Who are we?

The Cycle of Life and Death

This is a question we will eventually ask ourselves. Understanding what is life is the single most important thing in our journey through life for that is that gives our existence meaning. And the understanding of life cannot be complete without trying to figure out death too.

There are many different thoughts on death. There are those who believe that life is ultimately random chemical reactions and death is the termination of life. However, such understanding of life seems lacking as it does not consider the mystical nature of life but only its manifestation. On the other extreme, there are many who see life as consisting an eternal soul and a temporary physical body. But this is also incomplete as it does not explain how or why the souls have to manifest as physical reality.

Life, when we get down to it, behaves somewhat like energy. Advances in natural sciences have allowed us to be familiar with the workings of energy. One of the main characteristics of energy is that it cannot be created or destroyed. Rather, it constantly shifts from state to state. Our lives also constantly change from state to state. From anger to hell, from hunger to rapture, from beastly instincts to eerie calm. We are in a constant flux. Factor death into this observation and we have a continuous shift from life to death then to life and then death again. Just like a pendulum moving from potential energy to kinetic energy to potential energy to kinetic energy and so on and so forth.

I was just a child of about 5 years old when I witnessed a funeral at the void deck of a HDB flat. As a curious child, I venture to examine the decease and wondered why people have to die. I remembered asking a few adults around then and none could give me a clear answer. Soon, I got my hands on a set of “Charlie Brown Encyclopedia” which explains simple science to children. I remembered pondering hard on the fact that electrons orbits about the protons and neutrons just like how the planets orbit around the Sun and how the moons revolves around the planets. And then I learnt about the water cycle, the life cycle, the weather cycle, etc. It became crystal clear to me. Life and Death is a cycle. All lives observed goes through the process of birth, mature, decay, death and then rebirth. It is so from tiny bugs to towering trees, from the heavenly bodies to even the galaxies. Having said that, does that means that Earth will die one day? Actually I believe it will. But that would be billions of kalpas later maybe. Is it a bad thing? Actually, Buddhism taught that the idea of death as the end of life is a serious delusion. Death is necessary for life to continue as I will investigate later in this essay.

The Nature of Life and Death

One way of understanding Nichiren Buddhism view of life is to see the entire cosmos as a single living entity. This entity is Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. Although each of our individual life appears to be independent, we are actually closely linked together based on the concept of dependent origination. Just like our hearts, lungs, livers and kidneys may appear to be independent living organs; they cannot function without one another. Therefore, to live our lives without compassion is to be detached from the true nature of our life. We are in fact living like a cancer cell, hurting this macro-life of which we are part of.

Nichiren Daishonin described our lives as phenomenon. What it means is that the fact that we are alive is as nature as the Sun rising from the east and setting in the west. So is death. Imagine the ocean and then the waves. We can see that each wave as it rises from the surface of the ocean when the wind blows. But is the wave not of the same nature as the ocean. They are all water, no? We can imagine the truth of life as that like the ocean. And when the right conditions of karma, acting like the wind blowing on the ocean, finds a match of karmic relations in our parents, our individual lives are manifested. Seen in this way, our lives are phenomenon – an act of nature.

And if life is natural, so is death. The difference is that when we are in the state of life, we can change our destiny while death is a static state where we lay in wait for the right conditions to be reborn again.

Sensei explained that those who worked hard for the happiness of others by teaching this Buddhism to others and giving hope, will be quickly reborn after they die to join the forces of the Buddha again. What exactly does this mean? Our perception of time is relative. I am sure we can all agree that time flies quickly when we are having a good time and crawls slowly when we are feeling miserable. So that means that when we live well and attain a high life-condition by the time we die, we continue to enjoy that high life-condition in death. Therefore, time seems really short before we are born again. The inverse is also true. That is why the important thing about Life and Death is that we have to live well, so that we may die well. And enjoy our deaths.

Changing our Life and Death

Now the question turns to how we can actually enjoy our deaths?

The practice of Buddhism is to continuously strive to change our lives for the better. In Soka Gakkai, we call this proactive determination as Human Revolution. What we really do is to refresh our lives. And we refresh our lives on many various levels. Since at the most fundamental level, we are all one with the life of the Buddha, refreshing our deepest level is to reveal the Buddha Nature within us and imbuing us with wisdom, courage and compassion.

The first level of change is to change our behaviors. The way we carry ourselves, see, hear, smell and speak. These changes correspond to refreshing our first five consciousnesses.

The second level of change is to change our mind and perception. This is done by meditating, positive thinking and sleeping. This corresponds to refreshing the sixth consciousness.

The third level of change is to change our self identity. This happens when we die and then be born again. This corresponds to refreshing the seventh consciousness.

The fourth level of change is to change our karma. This happens when we chants Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and perceive the Buddha Nature within us. This corresponds to refreshing the eighth consciousness.

And finally, the most profound change is when we change the “honzon” (The Object of Devotion) of our life. When we dedicate our lives to the Gohonzon or the Buddhahood of the interconnectedness of all lives and perform the Bodhisattva Way, we refresh the ninth consciousness and manifest our Buddhahood.

When we refresh our ninth consciousness, we are revealing the fact that we are one with the Mystic Law of Life. That the essence of this single individual wave is the same essence of the entire ocean. In light of the eternity of life of the cosmos, this fusion transcends life and death. This is what Shakyamuni means when he teaches that enlightenment is to be free from the sufferings of the cycle of life and death.

This means that the chanting of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and teaching this Buddhism to others can change our lives at a level so fundamental that not even death can achieve. Problems that not even death can solve, the chanting of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo can. This is the conviction of Nichiren Daishonin. This is also my conviction as a disciple of the Daishonin and Sensei.

History of Education

The mid-year holiday his finally concluded and a week of re-adjustment just flew by with a flurry of activities. I was tasked to perform a professional sharing during my departmental meeting. With the mind to let more people come into contact with the thoughts of Tsunesaburo Makiguchi, I drew from his research on education and shared a small section on the history of education as well as the evolution of teachers to meet the times. The following summarized the 3 ages of education and schooling identified as well as the 4 stages of evolution of the roles of educators:

History of Schooling

1. The Age of Specialized Education directed toward providing individuals with skills appropriate to their social class. Members of the aristocracy were taught the morality and literary skills expected of their status, warriors were trained in chivalry and martial arts, and merchants in business and bookkeeping skills.
   
2. The Age of General Education common to all classes as necessary to round out individual life. In this stage education is seen primary as a means to one’s own gain; individual existence is the central concern, and the importance and needs of social life are largely unrecognized.
   
3. The Age of Total Education in conscious acknowledgement of individuals as constituents in the overall body and life of the society. The true realization of complete social well-being is seen as the greatest good. Members of a society, educated in this condition no longer perceive education as the means to their own individual ends but offer their contributive learning efforts to meet the needs of society.
   

Evolution of Teachers

1. The Stage of Direct Transmission of knowledge. In oral cultures, the three qualifications of the perfect teacher are extensive knowledge of what is to be taught, ability to transmit that knowledge, and exemplary personal character as a model for children.
   
2. The Stage of Experiment where trial-and-error improvements towards transmitting knowledge in more readily absorbable form were made. At first, the choice and arrangement of lessons is left up to the teacher. Then, the boom in student population and the growth of printing industries leads to the use of backup texts, although many skills must still be acquired through trial and error. Much practical experience is lost because information is passed on only in the form of raw notes.
   
3. The Stage of Specialization. Further increases in student numbers resulted in higher demands for teachers. The government joins the search for more efficient means of teaching. Isolating one qualification of the teacher – the knowledge of lessons to be taught – from the total person of the teacher brings greater focus upon experience and command of teaching methods. In this division of labor, scholars devote their time to the compilation of texts, away from the actual task of teaching. Teachers need not be expert in the subjects to be covered to be effective as long as the text is authoritative and they are practiced in getting the message across.
   
4. The Stage of Guided Studies. Natural and social phenomena of the immediate living environment are studied through direct observation, with text only as related reference material. The advancement of the Internet and public libraries are also key factors in this stage of evolution.
   

With the perspective from the above, we can understand that many of the frustrations and challenges facing educators today are due to the fact that we are in the transition state from the 3rd stage to the 4th. But the change is inevitable and teachers are trying their best to cope. I pray sincerely that I would be about to adapt according and play a part in propelling education in Singapore towards such a development. I further highlight the distinction in the roles of teachers in the 2 stages concerned

• Organizer of information (3rd Stage)
  Educational Institutions are designed based on the concept that Education is to prepare children for adult lives. But the idea that satisfaction from learning is postponed till a successful career is attained caused much frustration to students. It focused on self-mastery and competition which feeds a materialistic society where wealth and status is the measure of success.
  
• Arousers of Interest and Curiosity (4th Stage)
  To recognize that learning on its own is a source of Happiness. Happiness from Education is not the shallow, ego-centered hedonism but the development within each person of a social consciousness that enables understanding and appreciation of the extent to which all humans are indebted to the society in which they live.
  

