Chanting Growers Group

[Guest]

Gordy P! You Stand Corrected!

Gordy P! You Stand Corrected!

I will tell you about my best bud, George. He is a solid black cat, with very green eyes who weighs 15 lbs. He sleeps at the foot of my bed or on the chair across from me. If the boys should walk into my room at night, they get hissed at. He follows me all over the house, he is at my feet wherever I am, or sits beside me like a drunk of the stool. If I'm on this puter too long, he stands up, pushes me with his paw. I am not his staff. We are one! He is waiting for me when I come home. And he pouts when I pull out the scrubs. So I assure you, I know what you speak of. I don't have to rush home for fear that he will shit on the floor, or eat the furniture, or get in the trash. Of course I do now because my son has a dachshund and I have the pleasure of experiencing all these things. George and I look forward to his departure.

And I know exactly where you are right now. I am there too. I go through it every year and it has always continued to improve. It was unbearable before I started chanting. It was actually this time of year that I started chanting. I was so depressed and starting feeling suicidal. I worked with a nurse who pulled me out of it and spent incredible time with me teaching me to chant. She would come stay with me or have phony excuses that her boyfriend was gone and she was scared. I remember that every year for the last 15 years. And the beauty of it for me was New Years DAy is a big day in Nichiren Daishonin Buddhism. I loved every year going to KosenRufu Gongyo. So it helped turn some of those feelings for me. A new beginning. Now I have just as big of a day with myself. That is the only holiday I ask off. Unfortunately, I do have to work it this year, so my day will be New Years EVe this year.

So continue....it will be better this year than last, you can only go up. And better the next. I don't think we ever really get to the destination. The levels of learning and understanding just get a little harder or complex. Graduate school of life. I'm learning more and more not to take it all so seriously. Relax, be calm and let it come. If you're centered you go where you need to be, if not you will be guided back. Southern Girl

 

[stonegirl]

Ah yes, the mystery of life!

Ah yes, the mystery of life!

And here I am, headed off to the hospital tomorrow, just as SG said I should, to be scoped and scooped. I am fortunate to have a sage as a friend, and even more so to be here to witness that fact revealed. And the immense pleasure of also witnessing my oldest friend continuously displaying the depth of his Buddha Nature in an eloquent and insightful and courageous manner. This is joy.

For the record, we are open for a get together in Vancouver anytime after February, but not before. The plan is if everything goes according to plan, we will start the moving process next spring. Everything is timing, and we are moving into a big new home in January as it is. A lot of it will be about things going according to plan. Grape Punch will be there long before then. I am sure anyone who reads this thread regularly would enjoy the company of anyone else that does so as well.

While the knee surgery might be considered a bad thing, I cannnot see it that way. I am so grateful that the entire cost will be around $9.00. I am so fortunate that an old guy like me has this kind of health coverage, that cannot be obtained in America (under the same reasonable cost basis). The nine dollars includes my exam, the xrays, the procedure, my anesthesia, a hospital room for a night or two, and I won't pay more than a couple of dollars more for the meds they prescribe, if any.

And they found old damage they will address at the same time they trim the tear that is the source of the current problem. And it worked out to happen now, because it could not have been done any sooner. Everything is in rhythem, I just had some Karma to get rid of. A konk on the head that knocked my ass out! A bum wheel. A source of pain and discomfort that we take for granted, when we don't have the problem. So I will get through this. I am blessed with a beautiful family that is healthy and happy.

Anyone thinking about chanting or praying for my knee for me, thank you; but, frankly I hope everyone would instead do that for my friend Pacridge's foot. His is a more chronic problem and it's painful and he is a good person. He would never ask for your energy, so I will. I'd love to hear him tell us a story of his foot getting better. Besides, he loves his dogs. They are his daimoku companions!

