Should I pay 100 pounds for a course with my Buddhist temple?

i just want to say keep up the good work with your practise of meditation. if it wasnt for you and your videos i would have not got the info that i needed to taking my first steps to finding enlightenment :) well Robbie i hope your ok i aint seen any new video updates but would really like for you to talk more about on how it went on you camping the start of you journey. and have a question that i no you would be able to tell me so ere it goes lol in your temple do you have to pay for courses or are they free and did you have to pay for the camping you went to ??? if you could email me please i really need to no as my buddhist temple does courses 3 days long hours from level 1 on words but you have to pay sat least £100 for a level 1 course they say they aint out for profit but that money helps the temple stay open , whats your take on this and im practicing Tibetan Buddhism


Michael


Dear Michael

Thank you for your kind words. and your questions on Youtube about your courses.

All I can do is offer you my experience from my point of view. I practice the Buddhism of Nichiren Daishonin, this is radically different from Tibetan Buddhism.

I do not believe there is any right or wrong path, every one is on their own path.

In our practice there are no temples, no statues of Buddha and no worship and certainly no dogma. We do not do long courses that cost 1000s of dollars and we do not expect or demand people attend meetings.

The Practice of Nichiren Buddhism is about daily life, and the happiness of your self and humanity. Nothing more.

We chant Nam myoho renge kyo daily, we study and read about Nichiren Daishonin and his life, and the life of Shakyamuni, and we have faith in our enlightened life state.

We focus on our lives and the happiness of our selves and the people around us.

I think what I would advise is for you to connect with how you feel about the people who teach this form of Buddhism. If you feel comfortable, and happy and you trust them, then do the course.

If it brings you joy and peace to spend time with these people and you feel you are growing as a person do the course.

But if you doubt them then spend some more time thinking about it.

Focus on your daily practice and ask for the wisdom to come to you to make the right decision.

You are a Buddha, don't ever forget that.

Fond wishes,
Robbie

How do I calm my thoughts.

Hey Shelja,

The mind is always like a young horse, wild and free.

When you chant just allow your thoughts to do what ever they like, do not try to create a formula for how you chant.

Just allow the thoughts to come and go.

When chanting you will often have ideas to problems you are facing, issues will arise in your mind and things are often "worked out" when you chant.

Do not worry about your thoughts being crazy, after much practice this will change and you will feel more at peace and more connected with who you are.

Enjoy the book and let me know how you get on.

Best wishes,
Robbie

How do I chant? What is chanting about? The Gohonzon? SGI - SOKKA GAKKI - Nicherin Buddhism

Hi Sam,

There are lots of questions there, and not something I can answer in 5 minutes.

Practicing Buddhism is a life long practice that takes time.

I would encourage you to read this book, it helped me get things started.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Buddha-Daily-Life-Introduction-Daishonin/dp/071267456X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1270812048&sr=8-1

you could also try watch this. too:
http://www.sgi.info/mabl/sgi/popup/sgi_intro_en.html

To begin, I would recommend chanting 15 minutes every morning and every evening.

Sit quietly and face a blank wall and chant out loud for 15 minutes. Try and keep it constiantt to that and gradually increase the time.

The key is to be consistent every day. It is a bit like going to the gym, the more frequently you go, the better the benefits.

Going the gym once a week for 20 minutes is kind of ok, but you will see results if you go 5 times a week for 30 minutes at a time.

The same is with chanting. It brings focus to the mind, it calms the emotions.

But as with anything, when you begin, it wont be something you can just "get" in 5 minutes. You must persevere.

Bringing about change in your life takes time, and you have to focus on that change.

As far as the Gohonzon is concerned, did you watch my video about it yet?

The Gohonzon is just paper and ink, and there is no point getting one, if you don't fully understand what it is, and how it can help you.

The Gohonzon exists inside you, its the enlightened potential of all human beings.

The one we chant "with" is simply a reminder of what we are doing.

I practiced for a year before I got one, some people practice for several years before getting one.

Just have faith that your life will begin to change.

This form of Buddhism is about fostering a sense of self, about building up your sense of self and ultimately about mastering your mind.

Chanting is our tool, faith is our strength and study is our rock.

