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. 

Shika's Experience - Chanting for Her Father's Health

I was introduced to the practice by my sister's friend three years back.  I felt protected instantly  after chanting during some of the darkest moments . Initally like most of us, I chanted 5-10 minutes and then didn't for weeks. Thanks to some of the critical situations in life and the leaders' persistence I continued and became more active.

I have overcome a number of obstacles both from within and without during these years and have experienced many benefits (which I'll share with all of you soon).

This year in August my father, who suffers from chronic pancreatitus, suddenly got another acute attack on august 15th. After getting admitted to the hospital, his condition worsened and he was shifted to Fortis ICU for respiratory distress syndrome and acute pancreatitus. His serum amylase and lipase (indicator of pancreas) were above 1600 and the normal level is below 200. The normal PO2 level(indicator of lung function) is above 80 and his was 50. In such cases they put patients on ventilators but the doctors negligence turned out to be a benefit for us. His face used to be almost blue during those days.

This was a few days after I recieved my gohonzon and I just had complete faith that it has to be a benefit so that he has an even healthier life. Also On the same day I got an oppurtunity to be the MC for the August SGI meeting and I joyfully accepted it chanting through the night for a vibrant zadankai (meeting) and all members to be inspired. I determined to do my own human revolution by not panicing in such crisis instead giving faith and courage to my sister and mother who were clearly in utter panic.

Whenever I was in doubt, I read sensei's lecture on the gosho "The good medicine for all ills".  Josei Toda wrote,"Dont let anything shake you. Just chant with your whole life. Never lose heart. Activate the positive forces of the universe.  I chanted sincerely to change the poison in his pancreas to amrita . I visualised waving a sword of nam myoho renge kyo in his pancreas .

Papa's serum amylase and lipase- an indicator of pancreas dropped back to below 200 which is normal by august 19th i.e. within 4-5 days which was extremely remarkable .

We received protection in the form of my doctor aunt who dropped everything and came to our city  and instructed the low skilled staff of "a hospital in india " to handle his lungs better .
My sister also started chanting more seriously and started seeing results herself. His lung condition was still very weak. She chanted for papa to do spirometery exercises every hour as instructed  even though he was very weak. She chanted for him to want to get better and not give up even in the extreme condition of the ICU .

However, the infection in his body i.e. the TLC counts kept shooting up. In spite of that,  he started looking and feeling better. By the end of the week his TLC was as high as 30,000 (normal is below 11000) and the doctor in fortis said it's unbelievable that he doesn't look as sick as his reports say he is. I smiled, of course.

I read the gosho again and again. At the risk of sounding stupid to my family full of doctors, I encouraged them to read it. Sensei says, " The Buddha is likened to a physician because he teaches people the "medicine of immortality. " The medicine of immortality is "amrita". Elsewhere Nichiren daishonin says," Amrita is nam myoho renge kyo " .

Meanwhile The doctor insisted for him to get neckline since all his other veins were swollen. Now, the neckline can cause many more infections for a lung patient esp in the ICU and by then he had developed hospital aided pnuemonia. The doctor gave us one hour to decide and sign the consent form. I started chanting very strongly and within minutes one of the male nurse found a perfect vein in the arm somewhere which lasted three days.

Because of staying calm and being in a high life condition, we could decide immediately without even our mom to take him out of "A hospital in our city" to " Hospital in another city " where my aunt is an HOD. I was chanting all throughout the way. We met with many obstacles , the ambulance met with an accident , the ac didnt work  but papa's vitals didn't change a bit throughout the journey and he safely shifted to a private ward. Again, he didn't see us frown when any of this was happening, rather all he heard was Nam myoho renge kyo .

We met the best of doctors in the other city. The doctor again suggested a neck line but my sister had determined by then to not let that happen and well it didn't. His TLC i.e. the infection count came down to normal within 3-4 days. And within a week he was out of the hospital walking, talking a bit, urinating, defecating all by himself. His pancreas is damaged 40-50% but he can have a normal life with even half the pancreas. There is no damage to any other vital organ which is very good after an acute attack like this. His lung capacity is actually better than before now.  He has been a chain smoker since 50 years and he has not smoked since over a month now and has no intention of doing so. Like I said, his face is way brighter than before, and he walks twice a day by himself, eats healthy meals, has breakfast and is on the road to full recovery. My mother remarked yesterday that it was impossible to think that we'll all have a lifestyle where  no one smokes in the house and we have have fruits and breakfast on the dinner table. She said life has actually become 180 degrees better.

