Urban Buddha: 2010

Thursday, July 22, 2010

THE BENEFITS OF THE TEACHER OF THE LAW

i was reading lotus sutra other day and in chapter 17. i found this verses.
these verses expounds the benefit which one will receive for upholding the lotus sutra and hence nichiren daishonin's buddhism

The faculties of this person's tongue will be so pure
that he will never experience any bad tastes,
but all that he eats
will become like sweet dew.
With his deep, pure and wonderful voice
he will preach the Law in the great assembly,
employing causes, conditions and similes
to lead and guide the minds of living beings.
All who hear him will rejoice
and offer him their finest alms.
Heavenly beings, dragons, yakshas,
as well as asuras and others
will all approach him with reverent minds
and together come to hear the Law.
If this preacher of the Law
wishes to use his wonderful voice
to fill the three thousand worlds
he can do so at will.
Wheel-turning kings great and small
and their thousand sons and retinues
will press their palms together with reverent minds
and constantly come to hear and accept the Law.
Heavenly beings, dragons, yakshas,
rakshasas and pishachas
likewise with rejoicing minds
will constantly delight in coming to bring alms.
The heavenly king Brahma, the devil king,
the deities Freedom and Great Freedom,
all the multitude of heavenly beings
will constantly come to where he is.
The Buddhas and their disciples,
hearing the sound of him teaching the Law,
will keep him constantly in their thoughts and guard him
and at times show themselves for his sake.

Sunday, July 4, 2010

jewel in the topknot

Once upon a time there was a great king. He was the greatest of kings and was called the Wheel-Rolling King. It was said that he owned a magical wheel of jewels that would spin while he governed.

The king was a fine ruler, and when he found a country that was run by evil people, he would wage war against it. He continually fought such evil countries until he had crushed them all.

The king was very glad to see that some of his soldiers were very brave in war. He rewarded these soldiers with treasures such as gold, silver, shell, agate, coral, and amber. He gave some of them farms, houses, villages, and cities. He also gave elephants, horses, and vehicles to those who were worthy.

Every time the soldiers were given these gifts from the king, they boasted, saying “I received golden rings and necklaces from the Wheel-Rolling King.”

Or: “He gave me a fabulous elephant and an ox-cart, praising my brave fight in the war.”

Or: “It was clothes this time for me. But I’ll get much more next time for my valiant fight.”

Or: “But you’ll not outdo me. I’ll be fighting with all my might, too.”

There was one thing that the king kept for himself: the brilliant gem which he was keeping in his topknot. This gem was the only one of its kind in the world. If he had given it to anyone, his followers would have been shocked.

Finally, one day, the Wheel-Rolling King saw an especially brave soldier and gave him that precious gem.

The Parable of the Medicinal Herbs

The Parable of the Medicinal Herbs

The world has many kinds of plants — more kinds than can be named. There are bushes and trees, mosses and ferns, flowers and grains. There are herbs that can be made into medicines.

All over the earth there are plants growing. Different plants grow in different areas: on the tops of mountains and at the bottom of the sea, in the desert and in the jungle.

Clouds also cover the earth. In one moment, a cloud can rain life-giving water onto the plants. The rain nurtures the plants and soaks the soil.

Through the soil, the water soaks down, down, down to the plants’ roots. Some of the roots are woody and big. Some are thin and fine. The water goes to all the millions of kinds of plants.

Each plant uses this water according to what kind of plant it is. Some plants may blossom. Some trees may bear fruit. Some mushrooms may grow. Some vines may grow long. Some herbs may grow to be used for medicine. Each plant uses the water differently.

Although all these plants and trees grow in the same earth and are moistened by the same rain, each has its differences. But all may be nourished.

such a simple analogy to explain so profound things. isnt it:)
well just like plants are different, we are all different, we all have our own individuality , characteristics, and basic tendancies.
but inspite of all that just like mother earth treats them all equally, lotus sutra makes them all equal and eligible to attain buddhahood. and whats more?
all that in this lifetime only.

The Parable of the Impoverished Son

The Parable of the Impoverished Son
From the Lotus Sutra Chapter 4, Belief and Understanding

Once a boy ran away from home and wandered for many years becoming more and more poor and confused.

The boy’s father loved his son very much, but had no idea where to find him. As time went on, the father became very rich.

Fifty years passed. One day, the son showed up at his father's estate. He did not know whose grand home this was, but wondered if he could find a job there. The father recognized his son, and set messengers to greet him. The father was overjoyed that his son had returned.

But the son misunderstood. He thought the messengers were trying to arrest him for doing something wrong.

The father saw his son’s fear and confusion. He realized his son was not ready to accept the truth, so he told the messengers to leave his son alone.

Later the father had some of his servants dress in rags. He had these servants go to his son and offer him a job shoveling excrement. The son had been living so poorly for so long, he saw this job as a wonderful opportunity.

Over the years, the father showed an interest in his son. He praised him, increasing his pay, and gave him better jobs. But he never told him his true identity.

After twenty years, the father was old and near death. By then the son was in charge of all of the wealthy man’s business. The son had become a responsible but humble man.

Finally, just before his death, the father gathered all of his friends and all the powerful people of the city to his bedside. He told them all the true identity of his son. He said his son was heir to all his fortune.

THREE CARTS AND THE BURNING HOUSE

The Three Carts and the Burning House
[from the Hiyu chapter (Chapter 3) of the Lotus Sutra]

One day, a fire brokes out in the house of a wealthy man who had many children. The wealthy man shouts at his children inside the burning house to flee. But, the children are absorbed in their games and cannot understand his warning, though the house is being consumed by flames.

Then, the wealthy man devises a practical way to lure the children from the burning house. Knowing that the children are fond of interesting playthings, he calls out to them, “Listen! Outside the gate are the carts that you have always wanted: carts pulled by goats, carts pulled by deer, and carts pulled by oxen. Why don't you come out and play with them?"

The wealthy man knows that these things will be irresistible to his children.

The children immediately race out to get into the carts. In this way, the wealthy man is able to get his children safely away from the burning house.

Once outside, the children demand the carts they have been promised. Instead, the wealthy man gives them a much finer and larger cart — one that runs as swiftly as the wind — adorned with many jewels and drawn by a great white ox. This cart is called the Great White Ox Cart.

Saturday, June 5, 2010

BSG & SUA student exchange videos

Thursday, June 3, 2010

the daimoku parrot

i read it while surfing the net. it is really very funny. i hope you all will like it.

A guy walks into the pet shop to buy a parrot. The shopkeeper shows him three parrots — a one thousand dollar parrot, a two thousand dollar parrot, and a three thousand dollar parrot.

The guy asks, "What is the difference?"
The shopkeeper says, "The one thousand dollar parrot speaks English. The two thousand dollar parrot speaks eight languages. The three thousand dollar parrot mumbles something and when he does, you get whatever you want."
The guy buys the most expensive parrot. He takes him home and removes the cage cover. The bird starts saying "Myohorengekyo ... nam-myohorengekyo ... nam-myohorengekyo..." An hour later, the guy's girlfriend calls and says "Honey, I miss you. How soon can we get together?" Two hours later, his boss calls and says, "We are sorry we fired you. We will give you a raise if you can come back Monday."
Eight hours later, the parrot is still chanting, so the guy calls the pet store and says "This bird is driving me nuts. How do I get him to stop saying these words?"
The shopkeeper says "Oh! I forgot to tell you. You gotta ring the bell three times."
So the guy finds the bell and the ringer in the cage and sounds: "Ding, ding, ding."
The parrot slows to a finish with "Myo...ho...renge...kyo."
Then he starts again: "Niji sesson ju san mai..." etc.

million daimoku chart

last night i received a sms from one member. i found it very encouraging. besides that i am attaching a million daimoku chart with sensei guidance. :)

a student from soka high school ( in japan) asked president ikeda,
" what should i expect from chanting daimoku?"
sensei replied
" when you chant 1 hr of daimoku you will see changes in yourself, when you chant 2 hrs of daimoku you will see changes in other people. when you chant 3 hrs you will see changes in your environment. when you chant 5 hrs you will experience miracles in your life. when you chant 1 million daimoku, you can feel your fortune. when you chant 7 million daimoku, you foundation as a human being will change, when you chant 20 million, even though you try to escape from it, fortune will continue to follow you, when you chant 70 million daimoku, you can become the king of faith."

million daimoku chart
http://www.4shared.com/document/aBF9puB_/daimoku_chart1.html

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

GOSPEL OF BUDDHA

On a certain day when the Blessed One
dwelt at Jetavana, the garden of Anathapindika,
a celestial deva came to him in the shape of a Brahman
enlightened and wearing clothing as white as snow.
The deva asked,

What is the sharpest sword?
What is the deadliest poison?
What is the fiercest fire?
What is the darkest night?"
The Blessed One replied,

The sharpest sword is a word spoken in wrath;
the deadliest poison is covetousness;
the fiercest fire is hatred;
the darkest night is ignorance.
The deva said,

What is the greatest gain?
What is the greatest loss?
Which armour is invulnerable?
What is the best weapon?
The Blessed One replied,

The greatest gain is to give to others;
the greatest loss is to greedily receive without gratitude;
an invulnerable armor is patience;
the best weapon is wisdom.
The deva said,

Who is the most dangerous thief?
What is the most precious treasure?
Who can capture the heavens and the earth?
Where is the securest treasure-trove?
The Blessed One replied,

The most dangerous thief is unwholesome thought;
the most precious treasure is virtue;
the heavens and the earth may be captured by the mind's eye;
surpassing rebirth locates the securest treasure-trove.
The deva asked,

What is attraction?
What is repulsion?
What is the most horrible pain?
What is the greatest enjoyment?
The Buddha replied,

Attraction is wholeness;
repulsion is unwholesomeness;
the most tormenting pain is bad conscience;
the height of bliss is redeemed awakening.
The deva asked,

What causes ruin in the world?
What breaks off friendships?
What is the most violent fever?
Who is the best physician?"
The Blessed One replied,

Ruin in the world is caused by ignorance;
friendships are broken off by envy and selfishness;
the most violent fever is hatred;
the best physician is the Buddha;
The deva continued,

Now I have only one doubt to resolve and absolve:
What is it fire cannot burn,
nor moisture corrode,
nor wind crush down,
but is able to enlighten the whole world.
The Buddha replied,

Blessing!
Neither fire, nor moisture, nor wind
can destroy the blessing of good deeds,
and blessings enlighten the whole world.
Hearing these answers,

the deva was overflowing with joy.
Then clasping hands, bowed down in respect and
disappeared suddenly from the presence of the Buddha.

Saturday, May 29, 2010

MORE GAKKAI SONGS !!!

BSG SONGS

music rekindles hope, it recharges our spirit and flares up courage and compassion in us.

it is a source of joy from within. and when i look it from bsg prespective i realise that besides all those characteristics it promotes peace, understanding and what we say, itai doshin, that is many in body, one in mind.
BSG songs are great source of hope and joy. i have quite a few bsg songs. so i thought of sharing the joy of bsg songs with all of you people.
i will keep updating it as per i get new songs.
the links for songs are: http://www.4shared.com/audio/hZPdXSWh/Nam_Myoho_renge_kyo.html
towards a century of life
http://www.4shared.com/audio/u9mfFVHZ/01_Towards_a_century_of_life.html
crimson dawn of peace
http://www.4shared.com/audio/TN0Eizeo/crimson_dawn_of_peace.html
crimson dawn of peace with lyrics
http://www.4shared.com/audio/vZ6GFQOJ/crimsondawnwithlyrics.html

dare to believe

http://www.4shared.com/audio/SDtj2aVj/dare_to_believe.html
i seek sensei
http://www.4shared.com/audio/3bEU1z7y/I_Seek_Sensei.html
jeetenge
http://www.4shared.com/audio/FrMqs1Gq/jeetenge.html
zadankai

Sunday, May 16, 2010

DAIMOKU- POEM BY SENSEI

When you face an obstacle in life,
and you try to strategies a solution,
solving the problem with your head
instead of your heart,
making slight of daimoku,
you will be defeated in the end.

It is daimoku.
Everything begins and ends with daimoku.

Rather than receiving
a million words of guidance or
reading a million philosophy books,
chant daimoku.
And pray.
Everything will become as you envision,
everything will open for you.

After all,
it all comes down to how much
daimoku you chant.
If you chant,
you will naturally want to study.
If you chant daimoku, your task at hand
will naturally become fulfilling.

