Soooo, my journey to hell is coming real soon.
In the meantime, here is a little quote from The Opening of the Eyes Gosho.
I recently went through all my Buddhist books and wrote inside the front cover when I read them and, if applicable, as part of what study programme.
Lectures on the Opening of the Eyes is one of the books I am studying as part of my LIPC Dedicated Lilac training.
Last Committee meeting (a study/feedback meeting with all the team leaders), I was asked to feedback on Chapter 14 of this book.
This little quote stuck with me:
Friday, 31 October 2014
Monday, 6 October 2014
Grade 2 Study exam - 2014. Section A. Q7
This is part of a series of posts to share my preparation for the Grade 2 Study Exam that I will sit this coming November.
From ‘Encountering persecution by sword and staff as predicted in the “Encouraging Devotion” chapter’:
A7
How did Nichiren Daishonin react to these attacks by swords and staves? What function can hardships have in our lives?
Nichiren's immediate reaction was, quite naturally, of outrage. He writes:
‘Though I knew it was for the sake of the Lotus Sutra, being an ordinary person, I felt... [that had] I had the strength, I would have wrested it from him, trampled on and broken it, and thrown it away. However, it was in fact the fifth scroll of the Lotus Sutra.’
However, wearing the ‘armour of perseverance', the Daishonin forbore his anger, behaved with self‐assurance, and spoke out with dignity for his beliefs. He didn’t display even the slightest trace of violence, hatred, or the desire for revenge.
If we look at them from a broader perspective, the hardships that assail us can function to strengthen us and spur our growth as human beings. As long as we do not allow ourselves to be defeated by suffering, even the most painful experiences can be turned into something positive. Nothing is ever wasted in Buddhism.
The profound teachings of the Lotus Sutra enable us to turn suffering into the driving force for transforming our karma.
Wrod count: 176
From ‘Encountering persecution by sword and staff as predicted in the “Encouraging Devotion” chapter’:
A7
How did Nichiren Daishonin react to these attacks by swords and staves? What function can hardships have in our lives?
Nichiren's immediate reaction was, quite naturally, of outrage. He writes:
‘Though I knew it was for the sake of the Lotus Sutra, being an ordinary person, I felt... [that had] I had the strength, I would have wrested it from him, trampled on and broken it, and thrown it away. However, it was in fact the fifth scroll of the Lotus Sutra.’
However, wearing the ‘armour of perseverance', the Daishonin forbore his anger, behaved with self‐assurance, and spoke out with dignity for his beliefs. He didn’t display even the slightest trace of violence, hatred, or the desire for revenge.
If we look at them from a broader perspective, the hardships that assail us can function to strengthen us and spur our growth as human beings. As long as we do not allow ourselves to be defeated by suffering, even the most painful experiences can be turned into something positive. Nothing is ever wasted in Buddhism.
The profound teachings of the Lotus Sutra enable us to turn suffering into the driving force for transforming our karma.
Wrod count: 176
Sunday, 5 October 2014
Grade 2 Study exam - 2014. Section A. Q6
This is part of a series of posts to share my preparation for the Grade 2 Study Exam that I will sit this coming November.
Section A
From ‘Changing conflict and division into cooperation and harmony’:
A6 - How can humanity attain harmony and prosperity, and what is the key to this transformation?
Humanity can only attain harmony and prosperity by pursuing a path of coexistence and cooperation based on the universal and eternal values of respect for life and human dignity, while recognising and affirming cultural diversity.
The key to this transformation is wisdom and compassion, as highlighted in this Gosho.
Through sincere actions and dialogue that promotes mutual understanding, we must together reaffirm the ideal of building a peaceful and happy society.
Word count: 71
Section A
From ‘Changing conflict and division into cooperation and harmony’:
A6 - How can humanity attain harmony and prosperity, and what is the key to this transformation?
Humanity can only attain harmony and prosperity by pursuing a path of coexistence and cooperation based on the universal and eternal values of respect for life and human dignity, while recognising and affirming cultural diversity.
The key to this transformation is wisdom and compassion, as highlighted in this Gosho.
Through sincere actions and dialogue that promotes mutual understanding, we must together reaffirm the ideal of building a peaceful and happy society.
Word count: 71
Tuesday, 30 September 2014
Buddhist quotes - September
This month's quote is very short, and comes from the Gosho The Actions of the Votary of the Lotus Sutra.
To give a little background, this Gosho was written in 1276 and addressed to the lay nun Kōnichi, a widow who lived in Awa, the Daishonin’s native province. Her son had earlier converted to the Daishonin’s teachings, and through him she herself became a convert. Some time after this, her son died. But she overcame her deep sorrow and remained a sincere believer in the Daishonin’s Buddhism to the end of her life.
Here is a very little quote:
I have been to hell and back recently, and on top of that I have not been able to write literally anything as I am ridiculously busy with school and activities.
After a fairly long stay in the world of Hell, I am now much better and happier and am not staring at a black hole where my faith used to be. Also, which is completely unrelated, I am enjoying my dancing like never before.
I have several posts coming, mainly concerning my journey to Hell, the Grade 2 exam preparation, my Gratitude diary, my dancing and my recent redoubled efforts in studying the New Human Revolution.
But for now, bye September, you have really tried me, and I have won.
To give a little background, this Gosho was written in 1276 and addressed to the lay nun Kōnichi, a widow who lived in Awa, the Daishonin’s native province. Her son had earlier converted to the Daishonin’s teachings, and through him she herself became a convert. Some time after this, her son died. But she overcame her deep sorrow and remained a sincere believer in the Daishonin’s Buddhism to the end of her life.
Here is a very little quote:
Nothing is more joyful to me than to have been born in the Latter Day of the Law and to suffer persecution because I propagate the five characters of Myoho-renge-kyo.I really need to etch these words in my heart.
I have been to hell and back recently, and on top of that I have not been able to write literally anything as I am ridiculously busy with school and activities.
After a fairly long stay in the world of Hell, I am now much better and happier and am not staring at a black hole where my faith used to be. Also, which is completely unrelated, I am enjoying my dancing like never before.
I have several posts coming, mainly concerning my journey to Hell, the Grade 2 exam preparation, my Gratitude diary, my dancing and my recent redoubled efforts in studying the New Human Revolution.
But for now, bye September, you have really tried me, and I have won.
Sunday, 31 August 2014
Buddhist quotes - August
I just could not end the month of August without at least my quote post.
I have had a great Summer and I am looking forward to going back to work.
We just recently had our general Kayo Kai meeting, where the force of all my negativity slammed into me, leaving me in a sobbing pool of tears. Ah, well.
I am challenging the deepest of my deep-seated karma, my fundamental sense of worthlessness, which is at the core of my tendency to always experience bullying and aggressive behaviour in my environment. So, of course, the brown and sticky is hitting the fan. Hard.
One aspect of this karma is my pathological need for praise and external approval. I keep coming back to the Eight Winds Gosho for guidance and I try to read it with my life, even though sometimes it is really hard and painful.
I have had a great Summer and I am looking forward to going back to work.
We just recently had our general Kayo Kai meeting, where the force of all my negativity slammed into me, leaving me in a sobbing pool of tears. Ah, well.
I am challenging the deepest of my deep-seated karma, my fundamental sense of worthlessness, which is at the core of my tendency to always experience bullying and aggressive behaviour in my environment. So, of course, the brown and sticky is hitting the fan. Hard.
One aspect of this karma is my pathological need for praise and external approval. I keep coming back to the Eight Winds Gosho for guidance and I try to read it with my life, even though sometimes it is really hard and painful.
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