SoCal, you better get your daimoku up brother. Gordy, you amaze and inspire me. SG, thanks for the words of wisdom. You're the one that got me to the hospital today. Mrs.G, what up? Are you ready for Christmas? NattyGurrl, are you keeping your head up and lighting the rest of the world with the sunshine of your smile? The Buddha that you are, need fear NOTHING! And my Brother BOG! I hope my overload didn't juxtapose with any karmic need to communicate that made me unavailable when you needed to hear from me. Your compassion and good vibes are felt daily and from the depths of my being reciprocated.

Love for all
All for love,

T

PS: The press event was actually a public one, as it turned out. So there I was, surrounded by TV cameras, at a table to the side of a stage, with the backdrop being a gigantic blow up of my three boys (probably 15 x 30), with a famous childrens song and dance troupe, doing a disney rendition with my kids in their arms on the stage, lots of light bulbs going off, and a 10 x 10 TV screen elevated to the side of the stage showing their new TV commercial.

Talk about feeling self-conscious!

 

[Guest]

Thank You Gohonzon!

Thank You Gohonzon!

I am so grateful that you, PTD, went and had your knee checked. Pain is not a cause but a symptom of a problem that our body is trying to tell us. What you told me on the phone intuitively made me feel you had more than a sprain. We just don't want it to be and the power of NamMyohoRengeKyo WILL get us through our desires. For you to move everything in to storage and travel half way across the world without a cane is proof of that. You were as I on that trip to LA to see Pres Ikeda. My high life condition at that time and you, Babbs and Alan, I felt no pain.
Ten Years ago, I was playing volley ball and had a guy fall on me. I jumped up and went on. Was in Mexico, next day feeling sore, and by the time I got back to Dallas through customs I couldn't walk. Went to Doc, couldn't find anything, and I decided I just pulled something or sprained and went on and on. Working on my feet 12 hrs a day for 9 months. It turned out I had a fx hip at 37, and because I didn't get it treated I developed avascular necrosis and had to have a hip replacement. When I opened my eyes, PTD was there. And I was nursed back to health by 4 of my Japanese senior leaders. Noone knows that I have this only if I tell. I have overcome it to have no limp or any alter in any type of activity. So I was worried that PTD would let this go, (he has the same determination as I) and would cause more damage. And with no insurance, this would have been at least a $30000 bill for him.
Now Thomas you can use your daimoku for a speedy recovery. I love you big Brother! And I love Stonegirl for being there to love you back! You will be fine.
As far as Vancouver in the spring......That sounds good to me. Plenty of time to save for a great vacation and anticipation of seeing everyone for the first time is very exciting. We might all be over these great changes we have experienced at the end of 2004. Southern Girl

 

[BushyOldGrower]

We pick a date for a weekend in Vansterdam and I will lead the charge. My son recently visited there and he found a nice suburb he thinks looks nice.

Southern Girl, I once was in you situation and the stress is incredible. I don't see how you could manage without something to restore your soul. Your earlier explanation of the meaning of Nom Myoho Renge Kyo was perfect for me at the time and now SOCAL hippys definition and explanation are excellent. I saved that in my files so that I can use it.

Karma: Sanskrit word meaning "action." The life tendency or destiny that each individual creates through thoughts, words and deeds. One's actions in the past have shaped one's reality at present, and actions in the present determine one's future. This is the law of cause and effect at work.

My thoughts - words - deeds have been somewhat lacking in Action lately. My D count is very, very low. It happens around this time each year. Must break the chain and am glad to find others here for guidance and encouragement. Thanks all. and Congrats Pacridge!

Nam-myoho-renge-kyo: The fundamental component of the practice of Buddhism, which expresses the ultimate truth of life and the universe and allows each individual to tap his or her innate enlightened nature directly. Although the deepest meaning of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is revealed only through the practice of chanting it, there is a literal definition:

Nam (devotion) means to fuse one's life with the universal law;

Myoho (Mystic Law) is the fundamental principle of the universe and its phenomenal manifestations;

Renge (lotus flower) refers to the lotus, which blooms and seeds at the same time, symbolizing the simultaneity of cause and effect; and

Kyo (sutra, or teaching of a Buddha) broadly indicates all phenomena or the activities of all living beings.
__________________________________________________________
SoCal

You are really something sir and I hope we can meet soon.

