Chanting Growers Group

[EasyMyohoDisco]

Still Rolling With The Punches!

Still Rolling With The Punches!

Therefore, those who become Nichiren's disciples and lay believers should realize the profound karmic relationship they share with him and spread the Lotus Sutra as he does. Being known as a votary of the Lotus Sutra is a bitter, yet unavoidable destiny.

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 994
Letter to Jakunichi-bo
Written to Jakunichi-bo Nikke on September 16, 1279

 

[Desiderata]

I've been waiting to tune into Nichiren......

I've been waiting to tune into Nichiren......

..........and after reading the awe inspiring posts from "T", Sleepy, and our young mentor MyohoDisco, ("Easy"), I got goosebumps and all inspiring thoughts.............Nichiren came through, like he's watching over all of us!.....His spirit, I felt on the long dog walk this afternoon...right after reading your posts!!!...........thankyou so much!........Desi!

 

[SoCal Hippy]

Hello All,

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

Been away for a bit as just got back in town late last night from my hometown.

My mother, Mary, age 88, passed away last weekend in her sleep. It was an incredible funeral service that memorilized her great life and the great people that she touched.

My son Derek sang a song in tribute to his grandma that moved the whole group that attended. It also allowed me under these not so great circumstances to repair some damages with all 3 of my children; something I know my mother would be really happy about. She was an incredible strong woman that I owe such gratitude towards and many reasons why I have become the person that I am today. THANK YOU MOM!!!!

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

 

[EasyMyohoDisco]

Even a word or a phrase of the correct teaching will enable one to gain the way, if it suits the time and the capacity of the people. But though one studies a thousand sutras and ten thousand treatises, one will not attain Buddhahood if these teachings are unsuitable for the time and the people's capacity.

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 302
Letter to Sado
Written to Toki Jonin on March 20, 1272

I'm getting back in the grove despite the karmic setbacks experienced on Saturday. Babba has been telling me for years now "Bud just keep going forward". I've become really accustomed to chanting everyday and even did during that terrible morning and I'm telling you it helped me avoid a real disaster. In fact, I'm making it a point not to leave my home until I do gongyo just because I want Gohonzon for the rest of my life no matter what. I think the purpose for me continuing to support the SGI and continuing to chant and continuing to progress in my life despite all the bullshit is for kosen-rufu. Lately I have not done as much shakubuku as I have in the past and that is due to a lower life condition which I'm working on correcting.

Honestly, I've learned from joining the gym 20 months ago and from chanting for over 2 1/2 years that when I try my best everytime I chant or workout and then supplement that daimoku and those workouts with more wholesome and productive activity I get closer and closer to my goals. Living this way makes me happy. When I slack off at the gym I "disinflate" (don't look as muscular) and cannot lift as much as I did previously without building back upto it. Same with chanting if I slack a little it progresses into less and less chanting and more and more trouble seems to irk me. So again, I'll say I'm striving for consistency.

Desi, thanks for your overwhelming support, I'm glad your the one that has been pushing me forward as well because when you get your Gohonzon we'll even more connected. Everyone here who has a Gohonzon knows I chant for them all the time and also for those I have been requested to send daimoku towards. Even those like Scegy, LeonardoDavinci, Southern Girl, GordyP, Georgia, Alwaystotheleft, Vegas, Mrs.B, Baccas who have been missing in action (on the thread) can count on me to be chanting for them to continue to shine as beacons of hope in their respective environments.

Actually this group is the strongest group of practitioners of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism I know! I always credit Tony Matsuoka and Ted Osaki for this because although I didn't meet them they helped pave the way in many respects for me to get back in sync with The Mystic Law. True Leaders are very rare this day in age and I personally aspire to lead as many people as I can towards a happier life by strongly proving the way this practice works me.

This compassion I have developed has helped me overcome some huge shit, like for instance not too long ago I was on the thread crying about a disease that I thought was multiple things and would be much worse than it turned out to be. I was really really downtrodden by my own accord and the turmoil inside was seeming too much to bear. I remembered during those tough moments very sincere and direct guidance my teacher PasstheDoobie has shared with me over the last three years that equates to "Nam-myoho-renge-kyo! Nam-myoho-renge-kyo! Nam-myoho-renge-kyo!". Now, I'm treating myself and chanting not only for a cure but for excellent health going forward so that I could continue advancing without fail.

Recent events that I have not mentioned include my parents casting me aside yet again and this week my father was scolding me about my religious beliefs and telling me to submit to Jesus and God. It was over the telephone so his attack was immediately cut off when I hung up on him but I have reached the point where I cannot even speak to him. The same thing happened last week and we didn't speak for a week.

My mother has used various conversations we have had this year to slander me and my religious and philosophical beliefs to the point where my brother and sister have sworn to never accept me as a brother. My mother and I have spoken about 6 times this year and have not spoken for a couple months since the last time she attempted emotional abuse. I realize that the ideal of a "close family" is not my honzon anymore and that I have the Gohonzon that protects me and is my focal point. It is still difficult for me because my parents are still very young and I really hope to have a better relationship with them.

