Hello NPSDIAN, how are all of you all coping with your struggles ?? Me too is facing lots of "stress" as this period, just for your info, i am in-charge of over-seeing the SD nationwide meeting. Please give the other iics your fullest support and as i had been informed, i believed this 2 weeks is also in conjunction with your common-test week.
Buddhism teaches us that life is itself a struggle. A struggle to the very end where none can escape and none can avoid. However, with ND buddhism, we can actually use the power of faith to transform everything into our own unquie mission and happiness. By putting in double, triple effort in whatever we are doing, coupled with strong determined daimoku, we can bring about wonders
Learning from your iic, jefferson, i recently just found out that he actually repeatly do 3times, over and over again, for a pass-year paper. This is the dedication we should put in when we want to achieve what we want at the bottom of our heart. Buddhism is reason, buddhism is logic.
The ichinen of not leaving any chances out, not leaving any "stones" un-turned, is the key to making things successful. My seniors used to tell me to struggle so hard till the sweat drop from th eye brown, that is only then, can it be considered an all out effort.
We need to spare no effort to understand our subjects. If we don't understand it the first time, its ok, try again.Try till you get it.
Time management is also one of the important factor. Always remind yourselves how early you want to start revising your tutorial and throw in your life while doing it. That is the kind of ferocity my seniors pass it to me!
Have found this video featuring sensei dancing to the song of indomitable champion. Like to share it with you all as in this video, sensei , who is currently 80 yrs old, is dancing with all his might each time on stage,to really wanting to encourage all the members, so that they can achieve break throughs in their fierce, life and death struggles.
As sensei says in one of his poem:
"Whether i'm forced to eat dirt
Or hang by my nails at the
edge of a cliff,
I will move forward,
Even if just an inch or two,
Determined to break through
adversity."
(Ikeda sensei)
NPSD, come what may be our struggles, or persecutions, let's face it like a lion king, like sensei, determined to move forward, even if just an inch or two.
wL
2gether we win!!
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Lighthouse Sharing
Hi NPSDians! Our lighthouse is alive and kicking again and we have shifted to the atrium becos of the lack of space at our old lighthouse. To help us kickstart our campus dialogue this semester are our lighthouse keepers Xueyun, May and Zijing. Please keep the light burning by coming down to support everyday from 12 to 2pm. We not only need your physical support but we need other lighthouse keepers to do the sharing. It can be just a short 10 mins sharing and need not be a gakkai article or book. Something that inspires you can also inspire and encourage others too. While we study together, we encourage one another, deepen our own understanding of buddhism, polish our own characters and accumulate good fortune together =) right now we are collating timetables to see who can make it for sharing on different days and we will find a lighthouse ah tao to allocate the slots. i hope that all can participate!! please email me the days that you are free from either 12 to 1 or 1 to 2 ok? My email is layleng17@gmail.com.
Faith is not an obligation. Likewise, lighthouse sharing is not an obligation. With an unenlightened eye, we see it even as a hassle and burden but nevertheless, the foundation we build in our youth enables us to stand strong in times of trouble. Would you rather idle your time away? why not spend that half an hour in a day or a week creating some value and learning something? these are things that cannot be taken away from you whether in times of happiness or troubles.
When we light a lantern for ourselves, we light the way of others too. Let us live up to the name of our mascot, the lighthouse and not just let it be a symbol which means nothing at the end of the day and take action now!
SD members must be the first to study, first to pray, first to take action!
Lay Leng =)
Faith is not an obligation. Likewise, lighthouse sharing is not an obligation. With an unenlightened eye, we see it even as a hassle and burden but nevertheless, the foundation we build in our youth enables us to stand strong in times of trouble. Would you rather idle your time away? why not spend that half an hour in a day or a week creating some value and learning something? these are things that cannot be taken away from you whether in times of happiness or troubles.
When we light a lantern for ourselves, we light the way of others too. Let us live up to the name of our mascot, the lighthouse and not just let it be a symbol which means nothing at the end of the day and take action now!
SD members must be the first to study, first to pray, first to take action!
