tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2070186063250309253.post2191450172001510669..comments2024-03-24T20:41:19.447-05:00Comments on Eagle Peak Blog: "I am on the verge of dismantling my altar and burning my Gohonzon but before I do could you please answer some questions:"Mark Rogowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05176132114346404556noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2070186063250309253.post-13398081557298221962016-03-30T21:52:29.061-05:002016-03-30T21:52:29.061-05:00It can not.It can not.Mark Rogowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05176132114346404556noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2070186063250309253.post-66255221318580983492016-03-30T19:00:21.077-05:002016-03-30T19:00:21.077-05:00In response to Barbara Web's comment:
"s...In response to Barbara Web's comment:<br /> "spirituality has become way too complex"<br /><br />Maybe in terms of the increase in awareness each of us can't escape --regarding the *complexities* of our society, expanding to global issues?Would that complicate a spiritual path? I think so.<br /><br />I am wondering here, about a spiritual path that would exclude the complexities and inequities of society? Could that be anything but the pursuit of personal pleasure/gain? <br /><br />I would argue that it is fairly easy to be validated for taking a *non* stance on any complex issue, and be praised for *agreeing to disagree*-- in today's society. If one calls this a spiritual path-- or spirituality..ummm, well I have a problem with that. <br /><br />Just saying.... how can spirituality be equated with the pursuit of comfort in a vacuum? <br />~Katie<br /><br />~Katie<br /> Katie Higginshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05688676386085212349noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2070186063250309253.post-90424890440853317382016-03-30T13:39:16.653-05:002016-03-30T13:39:16.653-05:00sorry - 16th chapter.sorry - 16th chapter.greg romerohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09314590915345938193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2070186063250309253.post-12709238800308214992016-03-30T13:29:29.276-05:002016-03-30T13:29:29.276-05:00buddhism has always taught and cherished the three...buddhism has always taught and cherished the three jewels/treasures.<br />1. the buddha(the eternal shakyamuni of the 15th chapter)<br />2. the law(namu myoho renge kyo, (not nam)<br />3. the sangha(latter age, nichiren and his followers, not sgi/nst, ikeda, priesthood or anything else).greg romerohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09314590915345938193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2070186063250309253.post-14762188715432889302016-03-29T23:16:27.071-05:002016-03-29T23:16:27.071-05:00"The source of power to live a life fulfilled..."The source of power to live a life fulfilled is within each of us..."<br /><br />and without:<br /><br />There are two fundamental principles of Buddhism, Dependent Origination and Ichinen Sanzen [and its Three Realms].<br /><br />They reveal that everything in the universe is inextricably connected to everything else. Not only does one's thoughts words and deeds affect ones own being, all sentient and insentient beings, and all phenomena, but all beings and all phenomena equally affect us. This is the rational for chanting for other people's welfare, those dead and alive, praying for rain, good weather, lack of accidents etc. The environment equally has the power to influence us. Rainy days are gloomy or cause our joints to hurt, for example.<br /><br />When examining one's own power compared to the power of the Buddha and Law, it is impossible to fail to acknowledge that our power alone is indeed limited. Whether in the religious or in the secular realm, a team can accomplish more than an individual and an individual with a tool can accomplish more than one without a tool. Were our power not limited, we could, by our own power, obtain Buddhahood but according to Nichiren Daishonin, we require both the help of others [the Buddha, the Law, and good friends in the dharma] and the hindrances of others [those who obstruct our faith and practice]. Believing that we can utilize our power alone to attain Buddhahood is a shallow mechanistic approach to Buddhism, denying others assistance and the utility of a tool. It also deprecates the Gohonzon thinking that the paper and ink of the object of devotion is inferior to the flesh and bones of the human being. In the secular realm, millions have given their lives for the sake of ink and paper, ie: for the Constitution of the United States. How much more so in the realm of Buddhism where the Law is supreme so the person is worthy of respect, not the other way around.Mark Rogowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05176132114346404556noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2070186063250309253.post-63028439454332075852016-03-29T22:05:51.429-05:002016-03-29T22:05:51.429-05:00I'm not sure what to make of this, but I am wi...I'm not sure what to make of this, but I am willing to share the experience of my practice of Nichiren Buddhism and hopefully shed some light, spiritually. I have practiced Nichiren Buddhism for 30 years. I do not participate in activities and every now and then I may attend world peace prayer. It has been sometime since I even attended a district discussion meeting. I'm not trying to encourage anyone to practice Buddhism a certain way as this is the way that fits my life. I do wonder and sometimes question organized religion in general, not just the SGI-USA. People are searching and that quest can make us vulnerable. As for thinking about burning your Gohonzon, I have no comment because I simply do not understand what that will prove or how it is suppose to make you feel. In closure, I do gongyo everday granted, chant daimoku, study the gosho and do my best to treat every person I encounter with respect whether they practice Buddhism or not. In my spiritual journey I have came to the conclusion that spirituality has been made way too complex. The source of power to live a life fulfilled is within each of us, the challenge and variation of how we access that power should be respected. So in closure, I say that it is about respect, not judgement, not someone telling us what to do from a pulpit or a discussion meeting. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14283901568538957785noreply@blogger.com