Where is my home?

Your home is where your loved ones live. Your home is the place where you work together with your fellow human beings to build a paradise, a realm of peace and prosperity for all. When we are asked where our home is, we can answer: "My home is the world. Everywhere in the world where my fellow human beings live, all of it, is my home."

Buddhism Day by Day
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 28/9

What is the correct use of knowledge?

The wise course is to control and make correct use of knowledge. Buddhism is a means for developing wisdom, and it teaches how to overcome the four inherent sufferings or sorrows—birth, aging, illness and death—in order to lead a happy, meaningful life. In addition it teaches how to control desire rather than be controlled by it.

Buddhism Day by Day
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 27/9

WHO IS THE BODHISATTVA OF COMPASSION?

A Buddhist was a very devout follower of the Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva (of Compassion, also known as Guan Yin in Chinese). One day, the village in which he lived was flooded by a overflowing river, and the water was rising rapidly. He escaped to the roof top of his house and prayed to the Bodhisattva for help, because according to the Lotus Sutra, when the Bodhisattva of Compassion hears the cries of the world, she will come down to help anybody in despair.

As he was praying to the Bodhisattva, a native Indian rowed a canoe along the flooded river and cried out, "Hi. Fellow, do you need a ride in my canoe?" He did not like natives because most of them are not Buddhist and so he replied, " No. I do not need your help. The Bodhisattva will come and help me out." And he continued to pray to the Bodhisattva.

After a while, an Anglo Saxon American arrived in a speed boat and cried out, "Hi! Do you need help? If you do, just come and ride in my speed boat." But he did not like white people either because most of them are Christians. So he refused his help also.

Next, a helicopter flied above the house and the pilot shouted to him, "Do you want to come fly with me?" But he thought that Buddhist should live a simple life, free from high technology. So he replied, "No thank you. I am sure the Bodhisattva will safe my life, if I pray to her." The pilot left.

Finally, the house gave way to the flood, and he was drowned. After his death he went before King Yama (the God of Hell) and filed a complaint, "According to the Lotus Sutra, the Bodhisattva of Compassion promises to come and save my life whenever I pray to her. Why did she break her promise?"

King Yama replied, "the Bodhisattva did appear to help you out three times. First, she appeared as a Native, then as a Anglo Saxon, then as a pilot. But you did not recognize her and refused her help. Therefore I have to dismiss your complaint. However, since you have read the Lotus Sutra, you do not have to stay here. I will arrange your rebirth as soon as possible. You may go now."

How to live?

Live in a way that is full of life—for yourself, for your loved ones, for your friends. People who do so will find the courage to transform sufferings into hopes. Not only that, but they will be able to light the lamp of hope in the hearts of many others, as well.

Buddhism Day by Day
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 26/9

What is universal law?

In the true reality of life as viewed from the enlightened state of the Buddha—who has broken free of all delusion—all things are equal, transcending distinctions and differences between subject and object, self and others, mind and body, the spiritual and the material. In its true aspect, life is infinitely expansive and eternal, without beginning or end. Life is dynamic; it is wisdom and compassion; it embodies the principle of the indivisibility of life and death; it is a universal law. The cosmos is not so big that life cannot embrace it, nor a particle of matter so small that life cannot be contained within it.

Buddhism Day by Day
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 25/9

How to promote world peace?

We are all human beings, whatever our positions. If we open our hearts and speak with sincerity, we can communicate and touch others on the deepest level. World peace starts with trust between one individual and another.

Buddhism Day by Day
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 24/9

What will arrogance, prejudice and anger will do to you?

Now, if you wish to attain Buddhahood, you have only to lower the banner of your arrogance, cast aside the staff of your anger, and devote yourself exclusively to the one vehicle of the Lotus Sutra. Worldly fame and profit are mere baubles of your present existence, and arrogance and prejudice are ties that will fetter you in a next one. -Nichiren

Buddhism Day by Day
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 23/9

GOLD FINGER - a Zen Buddhism Koan

One day, one of the eight immortals (Note 1), Lu Dongbin, came down to the Saha World (Note 2) to help people out who were in great difficulties. While he was on the way, he met a youth sitting by the road side crying heavily. He approached the youth and asked him, "Mister, why are you crying? Do you have any difficulties?"

