follow the simple advice of Socrates: "Know thyself." This is the starting point for the establishment of a sense of human dignity, preventing the degradation of human beings into anonymous, interchangeable cogs in a machine. The essence of true knowledge is self-knowledge.
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 17/5
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 17/5
In a relationship, it is demeaning to constantly seek your partner's approval.
Such relationships are bereft of real caring, depth or even love. For those of you who find yourselves in relationships where you are not treated the way your heart says you should be, I hope you will have the courage and dignity to decide that you are better off risking the scorn of your partner than enduring unhappiness with him or her.
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 16/5
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 16/5
Sunday, January 2, 2011
When water is clear, the moon is reflected. When the wind blows, the trees shake.
Faith that is weak is like muddy water, while faith that is brave is like clear water. Understand that the trees are like principles, and the wind that shakes them is like the recitation of the sutra. -Nichiren
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 15/5
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 15/5
The inner determination of a person can transform everything; it gives ultimate expression to the infinite potential and dignity inherent in a human
What can the individual accomplish in the face of the huge institutions that run our world? This feeling of powerlessness fuels a vicious cycle that only worsens the situation and increases people's sense of futility. At the opposite extreme of this sense of powerlessness lie the Lotus Sutra's philosophy of three thousand realms in a single moment of life and the application of this teaching to our daily lives. This principle teaches us that the inner determination of an individual can transform everything; it gives ultimate expression to the infinite potential and dignity inherent in each human life.
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 14/5
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 14/5
For a person to become a man, woman, or parent in the true sense of the word, one has to first of all develop his or her autonomous identity as human
We should give first priority to the development of an independent spirit as a human being before considering one's role as a man, woman, child or parent. In other words, for a person to become a man, woman, child or parent in the true sense of the word, one has to first of all develop his or her autonomous identity as a human being.
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 13/5
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 13/5
Status does not make people great, authority does not make them noble, it is people wholeheartedly dedicated to a lofty ideal who shine the brightest
Human society, as viewed with the "eyes of Buddhism," takes on a completely different meaning from that discerned by "secular eyes." No longer are the powerful above and ordinary people below. Status does not make people great, and authority does not make them noble. Instead, it is people wholeheartedly dedicated to a lofty ideal who shine the brightest.
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 12/5
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 12/5
If the sanctity of life can become a solid touchstone of wisdom for all, then humankind's destiny to experience war and misery can be avoided
The sanctity of life is known to everyone. At the same time, there is universal confusion about the essential meaning of life's sanctity. If the sanctity of life can become a solid touchstone of wisdom for all people, then humankind's destiny to experience war and misery repeatedly can be greatly transformed. It is toward this end that we Nichiren Buddhists are struggling.
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 11/5
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 11/5
Prince Five-Weapons and Sticky-Hair (The Diamond Weapon)
Once upon a time, the Enlightenment Being was born as the son of the King and Queen of Benares. On the day of his naming, 800 fortune tellers were invited to the palace. As presents, they were given whatever they desired to make them happy for the moment. Then they were asked to tell the fortune of the newborn prince. This was so they could find a good name for him.
One of the fortune tellers was an expert in reading the marks on the body. He said, "My lord, this is a being of great merit. He will be king after you."
The fortune tellers were very clever. They told the king and queen whatever they wanted to hear. They said, "Your son will be skilled in five weapons. He will become famous as the greatest master of all five weapons throughout India." Based on this, the king and queen named their son 'Prince Five-Weapons'.
When the prince turned 16, the king decided to send him to college. He said, "Go, my son, to the city of Takkasila. There you will find a world famous teacher. Learn all you can from him. Give him this money as payment." He gave him a thousand gold coins and sent him on his way.
The prince went to the world famous teacher of Takkasila. He studied very hard and became his best pupil. When the teacher had taught him all he knew, he gave the prince a special graduation award. He gave him five weapons. Then he sent him back to Benares.
On his way home he came to a forest which was haunted by a monster. The local people warned Prince Five-Weapons, "Young man, don't go through the forest. There is a monstrous demon called Sticky-Hair living there. He kills everyone he sees!"
