Saturday, April 30, 2011

Happiness...true...authentic...unshakable Happiness!

Happiness
by Daisaku Ikeda

The purpose of life is to attain happiness.
Happiness is something you have to feel inside.
It is something you have to 
build for yourself.
It is something that lives within you.
That is why the state of your inner realm, your life,
is so crucial to your being happy.
Happiness is not in some far off place.
Happiness exists within your own life.
It is within a single thought in your mind.
You, yourself are the most precious of all.
You have no need to be envious of anyone
or to long for things far away.
Faith and one's single minded desire
to achieve Kosen Rufu (world peace)
are what makes this self of yours shine its brightest
and develop its highest potential;
they are what fill you with good fortune,
satisfaction and eternal joy.
This is the essence of true happiness,
A palace exists within your own life.
When you open that palace
you can be happy wherever you are.

Friday, April 29, 2011

Thanks for the comments!

I hear you all - not giving up~!!


That's what I'm talking about! 


You will all be victorious!


For those who asked, my email is silversunsinger@gmail.com

Thursday, April 28, 2011

The Buddha Land will Blossom all around YOU

It is true...we live in a world where suffering is everywhere...and many people don't know how to solve their own problems...so they lash out at others in anger.


I recently found myself face-to-Face with such a world....and I had a choice to make. Did I just want to say forget it...I really don't want to be responsible for turning poison into medicine right now? Well...I must admit, I was tempted. The people around me were so nasty to each other...I thought "I'll never be able to succeed here...before I know it there will be arrows in my back too."


And I was tempted to say "No thanks."


But I knew I was in the situation because of the prayers I had chanted...and I KNEW I could turn it around...because I AM a BUDDHA....and when I determine to change inside my own life....my environment HAS to change to reflect my own inner human revolution. There is no doubt. It HAS to happen. We seem to be separate from our environment, but in fact we are as interconnected as can be. 


So what did I do? I greatly upped my level of daimoku...and reconnected with my real true desires in life. These desires weren't necessarily connected to the situation. As a matter of fact I focused my prayer on MY OWN HUMAN REVOLUTION. I chanted to change myself...to elevate my life condition so that my environment would change....I also chanted with passion for some other goals I have...and I mean with PASSION.  When you chant with Passion you move the world...I promise. 


This is not a passive practice! It takes guts, determination, fortitude, and a strong body....sometimes my back and lungs hurt... but that's what we have massage for! I regularly have a massage and I work out physically at least 4 days a week. And I never give up.


I am starting to see the situation change already...I have a new pep in my step...I am letting my light outshine the darkness. It is just like Nichiren Daishonin says: "If I end up in hell I will transform it to the land of tranquil light" (not an exact quote) but it is true! 


You are soooo powerful!!! Never give up!!!

Monday, April 25, 2011

Turn your Karma into MISSION!!!! True Happiness every moment!

I had to show this picture one more time....this is a photo of my sons getting to know their grandfather for the first time EVER. I chanted for a long time to have this wonderful man, Eli, be found...and to become part of the family again after almost 50 years. And here he is! Actual Proof!! Daimoku Works!!!




What does it mean to turn 
Karma into mission?


Take Your Deepest Desires and Accomplish Them!


Let me give you an example.


Say you have something you are trying to change. One day you think "YES ~ I CAN CHANGE THIS!!!", then the next day you are discouraged and feel hopeless again. If you can recognize the hopelessness for what it is ~ a negative function in your life seeking to hold you back, then you can elevate your understanding of every single challenge that you face.


As some of you know, my husband of many years and I are in the process of splitting up. We have 
raised two great children together and it's time for us to move on. I don't see it as a failure...but really as a victory since we are both headed towards more compatible relationships. I chant for his happiness and deeply desire it for him. I know we will always be friends....


AND...Right now...my deepest wish (among others) is to love and be loved. I want to feel REALLY cherished. I want to have the kind of love I sometimes see in other couples. When I was on my cruise I met two couples who inspired me right down to my toes. I could feel their love for each other...I could see the admiration in their eyes, and most of all, I could see the real pleasure they got in making each other feel good! THAT'S what I want! Nothing less!


And whenever I start to get that feeling of hopelessness, I turn it around in a few seconds by realizing...THIS IS MY MISSION. I VOW in front of the Gohonzon that I will have this kind of love, and not just for myself. I MUST have this kind of love because I need to inspire my district, my blog readers...I NEED TO MOVE THE UNIVERSE with my prayer. EVERYONE DESERVES THIS!!!
And everyone CAN HAVE IT. I'm in the process of proving it.


Then ~ how can I be unhappy? I know victory is certain. I have proven the power of this Gohonzon 
(in other words - the power of my own life ~ over and over....) I can do it again!!! I will do it again.
I chant Nam Myoho Renge Kyo! I have so many victories to shout from the rooftops! This will be one more of them....


And remember  - if it's easy ~ then it isn't the kind of karma I'm talking about! Everyone has things that are easy...things you can master quickly...and everyone has things that are "stuck"! THAT's the kind of karma I'm talking about.
And you, yes YOU have the power within you through chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo...studying the writings of Nichiren Daishonin and Daisaku Ikeda, going to SGI meetings, and telling people about this practice....if you do those things....YOU WILL WIN!!!! NO DOUBT!!!

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Eli and Aaron and Ben!

Here we are at Millenium Park in Chicago yesterday. Now Eli, who lives in Australia, with his wonderful daughter Debbie,  is a part of his Grandson's lives. We've sat around telling stories and enjoying each other all weekend. Eli is 80 years old. 
This is truly an example of actual proof. 

Happy Easter

Another beautiful thing about being a Buddhist is you can celebrate any holiday you want to! 


Some years we have a Passover Seder...some years we celebrate Easter...and some years we do both. 


I was raised celebrating Easter...culturally. We got our Easter dresses and had an egg hunt and a family brunch. 


Today, on this holiday celebrating spring, we had a great time! 


My sister and her fiance, and my nephew and his girlfriend joined us along with Eli and we had a blast! 


Eli and I hid eggs filled with money and candy and my sister cooked a great meal at my house. Fun Fun Fun. 


And yesterday we went downtown and showed Eli Chicago and took him to some live jazz...


At every moment I am thinking how grateful I am to have the practice I have...the chanting I do brings me above any of the things that used to annoy me...and puts me constantly in the right place at the right time...like having the email about free live jazz tickets come to me a few days before Eli arrived. NICE. 


We all watched the jazz and laughed together and just had a great time...every moment I am so appreciative...thank you life! Nam Myoho Renge Kyo! I hope you are enjoying this day too!



Friday, April 22, 2011

Incredible Benefit...the most authentic happiness ever!

We have had an amazing benefit here for our family...something some might call a "miracle", but I know it had a profound cause...chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo.


My husband has been separated from his father since he was five years old. We had one picture of his father (Eli) holding him and laughing with him when he was just an infant. I could see so much love in that photo...and warmth. No one knew where Eli was...but there were rumors that he was in Australia.


I had a picture of Eli on my altar for many years. I chanted for them to be reunited, and to have a relationship. I looked at my beautiful children and thought how sad it was that Eli did not know his grandchildren, and I kept chanting. For many years I saw no result...but I just kept chanting.


A few years ago Eli was found in Australia.


Yesterday, on my first son's 21st birthday, Eli arrived in Chicago to stay with us for a long weekend.


Amazing actual proof.


Just looking at him, his grandsons, and his son...is mind blowing.
He looks just like them...of course!


Whatever you are chanting for....do not give up!!!!


Daimoku WORKS absolutely!!!!