"My mother is very sick and my father had passed away. I do not have any money to hire a doctor to see her. I want to go to work but nobody will take care of my mother while I am away?"

The immortal was very touched by the fidelity of this youth and therefore he decided to help him out by performing a miracle. He pointed his finger at a piece of stone by the road side and turned it into gold immediately. Then he gave the piece of gold to the youth. To his surprise the youth refused to accept it.

The immortal was even touched, because the youth must be a devout Buddhist, renouncing wealth. "Why don't you accept the piece of gold. It should keep your family going for a long time."

The youth replied, "If I accept it, sooner or later I will spend it all. Therefore, I do not want the piece of gold. I want your finger, because I can use it to turn everything into gold and I will be the richest man on earth."

Upon hearing this, the immortal gave a sigh at the greediness of human beings, restored the piece of gold back to stone, and returned to heaven.

Note 1: Eight immortals: In Chinese folk religion, the eight immortals are human beings who became deities or fairies through the rites of Taoism. An immortal is different from a god in that the immortal seldom got involved in earthly matters. A god (such as the Thunderer) is responsible for certain aspects of life on earth.

Note 2: Saha world: Literally, a world with desires. That is, the world in which good and evil exist. Or, the real world in which we human beings live in.

BUDDHA AND COW DUNG - a Zen Buddhism Koan

The famous Chinese poet Su Tung-po (1036-1100) in the Song Dynasty wrote very simple Chinese Poems based on Buddhist Philosophy, he himself being a very religious person. He was appointed to the position of the Director of Literature for the Imperial Court.

One day he visited a Buddhist Temple and meditated with the Monk Buddhastamp. After a little while, Su asked the Monk: "Look at me. I am sitting here meditating. What do I look like?"

Buddhastamp examined Su closely for a while and said, "Officer, you are very solemn, healthy and gentle. You look like a Buddha Stature." Su was very pleased with the answer.

After a while, Buddhastamp asked Su this time, "Officer, I am sitting here meditating also. What do I look like?"

Mr. Su thought, this Monk always got the upperhand whenever we debated on any subject matters. Now, I got the opportunity to win this time. So, he said, "You look like a pile of cow dung." This time, the Monk just smiled and did not argue with him at all.

Thinking that he had won the debate, Mr. Su went about telling everybody in town how he did it, until his younger sister heard of his story. "My dear brother," said Miss Su, "you had lost the debate completely."

"What!? I am sure the Monk was dumbfound. How come I lost the debate?"

"Dear brother," said Miss Su, "the Monk's heart was filled with Buddha nature, therefore he saw you as a Buddha. But your heart was filled with cow dung, and therefore you saw him as a pile of cow dung."

How Buddhism views illness?

Buddhism views illness as an opportunity to attain a higher, nobler state of life. It teaches that, instead of agonizing over a serious disease, or despairing of ever overcoming it, we should use illness as a means to build a strong, compassionate self, which in turn will make it possible for us to be truly victorious.

Buddhism Day by Day
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 22/9

How to create a new era of human civilization?

Efforts to reach out and engage others in dialogue with the aim of fostering mutual understanding and bringing people closer together may seem ordinary and unexciting, but they in fact constitute a bold and daring challenge to create a new era of human civilization.

Buddhism Day by Day
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 21/9

Deer Couple - from Jakata Stories

This is what I (note 1) had heard:

Once upon a time, there was a herd of deers glazing by the riverside, lead by a Deer King.

One day, a hunter set up a trap to hunt animals, but unfortunately, as the herd of deers was glazing by the riverside, the Deer King was caught by the trap. He struggled and struggled against the trap, while the other deers were so scared that they all ran away.

But, a female deer did not escape. She stayed with the Deer King and said to him, "Before the hunter comes along, you better try all your strength to loosen the trap. May be you still have a chance to get away with it."