I live a somewhat isolated life now and the internet world is too big a part of my life in reality as we all need balance and social support. My mood swings had started to get worse and the reason was that I wasn't practicing my faith. This thread woke me up and showed me the way to achieve all my lifes purposes and I cannot thank all of you enough. I feel better and more able to maintain "steadiness of mind".

Tom and Stonergirl, since time is such a relative thing we will be together in practically no time. However long it is will be too long however. I think you two are going through a trial of sorts. The moves are bad enough but with triplet boys and another young child? Flying them will be fun I bet. Poor guys...

Chant a lot. Lets just plan a weekend up there for now. Have any of you ever consided a trip to Amsterdam on 4/20/05 maybe? I have to go and have a ball every year but its mostly business of course... yeah right.

Let me tell you what has happened to me. Due to chanting my health has improved and my attitude is more optimistic. My faith in myself and my GOD (life or myoho?) I have seen myself that the real GOD is a wave of life force. GOD isn't dead or you wouldn't be here. God isnt a guy but a law of the universe. GOD is LOVE.

BOG

thanks for accepting my beliefs... some day we will all turn out to be right.

 

[BushyOldGrower]

Get 10 of us types in a room and everyone else will leave.

We will talk and chant like crazies as we toke and vape the best...

We will be in a mood conducive to higher learning.

Natty, you always say just the right things everywhere you go because you are nice. The one thing I have stressed to my son is being nice to everyone. Isn't millions if years of the jungle enough? We could actually see the world change as we vibrate our planet up to the next plane.

Maybe we just leave in a UFO or fly away but we gotta do something to save the planet and now I see how chanting can do it. Can you hear the millions always chanting? Perhaps I am delusional but its awesome anyways. BOG

 

[PassTheDoobie]

Dude!!!

Dude!!!

"Let me tell you what has happened to me. Due to chanting my health has improved and my attitude is more optimistic. My faith in myself and my GOD (life or myoho?) I have seen myself that the real GOD is a wave of life force. GOD isn't dead or you wouldn't be here. God isnt a guy but a law of the universe. GOD is LOVE."

Where is there a difference here in what we are saying? I would love to give you a big hug right now! You nailed it bro. The process of clarity is in hyper mode. Congratulations for making the transitional correlation to your thinking! How profound! How correct. The only thing I would add is an extension a bit further than you have taken it. In my opinion one could say that God is the acknowledgment and respect for the dignity, sanctity, and karmic realm of all things. This is the Buddha Nature by definition. God is the Buddha Nature innate within you, within all others, and existing innately in your environment. "God is a wave of life force" absolutely accurately describes this. Thank you man!

T!

 

[PassTheDoobie]

PS: Thank you Natty. And thank you SG. They took out 25% of that mescus-whatever! I had already done some cartlidge damage! I could have lost my knee! I am sorry for your hip, but it probably saved my knee, so thank you for agreeing to take the hit on that one for me in this lifetime. I'll catch you next time around. And the coolest of cool things is that i walked in there on Monday and by the good fortune luck of the draw that I went to that hospital at that time, i hooked up with the TOP orthopedic surgeon in the country. He did residency training in Chicago. The dude even took the time to help me up and wait to pee so he wouldn't have to cathaterize me. Great benefit!

T

 

[SoCal Hippy]

to Everyone

to Everyone

The last pages on this thread has been the most incredible to date I believe. Been with my 2 bosses the last couple days so got a little out of touch.