But the prince was self-confident and fearless like a young lion. So he pushed on into the forest, until he came to the dreadful monster. He was as tall as a tree, with a head as big as the roof of a house and eyes as big as dishes. He had two big yellow tusks sticking out of his gaping white mouth filled with ugly brown teeth. He had a huge belly covered with white spots, and his hands and feet were blue.
The monster roared and growled at the prince, "Where are you going in my forest, little man? You look like a tasty morsel to me. I'm going to gobble you up!"
The prince had just graduated from college and had won the highest award from his teacher. So he thought he knew just about everything, and that he could do just about anything. He replied, "Oh fierce demon, I am Prince Five-Weapons, and I have come on purpose to find you. I dare you to attack me! I will kill you easily with my first two weapons - my bow and poison-tipped arrows."
Then he put a poison arrow in his bow and shot it straight at the monster. But the arrow just stuck fast to his hair, like glue, without hurting him at all. Then the prince shot, one after another, all the rest of his 50 poison-tipped arrows. But they also stuck fast to the hair of the one called Sticky-Hair.
Then the beast shook his body, from ugly rooftop-sized head to blue coloured feet. And all the arrows fell harmlessly to the ground.
Prince Five-Weapons drew his third weapon, a 33-inch-long sword. He plunged it into his enemy. But it just stuck fast in the thick coat of sticky hair. He threw his fourth weapon, his spear, at the monster. But this too just stuck to his hair.
Next he attacked with the last of his five weapons, his club. This also stuck fast onto Sticky-Hair.
Then the prince yelled at him, "Hey you, monster - haven't you ever heard of me, Prince Five-Weapons? I have more than just my five weapons. I have the strength of my young man's body. I will break you in pieces!"
He hit Sticky-Hair with his right fist, just like a boxer. But his hand just stuck to the hairy coat, and he couldn't remove it. He hit him with his left fist, but this too just stuck fast to the gooey mess of hair. He kicked him with his right foot and then his left, just like a martial arts master. But they both stuck onto him like his fists. Finally he butted him as hard as he could with his head, just like a wrestler. But, lo and behold, his head got stuck as well.
Even while sticking to the hairy monster in five places, hanging down from his coat, the prince had no fear.
Sticky-Hair thought, "This is very strange indeed. He is more like a lion than a man. Even while in the grasp of a ferocious monster like me, he does not tremble with fear. In all the time I've been killing people in this forest, I've never met anyone as great as this prince. Why isn't he afraid of me?"
Since Prince Five-Weapons was not like ordinary men, Sticky-Hair was afraid to eat him right away. Instead he asked him, "Young man, why aren't you afraid of death?"
The prince replied, "Why should I be afraid of death? There is no doubt that anyone who is born will definitely die!"
Then the Enlightenment Being thought, "The five weapons given to me by the world famous teacher have been useless. Even the lion-like strength of my young man's body has been useless. I must go beyond my teacher, beyond my body, to the weapon inside my mind - the only weapon I need."
The prince continued speaking to Sticky-Hair, "There's one small detail, oh monstrous one, I haven't told you about yet. In my belly is my secret weapon, a diamond weapon you cannot digest. It will cut your intestines into pieces if you are foolish enough to swallow me. So if I die - you die! That's why I'm not afraid of you."
In this way the prince used his greatest inner strength in a way Sticky-Hair could easily understand. He knew this greatest of all weapons, the one inside his mind, was the precious diamond gem of his own intelligence.
Sticky-Hair thought, "No doubt this fearless man is telling the truth. Even if I eat as much as a pea-sized tidbit of such a hero, I won't be able to digest it. So I will let him go." Fearing his own death, he set Prince Five-Weapons free.
He said, "You are a great man. I will not eat your flesh. I let you go free, just like the moon that reappears after an eclipse, so you may shine pleasantly on all your friends and relatives."
The Enlightenment Being had learned from his battle with the monster Sticky-Hair. He had learned the only worthwhile weapon is the intelligence inside, not the weapons of the world outside. And with this diamond weapon he also knew that destroying life brings only suffering to the killer.