Medicine and Poison

The Law of Cause and Effect is strict. It is not hard to believe that. Hence a good person with a kind heart will be rewarded with benefits. This is the most natural. And it doesn’t matter which school of thoughts this person subscript to. It doesn’t matter whether you are a Buddhist, Christian, Muslim, Hindu, or Sikh. As long as you can muster a good heart, you will have good things happening to you. This is just like gravity working whether you are aware of the Law of Gravity or not.

There are many people who claimed that their faith is one and absolute by saying that miracles are evidence. It is true that evidence in the form of miracles is important in demonstrating that there is something positive about the faith. However, I have to point out that there is not a single school of thoughts which has a monopoly on such miracles. Therefore, I have to conclude that miracles are part and parcel of life and due to cause and effect instead of the faith. You have compassion for others, you get the benefit. This is most natural.

Even people with no adherence to any faith have shown miracles when they are imbued with strong willpower. This like the body’s natural healing ability and the antibodies when we are sick. Positive teachings are just like medicines which complements our antibodies to help us get well.

But as we all know, there are many different types of problems in life just as there are many countless types of sicknesses. Good medicine can cure many sicknesses. They provide hope and encouragements. This is what positive faiths and religions do.

Now, those of you who know me will know that I am a strong supporter of Nichiren Buddhism taught by the Soka Gakkai. Why did I choose this particular religion?

I recognized the positive effects that many good religions and faiths are doing for their followers. However, even good medicine cannot cure all sicknesses. My study of this Buddhism allowed me to realize that this school of thoughts can. Why?

Because the focus of Nichiren Buddhism is not about seeking external factors to strengthen our lives but instead, about inner transformation.

Using my earlier analogy, Nichiren Buddhism, instead of an external medicine to aid our recovery from sickness, strives to understand our body and strengthen our natural antibodies and healing power. We believe in the indefinite potential of each human and seek to tap this inherent potential. This, I believe, is the strategy to truly “cure all sicknesses”. It is much like the people with no faith but performing miracles with willpower except that with the understanding of why willpower works, we further enhance its effects.

This is with this understanding that while proclaiming the superiority of Nichiren Buddhism, we managed to maintain a healthy respect for people of other faiths. We can truly appreciate the good that they have done also.

But it is also well-documented that while Soka Gakkai has good relations with people of other faiths, it is highly intolerant of other sects who also practice some form of Nichiren Buddhism, especially the Nichiren Shoshu. Why is this so?

There are many reasons really. To list them all would not be suitable for a blog entry like this but for a proper full dialogue and discussion. So I will only state one clear example here. Let’s look at it from the foundation of these organizations. During WWII, the founding fathers of Soka Gakkai, Tsunesaburo Makiguchi and Josei Toda fiercely opposed the war and call for peace. They were harshly thrown into prison. Makiguchi died in prison while Toda was released after the war with his health shattered. But he reconstructed the Soka Gakkai with the fiery desire to rid of the world of miserly [especially from warfare]. In contrast, the Nichiren Shosho caved in to the pressure from the military government during the war and even conducted prayer session to support Japan’s war efforts. Not hard to see which organization truly inherited the spirit of compassion of Nichiren Buddhism.

Soka Gakkai is currently an organization of 192 countries and territories (and still growing rapidly) with millions of practitioners constantly changing their lives for the better. This growth would not be possible if the teaching is not a positive force for humanity. The Law of Cause and Effect is strict.

The main reason why the Soka Gakkai would not tolerant Nichiren Shoshu of today is that their corruption of the teaching will hurt innocent people. The Soka Gakkai respects the other religions because they actually bring about a positive influence on people. But the corruption of Nichiren Shoshu is like taking the most powerful medicine of all, but applying it in the wrong way. For example, a medicine which is supposed to be applied on a cut, if you were to take it orally instead, it becomes poison.

Therefore, corrupted Nichiren Buddhism to Nichiren Buddhists is not the same as alternative medicines like Christianity or Islam. It is poison and ought to be eradicated.

Polishing our mirror

Like the path of birds or the path of fish, in a sense, the path of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is the most natural way for human beings to achieve enlightenment. This is because it is the means for us to reveal “the mystic truth that is originally inherent in our lives”. The Daishonin emphasizes the very natural way in which chanting daimoku allows us to manifest this innate mystic truth.

There exists a law that leads us to enlightenment even though it is not visible. This law is the practice of chanting daimoku. And this is the most natural state of human behavior. It is the fundamental way in which human beings grow spiritually.

However, because it is not obvious to us just like the paths of fishes and birds are not obvious, it is not easy to understand this immediately. The main reason for humans not to recognize this path is the obstructions from their negative karma.

So what exactly is karma?

Cause and Effect is easily understood. In fact, the relationship between cause and effect is the foundation of classical science which modern educated people are all familiar with. There are many ways to understand karma. But the most straightforward way would be to see it as an account of moral bank. Good deeds give us good karma which will be the good causes resulting in good effects. And the reverse is true for evil deeds. Hence the need to regularly perform good deeds.

But seriously, can the good deeds ever match the evil?

Karma is created with our action, words and deeds. Even if we do not actually slap someone, we definitely thought about it whenever we are angry. And gosh… can us human complaint. We complaint about anything and every complaint is an addition to our negative karma.

Add that to the violence and wars waged by our ancestors, humans are sinking in the sea of negative karma. Therefore all of us will suffer. From illness to financial problems. From emptiness in the soul to disappointment in love. We suffer as a child and we suffer in old age. All these is due to negative karma.

Therefore, at its core, the purpose of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is to clean away the tainted residues of karma.

A mind now clouded by the illusions of the innate darkness of life is like a tarnished mirror, but when polished, it is sure to become like a clear mirror, reflecting the essential nature of phenomena and the true aspect of reality. Arouse deep faith, and diligently polish your mirror day and night. How should you polish it? Only by chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.

In the depths of our lives, we are all clear shiny mirrors. That is our Buddha Nature. But like a mirror, if we do not clean it regularly, it will gather dust and dirt. Just like the negative karma covering this Buddha Nature.

Or we can understand it like musical instruments. All of us are capable of producing wonderful music of happiness and joy. But like a guitar or a piano which suffers knocks and abuse of daily hardships, we go out of tune. No matter how hard we try to play the guitar, and no matter how skilled we are with the piano, if we do not first tune our lives to the rhythm of life which is Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, we cannot produce wonderful music.

Spotlght

An interview with Grammy award-winning SGI member Herbie Hancock on Beliefnet, a spiritual web site not affiliated with any particular spiritual organization or movement. [Read interview]

Higher than the Sky

It is strange how the vacation always seems to be busier than regular days.

It was a hectic start to the vacation for me. It began with the SL camp starting from last Friday to Saturday (23 May - 24 May). It was also the same days where the schools had many parents coming down to meet the teachers to collect their report books. Hence, I was running from places to places catering to the parents and the demands of the camp. At the end of the camp, I was totally exhausted complete with the lack of sleep.

I remembered driving home lacking in alertness. It was dangerous indeed. I chanted daimoku continuously on my journey to ensure it was a safe one.

The next day, I had Gajukai duty. An overnight one. Steven failed to turn up for duty and I was facing the prospect of staying overnight alone. But Minwei stayed on eventually. Hence, It was with this condition and lack of proper rest again that I rushed off the next morning to be the presiding examiner for the ‘O’ Level examination (MT). I was grateful that it was incident-free. I finally rested well that evening.

The next day was the panel meeting session for some of my students who needed additional attention. Only 2 out of 4 turned up. I prayed sincerely that it will be a genuine turning point in their lives.

On Wednesday, the Cute One flew off to Los Angeles business trip. She was still not back yet at the time of this blog entry. I missed her greatly.

Thursday and Friday (29 May and 30 May) was another camp in school. This time was with the basketball team boys. The boys did well and behaved appropriately throughout. It was a physically tough camp. But I was glad to go through it with them.

GD advised that we ought to better our health today. I think the camp did me lots of good.

Anyway, after the camp, I attended my first lecture for my M. Ed. Course. I clumsily forgot to sign my attendance and collect the student package. Hence, that means I have to make a trip to NIE sometime next week to collect it. NIE is all the way in the western corner of Singapore for those who do not know. *Sigh*

But the crazy week ended in the best manner possible. It was the YMD Kenshu! This year’s theme was “Arise as Ikeda’s Direct Disciples in the 2nd Act of Kosen Rufu! The seniors’ sharing really touches many of us in the depths of our lives. I will organize my notes and share them here soon.

I am also determined that all my faithful comrades those who failed to attend received the same encouragement as soon as possible.

It was rightly pointed out by YMD chief that with every human disaster like what happened in Shenzhen, our movement is made even more urgent and significant.

