10/31 Today’s Buddhist Food for Thought

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Friday, October 31, 2008

It is only natural that sometimes we fall sick. But we must see that sickness as a sickness that originally exists in life, based on the principle of the Mystic Law. In other words, there is no reason to allow yourself to be controlled by illness, for it to fill your life with suffering and distress. From the standpoint of eternal life through the three existences, your fundamentally happy self is incontrovertibly established.

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Friday, October 31, 2008 (Buddhism Day by Day)

Death does not discriminate; it strips of us everything. Fame, wealth and power are all useless in the unadorned reality of the final moments of life. When the time comes, we will have only ourselves to rely on. This is a solemn confrontation that we must face armed only with our raw humanity, the actual record of what we have done, how we have chosen to live our lives, asking, “Have I lived true to myself? What have I contributed to the world? What are my satisfactions or regrets?”

From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Friday, October 31, 2008 (Daily Wisdom)

Question: Is it possible, without understanding the meaning of the Lotus Sutra, but merely by chanting the five or seven characters of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo once a day, once a month, or simply once a year, once a decade, or once in a lifetime, to avoid being drawn into trivial or serious acts of evil, to escape falling into the four evil paths, and instead to eventually reach the stage of non-regression? Answer: Yes, it is.

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 141
The Daimoku of the Lotus Sutra
Recipient unknown; written on January 6, 1266

Yes We Carve! Obama-lanterns….

In keeping with the Halloween spirit, someone on WordPress came up with the brilliant idea of creation of http://yeswecarve.com .

Check out the site with entries from all across the US (even from key RED states), Egypt, Canada and more showing their worldwide support for Sen. Obama.

Each page tab has cute appropriate related sayings….

10/30 Today’s Buddhist Food for Thought

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Thursday, October 30, 2008

The Gohonzon is the concrete manifestation of the very existence
of Nichiren Daishonin, who taught kosen-rufu. Because of that, if you
only practice gongyo and chant daimoku and don’t take any other action
for the sake of kosen-rufu or improving your own life, the Gohonzon
will not have its true, full effect. If, however, you take actions to
achieve kosen-rufu, they will serve as that extra push for your own
life and help you leap to higher and higher states of mind in your
gongyo and chanting as well.

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Thursday, October 30, 2008 (Buddhism Day by Day)

If you allow the passing of time to let you forget the lofty
vows of your youth, you stand to block the source of your own boundless
good fortune and sever the roots of limitless prosperity for your
family and loved ones as well. Please never let this happen. Only by
remaining steadfast to the vows we have made in our youth can we shine
as true victors in life.

From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Thursday, October 30, 2008 (Daily Wisdom)

Shakyamuni’s practices and the virtues he consequently attained
are all contained within the five characters of Myoho-renge-kyo. If we
believe in these five characters, we will naturally be granted the same
benefits as he was.

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 365
The Object of Devotion for Observing the Mind Established in the Fifth Five-Hundred-Year Period af the Thus Come One’s Passing
Written to Toki Jonin on April 25, 1273

10/29 Today’s Buddhist Food for Thought

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Gongyo is a practice that calls forth and activates the infinite power that the microcosm inherently possesses. It transforms your fate, breaks through any apparent dead ends and converts sufferings into happiness. It creates a transformation, a revolution of the microcosm. It is a diagram in miniature of kosen-rufu in our lives.

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Wednesday, October 29, 2008 (Buddhism Day by Day)

As you meet various trials and difficulties, thus polishing all the many facets of the jewel which is life, you will learn to walk that supreme pathway of humanity. Of this, I am confident, and I am confident too that those who embrace life‚’s native creativity now stand and will continue to stand in the vanguard of history. Bringing the creativity of life to its fullest flowering is the work of human revolution. Carrying out this kind of human revolution is your mission now as it will be throughout your lives.

From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Wednesday, October 29, 2008 (Daily Wisdom)

If a boat is handled by an unskilled steersman, it may capsize and drown everyone aboard. Likewise, though someone may have great physical strength, if he lacks a resolute spirit, even his many abilities will be of no use.

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 614
The Supremacy of the Law
Written to Oto and her mother, Nichimyo, on August 4, 1275

10/28 Today’s Buddhist Food for Thought

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Tuesday, October 28, 2008

It may seem perfectly all right to put ourselves and our own wishes first, to simply follow the dictates of our emotions and cravings, but the truth is that there is nothing more unreliable than our own mind. Life doesn’t always go like clockwork and things will not necessarily turn out as we hope or plan. Consequently, Nichiren Daishonin frequently stressed: You should become the master of your mind, not let your mind master you. We mustn’t allow ourselves to be ruled by a self-centered mind. Rather, we have to discipline our mind and gain mastery over it. This is the Daishonin’s strict admonition.

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Tuesday, October 28, 2008 (Buddhism Day by Day)

Shakyamuni Buddha explained the fundamental spirit of Buddhism as a sense of individual responsibility. “You are your only master. Who else? Subdue yourself and discover your master.” In other words, we must each take responsibility for our own self-discipline and for cultivating meaningful lives.