Lay Leng =)
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Yubari Chapter Part II
Is our presence a worry?When the coal mine union challenged the Yubari members to the debate, Mitsubayashi and another leader from the youth division was told to fly to Tokyo immediately. Shin'ichi had sincerely encouraged the leaders. They flew back to Chitose and were staying at an inn in Sapporo. They had trouble sleeping that night as the next day was the open forum requested by the Hokkaido Shimbun. Just as they were falling asleep, Mitsubayashi was awaken by knocking on the door and found Shini'chi standing at his bedside. '[t]he two had been surprised by Shini'chi's sudden appearance, but their astonishment instantly transformed itself into a feeling of reassurance.' Soon, they were able to sleep soundly.
Is our presence a worry for those around us? Or does it put others at ease? Amidst the coal mine incident, the Osaka incident was also unfolding at the same time. Though Sensei definitely had troubles of his own to worry about, he could still be so thoughtful. Within a few hours of them meeting each other, Sensei wanted to be with them as soon as possible knowing that they will be worried. His presence was able to put their minds at ease. If people have to constantly worry for us over the minutest things, it only goes to show one thing- that we are weak and not able to take care of ourselves. Is that the kind of life we want to lead? It also goes to show that our faith is not independent. If the people around us are taken away we will just crumble. To truly have the stand alone spirit, we do not hanker after transient happiness. We must possess absolute happiness that even when these things are taken away from us we will still be able to remain strong. Instead, we must become people whom others can depend on, not so that we can use the dependence to control others but so that we can lend support when others are down.
Is our presence a worry for those around us? Or does it put others at ease? Amidst the coal mine incident, the Osaka incident was also unfolding at the same time. Though Sensei definitely had troubles of his own to worry about, he could still be so thoughtful. Within a few hours of them meeting each other, Sensei wanted to be with them as soon as possible knowing that they will be worried. His presence was able to put their minds at ease. If people have to constantly worry for us over the minutest things, it only goes to show one thing- that we are weak and not able to take care of ourselves. Is that the kind of life we want to lead? It also goes to show that our faith is not independent. If the people around us are taken away we will just crumble. To truly have the stand alone spirit, we do not hanker after transient happiness. We must possess absolute happiness that even when these things are taken away from us we will still be able to remain strong. Instead, we must become people whom others can depend on, not so that we can use the dependence to control others but so that we can lend support when others are down.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Yubari Chapter Part I
I typed a long post just the other day but somehow it didn't autosave $#%^&*(I**)()W#$#
haha well well since we are looking into the Yubari chapter of The Human Revolution for the month of May I just thought of sharing something that we did not have time to discuss in depth. Reading HR always makes me think of so many things and I am able to relate it to so many things that are happening and unfolding around me. Would like to share some of these thoughts in case you all read too fast forget to take note =)
Actual Proof
In the attempt to make members give up their faith and deter them from spreading the faith, the union's welfare committee conducted research into the minutest matters in the members' daily lives. The companies' labour management even probe into gakkai members' work performance. They were ready to pounce on any evidence of gakkai members' negligence in their work so as to attribute blame to the Daishonin's Buddhism. However, 'contrary to their expectation, the investigation established that all miners belonging to the Soka Gakkai had excellent service records' (HR, P1570). The compnay became no longer nervous about this religion after that although the union remained so due to political reasons.
I think it is not just that because we are Gakkai members therefore we must put on our best behaviour so as to protect the image or reputation of our organisation like what our secondary school principals always tell us. If we are practising the Buddhism that we all claim to be good, how can anyone of us fail to do our human revolution and excel? If we practiced and remained slack/lazy/unmotivated/careless/sloppy/fill-in-your-own-adjective, how can we claim that this Buddhism can change your life if it can't even improve some small undesirable habits? Having said that, I must add that that is if you ever reflect on yourself and I remember Sensei saying that chanting is the best time to reflect on ourselves cos it is the time we are able to do so unflinchingly. That's the keyword. Do we just reflect then comfort ourselves, stroke our ego and find some excuse or do we actually do something to make the situation better? Are we able to be honest with ourselves even though sometimes lying to yourself is less cruel? =)
Of course, the members' testimonials were great actual proofs of protection from the Gohonzon. Then again, we do not need to wait for big things to validate this Buddhism. Actual proof is found through our daily actions and words. Showing that we are reliable people who can be trusted in our communities is in fact a very big actual proof. And this will be seen and felt by people around you. I think human beings sometimes very funny one. You tell them who-and-who got some sickness, chant then ok already people feel very skeptical. But they see a person's attitude good, positive they think maybe it's chanting that helps them become like that.
