After seven days on the Indian Ocean, all the winds and currents stopped completely. The ship was stuck! After being dead in the water for seven days, all on board were terrified they would die.
So they drew straws to find out who was the cause of their bad luck and frightening misfortune. Seven times the short straw was drawn by Mittavinda!
They forced. him onto a tiny bamboo raft, and set him adrift on the open seas. They shouted, "Be gone forever! You are nothing but a curse!" And suddenly a strong wind sent the ship on its way.
But once again Mittavinda's life was spared. This was a result of his wholesome actions as a monk, so many births ago. No matter how long it takes, actions cause results.
Sometimes an action causes more than one result, some pleasant and some unpleasant. It is said there are Asuras who live through such mixed results in an unusual way.
Asuras are unfortunate ugly gods. Some of them are lucky enough to change their form into beautiful young dancing girl goddesses. These are called Apsaras.
They enjoy the greatest pleasures for seven days. But then they must go to a hell world and suffer torments as hungry ghosts for seven days. Again they become Apsara goddesses - back and forth, back and forth - until both kinds of results are finished.
While floating on the tiny bamboo raft, it just so happened that Mittavinda came to a lovely Glass Palace. There he met four very pretty Apsaras. They enjoyed their time together, filled with heavenly pleasures, for seven days.
Then. when it was time for the goddesses to become hungry ghosts, they said to Mittavinda, "Wait for us just seven short days, and we will return and continue our pleasure."
The Glass Palace and the four Apsaras disappeared. But still Mittavinda had not regained the peace of mind thrown away by the village monk, so very long ago. Seven days of pleasure had not satisfied him. He could not wait for the lovely goddesses to return. He wanted more and more. So he continued on. in the little bamboo raft.
Lo and behold, he came to a shining Silver Palace, with eight Apsara goddesses living there. Again he enjoyed seven days of the greatest pleasure. These Apsaras also asked him to wait the next seven days, and disappeared into a hell world.
Amazing as it may seem, the greedy Mittavinda went on to seven days of pleasure in a sparkling Jewel Palace with 16 Apsaras. But they too disappeared. Then he spent seven days in a glowing Golden Palace with 32 of the most beautiful Apsaras of all.
But still he was not satisfied! When all 32 asked him to wait seven days, again he departed on the raft.
Before long he came to the entrance of a hell world filled with suffering tortured beings. They were living through the results of their own actions. But his desire for more pleasure was so strong that Mittavinda thought he saw a beautiful city surrounded by a wall with four fabulous gates. He thought, "I will go inside and make myself king!"
After he entered, he saw one of the victims of this hell world. He had a collar around his neck that spun like a wheel, with five sharp blades cutting into his face, head, chest and back. But Mittavinda was still so greedy for pleasure that he could not see the pain right before his eyes. Instead he saw the spinning collar of cutting blades as if it were a lovely lotus blossom. He saw the dripping blood as if it were the red powder of perfumed sandal wood. And the screams of pain from the poor victim sounded like the sweetest of songs!
He said to the poor man, "You've had that lovely lotus crown long enough! Give it to me, for I deserve to wear it now." The condemned man warned him, "This is a cutting collar, a wheel of blades." But Mittavinda said, "You only say that because you don't want to give it up."
The victim thought, "At last the results of my past unwholesome deeds must be completed. Like me, this poor fool must be here for striking his mother. I will give him the wheel of pain." So he said, "Since you want it so badly, take the lotus crown!"
With these words the wheel of blades spun off the former victim's neck and began spinning around the head of Mittavinda. And suddenly all his illusions disappeared - he knew this was no beautiful city, but a terrible hell world; he knew this was no lotus crown, but a cutting wheel of blades; and he knew he was not king, but prisoner. Groaning in pain he cried out desperately, "Take back your wheel! Take back your wheel!" But the other one had disappeared.
Just then the king of the gods arrived for a teaching visit to the hell world. Mittavinda asked him. "Oh king of gods, what have I done to deserve this torment?" The god replied, "Refusing to listen to the words of monks, you obtained no wisdom, but only money. A thousand gold coins did not satisfy you, nor even 120,000. Blinded by greed, you struck your mother on your way to grabbing greater wealth still.
"Then the pleasure of four Apsaras in their Glass Palace did not satisfy you. Neither eight Apsaras in a Silver Palace, nor 16 in a Jewel Palace. Not even the pleasure of 32 lovely goddesses in a Golden Palace was enough for you! Blinded by greed for pleasure you wished to be king. Now, at last, you see your crown is only a wheel of torture, and your kingdom is a hell world.
"Learn this, Mittavinda - all who follow their greed wherever it leads are left unsatisfied. For it is in the nature of greed to be dissatisfied with what one has, whether a little or a lot. The more obtained, the more desired - until the circle of greed becomes the circle of pain."
Having said this, the god returned to his heaven world home. At the same time the wheel crashed down on Mittavinda. With his head spinning in pain, he found himself adrift on the tiny bamboo raft.
Soon he came to an island inhabited by a powerful she-devil. She happened to be disguised as a goat. Being hungry, Mittavinda thought nothing of grabbing the goat by a hind leg. And the she-devil hiding inside kicked him way up into the air. He finally landed in a thorn bush on the outskirts of Benares!
After he untangled himself from the thorns, he saw some goats grazing nearby. He wanted very badly to return to the palaces and the dancing girl Apsaras. Remembering that a goat had kicked him here, he grabbed the leg of one of these goats. He hoped it would kick him back to the island.
Instead, this goat only cried out. The shepherds came, and captured Mittavinda for trying to steal one of the king's goats.
As he was being taken as a prisoner to the king, they passed by the world famous teacher of Benares. Immediately he recognized his student. He asked the shepherds, "Where are you taking this man?"
They said, "He is a goat thief! We are taking him to the king for punishment!" The teacher said, "Please don't do so. He is one of my students. Release him to me, so he can be a servant in my school." They agreed and left him there.
The teacher asked Mittavinda, "What has happened to you since you left me?"
He told the story of being first respected. and then cursed, by the people of the remote village. He told of getting married and having two children, only to see them killed and eaten by demons in the haunted forest. He told of slapping his generous mother when he was crazy with the greed for money. He told of being cursed by his shipmates and being cast adrift on a bamboo raft. He told of the four palaces with their beautiful goddesses, and how each time his pleasure ended he was left unsatisfied. He told of the cutting wheel of torture, the reward for the greedy in hell. And he told of his hunger for goat meat. that only got him kicked back to Benares without even a bite to eat!
The world famous teacher said, "It is clear that your past actions have caused both unpleasant and pleasant results, and that both are eventually completed. But you cannot understand that pleasures always come to an end. Instead, you let them feed your greed for more and more. You are left exhausted and unsatisfied. madly grasping at goat legs! Calm down, my friend. And know that trying to hold water in a tight fist, will always leave you thirsty!"
Hearing this, Mittavinda bowed respectfully to the great teacher. He begged to be allowed to follow him as a student. The Enlightenment Being welcomed him with open arms.
The moral is: In peace of mind, there is neither loss nor gain.
Monday, February 7, 2011
The Curse of Mittavinda (Greed)
Little did poor Mittavinda know that his lives of constant hunger were about to come to an end. After wandering about, he eventually ended up in Benares.
At that time the Enlightenment Being was living the life of a world famous teacher in Benares. He had 500 students. As an act of charity, the people of the city supported these poor students with food. They also paid the teacher's fees for teaching them.
Mittavinda was permitted to join them. He began studying under the great teacher. And at last, he began eating regularly.
But he paid no attention to the teachings of the wise master. He was disobedient and violent. During 500 lives as a hungry dog, quarrelling had become a habit. So he constantly got into fist fights with the other students.
It became so bad that many of the students quit. The income of the world famous teacher dwindled down to almost nothing. Because of all his fighting, Mittavinda was finally forced to run away from Benares.
He found his way to a small remote village. He lived there as a hard working laborer, married a very poor woman. and had two children.
It became known that he had studied under the world famous teacher of Benares. So the poor villagers selected him to give advice when questions arose. They provided a place for him to live near the entrance to the village. And they began following his advice.
But things did not go well. The village was fined seven times by the king. Seven times their houses were burned. And seven times the town pond dried up.
They realized that all their troubles began when they started taking Mittavinda's advice. So they chased him and his family out of the village. They shouted, 'Be gone forever! You are nothing but a curse!"
While they were fleeing, they went through a haunted forest. Demons came out of the shadows and killed and ate his wife and children. But Mittavinda escaped.
'He made his way to a seaport city. He was lonely, miserable and penniless. It just so happened that there was a kind generous rich merchant living in the city. He heard the story of Mittavinda's misfortunes. Since they had no children of their own, he and his wife adopted Mittavinda. For better or worse they treated him exactly as their own son.
His new mother and father were very religious. They always tried to do wholesome things. But Mittavinda still had not learned his lesson. He did not accept any religion, so he often did unwholesome things.