If you have any more questions I would be glad to help, please do buy that book and read it, it explains so much.

fond wishes,
Robbie

Questions about Nichiren Buddhism? Where do I begin?

What are the first steps in learning about Nichiren Buddhism?

By starting to chant daily begin with 10 minutes every morning and every night, writing down your "determinations" you want for your life, with dates and when you want things to change by, setting firm goals for your life will assure you quicker results. At the end of the day its about your intention and what is in yoru heart. Chanting without faith wont have much effect.

The main point is be consistent.

Study... it is important that you read, and learn more about this form of Buddhism, life, people, and the heart of humanity.

If you are seeking answers to life's big questions; practice (chant). study (read and learn) and have faith.

Those three things daily will assure your life moves in the direction you wish it to.

How does Gongyo work and is it like some sort of supernatural power that people are tapping into?

It depends on what you mean by supernatural power. The Gohonzon isn't a genie in a bottle, it is the physical manifestation of an enlightened state. When we chant WITH IT, we elevate our life state, which gives us the ability to make the right choices, go after things, people and situations that will enrich our lives and the lives of the people around us.

Watch my video about the Gohonzon....attached

How do you receive a Gohonzon?

When you are ready and you feel you can make sense of it all, you would go to a center in a city and there is a lovely ceremony where you will receive it. Free of charge.

Once you have received it you are considered part of SGI network, or part of the sgi family. BUT you are under NO obligation to continue with your practice or study.

Buddhist practice is a gift not an obligation and you should never feel obliged to chant, go to meetings or study. You are doing it FOR YOUR SELF and no-one else.


There are no learning centers near me so where do I begin?

Books, people like me on youtube, other websites... faith that you will connect with the right people.... you are on the path of exploration now.
Tina Turner practices and in the beginning she couldnt go to meetings. Look her up on youtube

What advice does Nichiren Buddhism have to offer regarding dealing with negative emotions, thoughts, etc? Also, what is the best way to maintain a positive, joyful outlook in our everyday lives?

That is a difficult question and I dont think there is a simple answer. All I can do is speak from experience. When I chant daily 1/2 hour in the morning and 1/2 hour at night my day is wonderful. When I chant I feel bliss and happiness but that is becuase I have faith but faith isnt something that comes instantly, you develop your faith, through experience, testing the practice and study.

A joyful outlook on life is something that you have to foster and develop.

You dont just wake up one day and every thing is fine and life has no problems.

N Buddhism will teach you that problems in life are part of life and when we practice buddhism it teaches us that its not the problem that is the problem, it is how we see it, our view point.

The earth quake in Haiti is a tragedy to us humans with all that loss of life, and from our point of view it is a terrible thing. We throw our hands up to the heavens and cry, why does this happen? The point is that earth quakes are a natural part of the earths cycle and with out them, and the moving plates of the planet, life wouldnt exsist as we know it. We just happen to be caught up in the middle of this natural process. From our viewpoint it is suffering, but from the viewpoint of earth and the universe it is as natural as breathing.

You begin to learn that life doesn't HAPPEN TO YOU, you are your life and you make your choices, you are ultimately responsible for your life.

There isnt a point where you suddenly stop suffering and stop feeling it, as long as you are human you will have you down days and your struggles, but the more you learn that life is just one big illusion you will begin to handle these situations differently.

I would encourage you to study Eastern religions and learn and read and listen and absorb. I am learning every day and it is all very interesting.

Are the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path reckognized in Nichiren Buddhism?

I have heard those mentioned, but I am not sure how they fit in, you would have to ask someone who has been studying longer then I have. I have only been practicing for 1 year.


What are the main beliefs or teachings of Nichiren Buddhism?

• Have faith in your self as a human being
• Chant daily nam myoho renge kyo
• Study the teachings of the Lotus Sutra
• Embrace your struggles and realize that they are fuel to your enlightenment
• Always remember that kosen rufu (world peace) starts in the heart of each one of us one heart at a time.
• We dont need to suffer lifetime after life time to achieve enlightenment, it is a process that can offer in one lifetime.
• Enlightenment is'nt a place you get to and stop, it is a continuous growth in to the infinite future. Think of the number 8, infinity. We weave in and out of existence forever.
  

