Chanting Growers Group

[SoCal Hippy]

Complaints will waste away one's good fortune
whereas appreciation will increase it.
Cowardice will exhaust one's life force
whereas courage will strengthen it.
Therefore act with bravery!

The weak choose criticism
The strong choose action
Advance without fear
To be praised by fools
- that is the greatest shame.*

Daisaku Ikeda

*Major Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol 2, p187-8

 

[EasyMyohoDisco]

Bud! Thank you so much! You asked for it and I got up and opened the Butsudan again and sent some (around thirty minutes) to you. I pray for your relief and remind you that many people will require the wisdom you gain from overcoming this obstacle. You asked for this to prove the power of the Law. So you must prove it, and I will do anything to help you that I can.

I hope everyone will remember that the obstacles we encounter have already been guaranteed to occur. Don't be afraid, and don't be defeated. None of what we face is insurmountable. Maintaining your persistent faith, undaunted, requires great courage more than great strength. No matter how down and out you let yourself slide, Daimoku will take you back to where you need to be as fast as your faith will allow it to. It can be as fast as instantaneous. It is up to you. Ultimately, you can count on no one but yourself. Maybe, because ultimately, it is all a reflection of you.

Good or bad.

So how is the image reflecting back in the mirror today?

To maintain a practice of Buddhism--chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and doing gongyo daily, sharing your experiences and encouraging others, and studying the teachings--is one of the most difficult things one can attempt to maintain devotion toward.

I pray for you all in deepest respect,

Thomas

I bow in obeisance to all of you! Thank you for your recent posts, they have really added extra-appreciation for Gohonzon and your lives! One in the same!

Thank you! I am moving and very very busy and at this juncture, equally happy and gaining momentum for kosen-rufu! Let's continue to fly without fear and follow the sincere guidance of our mentors. Nichiren's eternal guidance has cemented love and appreciation for each of the 3000 realms in a single moment in my heart, so I must reccomend you chant, study and shakubuku! Be all you can be!


*I have been reading from last year lately, before I goto sleep before and after chanting and this thread is THE THREAD OF THREADS! The LOTUS SUTRA LIVES HERE! IN OUR HEARTS OF COURSE!*

 

[PassTheDoobie]

Is Bartender or anyone else still backing this up on another medium?

 

[EasyMyohoDisco]

entire thread including these posts should be completely printed and upto date by early April. I have run out of ink 4 times already. As I have printed it out, I have come to realize from my study of the 14 Slanders Gosho, you Thomas are like the Boy Snow Mountains (passing on the Lotus Sutra everywhere you go,"writing on trees, etc."), you have been an emissary of the Lord of Teachings, of The Buddha of Beginlesstime, of Sensei Toda, Sensei Makiguchi, Sensei Ikeda, you have also facilitated my reunion with Gohonzon. The debt of gratitude cannot be repaid in any other currency than as many shakubukus as I can muster!

Its in the works, and I will purchase another box of paper and 3 more ink cartridges when I get a chance. Thanks for the friendly reminder.

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"Hardships enable us to grow. The imperfections and impurities of our lives are purified through faith. Buddhism teaches that 'earthly desires lead to enlightenment.'"

SGI Newsletter No. 7124, 4th SOKA GAKKAI HEADQUARTERS LEADERS MEETING--PART 1 [OF 2], Break Down Barriers and Create Something New! Feb 8th, 2007, translated Feb. 23rd, 2007

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"Only by defeating a powerful enemy can one prove one's real strength."

(Letter from Sado - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 302) Selection source: "Myoji no Gen", Seikyo Shimbun, February 25th 2007

 

[Bonzo]

I cant beleive it , all these posts hitting the nail right on the head as far as where i am right now. So amazing and yes i do believe it.

That second to the last post T #5699 I WAS JUST READING ABOUT LAST NIGHT AND THERE IT IS!!!! But am i surprised? No im not, but im gratefull as anyone could possibly be.

I have so much more i want to say and will when i have i tad more time, gotta shower and meet someone.

Once again im just blown away.


AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Woooooooooooooooooooo Hoooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Movin' fuckin' mountains here!!!!

Takes my breath away man, unreal...........................But so glad it IS real!!!!!!!!







peace

bonz

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Nam myoho renge kyo>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

 

[southwind]

The point

The point

Since you now appear certain to attain Buddhahood, perhaps the heavenly devil and evil spirits are using illness to try to intimidate you. Life in this world is limited. Never be even the least bit afraid!

[ The Proof of the Lotus Sutra, WND Page 1109 ]

Greetings:

I was reading the thread again and came across the above.