Higher than the Sky

Together always we must fight
Together we must win
Happy together side by side
Sharing tears of happiness
Shining within our hearts
Hope for all mankind
Tomorrow’s golden dreams
Always higher than the sky

We are reminded at the closing of the Kenshu that we are Sensei’s representatives here in Singapore. We must not fail. We are contributing to Toda Sensei’s eternal vow: To rid the world of misery. It is a truly noble vow. We have to take pride in that!

Mothers' Day

We took our Mother to the Cherry Garden at Mandarin Oriental for lunch over the weekend. It was not cheap. But the food was excellence. Hence the trip is worth it. Good for the occasional celebrations.

Read this poem recommended by Sensei:

The sprouts of happiness resides in each person's heart.
If those sprouts are fostered, how big they will eventually grow!
The source of life lies within me.
I have no reason to long for some distant heaven!
~ Ivan Franko (1856 - 1916)

Happiness doesn't come from others. It's something that we must build within our own lives. There is no need for us to compare ourselves to others or envy them.

Our happiness depends on how much we can foster another person. To share the path to absolute happiness. This is very true. I promise to never slacken in my efforts despite my part-time studies.

Back to School

I have been accepted for a Masters Program in Education. It's back to school as a student for me. Pretty excited about it.

5.3

"A great human revolution in just a single individual will help achieve a change in the destiny of a nation and further, can enable a change in the destiny of all humankind."

~ Daisaku Ikeda

May 3 is the most significant day in the calendar of the Soka Gakkai. It is somewhat like the “New Year” for the forces of the Buddha.

1. Is my life going in the direction I wanted?
   
2. Is my country developing in the direction I wished?
   
3. Is the world evolving in the direction I hoped?

These are essential questions for a person of conviction.

Life is eternal. It is like energy which continuously change state. Just like a pendulum in a vacuum fluctuating from potential energy to kinetic energy to potential energy to kinetic energy…. So does life moves from death to life to death to life to death to life in an eternal cycle.

We know that time seems to pass quickly when we are happy and slowly when we are sad. Hence, if we die with a high life condition, our joyful death will seem only a short moment and we are back alive again. However, if we die with a low life condition, then our torturous death will seem to last an eternity. Since we are only able to affect our life condition while in the kinetic state of life, we should really treasure it.

Life is an eternal series of moments. If we are able to treat each moment as our last in the “kinetic state”, then our thoughts will naturally be focused on what matter most to us. That will be our priority in life. That will be the mindset with which to answer the 3 questions I state earlier in this entry.

Watched “Hamlet” with my students some time ago. Was inspired. I always wanted to be a writer when I was younger. But social conditions resulted in my becoming a school teacher instead. Due to my lack of training in the area of narrative writing, this dream is going further from me. But I realized that I may be handicapped in narrative writing, I might be able to handle dialogues. Maybe I should try writing plays.

Dreams are meant to be pursued.

The Middle Way

At some point in our lives… correction… at many points in our lives, we wonder about the true nature of life. What exactly is it?

The first point of view recognized only the physical aspect of life. Many empirical minded people tend towards this view. To these people, life starts when we are born and ends when we are dead. Simple and straightforward. In other words, “all living beings will come to non-existent after death” and that since “everything will be gone when we die, we should live to enjoy our lives to the fullest while we are alive.”

But there is a flaw in this manner of thinking. If life only exists when we are conscious, then we will only can for the attainment of relative happiness as explained in my earlier blog entry. This will result in a hedonistic society and decadence into the level of beasts eventually.

The second point of view is to recognized that life exist in a different plane from just the physical body. In fact, the body is viewed merely as a vessel to observe life. It is the mind that is life. We cannot observe the existence of our mind but there is way too much evidence of the existence of our mind to exclude it from our considerations. We have thoughts and dreams and memories. The culmination of these experiences is attributed to the soul in many theistic thoughts.

What it means is that “Everything in the universe is the creation of God and hence, all is predestined and nothing will change.” But this second view is also flawed. Overemphasis on the soul resulted in one treating the soul as pure and the body as being corrupted. This distinction causes people to practice asceticism physically or mentally or both. Life before death is devalued and life after death is treated as a reward or punishment of some kind.

But there is a third point of view. As we mentioned earlier that we perceive life as our mind, hence, as Nichiren shared, “The mind cannot be considered either to exist or not to exist. Life is indeed an elusive reality that transcends both the words and concepts of existence and nonexistence. It s neither existence nor nonexistence, yet exhibits the qualities of both. It is the mystic entity of the Middle Way that is the ultimate reality. Myo (mystic) is the name given to the mystic nature of life, and ho (law), to its manifestations of the mind.”

Therefore, the true nature of life is not just the body or the soul. It is BOTH the soul or myo and the physical body or ho. This holistic view of life is the Middle Way expounded in Buddhism. The Middle way is not just the path of least resistance often misunderstood. The “middle” actually translates to “accurate” path.

The Middle Way takes us away from the flaws of just focusing on the body which is predominant among the thoughts of atheists, and also away from the flaws of just focusing on the soul which is predominant among the thoughts of theism.

The Middle Way recognized that everything that is existent at this point in time are in the state of constant flux – transforming from the state of existent to non-existent, and from non-existent into existent. This change will continue on eternally.”

Life is not something that has a starting or an ending point. It is a profound type of energy. And like energy which follows the law of conservation, it is neither created nor destroy, just constant changing from state to state. Just as life changes from life to death and then from death to life again and again and again.

Good and Bad Priests

There were 2 events that took place on March 16, 2008 at the Singapore Expo:

The first was an event by the Nichiren Shoshu. It was scheduled to start at 11am. What took place was the arrival of the members at about 8am. The members then waited for almost 3 hours for the priest of Nichiren Shoshu to arrived. They were left there without any briefing, entertainment, food, water, reading materials, etc.

They were cold as it started raining at 11am. After a short speech by the priest, the members were coax to pay a fee.

The second event was the Interfaith Symposium organised by the Singapore Soka Association (SSA). It was scheduled to start at 2pm. The priest of SSA arrived at 12pm to wait for the members. When the members arrived, there was an exhibition on peace for their viewing pleasures completed with guides.

The event was graced by Singapore Minister of Foreign Affairs. There were representatives from many different faiths in Singapore declaring their committment for peace for the sake of humanity. There were also delegates from 6 countries from various parts of Asia.

This event was reported in many newspapers and was highly praised by many in the society. The members went home with a beautiful book launch by the Minister and containing many inspirational quotes.

The rain stopped at 2pm just before the event started.

I think the contrast is clear on which organisation is really working for the good of society and which is only trying to enrich their own pockets.

One priest made the members wait while another came early to welcome the members. The distinction between a good and bad priest is also clear.

Even the weather agrees.

3.16

Post 3.16 Thoughts
(Expressed in a Letter to the Overseas Delegates)

Greeeting all!!

I am belated in this outflowing of emotions following 3.16. But it was a crazy week for me. After the 3.16, I was out camping with my students and followed immediately by a mini-kenshu (A chalet) for my Student Division members.

And as expected, my mailbox is totally flooded.

But I still have to give my thanks for the wonderful experience for this very significant 3.16. This particular 3.16 will lindering in my memories forever for a couple of reasons:

• I met with you! Overseas members.
  
• The WD chanting 6 million daimoku for us.
  
• The sunny weather after weeks of horrifying rain in Singapore.
  
• And the continued bad weather for Nikken Sect.

50 years ago, Mr Toda called for a 3.16 rehearsal for Kosen-Rufu because he declared that he had completed the 750,000 households foundation for the future of Soka Gakkai.

Earlier this year, Sensei declared upon his 80th birthday that the foundation of worldwide Kosen-Rufu is established. How amazing that we hold a 3.16 of not one, or two, but many representatives from various countries?

When countries come together, does it not signify the "worldwide" in worldwide Kosen-Rufu?

We have moved from Toda's 3.16 to Ikeda's 3.16. I can strongly feel that. The very thought of me being involved in this celebrated overwhelmed me with deep joy.

There is a Buddhist concept of "Adapting Buddhism to the Culture of the Land". This unique Interfaith Symposium is also an adaptation of Buddhism for the entire world. We are indeed in the 2nd phrase of Kosen-Rufu.

Advance!

Raymond Chng

Letter to my Mentor

Dearest Sensei,

I am glad to inform you that the 50th Anniversary of March 16 held here in Singapore is a great success. I am sure you would have received a more comprehensive report from my Youth Chiefs, GD Ong and GD Oba.

In this March 16, I was tasked to play host to Asian delegates who came to Singapore to give us their support. It was an enriching experience and exchange with them.

This exchange had been plagued with Sansho Shima. On March 14,, my mobile phone was damaged, to make matter worst, I was actually having a slight fever when the foreign delegates’ arrival. But I was determined to be part of this significant event. I prayed hard to the Gohonzon and was able to muster enough energy to fulfill my responsibility. My body finally gave way after the event and I am now recovering from my illness at a school camp. My students and fellow teachers were understanding and allowed me to rest undisturbed during the camp. But I have no regrets as I learned a lot from this experience, on the humility of leaders and the revitalization of the Soka Spirit.