Some time after his father's death, his mother decided to try and help him enter the religious life. She said, "There is this world and there is the one to come. If you do bad things, you will suffer painful results in both worlds."
But foolish Mittavinda replied, "I will do whatever I enjoy doing and become happier and happier. There is no point considering whether what I do is wholesome or unwholesome. I don't care about such things!"
On the next full moon holy day, Mittavinda's mother advised him to go to the temple and listen all night long to the wise words of the monks. He said. "I wouldn't waste my time!" So she said, "When you return I will give you a thousand gold coins."
Mittavinda thought that with enough money he could enjoy himself constantly and be happy all the time. So he went to the temple. But he sat in a. corner, paid no attention. and fell asleep for the night. Early the next morning he went home to collect his reward.
Meanwhile his mother thought he would appreciate wise teachings. Then he would bring the oldest monk home with him. So she prepared delicious food for the expected guest. When she saw him returning alone, she said, "Oh my son, why didn't you ask the senior monk to come home with you for breakfast?"
He said, "I did not go to the temple to listen to a monk or to bring him home with me. I went only to get your thousand gold coins!" His disappointed mother said, Never mind the money. Since there is so much delicious food prepared - only eat and sleep!" He replied, "Until you give me the money I refuse to eat!" So she gave him the thousand gold coins. Only then did he gobble up the food until all he could do was fall asleep.
Mittavinda did not think a thousand gold coins were enough for him to constantly enjoy himself. So he used the money to start a business, and before long he became very rich. One day he came home and said, "Mother, I now have 120,000 gold coins. But I am not yet satisfied. Therefore I will go abroad on the next ship and make even more money!"
She replied, "Oh my son, why do you want to go abroad? The ocean is dangerous and it is very risky doing business in a strange land. I have 80,000 gold coins right here in the house. That is enough for you. Please don't go, my only son!"
Then she held him to keep him from leaving. But Mittavinda was crazy with greed. So he pushed his mother's hand away and slapped her face. She fell to the floor. She was so hurt and shocked that she yelled at him, "Be gone forever! You are nothing but a curse!"
Without looking back, Mittavinda rushed to the harbor and set sail on the first departing ship.
At that time the Enlightenment Being was living the life of a world famous teacher in Benares. He had 500 students. As an act of charity, the people of the city supported these poor students with food. They also paid the teacher's fees for teaching them.
Mittavinda was permitted to join them. He began studying under the great teacher. And at last, he began eating regularly.
But he paid no attention to the teachings of the wise master. He was disobedient and violent. During 500 lives as a hungry dog, quarrelling had become a habit. So he constantly got into fist fights with the other students.
It became so bad that many of the students quit. The income of the world famous teacher dwindled down to almost nothing. Because of all his fighting, Mittavinda was finally forced to run away from Benares.
He found his way to a small remote village. He lived there as a hard working laborer, married a very poor woman. and had two children.
It became known that he had studied under the world famous teacher of Benares. So the poor villagers selected him to give advice when questions arose. They provided a place for him to live near the entrance to the village. And they began following his advice.
But things did not go well. The village was fined seven times by the king. Seven times their houses were burned. And seven times the town pond dried up.
They realized that all their troubles began when they started taking Mittavinda's advice. So they chased him and his family out of the village. They shouted, 'Be gone forever! You are nothing but a curse!"
While they were fleeing, they went through a haunted forest. Demons came out of the shadows and killed and ate his wife and children. But Mittavinda escaped.
'He made his way to a seaport city. He was lonely, miserable and penniless. It just so happened that there was a kind generous rich merchant living in the city. He heard the story of Mittavinda's misfortunes. Since they had no children of their own, he and his wife adopted Mittavinda. For better or worse they treated him exactly as their own son.
His new mother and father were very religious. They always tried to do wholesome things. But Mittavinda still had not learned his lesson. He did not accept any religion, so he often did unwholesome things.
Some time after his father's death, his mother decided to try and help him enter the religious life. She said, "There is this world and there is the one to come. If you do bad things, you will suffer painful results in both worlds."
But foolish Mittavinda replied, "I will do whatever I enjoy doing and become happier and happier. There is no point considering whether what I do is wholesome or unwholesome. I don't care about such things!"
On the next full moon holy day, Mittavinda's mother advised him to go to the temple and listen all night long to the wise words of the monks. He said. "I wouldn't waste my time!" So she said, "When you return I will give you a thousand gold coins."
Mittavinda thought that with enough money he could enjoy himself constantly and be happy all the time. So he went to the temple. But he sat in a. corner, paid no attention. and fell asleep for the night. Early the next morning he went home to collect his reward.
Meanwhile his mother thought he would appreciate wise teachings. Then he would bring the oldest monk home with him. So she prepared delicious food for the expected guest. When she saw him returning alone, she said, "Oh my son, why didn't you ask the senior monk to come home with you for breakfast?"
He said, "I did not go to the temple to listen to a monk or to bring him home with me. I went only to get your thousand gold coins!" His disappointed mother said, Never mind the money. Since there is so much delicious food prepared - only eat and sleep!" He replied, "Until you give me the money I refuse to eat!" So she gave him the thousand gold coins. Only then did he gobble up the food until all he could do was fall asleep.
Mittavinda did not think a thousand gold coins were enough for him to constantly enjoy himself. So he used the money to start a business, and before long he became very rich. One day he came home and said, "Mother, I now have 120,000 gold coins. But I am not yet satisfied. Therefore I will go abroad on the next ship and make even more money!"
She replied, "Oh my son, why do you want to go abroad? The ocean is dangerous and it is very risky doing business in a strange land. I have 80,000 gold coins right here in the house. That is enough for you. Please don't go, my only son!"
Then she held him to keep him from leaving. But Mittavinda was crazy with greed. So he pushed his mother's hand away and slapped her face. She fell to the floor. She was so hurt and shocked that she yelled at him, "Be gone forever! You are nothing but a curse!"
Without looking back, Mittavinda rushed to the harbor and set sail on the first departing ship.
The Curse of Mittavinda (Jealousy)
Once upon a time, there was a monk who lived in a tiny monastery in a little village. He was very fortunate that the village rich man supported him in the monastery. He never had to worry about the cares of the world. His alms food was always provided automatically by the rich man.
So the monk was calm and peaceful in his mind. There was no fear of losing his comfort and his daily food. There was no desire for greater comforts and pleasures of the world. Instead, he was free to practice the correct conduct of a monk, always trying to eliminate his faults and do only wholesome deeds. But he didn't know just how lucky he was!
One day an elder monk arrived in the little village. He had followed the path of Truth until he had become perfect and faultless.
When the village rich man saw this unknown monk, he was very pleased by his gentle manner and his calm attitude. So he invited him into his home. He gave him food to eat, and he thought himself very fortunate to hear a short teaching from him. He then invited him to take shelter at the village monastery. He said, "I will visit you there this evening, to make sure all is well."
When the perfect monk arrived at the monastery, he met the village monk. They greeted each other pleasantly. Then the village monk asked, "Have you had your lunch today?" The other replied, "Yes, I was given lunch by the supporter of this monastery. He also invited me to take shelter here."
The village monk took him to a room and left him there. The perfect monk passed his time in meditation.
Later that evening, the village rich man came. He brought fruit drinks, flowers and lamp oil, in honor of the visiting holy man. He asked the village monk, "Where is our guest?" He told him what room he had given him.
The man went to the room, bowed respectfully, and greeted the perfect monk. Again he appreciated hearing the way of Truth as taught by the rare faultless one.
Afterwards, as evening approached, he lit the lamps and offered the flowers at the monastery's lovely temple shrine. He invited both monks to lunch at his home the next day. Then he left and returned home.
In the evening, a terrible thing happened. The village monk, who had been so contented, allowed the poison of jealousy to creep into his mind. He thought, "The village rich man has made it easy for me here. He provides shelter each night and fills my belly once a day.
"But I'm afraid this will change because he respects this new monk so highly. If he remains in this monastery, my supporter may stop caring for me. Therefore, I must make sure the new monk does not stay."
Thinking in this way, he lost his former mental calm. His mind became disturbed due to his jealousy - the fear of losing his comfort and his daily food. This led to the added mental pain of resentment against the perfect monk. He began plotting and scheming to get rid of him.
Late that night, as was the custom, the monks met together to end the day. The perfect monk spoke in his usual friendly way, but the village monk would not speak to him at all.
So the wise monk understood that he was jealous and resentful. He thought, 'This monk does not understand my freedom from attachment to families, people and comforts. I am free of any desire to remain here. I am also free of any desire to leave here. It makes no difference. It is sad this other one cannot understand non-attachment. I pity him for the price he must pay for his ignorance."
He returned to his room, closed the door. and meditated in a high mental state throughout the night.
The next day, when it was time to go collect alms food from the supporter of the monastery, the village monk rang the temple gong. But he rang it by tapping it lightly with his finger nail. Even the birds in the temple courtyard could not hear the tiny sound.