They have been trying to intimidate me, but I am keeping a positive shield up and chanting to still the negative voices.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, it is almost incredible how many areas have come under attack in my life, the one that gets me the most is my parents.

We have, me and my brothers gotten caretakers for them , [they are in their
nineties] and they are in bad shape. My Dad and Mom moved very far away some years ago and the reason he did it was that he felt like his kids did not visit them enough, although we did often.

So he moved half the country away to "show us"!! now if we wanted to see them he would not be around!

He is the single most negative man I have ever met and most everyone who has met him agrees and yet , as miserable as he is, he is 98 this year!!

I love my parents to pieces and I understand that his negativity is just his way, but this moving so far away and them being so sick is worrisome.

I cant visit or do things physically for them much.

So I have decided to do what I can and have been writing long letters and sending photos of my vegetable and flower garden.

They are so happy to get them!

My health is a mess still but I will not let it take me down.

I have gotten the little "tumors" removed and am taking good care of myself.

I am going about my life with a positive attitude and love.

All things work to the better, problems are opportunities to grow and change.

They make us all stronger, like the wind blowing against a tree or a fan blowing our plants, as long as it does not blow the tree, us or our plants down outright, it makes the trunk stronger and the roots grip the soil harder!


The garden is budding out in green everywhere!

The rain has been falling steadily and watering the Earth for spring.

I have worked my garden soil beds and will lay down compost soon to soak into the soil and nourish it for the coming new season.


The smell of fresh air ,soil , growing things,and rain are in the air.

I am alive ..right now!

What could be better?

 

[Bonzo]

Good morning my friends

Nam myoho renge kyo!

I had a trippy lil Mystic thing happen earlier this morning. I usually keep my i-tunes up but minimized so i can just pop it up that much quicker, i have the sound turned all the way down of course or else i would of course hear all my music over and over cause thats what it does, it just keeps on goin' until you close the window.

Anyhow i popped it up and for some reason it had stopped, usually when i pop it up its playin something or other and all i have to do is turn up the volume.

So, the trippy thing was that it stopped on a song by A Perfect Circle called............are ya ready for this?....................Thomas.

Tripped me out i tell ya, i have never seen i-tunes stop and the one time it did thats the the song it stopped on. I have not even listened to that album much at all and was not even aware there was a song of that name, so at first it kinda spooked me cause it says the name of the song at the top of the screan as well as in the very middle, there was an arrow, the "play" arrow pointing directly to Thomas in the middle of the screen.

Trippy, Mystic, and it is a killer song.

Just thought i would share that with ya'll, it was neat.







peace

bonz

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Nam myoho renge kyo>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

 

[Bonzo]

Complaints will waste away one's good fortune
whereas appreciation will increase it.
Cowardice will exhaust one's life force
whereas courage will strengthen it.
Therefore act with bravery!

The weak choose criticism
The strong choose action
Advance without fear
To be praised by fools
- that is the greatest shame.*

Daisaku Ikeda

*Major Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol 2, p187-8

SoCal!!!!! How are you my friend? You are blowin' my mind, your posts are hittin home like......well.......they just seem to be exactly what i need to hear, once again trippn me out in such an awesome way, i cannot describe.

Please, KEEP EM FLOWIN!!

Im tellin ya, im just speachless.









peace

bonz

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Nam myoho renge kyo>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

 

[Bonzo]

Easy, Easy, Easy, what can i say? Your just chargin' bro!

PLEASE, keep doin' what your doin'!

Your Golden bro! KEEP SHINING!!!!!!!!







peace

bonz

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Nam myoho renge kyo>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

 

[Babbabud]

Great post Southwind!! It sounds to me like you have been spending some time chanting Woooohoooo!!!!
" The smell of fresh air, soil , growing things, and rain is in the air." Woooohoooo that sounds like you are right in touch to me
Great Post My Friend wooohoooo!!!!!!!!
Nam Myoho Renge Kyo
Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

 

[EasyMyohoDisco]

Please try and not forget your note to yourself to check into receiving your GOHONZON. You can find a means to do that by reaching someone local to you that will facilitate you receiving it. You can PM me or Bud or SoCal and I am sure any one of us would be happy to help. The link below will lead you to activity centers that are physical buildings in, generally, metropolitan areas. But the phone numbers will give you the ability to contact those folks who will give you contact info for people near you.

http://www.sgi-usa.org/thesgiusa/findus/allcenters.html

Mystically, there are always people close by. Bud, for instance is part of a new group that has happened to be formed conveniently in his home community, even though he is hours away from the nearest activity center. Go to a meeting or two, start learning Gongyo right away. Make this recitation of the Lotus Sutra part of your daily routine as early on as you can.

