Strangely Perfect

—- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT —- “Of course, you’re free to live your lives how you like, but don’t forget the fundamental path of life. “The Soka Gakkai teaches us this fundamental path–a path for accumulating good fortune, helping others, and working for peace. That’s why we now have so many members around the world, and why [...]

I woke up this morning ……and read two small passages, both written by Buddhists, one of which quotes one of “The Buddha’s” last works, the Lotus Sutra. What struck me, was that sometimes, this Buddhism that I do can get a bit confusing, and then suddenly – suddenly someone says something that brings everything right [...]

Coroner and Law I’m often struck when reading the papers or news, to see the coroner’s verdict on someone’s death as: Ending his own life while the balance of his mind was disturbed Well they have to say something, it’s their job, but the phrase is very peculiar. Take this couple, the Milners, who were [...]

Similarly to the previous post, What is Health?, Daisaku Ikeda’s words last week encapsulated individual, respectful, freedom perfectly, and warns against the abuses of power that can so easily lead to doom and painful sufferings for people.  Eternal vigilance coupled to openness and discussion is the only way! Shakabuku – to spread knowledge of the [...]

Exploring the Simultaneous Nature of Cause & Effect Star Trek: The Next Generation: Finale, Episode – “All Good Things…” I’ve just watched the double episode finale to the TNG Picard series just after the cyclists finished their ascent of Mont Ventoux in this years Tour de France.  It was “All Good Things…”(see link, link & [...]

Belle and Sebastien (Belle et Sebastien) This is the signature tune of a French show which appeared on UK TV in the late 60s.  For some interconnected reason, I stumbled on it and realised that I still whistle it now and again when it pops in my head.  I have to whistle it as there’s [...]

I’m off for a few days of Buddhist activity in delightful Devon.  So no posting, wahay! “Worthy persons deserve to be called so because they are not carried away by the eight winds: prosperity, decline, disgrace, honour, praise, censure, suffering, and pleasure.” – The Eight Winds – The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 794

The pope says sorry for getting it wrong over the holocaust and the nutty bishop The bankers say sorry for getting it wrong with their greedy decisions that lead to the current economic crisis Cricket captains say sorry for losing some games US car maker bosses say sorry for being crap UK Politicians say sorry [...]

Buddhism is concerned with the essential nature of humanity. Buddhism is not found somewhere else, separate from such beautiful expressions of humanity as appreciation towards one’s mother and courtesy to others. As Nichiren Daishonin teaches in the Gosho, “behaviour as a human being” that perfectly accords with reason is what constitutes the heart of Buddhism. [...]

After this day of action I’ve been taking against the naffness and sheer greed in the world, I’d like to share some words of wisdom and encouragement that I’ve just received before I retire for the day: The strength of our life force manifests itself in our voices. Let’s therefore use our courageous voices for [...]

….. you had better cut short your sleep by night and curtail your leisure by day, and ponder this! You must not spend your lives in vain and regret it for ten thousand years to come. Yay Nichiren! This quote is taken from The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Volume One, page 622 Says it all [...]

I subscribe to news from No10.gov.uk to get the latest view of events and policies from the highest elected position in the land!  In this post from the PM’s office, is a joint statement from our own and the Australian Prime Minister. My interest is piqued by the numerical incidence of the two words “peace” [...]

As part of my Buddhist practice I recite two bits of prose and chant some Daimoku, which is the words “Nam Myoho Renge Kyo” over and over again. I recite these two bits of prose, called the “Expedient Means” chapter and the “Life Span” chapter because Jill, the person who introduced me did so. Jillian [...]