Then he went to the visiting monk's room and knocked on the door. But again he only tapped lightly with his finger nail. Even the little mice inside the walls could not hear the silent tapping.
Having done his courteous duty in such a tricky way, he went to the rich man's home. The man bowed respectfully to the monk, took his alms bowl. and asked, "Where is the new monk, our visitor?"
The village monk replied, "I have not seen him. I rang the gong, I knocked at his door, but he did not appear. Perhaps he was not used to such rich food as you gave him yesterday. Perhaps he is still asleep, busily digesting it, dreaming of his next feast! Perhaps this is the kind of monk who pleases you so much!"
Meanwhile, back at the monastery, the perfect monk awoke. He cleaned himself and put on his robe. Then he calmly departed to collect alms food wherever he happened to find it.
The rich man fed the village monk the richest of food. It was delicious and sweet, made from rice, milk, butter. sugar and honey. When the monk had eaten his fill. the man took his bowl, scrubbed it clean, and sweetened it with perfumed water. He filled it up again with the same wonderful food. He gave it back to the monk, saying, ''Honorable monk, our holy visitor must be worn out from travelling. Please take my humble alms food to him." Saying nothing, he accepted the generous gift for the other.
By now the village monk's mind was trapped by its own jealous scheming. He thought, "If that other monk eats this fantastic meal, even if I grabbed him by the throat and kicked him out, he still would never leave! I must secretly get rid of this alms food. But if I give it to a stranger, it will become known and talked about. If I throw it away in a pond, the butter will float. on the surface and be discovered. If I throw it away on the ground, crows will come from miles around to feast on it, and that too would be noticed. So how can I get rid of it?"
Then he saw a field that had just been burned by farmers to enrich the soil. It was covered with hot glowing coals. So he threw the rich man's generous gift on the coals. The alms food burned up without a trace. And with it went his peace of mind!
For, when he got back to the monastery, he found the visitor gone. He thought, "This must have been a perfectly wise monk. He must have known I was jealous afraid of losing my favored position. He must have known I resented him and tried to trick him into leaving. I wasted alms food meant for him. And all for the sake of keeping my own belly full! I'm afraid something terrible will happen to me! What have I done?" So, afraid of losing his easy daily food, he had thrown away his peace of mind.
For the rest of his life the rich man continued to support him. But his mind was filled with torment and suffering. He felt doomed like a walking starving zombie, or a living hungry ghost.
When he died, his torment continued. For he was reborn in a hell world, where he suffered for hundreds of thousands of years.
Finally, there too he died, as all beings must. But the results of his past actions were only partly completed. So he was reborn as a demon, 500 times! In those 500 lives, there was only one day when he got enough to eat, and that was a meal of afterbirth dropped by a deer in the forest!
Then he was reborn as a starving stray dog another 500 times! For the sake of a full monk's belly in a past life, all these 500 lives were also filled with hunger, and quarrelling over food. Only a single time did he get enough to eat, and that was a meal of vomit he found in a gutter!
Finally most of the results of his actions were finished. Only then was he so very fortunate enough to be reborn as a human being. He was born into the poorest of the poor beggar families of the city of Kasi, in northern India. He was given the name, Mittavinda.
From the moment of his birth, this poor family became even more poor and miserable. After a few years, the pain of hunger became so great, that his parents beat him and chased Mittavinda away for good. They shouted, "Be gone forever! You are nothing but a curse!"
Poor Mittavinda! So very long ago he had not known how lucky he was. He was contented as a humble village monk. But he allowed the poison of jealousy to enter his mind - the fear of losing his easy daily food. This led to the self-torture of resentment against a perfect monk, and to trickery in denying him one wholesome gift of alms food. And it took a thousand and one lives for the loss of his comfort and daily food to be completed. What he had feared, his own actions had brought to pass!
So the monk was calm and peaceful in his mind. There was no fear of losing his comfort and his daily food. There was no desire for greater comforts and pleasures of the world. Instead, he was free to practice the correct conduct of a monk, always trying to eliminate his faults and do only wholesome deeds. But he didn't know just how lucky he was!
One day an elder monk arrived in the little village. He had followed the path of Truth until he had become perfect and faultless.
When the village rich man saw this unknown monk, he was very pleased by his gentle manner and his calm attitude. So he invited him into his home. He gave him food to eat, and he thought himself very fortunate to hear a short teaching from him. He then invited him to take shelter at the village monastery. He said, "I will visit you there this evening, to make sure all is well."
When the perfect monk arrived at the monastery, he met the village monk. They greeted each other pleasantly. Then the village monk asked, "Have you had your lunch today?" The other replied, "Yes, I was given lunch by the supporter of this monastery. He also invited me to take shelter here."
The village monk took him to a room and left him there. The perfect monk passed his time in meditation.
Later that evening, the village rich man came. He brought fruit drinks, flowers and lamp oil, in honor of the visiting holy man. He asked the village monk, "Where is our guest?" He told him what room he had given him.
The man went to the room, bowed respectfully, and greeted the perfect monk. Again he appreciated hearing the way of Truth as taught by the rare faultless one.
Afterwards, as evening approached, he lit the lamps and offered the flowers at the monastery's lovely temple shrine. He invited both monks to lunch at his home the next day. Then he left and returned home.
In the evening, a terrible thing happened. The village monk, who had been so contented, allowed the poison of jealousy to creep into his mind. He thought, "The village rich man has made it easy for me here. He provides shelter each night and fills my belly once a day.
"But I'm afraid this will change because he respects this new monk so highly. If he remains in this monastery, my supporter may stop caring for me. Therefore, I must make sure the new monk does not stay."
Thinking in this way, he lost his former mental calm. His mind became disturbed due to his jealousy - the fear of losing his comfort and his daily food. This led to the added mental pain of resentment against the perfect monk. He began plotting and scheming to get rid of him.
Late that night, as was the custom, the monks met together to end the day. The perfect monk spoke in his usual friendly way, but the village monk would not speak to him at all.
So the wise monk understood that he was jealous and resentful. He thought, 'This monk does not understand my freedom from attachment to families, people and comforts. I am free of any desire to remain here. I am also free of any desire to leave here. It makes no difference. It is sad this other one cannot understand non-attachment. I pity him for the price he must pay for his ignorance."
He returned to his room, closed the door. and meditated in a high mental state throughout the night.
The next day, when it was time to go collect alms food from the supporter of the monastery, the village monk rang the temple gong. But he rang it by tapping it lightly with his finger nail. Even the birds in the temple courtyard could not hear the tiny sound.
Then he went to the visiting monk's room and knocked on the door. But again he only tapped lightly with his finger nail. Even the little mice inside the walls could not hear the silent tapping.
Having done his courteous duty in such a tricky way, he went to the rich man's home. The man bowed respectfully to the monk, took his alms bowl. and asked, "Where is the new monk, our visitor?"
The village monk replied, "I have not seen him. I rang the gong, I knocked at his door, but he did not appear. Perhaps he was not used to such rich food as you gave him yesterday. Perhaps he is still asleep, busily digesting it, dreaming of his next feast! Perhaps this is the kind of monk who pleases you so much!"
Meanwhile, back at the monastery, the perfect monk awoke. He cleaned himself and put on his robe. Then he calmly departed to collect alms food wherever he happened to find it.
The rich man fed the village monk the richest of food. It was delicious and sweet, made from rice, milk, butter. sugar and honey. When the monk had eaten his fill. the man took his bowl, scrubbed it clean, and sweetened it with perfumed water. He filled it up again with the same wonderful food. He gave it back to the monk, saying, ''Honorable monk, our holy visitor must be worn out from travelling. Please take my humble alms food to him." Saying nothing, he accepted the generous gift for the other.
By now the village monk's mind was trapped by its own jealous scheming. He thought, "If that other monk eats this fantastic meal, even if I grabbed him by the throat and kicked him out, he still would never leave! I must secretly get rid of this alms food. But if I give it to a stranger, it will become known and talked about. If I throw it away in a pond, the butter will float. on the surface and be discovered. If I throw it away on the ground, crows will come from miles around to feast on it, and that too would be noticed. So how can I get rid of it?"
Then he saw a field that had just been burned by farmers to enrich the soil. It was covered with hot glowing coals. So he threw the rich man's generous gift on the coals. The alms food burned up without a trace. And with it went his peace of mind!
For, when he got back to the monastery, he found the visitor gone. He thought, "This must have been a perfectly wise monk. He must have known I was jealous afraid of losing my favored position. He must have known I resented him and tried to trick him into leaving. I wasted alms food meant for him. And all for the sake of keeping my own belly full! I'm afraid something terrible will happen to me! What have I done?" So, afraid of losing his easy daily food, he had thrown away his peace of mind.
For the rest of his life the rich man continued to support him. But his mind was filled with torment and suffering. He felt doomed like a walking starving zombie, or a living hungry ghost.