Immediately after the camp, the NYPSD of our Students Division had a chalet over the Easter weekend. We had many discussions on the joys of our involvements in the events over the 3.16 weekend. It was really an environment full of hope and vitality.

This is the first anniversary since I wrote my first personal letter to you. I have completed all twelve volumes of the Human Revolution as I promised I would. I will remember your verbal reply via the staff of Singapore Soka Association that you will be looking forward to my development.

I will never forsake training myself to be even more capable.

This year, I pledged to complete one million Daimoku. For many years, I had tried to chant to reach that milestone but was always unsuccessful. But I will definitely do it this year. With this 50th Anniversary of 3.16 as my prime point, I will continue to train myself. I will also give my utmost to support the youth division leaders in Singapore as well as our General Director, Mr Ong.

I also vow to forever fight evil in Singapore with you Sensei.

On this significant 3.16, I wrote the following words on my Daimoku chart:

一品人才
一品师子
一品同志
一品教官

I will bear these words in mind always as I challenge the one million Daimoku.

Raymond Chng

Back to Basics - Relative and Absolute Happiness

The fundament goal of anyone is to become happy. There are however, two kinds of happiness. Relative and Absolute.

Relative happiness is what results from acquiring material gain or possessions of fulfilling mundane desires. These are triggered by getting a bonus, winning a lottery, doing well in school examinations or even finding out that a guy or girl you have a crush on actually likes you back.

But relative happiness depends on external circumstances beyond our immediate control and can be easily jeopardized. Moreover, human desires are limitless. We will always desire for more and more endlessly. Just happiness are temporarily when a desire is fulfilled and do not last very long.

Absolute happiness, on the other hand, is a state of life in which people continue to experience joy in living and creating the greatest value in their lives. This happened when we developed an indomitable character that never gives up trying and is fearless. It is unconditional.

As long as we are alive, we will encounter various hardships be it financial problems, health problems, or relationship problems. For those who have established the life condition of absolute happiness, however, life’s vicissitudes become opportunities to develop inner strength and to experience profound fulfillment every day.

Regardless of what happens, people with this kind of spiritual fortitude regard every hardship as a springboard for their further development, and they overcome each challenge with composure. It is analogous to a marathon.

If we are trained to run 1,000 meters everyday, we will have no problem entering a race for 100 meters. But if we only run 100 meters, we will struggle when we run a 1,000 meters race.

For those who have developed the life-force and wisdom to overcome any difficulty, the constant ebb and flow of life are motivation for the creation of value rather than reasons for suffering and despair.

Ultimately, relative happiness, which is dependent on external circumstances, ends at the moment of death.

But the state of absolute happiness, also know as the life-state of Buddhahood, having been firmly established in this lifetime, will remain indestructible transcending even death.

Attaining Buddhahood means to develop such a life-state overflowing with wisdom, courage and compassion.

Adapted from Creative Life (March 2008)

Reflections

As my students pointed out, this blog of mine is overdue for an update. I like blogging. I like it not because of any exhibitionistic instinct that causes me to want to share my life and thoughts with the public, but mainly because I find it a suitable catalyst to make myself reflect upon my life and my aspirations. I keenly believe that self-reflection is the joy of life after a fulfilling struggle. The lack of a blog entry also indicates that I was probably overwhelmed by the demands of daily life that I neglected self-reflection.

With that, I thank you who prompted me to update.

My Family Life:

I have to mention Chinese New Year celebration here. Nothing out of ordinary here besides the usual fare of growing nephews and niece, as well as aging aunties and uncles. It is a reminder of the unceasing flow of time and our mortality.

My dad had been home for a few months already. I am still not able to communicate comfortable with him. When necessary, I can always speak to him, but I do not feel any motivation to initiate any conversation. Some of my paternal relatives whom I had not seen in years finally came to visit during the Chinese New Year. I had not seen them for years ever since my dad went to prison. It was awkward entertaining them.

My mum is healthy. For that I am grateful.

My brother got a promotion. Good for him.

My sister is still living a relatively comfortable life.

My Love Life:

This topic will naturally go to Valentine’s Day. Well. No celebration. She was overwhelmed by her job and her involvement in Chingay for the past few months. So much so that her fatigue had rendered her unable to celebrate this day dedicated to love.

It pained me deeply to see her buried under her fatigue. Yet at the same time, I was helpless about it. All I can contribute was to offer to be her personal chauffeur, ferrying her whenever she needs to. I hope that helps even a bit to lighten her burden.

My Religious Life:

I have to admit that I had spent less time with the Gohonzon for the month of February compared to January. This is something that I must rectify for the month March. To my Soka Gakkai friends who read this blog, please remind me.

I will be one of the hosts for our coming 3.16 commemorating meeting. I am rather excited about it. I am also taking a Buddhist examination in 2 weeks time. But I haven’t prepared for it yet. Need to get down to it soon.

I am also taking a back seat with regard to NYPSD. This is due to the emergence of Daniel over the past month. I am really happy for him and is ready to totally trust him to give NYPSD a boost before he flies to Australia. Jin Wen should be even more ready by that time. I am seriously thinking I can graduate with a peace of mind. Cheers.

My Work Life:

I took Meng Kiat’s advice. I focused on my core business ever since the beginning of the new school term. I spent a lot of effort on my regular teaching. I prepare way in advance and ponder hard on how to motivate my students to enjoy the process of learning mathematics. I am not too sure how effective my methods yet but I find myself loving my job more than a year ago.

But of course with such priorities, I admit that I slowed my pace in my other duties. Among them are my CCA, my Student Leaders, the Speech Day, Math&Science Week preparations, Work Reviews. LMS, Cyberwellness, Webmaster, Etc.

I know that it will eventually come back to bite me and may hurt my standing with the management and my co-workers when they have to “rush” me for work due to my new pace. But the advice is making sense to me. I will want to be a super-efficient Education Officer, no doubt about it. But I must not be impatient. Focus on my core business first. Then slowly learn to expand from there. Trying to rush everything will only lead me to the thought of changing career again.

There! A summary of the happenings in my life for the past 2 months. Self-reflection is a refreshing mental exercise. I do need to do this more often.

CNY 2008

A very Happy Chinese New Year to my readers!!

Sharing the Chinese New Year Message from my mentor:

The brilliant sun of hope is rising on the New Year. Happy New Year! My sincere congratulations on holding your glorious Chinese New Year gathering with good fortune and virtue permeating your lives.

I would like to extend my heartfelt welcome to our friends and distinguished guests. We are now living in a world filled with discord. No place in society is as bright and enjoyable as a gathering like yours that is filled with trust and friendship. Please have a meaningful time together.

At the beginning of a new year, Nichiren Daishonin once wrote to the family of Nanjo Tokimitsu that was moving on despite its sorrow at the loss of a most beloved family member, “The joy we feel at the beginning of spring is like the blossoms that open on the trees or the plants that spring up in the mountains. I, as well as others, am filled with joy” (The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 2, p. 982).

Buddhism is a philosophy of infinite hope. Teaching us to change any hardship into the source of joy, it expounds the great Law that enables us to change poison into medicine.

Nichiren Daishonin refers to, “… the great joy that one experiences when one understands for the first time that one’s mind from the very beginning has been the Buddha. Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is the greatest of all joys” (The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, pp. 211-212).

We don’t have to bemoan our destiny. We don’t have to envy others, either. While proudly and confidently living up to your own identity, please live out your existence while seeking happiness for yourself and others, as you share the joy of living with everyone you meet.

Noble members of the Chinese Group! I am praying that you will advance along the path of victory, brightly and cheerfully staying in good health all the time, burning with hope, and becoming the happiest and most fortunate of people. Please take care.

Daisaku Ikeda
February, 2008

Respecting Humanity

I often wondered why I blog. Many did so just as a form of an electronic diary. There is nothing wrong with that except that a blog is accessible to everyone. It is more than that. Might be an irresistible urge to share our thoughts with the world. But since thoughts have to be shared responsibly, then too must blogging be done responsibly.

A responsible blog can be boring for the masses though. Most people take blogs only as entertainment.

I tend to believe that beyond just sharing my random thoughts, I really wished to share my mentor’s greatness with the world.

On his 80th birthday on 2 January, the President S R Nathan of Singapore wrote a congratulatory letter to him. This news feels me with pride. The highest leader of my country had endorsed my mentor in life. This encourages me greatly that my chosen path is noble indeed. I will forge on.

As we continue to advance towards a more peaceful world, my mentor offered the following guidelines for the sake of humanity to start the new year:

1. Respecting the human rights of others and tenaciously seeking peaceful solutions to problems
   
2. Upholding the sanctity and dignity of all life and never ignoring the suffering of others or larger social problems
   
3. Respecting each other’s difference and being willing to learn from each other’s cultures
   
4. Promoting communication and exchange and pooling our wisdom for the benefit of allhumankind and the planet on which we live
   
5. Always having faith in others’ humanity, based on our common identity as human and living beings, and striving especially to foster the positive development of youth

Onwards!