All so very incrediblebly encouraging; Stonegirl, SouthernGirl, NattyGurl, Pacridge,(will send you daimoku) Bog,GordyP, PTD and others. Soon we will be waking up multitudes more with our rythmn of positive change in our lives and others. Thanks again everyone for sharing such amazing experiences and overcoming such unbelievable challenges in your lives. It truly validates my faith and gives me more strength to continue and persevere in my own daily existences. The Chanting Growers group will be something preserved in history as something having a great impact in the continued cause of kosenrufu (world peace) The internet, the beginning of the 21st Century.....a critical time but a time having making a connection to those opressed for centuries not seeing out of their little world. The world is open for all to see and feel and experience. We are just here adding to this wave of good fortune to spread one by one by one. I am glad to be a part of this and for everyone here, thanks for making efforts in anyway that you have to contribute anything and everything. You are all so incredible and amazing to be associated with. Lets do meet someway-somehow in 2005. Wow! Mind blowing thinking about it. (fairs from Las Vegas - Vancouver = $225.00 R/T) So cheap! Shouldn't be a problem here, just the time off for Cora and I.

 

[SoCal Hippy]

for travel searches: http://travel.mobissimo.com/travel/search_airfare.php

 

[SoCal Hippy]

some words by Daisaku Ikeda

some words by Daisaku Ikeda

Thought I would share this on this thread; something I picked up when doing Toban last weekend.

"Although we are Buddhas, we are born as common mortals. This is so that, thruough our human revolution and showing proof of the mystic law(Nam Myoho Renge Kyo), we can accomplish Kosenrufu.

Dialogue is the lifeline of Buddhism. Sincere dialogue is the sunlight that can soften and melt hearts that are thoroughly frozen over.

The causes of our happiness or misfortune all exist within our own life. The fundamental cause of people's unhappiness lies in their attachments of various kinds. The spirit of the Lotus Sutra is not to eradicate, but to transform desires, just as they are, into enlightenment.

Buddhism is a religion of wisdom. Buddhism teaches the supreme way to live. The Daishonin's Buddhism teaches "substituting faith for wisdom". The Buddha is earnest. He racks his mind and exercises ingenuity.

In any age, uderstanding the hearts of the people is the basis of victory. A genuine leader, a true leader of Buddhism makes the greatest efforts to understand people's hearts, to understand their thoughts, and to understand their struggles.

It is not necessary to go far away or to become someone special. Regardless of whether we experience suffering or joy, as long as we sincerely continue to pray to the Gohonzon and take action for kosen rufu, then, just as we are, we will definetely become Buddhas and will fulfill our own unique mission.

Ours is a struggle to brighten and illuminate the place where we are. The purpose of lilfe is to construct and solidify a state of absolute happiness, a condition in which to be alive is itself a great joy"

(will add some Mr. Tsuji words here later that I picked up, always loved his words)

 

[Guest]

Dying to get my thoughts Out!

Dying to get my thoughts Out!

Well, of course you know, I have something to say to everyone. But it will be individual, because I have been bumped at the end of the writing.....(moment for all to go, yeah that sucks)

PTD,
I was on the floor laughing when I read the benefit of not getting a foley! Big Brother, That was funny! The joy we find things in. You know if you are an asshole, the nurses put those in the freezer? ha ha Smiling......

And big brother, I bow to you and very graciously say to you, "Think nothing of it, for you have always continued to go before me". You have no idea how your life encourages mine. I know you feel frustration with me over certain issues, but know that everytime you look into your beautiful wifes eyes, understand why I continue. Your life experience validates mine. It is that which gives me calm, acceptance and never giving up hope.
When I made the acknowledgement that it was not that my prayers had not been answered but that my faith wasn't strong enough to carry me, because of the negative hole I buried myself in, my entire life changed and blew me home.
I think about where we both were in July, mentally, the timing of us coming together....I'm blown home as well as you. It is not consequence, it is no accident. It is how our lifes have been when we need it to be.
You know that you truly are my brother. And I would do anything to keep any harm or suffering from you if I had that power.
I'm glad you did well and it was a good experience for you. Sometimes illnesses teach you alot. They have their purposes. Southern Girl

 

[Guest]

Bushy Old Grower!

Bushy Old Grower!

Bog
I look forward to nothing more at this time than to meet up with all in Vansterdam, take a toke, and discuss the world in its entirety. I think that it is something that is meant to be.