From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Tuesday, October 28, 2008 (Daily Wisdom)

Showing profound compassion for those unable to comprehend the gem of the doctrine of three thousand realms in a single moment of life, the Buddha wrapped it within the five characters [of Myoho-renge-kyo], with which he then adorned the necks of the ignorant people of the latter age.

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 376
The Object of Devotion for Observing the Mind Established in the Fifth Five-Hundred-Year Period after the Thus Come One’s Passing
Written to Toki Jonin on April 25, 1273

GOP Doubts Grow: Romney, Pawlenty Sound Skeptical

As they say in French, “quelle bonne surprise” (what a big surprise)? They selected him, why are they NOW voicing doubt with a week from now we’ll have a new man in the Oval Office?

Too little too late GOP and the RNC! Think they’re will be a whole of shakin’ going on next Tuesday!

www.lotuswritingcommunications.net
lizwrites.wordpress.com
lotuswritingcommunications.wordpress.com
More on John McCain
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

YES, I DID! I GOT OBAMATIZED!

I got Obamatized! Have you?

Remember…Early Voting until Nov. 3rd! Do It Now!

10/27 Today’s Buddhist Food for Thought

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Monday, October 27, 2008

Whether we regard difficulties in life as misfortunes or whether we view them as good fortune depends entirely on how much we have forged our inner determination. It all depends on our attitude or inner state of life. With a dauntless spirit, we can lead a cheerful and thoroughly enjoyable life. We can develop a “self” of such fortitude that we can look forward to life’s trials and tribulations with a sense of profound elation and joy: “Come on obstacles! I’ve been expecting you! This is the chance that I’ve been waiting for!”

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Monday, October 27, 2008 (Buddhism Day by Day)

Literature that works to refine, deepen and save the human soul is akin to a religion that elevates and binds people together. And the texts of great religions, such as the Bible and the Buddhist scriptures, make great literature. Literature and religion are parts of the human heritage, and determining how to use that heritage is essential to our further growth as human beings.

From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Monday, October 27, 2008 (Daily Wisdom)

The function of fire is to burn and give light. The function of water is to wash away filth. The winds blow away dust and breathe life into plants, animals and human beings. The earth nourishes the grasses and trees, and heaven provides nourishing moisture. The five characters of Myoho-renge-kyo are also like that. They are the cluster of blessings brought by the Bodhisattvas of the Earth, disciples of the Buddha in his true identity.

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 218
The Heritage of the Ultimate Law of Life
Written to Sairen-bo Nichijo on February 11, 1272

McCain’s Last Ditch Efforts-a message to the RNC

Looks like John McCain is still pulling dirty muckracking politics, definitely one of the dirtiest campaigns I can remember in my twenty-eight year voting history. He knows he’s lost, he’s pulling at straws.

In yesterday’s mail, I received propaganda from both the National RNC office in Washington, D.C. and the State office in Indianapolis. They’re still bringing up the Bill Ayres thing and his position on energy.

RNC Guys Sen. Obama gave a plausible explanation which I am going to buy at the last Presidential debates. His comments in the debates, his rally speeches and his voting record solidly show where he stands on the issue of Energy.  John-Boy has waffled on the issue, which he proved in the last debate.

BTW if you haven’t noticed while you’ve been distorting the truth and spreading hate in your Goebbelesque virtole, gas prices at the pumps have gone down considerably and probably will continue to do so through election day.

McCain’s blatant lies re: Mr. Ayres is an attempt to minimize the issue of his association with G. Gordon Liddy, sure he said on “Letterman” that Liddy did his time, duh? He’s still a criminal and radio cult icon.  He believes that since he served his time that makes everything okay and he’s rehabillitated?

It’s also an attempt to diffuse the issue of his main campaign guy, William Timmons’ association with Sadaam Hussein–ugh, John who’s the terrorist? Physician heal thy self.

What are your thoughts on this? And how McCain has run his entire campaign not just on these issues?

10/26 Today’s Buddhist Food for Thought

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Sunday, October 26, 2008

I hope that, basing yourself on faith, you will become wealthy people of virtue and influence who are widely respected. I would like to add, however, that worldly success is not equivalent to true happiness. Achieving this requires that we have a profound understanding of the nature of life. A person of success in the true sense is one who can enjoy a free and unrestrained state of life.

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Sunday, October 26, 2008 (Buddhism Day by Day)

Buddhism is a movement emphasizing self-education with the aim of unlocking and developing our inherent Buddha nature while at the same time bringing forth diverse wisdom and using various expedient means to help others tap their Buddhahood. This development of potential, this education of oneself and others, is the noblest path a human being can ever pursue.

From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Sunday, October 26, 2008 (Daily Wisdom)

Life is the foremost of all treasures. It is expounded that even the treasures of the entire major world system cannot equal the value of one’s body and life.

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 1125
The Gift of Rice
Recipient and date unknown