放心

She was unwanted. Not the father. Not the mother. She did not know the love of her parents. Orphaned and lonely, she struggled to find love to sustain her young heart. But her foster mother was not one to give love easily. She had only profit on her mind and used her adopted child in many ways to achieve her objectives.

It took courage. But when the child finally leaves the cold embrace of her foster mother to the embrace of her new husband, she thought she found salvation.

She was wrong. The man was not one to endure the hardships of reality and turn to abusing his wife. Silently, she endured for the sake of her children. But eventually, her heart hardens and she became increasing bitter and when her children grew to adulthood, she realized that she can no longer accept the loves of her children.

But that was when she found hope. A kindly friend inspired her with teachings from Buddhism. Renewed, she struggled day and night to provide hope to others who are suffering. Daily, she seeks to help the poor, the sick and the distressed. And slowly, her life revolved. From an uneducated and unfortunate child, she learned to quote many teachings and could even explain many of life’s concepts. She had become a lady respected by thousands.

She developed compassion. It was an impressive achievement for a heart which was closed for so many years. But much emotional baggage continued to plague her. But her passion to help others never wavered.

She had declared after learning that there are plans for a new headquarter for the Singapore Soka Association in ten years time that she would be too old to enjoy the facilities, so she plans to pass from this world and be reincarnated quickly to witness the event. A few weeks ago, her schedule became increasingly hectic. She had told a friend that she would be busy until the 6 Jan 2008. And true to her words, 6 Jan was to be the day she was cremated at the veteran age of 80.

A few days before her passing, she entered into depression, telling her children that she was suffering from heart pain. She also mentioned that she was remembering more and more things from her past. Many doctors she consulted all told her to放心. She did not understand immediately.

Then a day just before her passing, her mood picked up and she was so cheerful that everyone was amazed. She declared that she understood everything now. She had 放心 discarded all her emotional baggage. She knew that her children love her and she accepted all the loves around her. She was happy. She was enlightened.

The day she passed away, she was making her way to the Singapore Soka Association Headquarters to encourage her fellow members. To her last moments, all she could think of was to help another person to find hope. It was the perfect ending.

That was the story of Mdm Wong as I heard from her eulogy. It was one of the most touching eulogy I heard. I did not know her personally though the GF did. I wished I did

But I did learn a valuable lesson. That no matter how hard life is, it is important to learn how to 放心.

Osaka – 28

Many will come
Many will leave
But I will remain
Planting my staff
I will hold my faith

The years will pass
The tides will flow
But I will paddle
Swinging my axe
I will fight my evil

Determination aroused
Perseverance awaken
And I will forge on
Striking my hammers
I will win my battle

The kindly father
The kingly teacher
And I will come forth
Raising my sword
I will honor my mentor

~ Ra
Dedicated to my mentor on his 80th Birthday on 2 January 2008

立正安国论 2008

Another threshold is crossed and 2008 arrived. This year is themed as the Year of Capable People and Development for the SGI. It should be an interesting year. I am also 28 years of age now. This is the same age which my mentor, Daisaku Ikeda scored an overwhelming victory in the Osaka Campaign in 1956. I wonder what sort of challenges awaits me and whether I would have the wisdom, courage and compassion to overcome each one of them. I must win for my mentor.

It is also my mentor’s 80th Birthday today. Happy Birthday Sensei!!

The New Year is also a time for resolution. On this significant day, I should make the following vows towards 2010.

1. I vow to become a first-rate disciple for my mentor
   
2. I vow to become a first-rate Buddhist for my loved ones
   
3. I vow to become a first-rate educator for my students
   
4. I vow to become a first-rate leader for my comrades in faith

As the journey for kosen-rufu is said to begin and end with the Rissho Ankoku Ron, I decide to take this opportunity to share a little about this treatise written by Nichiren Daishonin years ago.

I should focus on this particular passage:

If you care anything about your personal security, you should first pray for order and tranquility throughout the four quarters of the land, should you not?

On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land (立正安国论) was submitted to Hojo Tokiyori via a government official, Yadoya Mitsunori who acted as his intermediary on the 16th day of the 7th month in the year 1260.

The passage above is an excerpt from the original treatise. The full text for this treatise come be found here for those interested.

Why Hojo Tokiyori?

• Retired Regent
• Lived in temple called Saimyo-ji
• Thirty years old
• Wielded the actual power behind the government

Why do we say Nichiren Daishonin’s lifetime teachings begin and end with On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land?

He formally began his propagation effort by submitting this treatise.

The inscribing of the Dai-Gohonzon for the sake of Kosen-rufu in 1279 was Nichiren Daishonin’s ultimate purpose in this world.

The Dai-Gohonzon was established to achieve the ideal of On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land which is to establish peace by propagating the teachings of Buddhism.

What does On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land mean?

Establishing the Correct Teaching means to establish righteousness or to establish the True Law of Buddhism. It also implies refuting erroneous teachings. Hence, Establishing the Correct Teaching can also mean propagation.

Peace of the Land means security of the land. Land implies both society and nature. Hence, Peace of the Land means both to bring order to society and harmony to nature.

Establishing the Correct Teaching is a religious activity while Peace of the Land is a secular activity. Therefore, Establishing the Correct Teaching Peace of the Land is also the act of Human Revolution where we contribute to the secular world through religious efforts.

What is the writings of the On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land like?

The On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land is written in the form of a dialogue with questions and answers between a host and a guest.

The host represents Nichiren Daishonin. The guest represents Hojo Tokiyori specifically. But in generally, it reflected the attitude of the general population during that time.

Therefore, it must be noted that what the guest says is not a reflection of the Daishonin’s teaching.

The format of a dialogue also represents the Daishonin’s conviction that one-to-one dialogue is the only way to achieve the objective of Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land.

Why did Nichiren Daishonin write the On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land?

The three calamities of high grain prices, warfare and pestilence are rampant despite people’s devotion to Buddhism. The Daishonin identified that the problem lies in the incorrect interpretation of Buddhism.

The three poisons of Greed, Anger and Foolishness is said to affect the people of the Latter Day of the Law.

High Grain Prices is caused by the poison of greed which resulted from man’s conflict with the natural environment.

Warfare is caused by the poison of anger which resulted from man’s conflict with other man.

Pestilence is caused by the poison of foolishness which resulted from man’s conflict with themselves.

The On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land is born from Daishonin’s compassion to solve the problem of these calamities as well as other disasters predicted in the Sutras when people turned their backs to the Lotus Sutra.

Compassion included both aspects of removing suffering and to give happiness. Since turning against the Lotus Sutra has been identified as the cause for suffering, On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land was written as a harsh denunciation of the distorted teachings.

Because of the harshness of this treatise, he knew that he will incur the wrath of numerous powerful people in the government who supported the distorted teachings which the Daishonin is refuting.

But the Daishonin was fully prepared and courageously speak out for truth and justice.

He did encounter many persecutions since submitting the On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land but he never wavered in the least.

What can we learn from the above passage excerpts from the On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land?

The religiousness of Establishing the Correct Teaching and the secularity of Peace of the Land have an intimate relationship. Religion is related to the individual and the Secular is related to the society. We cannot be safe or happy as an individual if the society is disordered and the people around us are miserable.

SGI President Ikeda once wrote that one can never enjoy genuine personal happiness selfishly for oneself alone. He asserted that true happiness can only be savored when one becomes happy together with others and that in order to achieve this, it is important for the lives of each individual to be firmly rooted in the humanistic philosophy of Buddhism.

The three poisons mentioned earlier cause people today to live in a world where the spirit of altruism is scarce and where people are generally indifferent to the sufferings of others. Some people even attempt to pursue their happiness at the expense of others, or building their happiness on other’s suffering. This attitude is exactly what the Lotus Sutra is against and is the one great evil that destroys peace and creates conflict.

Based on the Lotus Sutra, Ikeda Sensei teaches us to always uphold the spirit of cherishing others as fellow human beings and to treasure our social network in our community.

That is why we often say that our practice have to be a practice for oneself and others. While we practice for our enlightenment, we have to strive for Kosen-rufu by sharing this life philosophy with people around us. And that is the meaning of Attaining Happiness for Oneself and Others.

Sensei and I

I shall begin this essay by stating a disclaimer. The following is a personal account of how I feel about my mentor. It is a journey through my train of thoughts which brought me to conclude that Daisaku Ikeda is my mentor. It also included a rationalizing process of the need for a mentor and the selection of my mentor.

Some of the things may not make sense to the causal readers as it includes jargons which may only be appreciated only by people who have a good understanding of Buddhism and its history as well as that of Soka Gakkai.