For Arakawa, the first time he attended a Gosho lecture in Toda Sensei's home, he did not have the opportunity to meet Toda Sensei. The lecture was not easy for him to understand but it provoked him to think about his unhappy situation. He also decided to take up faith by the end of the meeting because the participants were 'lively, had healthy complexions and smiled brightly and happily' (HR, P1577). The thing that 'impressed' him were 'the participants'.
Actual Proof is the most important of the three truths namely Documentary Proof, Theorectical Truth and Actual Proof. Nichiren writes: "In judging the relative merit of Buddhist doctrines, I, Nichiren, believe that the best standards are those of reason and documentary proof. And even more valuable than reason and documentary proof is the proof of actual fact" (WND, P599). Remember you don't always need a crisis to show actual proof, we can show actual proof from the way we live our daily life. Use our lives to create those actual proofs regardless of them being big or small ones!
Three Obstacles & Four Devils
T'ient'ai (538-597) states in Great Concen-tration and Insight: "As practice progresses and understanding grows, the three obstacles and four devils emerge in confusing form, vying with one another to interfere.... One should be neither influenced nor fright-ened by them. If one falls under their influence, one will be led into the paths of evil. If one is frightened by them, one will be prevented from practicing the correct teaching."
The above is one of my favourite passages cos when i was young i always hear them say san zhang si mo =) but are we able to recognise them as obstructions to our practice? (If you dunno what they are exactly please click here haha: http://www.sgilibrary.org/search_dict.php) . The Yubari members certainly did. Whenever they met they would read this passage together so as to renew their determination.
Conviction
How confident are we that this faith, the Gohonzon, can help us confront our difficulties in life? I was arguing with my sister while we were discussing the situation of her YWD. This YWD questions is it a must to have targets? Why do leaders always say that we must have clear goals and prayers? She thinks that she is busy enough but why do leaders always ask people to push themselves further. Also it adds a lot of pressure to her practice. This reminds me of what weiliang shared during CIC meeting about goals, prayers and vows. Sensei says praying without specific concrete prayers is like shooting an arrow without a target. You dun really know where you are shooting but just anyhow shoot hopefully the spearhead ends somewhere, hopefully can hit something but you dun even know what that thing is exactly. But targets are more than just numbers but the concrete steps you take to fulfil what you set out to, what you learn in the process and your victory at the end.
I believe that people are able to tell if they are busy. I do not believe in dumping everything on a member and leaving the member to struggle by herself thinking that she will grow a lot more alone in stand-alone-spirit. I think the question we should be asking is whether we are struggling based on faith and are we struggling hard enough? While we are not able to transfix our thinking onto someone else, we can always encourage. This is perhaps why there is a need for dialogue, so that we can talk it through and decide if this person can take it in. To different people perhaps a different approach is needed. Some people can take the nudging but some will run if we push them too hard. I'm not saying that i always use the correct approach (haha disclaimer). Maybe i did wrong somewhere sometimes. The intention is always good, in hope that the person will take up the challenge, and push themselves way past their preconceived limits of themselves through faith. Well, like i said, we have to use different approach with different people. Some yes, can be left alone to struggle, the stand alone spirit. But we as comrades must be able to be there for this one person should this person feel down at any point of time. Some need constant encouragement along the way. True unity is not so that weak people come together to make up quality with quantity or have one another to lean on. It is really for individuals who are able to stand alone to rise up together like the gears we discussed in the Yubari Chapter. Each one of us plays a part.
And regarding the point about feeling pressurised becos of faith, i say maybe you have not awakened to your mission yet. Like what Xueyun shared, what is the point of us doing all these things? If we realise that our fundamental practice is for oneself and for others, will we still think that becos we have enough things on hand we dun want to try?