Questions about Nichiren Buddhism? Where do I begin?

What are the first steps in learning about Nichiren Buddhism?

By starting to chant daily begin with 10 minutes every morning and every night, writing down your "determinations" you want for your life, with dates and when you want things to change by, setting firm goals for your life will assure you quicker results. At the end of the day its about your intention and what is in yoru heart. Chanting with our faith wont have much effect.

The main point is be consistent.

Study... it is important that you read, and learn more about this form of Buddhism, life, people, and the heart of humanity.

If you are seeking answers to life's big questions; practice (chant). study (read and learn) and have faith.

Those three things daily will assure your life moves in the direction you wish it to.

How does Gongyo work and is it like some sort of supernatural power that people are tapping into?

It depends on what you mean by supernatural power. The Gohonzon isn't a genie in a bottle, it is the physical manifestation of an enlightened state. When we chant WITH IT, we elevate our life state, which gives us the ability to make the right choices, go after things, people and situations that will enrich our lives and the lives of the people around us.

Watch my video about the Gohonzon....attached

How do you receive a Gohonzon?

When you are ready and you feel you can make sense of it all, you would go to a center in a city and there is a lovely ceremony where you will receive it. Free of charge.

Once you have received it you are considered part of SGI network, or part of the sgi family. BUT you are under NO obligation to continue with your practice or study.

Buddhist practice is a gift not an obligation and you should never feel obliged to chant, go to meetings or study. You are doing it FOR YOUR SELF and no-one else.


There are no learning centers near me so where do I begin?

Books, people like me on youtube, other websites... faith that you will connect with the right people.... you are on the path of exploration now.
Tina Turner practices and in the beginning she couldnt go to meetings. Look her up on youtube

What advice does Nichiren Buddhism have to offer regarding dealing with negative emotions, thoughts, etc? Also, what is the best way to maintain a positive, joyful outlook in our everyday lives?

That is a difficult question and I dont think there is a simple answer. All I can do is speak from experience. When I chant daily 1/2 hour in the morning and 1/2 hour at night my day is wonderful. When I chant I feel bliss and happiness but that is becuase I have faith but faith isnt something that comes instantly, you develop your faith, through experience, testing the practice and study.

A joyful outlook on life is something that you have to foster and develop.

You dont just wake up one day and every thing is fine and life has no problems.

N Buddhism will teach you that problems in life are part of life and when we practice buddhism it teaches us that its not the problem that is the problem, it is how we see it, our view point.

The earth quake in Haiti is a tragedy to us humans with all that loss of life, and from our point of view it is a terrible thing. We throw our hands up to the heavens and cry, why does this happen? The point is that earth quakes are a natural part of the earths cycle and with out them, and the moving plates of the planet, life wouldnt exsist as we know it. We just happen to be caught up in the middle of this natural process. From our viewpoint it is suffering, but from the viewpoint of earth and the universe it is as natural as breathing.

You begin to learn that life doesn't HAPPEN TO YOU, you are your life and you make your choices, you are ultimately responsible for your life.

There isnt a point where you suddenly stop suffering and stop feeling it, as long as you are human you will have you down days and your struggles, but the more you learn that life is just one big illusion you will begin to handle these situations differently.

I would encourage you to study Eastern religions and learn and read and listen and absorb. I am learning every day and it is all very interesting.

Are the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path reckognized in Nichiren Buddhism?

I have heard those mentioned, but I am not sure how they fit in, you would have to ask someone who has been studying longer then I have. I have only been practicing for 1 year.


What are the main beliefs or teachings of Nichiren Buddhism?

• Have faith in your self as a human being
• Chant daily nam myoho renge kyo
• Study the teachings of the Lotus Sutra
• Embrace your struggles and realize that they are fuel to your enlightenment
• Always remember that kosen rufu (world peace) starts in the heart of each one of us one heart at a time.
• We dont need to suffer lifetime after life time to achieve enlightenment, it is a process that can offer in one lifetime.
• Enlightenment is a place you get to and stop, it is a continuous growth in to the infinite future. Think of the number 8, infinity. We weave in and out of existence forever.
  

Life changing...

Robbie, you helped me find a computer file of the lotus sutra a few months ago.

I found you through your YouTube lotus sutra information, and you were so gracious to send it to me via internet email.