When he died, his torment continued. For he was reborn in a hell world, where he suffered for hundreds of thousands of years.
Finally, there too he died, as all beings must. But the results of his past actions were only partly completed. So he was reborn as a demon, 500 times! In those 500 lives, there was only one day when he got enough to eat, and that was a meal of afterbirth dropped by a deer in the forest!
Then he was reborn as a starving stray dog another 500 times! For the sake of a full monk's belly in a past life, all these 500 lives were also filled with hunger, and quarrelling over food. Only a single time did he get enough to eat, and that was a meal of vomit he found in a gutter!
Finally most of the results of his actions were finished. Only then was he so very fortunate enough to be reborn as a human being. He was born into the poorest of the poor beggar families of the city of Kasi, in northern India. He was given the name, Mittavinda.
From the moment of his birth, this poor family became even more poor and miserable. After a few years, the pain of hunger became so great, that his parents beat him and chased Mittavinda away for good. They shouted, "Be gone forever! You are nothing but a curse!"
Poor Mittavinda! So very long ago he had not known how lucky he was. He was contented as a humble village monk. But he allowed the poison of jealousy to enter his mind - the fear of losing his easy daily food. This led to the self-torture of resentment against a perfect monk, and to trickery in denying him one wholesome gift of alms food. And it took a thousand and one lives for the loss of his comfort and daily food to be completed. What he had feared, his own actions had brought to pass!
Why our prayers are not answered?
Prayer is the foundation. But at the same time if we fail to make concrete efforts, no matter how much daimoku we chant, our prayers will not be answered. Buddhism is reason. If we just chant without doing any work we cannot succeed in our jobs.
For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 8/1
For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 8/1
Planting and nurturing the 'seed' of happiness
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 in the practice of "faith equals daily life" in accord with reason, then our prayers will definitely be answered. This is Nichiren Daishonin's promise to us. And his words are true beyond any doubt.
For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 7/1
For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 7/1
Actual proof of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism
We practice this Buddhism to make our prayers and dreams come true and to achieve the greatest possible happiness. The purpose of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism is to enable us to realize victory. The fact that our prayers are answered proves the correctness of this teaching.
For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 6/1
For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 6/1
Sunday, February 6, 2011
How To Expand My Capacity
by Wing Lee
USA
I lost my father to kidney disease when I was seven. He was a loving parent, a devoted husband and a sincere, genuine man.
My father ran a small print shop business for my grandfather in Hong Kong. During the last three years of his life, my father's condition worsened until he was bedridden. My grandparents, however, offered no assistance, and two days after my father died, they disowned my mother and me. We were left with nothing, not even a place to stay.
While looking for work, my mother ran into a friend. When she learned about our situation, she immediately introduced my mother to the SGI. My mother had pretty much given up on religion after trying many while my father was ill. With nothing left to lose, she decided to give Nichiren Buddhism a try.
Soon after my mother started chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, my father's business associates contacted her. They had learned what my grandparents had done and wanted to help my mother open her own printing business. My father's clients also called and said they would support her.
This was a bold venture for a single woman to undertake in Hong Kong in the early 1970s. But with confidence and wisdom gained from her prayers, she opened her own business. My mother worked countless hours, often doing hard manual labor, to reestablish our lives.
With my mother's hectic work schedule, I was usually at home alone. I took up hobbies I could do alone--photography, reading and computer programming. I got so used to being by myself, though, that I became an introvert. I shied away from social activities and had problems expressing myself to others.
I did, however, attend SGI youth activities in Hong Kong and received tremendous support from the local members. Even so, by my late teens, I still had not established my own Buddhist practice and lived a rather sheltered life.
My mother, becoming aware of my self-centered nature and my dependence on her, decided to send me to the United States to pursue my college education. While I'm sure was difficult to send her only child thousands of miles away to a foreign land, I know now that she did it out of deep compassion for my growth and happiness.
I attended two semesters at the University of Oklahoma and later transferred to the University of Texas in Austin to study computer science. In both cities, I was immediately embraced by the SGI-USA members and invited to district meetings. I began learning more about the practice and faith of Nichiren Buddhism as I listened to people from all walks of life share their experiences.
I was given many opportunities to participate in district activities. Initially, I wasn't comfortable speaking in front of others, but because my leaders were so sincere and supportive, I felt I should at least try. The first time I read aloud from the World Tribune at a meeting, I held the newspaper in front of my face to avoid eye contact with others. But as I repeatedly challenged my shyness and continued to chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, I became more comfortable speaking at meetings. I eventually assumed responsibility as a young men's leader in the district.
My young men's leader in Austin was also a fellow student at the university. He had a strong sense of mission to work alongside SGI President Daisaku Ikeda to create peace. He inspired me to study President Ikeda's writings as well as the fundamentals of Nichiren Buddhism. He patiently took time to explain various Buddhist topics in ways that I could relate to. I began to apply what I was learning to my daily life.
As I became more active in SGI-USA, I found that the activities in which I supported "from behind the scenes" furthered my growth to a greater degree. Like other youth members of the activity support groups, I stood in the parking lot greeting members as they arrived for meetings and as they returned home. Through my efforts, I gained a deeper understanding of President Ikeda's behavior--how he ceaselessly shows his deepest appreciation for others' efforts--and I was able to expand my own capacity to care for the people around me.
These activities constantly offered me new challenges. I planned monthly world peace prayer meetings and coordinated logistics for numerous major events. With each new responsibility, I gained more confidence in myself and learned how to work cooperatively with others--skills one cannot learn in the world of academia alone.
My Buddhist practice propelled me to complete a double degree in Information Systems and Management at the University of Texas in Austin in 1990 and then land a great job. Even though the U.S. was in an economic recession, I secured more than 20 interviews and was offered jobs from four highly regarded companies. Meanwhile, many of my classmates from other countries couldn't find jobs and had to return to their homelands.
I have been with a leading telecommunications company for close to 14 years and have enjoyed a trailblazing career. I led the development of the software infrastructure for the company's core network and played a key role in the launch of the nation's first high-speed wireless data network in 2001. I now oversee the company's technology innovation activities.
I've been invited to speak at nearly 40 industry conferences across four continents and serve on advisory boards at numerous high-tech companies. I was also awarded six U.S. patents for my inventions in communications technology and have 20 more pending applications at the U.S. Patent Office. As a result of the value I've created for the company, I am the unique recipient of both the company's highest technical achievement and business leadership awards.
One of my most gratifying professional recognitions was being named Asian American Engineer of the Year at the 2002 National Engineers Week, along with Nobel Laureate Leo Esaki and former Chancellor of the University of California at Berkeley, Chang-Lin Tein.
I'm confident that the wisdom and fortune I have gained through supporting and protecting my local SGI organization and taking care of members directed my life toward developing a momentous career. The values I learned from President Ikeda, likewise, have enabled me to be a humanistic, yet effective leader in the role I play at work. Most importantly, I have learned how to overcome obstacles through the power of prayer and taking action. I learned how to be victorious in my daily life, using my Buddhist practice to bring out the limitless capability inherent in my life.
Not only has my career blossomed, the previous shy introvert is now married to a caring and beautiful woman, Carol, and we have two darling daughters, Vanessa and Serena. We are very grateful to our mentor in life, President Ikeda, for providing us with the most wonderful organization in which to practice Nichiren Buddhism--the global family of the SGI. And I am so appreciative for the wisdom and compassion that my mother had for me at such a critical time in my life.
[Adapted from an article in the March 21, 2008 issue of the World Tribune, SGI-USA; photo courtesy of the World Tribune]
USA
I lost my father to kidney disease when I was seven. He was a loving parent, a devoted husband and a sincere, genuine man.
My father ran a small print shop business for my grandfather in Hong Kong. During the last three years of his life, my father's condition worsened until he was bedridden. My grandparents, however, offered no assistance, and two days after my father died, they disowned my mother and me. We were left with nothing, not even a place to stay.
While looking for work, my mother ran into a friend. When she learned about our situation, she immediately introduced my mother to the SGI. My mother had pretty much given up on religion after trying many while my father was ill. With nothing left to lose, she decided to give Nichiren Buddhism a try.
Soon after my mother started chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, my father's business associates contacted her. They had learned what my grandparents had done and wanted to help my mother open her own printing business. My father's clients also called and said they would support her.
This was a bold venture for a single woman to undertake in Hong Kong in the early 1970s. But with confidence and wisdom gained from her prayers, she opened her own business. My mother worked countless hours, often doing hard manual labor, to reestablish our lives.
With my mother's hectic work schedule, I was usually at home alone. I took up hobbies I could do alone--photography, reading and computer programming. I got so used to being by myself, though, that I became an introvert. I shied away from social activities and had problems expressing myself to others.
I did, however, attend SGI youth activities in Hong Kong and received tremendous support from the local members. Even so, by my late teens, I still had not established my own Buddhist practice and lived a rather sheltered life.