Bottomline: I am not trying to say you should just shove everything down your throat whenever someone shoot arrow at you (although i usually accept first then ask questions later). Try to discuss and solve everything based on faith. If we already set boundaries for ourselves then we can only achieve so much but the mystic law goes beyond logical thinking. We constantly push not just to expand our own lives but for the happiness of others too. Seeing so many people suffering around us especially after the sichuan earthquake, can we really just sit and chant while ignoring the harsh realities of life? Seeing the myamese die while we just meditate in front of the gohonzon? Good question! what are we doing all these for? Sensei says "For people to awaken to their mission and follow the great path of human revolution is actually the most important thing of all."
When Arakawa was returning to Yubari to spread the mystic law in his hometown, he thought 'he had the Gohonzon with him. No matter where he went, he wouldn't have to fear anything. Nothing could have given him greater courage than this conviction." As we challenge our problems be it gakkai activities like propagation campaigns or our daily struggles, do we hold the same kind of conviction? If we dun, we might just end up like the 2 leaders who went to other prefectures to spread the law. They had been zealous and both firmly pledged to open a new field for kosen rufu at their respective destinations but later backslid and became unheard of. Do we want to be Arakawa or the two leaders? i think at the end of the day, it is us who decides.
=) Lay Leng (Contributions welcomed! Just drop us an email at npsdivision@gmail.com)
haha well well since we are looking into the Yubari chapter of The Human Revolution for the month of May I just thought of sharing something that we did not have time to discuss in depth. Reading HR always makes me think of so many things and I am able to relate it to so many things that are happening and unfolding around me. Would like to share some of these thoughts in case you all read too fast forget to take note =)
Actual Proof
In the attempt to make members give up their faith and deter them from spreading the faith, the union's welfare committee conducted research into the minutest matters in the members' daily lives. The companies' labour management even probe into gakkai members' work performance. They were ready to pounce on any evidence of gakkai members' negligence in their work so as to attribute blame to the Daishonin's Buddhism. However, 'contrary to their expectation, the investigation established that all miners belonging to the Soka Gakkai had excellent service records' (HR, P1570). The compnay became no longer nervous about this religion after that although the union remained so due to political reasons.
I think it is not just that because we are Gakkai members therefore we must put on our best behaviour so as to protect the image or reputation of our organisation like what our secondary school principals always tell us. If we are practising the Buddhism that we all claim to be good, how can anyone of us fail to do our human revolution and excel? If we practiced and remained slack/lazy/unmotivated/careless/sloppy/fill-in-your-own-adjective, how can we claim that this Buddhism can change your life if it can't even improve some small undesirable habits? Having said that, I must add that that is if you ever reflect on yourself and I remember Sensei saying that chanting is the best time to reflect on ourselves cos it is the time we are able to do so unflinchingly. That's the keyword. Do we just reflect then comfort ourselves, stroke our ego and find some excuse or do we actually do something to make the situation better? Are we able to be honest with ourselves even though sometimes lying to yourself is less cruel? =)
Of course, the members' testimonials were great actual proofs of protection from the Gohonzon. Then again, we do not need to wait for big things to validate this Buddhism. Actual proof is found through our daily actions and words. Showing that we are reliable people who can be trusted in our communities is in fact a very big actual proof. And this will be seen and felt by people around you. I think human beings sometimes very funny one. You tell them who-and-who got some sickness, chant then ok already people feel very skeptical. But they see a person's attitude good, positive they think maybe it's chanting that helps them become like that.
For Arakawa, the first time he attended a Gosho lecture in Toda Sensei's home, he did not have the opportunity to meet Toda Sensei. The lecture was not easy for him to understand but it provoked him to think about his unhappy situation. He also decided to take up faith by the end of the meeting because the participants were 'lively, had healthy complexions and smiled brightly and happily' (HR, P1577). The thing that 'impressed' him were 'the participants'.
Actual Proof is the most important of the three truths namely Documentary Proof, Theorectical Truth and Actual Proof. Nichiren writes: "In judging the relative merit of Buddhist doctrines, I, Nichiren, believe that the best standards are those of reason and documentary proof. And even more valuable than reason and documentary proof is the proof of actual fact" (WND, P599). Remember you don't always need a crisis to show actual proof, we can show actual proof from the way we live our daily life. Use our lives to create those actual proofs regardless of them being big or small ones!
