Chanting Growers Group

[Payaso]

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo!

Wilson! you seem to get it more than most when you state that you are taking your son out of the 'sub-standard babysitting compliance factory.' I have to agree about most of the schooling out there being less than desirable. However, as a former teacher of the Montessori method I would ask you to consider that alternative, if possible for you based on location and feasibility...

Maria Montessori developed her teaching methods of encouraging young minds to think rather than learn by memorization in the late 1800's by working with disadvantaged children from all walks of life. There are many Montessori schools throughout the US, and you may want to consider one for your son...or a home-based system using some of her philosophies...

Otherwise I have seen home schooling work well for both my nieces, but during their high school years they both wanted to go back to regular school for access to their friends and a social life. And so it goes...

Sounds like you are a great Dad and you will do well by your son.

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo!

 

[Babbabud]

Nam myoho renge kyo

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"There should be no discrimination among those who propagate the five characters of Myoho-renge-kyo in the Latter Day of the Law, be they men or women. Were they not Bodhisattvas of the Earth, they could not chant the daimoku."

(The True Aspect of All Phenomena - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 385) Selection source: "Kyo no Hosshin", Seikyo Shimbun, November 7th, 2009

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"This sutra is superior to all other sutras. It is like the lion king, the monarch of all the creatures that run on the ground, and like the eagle, the king of all the creatures that fly in the sky."

(The Sutra of True Requital - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 929) Selection source: SGI President Ikeda's lecture series: The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin and Mentor-and-Disciple Relationship, Seikyo Shimbun, November 8th, 2009

 

[PassTheDoobie]

Wilson! Let us know how your class went! Bud and Mrs.B! Congrats on being gardening legends and having another hugely safe and successful harvest completely in compliance with what you are perfectly and legally allowed to do! Keep kicking ass everyone!

I am on OVERLOAD! In a week things will be back to normal. I hope all is well with all of you and please keep posting if you get the chance.

Hi Wags!

T

 

[PassTheDoobie]

PS: Hi Mark! I am so glad that you are reading this regularly! I pray for your happiness everyday!

 

[PassTheDoobie]

Let's determine to be winners in life. That is what we are practicing this Buddhism for! Setting really high goals and chanting daimoku, as earnestly as we possibly can, let's all advance courageously, confidently and in high spirits.

Daisaku Ikeda

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"The purpose of the appearance in this world of Shakyamuni Buddha, the lord of teachings, lies in his behaviour as a human being."

(The Three Kinds of Treasure - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 852) Selection source: "Myoji no Gen", Seikyo Shimbun, October 18th, 2009

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"Quick and courageous action is the key to victory. Time speeds onwards. The present moment will never come again. That's why it's so important to make the most of every opportunity and act with speed and decisiveness. That's the way to open a new future for kosen-rufu."

SGI Newsletter No. 7870, The New Human Revolution--Vol. 22: Chap. 4, The Treasure of Life 50, translated Oct. 8th, 2009

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"Anyone who teaches the principles of Buddhism to others is bound to incur hatred from men and women, priests and nuns. Let them say what they will."

(The Embankments of Faith - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 626) Selection source: SGI President Ikeda's lecture series: The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin and Mentor-and-Disciple Relationship, Seikyo Shimbun, November 8th, 2009

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"In praise of one of his female disciples who demonstrated great seeking spirit in faith, Nichiren Daishonin writes:

"'At the ceremony of the 'Treasure Tower' chapter [of the Lotus Sutra], the Thus Come Ones Many Treasures and Shakyamuni, the Buddhas of the ten directions, and all bodhisattvas gathered together. When I ponder where this 'Treasure Tower' chapter is now, I see that it exists in the eight-pealed lotus flower of the heart within the breast of Nichinyo. (WND-1, 915)

"You who are dedicating your lives to kosen-rufu are yourselves supremely noble treasure towers of the Mystic Law endowed with the wisdom, strength, and good fortune of the Buddhas and bodhisattvas of the entire universe. Therefore, the benevolent functions of the entire universe will also surely protect you, no matter what happens.