My mother, becoming aware of my self-centered nature and my dependence on her, decided to send me to the United States to pursue my college education. While I'm sure was difficult to send her only child thousands of miles away to a foreign land, I know now that she did it out of deep compassion for my growth and happiness.
I attended two semesters at the University of Oklahoma and later transferred to the University of Texas in Austin to study computer science. In both cities, I was immediately embraced by the SGI-USA members and invited to district meetings. I began learning more about the practice and faith of Nichiren Buddhism as I listened to people from all walks of life share their experiences.
I was given many opportunities to participate in district activities. Initially, I wasn't comfortable speaking in front of others, but because my leaders were so sincere and supportive, I felt I should at least try. The first time I read aloud from the World Tribune at a meeting, I held the newspaper in front of my face to avoid eye contact with others. But as I repeatedly challenged my shyness and continued to chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, I became more comfortable speaking at meetings. I eventually assumed responsibility as a young men's leader in the district.
My young men's leader in Austin was also a fellow student at the university. He had a strong sense of mission to work alongside SGI President Daisaku Ikeda to create peace. He inspired me to study President Ikeda's writings as well as the fundamentals of Nichiren Buddhism. He patiently took time to explain various Buddhist topics in ways that I could relate to. I began to apply what I was learning to my daily life.
As I became more active in SGI-USA, I found that the activities in which I supported "from behind the scenes" furthered my growth to a greater degree. Like other youth members of the activity support groups, I stood in the parking lot greeting members as they arrived for meetings and as they returned home. Through my efforts, I gained a deeper understanding of President Ikeda's behavior--how he ceaselessly shows his deepest appreciation for others' efforts--and I was able to expand my own capacity to care for the people around me.
These activities constantly offered me new challenges. I planned monthly world peace prayer meetings and coordinated logistics for numerous major events. With each new responsibility, I gained more confidence in myself and learned how to work cooperatively with others--skills one cannot learn in the world of academia alone.
My Buddhist practice propelled me to complete a double degree in Information Systems and Management at the University of Texas in Austin in 1990 and then land a great job. Even though the U.S. was in an economic recession, I secured more than 20 interviews and was offered jobs from four highly regarded companies. Meanwhile, many of my classmates from other countries couldn't find jobs and had to return to their homelands.
I have been with a leading telecommunications company for close to 14 years and have enjoyed a trailblazing career. I led the development of the software infrastructure for the company's core network and played a key role in the launch of the nation's first high-speed wireless data network in 2001. I now oversee the company's technology innovation activities.
I've been invited to speak at nearly 40 industry conferences across four continents and serve on advisory boards at numerous high-tech companies. I was also awarded six U.S. patents for my inventions in communications technology and have 20 more pending applications at the U.S. Patent Office. As a result of the value I've created for the company, I am the unique recipient of both the company's highest technical achievement and business leadership awards.
One of my most gratifying professional recognitions was being named Asian American Engineer of the Year at the 2002 National Engineers Week, along with Nobel Laureate Leo Esaki and former Chancellor of the University of California at Berkeley, Chang-Lin Tein.
I'm confident that the wisdom and fortune I have gained through supporting and protecting my local SGI organization and taking care of members directed my life toward developing a momentous career. The values I learned from President Ikeda, likewise, have enabled me to be a humanistic, yet effective leader in the role I play at work. Most importantly, I have learned how to overcome obstacles through the power of prayer and taking action. I learned how to be victorious in my daily life, using my Buddhist practice to bring out the limitless capability inherent in my life.
Not only has my career blossomed, the previous shy introvert is now married to a caring and beautiful woman, Carol, and we have two darling daughters, Vanessa and Serena. We are very grateful to our mentor in life, President Ikeda, for providing us with the most wonderful organization in which to practice Nichiren Buddhism--the global family of the SGI. And I am so appreciative for the wisdom and compassion that my mother had for me at such a critical time in my life.
[Adapted from an article in the March 21, 2008 issue of the World Tribune, SGI-USA; photo courtesy of the World Tribune]
A Mother's Wise Advice (Non-violence)
Once upon a time, the son of Brahmadatta was ruling righteously in Benares, in northern India. It came to pass that the King of Kosala made war, killed the King of Benares, and made the queen become his own wife.
Meanwhile, the queen's son escaped by sneaking away through the sewers. In the countryside he eventually raised a large army and surrounded the city. He sent a message to the king, the murderer of his father and the husband of his mother. He told him to surrender the kingdom or fight a battle.
The prince's mother, the Queen of Benares, heard of this threat from her son. She was a gentle and kind woman who wanted to prevent violence and suffering and killing. So she sent a message to her son - "There is no need for the risks of battle. It would be wiser to close every entrance to the city. Eventually the lack of food, water and firewood will wear down the citizens. Then they will give the city to you without any fighting."
The prince decided to follow his mother's wise advice. His army blockaded the city for seven days and nights. Then the citizens captured their unlawful king, cut off his head, and delivered it to the prince. He entered the city triumphantly and became the new King of Benares.
The moral is: Kind advice is wise advice.
Meanwhile, the queen's son escaped by sneaking away through the sewers. In the countryside he eventually raised a large army and surrounded the city. He sent a message to the king, the murderer of his father and the husband of his mother. He told him to surrender the kingdom or fight a battle.
The prince's mother, the Queen of Benares, heard of this threat from her son. She was a gentle and kind woman who wanted to prevent violence and suffering and killing. So she sent a message to her son - "There is no need for the risks of battle. It would be wiser to close every entrance to the city. Eventually the lack of food, water and firewood will wear down the citizens. Then they will give the city to you without any fighting."
The prince decided to follow his mother's wise advice. His army blockaded the city for seven days and nights. Then the citizens captured their unlawful king, cut off his head, and delivered it to the prince. He entered the city triumphantly and became the new King of Benares.
The moral is: Kind advice is wise advice.
A home to the world of friendship
Life is a series of changes, a succession of ups and downs. But those who possess a prime point, a home to which they can return no matter what happens, are strong. To come home to the world of friendship in the SGI, to talk things over and prepare for a fresh departure—this is the way I hope all of you will live. When you do, you will advance upon a fundamentally unerring path to happiness.
For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 4/1
For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 4/1
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Discovering the Best Possible Family
by Donna Snyder
USA
I grew up as the youngest of three girls in a troubled family in New Jersey. My father, who had a history of abandoning us from time to time, left for good when I was just a baby, leaving my mother without financial or emotional support. She did her best to raise us on public assistance. At that time and place, a huge stigma was attached to being a family on welfare; being a kid without a father made it even worse.
I remember the humiliation my mother suffered when the social worker visited us and berated her for being on welfare. I was so ashamed of where we lived that I never invited any of my friends over. In fact, whenever the doorbell rang, we ran and hid. Growing up this way, I never felt good enough and longed to be someone else.
My mother never overcame her despair over my father's abandonment. When I was 12, she lost the battle with her internal demons and committed suicide. Another relative, who had her own mental challenges, came to live with us. Ours was a very tense and unstable home. I felt like a normal person in an insane environment; nothing made sense to me.
None of my friends were aware of the reality of my life. I hid it all very well, but I had a deep inner feeling of inferiority. I found no solace in our family's religion; it hadn't helped us a bit.
The summer before my senior year of high school, my sister Barbara, who had already moved away from home, was introduced to Nichiren Buddhism and became a member of the SGI. Shortly after she started chanting, we moved into a wonderful apartment together, a short distance from my high school. It was the first time that we had lived in a stable environment.
Barbara often invited me to attend SGI-USA discussion meetings, but I always said no.
With the challenges I was already facing, I didn't need one more thing to feel insecure about, to make me feel different from my friends. But from time to time, when she wasn't home, I read the World Tribune. Inspired by the testimonials I read, I eventually decided to give chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo a try.
While creating a peaceful society was one of the goals of the SGI, world peace wasn't one of my immediate targets. It wasn't even on my radar. My wish was to attend college, so I chanted for the money to do so. For many people, college might seem an ordinary goal, but in my family it was an extraordinary one. No one had ever done it.
Within a few months, I received an unexpected insurance check that was just the right amount for me to start my education. I went on to receive scholarships and financial aid that enabled me to complete my college degree. The closed doors and deadbolts in my life opened as I chanted, participated in SGI-USA activities and did my best to support others in their Buddhist practice.
When I completed my college education, jobs in social service were scarce. Within a week of graduation, however, I found a rewarding job in my chosen field, in which I have worked ever since.
I was truly developing great fortune through my consistent efforts to fulfill my vow for kosen-rufu, in other words, to take action for the spread of Nichiren Buddhism. I had decided that I wanted to pursue graduate studies but again had no money to do so. Soon, an opportunity came up through my employer, and I was selected to go to New York University's Graduate School, with all expenses paid.
