With 2 weeks left until New Year's Day 2017, I am calling for a 280+ Inconspicuous Daimoku challenge. Inconspicuous Daimoku is Daimoku that is not for any goal, desire, or need. It is simply chanting Daimoku. The purpose of this is to help you achieve benefits. As Nichiren said in his letter, "Letter to the Lay Priest Domyo": Concerning prayer, there are conspicuous prayer and conspicuous response, conspicuous prayer and inconspicuous response, inconspicuous prayer and inconspicuous response, and inconspicuous prayer and conspicuous response. But the only essential part is that, if you believe in this sutra, all your desires will be fulfilled in both the present and future.
The idea is that everyday you chant at least 20 times inconspicuous Daimoku. I've been doing it throughout this year, and as a result, I have achieved bouts of clarity which has helped me understand myself better, and undergo human revolutions which led to tangible breakthroughs. I am certain that it will work for all those who endeavor to do it. And by work, I mean in terms of achieving clarity which will result in the changing of your thought pattern, which will result in the changing of your words, which will result in the changing of your actions Thus, your results will be different. If you wish to do more than 20 inconspicuous Daimokus, be my guest. The more you do, the better. SO let's give it a try. Oh, and share this challenge to as many people as you want.
Saturday, December 17, 2016
Wednesday, August 31, 2016
3 Years (36 Months) of Daimoku
August 24, 2016, marked three years of chanting Daimoku. When I began doing it on August 24, 2013, I did not know where my journey would lead me. All I knew was that chanting nam myoho renge kyo resonated something deep within me. It did it more than other Buddhist mantra that I have ever chanted. My journey has been a journey of unveiling my true potential, my wisdom, my compassion, and my courage. I would not have been able to move my life in a better direction without Daimoku. My recent financial battle has shown me that, plus other things. Without my practice, I would have counted the costs of those 4 hour daily commutes from home, given up, and become bitter at life. I will never forget when a professional had told me that my odds did not look good. I was very crushed by that news. I sat down by myself, and began to chant inconspicuous Daimoku. A few moments after that, I read this quote from Daimoku Ikeda from the book Faith Into Action: "No matter what the circumstances, you should never concede defeat. Never conclude that you've reached a dead end, that everything is finished. You possess a glorious future. And precisely because of that, you must persevere and study. Life is eternal. We need to focus on the two existences of the present and the future and not get caught up in the past. We must always have the spirit to begin anew 'from this moment,'to initiate a new struggle each day." Upon reading that, I remembered my vow back in July, and an anger welled up within me. It was like the scene from Mulan when she ultimately decided to disguise herself as a young man and take her injured father's stead in the army. (For those who never saw Mulan):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AARl1cMxS9w
I decided to use the strategy of the Lotus Sutra to get the money. What initially happened was the deadline was pushed back three times. However, two weeks of commuting to school from home began to take a toll on me, By last Friday I was so physically and emotionally exhausted that I was in a very bad way. A part of me did not give a shit about the outcome and just wanted the ordeal to be over, and another part of me was worried about making another costly mistake like I had done in my earlier adulthood. I reached out to my friend Nick Kano and he encouraged me to stick it out. The following Saturday, I was physically rested, but I was burnt out from emotional exhaustion. It was so bad that doing Gongyo, and chanting Daimoku over my situation was like walking in marsh. Then I decided to do inconspicuous Daimoku. After 10 minutes of it, I instinctively read the May 2015 Living Buddhism, and read the experience of George Nakamura of Phoenix, Arizona. As a result, I underwent a huge human revolution. For years, I had viewed gratitude as two things: a compulsory act that you did just in case it's the last time you saw someone before they died, or as a way of saying accept the shitty parts of your life because the shit can smell a hell of a lot worse. Now I realized that gratitude is a way of acknowledging the things that have benefited your life and continue to benefit it. Gratitude is how we truly grow and connect with other people. Gratitude is stopping for a moment and doing these things. I initially began chanting to overcome my tendency to complain. Then I began chanting Daimoku to express my gratitude for my parents, my family, my friends, my practice, Daimoku, President Ikeda, second president Josei Toda, first president Tsunesaburo Makiguchi, Nichiren, and even the World Honored One Shakyamuni. As a result, I smiled more and more. The following Sunday, after doing some inconspicuous Daimoku, I instinctively read the "Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace" section of the June 2016 Living Buddhism. As a result, I realized that in my heart, I still blamed my environment and my background for my issues, even though I had intellectually grasped the futility of doing that. So I chanted to overcome that tendency. Finally, Monday morning I underwent a third human revolution. For two years I had dismissed the arts because it was not a guaranteed big bucks career. Now I realized that the arts is a part of me, serves a far greater purpose than turning people into magnates., and to dismiss the arts is to slander my Buddha nature. Later on that Monday, based on my GPA, I received enough money to go to school and live on campus.