All this while I chanted for the medicine king buddha to manifest in his life. Leaders told me to read out the gosho" actual proof " to him during our stay and I did. I chanted for all our relatives to see actual proof through this experience. I chanted for my human revolution and to stay calm through it all. We (my sister, me and mom ) had just three small arguments through such high stress period and managed to be  encouraging and always smiling around papa. My sister and brother in law have started chanting and my brother in law already has had an experience.
I determine to keep showing actual proof through this practice and encourage each and everyone who's watching my life.

Julia's Experience!!!

Dear Chant For Happiness Readers,

There is perhaps no greater happiness than an occasion to honor one's debt of gratitude towards a mentor in Buddhism. A Buddhist mentor

is perhaps the most honorable person in one's life because they give us the means by which we can attain absolute happiness and

develop indestructible life strength that endures from lifetime to lifetime, throughout eternity, the cause of a permanent, positive upward spiral

that makes the heart dance for joy, even when there's no apparent reason to do so.

Jamie is just such such a mentor in my life.

Some of you may remember me from an earlier post here on Chant For Happiness. Jamie Silver Shakubuked me "with her life."

When Jamie first talked to me about the practice we discussed how it worked. Over a decade later  when I saw her again she didn't have to say a thing about Buddhism, because her life spoke for itself. The changes were unmistakable and I realized I had to start chanting right away. 

I received the Gohonzon nearly two years ago now. The benefits of chanting have been mounting for me lately. Most notably, as of this week, I have not only received

clarity about my mission I have been chanting for since 2012 began, but also, concrete actual proof that has literally enthralled even my skeptical husband.

I grew up in a very competitive culture in New York City where the arts were something you did as a child, "lessons" and the like, but were not considered something one should pursue into adulthood. In my case, this was not a source of conscious pain or sadness because I had not yet developed enough of my talent to realize what I was missing.

I became a therapist and a published author, a yoga instructor and healer. This all felt wonderful to me as I was helping other people, which has always been a passion of mine, and

reveling in a life of accomplishment. But deep down inside I was not happy. In fact, not only was I unhappy, I was getting sicker and sicker until finally the stress of my 

life landed me on the "permanently disabled" list.

When I first came down with the acute symptoms of CFS/Fibromyalgia/Chronic Lyme disease, I cracked up. I felt I had committed myself to a worthy spiritual and productive

life--how could it have failed me so miserably? I was sick all over, and I mean all over, and further more, I felt like an epic failure. A healer who gets sick? Who wants to be one of those?

Jamie chanted for me throughout several years of acute illness. I now realize that this, combined with the little spates of Daimoku I had chanted with her

over the years, is what enabled me to begin a sincere transformation of poison into medicine in my life. Before I became a Nichiren Buddhist, music took on something 

of the role of spiritual practice in the vacuum of my life as a chronically disabled person. However, as I have learned, there is no practice like the correct practice of chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo , and though music

filled my life with meaning, goals, breakthroughs and eventually a community of others similarly devoted to self perfection in the service of its craft,

music on its own did not bring me happiness and fulillment. In fact, it was something of "nectar in a sieve" by which Aristotle defined hedonism.

As an adult learner, I always felt physically awkward with

my instrument. A severe case of TMJ made singing

physically unpleasant and downright frustrating.

As I became more

proficient, against these odds, and with tons of patient support from my husband, Cliff, who was also my principal music teacher, I found my new role as rhythm guitarist for our duo very challenging. My husband, a powerful improvisational player, would speed up during his solos and I would be left holding on for dear life as the tunes we played became too fast to enjoy, in my case, and I felt the sensuality and nobility of strong music eluded me.

All of this changed forever for me this week and this is why I am writing.  I have had the "big breakthrough" and there is not a shadow of a doubt about it. Music is my Dharma.

I now see even my disability has been part of my mission all along. Let me back up first in order to go forwards...

About ten years ago, towards the end of my tenure as a therapist in private practice I was waiting in line to pay for my car at the Ellis-O'Farrell garage in downtown San Francisco, near Union Square. I was wearing my guitar in a back-pack over a cashmere prayer shawl my husband, Cliff, had bought in India. The woman behind me tapped me on the shoulder and asked me where I was playing. "in my office between clients" was my answer. 

She said, "Oh," then added, "I'm a psychic and I was reading your aura while we were in line and I definitely saw that you are a healer who works through your music, and I wanted very much to come out and hear you sing."

I laughed and thanked her, but told her I only played for myself as a kind of centering between counseling clients. I was no where near comfortable enough with what I was doing to even imagine singing/playing solo (without Cliff) let alone heal anyone by doing so. 

I felt she must have misread me, that it must have been the prayer shawl, but I never forgot the event. And now that I am writing you I am realizing its significance. 