During the years, I chanted for my father's well-being, not knowing if he was dead or alive. In 1991, when my sister Barbara, a friend and I visited the Soka Gakkai Headquarters in Tokyo, we had an opportunity to meet with SGI President Daisaku Ikeda. He thoroughly encouraged us and then said, "Please don't make your parents worry." This really struck me. Why were my sister and I there to hear this? As I chanted to understand President Ikeda's words, it occurred to me that perhaps, in some corner of my father's life, he was worried about us. I decided to find him so that I could tell him he didn't have to worry, that all three of us were fine.
The objective of my chanting took on an entirely new aspect. It was no longer just about concern for my father. I had come to realize that I needed to do this for my own life. Within a few months, I located and contacted my father. He was living in New Jersey and was very ill. He agreed to see me. Filled with a million emotions, I chanted Nam-myoho-renge-kyo all the way there.
I think he expected that I was coming to berate him about the past. I told him I hadn't come about the past; I came about the future. I told him that my sisters and I had wonderful lives; that all of us had a wonderful Buddhist practice and that he didn't have to worry.
He died the following week. I will always be grateful to President Ikeda for the words that made me reflect on my own heart and take action.
In 1994, I fulfilled another cherished dream--I purchased my own home. I got an interest rate that no one had seen in 50 years. My attorney was so sure it was a typo in the paperwork that she actually called the bank to inform them of their error. But it was no error. I now live in a beautiful home and am happy to answer the doorbell and welcome visitors.
In addition to the history of estrangements in my family, we'd never had a lot of success with romantic relationships. Early in my practice, I learned that another person, no matter how nice, cannot be the source of my happiness. I seemed to attract men who liked me, but not my practice of Buddhism. For me, that was a deal breaker. Despite being very happily single, I felt I should take on the challenge of transforming this aspect of my life. I chanted determinedly and came to see that it was up to me, and no one else, to create this change.
I chanted about this, realizing that I was the one who put limits on what another person would accept about me. When I take responsibility for my life through my prayer--in other words, through what I vow to achieve by chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo--the path opens without fail.
Soon after this realization, I met a wonderful man. We share the same values and vision, and he is very supportive of my Buddhist practice. He has two great children with whom I have a wonderful relationship. His son started chanting with me when he was 12.
I am filled with appreciation for President Ikeda, whose guidance and encouragement have inspired me to practice Nichiren Buddhism and change my life in so many ways. The days of feeling "not good enough" are over, replaced with hope and the confidence to ceaselessly develop my unlimited potential.
[Adapted from Living Buddhism, SGI-USA, Jan-Feb 2008]
USA
I grew up as the youngest of three girls in a troubled family in New Jersey. My father, who had a history of abandoning us from time to time, left for good when I was just a baby, leaving my mother without financial or emotional support. She did her best to raise us on public assistance. At that time and place, a huge stigma was attached to being a family on welfare; being a kid without a father made it even worse.
I remember the humiliation my mother suffered when the social worker visited us and berated her for being on welfare. I was so ashamed of where we lived that I never invited any of my friends over. In fact, whenever the doorbell rang, we ran and hid. Growing up this way, I never felt good enough and longed to be someone else.
My mother never overcame her despair over my father's abandonment. When I was 12, she lost the battle with her internal demons and committed suicide. Another relative, who had her own mental challenges, came to live with us. Ours was a very tense and unstable home. I felt like a normal person in an insane environment; nothing made sense to me.
None of my friends were aware of the reality of my life. I hid it all very well, but I had a deep inner feeling of inferiority. I found no solace in our family's religion; it hadn't helped us a bit.
The summer before my senior year of high school, my sister Barbara, who had already moved away from home, was introduced to Nichiren Buddhism and became a member of the SGI. Shortly after she started chanting, we moved into a wonderful apartment together, a short distance from my high school. It was the first time that we had lived in a stable environment.
Barbara often invited me to attend SGI-USA discussion meetings, but I always said no.
With the challenges I was already facing, I didn't need one more thing to feel insecure about, to make me feel different from my friends. But from time to time, when she wasn't home, I read the World Tribune. Inspired by the testimonials I read, I eventually decided to give chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo a try.
While creating a peaceful society was one of the goals of the SGI, world peace wasn't one of my immediate targets. It wasn't even on my radar. My wish was to attend college, so I chanted for the money to do so. For many people, college might seem an ordinary goal, but in my family it was an extraordinary one. No one had ever done it.
Within a few months, I received an unexpected insurance check that was just the right amount for me to start my education. I went on to receive scholarships and financial aid that enabled me to complete my college degree. The closed doors and deadbolts in my life opened as I chanted, participated in SGI-USA activities and did my best to support others in their Buddhist practice.
When I completed my college education, jobs in social service were scarce. Within a week of graduation, however, I found a rewarding job in my chosen field, in which I have worked ever since.
I was truly developing great fortune through my consistent efforts to fulfill my vow for kosen-rufu, in other words, to take action for the spread of Nichiren Buddhism. I had decided that I wanted to pursue graduate studies but again had no money to do so. Soon, an opportunity came up through my employer, and I was selected to go to New York University's Graduate School, with all expenses paid.
During the years, I chanted for my father's well-being, not knowing if he was dead or alive. In 1991, when my sister Barbara, a friend and I visited the Soka Gakkai Headquarters in Tokyo, we had an opportunity to meet with SGI President Daisaku Ikeda. He thoroughly encouraged us and then said, "Please don't make your parents worry." This really struck me. Why were my sister and I there to hear this? As I chanted to understand President Ikeda's words, it occurred to me that perhaps, in some corner of my father's life, he was worried about us. I decided to find him so that I could tell him he didn't have to worry, that all three of us were fine.
The objective of my chanting took on an entirely new aspect. It was no longer just about concern for my father. I had come to realize that I needed to do this for my own life. Within a few months, I located and contacted my father. He was living in New Jersey and was very ill. He agreed to see me. Filled with a million emotions, I chanted Nam-myoho-renge-kyo all the way there.
I think he expected that I was coming to berate him about the past. I told him I hadn't come about the past; I came about the future. I told him that my sisters and I had wonderful lives; that all of us had a wonderful Buddhist practice and that he didn't have to worry.
He died the following week. I will always be grateful to President Ikeda for the words that made me reflect on my own heart and take action.
In 1994, I fulfilled another cherished dream--I purchased my own home. I got an interest rate that no one had seen in 50 years. My attorney was so sure it was a typo in the paperwork that she actually called the bank to inform them of their error. But it was no error. I now live in a beautiful home and am happy to answer the doorbell and welcome visitors.
In addition to the history of estrangements in my family, we'd never had a lot of success with romantic relationships. Early in my practice, I learned that another person, no matter how nice, cannot be the source of my happiness. I seemed to attract men who liked me, but not my practice of Buddhism. For me, that was a deal breaker. Despite being very happily single, I felt I should take on the challenge of transforming this aspect of my life. I chanted determinedly and came to see that it was up to me, and no one else, to create this change.
I chanted about this, realizing that I was the one who put limits on what another person would accept about me. When I take responsibility for my life through my prayer--in other words, through what I vow to achieve by chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo--the path opens without fail.
Soon after this realization, I met a wonderful man. We share the same values and vision, and he is very supportive of my Buddhist practice. He has two great children with whom I have a wonderful relationship. His son started chanting with me when he was 12.
I am filled with appreciation for President Ikeda, whose guidance and encouragement have inspired me to practice Nichiren Buddhism and change my life in so many ways. The days of feeling "not good enough" are over, replaced with hope and the confidence to ceaselessly develop my unlimited potential.
[Adapted from Living Buddhism, SGI-USA, Jan-Feb 2008]
Great character is forged through hardships
Eiji Yoshikawa (1892-1962), the renowned Japanese author of many epic historic novels, asserted, "Great character is forged through hardships." Surviving a life of hardships and difficulties, of stormy ups and downs, is what produces a person of great depth and character. True happiness is also found in such an unshakable state of life.
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 3/1
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 3/1
Achieving Nothing (No Thing)
Once upon a time the Bodhisatta - the Enlightenment Being - was born into a high class family in northern India. When he grew up he gave up the ordinary desires of the everyday world and became a holy man. He went to the Himalayan Mountains where 500 other holy men became his followers.
He meditated throughout his long life. He gained supernatural powers - like flying through the air and understanding people's thoughts without their speaking. These special powers impressed his 500 followers greatly.
One rainy season, the chief follower took 250 of the holy men into the hill country villages to collect salt and other necessities. It just so happened that this was the time when the master was about to die. The 250 who were still by his side realized this. So they asked him, "Oh most holy one, in your long life practicing goodness and meditation, what was your greatest achievement?"
Having difficulty speaking as he was dying, the last words of the Enlightenment Being were, "No Thing." Then he was reborn in a heaven world.