In addition to my recent breakthrough, the most indicative sign that Daimoku has benefited me came when a friend shouted me out on my 26th birthday and another called me awesome because of my persionality, and not just because of my intelligence and my musical acumen. My personality. So for that, I say thank you Daimoku. I may not know the future bends that I must undergo, but goddammit I will be a hell of a lot better because of them. :')
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AARl1cMxS9w
I decided to use the strategy of the Lotus Sutra to get the money. What initially happened was the deadline was pushed back three times. However, two weeks of commuting to school from home began to take a toll on me, By last Friday I was so physically and emotionally exhausted that I was in a very bad way. A part of me did not give a shit about the outcome and just wanted the ordeal to be over, and another part of me was worried about making another costly mistake like I had done in my earlier adulthood. I reached out to my friend Nick Kano and he encouraged me to stick it out. The following Saturday, I was physically rested, but I was burnt out from emotional exhaustion. It was so bad that doing Gongyo, and chanting Daimoku over my situation was like walking in marsh. Then I decided to do inconspicuous Daimoku. After 10 minutes of it, I instinctively read the May 2015 Living Buddhism, and read the experience of George Nakamura of Phoenix, Arizona. As a result, I underwent a huge human revolution. For years, I had viewed gratitude as two things: a compulsory act that you did just in case it's the last time you saw someone before they died, or as a way of saying accept the shitty parts of your life because the shit can smell a hell of a lot worse. Now I realized that gratitude is a way of acknowledging the things that have benefited your life and continue to benefit it. Gratitude is how we truly grow and connect with other people. Gratitude is stopping for a moment and doing these things. I initially began chanting to overcome my tendency to complain. Then I began chanting Daimoku to express my gratitude for my parents, my family, my friends, my practice, Daimoku, President Ikeda, second president Josei Toda, first president Tsunesaburo Makiguchi, Nichiren, and even the World Honored One Shakyamuni. As a result, I smiled more and more. The following Sunday, after doing some inconspicuous Daimoku, I instinctively read the "Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace" section of the June 2016 Living Buddhism. As a result, I realized that in my heart, I still blamed my environment and my background for my issues, even though I had intellectually grasped the futility of doing that. So I chanted to overcome that tendency. Finally, Monday morning I underwent a third human revolution. For two years I had dismissed the arts because it was not a guaranteed big bucks career. Now I realized that the arts is a part of me, serves a far greater purpose than turning people into magnates., and to dismiss the arts is to slander my Buddha nature. Later on that Monday, based on my GPA, I received enough money to go to school and live on campus.
In addition to my recent breakthrough, the most indicative sign that Daimoku has benefited me came when a friend shouted me out on my 26th birthday and another called me awesome because of my persionality, and not just because of my intelligence and my musical acumen. My personality. So for that, I say thank you Daimoku. I may not know the future bends that I must undergo, but goddammit I will be a hell of a lot better because of them. :')
Tuesday, August 23, 2016
The Summer of 2016: A Time of Growth and Preparation
I wanted to do this blog after my financial aid situation was resolved; however, I don't know how long that will take and school has already started. In May of 2016, before I went home, I intuitively bought two books, Faith Into Action, and The Opening of the Eyes. Upon arriving home, I restarted the process of chanting for the happiness of the students who mistreated me in high school, and for the happiness of two people who had rejected me. I realized that what had happened was a result of my own thoughts and my homophobia at the time. Also, I shakabuku'ed more people from high school. As a result of my assiduous faith, practice, and study, on June 4, 2016, I made peace with my high school experience.
June 6, 2016,
Today was move in day for summer school. I had enough money on my Higher One card to pay for summer school. The problem was that customers could only swipe a few hundred dollars a day, and my summer school bill was in the thousands. I talked with Mr. Melson in Student Accounts, he insisted that I call the company. He even gave me a number to call them by. I called, and was able to get in contact with a representative. I told her my situation, and she said that she will see if there can be an exemption for me. As I waited, I chanted for it. When she returned, I found out that I received the exemption. I was able to pay for summer school.
Summer school, I was for the most part assiduous with my chanting of Daimoku for 30-40 minutes everyday. I chanted to be the best student that I could be. Also, I did so many shakabukus in person and by Facebook. However, I felt lonely because unlike some of my neighbors, I did not have a roommate. It was just me in a two bed room. I did not have anyone who would say to me, "Let's go ..."
June 12, 2016.
Early that morning, I had decided to go to the Regional Study Meeting at the Atlanta Buddhist Center. Sadly, this was the same day that I had heard about the carnage at a gay club in Orlando, Florida. Anyway, at the center, I did Gongyo, which is a customary practice before any event. I made a conscious effort to do inconspicuous Daimoku because I wanted to see my life clearly. (It's something that I began doing ever since I had read Nichiren's "Letter to the Lay Priest Domyo" back in March). When I did it, I began to see that I had an issue with working with people because of my need for control. So I chanted to overcome my need for control. As a result, I learned that changing places of persecution into the Buddha Land meant that at the places of persecution, your Buddha nature comes to the fore. Also, I began to interact with my neighbors a little bit more, and I started going to tozos.