If any reader wishes to clarify certain points which I raised, I recommend that you approach me directly. Personal heart-to-heart dialogue will always be the best mode to exchange philosophical ideas.

What is a mentor?

A mentor is someone who we learn from. There are many types of mentors as we learn many things from many different people as we journey through life. But the most important mentor has to be the mentor who teaches us the best way to lead our lives. This is the mentor I refer to when I discuss about Sensei (Daisaku Ikeda).

Who is Daisaku Ikeda?

Daisaku Ikeda is my mentor. It is from him that I learn the surest way to become a happy human being. But who exactly is he? He is an ordinary man who, through his practice of Nichiren Buddhism, manifested the life-state of Buddhahood which is the objective of all Buddhists. He demonstrated the way. Hence, he is the person we of the Soka Gakkai follow in order to achieve enlightenment ourselves.

Am I idolizing him?

I love him. Because I learnt so much from him, I am grateful to him. But I do not worship him which a lot of people who do not understand Buddhism may mistake. I said that he manifested the life-state of a Buddha. But I understand that many non-Buddhists thought that Buddhists worship the Buddha. We do not. A Buddha is neither God nor a deity. A Buddha is simply a man who is enlightened to the nature of life and hence, manifested compassion, wisdom and courage. It is an achievable goal for all of us.

Why must the mentor be mentioned all the time in Soka Gakkai?

It is to keep us, the members of Soka Gakkai on the correct path. We know what happened when arrogant men who thought they have understood everything when they did not tried to interpret a religious teaching their own way. History had shown the horrors of misguided individuals using religion to corrupt the minds of others. The most recent examples would be the terrorists who abused religion to cause harm to others. Using a mentor who demonstrated the life-state of a Buddha is the best way to keep us on the correct path.

Do you mean that a Buddha is a mentor?

A person, who manifested the life-state of a Buddha, qualities as a mentor for practitioners of Buddhism, but Buddhahood is a process. We may demonstrate Buddhahood one moment, and loses it the next. Only when one gives their entire life for the cause of Buddhism can one maintain that life-state. Daisaku Ikeda is such a man who selflessly dedicated his entire life for Buddhism. That is why I follow him. He is the best example we have.

Why do we not just use Shakyamuni as our mentor?

Shakyamuni, or Gautama, was the first historically recorded Buddha. Hence, in most literature, when we just use the term Buddha, it specifically meant him. But Shakyamuni lived almost three thousand years ago. The cultural influences and language usage differs so much from what we are familiar with that understanding his teachings is extremely difficult and hence, prompt to misinterpretations. In Buddhist terms, we can say that our karmic relation with Shakyamuni is too weak due to temporal differences to directly practice his teachings. That is why it is necessary to update the teachings for the contemporary masses and the founder of Soka Kyoiku Gakkai, Tsunisaburo Makiguchi inherited the spirit of Buddhism via Nichiren Daishonin. Soka Kyoiku Gakkai is means Value-Creation Educational Society which is the forerunner for Soka Gakkai.

Did Makiguchi have a mentor?

In the Soka Gakkai, we acknowledge Daisaku Ikeda as our mentor. And his mentor was Josei Toda who trained him thoroughly. Toda’s mentor was Makiguchi who taught him the value of a human life. As for the mentor of Makiguchi, we say that he learnt directly from the writings of Nichiren Daishonin. Just as future generations will continue to benefit from learning Ikeda’s writings even after his passing, Makiguchi learnt from Nichiren’s writings. As mentioned, in this modern era, it may be difficult to comprehend the writings of Nichiren unless you have a firm understanding of the culture influences during the thirteenth century. But Makiguchi was one such scholar who could and did.

Is there a difference between the disciples of Daisaku Ikeda and the disciples of Josei Toda?

We are all Buddhists who have the potential to become a Buddha. As human beings, there is no difference. The only difference is who we learn from. Daisaku Ikeda himself learnt directly from Toda. But Josei Toda, knowing that he did not have a lot of time after his enlightenment in prison for opposing the war because of a badly damaged health, focused on training a capable disciple to carry on his work. This disciple is Daisaku Ikeda who after learning from Josei Toda, shared widely the wonderful philosophy of Buddhism with the entire world. Those who studied and benefited from studying under Josei Toda can claim to be his disciple. But since I learn from these sharing, Daisaku Ikeda is my mentor.

Why Daisaku Ikeda and not other people?

Are there other selfless examples of individuals who dedicated their lives for Buddhism? Of course there are! But Daisaku Ikeda is the one who made the correct teachings of Buddhism accessible for everyone through his efforts. Hence, I acknowledge him as my mentor.

Will we need another mentor after Daisaku Ikeda (as in after his passing)?

The question is: Is it necessary? We know that the foundation of Buddhism is the countless sutras left between by Shakyamuni. But how many of us can actually understand the sutras. Teachings are always going to be affected by local cultural environment. Without an understanding of Ancient India where Shakubuku first started his preaching, and the language usage at that time, it is difficult for us to understand Buddhism correctly. Hence, Nichiren Daishonin was there to make Buddhism accessible for people of the Latter Day of the Law as Buddhism was badly corrupted by his time during the thirteenth century. Daisaku Ikeda, in turn, is the person who made the teachings of Nichiren Daishonin for us in this modern age. Therefore, unless there come a time, where culturally and language usage-wise, the teachings left by Daisaku Ikeda is no longer accessible to the common people, there is no need for another mentor.

What do we need a mentor in our efforts to achieve enlightenment?

In a nutshell, there is no enlightenment without the spirit of the Oneness of Mentor and Disciple. Note the word “oneness”. This is critical. In this Latter Day of the Law where mankind is heavily poisoned by Greed (Conflict with Nature), Anger (Conflict with Other Persons) and Foolishness (Conflict with Self), the only enlightenment is that of the Bodhisattvas of the Earth as expounded in the Lotus Sutra. And the attainment of the Oneness of Mentor and Disciple is the only way to enter the way of the Bodhisattvas of the Earth.

What are the Bodhisattvas of the Earth?

In simple terms, the Bodhisattvas of the Earth are beings who are Bodhisattvas in appearance but are Buddha in essentials. Bodhisattvas are beings who constantly strive to lead others to happiness and Buddhas are beings who manifest compassion, wisdom and courage. The lotus is said to have their flowers bloom and bears fruits at the same time. Hence, the gist of the Lotus Sutra is the simultaneity of cause and effect. The cause is the Bodhisattva way and the effect is Buddhahood. Therefore, Bodhisattvas of the Earth are beings who are both Bodhisattvas and Buddhas at the same time.

How does a mentor lead us to be a Bodhisattva of the Earth?

The mentor represents the function of the Buddha and the disciples represent the functions of the Bodhisattvas. In other words, the disciples are the causes and the mentor is the effect. Therefore, when the disciples strive to share and actualize the visions of the mentor, the causes are being laid for the effect of Buddhahood. The “oneness” between the mentor and disciples resulted in the fusing of the functions of the Buddha and Bodhisattvas which give us the enlightened state of the Bodhisattvas of the Earth.

How to achieve the “oneness” in the Oneness of Mentor and Disciple?

It is achieved when the disciples adopt the spirit of the mentor and make it their own, then praying wholeheartedly with the same mind as the mentor and taking action. I pray by chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. Nam means devoting my life. Myoho means the law of the universe. Myo is the essential of the law and represents the mentor and Ho is the manifestation of the law and represents the disciple. Therefore Myoho also means mentor and disciple. Renge means the Lotus, hence the simultaneity of cause and effect. Cause represents the disciple and Effect represents the mentor. Therefore Renge also means the Oneness of Mentor and Disciple. Kyo means the voice which makes the vow to uphold and propagate this law for the sake of humanity.

How did I accept my mentor?

I was once an arrogant teenager who thought that I did not need a mentor in life. I was living a comfortable life and achieving minor successes in all aspects of my life. But one day, a senior from Singapore Soka Association was having dinner with me when he share candidly that he was feeling miserable because he was unable to feel for Sensei.

Then two thoughts hit me.

Firstly, there are people who are miserable because they cannot feel their mentor. That is an indication that having a mentor is important in our pursuit for a value-creative life. But then again, I did not feel the need for a mentor at the time. So there was a contradiction. That was when the second thought arrived.

The reason for one not to feel the need for a mentor is not the absence of a mentor. I was learning from others all the time. I did not regard them as mentors only because of a lacking in sense of appreciation. I was without gratitude and that made me a man in appearance but a beast at heart.

After some serious soul-searching, I realized that the only way to grow as a human was to open my heart and learn how to be grateful and be appreciative. When that happened, I realized the importance of the many mentors who taught me many times over the years.

And of course, the most important mentor is the one who teaches me the way to live my life in a righteous and courageous way – my mentor in life (faith) – Daisaku Ikeda.