Expecting to hear about some fantastic magical power, the 250 followers were disappointed. They said to each other. "After a long life practicing goodness and meditation. our poor master has achieved 'nothing'." Since they considered him a failure, they burned his body with no special ceremony, honors, or even respect.
When the chief follower returned he asked, "Where is the holy one?" "He has died," they told him. "Did you ask him about his greatest achievement?" "Of course we did," they answered. "And what did he say?" asked the chief follower. "He said he achieved 'nothing'," they replied, "so we didn't celebrate his funeral with any special honors."
Then the chief follower said, "You brothers did not understand the meaning of the teacher's words. He achieved the great knowledge of 'No Thing'. He realized that the names of things are not what they are. There is what there is, without being called 'this thing' or 'that thing'. There is no 'Thing'." In this way the chief follower explained the wonderful achievement of their great master, but they still did not understand.
Meanwhile, from his heaven world,, the reborn Enlightenment Being saw that his former chief follower's words were not accepted. So he left the heaven world and appeared floating in the air above his former followers' monastery. In praise of the chief follower's wisdom he said, "The one who hears the Truth and understands automatically, is far better off than a hundred fools who spend a hundred years thinking and thinking and thinking."
By preaching in this way, the Great Being encouraged the 500 holy men to continue seeking Truth. After lives spent in serious meditation, all 500 died and were reborn in the same heaven world with their former master.
The moral is: When the wise speak, listen!
He meditated throughout his long life. He gained supernatural powers - like flying through the air and understanding people's thoughts without their speaking. These special powers impressed his 500 followers greatly.
One rainy season, the chief follower took 250 of the holy men into the hill country villages to collect salt and other necessities. It just so happened that this was the time when the master was about to die. The 250 who were still by his side realized this. So they asked him, "Oh most holy one, in your long life practicing goodness and meditation, what was your greatest achievement?"
Having difficulty speaking as he was dying, the last words of the Enlightenment Being were, "No Thing." Then he was reborn in a heaven world.
Expecting to hear about some fantastic magical power, the 250 followers were disappointed. They said to each other. "After a long life practicing goodness and meditation. our poor master has achieved 'nothing'." Since they considered him a failure, they burned his body with no special ceremony, honors, or even respect.
When the chief follower returned he asked, "Where is the holy one?" "He has died," they told him. "Did you ask him about his greatest achievement?" "Of course we did," they answered. "And what did he say?" asked the chief follower. "He said he achieved 'nothing'," they replied, "so we didn't celebrate his funeral with any special honors."
Then the chief follower said, "You brothers did not understand the meaning of the teacher's words. He achieved the great knowledge of 'No Thing'. He realized that the names of things are not what they are. There is what there is, without being called 'this thing' or 'that thing'. There is no 'Thing'." In this way the chief follower explained the wonderful achievement of their great master, but they still did not understand.
Meanwhile, from his heaven world,, the reborn Enlightenment Being saw that his former chief follower's words were not accepted. So he left the heaven world and appeared floating in the air above his former followers' monastery. In praise of the chief follower's wisdom he said, "The one who hears the Truth and understands automatically, is far better off than a hundred fools who spend a hundred years thinking and thinking and thinking."
By preaching in this way, the Great Being encouraged the 500 holy men to continue seeking Truth. After lives spent in serious meditation, all 500 died and were reborn in the same heaven world with their former master.
The moral is: When the wise speak, listen!
Live life to the fullness everyday, the SGI members way
Those who wake up each morning with work to accomplish and a mission to fulfill are the happiest people of all. SGI members are like this. For us each day is one of supreme purpose and satisfaction. For us each day is New Year's Day. Please exert yourselves vigorously with the determination to live each day to the fullest, so that you may compose a golden diary of life.
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 1/1
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 1/1
What was my preception of Nichiren Buddhism? Part 2
When I first known about Nichiren Buddhism I just wondered what was this 'weird' religion.
The following questions popped in my head:
1.Why the 'altar' was covered in a box.
2.Why is it the it can not be 'displayed'?
3.Is it some thing that the religion wanted to hide from?
4.Why there is a 'coffin' like joss sticks burner?
5.Why the candles are white instead of red like the Chinese candles?
6.What was the weird things they are chanting?
7.The Japanese had invaded other countries, anything from Japan wouldn't be good either?
Just imagine how ignorant I was.
Some years later, when I joined the religion, then I had all the questions answered.
.
1.The Gohonzon is kept in the butsudan i.e. the box. As Nichiren Buddhist value the importance of Gohonzon, this is why it is kept in safe place to protect it from dust, sunlight, insects and etc.
2.The same reason as in answer no 1. Furthermore the Gohonzon is not a display item. Nichiren Buddhist will only open the 'box' when praying and chanting.
3.Reasons as in answer 1 and 2,
4. The joss sticks are burned when lying down and that is the reason for the rectangle shape. Furthermore if the joss sticks are burned standing, the place around it will be dusty and harder to maintained. People have different views of shape of things and it is their rights to think and say what they want.
5.People view colour depending on they cultural back ground, The westerns view red as danger but the Chinese thinks that red is auspicious. The Japanese and the westerner view white as pure but Chinese view as neutral. I was told there is no strict rule in Nichiren Buddhism, if one likes it one can use red candles. Buddhism is reasoning and logic.
6. Chanting is only weird when one is not use to it. If one chants in groups, one will appreciate the beauty and melody of the chanting.
7.It is true that Japanese invaded many countries and caused suffering to many. But not many people know that SGI, the promoted of Nichiren Buddhist were the only people that opposed war in Japan.
The following questions popped in my head:
1.Why the 'altar' was covered in a box.
2.Why is it the it can not be 'displayed'?
3.Is it some thing that the religion wanted to hide from?
4.Why there is a 'coffin' like joss sticks burner?
5.Why the candles are white instead of red like the Chinese candles?
6.What was the weird things they are chanting?
7.The Japanese had invaded other countries, anything from Japan wouldn't be good either?
Just imagine how ignorant I was.
Some years later, when I joined the religion, then I had all the questions answered.
.
1.The Gohonzon is kept in the butsudan i.e. the box. As Nichiren Buddhist value the importance of Gohonzon, this is why it is kept in safe place to protect it from dust, sunlight, insects and etc.
2.The same reason as in answer no 1. Furthermore the Gohonzon is not a display item. Nichiren Buddhist will only open the 'box' when praying and chanting.
3.Reasons as in answer 1 and 2,
4. The joss sticks are burned when lying down and that is the reason for the rectangle shape. Furthermore if the joss sticks are burned standing, the place around it will be dusty and harder to maintained. People have different views of shape of things and it is their rights to think and say what they want.
5.People view colour depending on they cultural back ground, The westerns view red as danger but the Chinese thinks that red is auspicious. The Japanese and the westerner view white as pure but Chinese view as neutral. I was told there is no strict rule in Nichiren Buddhism, if one likes it one can use red candles. Buddhism is reasoning and logic.
6. Chanting is only weird when one is not use to it. If one chants in groups, one will appreciate the beauty and melody of the chanting.
7.It is true that Japanese invaded many countries and caused suffering to many. But not many people know that SGI, the promoted of Nichiren Buddhist were the only people that opposed war in Japan.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Fathers and Sons
by Michael Rattray
Scotland
From an early age, I always felt my dad was much prouder of my older brother. I also felt my dad didn't approve of my musical talents and wished I would "just get a proper job." When I got my first band together in my teens, he never really took an interest in what I was doing and always answered me with "Yes, but will it pay the bills?" This led me to doing a course in musical instrument technology which I hated. I stuck at it for a year and then left. When I told my dad, I felt like a failure again.
I carried on writing music and playing gigs, and felt that if I made it with my music then maybe I could win his approval. However, I was different in more ways than one and, at the age of around 11 or 12, I realized I was attracted to boys instead of girls. I kept this to myself for a good six years as I knew it would only be another disappointment for my dad. We had never even spoken about the birds and the bees, let alone the bees and the bees! I told him when I was 17. I had thought he would kick me out of the house. Much to my surprise he put his arms around me and quietly said, "You'll always be my son."
In my early 20s I became ill with major depression and our relationship began to change. My dad helped me through a lot of the bad days, taking me to hospital appointments and encouraging me to stay positive.
After a few years of struggling with the illness, I met Nichiren Buddhism. As I chanted, I began to transform myself and see things as they really were. My relationship with my dad deepened.
Standing Up for Each Other
We began to open up to each other. He told me about how he'd struggled in his 20s and 30s when he was trying to support our family, saying a father loves all his children equally, that he had never ever compared me to my brother or thought I was a failure or wished I'd been different in any way. All he'd ever wanted was the best for me. I realized it was narrow-minded and selfish of me to think he didn't value me as a person. He had a full-time job, a wife and three young children to provide for. Through chanting and study I realized all the thoughts I had had about him came from my own insecurities and negativity.