In gratitude, he taught the unfortunate demon. He said, "Oh Sticky-Hair, you have been born as a murderous blood sucking flesh eating demon because of unwholesome deeds in your past. If you continue killing in this way, it will lead only to suffering for you - both in this life and beyond. You can only go from darkness to darkness.
"Now that you have spared me, you won't be able to kill so easily. Hear this - destroying life leads to misery in this world, and then rebirth in a hell world, or as an animal or a hungry ghost. Even if you were lucky enough to be reborn as a human being, you would have only a short life!"
Prince Five-Weapons continued to teach Sticky-Hair. Eventually the monster agreed to follow the Five Training Steps. In his way he transformed him from a monster into a friendly forest fairy. And when he left the forest, the prince told the local people about the change in the one-time demon. From then on they fed him regularly and lived in peace.
Prince Five-Weapons returned to Benares. Later he became king. Finally he died and was reborn as he deserved.
The moral is: The only weapon you need is hidden inside you.
Source by email
One of the fortune tellers was an expert in reading the marks on the body. He said, "My lord, this is a being of great merit. He will be king after you."
The fortune tellers were very clever. They told the king and queen whatever they wanted to hear. They said, "Your son will be skilled in five weapons. He will become famous as the greatest master of all five weapons throughout India." Based on this, the king and queen named their son 'Prince Five-Weapons'.
When the prince turned 16, the king decided to send him to college. He said, "Go, my son, to the city of Takkasila. There you will find a world famous teacher. Learn all you can from him. Give him this money as payment." He gave him a thousand gold coins and sent him on his way.
The prince went to the world famous teacher of Takkasila. He studied very hard and became his best pupil. When the teacher had taught him all he knew, he gave the prince a special graduation award. He gave him five weapons. Then he sent him back to Benares.
On his way home he came to a forest which was haunted by a monster. The local people warned Prince Five-Weapons, "Young man, don't go through the forest. There is a monstrous demon called Sticky-Hair living there. He kills everyone he sees!"
But the prince was self-confident and fearless like a young lion. So he pushed on into the forest, until he came to the dreadful monster. He was as tall as a tree, with a head as big as the roof of a house and eyes as big as dishes. He had two big yellow tusks sticking out of his gaping white mouth filled with ugly brown teeth. He had a huge belly covered with white spots, and his hands and feet were blue.
The monster roared and growled at the prince, "Where are you going in my forest, little man? You look like a tasty morsel to me. I'm going to gobble you up!"
The prince had just graduated from college and had won the highest award from his teacher. So he thought he knew just about everything, and that he could do just about anything. He replied, "Oh fierce demon, I am Prince Five-Weapons, and I have come on purpose to find you. I dare you to attack me! I will kill you easily with my first two weapons - my bow and poison-tipped arrows."
Then he put a poison arrow in his bow and shot it straight at the monster. But the arrow just stuck fast to his hair, like glue, without hurting him at all. Then the prince shot, one after another, all the rest of his 50 poison-tipped arrows. But they also stuck fast to the hair of the one called Sticky-Hair.
Then the beast shook his body, from ugly rooftop-sized head to blue coloured feet. And all the arrows fell harmlessly to the ground.
Prince Five-Weapons drew his third weapon, a 33-inch-long sword. He plunged it into his enemy. But it just stuck fast in the thick coat of sticky hair. He threw his fourth weapon, his spear, at the monster. But this too just stuck to his hair.
Next he attacked with the last of his five weapons, his club. This also stuck fast onto Sticky-Hair.
Then the prince yelled at him, "Hey you, monster - haven't you ever heard of me, Prince Five-Weapons? I have more than just my five weapons. I have the strength of my young man's body. I will break you in pieces!"
He hit Sticky-Hair with his right fist, just like a boxer. But his hand just stuck to the hairy coat, and he couldn't remove it. He hit him with his left fist, but this too just stuck fast to the gooey mess of hair. He kicked him with his right foot and then his left, just like a martial arts master. But they both stuck onto him like his fists. Finally he butted him as hard as he could with his head, just like a wrestler. But, lo and behold, his head got stuck as well.