"To accept is easy, to continue is difficult."

The biggest thing that stops most people from continuing to chant is the absence of a relationship with the Gohonzon. The Gohonzon's mercy is INFINITE, so once you have yours, you are forever empowered to chant the single daimoku from your heart that gets you right back onto track after the Devil of the Sixth Heaven has won once again. The reality is that the Devil of the Sixth Heaven wins quite often. Were it not for the INFINITE mercy of the Gohonzon, one could never possibly attain enlightenment in a single lifetime.

For everybody that reads this thread, I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to receive the Gohonzon. It is one of the Three Great Secret Laws, that Nichiren Daishonin revealed to allow direct access to the Entity of the Law. If you are serious about embarking on the path to enlightenment, in my opinion, based on the Daishonin's teachings, as evidenced by what has already been posted on this 150 pages; you need the Gohonzon to do so!

I bow in obeisance to all!

T

Thanks Bonz and Everyone else for the great posts. This 1st week of the new month (week or weekend) is Kosen-rufu Gongyo at community centers worldwide, lets make a determination to attend SGI events with our brothers and sisters and support and encourage them! Lets greet them from afar as you would a great Buddha! Lets make all the members and visitors feel welcomed and encouraged!

I am preparing a presentation to follow the reading of the Gosho The 14 Slanders. This is my determination to help overcome bad karma and sansho-shima and have a victorious March. My days have been consumed with work, moving, work, pruning (cultivated a few grams, finally! alot daimoku went into that), work and yes more moving. My body has taken a toll, but I have been eating as best I can, resting well and just spending more time in front of Gohonzon for the completion of my 1 million Daimoku! I am getting closer everyday and already feeling the benefit coming to fruition!

With this Buddhist practice, I always win. Chanting Daimoku is Winning! WALK LIKE A CHAMPION, ACT LIKE A CHAMPION, BE A CHAMPION!

LIKE THE ROAR OF THE LION, Nam-myoho-renge-kyo!!!!

 

[Bonzo]

GIT ER DUN Easy!!! Woooooooo Hooooooooo!!!!!!










peace

bonz

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Nam myoho renge kyo>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

 

[PassTheDoobie]

In Buddhism, there is no such thing
as our efforts going to waste.
Everything has meaning.
Let's be courageous and never retreat!
It is by us having the hearts of lion kings that
we can open up the path towards victory!

Daisaku Ikeda

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"... he (the lion king) roars; the hundred cubs will then feel emboldened, and the heads of those other beasts and birds of prey will be split into seven pieces."

(The Drum at the Gate of Thunder - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 949) Selection source: SGI President Ikeda's poem, Seikyo Shimbun, February 23rd 2007

 

[SoCal Hippy]

The Daishonin states,
“Not once have I thought of retreat.”*
With the strong resolute spirit to never retreat, no matter what,
let’s do our utmost to protect our fellow members!
Let’s carry through with our determination to pursue justice to the very end!

Daisaku Ikeda

* “The Great Battle” - WND, Vol. 2, page 465

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"It must be ties of karma from the distant past that have destined you to become my disciple at a time like this. Shakyamuni and Many Treasures certainly realized this truth. The sutra's statement, 'Those persons who had heard the Law dwelled here and there in various Buddha lands, constantly reborn in company with their teachers,' cannot be false in any way."

(The Heritage of the Ultimate Law of Life - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 217) Selection source: "Kyo no Hosshin", Seikyo Shimbun, February 26th, 2007

 

[SoCal Hippy]

Photography, is the art of capturing that eternal moment and presenting it to others. In that respect, photographers are not simply recorders of events; they are explorers in the earnest pursuit of humanity."

~*~Cornell Capa, in a dialogue with SGI President Daisaku Ikeda. (Tokyo, November 1980)

 

[southwind]

Thanks Babba

Thanks Babba

The smell of rain in the air, the smell of earth and soil and growing things..

I am right there with you and have been chanting..

Bless

SW
Nam Myoho Renge Kyo
when doing dishes, when working, when being here now

Great post Southwind!! It sounds to me like you have been spending some time chanting Woooohoooo!!!!
" The smell of fresh air, soil , growing things, and rain is in the air." Woooohoooo that sounds like you are right in touch to me
Great Post My Friend wooohoooo!!!!!!!!
Nam Myoho Renge Kyo
Nam Myoho Renge Kyo