But, no matter how the Deer King tried, it was no use. Finally he said, "I am becoming weak now. There is no hope of escaping. You better go and take care of yourself."

At this time, they saw the hunter was coming. . "You see, " said the Deer King, "that black faced man must be the hunter. He is wearing a deer-skin robe and he will kill me for my skin and for my meat."

On hearing this, the female deer approached the hunter and confronted him, "Mr. hunter, you may kill me first, before you kill the Deer King."

The hunter was surprised by the courage of the female deer and asked, "What is the relationship between two of you?"

"He is my husband," replied the female deer. "I love him so much that I am willing to die for him. We cannot be separated from each other. Now, if you want to kill him, you should kill me first!"

The hunter was startled by what he had just heard, "she is a very loving wife! I never seen any thing like this before." He was so moved that he told the female deer, "I have never came across such a loving wife before. How can I be so cruel to separate both of you. OK, I will release your husband and let both of you go. I will pray for your love with each other."

Having said that, the hunter cut loose the Deer King and let them go. The female deer was so happy and said, "Thank you very much. I, my husband and my herd are so grateful to your compassion."

Having finished the above story, the Buddha told his disciples, "In our former lives, I was the Deer King and Yasodhara (Note 2) was the female deer. She had always been by my side, supporting me and suffering because of my deeds. Other couples may be separated or even divorced, but not us."

Note 1: the "I" refers to Ananda, who wrote most of the Buddhist Sutra.

Note 2: Yasodhara was Prince Siddhartha's wife. Later she became his disciple.

What is the essence of Buddhism?

There has never been, nor will there ever be, a Buddha who does not encounter hardships. Only by struggling against difficulties can we attain the life-state of Buddhahood. Herein lies the essence of Buddhism.

Buddhism Day by Day
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 20/9

What is the highest offering to the Buddha?

The highest offering to the Buddha is not to worship something reminiscent of the Buddha. Rather, it is to inherit the Buddha's spirit. In other words, the highest offering lies in struggling to manifest, as one's own way of life, even a part of the spirit of the Buddha, who upheld the philosophy that everyone is a Buddha and tirelessly strove to save all from suffering.

Buddhism Day by Day
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 19/9

The Story of the Six-Tusked White Elephant

One of the merchants at the kingdom of Sravasti has a beautiful daughter. The strange thing about her was that, as soon as she learnt to speak, the very first words she said were, "I had done something wrong, I had been unfair to others, I had done evil things, I am ashamed of myself." Then came a long silence, and nobody knew what she meant.

As she grew up, she was really a very nice girl, so her parent named her Chula-subhudha, meaning "nice".

Another strange thing about her was that as she grew up, she preferred nun's robes rather than fashionable dresses, and, without any teachers, she began to practice the Dharma, chanting, meditating and following the precepts. One day, she traveled to Deer Park by herself to see the Buddha and apologized to him.

As soon as the Buddha saw her, he said, "You had apologized to me before."

Buddha's disciples scratched their heads and asked, "this girl had never met you before. Why did she apologize to you?"

Then the Buddha told them a story:

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Once upon a time, there lived a six-tusked white elephant with two female matriarch elephants, Chula-subhudha (literally, nice) and Maha-subhudha (literally, very nice). One day, while they were walking by the pond, the six-tusked white elephant saw a beautiful lotus flower. He picked it up and gave it to Chula-subhudha, but before she accepted it, the other female elephant took the flower from his trunk.

Chula-subhudha became jealous. She thought, "he loves Maha-subhudha more than me! If I am reborn as a human being in my next life, I will pay it back!" Having said that, she jumped down a cliff and killed herself.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Chula-subhudha was reborn as a very beautiful girl and became the Queen of Varanasi, with the enjoyment of all the luxuries of the Royal Palace. But she still remembered what had happened in the lotus flower incident and vowed to take revenge. She pretended to be ill and told her husband, "You must make a bed from ivory for me to sleep on, preferably with the tusks of a white elephant. Otherwise I will become so sick that I will die."