June 27, 2016,
I read on Facebook about the murder of the 23-year-old rapper Lor'Scoota of Baltimore. What made this one stick out to me was the fact that Lor'Scoota had been murdered right after he had volunteered at a basketball game for peace. I was truly troubled, however this time I chanted with determination to do what I could do to stop the violence. As a result, I created the blog post "Daimoku in Relation to Black America" as a method of shakabuku. After I created the post, and put it in circulation, I was attacked by the devil king of the sixth heaven which manifested in terms of depression after a conversation with one of my neighbors that exposed a dark part of my past. Even though my neighbors seemed to understand that I am not a bad person, just introverted, and greatly misunderstood because social interactions are still a difficult thing for me, my depression persisted until the next morning. That Tuesday, after some chanting to get through the depression, I decided to chant with determination to overcome the funk. I came out of it, and I had a human revolution. For two years, I thought that if I was to foray into a singing career, I would end up like Amy Winehouse or Janis Joplin. I realized that that does not have to be the case for me.
July 5-9, 2016,
That was a contentious week. As a result, I made a vow to become the happiest person at Morehouse. I made this vow because if I can become happy, then I can help other students do the same. I don't want another young black soul to make the same mistake I made when I was 18, which was give in to fear. When I was 18, the country had went into a recession. That shattered the hope that I had of getting the HOPE scholarship, getting a free ride through college, finding a sustainable job, and moving out of where I lived and into a better life. As a result, I hesitated in getting my Bachelor's degree for years. In relation to that week in 2016, I don't want another young 18-year-old to despair, give up on themselves, and succumb to their hardships. I can tell you from experience, it's a growth stunting move.
Also, on July 7, I realized that I had resentment against my parents that I needed the release. So I chanted with determination to overcome that resentment. It went on until Saturday and by that time I was emotionally exhausted. However, I found the courage to tell my mother that I wanted to get tested for Asperger's. Also, I found the courage to reach out to my dad and tell him everything that I wanted to tell him for eight years. Our talk later on that day was good.
In the midst of the contentious week, I finished summer school and I had a great relationship with my neighbors. On July 15, I went back home. There, I continued chanting, studying, and shakabukuing. Ever since August 15, I have been embroiled in a financial aid battle. I have been doing two hour commutes from home to school. The only bright side is that I am handling this a hell of a lot better than last year when I was near suicidal. Patience is still a constant struggle. I'm not willing to give up though. I am still chanting to win. And as the final purge day approaches, I am chanting and studying the Living Buddhisms. Specifically, the August 2015 edition, and the June 2016 edition. I must win. In order my life to move forward, in order to prove the validity of Daimoku, and in order to fulfill my vow.
June 6, 2016,
Today was move in day for summer school. I had enough money on my Higher One card to pay for summer school. The problem was that customers could only swipe a few hundred dollars a day, and my summer school bill was in the thousands. I talked with Mr. Melson in Student Accounts, he insisted that I call the company. He even gave me a number to call them by. I called, and was able to get in contact with a representative. I told her my situation, and she said that she will see if there can be an exemption for me. As I waited, I chanted for it. When she returned, I found out that I received the exemption. I was able to pay for summer school.
Summer school, I was for the most part assiduous with my chanting of Daimoku for 30-40 minutes everyday. I chanted to be the best student that I could be. Also, I did so many shakabukus in person and by Facebook. However, I felt lonely because unlike some of my neighbors, I did not have a roommate. It was just me in a two bed room. I did not have anyone who would say to me, "Let's go ..."
June 12, 2016.
Early that morning, I had decided to go to the Regional Study Meeting at the Atlanta Buddhist Center. Sadly, this was the same day that I had heard about the carnage at a gay club in Orlando, Florida. Anyway, at the center, I did Gongyo, which is a customary practice before any event. I made a conscious effort to do inconspicuous Daimoku because I wanted to see my life clearly. (It's something that I began doing ever since I had read Nichiren's "Letter to the Lay Priest Domyo" back in March). When I did it, I began to see that I had an issue with working with people because of my need for control. So I chanted to overcome my need for control. As a result, I learned that changing places of persecution into the Buddha Land meant that at the places of persecution, your Buddha nature comes to the fore. Also, I began to interact with my neighbors a little bit more, and I started going to tozos.
June 27, 2016,
I read on Facebook about the murder of the 23-year-old rapper Lor'Scoota of Baltimore. What made this one stick out to me was the fact that Lor'Scoota had been murdered right after he had volunteered at a basketball game for peace. I was truly troubled, however this time I chanted with determination to do what I could do to stop the violence. As a result, I created the blog post "Daimoku in Relation to Black America" as a method of shakabuku. After I created the post, and put it in circulation, I was attacked by the devil king of the sixth heaven which manifested in terms of depression after a conversation with one of my neighbors that exposed a dark part of my past. Even though my neighbors seemed to understand that I am not a bad person, just introverted, and greatly misunderstood because social interactions are still a difficult thing for me, my depression persisted until the next morning. That Tuesday, after some chanting to get through the depression, I decided to chant with determination to overcome the funk. I came out of it, and I had a human revolution. For two years, I thought that if I was to foray into a singing career, I would end up like Amy Winehouse or Janis Joplin. I realized that that does not have to be the case for me.
