Chanting Growers Group

[Guest]

A note to you all

A note to you all

Well I had to go back a few pages to catch up. Happy to see EVERYONE has posted in the last few days. And I spent the day yesterday thinking of all of it and the past 8 months of posts in here and this is what I have come to think.

I think that the one common denominator of all that has posted regularly in here is passion for life. Being passionate people about life and our beliefs, tho they may vary, we are all full of fire just the same. Sprinkled with compassion for others. It is hard sometimes to not be sideways with each other even when it has been the last thing that any of us had intentions of doing and left more bewildered at what just happened than those offended. But here we all are, and it can only make the bonds stronger as time goes on. For reasons that none of us can really see beyond the obvious we are here for one another and all of our approaches are unique and different and in that we becomes a whole. But all of us need to be careful not to fear saying or speaking our thoughts or being who we are regardless, because we all probably represent different readers/visitors of this thread. We all already know those differences within each of us. But must remember itai doshin.

Thomas- I love you with my life. You know that and I do you. We have both been disappointed with one another through the years and in those moments said things that we did not mean in the manner in which we presented it to one another. You are a wealth of information and quite a fun guy when you step back from being the teacher to one of us. Thank you so much for the personal note and letting others see who you are. Regardless of any personal feeling towards me, I always send my best to Stonegirl and baby doobies.

Bog- Your input has always been intertaining and enjoyable to say the least. I was always told that the older we get the faster the growth goes. So never falter on the path that you follow now. I expect nothing less than the love that you show and defend of Grapepunch. I am in the same place at this time with my son Ryan. And this Scorpio lady would go to the ends of the earth to sting anyone who harms him. He is the absolute joy of my life and one of the few things I have done right. For you to study and grow together is so precious.

Babbabud- Buddy I strive to be as positive as you. The peacemaker you are. You will receive countless benefits for being nothing more than yourself. Have missed your poems lately, has been a while.

SoCal- What a great friend you have become and I look forward to meeting you some day. Is our trip to Vancouver or Amsterdam off? I hope not.

Avid Lerner- I'm sure you are an asset to SGI. You too have been there to pick me up and have given guidance to me that was correct and helpful in getting me through.

So the long of the short is.....the last 8 months of my life has been quite a ride. You have all been there for me in one way or another and you really have no idea how much. Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. And I have found more beauty and benefit in Hoosierland than anywhere I have ever lived. It has become my paradise. People are incredibly kind and welcoming, I work at a place that is one of a kind in the world, with people visiting from Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Canada, Germany and pay $25000 to just visit in hopes of modeling after it. And then, of course, there is GordyP. I become tearful to think of anything ever happening to him. He IS the love of my life.

So I guess we all just need to CONTINUE....loving each other, supporting, fighting throwing out our and trying to keep up with PTD and the books. Southern Girl

 

[Guest]

Sometimes I have a hard time believing in myself, or more to the point, my ability to make it thru situations.

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo for T at work. A person who I think I have exchanged 10 words with in the past 1 1/2 years. T went out of his way to make a decision that favored me for no reason at all, just because. You made a decision which could potentially be job threatening, and also reminded me I am never alone in any situation, we are all connected to one another.

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo for C, who shared a problem with me and helped me to realise I am not the only one who feels overwhelmed, and for helping me to realise that the best way to forget my problems is to put others before myself.

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo for Bog. I have always believed that things happen for a reason. You were there to help that woman that day because you were the person who could best help in that instance. You were where you were for a reason.

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo for all of you who PM'd me with encouragement and direction.

I think Southern Girl summed it up....loving each other, supporting, fighting ( we are a family, and lets face it, families do argue and fight, but being a family, always remain family, unconditionally) throwing out our fuct up shite, and trying to keep up.

stank

 

[Guest]

BabbaBud and SG thank-you for the kind words.

As President Ikeda says,'We are a family bound together by faith in the mystic law."

I believe sensei; President Ikeda; has it right on this matter, as you and others have noticed as well SB.

SG. The Three Pillars of Biuddhism, Faith, Practice, and Study.

As Sensei Toda; the Second Soka Gakkai President; said, "Without Study there is no Buddhism."

Avid

 

[Babbabud]

The Heart Chakra

The Heart Chakra

Can you float through the universe of your body and not
lose your way?
Flow with fire-blood
Through each tissured corridor?

Can you let your heart
pump down red tunnels
Stream into cell chanmbers?