And I too responded to the last of your post. I was going to come home tonight and send you a PM, for fear that I may not express myself correctly outwardly. But Tommy said it to you in a way, that I was sitting here saying yes that's it. God, to me, is not a man on the cloud...it is all that is good and correct, that which you draw from within yourself. That is what makes it not separate. It has taken me 15 years to really understand that in the way that I needed to.
As far as the stress in life and having this practice....
If I were to sit and list the shortcomings of my life, not knowing me, I would probably present myself incorrectly because of the judgement that people naturally hold. But I will tell you that had this practice not come into my life when it did, I probably would not be here right now. I truly believe that. I would not be who I have become, my children would not be who they are, I would not have any of the material things I have, I would not have made it through the physical challenges I have had nor would I be able to love unconditionally as I do. It is that which I draw all strength from and have for the last 15 years, even when I didn't chant.
I'm not the brightest bulb when it comes to history of this practice or many of the teachings of the lotus sutra. However, my level of faith is just as great. I don't function much from the head, more from the heart and the gut. I have learned in the last 3 months to let go of the bullshit chatter we all allow to come into play.
I cannot express with words the greatness of this in my life. Nor would I have had the pleasure of knowing everyone in here and right now, that would be a tremendous loss in itself. Southern Girl

 

[Guest]

Sweet Sweet NattyGurrl!

Sweet Sweet NattyGurrl!

As always, I'm so proud to have one as yourself be concerned with me and my life. I going up that ladder one rung at a time. As we all have to do. I pray that you continue to get encouragement from participating in here and following us where ever it is that we are all going. I think it a good place! And it is not coincidence that we are all here. We will all walk away from this with something and know that you are no different. Please continue to try and chant. Understand that when you do, you continue to add to all our good fortune as well as your own. Nothing but the best for you, SG

 

[Guest]

Great to have you SoCAL!

Great to have you SoCAL!

I'm there with ya SoCAl. And I can go anytime. I make my own schedule. So everyone needs to toss it around. PTB and StoneGirl say spring. So we need to pinpoint what spring means to them.
I always enjoy your quotes from Pres Ikeda. I have not seen alot of it in the past few years. I find it entertaining the differences in all of us and what we all bring in here individually. It is great! Better than any district meeting I have been to.......Southern Girl

 

[Guest]

Mr. Hoosierland????

Mr. Hoosierland????

GordyP!!!!!Where the hell are you? SG

 

[GordyP]

Lots-O-Vibes Tonight

Lots-O-Vibes Tonight

Wow, I just caught up on the thread a few hours ago with the two posts from PTDoobie. At least I thought I was caught up! Just checking up as an afterthought before bedtime and now I'm 5-6 posts behind and catching hell from S.G. for not checking in!

Not much to report from the heartland tonight. Did manage to get 3/4ths of my Christmas shopping done tonight in about 15 minutes time. Thank God for Harry & David ! Can't wait for my little girl (21 yrs - 11 mos) to get home from school for awhile and away from the stress of classes and Boston. This is a kid who grew up in central Indiana, de-tasseling corn in the Summer, cheerleading basketball teams, doing 4-H, all that "Hoosier" stuff, who has now kicked the shit out of one Ivy Leauge school (Summa Cum Laude and Dean's Scholar at PENN) who is now doing the same thing simultaneously at Harvard and M.I.T. in going after an MD/PhD degree from both schools. She can talk to me about brain synapses, string theory, and good restaurants in Boston, and I can talk to her about my new marijuana growing hobby

A lot of Vancouver (Vansterdam) talk in recent postings. I'm beginning to think this train might just leave the station! Come springtime and some nice Vancouver weather, I'll be well-established with my new careeer and should have some bucks saved up. Essentially, I haven't done anything or gone anywhere for 3-4 years now and am ready to cut loose in Canada; maybe do some taste testing of some new BOG creations and discuss philosophy, insights, and opinions while floating on a cloud!

