Chanting Growers Group (2013-∞)

[SoCal Hippy]

A bird's egg contains nothing but liquid, yet by itself this develops into a
beak, two eyes, and all the other parts, and the bird soars into the sky. We,
too, are the eggs of ignorance, which are pitiful things, but when nurtured by
the chanting of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, which is like the warmth of the mother
bird, we develop the beak of the thirty-two features and the feathers of the
eighty characteristics and are free to soar into the sky of the true aspect of
all phenomena and the reality of all things.

(WND, 1030)
Letter to Niike
Written to Niike Saemon-no-jo in February 1280
from "Daily Wisdom - from the writings of Nichiren Daishonin"

 

[SoCal Hippy]

thanks, Babba.

Had some issues over Mugi Wasshin, as it relates to my practice. Still not all the way there but making some 1st steps again.

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

 

[SoCal Hippy]

"Buddhism is, in sense, an eternal struggle between the Buddha and demons; in
other words, a contest between positive and negative forces. If we are never
assailed by negative influences, we cannot be said to be truly practicing
Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism. Buddhist practice lies in bravely facing and
overcoming adversity."

Daisaku Ikeda
from SGI-USA
"For Today & Tomorrow"

 

[southflorida]

I heard an interesting story about Buddha. Don't know if it is true obviously, but this doesn't really matter, what does matter is what this story points at.

When Buddha reached enlightenment, and there was nothing more for him to be conscious of, he decided to go into the forest/jungle to live out his life all alone.

When someone asked if he could teach others about enlightenment, he said that no one would get it. But, then one of his future students said that someone might, and Buddha agreed and started his teachings.

The most interesting thing is that for the first few years, at least in this story, Buddha didn't say anything at all. He simply stayed silent.

What was he trying to point at?

A few of his students became enlightened during this silent period.

Obviously, if Buddha didn't think anyone would get it, enlightenment is not as easy thing to grasp for humans.

From my direct experiences and direct consciousness of reality, beliefs and assumptions are what stand in the way of enlightenment.

Fundamentally, we are all enlightened, since we are Consciousness.

The only thing standing in the way of us becoming completely conscious of this TRUTH, as individual "consciousness," is the "self" that is attached to and identified with a whole snowball of beliefs and assumptions.

The activity of our self-mind is focused on what it perceives and interprets and our attention falls on these perceptions and interpretations on a moment to moment basis.

If we make a distinction between who and what we really are (consciousness) and who and what we have confused ourselves with (conceptual-self) we can become aware that we are enlightened already.

 

[Lapides]

I just found the new thread. I was wondering why my subscription to the old thread wasn't updating.

Glad I found it. I'm so glad to see all the same faces and the new ones!

 

[Babbabud]

Nam myoho renge kyo

 

[BushyOldGrower]

I love my dogs...

My old dog Bridger lies at rest back by my pond but the cycle of life goes on...

Every morning my dogs greet the day with a smile at me and a bark at the door. As they venture out they look about ready for whatever the day will bring...

They don't care what may come but done let them fool you that they are dumb.

Enlightened as a dog is what I'll be...my old dog showed me how to live and die with dignity...

He didn't fear death and welcomed his merciful release. I removed his collar and told him he wouldn't be needing that anymore. I Love all my dogs...

I am very thankful...the cycle of life goes on as do our spirits...even old Bridgers.

When I pass I want all my dogs back because I am like them just wanting to run with the pack...ready to face anything with and for my brothers and sisters.

Good Morning! . *Bog barks at the door*

 

[southflorida]

I love my dogs...

My old dog Bridger lies at rest back by my pond but the cycle of life goes on...

Every morning my dogs greet the day with a smile at me and a bark at the door. As they venture out they look about ready for whatever the day will bring...

They don't care what may come but done let them fool you that they are dumb.

Enlightened as a dog is what I'll be...my old dog showed me how to live and die with dignity...

He didn't fear death and welcomed his merciful release. I removed his collar and told him he wouldn't be needing that anymore. I Love all my dogs...

I am very thankful...the cycle of life goes on as do our spirits...even old Bridgers.

When I pass I want all my dogs back because I am like them just wanting to run with the pack...ready to face anything with and for my brothers and sisters.