The King of Varanasi granted her the wish, and announced that anyone who would brought them ivories from a six-tusked white elephant would be rewarded 100 ounces of gold.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

A hunter named Sonuttar who lived in the forest heard of the Royal Announcement and declared, "I will become a millionaire this time." Being very familiar with the habitants of the six-tusked white elephant, he prepared himself for the hunt. He disguised himself as a monk, and took a bow and some poisonous arrow with him.

As he advanced towards the elephant, Maha-subhudha spotted him from a far away distance. She immediately reported it to her husband.

"What do you see, my dear?" asked the white elephant.

"I see a hunter dressed in a monk's robe coming toward us with a bow and arrow, " said Maha-Subhudha.

"Don't worry," said the white elephant. "Monks are vegetarians. They do not kill."

But, as soon as he finished his words, quite unexpectedly, an arrow was fired at them, narrowly missed the target.

The matriarch elephant became furious, "See. Monks are good people!? They are shooting at us. How do you explain that?"

"This is because he has some troublesome thoughts in his heart. It has nothing to do with his robe." said the six-tusked elephant.

But the matriarch elephant was so angry that she lead 500 other elephants in the herd to attack the hunter, trying to trample him to death. But, the six-tusked white elephant disagreed and ordered the attack to stop. He came over to the hunter and asked," What do you want. Why do you want to kill me?"

Surrounded by 500 angry elephants from the herd, this time, the hunter became scared. He said in a shaking voice, "I really have no intention to kill you. But there is an order from the King to get some ivory from you."

"Is that all?" asked the six-tusked white elephant. "No big deal. You can have my tusks." Then, using his own trunk, he pulled out his own teeth and gave them to the hunter.

Back at the Palace, as King Varanasi handed over the ivory to the Queen, suddenly, she began to feel sorry for what she had done. "What an evil thing that I have done? Do I really need to sleep in a bed made with ivory?" From then on, she began to study the Dharma and became an arhat.

* * * * * * * * * *

The Buddha smiled, "In one of our previous lives, I was that six-tusked white elephant. That hunter was Devadatta (note 1). That nun who had just came to see me was Chula-subhudha. Nun Yasodhara (note 2) was Maha-Subhudha the matriarch elephant."

"Oh! Now we understand" said his disciples

note 1: Devadatta always wanted to betray the Buddha

note 2: Buddha's wife..

How to gain good fortune that is immeasurable and boundless?

You have been able to accept, uphold, read, recite and ponder this sutra and to preach it for others. The good fortune you gain thereby is immeasurable and boundless. It cannot be burned by fire or washed away by water. Your benefits are such that a thousand Buddhas speaking all together could never finish describing them. Now you have been able to destroy all devils and thieves, to annihilate the army of birth and death, and all others who bore you enmity or malice have likewise been wiped out.

Good man, a hundred, a thousand Buddhas will employ their transcendental powers to join in guarding and protecting you. Among the heavenly and human beings of all the worlds, there will be no one like you. -The Lotus Sutra

Buddhism Day by Day
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 18/9

How to overcome any difficulty with joy?

Life can unfold unlimitedly as long as we have a heart of appreciation and an undefeated mind. Based on the Buddhist perspective of the eternity of life, we volunteered to be born in our current life-condition and chose to encounter the problems we have. If you can take this perspective, you should be able to overcome any difficulty with joy.

Buddhism Day by Day
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 17/9

The Story of the Nine Coloured Deer.

Once upon a time, there was a magnificent gorgeous deer whose fur had nine colours and whose angler was as white as the snow. He lived by the Ganges river with a friendly bird.

One day, there was a very heavy rainfall and the water level of the Ganges River was rising high. Suddenly, the Nine-Coloured Deer saw a man flowing down the river, struggling for help. He was holding onto a floating piece of tree and yelling out loud, "Help! Help! Please! God of the Mountain! Dragon King of the River! Save my life!"

Without much thought, the Nine-Coloured Deer jumped into the Ganges River and swam toward the man. He cried out loudly, "Hold on to my angler. I will take you back to the shore."