I listen to it every day several times. My life started working out immediately, and I am so pleased and happy and healthy compared to how I was before you sent it to me.

My family is all staunch Christians, nothing specific wrong with that; it just doesn’t help me find peace in my life the way they do.

I am very grateful to you; you gave me a precious gift.

Thank you so much.

MM

How much should I chant? Does chanting Nam myoho renge kyo work?

First, everyone is different, some of the Japanese ladies use the little daimoku charts where 15 minutes equals a tiny square of a huge picture...etc. You try to set a goal it sounds like of x minutes per day. This also leads in my second point, which is that I do not believe that chanting itself is necessarily a "good cause". I say this because.... what IS the Gohonzon? It is the actual manifestation of Ichinen Sanzen, and we seek Kyochi Myogo in our practice.

That is, a fusion between our life and the perfect blueprint of life which is "Gohonzon". So back to the point: Within Ichinen Sanzen, cause and effect is explained in detail. The Ten Factors ("Ju Nyo Ze") make it clear that it is the NATURE of a cause that matters, not the cause itself. This would indicate that the act of chanting itself has no value, positive or negative. It's value rather would be determined by one's motivation or nature in that cause of chanting the daimoku.

What if in my head as I chant, I curse this Buddhism? Is it still a good cause? How about those who appear to betray Buddhism, yet chant... are they making a good cause when they chant in anger and pray for the Gakkai to die? Think it over.... It is always the NATURE of a cause that matters and thus creates an immediate latent effect which will manifest in time.

This leads to point 3: QUANTITY of daimoku, in my opinion is irrelevant. It is sincerity that matters. One sincere daimoku is more valuable than a million careless daimoku. The opposite is true as well, Nichiren Daishonin states "1000 pots of laquer can be ruined by a single crab leg". Which I believe indicates that every single cause counts and ones destiny or "karma" is constantly accumulating.

Anyway, just wanted to share my thoughts on it and especially stress the Ten Factors as they are very fundamental to how our life conditions change (ie how we interact with environment and have influence over it and it over us) which is the main point you seem to be trying to make. The damoku is indeed the "One Essential Phrase" as Nichiren Daishonin puts it, but I do believe that faith is the key to making it awaken one's Buddha nature. NOT the act of chanting itself, but FAITH.

A last thought: So I suppose it's like this: If I have a bike, if I don't know how to ride it, it's not going to help me get very far. I just don't see much value in chanting without faith.  Otherwise, anyone who chanted could not be deluded... yet we know that is not the case. I do not think one can awaken Buddha Nature without chanting, but I also don't think chanting works without faith and sincerity.

I am joining the army, but I want to become Buddhist, how do I do it?

My name is Ashton, im 18, and i live in Texas. Iv been interested in converting for about a year or so now but im having trouble figuring out how to start. In September of 2010 ill be enlisting in the US army and im a little scared on how I should approach becoming Buddhist while im in the army. Im still in high school so u can just imagine how easy it must be for me ha. but if u could get back to me and plz show me a path on starting i would greatly appreciate the help. :]

______________________________________________________
Dear Ashton,

Firstly thank you for writing to me. It is always such an honour to get messages such as yours from people around the world. It is quite a humbelling experience.

My advice to you is to listen to your heart, if you feel that this practice is something that helps you then presue it.

I am sure in the army there are people that are athiest, buddhist, jewish and other faiths. Buddhism will be no different.

But to be buddhist you need 3 things.

Firstly strong faith - This is faith in your self, your life, your family and your humanity and faith that you will have absolute victory in every thing you do.

Secondly practice - Chanting daily will raise your life state and help you cope with the heavy emotional and physical work you will undergo as you build your self up in the army. You can chant in the toilet quietly to your self, you can chant loudly in your room if noone is around, you can chant loudly in your room if there ARE people around and you feel comfortable, or you can chant in your head. It doesnt really matter how you do it but what matters is that you do it every day. Chanting connects you to your enlightend self.

It isnt easy and it wont be easy, but if you push forward you will succeed and you will recieve great benfit from this.

Lastly and most importantly is study - It is vital that you learn every day, even if it is just one line about what buddhism is about, the teachings and wisdom of the lotus sutra. Leanring more about how this practice can help you achieve unshakable happiness is key to your strength.