July 5-9, 2016,
That was a contentious week. As a result, I made a vow to become the happiest person at Morehouse. I made this vow because if I can become happy, then I can help other students do the same. I don't want another young black soul to make the same mistake I made when I was 18, which was give in to fear. When I was 18, the country had went into a recession. That shattered the hope that I had of getting the HOPE scholarship, getting a free ride through college, finding a sustainable job, and moving out of where I lived and into a better life. As a result, I hesitated in getting my Bachelor's degree for years. In relation to that week in 2016, I don't want another young 18-year-old to despair, give up on themselves, and succumb to their hardships. I can tell you from experience, it's a growth stunting move.
Also, on July 7, I realized that I had resentment against my parents that I needed the release. So I chanted with determination to overcome that resentment. It went on until Saturday and by that time I was emotionally exhausted. However, I found the courage to tell my mother that I wanted to get tested for Asperger's. Also, I found the courage to reach out to my dad and tell him everything that I wanted to tell him for eight years. Our talk later on that day was good.
In the midst of the contentious week, I finished summer school and I had a great relationship with my neighbors. On July 15, I went back home. There, I continued chanting, studying, and shakabukuing. Ever since August 15, I have been embroiled in a financial aid battle. I have been doing two hour commutes from home to school. The only bright side is that I am handling this a hell of a lot better than last year when I was near suicidal. Patience is still a constant struggle. I'm not willing to give up though. I am still chanting to win. And as the final purge day approaches, I am chanting and studying the Living Buddhisms. Specifically, the August 2015 edition, and the June 2016 edition. I must win. In order my life to move forward, in order to prove the validity of Daimoku, and in order to fulfill my vow.
Monday, August 8, 2016
Changing Poison Into Medicine
Q; What is your definition of changing poison into medicine?
A: My definition of it is taking a situation that naturally would harm you emotionally and turning it into motivation to become happier. By happier, I mean wiser, braver, more compassionate, and more empowered than ever before.
Q: Have you, yourself underwent this? If so, how did you do it?
A: Yes, I have underwent this. I will continue to undergo this. I did it by chanting nam myoho renge kyo.
Q: How does it work?
A: Let's say that somebody did something to hurt your feelings or enrage you. You chant nam myoho renge kyo for their happiness. As you chant nam myoho renge kyo over and over, the intensity of the pain subsides, you become wiser, more compassionate, and more understanding. As a result, the pain ceases to overwhelm you, or cloud your view of the person who hurt you.
Q: What if one does not want to undergo this process? What if they think that this is bunk?
A: Well that is their choice. This is not and should not be treated as a compulsory act. If the person does not wish to do it, then that is their choice. I just hope that they are ready for the possible results.
Q: What are the alternative results?
A: Basically, misery, though misery manifests in different ways depending on the personality. Some people become volatile; some people become depressed. But it all boils down to misery. Also, this misery is a part of this phenomena called victim mentality. Victim mentality is when one feels that they are oppressed or affronted, are the victims of other people's negative actions, and act like that is the case. Even when there is no evidence corroborating the feeling.
Q: There are people who say that they have a right to feel that way because they have been victimized or are continuing to be victimized. What do you say to that?
A: They are right. They have a right to feel that way; however they should be ready for the "What the fuck?!" moments.
Q: Please explain.
A: The moments when someone you knew, who endured a similar or more intense crucible than you, overcomes their obstacles and do the things that you always wanted to do but you thought you could not do, or you were scared to do.
Q: Have you experienced those "What the fuck?!" moments?
A: Yes, starting in 2012, and it magnified by 2013.
Q: So you used to have a victim mentality?
A: Yes, in my early adulthood.
Q: What was it like?
A: On the plus, I could always find someone who will had sympathy for me because of the things that I endured. On the minus, I behaved in petulant ways and blamed it on what I had been through. Yet at the same time, I wondered why my college experience was not as fun as everyone else's.
Q: What happened in 2012 and 2013 when you had those moments?
A: On Facebook, I would see pictures of people that went school with me get their Bachelor degrees, Master degrees, etc. And by January 2013, I looked up and saw that the people that I had went school with had gotten their degrees, were living in their own places, and there were those who had families of their own. And there I was: 23, no degree, no job experience other than Wendy's, basically nothing to show for my time at my last college.
Q: Do you think that your attitude played a part in that scenario?
A: My attitude played 100% a part in it. With the right attitude, I would have gotten a job, did some community service, attended more campus events, behaved a hell of a lot better, and did some extracurricular activities, besides LEGASI (Leading in the Education of Gay And Straight Individuals) and concert choir.
Q: Getting back to victim mentality, what are the pros and cons?
A: Pro, a hell of a lot of sympathy from people, unless you're looking for it in military school. Pro, no accountability for your actions. Con, your ambitions will remain unfulfilled. Con, your dreams will not become realities. Con, you will lose out on opportunities, good relationships, and eventually you will lose respect as your Harry Hard Luck and Sally Sob Story becomes played out like Mary J. Blige's "I'm Goin' Down" song.
Q: So back to changing poison into medicine, how have you begun to do that?