The victim held onto the angler of the Nine-Coloured Deer, and, after much struggling against the water flow, the two finally swam ashore. The Deer was so tired afterwards that he lied down on the beach for a rest.

The rescued man was so grateful that he kneeled down and declared, "You had saved my life, and therefore I am willing to be your servant, looking after you whenever you want!"

The Deer replied, "I do not need you to look after me. All I want is that you keep this place as a secret. People who know where I live will hunt me down and kill me for my fur."

The rescued man assured him with an oath, "You have saved my life and given me a second chance to live. I swear that I will keep this location a top secret."

*******************************************************************

That very night, at the Royal Palace, the Queen had a dream: she saw a very magnificent gorgeous deer with nine-coloured fur and a white angler. Next morning, when she woke up, the deer was firmly in her mind and she began to long for a very beautiful fur coat. She pretended that she was sick.

The King was curious. He asked her, "what is wrong with you?"

The Queen replied, "Last night, in my dream I saw a very gorgeous deer with beautiful nine coloured fur. I want you to hunt that deer so that I can have a beautiful fur coat."

The King said, "I am the King. I will get what I want."

So he decreed that anybody who could provide information leading to hunting down the nine-coloured deer will be rewarded with half of his kingdom and a huge amount of gold and silver.

That news caught the attention of the rescued flood victim. He thought, "that deer is just an animal. Does it matter if he got hunted down and killed? If I tell the King, I will be the richest man in this country." So, he went to see the officer in charge of hunting the deer, who immediately brought him to the Palace to see the King.

The King was so happy on hearing the information that he reassured him of the promise of a huge reward: half of the kingdom and large amount of gold and silver.

The flood victim told the King, "just follow me and I will lead you the way." But, as soon as he finished talking, ulcers began to appear on his face

"That deer has some mystic power," he continued. " You may have to send in a large army to hunt him down."

The King than organized a huge army, marching toward the riverside of the Ganges.

*************************************************

The Nine-Coloured Deer was sleeping inside the wood, with the friendly bird keep watching out for any dangers that may be approaching. Suddenly, the bird saw a group of soldiers ridding toward the wood. He was alarmed and shouted, "wake up, friend! Someone is coming to hunt you down." But the Nine-Colour Deer was so tired that he did not hear a thing.

The bird became really agonized. He flew down from the tree top right up to the Nine-Colour Deer and picked him with his beak. This woke up the Deer, but unfortunately, it was too late to escape - he was totally surrounded by the King's soldiers.

The Deer yelled out, "wait a minute, I have something to say before you kill me."

"What do you have to say?" asked the King.

"You should be graceful to me. Why do you kill me?" said the deer.

"Why should I be graceful to you?" asked the King.

"This is because I had rescued one of your citizens from natural disaster." Replied the Deer, "I rescued him off the Ganges from the great floor a few days ago. By the way, your Majesty, who gave you the information that I live here?"

At this time, the flood victim was walking toward the Deer. The King immediately pointed at him, "this guy told me where you live."

The Nine-Colour Deer looked at the man, and bursted into tears, "Your Majesty. It was this guy who fell into the Ganges River a few days ago during the heavy rain storm. He was crying for help when I jumped into the swirling water to rescue him. Yesterday, he was still swearing an oath to be my servant, but today he brings a whole army to kill me. What can I say?"

On listening to this, the King became upset and reprimanded the victim. He also decreed that the Deer would be under his protection, and anyone who hurt the deer will be imprisoned.

From then on, the deers lived happily and peacefully by the side of the Ganges River under the protection of the Royal Kingdom, whose citizens were free from natural disasters for a long time.

What will move reality in the direction of what we believe and conceive of it?

One thing is certain: That is that the power of belief, the power of thought, will move reality in the direction of what we believe and conceive of it. If you really believe you can do something, you can. That is a fact.

Buddhism Day by Day
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 16/9

What is deluded and what is enlightened?

When one is deluded, it is as if one were dreaming. And when one is enlightened, it is as if one had awakened. -Nichiren

Buddhism Day by Day
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 15/9