Glad to hear folks are beginning to heal up physically and feeling fired up mentally. We're catchin' more attention and good vibes from Sweet Natty, SoCal is going a mile a minute with his new job, Buddhist studies, and chanting partner, BOG is slain in the spirit of Christianity, Buddhism, or something in-between and feelin' his oats, Southern Girl is sure in a writing mood, praising all the others but giving me hell Oh, the perplexing ways of the female mind! I din do nuttin'! Pacridge has a couple fine pups to keep happy and safe, which in my book is a very important and gratifying job. Finally there's the entire Doobie Family doing their things all over the world (just hope they can stay in one piece while they're doing it). Hope everyone is walking and talking together in calm weather over there.

Still chanting twice daily, watchin' my plants grow, wishin' for Spring, and surviving the blacks, greys, and whites of these short, overcast, and colder Indiana days. Hurry up heat and sunshine!

Love to All,

GordyP :friends:

 

[BushyOldGrower]

The Future is Bright...

The Future is Bright...

We have found each other through this miracle and the internet has made all my work possible for the last several years. How is it that we seem to agree about everything?

People of like spirits, of like minds able to agree? We are doing what I have always sought. Finding the common truths in our beliefs/faiths. Have you ever heard the saying that "all religions are the same"? People of all faiths who pray or meditate or chant get something for it. They absorb the life force I call GOD and recharge their batteries.

These positive people make others happy when they enter a room. This positive energy is so strong that everyone naturally loves a person like this if they even know. Other people are unhappy and don't know that there is a limitless well of love to draw from. My feet reach my mother and my face touches the father. I am the third in the trinity of sorts.

People steal each others energy because as children this is how we tend to start but as we mature and learn we can realize our power to make others happy and even to help them heal themselves. The next time someone is hasseling you think of sending them some of your excess life energy. Help them to increase their spirituality instead of putting up a wall.

Only but reducing the chaos and confusion of this deluded world can we ever have peace. Have you ever read any Walt Whitman? "Song of Myself" when investigated has 7 main tenets of his beliefs and they are also mine since an early age. When I told my college prof this he said, "well then you are a hopeless romantic". That's ok with me and I prefer to "Dream ON" dream until the dream comes true.

I envision a temple in Vancouver with gardens and a large fountain. Maybe it already exists or maybe it is for us to build. Everything starts with an idea or a dream and people call me a dreamer. No doubt. Some call me delusional but I hope my whole life isn't a dream. Well what does it matter?

My philosophy is so simple... "row, row, row your boat gently down the stream...merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily...Life is but a dream."

My son says that could be an oversimplification.

I am astounded by the wisdom I see here from you all.

There is the Vancouver Bowl July 1-4 and I plan to be there but I can't wait that long to meet you as a group. We will chant together. Nom Myoho Renge Kyo....

Thanks for everything TOM. BOG

Let us grow together...

 

[BushyOldGrower]

Oh yeah I did have one question...

Are all the sutras considered spiritual writings or are sutras any old type of written stuff?

You see in seeking enlightenment I wonder if we must investigate the KAMA SUTRA!!

Are all those positions really necessary to attain enlightenment? BOG

I hear sex isnt a sin with buddhists!!

 

[PassTheDoobie]

sex is not a sin with Buddhists!

sex is not a sin with Buddhists!

It is another reason I have been practicng since I was 19! LOL

All sutra are considered spiritual writings. They are not any old type of written stuff. Look at SoCal's last posted definition of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. Kyo means sutras or "teaching of a Buddha".

Yes you MUST master the Kama Sutra!

But do it for the joy it brings you! The Lotus Sutra is the only Sutra necessary or capable to allow you to achieve and reveal your enlightenment, by providing the basis to bestow and nurture this great treasure in others.

T

 

[GordyP]

Now THAT'S cleared up!

Now THAT'S cleared up!

I always wondered, wondered, wondered,
just WHO wrote the book of love.

Buddha's got it covered!