Three Obstacles & Four Devils
T'ient'ai (538-597) states in Great Concen-tration and Insight: "As practice progresses and understanding grows, the three obstacles and four devils emerge in confusing form, vying with one another to interfere.... One should be neither influenced nor fright-ened by them. If one falls under their influence, one will be led into the paths of evil. If one is frightened by them, one will be prevented from practicing the correct teaching."
The above is one of my favourite passages cos when i was young i always hear them say san zhang si mo =) but are we able to recognise them as obstructions to our practice? (If you dunno what they are exactly please click here haha: http://www.sgilibrary.org/search_dict.php) . The Yubari members certainly did. Whenever they met they would read this passage together so as to renew their determination.
Conviction
How confident are we that this faith, the Gohonzon, can help us confront our difficulties in life? I was arguing with my sister while we were discussing the situation of her YWD. This YWD questions is it a must to have targets? Why do leaders always say that we must have clear goals and prayers? She thinks that she is busy enough but why do leaders always ask people to push themselves further. Also it adds a lot of pressure to her practice. This reminds me of what weiliang shared during CIC meeting about goals, prayers and vows. Sensei says praying without specific concrete prayers is like shooting an arrow without a target. You dun really know where you are shooting but just anyhow shoot hopefully the spearhead ends somewhere, hopefully can hit something but you dun even know what that thing is exactly. But targets are more than just numbers but the concrete steps you take to fulfil what you set out to, what you learn in the process and your victory at the end.
I believe that people are able to tell if they are busy. I do not believe in dumping everything on a member and leaving the member to struggle by herself thinking that she will grow a lot more alone in stand-alone-spirit. I think the question we should be asking is whether we are struggling based on faith and are we struggling hard enough? While we are not able to transfix our thinking onto someone else, we can always encourage. This is perhaps why there is a need for dialogue, so that we can talk it through and decide if this person can take it in. To different people perhaps a different approach is needed. Some people can take the nudging but some will run if we push them too hard. I'm not saying that i always use the correct approach (haha disclaimer). Maybe i did wrong somewhere sometimes. The intention is always good, in hope that the person will take up the challenge, and push themselves way past their preconceived limits of themselves through faith. Well, like i said, we have to use different approach with different people. Some yes, can be left alone to struggle, the stand alone spirit. But we as comrades must be able to be there for this one person should this person feel down at any point of time. Some need constant encouragement along the way. True unity is not so that weak people come together to make up quality with quantity or have one another to lean on. It is really for individuals who are able to stand alone to rise up together like the gears we discussed in the Yubari Chapter. Each one of us plays a part.
And regarding the point about feeling pressurised becos of faith, i say maybe you have not awakened to your mission yet. Like what Xueyun shared, what is the point of us doing all these things? If we realise that our fundamental practice is for oneself and for others, will we still think that becos we have enough things on hand we dun want to try?
Bottomline: I am not trying to say you should just shove everything down your throat whenever someone shoot arrow at you (although i usually accept first then ask questions later). Try to discuss and solve everything based on faith. If we already set boundaries for ourselves then we can only achieve so much but the mystic law goes beyond logical thinking. We constantly push not just to expand our own lives but for the happiness of others too. Seeing so many people suffering around us especially after the sichuan earthquake, can we really just sit and chant while ignoring the harsh realities of life? Seeing the myamese die while we just meditate in front of the gohonzon? Good question! what are we doing all these for? Sensei says "For people to awaken to their mission and follow the great path of human revolution is actually the most important thing of all."
When Arakawa was returning to Yubari to spread the mystic law in his hometown, he thought 'he had the Gohonzon with him. No matter where he went, he wouldn't have to fear anything. Nothing could have given him greater courage than this conviction." As we challenge our problems be it gakkai activities like propagation campaigns or our daily struggles, do we hold the same kind of conviction? If we dun, we might just end up like the 2 leaders who went to other prefectures to spread the law. They had been zealous and both firmly pledged to open a new field for kosen rufu at their respective destinations but later backslid and became unheard of. Do we want to be Arakawa or the two leaders? i think at the end of the day, it is us who decides.