A: As I mentioned in my "30 Months of Daimoku" blog, I chanted for the happiness of everyone in high school who ridiculed me. As a result, I made peace with my experience little by little, and little by little I changed. I began to exude more compassion and wisdom. I began to show more respect to people. I can truly say that I like the person that I am becoming.
Q: I like that person too. Thank you.
A: You're welcome. And thank you.
A: My definition of it is taking a situation that naturally would harm you emotionally and turning it into motivation to become happier. By happier, I mean wiser, braver, more compassionate, and more empowered than ever before.
Q: Have you, yourself underwent this? If so, how did you do it?
A: Yes, I have underwent this. I will continue to undergo this. I did it by chanting nam myoho renge kyo.
Q: How does it work?
A: Let's say that somebody did something to hurt your feelings or enrage you. You chant nam myoho renge kyo for their happiness. As you chant nam myoho renge kyo over and over, the intensity of the pain subsides, you become wiser, more compassionate, and more understanding. As a result, the pain ceases to overwhelm you, or cloud your view of the person who hurt you.
Q: What if one does not want to undergo this process? What if they think that this is bunk?
A: Well that is their choice. This is not and should not be treated as a compulsory act. If the person does not wish to do it, then that is their choice. I just hope that they are ready for the possible results.
Q: What are the alternative results?
A: Basically, misery, though misery manifests in different ways depending on the personality. Some people become volatile; some people become depressed. But it all boils down to misery. Also, this misery is a part of this phenomena called victim mentality. Victim mentality is when one feels that they are oppressed or affronted, are the victims of other people's negative actions, and act like that is the case. Even when there is no evidence corroborating the feeling.
Q: There are people who say that they have a right to feel that way because they have been victimized or are continuing to be victimized. What do you say to that?
A: They are right. They have a right to feel that way; however they should be ready for the "What the fuck?!" moments.
Q: Please explain.
A: The moments when someone you knew, who endured a similar or more intense crucible than you, overcomes their obstacles and do the things that you always wanted to do but you thought you could not do, or you were scared to do.
Q: Have you experienced those "What the fuck?!" moments?
A: Yes, starting in 2012, and it magnified by 2013.
Q: So you used to have a victim mentality?
A: Yes, in my early adulthood.
Q: What was it like?
A: On the plus, I could always find someone who will had sympathy for me because of the things that I endured. On the minus, I behaved in petulant ways and blamed it on what I had been through. Yet at the same time, I wondered why my college experience was not as fun as everyone else's.
Q: What happened in 2012 and 2013 when you had those moments?
A: On Facebook, I would see pictures of people that went school with me get their Bachelor degrees, Master degrees, etc. And by January 2013, I looked up and saw that the people that I had went school with had gotten their degrees, were living in their own places, and there were those who had families of their own. And there I was: 23, no degree, no job experience other than Wendy's, basically nothing to show for my time at my last college.
Q: Do you think that your attitude played a part in that scenario?
A: My attitude played 100% a part in it. With the right attitude, I would have gotten a job, did some community service, attended more campus events, behaved a hell of a lot better, and did some extracurricular activities, besides LEGASI (Leading in the Education of Gay And Straight Individuals) and concert choir.
Q: Getting back to victim mentality, what are the pros and cons?
A: Pro, a hell of a lot of sympathy from people, unless you're looking for it in military school. Pro, no accountability for your actions. Con, your ambitions will remain unfulfilled. Con, your dreams will not become realities. Con, you will lose out on opportunities, good relationships, and eventually you will lose respect as your Harry Hard Luck and Sally Sob Story becomes played out like Mary J. Blige's "I'm Goin' Down" song.
Q: So back to changing poison into medicine, how have you begun to do that?
A: As I mentioned in my "30 Months of Daimoku" blog, I chanted for the happiness of everyone in high school who ridiculed me. As a result, I made peace with my experience little by little, and little by little I changed. I began to exude more compassion and wisdom. I began to show more respect to people. I can truly say that I like the person that I am becoming.
Q: I like that person too. Thank you.
A: You're welcome. And thank you.
Sunday, July 31, 2016
Sometimes It Takes x>1 Daimokus
This morning I was watching Oprah interview Iyanla Vanzant on Oprah's Soul Food Sundays when I heard Iyanla Vanzant say, "There is no greater battle in life than the battle between the parts of you that want to be healed, and the parts of you that are comfortable and content remaining broken." Now many may ask, "Why the hell would anyone wish to remain broken?" I could say, "Because it's easier", but that would not fully capture the meaning. The reason is because remaining broken does not require accountability. Being healed requires that you be accountable for your life and your actions. Remaining broken does not require this. You can just behave in ways that are destructive to you, and obnoxious and or destructive to other people, blame it on ..., become envious when you see people succeeding in life and achieving what you have always wanted, and engage in pity parties about your own life. For those who read my blogs, or have known me intimately for the past eight years, you all know that I used to be the archetype of remaining broken. I am being healed though, slowly but surely. How does this tie in to chanting nam myoho renge kyo? There are things that you want, or need that will require chanting nam myoho renge kyo one time. However, there are things that you want or need that will require chanting nam myoho renge kyo a hell of a lot more than one time. Why? Because when you are chanting, you are waging this battle with yourself. So remain persistent in your chanting, and you will achieve what you are seeking, and become happier in the process.