If a better relationship with them means I have to goto their houses of worship and pretend to share a similar faith, then things will get more complicated because I'm sure that I have no doubts about Nam-myoho-renge-kyo!, myself and the power therein. With all this spare time since I only hang with my wife and pet I've been learning french, I retained Video College Lectures on various subjects outside my current curriculum which include French (levels 1,2,3 via Rosetta Stone), Dark Matter and Dark Energy classes in Physics, Impressionism Art Appreciation from Monet to Van Gogh, Economics, Particle Physics and I'm working on acquiring some more. During my three hour commute everyday I'm really taking advantage of the time and going beyond the scope of my legal curriculum further cultivating my life for bigger and better things.

So turning sour apples into gold is what I've been up to this summer. Also I'm keeping my eye on Mccain and Palin lies and chanting for the best possible outcome for our country. A great awareness in life leads to a greater compassion for all! Even though I used a negative connotation for them I am chanting for their Buddhanature to come out and more important for World Peace. I've learned chanting for specific economical and political outcomes on a global level are more effective when I focus my daimoku more towards kosen-rufu and world peace. Kosen-rufu is my dream.

Thanks for your time and support,
MyohoDisco

 

[EasyMyohoDisco]

^^^^^That is Mugi Wasshin^^^^^

^^^^^That is Mugi Wasshin^^^^^

Nam-myoho-renge-kyo!

Thanks for sharing Socal, you are really proving what Mugi Wasshin does for us. I am glad to hear you were able to get closer to your children. Thanks alot brother I'm with you man.

-MyohoDisco

 

[Desiderata]

Your mother was (is) very special............

Your mother was (is) very special............

.....SoCal, your deep respect for her comes shining through. Thankyou for sharing such an emotional, personal, and spiritual experience with us all. Nam Myoho Renge Kyo for such an extraordinary person and life.

Peace SoCal, Peace....

 

[Desiderata]

You have turned alot a sour-n-to-sweet bro!

You have turned alot a sour-n-to-sweet bro!

Your kindness for your own self just flows from that last post MyohoDisco! The compassion you are showing for you and your family too.......like SoCal just did........is truly manifested from the heart of a good & intelligent soul, that pours love on all it touches......."it's Gohonzon love!!!"

 

[EasyMyohoDisco]

"I entrust you with the propagation of Buddhism in your province."


The Properties of Rice (The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 1117)
Written to the lay priest Takahashi, date unknown

 

[grapepunched]

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo.
Today is a journey for my soul.
I am embarking on a quest and an epic adventure.
I am nervous and my anxiety already caused me to fight with
my woman and ended up with me having to be really stressed to
the point of becoming physically ill. I understand the stresses
and frustrations of life. It is easy to get lost in the anger and rage,
it is easy to let our emotions control us, but thats not the true path,
the true path is to set goals and always strive to make the best of
all times, whether things are good or bad, stressing and cursing and
yelling always leads to the same place.... alone.... even if its only for
an hour or two I have to be alone... find myself... chant a little...
remembering that I am but mere flesh and bone, and that I am more in control of
my emotions than I think... after my lil panic attack, I found myself ...alone....
getting high smoking some OG by myself... after being heavily medicated
I always realize how stupid I am... being a person is stressful... being alive is stressful... I feel as though sometimes human nature is very unpredictable at times and is very animalistic... if we don't control our own emotions and try to always have the best time possible, we will surely struggle from emotional and physical illnesses...
Nam myoho renge kyo
May everyone be guided today to find your true-self and inner peace...

-gp

 

[Desiderata]

I just can't get enough of President Ikeda.........

I just can't get enough of President Ikeda.........

"Dr. Wangari Maathai, the Kenyan environmentalist and Nobel Peace laureate with whom my wife and I enjoy a warm friendship, wrote: 'Every person who has ever achieved anything has been knocked down many times. But all of them picked themselves up and kept going, and that is what I have always tried to do.' Great individuals do not accept defeat. I hope you, my young friends, will be people who are never defeated. Please live with the resolve to brave difficult challenges, no matter how painful, and triumph in the end."

SGI Newsletter No. 7610, SGI President Ikeda's Speech at the Soka Gakkai Youth Division Representatives Conference, held on Aug. 1st, 2008. Translated Aug. 25th, 2008

..........what he says, who he knows, who he has become in his lifetime.....he makes GWB look like a grain of sand when it comes to a 'real president' of all things. It's not hate, it's just the truth IMHO..........

GrapePunched, WOW.........very heartfelt, loving post,.......you got spirit bro,..... mucho grande substance.........it sure means alot to us all,.... your sharing of inner personal thoughts!!!

Everybody's inner self has been soaring lately!........"It's a beautiful Day."..........."White Bird"...... With Compassion & Respect......... Desi!

 

[EasyMyohoDisco]

Brother GrapeBOGPunch, I too had the same thing happen with a female manager yesterday but you know what "Nam-myoho-renge-kyo!" from this moment going forward!