= = = = = = =

• http://www.sgi.org/
• http://ssabuddhist.org/

Random Comics

White Ribbon Project

The White Ribbon Project, first started in Canada in 1991, is an International campaign organized by men to stop violence against women. It is organized in approximately 47 countries worldwide. Wearing a White Ribbon is a personal pledge never to commit, condone nor remain silent about violence against
women.

In support of this movement in Singapore, the Singapore Soka Association has undertaken the task of making 10,000 pieces of white ribbons in the month of November.

Yes ladies, I wore a white ribbon. So er… I’m safe. *wink* ~LOL

冷月

十一月是冷的。也不是天气的关系，只是我个人的精神度假。身为创价勇士，十个月来的奋战也该有了胜败。2007年过得还不赖。不过，心里明白有好多方面还有改进的需要。为了恩师，我一定要成长，达成人间革命！

恩师的精神如瀑布。恩是对男青们期望也是瀑布。他增做过这样的一首诗：

如瀑布般激昂
如瀑布般不懈
如瀑布般无畏
如瀑布般明朗
如瀑布般威武
男子汉
要有王者风范

我也增在此布罗各分享这首诗的英文版。真的是一手好诗。这绝对是胜利人生的精神！激昂的灭饿，不懈的传教，无畏的正义，明朗的生活，威武的奋战，这就是佛子的精神！这也是我要在2008年所灌册的姿态。

十二月即将来临。十二月是为了来年做好计划的月份。是一个充满期待的一个月份。加油吧！

Archery and Swordsmanship

Went for an Fencing Introductory Workshop yesterday.

I want to learn archery and swordsmanship!!

"A mighty sword is useless in the hands of a coward" ~ Nichiren

SL CAMP 2007 -- 27-30 OCT

The Student Leader Camp 2007 is finally concluded. It was a tough 4 days 3 nights camp for the students, but it was jolly fun. A bit of canoeing and a bit of trekking for the teachers too.

Here is an artsy view of the campsite Sri Pandan.
Are you able to spot moi?

And the highlight must definitely be the climb up Gunung Lambak.

Here's the group photo from the summit!

Okay! Time to readjust back to life in Singapore.

Friendship Meeting

Life and death are the greatest mysteries, and they form the primary focus of religion. Where have we come from and where do we go? Why are human being born? Are our lives just random events or do they have some greater purpose? What is the meaning of death? Are we merely reduced to meaningless nothingness, as so many in our modern world vaguely believe? Or are we restored to a luminous immortal soul, as many time-honored religious traditions of East and West maintain? Or, as Shakyamuni Buddha teaches in expounding the Middle Way, that it is neither?

Lotus Sutra is the only teaching that provided satisfactory answers for me. I am eternally grateful for having encountered this teaching.

I attended a Friendship Meeting at our Soka Headquarters yesterday. I had known and heard about the finalist for this year’s campus superstar – Benjamin for quite a while, but it was the first time I hear him live. He does have a good falsetto and can understand why he deserved to be in the finals. I wish him well.

We all need Daimoku

Daimoku charges our batteries. If we take care to regularly charge our batteries then we’ll always be full of energy and vitality. If we fail to keep our batteries charged, we won’t have the energy when we need it most and as a result may be defeated by our environment.

~ Daisaku Ikeda

We human beings are really fragile creatures, constantly buffeted by the fierce winds of the environment. I took some time at work to watch the inspirational film “Coach Carter” today. What caught my attention was how the norms of society often runs counter to noble and just educational ideals. It makes reflect what it means to be an educator. We all need Daimoku.

Getting kids to study is hard. What is even harder must be the efforts to get everyone to believe in the limitless potential within them. The resistance will be even greater. We all need Daimoku.

Since the advent of Buddhism, campaigns were fought by Buddhists to discourage violence and promote peace. But it is the nature of men to fall into the trap of greed, anger and foolishness. It is an endless battle. And it can really cause a lot of fatigue if we are not prepared. We all need Daimoku.

Waging Peace is supposed to be a joyful endeavor. If we do not feel joy, it is not the fault of the ideal. It is our own lack of Daimoku. We all need Daimoku.

People -- Leo Tolstoy

The Three Questions

by Leo Tolstoy

It once occurred to a certain king, that if he always knew the right time to begin everything; if he knew who were the right people to listen to, and whom to avoid; and, above all, if he always knew what was the most important thing to do, he would never fail in anything he might undertake.

And this thought having occurred to him, he had it proclaimed throughout his kingdom that he would give a great reward to any one who would teach him what was the right time for every action, and who were the most necessary people, and how he might know what was the most important thing to do.

And learned men came to the King, but they all answered his questions differently.

In reply to the first question, some said that to know the right time for every action, one must draw up in advance, a table of days, months and years, and must live strictly according to it. Only thus, said they, could everything be done at its proper time. Others declared that it was impossible to decide beforehand the right time for every action; but that, not letting oneself be absorbed in idle pastimes, one should always attend to all that was going on, and then do what was most needful. Others, again, said that however attentive the King might be to what was going on, it was impossible for one man to decide correctly the right time for every action, but that he should have a Council of wise men, who would help him to fix the proper time for everything.

But then again others said there were some things which could not wait to be laid before a Council, but about which one had at once to decide whether to undertake them or not. But in order to decide that, one must know beforehand what was going to happen. It is only magicians who know that; and, therefore, in order to know the right time for every action, one must consult magicians.

Equally various were the answers to the second question. Some said, the people the King most needed were his councillors; others, the priests; others, the doctors; while some said the warriors were the most necessary.

To the third question, as to what was the most important occupation: some replied that the most important thing in the world was science. Others said it was skill in warfare; and others, again, that it was religious worship.

All the answers being different, the King agreed with none of them, and gave the reward to none. But still wishing to find the right answers to his questions, he decided to consult a hermit, widely renowned for his wisdom.

The hermit lived in a wood which he never quitted, and he received none but common folk. So the King put on simple clothes, and before reaching the hermit’s cell dismounted from his horse, and, leaving his body-guard behind, went on alone.

When the King approached, the hermit was digging the ground in front of his hut. Seeing the King, he greeted him and went on digging. The hermit was frail and weak, and each time he stuck his spade into the ground and turned a little earth, he breathed heavily.

The King went up to him and said: “I have come to you, wise hermit, to ask you to answer three questions: How can I learn to do the right thing at the right time? Who are the people I most need, and to whom should I, therefore, pay more attention than to the rest? And, what affairs are the most important, and need my first attention?”

The hermit listened to the King, but answered nothing. He just spat on his hand and recommenced digging.

“You are tired,” said the King, “let me take the spade and work awhile for you.”

“Thanks!” said the hermit, and, giving the spade to the King, he sat down on the ground.

When he had dug two beds, the King stopped and repeated his questions. The hermit again gave no answer, but rose, stretched out his hand for the spade, and said: “Now rest awhile – and let me work a bit.”

But the King did not give him the spade, and continued to dig. One hour passed, and another. The sun began to sink behind the trees, and the King at last stuck the spade into the ground, and said: “I came to you, wise man, for an answer to my questions. If you can give me none, tell me so, and I will return home.”

“Here comes some one running,” said the hermit, “let us see who it is.”

The King turned round, and saw a bearded man come running out of the wood. The man held his hands pressed against his stomach, and blood was flowing from under them. When he reached the King, he fell fainting on the ground moaning feebly. The King and the hermit unfastened the man’s clothing. There was a large wound in his stomach. The King washed it as best he could, and bandaged it with his handkerchief and with a towel the hermit had. But the blood would not stop flowing, and the King again and again removed the bandage soaked with warm blood, and washed and rebandaged the wound. When at last the blood ceased flowing, the man revived and asked for something to drink. The King brought fresh water and gave it to him. Meanwhile the sun had set, and it had become cool. So the King, with the hermit’s help, carried the wounded man into the hut and laid him on the bed. Lying on the bed the man closed his eyes and was quiet; but the King was so tired with his walk and with the work he had done, that he crouched down on the threshold, and also fell asleep – so soundly that he slept all through the short summer night. When he awoke in the morning, it was long before he could remember where he was, or who was the strange bearded man lying on the bed and gazing intently at him with shining eyes.

“Forgive me!” said the bearded man in a weak voice, when he saw that the King was awake and was looking at him.

“I do not know you, and have nothing to forgive you for,” said the King.

“You do not know me, but I know you. I am that enemy of yours who swore to revenge himself on you, because you executed his brother and seized his property. I knew you had gone alone to see the hermit, and I resolved to kill you on your way back. But the day passed and you did not return. So I came out from my ambush to find you, and I came upon your bodyguard, and they recognized me, and wounded me. I escaped from them, but should have bled to death had you not dressed my wound. I wished to kill you, and you have saved my life. Now, if I live, and if you wish it, I will serve you as your most faithful slave, and will bid my sons do the same. Forgive me!”

The King was very glad to have made peace with his enemy so easily, and to have gained him for a friend, and he not only forgave him, but said he would send his servants and his own physician to attend him, and promised to restore his property.