"All of your present problems and hardships actually represent valuable opportunities for growth that will help you become outstanding experts in the art of happiness who can encourage and guide others. By earnestly chanting about your challenges and taking action one step at a time, you can develop and grow as a person and expand your life-condition. Nothing is ever wasted in Buddhism."

SGI Newsletter No. 7881, Lead Lives of Unsurpassed Happiness and Victory (SGI President Ikeda and Mrs. Ikeda presented the following message to the participants of the SGI Ikeda Kayo-kai Meeting held at the Soka Young Women's Centre in Tokyo, on Oct. 26th, 2009, during the SGI Youth Training Course.) From the Oct. 27th, 2009 issue of the Seikyo Shimbun, translated Oct. 30th, 2009

 

[PassTheDoobie]

Good and Evil

Good and Evil

Good and evil have often been looked upon as diametrically opposed and mutually exclusive. But in a real, practical sense, such a simplistic way of thinking is unsatisfactory. Even the cruelest of criminals may possess a strong sense of love or compassion toward his parents and children. Is such a person fundamentally good or evil?

The Buddhist understanding is that good and evil are innate, inseparable aspects of life. This view makes it impossible to label a particular individual or group as "good" or "evil." Every single human being is capable of acts of the most noble good, or the basest evil.

Moreover, good and evil in Buddhism are seen not as absolute but relative or "relational." The good or evil of an act is understood in terms of its actual impact on our own lives and the lives of others, not on abstract rules of conduct.

Evil actions are those which are based on a narrow selfishness, the delusion that our lives are fundamentally disconnected from those of others and that we can benefit at their expense. Evil views life as a means to be expended, not an end in itself. Good is that which generates connection between ourselves and others, healing and restoring the bonds among human societies.

In the context of Buddhism, good is identified with "the fundamental nature of enlightenment," or absolute freedom and happiness resulting from profound self-knowledge. Evil indicates "fundamental darkness," or life's innate delusion which negates the potential of enlightenment and causes suffering for oneself and others. This inner darkness echoes with the despair that our lives are ugly and meaningless; it also drives a wedge of fear that splits the hearts of people into "us" and "them."

A Buddha is someone who has the courage to acknowledge these two fundamental aspects of life. As Nichiren states, "One who is thoroughly awakened to the nature of good and evil from their roots to their branches and leaves is called a Buddha." Buddhas accept their innate goodness without arrogance because they know all people share the same Buddha nature. Buddhas also recognize their innate evil without despair because they know they have the strength to overcome and control their negativity.

Unwillingness to acknowledge the potential of both supreme good and evil can stem from the fact that as individuals we are reluctant to see ourselves as either very good or very bad, hiding instead behind a collective moral mediocrity that requires neither the responsibility of goodness nor the guilt of evil. And perhaps this moral ambiguity within seems to demand quick judgement of others--those who serve our interests as "good people" and those whom we dislike as "bad people" as if to counterbalance that inner confusion with external clarity.

Some view Buddhism as a teaching of tranquillity and repose--of passivity even--whereas in fact the practice of Buddhism is not about "staying safe." It is a constant struggle to create value and change evil into good through our own efforts to confront it. Nichiren writes, "Opposing good is called evil, opposing evil is called good."

Soka Gakkai founder Tsunesaburo Makiguchi, imprisoned for his criticism of Japan's wartime policies, is said to have engaged his fellow prisoners in a debate on the nature of good and evil, asking if there was a difference between not doing good and committing actual evil.

If we lack the courage to confront evil acts, or tendencies toward hatred and discrimination, both within ourselves and in society, they will spread unchecked, as history shows. Martin Luther King, Jr., lamented, "We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the hateful words and actions of the bad people but for the appalling silence of the good people."

In the words of SGI President Daisaku Ikeda, "The universe, this world and our own lives, are the stage for a ceaseless struggle between hatred and compassion, the destructive and constructive aspects of life. We must never let up, confronting evil at every turn."

And in the end, the evil over which we must triumph is the impulse toward hatred and destruction that resides in us all. The process of acknowledging, confronting and transforming our own fundamental darkness is the means by which we can strengthen the functioning of good in our lives.