After work one day he seemed really angry. I asked him what was wrong and he told me there was a woman at his work talking about how wrong and disgusting gay people were. He told me he'd stopped her in her tracks and said to her, "I have a gay son and you don't know what you're talking about. People don't choose to be gay; it's just part of who they are." I couldn't believe it.
As the years passed, I kept chanting; things slowly improved with my health, and my band managed to secure a support gig in front of a sold-out, 1,600-seat venue. My sister told me that when I walked out on stage, my dad sat quietly, smiling and crying with pride.
My dad had to retire a few years ago due to stress and I really chanted to be able to support him. With my own experience of mental illness, he seemed to open up and tell me his thoughts. The relationship I now have with my dad is amazing. He is my best friend. I make every moment count with him and support his life the best I can. The love between a father and son can often not be expressed. For me and my father it wasn't for many years, which led to misunderstandings and insecurities. I chant with deep gratitude every day that we are able to share this joy and respect for each other in this lifetime.
[Courtesy, January 2009 SGI Quarterly]
Scotland
From an early age, I always felt my dad was much prouder of my older brother. I also felt my dad didn't approve of my musical talents and wished I would "just get a proper job." When I got my first band together in my teens, he never really took an interest in what I was doing and always answered me with "Yes, but will it pay the bills?" This led me to doing a course in musical instrument technology which I hated. I stuck at it for a year and then left. When I told my dad, I felt like a failure again.
I carried on writing music and playing gigs, and felt that if I made it with my music then maybe I could win his approval. However, I was different in more ways than one and, at the age of around 11 or 12, I realized I was attracted to boys instead of girls. I kept this to myself for a good six years as I knew it would only be another disappointment for my dad. We had never even spoken about the birds and the bees, let alone the bees and the bees! I told him when I was 17. I had thought he would kick me out of the house. Much to my surprise he put his arms around me and quietly said, "You'll always be my son."
In my early 20s I became ill with major depression and our relationship began to change. My dad helped me through a lot of the bad days, taking me to hospital appointments and encouraging me to stay positive.
After a few years of struggling with the illness, I met Nichiren Buddhism. As I chanted, I began to transform myself and see things as they really were. My relationship with my dad deepened.
Standing Up for Each Other
We began to open up to each other. He told me about how he'd struggled in his 20s and 30s when he was trying to support our family, saying a father loves all his children equally, that he had never ever compared me to my brother or thought I was a failure or wished I'd been different in any way. All he'd ever wanted was the best for me. I realized it was narrow-minded and selfish of me to think he didn't value me as a person. He had a full-time job, a wife and three young children to provide for. Through chanting and study I realized all the thoughts I had had about him came from my own insecurities and negativity.
After work one day he seemed really angry. I asked him what was wrong and he told me there was a woman at his work talking about how wrong and disgusting gay people were. He told me he'd stopped her in her tracks and said to her, "I have a gay son and you don't know what you're talking about. People don't choose to be gay; it's just part of who they are." I couldn't believe it.
As the years passed, I kept chanting; things slowly improved with my health, and my band managed to secure a support gig in front of a sold-out, 1,600-seat venue. My sister told me that when I walked out on stage, my dad sat quietly, smiling and crying with pride.
My dad had to retire a few years ago due to stress and I really chanted to be able to support him. With my own experience of mental illness, he seemed to open up and tell me his thoughts. The relationship I now have with my dad is amazing. He is my best friend. I make every moment count with him and support his life the best I can. The love between a father and son can often not be expressed. For me and my father it wasn't for many years, which led to misunderstandings and insecurities. I chant with deep gratitude every day that we are able to share this joy and respect for each other in this lifetime.
[Courtesy, January 2009 SGI Quarterly]
A Man Named Wise (Cheating)
Once upon a time, the Enlightenment Being was born in a merchants' family in Benares, in northern India. He was given the name Wise. When he grew up he began doing business with a man whose name just happened to be Verywise.
It came to pass that Wise and Verywise took a caravan of 500 bullock carts into the countryside. After selling all their goods they returned to Benares with their handsome profits.
When it came time to split their gains between them, Verywise said, "I should get twice as much profit as you." "How come?" asked Wise. "Because you are Wise and I am Verywise. It is obvious that Wise should get only half as much as Verywise."
Then Wise asked, "Didn't we both invest equal amounts in this caravan trip? Why do you deserve twice as much profit as I?" Verywise replied, "Because of my quality of being Verywise." In this way their quarrel went on with no end in sight.
Then Verywise thought, "I have a plan to win this argument." So he went to his father and asked him to hide inside a huge hollow tree. He said, "When my partner and I come by and ask how to share our profits, then you should say, 'Verywise deserves a double share."'
Verywise returned to Wise and said, 'My friend, neither of us wants this quarrel. Let's go to the old sacred tree and ask the tree spirit to settle it."
When they went to the tree Verywise said solemnly, "My lord tree spirit, we have a problem. Kindly solve it for us." Then his father, hidden inside the hollow tree, disguised his voice and asked, "What is your question?" The man's cheating son said, "My lord tree spirit, this man is Wise and I am Verywise. We have done business together. Tell us how to share the profits." Again disguising his voice, his father responded, "Wise deserves a single share and Verywise deserves a double share."
Hearing this solution, Wise decided to find out if it really was a tree spirit speaking from inside the tree. So he threw some hay into it and set it on fire. Immediately Verywise's father grabbed onto a branch, jumped out of the flames and fell on the ground. He said in his own voice,, "Although his name is Verywise, my son is just a clever cheater. I'm lucky that the one named Wise really is so. and I've escaped only half toasted!"
Then Wise and Verywise shared their profits equally. Eventually they both died and were reborn as they deserved.
The moral is: A cheater may be clever but not wise.
It came to pass that Wise and Verywise took a caravan of 500 bullock carts into the countryside. After selling all their goods they returned to Benares with their handsome profits.
When it came time to split their gains between them, Verywise said, "I should get twice as much profit as you." "How come?" asked Wise. "Because you are Wise and I am Verywise. It is obvious that Wise should get only half as much as Verywise."
Then Wise asked, "Didn't we both invest equal amounts in this caravan trip? Why do you deserve twice as much profit as I?" Verywise replied, "Because of my quality of being Verywise." In this way their quarrel went on with no end in sight.
Then Verywise thought, "I have a plan to win this argument." So he went to his father and asked him to hide inside a huge hollow tree. He said, "When my partner and I come by and ask how to share our profits, then you should say, 'Verywise deserves a double share."'
Verywise returned to Wise and said, 'My friend, neither of us wants this quarrel. Let's go to the old sacred tree and ask the tree spirit to settle it."
When they went to the tree Verywise said solemnly, "My lord tree spirit, we have a problem. Kindly solve it for us." Then his father, hidden inside the hollow tree, disguised his voice and asked, "What is your question?" The man's cheating son said, "My lord tree spirit, this man is Wise and I am Verywise. We have done business together. Tell us how to share the profits." Again disguising his voice, his father responded, "Wise deserves a single share and Verywise deserves a double share."
Hearing this solution, Wise decided to find out if it really was a tree spirit speaking from inside the tree. So he threw some hay into it and set it on fire. Immediately Verywise's father grabbed onto a branch, jumped out of the flames and fell on the ground. He said in his own voice,, "Although his name is Verywise, my son is just a clever cheater. I'm lucky that the one named Wise really is so. and I've escaped only half toasted!"
Then Wise and Verywise shared their profits equally. Eventually they both died and were reborn as they deserved.
The moral is: A cheater may be clever but not wise.
How to tap from within the depths of our beings the greatest courage and strongest life force in us?
Buddhism enables us to tap from within the depths of our beings the greatest courage and strongest life force there is. Buddhas are not destined for unhappiness or defeat. Those who practice Buddhism can definitely transform all adversity into something positive, irrespective of the troubled time in which they live, their personal circumstances or the hardships that befall them.
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 31/12
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 31/12
Buddhist and difficulities
Defeat for a Buddhist lies not in encountering difficulties but rather in not challenging them. Difficulties only truly become our destiny if we run away from them. We must fight as long as we live.
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 30/12
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 30/12
The importance of being cheerful
Ralph Waldo Emerson writes: "And so of cheerfulness, or a good temper, the more it is spent, the more of it remains." Cheerfulness is not the same as frivolousness. Cheerfulness is born of a fighting spirit. Frivolousness is the reverse side of cowardly escape. Emerson also said that "power dwells with cheerfulness; hope puts us in a working mood." Without cheerfulness there is no strength. Strive to advance still more brightly and cheerfully.
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 29/12
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 29/12
If there are those who hear the Law, then not a one will fail to attain Buddhahood
Those who believe in the Lotus Sutra are as if in winter, but winter always turns to spring. Never, from ancient times on, has anyone heard or seen of winter turning back to autumn. Nor have we ever heard of a believer in the Lotus Sutra who turned into an ordinary person. The sutra reads, "If there are those who hear the Law, then not a one will fail to attain Buddhahood."-Nichiren
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 28/12
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 28/12
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