Monday, June 27, 2016
Daimoku in Relation to Black America
Q: Some may want to know, "Why should black people try chanting nam myoho renge kyo?
A: We should chant nam myoho renge kyo for various reasons. But first, you should know that in Nichiren Buddhism, we revere the Lotus Sutra, which is the highest sutra in all of Buddhism. The theme of the Lotus Sutra is that everyone has the potential to attain Buddhahood, which translates to absolute happiness. Everyone has the potential to become absolutely happy; and this kind of happiness consists of courage, compassion, Buddha wisdom, and empowerment, all of which comes from within. So with that said, chanting nam myoho renge kyo contains many benefits. Through chanting it, we can overcome our crucibles and become happier than we have ever been before. Through chanting it, we can acquire things that we need or want. Even if you don't chant with a goal in mind, you can attain more clarity, which in turn, causes you to make better decisions than previously. For example, suppose you have a hair-trigger temper, where even a small slight causes you to want to knock the hell out of somebody. You actually did that a few times, and as a result, you have had to pay fines, serve probation, attend anger management classes, or spend time in either jail or prison. One day, you're slighted, and you decide to chant nam myoho renge kyo, which is also a HUGE relaxer. You chant for sometime, and you're calmer. You do it consistently everyday, and eventually you realize that your irascible behavior stems from something bigger, maybe from years of being bullied, belittled, denigrated to the point of humiliation, abused, etc. And as you continue to chant, you little by little become improve. That's a benefit of nam myoho renge kyo.
Q: How does it help you overcome problems?
A: When you chant nam myoho renge kyo with determination and faith in yourself to overcome any problem, you tap into your inherent wisdom and courage. As a result, you come up with better solutions to overcome your problems, or take the right action and overcome your problem. Sometimes, you chant and eventually part of your thought pattern changes and the situation is resolved.
Q: Any other reason why we should chant?
A: As an alternative for revenge. Many black people have either lost a friend and or family member or hero/heroine to violence. I myself lost a second cousin to violence 11 years ago. While I did not know him antemortem, I went to his funeral. I will never forget the cries. I will never forget how one man was so terribly upset that he got up and said that this needs to stop, referencing the violence. I will never forget how the preacher, whose sermon of "The Prodigal Son", had a come-to-Jesus segment for young people where he said that the only options were: a new life with Jesus, or be next in line to be in a casket. We have lost family, friends, heroes, and heroines to violence. We watch the news the read articles and hear of people who lost loved ones, and young people who are not even 18 committing these acts of violence. The question then becomes, "How do we react?" There are those who react with revenge. I would not advise it. There are those who react with defeatism, which is accepting failure or defeat. There are those who use the tragedy to motivate them to activism of some kind. Many of us respond to these tragedies with defeatism. I know that I have done that because I felt powerless to do anything. However, Daisaku Ikeda once said about prayer, "Prayer is the courage to persevere. It is the struggle to overcome our own weakness and lack of confidence in ourselves. It is the act of impressing in the very depths of our being the conviction that we can change the situation without fail." I've begun chanting to find a way to end violence. I challenge others, regardless of race, to do the same. However you should know that it is entirely up to us. No deity or supernatural being will do this for us. It will require us to chant with faith in our inherent Buddha nature, with determination, and take action based on our inner wisdom, compassion, and courage.
Q: Well I believe I have no more questions. Thank you so much Akee.
A: No, thank you. This is always a pleasure.
A: We should chant nam myoho renge kyo for various reasons. But first, you should know that in Nichiren Buddhism, we revere the Lotus Sutra, which is the highest sutra in all of Buddhism. The theme of the Lotus Sutra is that everyone has the potential to attain Buddhahood, which translates to absolute happiness. Everyone has the potential to become absolutely happy; and this kind of happiness consists of courage, compassion, Buddha wisdom, and empowerment, all of which comes from within. So with that said, chanting nam myoho renge kyo contains many benefits. Through chanting it, we can overcome our crucibles and become happier than we have ever been before. Through chanting it, we can acquire things that we need or want. Even if you don't chant with a goal in mind, you can attain more clarity, which in turn, causes you to make better decisions than previously. For example, suppose you have a hair-trigger temper, where even a small slight causes you to want to knock the hell out of somebody. You actually did that a few times, and as a result, you have had to pay fines, serve probation, attend anger management classes, or spend time in either jail or prison. One day, you're slighted, and you decide to chant nam myoho renge kyo, which is also a HUGE relaxer. You chant for sometime, and you're calmer. You do it consistently everyday, and eventually you realize that your irascible behavior stems from something bigger, maybe from years of being bullied, belittled, denigrated to the point of humiliation, abused, etc. And as you continue to chant, you little by little become improve. That's a benefit of nam myoho renge kyo.
Q: How does it help you overcome problems?
