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Thoughts for the Week
When the teachings of the Lotus Sutra penetrate your heart and mind, then they will penetrate your daily life.
We can't physically live forever, but living now, this moment, is precious. When we awaken to this solemn reality, we can shift our focus for living and make every effort to spend the rest of our time in the best way possible. Therefore, by realizing the truth that all things change, our suffering will be extinguished. This extinction in a Buddhist sense, is not the same as that of "ordinary mind". According to Buddhism, it means that our problems still exist, but they are no longer a source of suffering. In reality, we still have pain and troubles, but we overcome these difficulties and they do not become our sufferings. For example, what if a person's company went into bankruptcy and they lost their job. Ordinarily, we would want to help this person find a new job, or coach them on how to get a different job. In Buddhist thought, the important thing is to help them realize "the reason for their life". When we face death squarely, we awaken to the mystery of our existence in that moment. Then we can sincerely appreciate this wonderful opportunity called life. Our hearts will turn around any difficulties, and we gain strength for the future challenges of living. That is how a person of character solves their suffering and gains a "true way of salvation".
There is a teaching; "Make yourself a light, and make the Dharma a light". This shows us how to understand the truth and the Dharma. When we truly see with this light, we free ourselves from suffering. It is very important for each of us to realize the truth; "All things are changing", and to overcome difficulties by facing them, instead of having a passive faith in which we need guidance to solve problems. It is important for each of us to become independent and to live consciously. The purpose of our practice is to deeply know the truth and the Dharma.
~ Nichiko Niwano
Read previously posted Thoughts for the Week. |