Can you center on this
Heart-fire of love?

Can you let your heart
pulse for all love
beat for all sorrow
throb for all pain
thud for all joy
swell for all mankind?

Can you let it flow
With compassion
For all life?

Taken from the "Book of Change"

 

[Babbabud]

????? wheres everybody at ... hard to come home from work and not have my daily inspiration....guess ill have to kick myself in the backside I love and respect you guys
Nam myoho renge kyo !!

 

[SoCal Hippy]

Introduction to Buddhism

Introduction to Buddhism

http://www.sgi-usa.org/buddhism/introtobuddhism2.html

BUDDHISM is the name given to the teachings of the Buddha. In other words, Buddhism refers to all the sutras, which Shakyamuni Buddha expounded. Unlike other religious philosophies or systems of religious thought, Buddhism makes no clear distinction between divinity and humanity. Its teachings enable people to attain enlightenment, to become Buddhas themselves. But specifically, the Lotus Sutra alone makes Buddhahood accessible to all people. The Buddha can in no way be defined as a transcendental or supreme being. "Buddha" means the Enlightened One; a Buddha is a person who perceives within his own life the essence, or reality of life. This ultimate reality supports and nourishes humanity and all other living beings. Those who have perceived this ultimate reality inherent in their own lives truly know themselves; they are Buddhas.

Socrates' words, "Know thyself," have posed a problem which philosophy, down through history, has attempted to answer. Buddhism expounded about one hundred years before the age of Socrates, provided a concrete answer, but it was long obscured by the esoteric tendencies among early Buddhist scholars. The Buddhist philosophy is actually the revelation of a very practical way to bring out the true self, as opposed to the phenomenal self, as one moves toward perfection. It is not metaphysical speculation. Buddhism is basically a practical system of teachings providing a means to realize the ideal state of Buddhahood, which is self-perfection.

Buddhists perceive the ultimate reality of life equally within all human beings, and accordingly respect the dignity of all people. As one begins to recognize this, one understands that one must awaken others to the dignity of their own lives. One's belief urges one to teach and help others awaken to the ultimate reality existing within so that they can create truly happy lives. In that way one is helping others attain Buddhahood. Those who truly strive for the sake of others are called "bodhisattvas." The power, which infuses them with the desire to help others, is the impartial and infinite compassion of the Buddha called jihi.

The two goals of Buddhism, then, are the attainment of Buddhahood and the fulfillment of the requirements of the bodhisattva. Interestingly, they are restated in Immanuel Kant's idea that self-perfection and other people's happiness are at once the purposes and obligations of human beings, unconsciously echoing principles expounded at least 2,300 years before Kant's time. This shows that a universal teaching can and will reappear in entirely different cultural mediums.

No clear definition of Buddhism can be readily given. There are many explanations about what Buddhism is, presented from many different angles. Therefore, an attempt to formulate an explanation, which is understandable and satisfactory to everyone, is a virtual impossibility.

All the teachings of Shakyamuni, the historical founder of Buddhism, were recorded giving rise to a vast array of sutras or scriptures. Because they contain teachings which are at times contradictory, a large number of schools developed, basing their teachings on one or another of the sutras. As a result, endless controversies arose among the different sects, each asserting the superiority of its own tenets.

Notwithstanding these conflicts, however, all the Buddhist sects commonly acknowledge the account concerning Shakyamuni's motives for renouncing the secular world. It is as follows: In his youth, when he was a prince and called Gautama Siddhartha, Shakyamuni became aware of and profoundly troubled by the problem of human suffering. He gave up his princely status and pursued the life of a religious mendicant in search of a solution to the four inescapable sufferings which confront all human beings: birth, old age, sickness and death. According to Buddhist tradition, Siddhartha renounced secular life at the age of nineteen and attained enlightenment at thirty. Modern scholars generally place these ages at twenty-nine and thirty-five, respectively. After eleven years (six years according to the latter view) of ascetic practices and deep meditation, he finally realized the truth which would emancipate human beings from suffering, and he became a Buddha. An understanding of what Buddhism actually is can be gained from knowledge of the motive that prompted him to seek enlightenment. In the final analysis, all of Shakyamuni's teachings were expounded for the sole purpose of solving the universal sufferings of birth, old age, sickness and death, as well as to seek a way to transcend them.