When you put your hands together and you chant, you are making a vow to your self that you are the one driving your life. You let go of blame and you focus on your own human revolution!

Be strong, chant an hour a day, ready books and ask questions. Never be embarrssed of yoru faith.

You are at the center of your religion and you have the power to change anything in your life.

Chant for security, happiness and success and the happiness of all humanity

Go well friend and feel free to ask me any more questions.

i am sorry it took me so long to get back to you.

All the best

Robbie

Why do Buddhists pray? Who are they praying to?

Hello,

My name is Faisa and I have been watching your videos.
I'm really fascinated by this whole Buddhism religion. You seem to be really at peace and content. I'm just confused by one thing.....I don't understand who you pray to. As I understand it (please correct me if I'm wrong) is that Buddhists believe that there is no god and everyone has the power to great their own world right? But yet Buddhists pray. So how does that work? I'm sorry that I'm ignorant I'm just curious.

hope that you are in good health and hope to hear from you

kind regards
Faisa

______________________________________________

hi Faisa,

Thank you for your message.

Please do not be sorry, it is good to ask questions. There are no bad questions, only bad answers! :-)

You have asked a very good question, who or what do Buddhists pray to?

In Christian faiths and religions where a deity is concerned people put their hands together and pray to their god or gods. Most people adopt a position of begging for help or forgivness or assistance for the lifes sufferings.

In Buddhism we do not believe in god, but a universal force that governs the universe, we are different to Christians because we believe that each and every human being is in control of their own destinies, this is all done with the direction of karma.

Good and bad karmic events occur in a persons life due to choices, words and thoughts made in this life and in others.

So when we are chanting, we are connecting with the part of our consciousness that stores the karma, the 8th conciousness or the alaya consciousness.

When we pray at the end of our chanting, it is a way of sealing off the chant or practice and wishing well our family, our friends, our communities and the world around us.

You could say that becuase buddhists believe that every living thing or every THING in the universe is connected, when we pray we send out positive vibrations.

The whole point of a religion is to lift people out of suffering and to help the transcend suffering.

All religions were created or manifested in to the world with the intention of helping people, well I would say all, but recent religions like Scientology dont seem to have hte best interestes of the people at heart.

Nichirine Buddhism is a religion of the people, it is about people and the lives of these people. The lotus sutra teaches that every single person is capabale of buddahood. this is a never ending supply of courage, goodwill, strength, compassion and wisdom.

But it teaches that this power is inside us, always. All we need to do is chant nam myoho renge kyo and connect with this higher state of being, that resides in the 9th level of consciousness. When we do this, our buddah nature comes forth and we are able to battle and win against any kind of suffering.

I hope all this makes sense. And if it doesnt please feel free to ask me some more questions.

All the best my friend

Robbie

The Journey

Hi Robbie

Thanks for posting your videos charting your journey with Nichiren Buddhism.

I have been practicing for about three months (24th of May 2009 to be exact !) after seeing a stall at Birmingham Pride. I'd been interested in Buddhism for quite a while and had been along to the FWBO temple in Birmingham, but it wasn't quite what I was looking for. I have to admit that having found the Pride stall and being told about the chanting I nearly made a friendly but hasty retreat, but I was given a copy of 'Art of living', various leaflets and I left my contact details. Well the rest is history - I started chanting and was amazed at the changes that I felt within myself. I didn't wait for our local group to contact me - I phoned Taplow and got the details of the district men's division leader and got in touch with him. It just so happened that there was a meeting that very evening so I went along and met some great people, who in the short time that I've known them, have become very special to me. It hasn't all been plain sailing though. The analogy that the practice can be likened to stirring up sediment at the bottom of a glass of water has certainly been true for me ! However the 'shit' thats hit the proverbial fan were things that I had to face up to at some point and I know I can face them head on with unfaultering faith. I'm thinking about receiving Gohonzon but I'm not sure I'm quite ready yet !

Anyway - sorry to have gone on a bit ! The reason I mailed You is to thank you for your encouraging and informative videos and keep up the good work Shakubuku-ing via youtube !

Nam myoho renge kyo

Paul J