=) Lay Leng (Contributions welcomed! Just drop us an email at npsdivision@gmail.com)
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Big lessons from little Kids
Hello there, here an article that is not from Gakkai. I find it interesting so i just have the impluse to share it with you all. Sometimes, it takes the "child" in you to do the great extra-ordinary things u dream yar. So, let us too, learn from kids at times, especially, in their convictions in their goals on what they want to be when they grow up. (Many a times, money wasn't even their considerations)
- Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Even when there's not a prize in the bottom of the box
- Sometimes, it's best to be completely blunt with people, as you used to be with relatives who wanted you to do something embarrassing or tedious for a shiny quarter.
- Asking questions is how you figure things out . Lots and lots of questions.
- An older wiser Gordie Lanchance says in Stand by ME ," I never had any friends later on like the ones I had when i was young." Lanchance is right. The trick is to try to be the friend you were when you were young: fun-loving and loyal, with no string attached.
- Playing is work. Approach your downtime with all the seriousness of a 5-year-old with a secret treasure map.
- Real guys don't dip their toes in the water. They jump right in.
- You hated it when a grown-up told you,"We'll see." It's still unacceptable. Don't say it yourself.
- The only way to know how something works is to completely disassemble it.( This is still a good advice when takling a complex problem. Your plasma TV? Not so much)
- There's a reason they don't give credit cards to 8-year olds. You're supposed to save up money before you buy a new toy
- Your body was designed for throwing baseball, shooting hoops and jumping off diving boards and stuff. In the secret language of children, the word "fitness" doesn't exsit. It's called "having fun."
- Your world can be half-real and half-imaginary.
- Homework blows. Bring work home with you and it'll ruin your night. And you marriage. And your family. And your life.
- Too much of anything will give you a tummy ache. Like say, bourbon.
- The coolest adults were the ones who took the time to listen to you. You still want to grow up to be a cool adult right?
- Treasure Island, Dracula: The best books are consumed after dark with a flashlight. Where is your "reading spirit" right now??
- Use adrenaline as your drug of choice. You don't need beer, pot , cigarettes to have a good time.
- Seeing a thunderstorm roll in is better than watching HDTV. And rain isnt something to curse, but to enjoy. Hurry up, before it clears.
Let's all have an ever-youthful spirit in our lives. Just like kids, I will mantain my dreams and convictions in the goodness of the world. Sensei once says that the happiness in our world will depend on how loud is a kids' laughter. Let's all become the"coolest" MD and WD 20 yrs from now. Till then , we must formulate the elixir of "never ageing" right now in our youth!!
From: wL
NPSD
2gether we win!!
Monday, May 5, 2008
sensei guidance
" A little rain falling in a time of pro-longed drought... only makes the plants and trees more parched than before,[while] dispatching one's weakest force to lead the attack on a powerful opponent ... only makes the enemy more confident than ever." (Gosho Zenshu pg 37)
In a struggle, half hearted efforts result only in giving advantage to the opposition.
Mediocrity does not make for a great leader.
May all the in-charge including me take this to heart..
By: wL
2gether we win!!!
In a struggle, half hearted efforts result only in giving advantage to the opposition.
Mediocrity does not make for a great leader.
May all the in-charge including me take this to heart..
By: wL
2gether we win!!!
Saturday, May 3, 2008
April CIC training Cheerful hearts in Unity!
The BIG NPSD Heart!
Linking with everyone else!
In preparation to expand our hearts and life =)
NPSD Orientation cum Graduation 2008
Hey guys i know i said wednesday. but layleng the procrastinator was a bit under the weather so here are the photos! but before that, i want to thank those who organised and helped out for the Orientation cum grad meeting. They are Jaymie, Wenbin, Hongbin, Xueyun, May, Soo Shan, Zijing, May, Derrick and everyone for coming =) i hope i din miss out anybody!
The very nice souvenir courtesy of Zijing! =)
And of course many others helped along the way!
A little something for the Grads!
Everyone smiling happily!
Why suddenly all open mouth sia? hungry already right!
Head for lunch!