Good Morning! . *Bog barks at the door*

great post BOG...I love my dogs (and my cat) also

they are the best teachers we have

they live in the moment and love unconditionally

that's true enlightenment

 

[PassTheDoobie]

they live in the moment and love unconditionally

that's true enlightenment

Hi SF! If you read a bit here, you can see that this is a forum primarily about Nichiren Buddhism. I am so happy BOG has invited you to be here with us. Nichiren has a fairly clear message about what it is to be the Buddha in one's present form. I think you will like hearing about it as it parallels some of the things you said earlier. I am out of town until this weekend but hope you will skip back and also realize that this thread started in 2004 and has over 1000 pages of posts. You might enjoy looking through it. You can enter the old thread though the first post of this thread, it's continuation. I'll answer the question you asked when I get home this weekend. For me, a pad is not a computer. Great posts BOG. Thanks for inviting SF to the conversation!

Bowing in humble obeisance,

Thomas

 

[PassTheDoobie]

And for those interested, the old thread has now passed 30,000 views SINCE IT WAS CLOSED in February!

Bowing in humble obeisance,

T

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"Buddhism is, in sense, an eternal struggle between the Buddha and demons; in
other words, a contest between positive and negative forces. If we are never
assailed by negative influences, we cannot be said to be truly practicing
Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism. Buddhist practice lies in bravely facing and
overcoming adversity."

Daisaku Ikeda
from SGI-USA
"For Today & Tomorrow"

(IN A NUTSHELL, THE BASIS OF IT ALL...)

 

[PassTheDoobie]

I just found the new thread. I was wondering why my subscription to the old thread wasn't updating.

Glad I found it. I'm so glad to see all the same faces and the new ones!

So glad you found your way back Brother! Please stay close! How are you?

Much love and deepest respect,

Thomas

 

[PassTheDoobie]

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo
Nam Myoho Renge Kyo
Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

Forest my Brother! How is it going? I am SO HAPPY TO SEE YOU!

Bowing in humble obeisance,

Thomas

 

[Lapides]

So glad you found your way back Brother! Please stay close! How are you?

Much love and deepest respect,

Thomas

Ups and downs, ebbs and flows...you know. But overall doing very well, thank you

 

[Babbabud]

wooohooo

wooohooo

Ups and downs, ebbs and flows...you know. But overall doing very well, thank you

Nam myoho renge kyo

 

[Weird]

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

 

[BushyOldGrower]

Welcome Weird...

A fine mind has joined us again. I enjoyed reading Weird posts recently in a couple if threads. You don't seem weird to me. A very logical mind that could easily see the many truths presented here.

Up early this morning with the dogs we look forward to whatever the day can bring.

Consider the blessings of spring water with me for a moment...

Isn't planet Earth remarkable? An oasis in space. A beautiful big blue marble!

Aren't we something? We live on top of the world...we have the miracle.

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo... *Bog barks at the door*.

 

[PassTheDoobie]

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

Things are on the up! FOREST, LAPIDES, AND NOW WEIRD!!!! WEIRD HOW ARE YOU??? I HOPE YOU STICK AROUND AND LET US KNOW HOW YOU'VE BEEN! I am so happy to see you!

Bowing in humble obeisance,

Tom

 

[PassTheDoobie]

Welcome Weird...

A fine mind has joined us again. I enjoyed reading Weird posts recently in a couple if threads. You don't seem weird to me. A very logical mind that could easily see the many truths presented here.

Up early this morning with the dogs we look forward to whatever the day can bring.

Consider the blessings of spring water with me for a moment...

Isn't planet Earth remarkable? An oasis in space. A beautiful big blue marble!

Aren't we something? We live on top of the world...we have the miracle.

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo... *Bog barks at the door*.

BOG is a beacon to the Buddhas throughout the modern day! Thanks Brother for everything you take the time to share! What an honor it is to know you!

Much love and deepest respect!

Tom

 

[Weird]

Things are on the up! FOREST, LAPIDES, AND NOW WEIRD!!!! WEIRD HOW ARE YOU??? I HOPE YOU STICK AROUND AND LET US KNOW HOW YOU'VE BEEN! I am so happy to see you!

Bowing in humble obeisance,

Tom

I have been well

I continue to see the ten worlds manifest in all things around me and i try to live in such a way that my karma might elevate others.

I feel strongly, in every fiber of our being that the many to come can be realized in our generation.

not that I am still not challenged by life but instead faith compassion and courage have helped bridge the gap and I have been able to see the how this manifestation in my life has manifested in others, as well as those who helped elevate me as well.

Buddhism in action pretty neat stuff

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo