Torrie's Experience of STRONG FAITH!!

Here's a message overflowing with hope from a Blog reader and blog writer, my new friend Torrie Patillo! Above is a picture of Torrie and her Mom Michele. Torrie is on the right. 


She writes a blog called http://onemilliondaimoku.wordpress.com. 
check it out! Thank you so much Torrie for sending this Thank you so much Torrie for all your enthusiasm, leadership in the SGI and strong, strong determination! You are an inspiration to us all, and I KNOW you will be victorious!  in. 


Here's the wonderful letter she wrote me, and her experience follows. 


From Torrie:

"I've been following your blog for the past 3 months, and I absolutely LOVE it!! You have given me lots of hope, encouragement and guidance over this time. I constantly forward your blog to my district, my kayo-kai sisters and my mom. I began my practice with SGI on 03/15/09 along with my life partner Tiffany. My mom Michele received Gohonzon 6 months later. We've had a lot of benefits from the practice. In 2011 a HUGE obstacle surfaced; my mom was diagnosed with Kidney failure. I've been chanting BIG TIME for her total health victory. I have lots of moments of sadness, anger, feeling defeated, but I always pick myself back up with daimoku, the Gosho, Living Buddhism, World Tribune, Sensei's website, spending time with SGI members, hanging out with my YWD friends, guidance from seniors in faith and YOUR blog. I had a break-through that I wanted to share with you (see my blog post below). I have a long way to go toward victory, but I finally see the light at the end of the tunnel and I KNOW 100% ALL PRAYERS ARE ANSWERED for the practitioner of the Lotus Sutra. I also mentioned you and your blog on my blog todayhttp://onemilliondaimoku.wordpress.com Thank you sooo much for being an awesome Bodhisattva, Myoho sister and warrior for Kosen-rufu. Sensei would be sooo proud! I chant daily for you to be victorious in all areas of your life, chant for the happiness/victories of your district, and chant for the happiness/victories of your blog followers. On behalf of SGI's YWD worldwide, WE LOVE YOU!!! Thank you so much for all that you do. I chant to repay my debt of gratitude to you and other SGI members world-wide. Nam Myoho Renge Kyo!!!"
~Torrie Pattillo (YWD-Chapter Leader)
  Pikesville Maryland
 Jones Falls District
 Chesapeake Bay Region
 Mid-Atlantic Zone  

Torrie's Experience 

Most of you know my mom has ESRD (Kidney failure) and started Dialysis on June 15th, 2012. Well here's some GREAT news (and an answer to my prayers and the prayers of everyone else who's supported along the way); The University of Maryland Kidney Transplant Center coordinator called me today: they are ready for me to start the "work-up" to be my mom's donor. I have to do a 24 hour urine collection
so they can test the strength of my kidneys, a pap-smear, some blood work and a physical, then an all day medical evaluation, plus a few more test. They said I'm a perfect match for my mom, we just need to wait a little longer because of her blood transfusions. (her blood has formed antibodies due to the 3 blood transfusions, so her blood is confused right now, otherwise our blood is PERFECT together, and my kidney is perfect for her body otherwise). (I also need to lose a little weight, thank goodness I'm a student at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition LOL, now I can finally get this weight off in a healthy and sustainable way. I have the tools, now need to use them). Fortunately, even if her blood continues to have issues with my blood, that won't slow anything down. I would go into a "cross-match program". Here's an example/scenario of what that means

(Let's say a lady named Tina is a B+ blood type and needs a kidney. She has a daughter named Marie who is an O+ and wants to be her mom's donor and has a perfect kidney, but their blood types are incompatible. My mom Michele is an AB+ and I'm a B+ so our blood types ARE compatible, (actually AB+ although a rare blood type, is the ONLY blood type that can receive a kidney from ANY blood type as long as the antigens match, which mine do match. My mom was fortunate to have this blood type) but my mom is also compatible with Tina's daughter Marie. Since Tina is NOT compatible with her own daughter, but IS compatible with me, and my mom is a universal recipient, I could be Tina's donor and her daughter Marie could be my mom's donor.)

I don't mind doing the cross-match program, I actually think it's great because essentially I get to save 2 lives at once. The donor center is just going to keep doing testing to make sure that doing the cross-match is best for my mom. If my kidney is better for her, we'll go that route, but if cross-match is equally good, we'll do that so we can save her life and someone else's life. I'm putting it in the hands of the universe. I'm praying for the best possible outcome, the best kidney for my mom, and praying that everyone involved lives a long, happy, healthy life. I'm really excited about this process..even though it's scary, I'm very happy to do this for my mom, and happy that I may even get to help someone else in the process. How cool is that??? What a great mission :-) I'm very grateful I get to participate in this, and share this journey with my wonderful mommy :-)

Thanks again to everyone who's supported my family during this time. My wife, my family, my friends, the Wright family (my in-laws), my SGI family (Buddhist friends) my IIN friends, even my facebook friends...you all have been sooo important in this process, encouraging, compassionate and committed/united in prayer. People have visited my mom at the hospital during her 10 hospital stays, called her to support/encourage her, went over to chant with her, chanted/prayed for her, sent cards and gifts, advocated for her medical care, sent uplifting emails, left wonderful comments, have called me, chanted with me, offered support, offered to run errands, talked with me during weak moments, facebooked kind words, ect. It's amazing!!! I love you all. Thank you soooo much!!! I promised my mom a TOTAL HEALTH VICTORY, and dammit, I'm going to show her actual proof. I promised you all our prayers would be answered, and here we go, we're almost there :-) I'm VERY absolute in my beliefs that Nam Myoho Renge Kyo works and would protect my mom. It's coming to fruition at high speed. I am OVERWHELMED with gratitude right now. Thanks to each of you and thanks to the Universe!!! ♥ To each of you, I extend love, light, gratitude, appreciation and a commitment to repay my debt of gratitude. Stay tuned for a TOTAL Health Victory and good health head to toe for my mom, and I pray for victory in all areas of life for each of you.
-- 
Torrie Pattillo-Wright~

A Great After-Election Poem from Daisaku Ikeda

Daisaku Ikeda did not just write this poem, but I think today is a great day to share it with you!

The Indestructable Power of the People - A March of Joy and Tenacious Effort!" ( Excerpt)

The people
O, the people!
How great and noble
The indestructible mountain range
Of capable people!

Therein lies
The power to overturn
the unscrupulous,
The power to laugh dismissively
At the arrogant.

The united hearts of the people
Are like the sun.
Nothing is stronger
Than the people.
The people are a great wave~
No, a raging breaker.

For the colossus
Of the people arisen.
The ultimate power of destiny
That will determine the future
Of the Century of Humanity
Lies in the people.

Beside the people~
A human alliance
Of monumental scale~
All authoritarian forces
Pale into insignificance.

The people, who are fearless!
The people, who crush and destroy evil!

Those who sincerely value the people
Are wise and praiseworthy,
Those who vigorously take action,
Are filled with joy and courage,
Their faces shining brightly with victory.
Their lives are that of genuine humanity.
Upholding as they do
A lofty mission
Like the heavenly emissaries,
Commanded by all humankind.

Always uniting together as one,
The stout hearts of those capable individuals
Grow ever stronger
And shine ever brighter,
Creating a history of honor and triumph.

In such people
And in the realm in which they are active~
Together profoundly significant~
Stretches a vast open road of glory
That transcends all changes and transitions.

In tumultuous times,
Where each day
Is marked by ceaseless change,
We are serene
And undeterred.

We are always
Staunch allies of the people
We are determined to warmly welcome
With supreme compassion
Those who have been driven to despair
by the crass folly of those in power.
And
We have the power of friends
United in a shared purpose~
A power that can restore smiles
To the grim, frozen lips
Of many people
And make them gentle friends.

We wish to dedicate this precious life
To bestowing on all
Without exception
The crown of happiness ~
Happiness that shimmers
WIth the tranquil light of glory.

(May 2001)
Daisaku Ikeda

Power Prayers Create Benefits!

Thank you Katie for this beautiful Montana Sunset!

One aspect of Nichiren Buddhism, SGI Buddhism, is knowing that what we are thinking when we are chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo (the name of the rhythm of life itself) is very important. 

In other words, our determinations will help us direct the aim of the arrows we are aiming into reaching our goals in our own lives. 

If we are sitting in front of the Gohonzon wondering what we are going to have for breakfast  -  our prayer will not be as effective as one with a clear target. 

There are prayers I like to call POWER PRAYERS that bring out the most benefit and help me to have the deepest certainty and conviction when I chant and pray. 

POWER PRAYER FOR LOVE AND EXPANDED CAPACITY:

I chant to EXPAND MY CAPACITY in all areas of my life. I chant to expand my capacity for LOVE, to expand my capacity for HAPPINESS, to expand my capacity to love and cherish myself and those around me. I chant to expand my BRAIN capacity, and my capacity to REMEMBER! I chant to expand my capacity for all positive thoughts...and to make positive causes every single moment of every day. I chant to expand my capacity to FEEL LOVED and to ACCEPT LOVE in my life. I chant to feel the love of those around me. I chant to let it in. I chant to expand my capacity to dance in joy, in love and in light. I chant to expand my capacity to spread that joy and love and light to others! I chant to expand my capacity to reach people who are suffering and to offer them the tool of chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo.  I chant to meet the people who are looking for this practice and want to learn about it. I chant for the happiness and peace of mind of all people...and that no children or adults should be living in fear, in hunger, in want. I chant to end bullying in any way, shape or form. I chant to change from the inside out...to release the resistance in my life to change. I chant to be open to changing in any way that will help me to be a shining beacon of light and hope to myself and those around me. 

Now THAT'S a Power Prayer! 
Share your power prayers with me. And share your results. The readers of this blog are waiting to hear about YOUR breakthroughs! 

One of the keys to Happiness...

We are all Buddhas. We all possess the power of the entire universe in our lives. And like this picture says, when we see the Buddha nature in another, that is what arises in their lives. 

I talk about my children on this blog from time to time. This picture says it all. I always expected the best and spoke positive words to them. I think it is important to never put our children down. The world does enough of that. 

I always told my kids how much I believed in them, and how proud I was of them. I'd say to them "You know the best course of action to take. You are so wise....I am so proud of you. And you know what? They always made me proud. They never did anything to disappoint me. They gave their best, and are still giving their best in all their endeavors. And the picture above really says it all. 

I always saw the best in my children. I always will see the best in them. And in turn, they have grown to see the best in themselves too. You know, we all are Buddhas, but ignorance obscures our view...feelings of guilt obscure our view...feelings of doubt obscure our view. 

Our daily practice of Buddhism serves to remove that ignorance and reveal our lives as the sparkling diamonds they are. And the best thing is we can chant about this. I chant to experience each moment as the brilliant sparkling diamond I really am inside. I chant to raise my life condition so that nothing, nothing, nothing can defeat me. 

We might not win every single struggle, but we only lose when we feel defeat. 

Every single day when we chant Nam Myoho Renge Kyo we access that power to win and channel it in the direction we want it to go. That is the core of our Buddhist practice. We do this in the morning and we do this in the evening. And when we chant every day twice a day it is not a chore, it is an honor...a blessing and a right. We each sit in front of our Gohonzons (scrolls inscribed by Nichiren Daishonin...the heart of the Buddhist altar) and we address our own lives with our prayers.

I hope you greet this day chanting in joy, and if you are in America chanting for your country. Or even if you are not in America, please chant for America. Please chant for America to elect the candidate who will best represent ALL the people...especially the ones who don't have enough money to influence the politics of the land. We need the kind of president who can work for us all. 

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo! 

Every day Proof of the power of the mystic law

A reader wrote in reminding me that every "experience in faith" is not necessarily a big, huge experience. And she's right. When we are chanting consistently, the little things just keep adding up all the time. 

This weekend I had moment after moment of joyous experiences. I saw a group called "Straight No Chaser" at the sold-out Rialto Theater in Joliet. They were great. They started as a group of college kids at Indiana University, and one of their members put a video on YouTube and the rest was history. They told everyone to film them, take pictures, and tweet away. It was such a departure from the normal "please don't take any pictures" message. And so right on for this moment! They gave an awesome performance filled with energy. 

And yesterday I spent the morning chanting and communicating on line. I am always looking for ways to help people find out about chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo, this blog and the SGI. If you have any ideas for me, let me know. 

Later in the day one meeting with a friend got rescheduled and I ended up having an energetic dinner party here with my son Aaron and my oldest friend. Every moment of this weekend just flowed seamlessly. Those are the benefits of bringing forth the law of Nam Myoho Renge Kyo every single day. 

The reader who wrote me about small experiences sent this in:

 "I like the big dramatic proofs you have posted, life and death struggles and great storms. I like to think the the Law can be small fry too.  It seems to me I have a little proof every day; fortunate coincedences and such.  Just this week-end, I knew I had to have cash to pay for a delivery coming on Monday, but was not sure of the amount, so I chanted 'for just enough' to pay it.  I worked Sunday morning, took some cash, but used some of it pay for groceries and such.  I phoned up monday morning to get the amount and if I hadn't bought the groceries it would have been enough.  so I chanted for the little extra and my first customer that came in spent exactly twice the amount I needed and paid in £ coins. 
so I can pay the for the delivery and put the rest in the bank. N-M-R-K."

Thank you! Please send your experiences, large or small to chantforhappiness@gmail.com 

Mamta's Hurricane Experience

Here is an experience from Mamta, a blog reader. Thank you Mamta for sending this in! 

Is it YOUR turn next?  

I invite ALL readers to share your experience here on this blog.

 Get published! Encourage people! Send your experience to chantforhappiness@gmail.com.  

Mamta and her Children. 

This experience is from Mamta Neb who lives in Princeton, New Jersey. The picture of the downed tree above is an example of the destruction of the hurricane that was close to her house. Thank you Mamta for sharing this with us.


Mamta's Hurricane Experience:

I started practicing Nichiren Buddhism in June 2011 while I was posted in Singapore. I moved out from Singapore in November 2011 to the US. Though, I started this practice out of sheer curiosity due to the fact my sister in India is one of the senior members. However, ever since I started this, I have seen my life COMPLETELY changed for the better. While there are lots to share about my triumphs and victories where the negative circumstances were soon masked by the positive changes which maximized the potential to achieve happiness, I would definitely like to share one of the most notable benefits that I recently saw during the Hurricane.

In the last 100 years, Hurricane Sandy had quickly acclaimed the title of being one of the worst hurricanes the east coast had both witnessed and dealt with. This being my first hurricane, I could have never imagined how devastating it could be. My friends and neighbors shared their experiences related to the last few hurricanes (Irene, Katrina) and how they were hit by power outages/loss of water/ flooded basements/ falling trees etc. While I heard all this, I was very confident that we would be safe this time and would not face any problems as we have the Power of Nam Myoho Renge Kyo.

I started chanting earnestly in front of Gohonzhon and was consistently praying for our protection as well as those who surrounded us. I was confident that my prayers would be answered. My family and I were sure to chant for our protection and happiness in this time where we needed it the most.

The Strom hit us on Monday. It started raining since Monday morning and towards the evening, there was a heavy wind (almost at a speed of 50-60 miles per hour). I went to see the condition in the basement and was scared to see the water level which was rising high in the Sump pump. Usually, when the water level goes beyond a particular level, the pump starts automatically flushing the water out. As expected, we lost the power at 6 PM in the evening while it was still raining outside. I fell into despair and everyone in the family and our neighborhood got apprehensive about the flooding basement. At that very moment, I made a strong determination that NO MATTER WHAT, none of us including ourselves and the people around us would have the Flooding Basements and Falling Trees. I chanted to fulfill my mission and to show actual proof of my chanting and to reap the benefits as well.

I continued to chant all this while and finally went off to sleep with a growing sense of confidence and hope.

The next day when we all woke up, the first thing that I did was run to the basement to check the water condition expecting a flooded basement. I came downstairs expecting the worst only to have all my previous assumptions to be challenged. The basement was completely dry without a sight of a leak anywhere. The water levels in the Sump pump did not rise up beyond the "threshold" mark. My eyes brimmed with water as I knew that the Universe had just given me protection.