A: When you chant nam myoho renge kyo with determination and faith in yourself to overcome any problem, you tap into your inherent wisdom and courage. As a result, you come up with better solutions to overcome your problems, or take the right action and overcome your problem. Sometimes, you chant and eventually part of your thought pattern changes and the situation is resolved.
Q: Any other reason why we should chant?
A: As an alternative for revenge. Many black people have either lost a friend and or family member or hero/heroine to violence. I myself lost a second cousin to violence 11 years ago. While I did not know him antemortem, I went to his funeral. I will never forget the cries. I will never forget how one man was so terribly upset that he got up and said that this needs to stop, referencing the violence. I will never forget how the preacher, whose sermon of "The Prodigal Son", had a come-to-Jesus segment for young people where he said that the only options were: a new life with Jesus, or be next in line to be in a casket. We have lost family, friends, heroes, and heroines to violence. We watch the news the read articles and hear of people who lost loved ones, and young people who are not even 18 committing these acts of violence. The question then becomes, "How do we react?" There are those who react with revenge. I would not advise it. There are those who react with defeatism, which is accepting failure or defeat. There are those who use the tragedy to motivate them to activism of some kind. Many of us respond to these tragedies with defeatism. I know that I have done that because I felt powerless to do anything. However, Daisaku Ikeda once said about prayer, "Prayer is the courage to persevere. It is the struggle to overcome our own weakness and lack of confidence in ourselves. It is the act of impressing in the very depths of our being the conviction that we can change the situation without fail." I've begun chanting to find a way to end violence. I challenge others, regardless of race, to do the same. However you should know that it is entirely up to us. No deity or supernatural being will do this for us. It will require us to chant with faith in our inherent Buddha nature, with determination, and take action based on our inner wisdom, compassion, and courage.
Q: Well I believe I have no more questions. Thank you so much Akee.
A: No, thank you. This is always a pleasure.
Tuesday, May 31, 2016
The "Horrible" Word That Benefits Me
In Buddhism, we are to assert ourselves in faith, practice, and study. By faith, I mean faith in your inherent Buddha nature or your inner Gohonzon. For two years (2013-2015), faith had been a nasty word to me.
Coming from a conservative Christian background,and once being an avid TBN viewer, faith was taught as belief in a god who planned your life out and was to be obeyed. Faith was a means of encouraging blind obedience. You were told to trust Yahweh enough to do what you are told, or obey the Bible, since that was his word, regardless of what you may think; what you may feel; or how it may affect other people. Politicians, mainly the Christian Right, have used this to legislate Christian beliefs in our government, and to support certain politicians. They are still doing it with the transgendered bathroom accommodations debate. It is just like how the Christian Right advocated against same sex marriage and abortion. In the realm of science, faith was used to fight teaching evolution in school despite the overwhelming evidence that support evolution; and to keep people complacently ignorant on the matter of global warming. Knowing all this coming to Buddhism, faith sounded like another word for control. However in Nichiren Buddhism, faith means believing in your inherent Buddha nature. It's almost another way of saying believing in yourself or your potential. Why is it important? It is important because without faith in yourself, you will not overcome your problems. Well not all of them. The miniature ones, maybe. However the big ones, not a chance. You will succumb and be consumed by them. Without faith in yourself, you will not have the courage to pursue your dreams and desires. Without faith in yourself, you give up on yourself. Without faith in yourself, you live a stagnant state because of your fear of failure. That's why by 22, after three years in college, all I could say was that I had a 3.5 GPA, and I sang with the choir. I had no job experience. I had no connections and a very poor network. In essence, I had been in college for three years and did not have shit to show for it. It's because of this faith that I got the financial aid that I need for school. It is because of faith that I began to mend the relationship with my mother. It is because of faith that I am just now beginning to move on from high school. It is because of this faith that I did not give up when I was struggling with Statistics. Faith is the essence to true happiness. The other alternative is defeat by giving up on yourself.
Coming from a conservative Christian background,and once being an avid TBN viewer, faith was taught as belief in a god who planned your life out and was to be obeyed. Faith was a means of encouraging blind obedience. You were told to trust Yahweh enough to do what you are told, or obey the Bible, since that was his word, regardless of what you may think; what you may feel; or how it may affect other people. Politicians, mainly the Christian Right, have used this to legislate Christian beliefs in our government, and to support certain politicians. They are still doing it with the transgendered bathroom accommodations debate. It is just like how the Christian Right advocated against same sex marriage and abortion. In the realm of science, faith was used to fight teaching evolution in school despite the overwhelming evidence that support evolution; and to keep people complacently ignorant on the matter of global warming. Knowing all this coming to Buddhism, faith sounded like another word for control. However in Nichiren Buddhism, faith means believing in your inherent Buddha nature. It's almost another way of saying believing in yourself or your potential. Why is it important? It is important because without faith in yourself, you will not overcome your problems. Well not all of them. The miniature ones, maybe. However the big ones, not a chance. You will succumb and be consumed by them. Without faith in yourself, you will not have the courage to pursue your dreams and desires. Without faith in yourself, you give up on yourself. Without faith in yourself, you live a stagnant state because of your fear of failure. That's why by 22, after three years in college, all I could say was that I had a 3.5 GPA, and I sang with the choir. I had no job experience. I had no connections and a very poor network. In essence, I had been in college for three years and did not have shit to show for it. It's because of this faith that I got the financial aid that I need for school. It is because of faith that I began to mend the relationship with my mother. It is because of faith that I am just now beginning to move on from high school. It is because of this faith that I did not give up when I was struggling with Statistics. Faith is the essence to true happiness. The other alternative is defeat by giving up on yourself.