There may be times when
everything is just so hard for you.
There may also be times
when you feel just so sad
and cry yourself to sleep.
There may be times when
someone has hurt your feelings badly…

But at such times,
just come and knock at the door of my heart;
That door is always open for you.

My ears will always listen to you intently,
my eyes will fill themselves with tears for you.
If you are happy,
you don’t need to say a word.
I will see that in your face.
But if you are unhappy,
just come and tell me everything.

I will carry the load for you,
and we will proceed together.

~ Daisaku Ikeda ~

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

SGI - I Seek Sensei

books mentioned by sensei

Here is the list of books that Sensei mentioned in the 13th Soka Gakkai Headquarters Leaders Meeting - VC - January 2008.

1 - The Eternal City By Hall Caine - Avaiable at Gutenberg website
2 - The Water Margin
3 - Romance of the Three Kingdoms
4 - The tale of the Heike
5 - The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas - Avaiable at Gutenberg website
6 - Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe avaiable at Gutenberg website
7 - Taras Bulba by Nikolay Gogol - avaiable at Gutenberg website
8 - Ninety-Three by Victor Hugo
9 - A tale of two cities by Charles Dickens
10 - The Last days of Pompeii by Edward Bulwer-Lytton - avaiable at Gutenberg website
11 - A Little women by Louisa May Alcott - avaiable at Gutenberg website
12 - A doll's house by Henrik Ibsen - avaiable at Gutenberg website
13 - Scaramouche by Rafael Sabatini - avaiable at Gutenberg website
14 - Tess of the d'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy - avaiable at Gutenberg website

Sunday, May 9, 2010

happy soka mother's day

today we planned to go to geeta aunty's house to give her surprise on soka mother's day.
we all the ymds and ywds reached at her house at 6 pm. before coming me along with other ymds made 2 bouquets. one for geeta aunty and one for mohapatra aunty.
the idea of giving surprise was of ywds. (as usual, they are good in it. and we ymds are good in execution)
it was great time together. we have just finished with our may 3rd meeting and it was seemed just an extension of it.
we asked both the aunties to come to drawing room where we sang "o ma" song for them and give them bouquet. emotions overflowed, aunty hugged each one and it was really the great time.
then we sang a song "meri maa from taare zameen par" after that we all chanted and did gongyo.
then we ymds watched cricket match and ywds helped wd's in bringing cookies for all of us :)
we all had dinner together. it was like a big family coming together.
i dropped one ymd to home. during ride to home, we both sang gakkai songs.
wow, what a beautiful and memorable evening that one was.
i must say thanks to ywds for planning. coz planning is the first and foremost step as compared to execution.
hats off to ywds
:)

MAY 3rd, DAY OF MENTOR AND DISCIPLE

hi all, we celebrated may 3rd meeting yesterday, that is on 8th may. it was a meeting flowing with loads of life force, joyfulness, excitement, hope and vitality.
the meeting started at 7pm and ended at 8:30 pm.
we had two emcees. one ymd and one ywd.
its so great to see ymds are coming up in rourkela. last year i was the only ymd but now here we have 7 ymds and they all are doing their best in practice.
it was our 2nd chapter general meeting. the meeting started with a song " we will never give up" then future division and ymds gave a dance performance on " o ma" to celebrate soka mother's day. after that sensei's messgae was read out followed by round of applause.
then there were series of experiece read out in which member have overcome their financial state to the child who battled with cancer and emerged victorious.
after that we had a presentation on sensei's 50 years of struggle as president.
after that we had vote of thanks.
i will post the photos and videos of the meeting soon.

Sunday, May 2, 2010

preparing to commemorate may 3rd.

hi all, may 3rd is round the corner and everybody is putting their best effort towards this day of mentor and disciple.

well, here at rourkela, it is our second may 3rd celebration. we will be commemorating it on may 8th. towards may 3rd, all divisions are working together to make it a grand success.

we are doing one welcome song which is " we will never give up" and a closing song "young lions of india."

besides these, we are making a powerpoint presentation on soka gakkai's 80th anniversary in which we will be showing sensei's struggle and victories.

WD are doing one oriya song, future division is doing a dance. so all in all, it is all the divisons geared up for may 3rd commemoration.

i will upload pics and vidoes after the meeting.

whats going on at our side?

Urban Buddha