However, this does not mean that Buddhism works to free its believers from the phenomena of aging, sickness and death. Shakyamuni Buddha himself grew old and passed away. He was in no way entirely free of sickness, as is indicated by the statement in the Lotus Sutra, "[The Thus Come One is well and happy,] with few ills and few worries." Then what does it mean to say that Shakyamuni overcame the four sufferings? The answer to this question will clarify the truth to which the Buddha was enlightened, comprising the essence of the Buddha's teachings.

Buddhism has its origin in the desire to solve the most fundamental problem of human suffering. The teachings of Buddhism effectively deal with the question of a human being's very existence and pursue the surest way toward establishing a secure basis for living. There has been a tendency to regard Buddhism as a religion which is nihilistic, negating the value of human life. On the other hand, there are a number of people who think that Buddhism is a means by which to satisfy their material desires. It is true that, among the Buddhist teachings, some speak out against attachment to mundane pursuits and urge people to seek the eternal truth beyond the impermanence of all phenomena, while other teachings assure one of the fulfillment of secular and material desires. However, it is a grave error to think that such teachings constitute the core of Buddhism. The reason for such conflicting views is found in the process by which Shakyamuni's teachings were recorded and transmitted, during which time the essence which integrates all of these partial truths of the Buddha's enlightenment was lost sight of. The purpose and significance of Buddhism lies in overcoming the four basic sufferings of birth, old age, sickness and death, as well as in enabling each individual to establish his own identity.

As stated earlier, the solution to these four sufferings does not mean the denial of the impermanence of life. It is an awakening to the reality of the eternal and essential life, which underlies and governs the constant universal cycle of birth, aging, sickness and death. As long as one clings only to the affairs of one's daily existence in this world one cannot grasp that reality. For this reason, the Buddha taught people to transcend their daily lives, which are uncertain and fleeting, in order to overcome these sufferings. However, to realize the essential life which continues eternally, transcending both birth and death, means to establish the solid foundation of human existence within the harsh realities of this world. One's awakening to the reality of this truth must be reflected in one's daily living. In other words, it manifests itself in such phenomena as the fulfillment of material desires and physical well being. In this sense, a promise of worldly happiness is also a part of the Buddhist teachings.

 

[SoCal Hippy]

Intro to Buddhism (2)

Intro to Buddhism (2)

Buddhism aims to awaken people to the limitless potential and value of their own lives. Buddhist philosophy and practice bring about a positive transformation in the depths of life, transforming fear into courage, deluded impulses into wisdom, and egotism to compassion.

Buddhism begins with individuals deciding to take responsibility for their own individual lives, reforming first themselves and their immediate surroundings and relations, and then gradually extending their wisdom, courage and compassion into a wider sphere.

 

[SoCal Hippy]

Nichiren Buddhism

Nichiren Buddhism

http://sgi.org/english/Buddhism/nichiren.htm

SGI members follow the teachings of Nichiren, a Buddhist monk who lived in 13th century Japan. Nichiren asserted that every individual has the potential to become enlightened in his or her present lifetime. Buddhist practice is a vehicle of individual empowerment. Each person has within the power to overcome life's inevitable challenges, to live a life of value and become a positive influence in one's community, society and the world.

Origins in India
Nichiren's philosophy is rooted in the teachings of Shakyamuni (Gautama Siddartha), the historical founder of Buddhism who lived in India some 2,500 years ago. His teachings were recorded as sutras and spread throughout Asia, giving rise to a number of distinct schools of Buddhism.

Accessible to All
Nichiren lived in Japan during a tumultuous time of social unrest and natural disasters. The common people, especially, suffered enormously in this harsh feudal society. Appalled by this state of affairs, Nichiren, while a young priest, set out to find the solution to the suffering that surrounded him. After intensive study of the Buddhist sutras, he realized that the essence of the Buddha's enlightenment, and the means to bring an end to suffering and social turmoil, was found in the Lotus Sutra. This sutra affirms that all people, regardless of gender, capacity or social standing, inherently possess the qualities of a Buddha, and are therefore equally worthy of the utmost respect.

Based on his study of the sutra he established the invocation of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo as a universal practice for tapping and manifesting the life-condition of Buddhahood latent in one's own life. SGI members believe that exerting oneself in both faith and practice--including taking action in reality based on wisdom and compassion--is the means by which one is able to realize one's Buddhahood.

Nichiren strongly believed that the true aim of Buddhism is to enable people living in the real world and facing real problems to become empowered and change their lives and society for the better. Nichiren Buddhism is a philosophy that respects the fundamental dignity of all life and stresses the profound connection between one's own happiness and the happiness of others.