Monday, March 28, 2016
30 Months of Daimoku
March 24, 2016 marked 30 months (2.5 years) of chanting Daimoku (nam myoho renge kyo). Ever since the 2 year mark, I have done some great things, and have grown and become happier.
August and September 2015 (before Labor's Day)- I was having financial aid problems and housing problems. However, through chanting Daimoku, and study, I underwent my human revolution and received breakthroughs with both problems.
November 20, 2015- I began chanting to change myself so that my life, family, finances, and relationship with my parents would improve. What ended up happening initially was that I began shakabukuing people (telling them about Nichiren Buddhism and nam myoho renge kyo). However I began to improve my relationship with my mom.
December 15, 2015-January 10, 2016- I was out of school for Christmas break. I shared nam myoho renge kyo with so many people be it online or in person. I even told my parents, my two maternal uncles, and my first cousin about it. I also grew. For those of you who faithfully read my blogs, you might remember the one I wrote about chanting for people's happiness is a way to change poison into medicine. That's something I REALLY did over the break. I chanted for the happiness of everyone who had hurt me between 2006 and 2015. As I did so, the anger and pain that I had harbored for years began to melt and turn into compassion. (This is still an ongoing process). Also, I began see that the high schoolers who had hurt me were just teenagers trying to find their way in a dark maze, and acting out of ignorance. They really were not all monsters. On December 27, 2015, I gave a piano performance of a piece that I had not played for 3 years, and I slayed thanks to Daimoku and Hanon practices. Also, I utilized that event to share nam myoho renge kyo with other performers. Also I turned 26 on January 2.
January 10, 2016-January 19, 2016- I moved back on campus on January 10, and resumed my Daimoku. This time, I prayed for the happiness of those in high school who had hurt me since 2004. That caused me to have a clear look at myself and realize that I was no halo in high school. I might not have always acted nasty, but my thoughts were. I had somewhat of a superiority complex and there were times when it leaked out in school. Also, I reached out to someone who had hurt me 9 years earlier and shared Daimoku with him.
February 4, 2016- I suffered serious sinus problems which zapped my voice and my energy. It was 5 days before my voice came back and even then it was coated with mucus. During that time though, I began to take stock of some choices that I had made and I realized how much I loved singing. So upon regaining my voice, I began to do vocal and breathing exercises again.
March 1, 2016- In case it's not evident, I have the ability to hold a grudge like a sponge holds water. Especially if I am hurt to the point of devastation. So someone had done this a year earlier and I was so bothered that even if his presence burned me up. It had hit a pitch this day because seeing him burned me up so much that I was singing hymns and spirituals. After I did what I had to do, I went to dinner and had some ginger ale to calm my nerves. Then I decided to give Daimoku a shot to see if it could help me overcome that resentment. So I chanted with determination to overcome it. The next day, I saw him again. I am someone who communicates a hell of a lot better writing than speaking. So I wrote out how he had hurt me and passed the note to him. He said that he did not mean to do so, and apologized for it.
March 24, 2016- No breakthrough on this day. Instead I had a disappointing week of two bad test grades. Feeling overwhelmed, I considered giving up Morehouse College and dropping out. However, after calming down, I realized that Morehouse College was connected to my end goals of happy marriage, financial wealth, and happiness; and giving up at Morehouse would make those dreams unattainable. So I began doing something new. I have begun chanting with determination to turn negative aspects of my life into benefits., which is the same as changing poison into medicine.
Wednesday, February 24, 2016
Nichiren Buddhism and My Temperament
One thing practicing Nichiren Buddhism has done for me over the course of two years was improve my temperament. Back at Norfolk State University, I was a far different person. I was a walking case of sadness and rage and I took it out in very unacceptable ways. I used to pound on the piano keys more than Beethoven, much to the chagrin of many people in the Music Department. I used to spazz out at any possibly given moment. I used to fuss and curse people out at least twice a week. One time during the Fall semester of 2011, and one time during the Spring semester of 2012, I spazzed so damn hard that I flipped over every chair in the Midrise Hall computer lab. Once I began practicing (chanting nam myoho renge kyo), little by little, the rage subsided. I now understand that all the spazzing I did stemmed from being mad at my lot in life; from lack of confidence in myself; from feeling like that I had no say in my destiny and my fate; from feeling like I had very little chance of surviving in this life, in this world. Through practicing Nichiren Buddhism, and studying The Lotus Sutra, The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, and publications by Daisaku Ikeda and other Buddhists members, my faith in myself is steadily increasing. I wish I could go back to that 20-year-old me and tell him to keep chanting no matter what. Because nam myoho renge kyo will benefit you more than any praise break.
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