Having taken leave of the wounded man, the King went out into the porch and looked around for the hermit. Before going away he wished once more to beg an answer to the questions he had put. The hermit was outside, on his knees, sowing seeds in the beds that had been dug the day before.

The King approached him, and said: “For the last time, I pray you to answer my questions, wise man.”

“You have already been answered!” said the hermit, still crouching on his thin legs, and looking up at the King, who stood before him.

“How answered? What do you mean?” asked the King.

“Do you not see,” replied the hermit. “If you had not pitied my weakness yesterday, and had not dug those beds for me, but had gone your way, that man would have attacked you, and you would have repented of not having stayed with me. So the most important time was when you were digging the beds; and I was the most important man; and to do me good was your most important business. Afterwards when that man ran to us, the most important time was when you were attending to him, for if you had not bound up his wounds he would have died without having made peace with you. So he was the most important man, and what you did for him was your most important business. Remember then: there is only one time that is important – Now! It is the most important time because it is the only time when we have any power. The most necessary man is he with whom you are, for no man knows whether he will ever have dealings with any one else: and the most important affair is, to do him good, because for that purpose alone was man sent into this life!”

NS 2007 -- ATEC

I returned to work today after 2 and half weeks of military training including the ATEC stage 2 – commonly known as the toughest exercise in our military career. Personally, I care nothing for the military. As a devoted Buddhist and a pacifist, I cannot accept any doctrines of warfare. Yet, I am somewhat glad to have gone through the training.

I am a citizen of Singapore. Hence, in my actions, I have to adhere to the laws of the country. It maybe my government’s view that war is a last resort in the resolution of conflicts, but in the depths of my heart, my belief is that war can NEVER be an option at all! Not even as a last resort.

Many of us returned for National Service out of obligations anyway. To be honest, there are thousands and one ways to get ourselves out of the tough training. It is really easy. What is difficult is to complete the program because not doing so will cause another to suffer more, even if the training itself does not agree with you.

Comfort as an ideal had been a byproduct of the unhealthy materialization of modern society. But the highest and most noble path is to strive for the sake of others.

A platoon was supposed to have about 30 men. Only a handful made it to the end. Of course there are some who fell out due to honest reasons, but the truth is that many chicken-ed out. For those who survived, congratulations. I believe we are the better men.

'The World Is Yours to Change' (Part Four)

Poverty

Something to very SERIOUSLY think about.

'The World Is Yours to Change' (Part Three)

Video by NYPSD for SD Concert 2007

'The World Is Yours to Change' (Part Two)

Just waiting for my actual In-Camp Training from 20th September to 6 October. The prospect of entering an alternative life for slightly more than 2 weeks creates an unreal sense of existence. It is weird.

Will be blogging more after 6 October. At the mean time, check out http://theworldisyourstochange.wordpress.com/

Save the World!

You can, if only you believe it.

Too Easy

Going back camp for a route march today. Really.. What's the point? It's too easy.

Teachers Day 2007

On the evening of 1st September, I attended a concert by Mr Nestor Torres who flew to Singapore to encourage our local Soka Gakkai members with his music. Among the music played was the “Wonderful Law of Life” which was inspired by the Lotus Sutra.

During the concert, he also shared that our lives contain the Buddha Nature like the sun (Good). And it is only when the sun struggle to shine through the dark clouds which represent our fundamental darkness (Evil) can we enjoy the beautiful rainbow of hope and values. It was a brilliant analogy.

That evening, as I thought about this year’s Teachers Day, I decided to write again to the man who had influence me most in my life. This man is my mentor, Dr Daisaku Ikeda. He is definitely the most important teacher in my life.

Sensei! Happy Teachers Day!! And thank you for all that you had taught me.

What makes us happy?

According to recent scientific studies, one of the greatest sources of happiness is the ability to feel gratitude. In the studies, feeling gratitude is shown to improve health and bring about a speedier recovery of people with chronic diseases. Most grateful people have high self-esteem and low rates of depression, stress and negative moods. They are more likely to be resilient, and they seem to have an easier time overcoming obstacles. They are also less likely to make negative comparisons with others or what others have.

Gratitude cultivates an individual’s sense of interconnectedness and strengthens social ties. It also increases one’s sense of personal worth.

Gratitude is more than a pleasant feeling; it is also motivating. Gratitude motivates people to do good, to share and increase the good and kindness they have received. Individuals who can feel grateful, engage more frequently in kind, supportive and helpful behaviors. Life becomes complete when we are able to give to others what we ourselves received in the past. In short, it is gratitude that enables us to be fully human.

I am really grateful to my mentor.

Please allow me end this entry by sharing another poem by my mentor:

Having battles to fight
makes life exciting.
Encountering great difficulties
provides us opportunities
to develop our Buddhahood.
By confronting and
overcoming every obstacles,
we enable our Buddhahood
to shine brilliantly within our lives.

Post Exam Review Thoughts

The criteria for Secondary 4 Normal (Academic) to be promoted to Secondary 5 Normal (Academic) is way too lenient. It is only going to hurt the poor students by giving them more avenues to feel disappointed and receive a hit in their self-esteem.

I recalled something my former VP shared, that a politician mentioned that all our Normal (Technical) students are guaranteed a place in the ITE. Is this politically driven policy going to help motivate the students to better themselves?

'N' Level Prelims 2007

My boss dropped me a message telling me that my class did badly for the examination, and asked why that is so. Seriously, I wished I knew, but I don't. I would be the first to desire them to do well.

Recently, he has been emphasizing that curricular teaching is our core business and that teachers’ performance will always be tagged to the academic achievements of his/her students. Honestly, it irritated me somewhat within.

I do want my charges to do well. I really do. But then, I find myself sometimes cursing the fact that I am inheriting classes which already have their so-called "value-deducted" (academically). To a certain extend, it feels rather unfair. But it does help to train me personally as a educator.

I know complaining helps with nothing, but sometimes I really can’t help it. Already I’m thinking more and more often of leaving the service where once I really held high ideals about education. Must reflect and ponder deeply.

拼了！

Last week on the 9th August, Singapore celebrated her 42nd National Day. Out of the 7 main performing items in the annual national day parade, Singapore Soka Association was involved in 3. We are indeed everywhere. Cheers!

We are not professional performers!
We do not have attractive appearances!
We do not have outstanding singing voices!
We do not have enchanting artsy mobility in dancing!
We only have passion!
And passion means to give our all…

拥有“拼了！”的决议，那就是胜利的秘诀。

'The World is Yours to Change' (Part One)

To desire peace, to wish for the happiness of one’s family, to seek a secure and safe life – these are the shared sentiments of people everywhere. There is no parent anywhere who does not grieve at the death of a child in war.

* * *

"I don’t want toys or chocolate. All I want is peace and freedom. People of Europe, people of the world, please find the humanity in your hearts to put an end to this war!"
– A young girl of the former Yugoslavia

* * *

If we think about it, people are not born Turks or Americans. They are not born Palestinians or Jews. There are merely labels.Each of us is born as a precious entity of life, as a human being.

Our mothers didn’t give birth to us thinking, “I’m giving birth to a Japanese” or “I’m giving birth to an Arab.” Their only thoughts was “May this new life be healthy and grow!”

In any country, a rose is a rose, a violet is a violet, people are people – though they may be called by different names.

Perhaps the clouds and winds high above the blue waters of the Bosporus are whispering among themselves as they gaze down upon humanity: “Wake up! From up here, it is clear that the world is one. You are all citizens of Earth. There is no such thing as Americans, no such thing as Iraqis. There is only this boy, this life called Bob, who happens to live in America; there is only this boy, this life, Mohammed, who happens to live in Iraq. Both are children of Earth. And yet they are divided by the names of their countries and taught to hate each other! Wake up from this foolishness, this arrogance, this cruel habit of passing hatred and resentment on to the next generation.”

We need to awaken to a common conscious of being all inhabitants of Earth. This consciousness is not to be found in some distant place. It will not be found on a computer screen. It lies in our hearts, in our ability to share the pain of our fellow human beings. It is the spirit that says: “As long as you are suffering, whoever you are and whatever your suffering may be, I suffer also.”

* * *

The above is one of the many essays written by my mentor - Dr Daisaku Ikeda, in this wonderful book. It is also one which touches me really deeply. Each year in Singapore, we celebrate Racial Harmony Day in our schools. But in my heart, I always felt that harmony, although important, is pretty superficial compared to the cries for a common consciousness of all humanity. Only by developing this compassion to penetrate through our differences, can be achieve true peace towering even the harmony we had already attained. This is the compassion of the Buddha!

* * *

She still looked at him as if she did not understand. The sergeant repeated–
“What party do you belong to?”
“I don’t know.”
“Are you with the Blues? Are you Whites? Who are you with?”
“I am with my children.”
- From Victor Hugo’s Ninety-Three