[Courtesy October 2002 SGI Quarterly]

 

[PassTheDoobie]

Nam-myoho-renge-kyo! I hope everyone is alright!

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"If we maintain strong faith, we can turn back the tide of any adversity. That is why developing an even stronger foundation in faith is the ultimate source of victory.

"The Daishonin cites examples from the natural world. Ice, for instance, is frozen water, but it is very different to water in terms of its properties of hardness and coldness. Blue dye, meanwhile, comes from the leaves of the indigo plant, but fabric or yarn that has been repeatedly soaked in that dye will become a shade of blue that is much deeper than the colour of the leaves of the original indigo plant.

"Drawing a parallel with these phenomena, the Daishonin writes: 'The Lotus Sutra remains the same, but if you repeatedly strengthen your resolve [your faith], your colour will be better than that of others, and you will receive more blessings than they do' (WND-1, 615). As these words indicate, through faith that grows ever stronger, we will enjoy increasing energy and vibrancy both mentally and physically, while benefit will manifest itself ever more clearly in our life. By repeatedly strengthening our faith, we can bring forth the indestructible, diamond-like state of Buddhahood within us.

"The Daishonin uses analogies such as the following to describe this great transformation: 'Wood is vulnerable to fire, but sandalwood cannot be burned. Fire is extinguished by water, but the fire that cremated the Buddha's remains could not be quenched. Although flowers are scattered by the wind, those that bloom in the heavens of purity do not wither'(WND-1, 615).

"By continuously reaffirming our commitment to faith, our life in this transient existence becomes adorned with the everlasting and indestructible treasures of eternity, happiness, true self, and purity. Constantly fortifying our faith becomes the key to establishing such a state of life.

"'Repeatedly strengthening one's resolve or faith,' therefore, means to persevere in one's Buddhist practice. It means to be undaunted by obstacles--or, rather, to use obstacles as an impetus to summon forth even stronger faith and polish our life even more."

SGI Newsletter No. 7883, LEARNING FROM THE WRITINGS OF NICHIREN DAISHONIN: THE TEACHINGS FOR VICTORY. [9] 'The Supremacy of the Law'--Part 3 [of 3]. Faith That Grows Stronger Is the Key to Eternal Victory, from the Sep. 2009 issue of the Daibyakurenge, translated Nov. 6th, 2009.

 

[EasyMyohoDisco]

"Worthy persons deserve to be called so because they are not be carried away by the eight winds: prosperity, decline, disgrace, honor, praise, censure, suffering and pleasure. They are neither elated by prosperity nor grieved by decline. The heavenly gods will surely protect one who is unbending before the eight winds. But if you nurse an unreasonable grudge against your lord, they will not protect you, not for all your prayers."

The Eight Winds (The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 794)

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"Faith in the Mystic Law serves as our compass for navigating the rough seas of life and society. Living as we do in the defiled age of the Latter Day of the Law, it is all the more important that we are not swayed by negative influences, but make faith the centre of our daily life and existence."

SGI Newsletter No. 7883, LEARNING FROM THE WRITINGS OF NICHIREN DAISHONIN: THE TEACHINGS FOR VICTORY. [9] 'The Supremacy of the Law'--Part 3 [of 3]. Faith That Grows Stronger Is the Key to Eternal Victory, from the Sep. 2009 issue of the Daibyakurenge, translated Nov. 6th, 2009.

 

[Payaso]

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo!

Battling devils is full time work!

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo!

 

[PassTheDoobie]

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo!

Battling devils is full time work!

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo!

Hi Chris. My thanks to you and Easy!

Seems it must be, as everyone went quiet this week!

Nam-myoho-renge-kyo!

T

 

[Skip]

Gate, Gate, paragate, parasamgate, bodhi svaha....:kitty:

 

[PassTheDoobie]

Skip! From the Heart Sutra! We've already gone, gone beyond, gone beyond beyond! We are the original goers! I know this was a sincere hello and it is appreciated.

Try Nam-myoho-renge-kyo! You'll like it! Thanks for your support!

Sincerely,

Thomas