Strangely Perfect

What Does That Title Mean! A. Those who practice Buddhism do so without any expectation of grace or favour.  They do it for two reasons: To Improve their own life and continuing existence To improve other’s lives and future existences You don’t have to believe that they do this – after all, it could all [...]

The Hell of Incessant Suffering and the Land of Tranquil Light Note: This was originally published here http://buddhastate.co.uk/blog/?p=30 on Sunday, September 24th, 2006 at 4:28 pm and filed under Buddhism..  The link has been dead for quite some time, looks unlikely to re-appear,  so I’m showing the words here as they are so wonderful because [...]

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 [...]

Daisaku Ikeda wrote this some time ago, and it’s just popped up in my mail for me to share.  Originally it is from his book “The New Human Revolution” but he’s also similarly described HEALTH in later small discussions on various aspects of the Lotus Sutra.  Here’s how it goes: What Is Health? “Health is [...]

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 & [...]

Pfc. Bowe R. Bergdahl, aged 23, of Ketchum, Idaho, is a member of the 1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, from Fort Richardson, Alaska.  He was captured in circumstances that aren’t clear and has appeared in a Taliban video (prev at http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-afghan-soldier20-2009jul20,0,4913063.story), seen world-wide. So far, it appears [...]

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 am the Dragon King – Part Two In actual fact, the reason for my theme change and it’s reversion to the Dragon one is due to some inspirational hits on the website (the hits all targetted this post, Never Seek this Gohonzon Outside Yourself), where people have been looking for the phrase; “Hell is [...]

The Next Dalai Lama Rejects Buddhism and Hero Worship, that is! Way back in 1986, the next Dalai Lama, a little Spanish boy, was chosen.  Apparently, Osel Hita Torres can’t take it, a life deprived of television, movies (save one), football and girls. He’s now a film student in Madrid. He rejects all that his status [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

There is a saying of the Buddhist monk Nichiren Daishonin, that Winter Always Turns to Spring Those who believe in the Lotus Sutra are as if in winter, but winter always turns to spring. Never, from ancient times on, has anyone heard or seen of winter turning back to autumn. Nor have we ever heard [...]