Even while sticking to the hairy monster in five places, hanging down from his coat, the prince had no fear.
Sticky-Hair thought, "This is very strange indeed. He is more like a lion than a man. Even while in the grasp of a ferocious monster like me, he does not tremble with fear. In all the time I've been killing people in this forest, I've never met anyone as great as this prince. Why isn't he afraid of me?"
Since Prince Five-Weapons was not like ordinary men, Sticky-Hair was afraid to eat him right away. Instead he asked him, "Young man, why aren't you afraid of death?"
The prince replied, "Why should I be afraid of death? There is no doubt that anyone who is born will definitely die!"
Then the Enlightenment Being thought, "The five weapons given to me by the world famous teacher have been useless. Even the lion-like strength of my young man's body has been useless. I must go beyond my teacher, beyond my body, to the weapon inside my mind - the only weapon I need."
The prince continued speaking to Sticky-Hair, "There's one small detail, oh monstrous one, I haven't told you about yet. In my belly is my secret weapon, a diamond weapon you cannot digest. It will cut your intestines into pieces if you are foolish enough to swallow me. So if I die - you die! That's why I'm not afraid of you."
In this way the prince used his greatest inner strength in a way Sticky-Hair could easily understand. He knew this greatest of all weapons, the one inside his mind, was the precious diamond gem of his own intelligence.
Sticky-Hair thought, "No doubt this fearless man is telling the truth. Even if I eat as much as a pea-sized tidbit of such a hero, I won't be able to digest it. So I will let him go." Fearing his own death, he set Prince Five-Weapons free.
He said, "You are a great man. I will not eat your flesh. I let you go free, just like the moon that reappears after an eclipse, so you may shine pleasantly on all your friends and relatives."
The Enlightenment Being had learned from his battle with the monster Sticky-Hair. He had learned the only worthwhile weapon is the intelligence inside, not the weapons of the world outside. And with this diamond weapon he also knew that destroying life brings only suffering to the killer.
In gratitude, he taught the unfortunate demon. He said, "Oh Sticky-Hair, you have been born as a murderous blood sucking flesh eating demon because of unwholesome deeds in your past. If you continue killing in this way, it will lead only to suffering for you - both in this life and beyond. You can only go from darkness to darkness.
"Now that you have spared me, you won't be able to kill so easily. Hear this - destroying life leads to misery in this world, and then rebirth in a hell world, or as an animal or a hungry ghost. Even if you were lucky enough to be reborn as a human being, you would have only a short life!"
Prince Five-Weapons continued to teach Sticky-Hair. Eventually the monster agreed to follow the Five Training Steps. In his way he transformed him from a monster into a friendly forest fairy. And when he left the forest, the prince told the local people about the change in the one-time demon. From then on they fed him regularly and lived in peace.
Prince Five-Weapons returned to Benares. Later he became king. Finally he died and was reborn as he deserved.
The moral is: The only weapon you need is hidden inside you.
Source by email
It is important for married couples, while giving full rein to their individual characteristics, to cooperate for the happiness of the children, the f
Children remember all their lives mothers who are always optimistic and generous toward society and the community and who live creatively. That kind of behavior provides the finest possible nourishment for learning how to build a happy home life. It is important for married couples, while giving full rein to their individual characteristics, to cooperate for the happiness of the children, the family and society.
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 10/5
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 10/5
The capacities of people working hard and striving with all their might never get rusty; they are constantly being polished and forged
A Turkish proverb says, "Iron shines when used, but rusts when not." The capacities of people working hard and striving with all their might never get rusty; they are constantly being polished and forged.
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 9/5
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 9/5
Wildflowers are neither vain nor haughty, neither jealous nor servile. Living in accord with their unique mission.
Wildflowers are neither vain nor haughty, neither jealous nor servile. Living in accord with their unique mission, characterizing the Buddhist principle of the equality of cherry, peach, plum, and damson blossoms, they neither envy other flowers nor belittle themselves. They take pride in their individuality, knowing that each is a flower with a bloom like no other. Even the prettiest and most delicate wildflowers are by no means weak. They may seem fragile, but they are strong, unperturbed by rain or wind.