I struggled so much with my singing due to jaw and breathing problems over the years, and hand problems from playing guitar, that this summer, in despair, I told Cliff I was 

just too sick to continue with music. The symptoms of peri-menopause on top of my chronic condition was making the whole thing just too difficult. Shows were leaving me 

drained and I was demoralized by my trouble commanding a strong enough rhythm to make us sound professional.

Cliff tried to argue against me, on my own behalf, ironically, but I would not have any of it. I decided it was just too painful to continue to struggle with so little satisfaction.

I inaugurated my second daimoku log and put in "Clarity about my mission for Kosen Rufu and profound strength" as my chanting goals, along with "faith like flowing water."

Well, just after my declaration to Cliff that I was giving up, inconspicuous benefit finally yielded to very conspicuous benefit, what we commonly call "miracles."

First, my insurance finally consented to cover treatment for my TMJ. And this only happened because a woman in the orthodontist's office who does such things went to war on my behalf. Her name, turns out, is "Charity." And yes, I gave her a NMHRK card!

Around this time I finally fully engraved into my life the Gosho that I first fell in love with when I received the Gohonzon, "A Sword will be useless in the hands of a Coward." Jamie had told me that this sounded to her like the Gosho that would guide me to happiness!

I realized, in tears one night before the Gohonzon that I wanted more than anything to sing beautifully! And with pleasure. And to feel myself developing dynamically as a musician. I began to chant lustily, passionately, as I never had before for anything. I let myself sob when necessary as I unblocked my heart from my true desire. My district leader here in Ukiah had told me "Every tear you cry in front of the Gohonzon will become a diamond in your life." This gave me the permission and the faith I needed to feel my feelings while praying, without any fear that I would be wallowing in my misery. And yes, the tears, each time, gave way to exalted states of real joy, even as they were still drying on my cheeks.

I began chanting for two hours a day. Sure enough, though he could make me no guarantee up front, my orthodontist (who turns out to be one of the nation's experts in resolving TMJ) has been more effective than I could have dreamed in changing not only my bite, but in releasing me from untold amounts of tension in my neck and shoulders, and all the way down my spine.

I wear my splint 14 hours a day, and even enjoy singing with it because it gives me incentive to open up my mouth more and more. 

This was just the tip of the iceberg. Soon miracles and benefits began pouring in from all sides.

Next, the most amazing thing of all. 

I began dancing for joy. 

In every sense of the words. A pattern called a paradiddle that drummers use began insinuating itself into my hands and I began to be able to tap it out for longer and longer periods without messing up. I found myself doing it on the steering wheel of my car. And soon, on my legs, while I was chanting. To my surprise, the paradiddle matched

the interlocking cycles of Nam Myoho Renge Kyo, which is six beats, and comes out perfectly in time with the drumming pattern every second daimoku. Wow, what a feeling!

Soon I was on the internet listening to my favorite trad music jam band called "Donna the Buffalo" and drumming to the polyrhythmic beat of my favorite tunes. Then, and this is what gives me joy-goose-bumps even to write it, I began drumming (with shakers) on my hips, while dancing to the tunes, and as of last night, drumming, dancing, and SINGING... ALL at the SAME TIME!

Woooooohoooo. This is what I call "Dancing for Joy!" It's amazing. I am dancing to express the joy I feel at healing to this degree, and the dancing itself fires up deep stores of joy in my body. It feels wonderful! I began to feel much healthier too. How could I not? 

Being this happy makes a person well. It's probably the only thing that really does. Happiness, that is. 

I have LOVED my last two performances. 

Completely different than EVERYTHING that has come before. Full of mystery and present moment satisfaction. Hearing my own voice with pleasure and having a talent scout come up to me and telling me I have "a golden voice, one like the honey that .... that...drips" 

I kid you not. It truly happened that way.

I called Jamie last night and shared excitedly about what has happened here. I asked her if I could share it with all of you. She said, yes, and had even recently downloaded a wonderful photo of me singing with Cliff that someone posted just around the time all of this started happening for me.

Dance for joy!

May you all find the profound strength within your life to chant for your true mission. Its worth the wait. Nam Myoho Renge Kyo.

Stay Tuned

Today, the day after the full moon. Remember the cry of your soul remember what you really want...and remember those who need our prayers. We are chanting for the East Coast...we are chanting for a world safe for everyone. We are chanting for a world without suffering.

Keep zeroing in on what you really want and do not give up hope, keep chanting no matter what. If I can be happy and free from the kind of longing that causes actual physical pain...you can achieve all of your dreams too. I have chanted to change in any way possible to be happy. I have engraved Daisaku Ikeda's heart for world peace and for the happiness of each person into my heart. Today study his words. Today chant. Today advance.

Later today I will post an experience that makes your heart sing from one of my closerst Buddhist friends! Stay tuned!