3 Ways to Become the Buddha of Absolute Freedom Today!!! Happy 85th Birthday SGI!

Happy Soka Gakkai Day! 

It's November 18th, The Soka Gakkai's 85th Birthday! There are many places you can go to read about November 18th's significance ~  sgi-usa.org is one of them. The history of the Gakkai is rich and inspiring. 

Three Ways to become the Buddha of Absolute Happiness!

1. Write your goals right now. Write them in any format you like. I write a narrative in present tense describing my life exactly as I want it. This is powerful. Our written words are important. Date your list! Dream big as my mento Amos says "You're a Buddha - Dream Big!"

2. Chant about anything you want to change. Stop thinking things are impossible or you are undeserving. Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is the power of the entire universe...when you chant you are tapping into a power that we haven't even begun to fathom. We know belief is part of it, and we also know it works without belief. Go for it. What do you really want to change. 

3. Tell others of your successes and Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. You are the Buddha of Absolute Happiness!!!! 

Today in the short time I have to write this blog I am going to answer a question I am receiving by email often. What do the Nam-myoho-renge-kyo cards I hand out look like? These are what I designed. I have them printed up at Staples. 
You can make your own or use the SGI's cards. I share this with you because I was asked!

Chant: Nam-myoho-renge-kyo

(Nahm Meeyooho Raingay Keyo)

To be happier than you ever imagined possible!

ChantforHappiness.com

Your blog for daily encouragement

Jamie Lee Silver

email: ChantforHappiness.com

630-926-3001, SGI-USA.org

Of course actual card looks a little different, but this is what I use. I also carry the SGI designed cards that don't have my telephone number on them just in case. My cards are white and I can write on the back easily - so I write the closest culture center to wherever I am when I give it out. I hope this helps!

Fabulous Mother's Day ~ Overflowing with Benefits

Baby Buddha (Heather) and her three Buddha Moms at the Chicago SGI Center

 My sweet YWD Shazara 

Ben, Aaron and me at dinner

I had the absolute best Mother's Day and I sincerely hope you did too. My life is overflowing with the benefits I receive through devoting myself to this practice.

I was out the door at 8:00am to go the the Chicago SGI Center and see our USA General Director, Danny Nagashima. It was one of the most beautiful SGI meetings I've ever attended. The Men's Jazz band was incredible, and several of President Ikeda's beautiful poems about mothers and women were read. Danny gave a talk about the SGI, Nichiren Daishonin and Daisaku Ikeda's views of women. The main theme was that world peace will arrive when women are appreciated and respected by all. He also said this November 18th will be a day of incredible significance when the new world headquarters of the SGI is completed in Tokyo and suggested we all keep a count of the days until then, and establish impossible goals for ourselves. 

For the other pictures:

It was Heather's last meeting in Chicago for awhile. She's moving to Colorado Springs. When Danny told us a new SGI center opened YESTERDAY in Colorado Springs Heather and I cried tears of joy. She is going to fulfill her mission for Kosen Rufu there. She's been my sweet "Baby Buddha" (her chosen nickname) for almost three years. She comes from a traditional orthodox Buddhist background that says you shouldn't desire anything. The idea that she could chant for what she wanted was a difficult one for her to grasp...but once she started chanting twice a day she really deepened her undertanding and began to chant sincerely for her desires. I can feel how strong her life is becoming. 

The other picture is me and 17 year-old Shazara. I've written about her amazing successes many times. She found me at a dark time in her life and is the picture of life and happiness right now, despite having some health issues this year. She brought me these beautiful flowers. 

I spent the whole afternoon with my son Ben who just got home from college yesterday, and we had dinner with Aaron who is about to leave for Bolivia as part of his medical school experience. It is my greatest honor and joy to be their mother. We ended the evening doing Gongyo together to Aaron's newly enshrined full-size Gohonzon. Nothing, nothing makes me happier than chanting with my Buddha Boys. 

My heart is overflowing with appreciation this mother's day. My life is overflowing with benefits. 

This practice absolutely works. I am happier than I ever dreamed possible, and you can be too. 

Just keep chanting and don't give up! 

I am sending love to all of you!