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 8/5
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 8/5
Regard both suffering and joy as facts of life, and continue chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, no matter what happens.
Suffer what there is to suffer, enjoy what there is to enjoy. Regard both suffering and joy as facts of life, and continue chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, no matter what happens. How could this be anything other than the boundless joy of the Law? Strengthen your power of faith more than ever. -Nichiren
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 7/5
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 7/5
When we chant sonorously, the sun rises in our hearts. We are filled with power. Compassion wells forth. Our lives are lit with joy. Our wisdom shines
Chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is the foundation of Nichiren Buddhism. When we chant sonorously, the sun rises in our hearts. We are filled with power. Compassion wells forth. Our lives are lit with joy. Our wisdom shines. All Buddhas and protective forces throughout the universe go to work on our behalf. Life becomes exhilarating.
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 6/5
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 6/5
Saturday, January 1, 2011
When you encounter a wall, rather than becoming discouraged, know that encountering a wall is proof of the progress that you have made so far.
When you encounter a wall, you should tell yourself, "Since there is a wall here, a wide, open expanse must lie on the other side." Rather than becoming discouraged, know that encountering a wall is proof of the progress that you have made so far.
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 5/5
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 5/5
What Buddhism terms good friends are sincere, honest people without a trace of deceit who guide others toward the correct path, toward good.
It also refers to people who lend their assistance or support to us so that we can practice Buddhism with full assurance.
If you become close to a person who makes you feel "that person is always glowing and animated" or "When I'm with that person I feel strong and secure," then your faith will naturally deepen, and you will develop bountiful wisdom. In carrying out this Buddhist practice, encountering good friends is the key to obtaining Buddhahood.
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 4/5
If you become close to a person who makes you feel "that person is always glowing and animated" or "When I'm with that person I feel strong and secure," then your faith will naturally deepen, and you will develop bountiful wisdom. In carrying out this Buddhist practice, encountering good friends is the key to obtaining Buddhahood.
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 4/5
Wisdom isn't knowledge that causes suffering for others; it is enlightened insight for improving one's own life as well as the lives of others
The SGI is a gathering of ordinary people. We struggle to ensure that the people are not despised and exploited by the powerful. To help all people become strong and wise, we are developing a network of peace and culture and putting great effort into education. By nature, the people are strong, wise, cheerful and warm. Religious faith has the power to draw out those qualities. The purpose of faith is not to turn people into sheep; it is to make them wise. Wisdom isn't knowledge that causes suffering for others; it is enlightened insight for improving one's own life as well as the lives of others.
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 3/5
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 3/5
Great people never forget what others have done for them. In fact, having a sense of appreciation makes a person worthy of respect.
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 2/5
Parents must strive to become a good, upright influence for children like hemp for mugwort
Nichiren states, "Mugwort that grows in the midst of hemp, or a snake inside a tube [will as a matter of course become straight], and 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 behaviors of adults, has a great impact on children. Parents must set good examples before nagging them to do this or that. Parents must strive to become a good, upright influence for children like hemp for mugwort. It is also important for parents to bring their children closer to "people of good character" outside their own families so that children may advance in a more positive direction.
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 1/5
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 1/5
Strong language that combats great evil often awakens adverse reactions from society, but this must not intimidate those who believe they are right
Nichiren wrote that wrath can be either good or bad. Self-centered anger generates evil, but wrath at social injustice becomes the driving force for reform. Strong language that censures and combats a great evil often awakens adverse reactions from society, but this must not intimidate those who believe they are right. A lion is a lion because he roars.
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 30/4
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 30/4
Our efforts for the sake of dialogue, in order to be worthy of the term dialogue, must be carried through to the end
Our efforts for the sake of dialogue, in order to be worthy of the term dialogue, must be carried through to the end. To refuse peaceful exchange and choose force is to compromise and give in to human weakness; it is to admit the defeat of the human spirit. Socrates encourages his youthful disciples to train and strengthen themselves spiritually, to maintain hope and self-control, to advance courageously, choosing virtue over material wealth, truth over fame.