I chanted the most I've chanted in two weeks this morning and feel great! Nobody is gonna stop me now!





From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Friday, September 19, 2008

Is it not the meaning of the sutra and commentary that the way to Buddhahood lies within the two elements of reality and wisdom? Reality means the true nature of all phenomena, and wisdom means the illuminating and manifesting of this true nature. Thus when the riverbed of reality is infinitely broad and deep, the water of wisdom will flow ceaselessly. When this reality and wisdom are fused, one attains Buddhahood in one's present form.

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 746
The Essentials for Attaining Buddhahood
Written to Soya Jiro Hyoe-no-jo Kyoshin on August 3, 1276

 

[PassTheDoobie]

Hey SoCal. I am so sorry to learn of Mary's passing. I am sure she has a relationship with the Law that will keep you two close forever. You are in my Daimoku Bro!

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is just such a 'diligent' practise."

(Ongi kuden - Gosho Zenshu, page 790, The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, page 214) Selection source: Soka Gakkai member's experience, Seikyo Shimbun, September 15th, 2008

 

[PassTheDoobie]

There is absolutely no strategy that is more effective
than the strategy of the Lotus Sutra.
Let's earnestly chant daimoku with the strong determination to
win and courageously put our faith into action.
Cheerfully, and with conviction,
let's challenge ourselves to achieve all of our goals!

Daisaku Ikeda

 

[PassTheDoobie]

With unflagging good cheer and vitality, let us continue our efforts to reach out to others in vibrant and meaningful dialogue. Nichiren Daishonin teaches the spirit of propagating Buddhism. 'Propagation' might be a big word, but all it means is engaging in dialogue aimed at helping people actualise lasting happiness and making the world a better place. Be confident and straightforward when you speak. Tell people about the greatness of our cause.

" I hope you will lead personally fulfilling lives, and that you will cultivate beautiful flowers of friendship and victory along the way.

"Those ruled by cowardice and envy cannot engage in heart-to-heart dialogue that really communicates with others. That is foolish, unfortunate, and pitiful."

SGI Newsletter No. 7623, 21ST SOKA GAKKAI HEADQUARTERS LEADERS MEETING--PART 1 [OF 4], Create a Realm in Which All Can Delight and Rejoice (At the 21st Headquarters Leaders' Meeting, held at the Makiguchi Memorial Hall in Hachioji, Tokyo, on Sep. 3rd, 2008. Translated from the Sep. 9th, 2008, issue of the Seikyo Shimbun on Sep. 12th, 2008

 

[PassTheDoobie]

The Daishonin encourages us,
"My disciples, form your ranks and fellow me."*
Now is the time for us all to stand up and take courageous action to fulfil our missions!
Let's make every effort, as often as we can,
to talk with as many people as possible
and promote goodness, righteousness and truth.

Daisaku Ikeda

* "Now, at the beginning of the Latter Day of the Law, I, Nichiren, am the first to embark on propagating, throughout Jambudvipa, the five characters of Myoho-renge-kyo, which are the heart of the Lotus Sutra and the eye of all Buddhas. During the 2,220 or more years since the Buddha's passing, not even Mahakashyapa, Ananda, Ashvaghosha, Nagarjuna, Nan-yueh, T'ien-t'ai, Miao-lo, or Dengyo has propagated them. My disciples, form your ranks and follow me, and surpass even Mahakashapa or Ananda, T'ien-t'ai or Dengyo!" - "The Actions of the Votary of the Lotus Sutra", WND-I, page 765

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"Never seek this Gohonzon outside yourself. The Gohonzon exists only within the mortal flesh of us ordinary people who embrace the Lotus Sutra and chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo."

(The Real Aspect of the Gohonzon - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 832) Selection source: "Kyo no Hosshin", Seikyo Shimbun, September 19th, 2008

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"The key to everything is people; it is our spirit as human beings. The important thing is to keep infusing our spirit with bright hope. the joy of living. and the courage not to be defeated. That is the driving force for victory. If we forget this, we will not be able to reveal our true potential."

SGI Newsletter No. 7627, Reflections on Jiro Nitta’s The Flower of Fuji —Part 1 [of 2] , Essay commemorating the 61st anniversary of SGI President Ikeda joining the Soka Gakkai, celebrated on Aug. 24th, 2008. from the Aug. 23rd, 2008, issue of the Seikyo Shimbun. Translated Sep. 17th, 2008.

 

[Desiderata]

When you lose a parent............

When you lose a parent............

.....we need each other for support/help to make each day forward, a warmer day than the day before. SoCal, you are in my thoughts today.....I've lost both parents and it was a cooling effect both times. That blanket of love & support is missing now,.......life is never the same without them, but we go on because we have to cause good as they did for us.

Love, Desi

 

[Desiderata]

Bonzo, where ever you are......

Bonzo, where ever you are......

you are always a part of the "heart" of this thread for your cause that you created. Yes, you are MIA, but remember, I'll meet you at the ocean when things settle down to ONEness!.........give me a big hug!..........Desi!