The Strom had stopped outside. We went out in our neighborhood to check the condition with our neighbours and to my utmost joy, none of our neighbors had flooded basements. There were no trees on the road except one at the back yard of our neighbors which did not cause any damage. At that very moment, I felt such a Great Sense of Gratitude towards the Mystic Law and an unshakable confidence of 100% victory.

It was unbelievable that an area which was approximate 1.5 - 2 miles from our house was completely saved. There were no trees on the road and hence no damage whatsoever.

As we made the drive out of our area and onto the road to see how others weathered this storm, it was devastating to see these enormous trees that once stood firmly were now spread across the roads. I have attached some pictures that I took that depict exactly what we saw as we drove by.

The Mystic Law is exactly what it spells, mystic. I don’t know how it happened, but I’ve come to realize that this Mystic Power blankets us with protection at any given moment in time. It’s give and take really, the more firm our belief in the Mystic faith, the more we can get out of it with any given circumstance that may be thrown at us. And in this, we can see that our protection is a direct result of the positive functions that are always in the works by our Universe.

In closing remarks, I would like to share one of the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1. p, 614 - "The Supremacy of the Law".

"So long one maintains firm faith [in the Mystic Law], one is certain to receive the great protection of the gods [the positive functions of the Universe]. I say this for your sake. I know your faith has always been admirable, but now you must strengthen it more than ever."

Nam myoho renge kyo!!!!

Saturday Daimoku

That's a nice quote isn't it, however...sometimes you just can't WILL yourself into being happy and satisfied and grateful. But you CAN chant yourself into HAPPINESS.

We chant Nam Myoho Renge Kyo, which is the title of the Lotus Sutra, the name of the rhythm of life itself, and literally means: "I fuse (or devote) my life to the mystic law of cause and effect through sound vibration (or Sutra, or teaching)".

Think of Nam Myoho Renge Kyo as the blood that runs through your veins, the beating of your heart, the mists that rise and fall, and every beat of every heart on this planet and beyond. It is the great cosmic connector, the "God particle" so talked about in physics. And you are not supposed to believe that chanting these words helps your life in any way. No. But you can test it to find out. If you chant the words what happens? Only you can be the judge, and no one will ever tell you what to do.

This practice is one of complete freedom. You chant for as long as you like, whenever you like. It is recommended that everyone chant twice a day, and I totally understand that through personal experience. I know how I feel when I am chanting twice a day, and I know how I feel when am not. Chanting consistently is what moved your life into the path of continuous growth and happiness. Chanting consistently is much easier when you chant twice a day...it moves your life into rhythm with the universe. People are there when you need them...all seems to revolve nicely around you. Lately I am meeting incredible people and broadening my scope and knowledge of all things good in the world. I am in complete rhythm with making new friends.

This practice of chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo changes each one of us fundamentally. With these words we tap into the indestructible life force of the universe, and determine that the change starts within us. When we change on the inside, our universe, our environment and all the people in it change to reflect our inner changes. This is the nature of the fundamental Buddhist concept of Human Revolution. 

I chant to make WHATEVER change is necessary in my own life to bring me total and complete strength and happiness. I chant to raise my life condition so that I am swayed by NOTHING. I chant to show brilliant actual proof so that when you read this blog you say "Yes! If Jamie did it I can too!" Because you can. Your life has the same power mine does. When you chant you tap into Nam Myoho Renge Kyo. The power you generate is up to your determination. 

Were you impressed by the experiences this week? Will you send me yours to share? The DETERMINATION behind each one is the key to their success. I hope you continue to read these experiences and share them with your friends. I hope you will forward me your records of victory to share with others. It is a cause to make, and also will help deepen your understanding of the power of chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo. Julia said she realized a lot while writing her experience. 

This morning my heart is full. I am so grateful for my own gifts and all that I have created. 

My heart goes out to the East Coast of America. I wish I could wave a magic wand and give you all back your homes and your beautiful seaside boardwalk. I know your hearts must be so sad and your lives so torn apart. I chant for you this morning. 

I also chant because I heard another young man died in a hazing incident. I cannot think of anything more useless or destructive than hazing. I can't fathom the stupidity of hurting people for any reason. I am chanting for this stupid practice to stop. 

And the election...the election...
Chanting for my country and every person in it.