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 29*1
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 29*1
Arouse deep faith, and diligently polish your mirror day and night only by chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo
When deluded, one is called an ordinary being, but when enlightened, one is called a Buddha. This is similar to a tarnished mirror that will shine like a jewel when polished. A mind now clouded by the illusions of the innate darkness of life is like a tarnished mirror, but when polished, it is sure to become like a clear mirror, reflecting the essential nature of phenomena and the true aspect of reality. Arouse deep faith, and diligently polish your mirror day and night. How should you polish it? Only by chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. -Nichiren
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 28/4
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 28/4
We must create better relationships with other people and interact with our community and society with an open heart
We all long for things of beauty—beauty of nature, of appearance, of life, a beautiful family and so on. But these cannot be gained if we are withdrawn and isolated, just looking at ourselves. We must create better relationships with other people and interact with our community and society with an open heart. We must be kind to nature. It is only through this process that we really grow and cultivate our own beauty.
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 27/4
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 27/4
Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. The key to the solution is the imagination to care for others
As globalization proceeds, we enter an age in which everybody's actions strongly influence everybody else. When we realize this, we can then alter our mindset and strive to build a global society of mutual coexistence and mutual prosperity. This will be done by going beyond devotion to the interests of the nation-state and devoting ourselves to the interests of all humanity. As Martin Luther King Jr. said, injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. The key to the solution is the imagination to care for others. It is the empathizing heart or what Buddhists refer to when they talk about mercy.
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 26/4
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 26/4
ANGRY BUDDHA
From "Being Peace" by Thitch Nhat Hahn
A woman who practices reciting Buddha Amitabha's name, is very tough and recites "NAMO AMITABHA BUDDHA" three times daily. Although she is doing this practice for over 10 years, she is still quite mean, shouting at people all the time.
She starts her practice lighting incense and hitting a little bell.
A friend wanted to teach her a lesson, and just as she began her recitation, he came to her door and called out: "miss Nuyen, miss Nuyen!".
As this was the time for her practice she got annoyed, but she said to herself: "I have to struggle against my anger, so I will just ignore it." And she continued: "NAMO AMITABHA BUDDHA, NAMO AMITABHA BUDDHA..."
But the man continued to shout her name, and she became more and more oppressive. She struggled against it and wondered if she should stop the recitation to give the man a piece of her mind, but she continued reciting: "NAMO AMITABHA BUDDHA, NAMO AMITABHA BUDDHA..."
The man outside heard it and continued: "Miss Nuyen, miss Nuyen..." Then she could not stand it anymore, jumped up, slammed the door and went to the gate and shouted: "Why do you have to behave like that? I am doing my practice and you keep on shouting my name over and over!"
The gentleman smiled at her and said: "I just called your name for ten minutes and you are so angry. You have been calling Amitabha Buddha's name for more then ten years now; just imagine how angry he must be by now!"
A woman who practices reciting Buddha Amitabha's name, is very tough and recites "NAMO AMITABHA BUDDHA" three times daily. Although she is doing this practice for over 10 years, she is still quite mean, shouting at people all the time.
She starts her practice lighting incense and hitting a little bell.
A friend wanted to teach her a lesson, and just as she began her recitation, he came to her door and called out: "miss Nuyen, miss Nuyen!".
As this was the time for her practice she got annoyed, but she said to herself: "I have to struggle against my anger, so I will just ignore it." And she continued: "NAMO AMITABHA BUDDHA, NAMO AMITABHA BUDDHA..."
But the man continued to shout her name, and she became more and more oppressive. She struggled against it and wondered if she should stop the recitation to give the man a piece of her mind, but she continued reciting: "NAMO AMITABHA BUDDHA, NAMO AMITABHA BUDDHA..."
The man outside heard it and continued: "Miss Nuyen, miss Nuyen..." Then she could not stand it anymore, jumped up, slammed the door and went to the gate and shouted: "Why do you have to behave like that? I am doing my practice and you keep on shouting my name over and over!"
The gentleman smiled at her and said: "I just called your name for ten minutes and you are so angry. You have been calling Amitabha Buddha's name for more then ten years now; just imagine how angry he must be by now!"
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)