"In general, Buddhism is viewed as a static religion, epitomized by the image of a meditating or sitting Buddha, but the true image is one of a dynamic, walking Buddhist, an active Buddhist. The true Buddhist is a stranger to rest, continuously taking action to lead people to happiness and make them free."
Daisaku Ikeda

 

[SoCal Hippy]

I would like to taste 'sourD' sometime Babba..

 

[Guest]

myo of myoho renge kyo also means 'to open'. just my thought for the day.

LOL @ Babbabud. that is a long tongue.

SCH, you will have to visit sometime and make that desire a reality. smile.

Avid

 

[Babbabud]

SoCal I would love to be able to smoke the sourD with you .... now if we can just figure out some logistics Actually I have only harvested two plants so far .... with more on the way ... but i really am impressed with strength and flavor.... seems to be living up to all the hype.

 

[Babbabud]

Avid my reference to "kicking myself in the backside" was intended to mean that i would go read Nichirens teachings .... referring to my lazyness and how much I enjoy having toms post to come home to each day.....it takes a bit more effort to pick up the book then to sit and enjoy toms "lesson" of the day. I hope he comes back and post soon as I am a stoner and it gives me the extra push I need to keep my inspiration level high. My work is very physical and most of the time on week nights I dont read as much as I would like or feel that I should. Toms post have become a real daily inspiration for me. It seems that for a while he would post right when I got up to get ready for work and the again not long after I came home and settled down for the evening.
Nam myoho renge kyo !

 

[Guest]

Babbabub. understand. I know it is never easy to just grab a gosho and go for it. I am fortunate that people are always asking me questions, causiing me to read and study constantly.

The long tongue is a reference to 'telling the truth.' "The Buddha's tongue extended all the way to the Bhrama Heavan" I am also in a stoner mindset sometimnes and should have prefaced my comment to you.

You are always very honest!

Perhaps we can do the same babbabud, share a dobbie of SD. smile.

Avid

 

[Guest]

Hey Guys!

Hey Guys!

Well, Babbabud, Thanks for responding to what I wrote with your poem. I truly love reading them. Of course, noone responded to the question that I ask all if our trip to meet was off.......
And for some reason, I'm curious about Sweet Cindy. How did that come to be and what type of smoke is that? We are currently into a harvest of Blue Moon.
Ordered some more books from SGI for us. Thngs are just now starting to settle down around here with trying to get settled and complete all the changes. Just had our one month anniversary which went rather fast.
Babba,Socal,Avid Lerner always nothing but the best to ya,....And special invite to Bog and PTD. Southern Girl

 

[Babbabud]

would be nice to share some vapes with some good friends The thought of vaping and chanting together gives me butterflys in my belly ... sounds sooo cooooool

 

[Guest]

Babbabud. Some of us got together last summer. We smoked together, but we did not get a chance to chant together. We talked about Nichiren Buddhism for hours though.

Every month we hold a 'study' meeting. It is mostly dialogue about how we feel about what we are reading/studying, the Gosho/Lotus Sutra/President Ikeda dialogue. We do not have a lot of know it all's, we have just everyday folks speaking from their hearts.

"It is the heart that is most important"

Have a good day everyone.

 

[Guest]

For anyone interested in some study for today. Here is a link to the Wisdom of the Lotus Sutra series dialogue with President Ikeda and the SGI Study Dept.

Enjoy. The Three Ceremonies in Two Places = Eternal Life and Daily Life.

http://etherbods.com/sutra/wisdom/wisdom05.shtml

Avid

 

[SoCal Hippy]

avid, was that that long ago we got together???.....much too long dude!

Thanks for the link!

 

[Guest]

SCG. Yeah dude. We have been busy.

Avid

 

[SoCal Hippy]

a poetic contribution from SoCal

a poetic contribution from SoCal

Ghatva Sutta
Having Killed
Translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
For free distribution only.

-------------------------------------------------------
As she was standing to one side, a devata recited this verse to the
Blessed One:

Having killed what
do you sleep in ease?
Having killed what
do you not grieve?
Of the slaying
of what one thing
does Gotama approve?

[The Buddha:]

Having killed anger
you sleep in ease.
Having killed anger
you do not grieve.
The noble ones praise
the slaying of anger
-- with its honeyed crest
& poison root --
for having killed it
you do not grieve.