i am grateful that I no longer see some of the trauma given by family members that hurt me in the past as something that affects me how i perceive them, i try to overcome the bad feeling towards them and i am slowly accomplishing. I do not perceive what I was done as a personal thing, it was not about me at all and I do not hold on to those bad feelings.

I am grateful for student loans, that are providing me with housing and higher education to give me a better life.

I am grateful for the wisdom I have found in my past experiences and in my present.

I am grateful for the kindness and compassion I have found in people.

I am grateful that I can experience true gratitude.

Dear John/ Everyone:

The quotes you offered, John,  on another thread: “Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced”, “Life is NOT about seeking shelter from the storms; life is about learning to dance in the rain”,

Right above: “Gassho… The premise of the practice is that, as humans, we constantly desire: something more, somewhere else, to be with someone else, to be thinking something else, to be someone else, to be feeling something else, to be doing something else. It seems to be our nature, as humans, to be discontent“- very well said, John, if you don’t mind me saying so.

What am I grateful for? The short answer is … pretty much everything. Years ago, I came across a very simple way of living called ‘Gassho’.
It is practiced, or more correctly ‘lived by’, most Jodo Shinshu followers; who live in a state gratefulness for what they have. The beauty of it
is that, over time one becomes less and less obsessed with ‘getting more’; a mentality that most of us having been born into an affluent materialist society accept as normal. For me, it was a revelation; but in order to live by it, I had to find a way of engraining it into my way of living. This wasn’t as difficult as it might seem, as a few minutes of reflection clearly reminded me of the many blessing that have been bestowed on me over my life time: the many friends and familty that support me, the benefits of living in a free country with all kinds of social benefits, the opportunities I have had throughout my life, good health, good food, the list is pretty much endless. But, the key to living by this realization lies in constantly reminding oneself (a few mintes each day) of them. Without that practice, it’s simply another good idea, a revelation, which will eventually fade from memory, lost in time; as so many revelations have.
…. john

Dear John:

John: “Years ago, I came across a very simple way of living called ‘Gassho’. It is practiced, or more correctly ‘lived by’, most Jodo Shinshu followers; who live in a state gratefulness for what they have“-

– I read that Jodo Shinshu, also known as Shin Buddhism or True Pure Land Buddhism is the most widely practiced branch of Buddhism in Japan and among Japanese ethnic communities worldwide. It is known for its simplicity of practice and emphasis on faith and gratitude.

The Pure Land is considered a celestial realm free from suffering, filled with beautiful landscapes, serene waters, and celestial music. In the Pure Land, beings do not experience the distractions and obstacles found in the human world. The conditions are perfect for meditation, learning, and spiritual development. Beings reborn in the Pure Land have the unique opportunity to attain enlightenment more easily. The Pure Land therefore serves as a stepping stone to Buddhahood.

Amitabha Buddha resides in the Pure Land. His infinite compassion and wisdom are central to the experience of the Pure Land.  Amitabha’s 18th vow, known as the Primal Vow, promises that anyone who sincerely wishes to be reborn in the Pure Land and calls upon his name (Namu Amida Butsu) with faith will be granted rebirth there. This vow is foundational to Jodo Shinshu teachings.

Achieving Buddhahood is considered the ultimate goal in Buddhism. A Buddha has a complete and profound understanding of the true nature of reality, often described as seeing things as they truly are, beyond illusions and misconceptions. A Buddha embodies boundless compassion for all sentient beings, striving to alleviate their suffering. A Buddha has transcended the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, achieving a state of nirvana where there is no suffering, desire, or attachment. A Buddha adheres to the highest ethical and moral standards, living a life of virtue and integrity. A Buddha often takes on the role of a teacher, sharing the path to enlightenment with others and helping them achieve liberation from suffering.

John: “Without that practice, it’s simply another good idea, a revelation, which will eventually fade from memory, lost in time; as so many revelations have.“-

– thank you, John, for reminding me of revelations I once had regarding Buddhism, revelations that indeed faded from my memory. I need to practice the principles of Buddhism every day.. all day, everywhere, with everyone:

Right Mindfulness (Practicing awareness of thoughts, feelings, and actions), Right Intention (Cultivating intentions of goodwill and harmlessness), Right Speech (Speaking truthfully and kindly), Right Action (Acting ethically: refraining from taking life, from stealing, from harmful speech, speech that deceives or otherwise hurts, unsettles or harms others..).

Again, thank you John and I am glad to read your posts in the forums!

anita

Dear John:

“I apologize for posting on the same subject twice…“- To err is human: making mistakes is an inherent part of being human. No wrong committed (a wrong= a deliberate action that goes against ethical standards). A tiny mistake on tiny buddha is definitely acceptable, says I 😊

“I was affirmed into the sect many years ago; my sensei gave me the name Shinnen“- your given name is a Japanese name that can have different meanings depending on the kanji characters used to write it: 信念 (Shinnen) means belief or conviction, often associated with one’s principles or faith, and  新年 (Shinnen) means New Year, symbolizing renewal, new beginnings, and fresh opportunities.

“The temple is a very special place for me. I feel like I’m going home; where I can be with people who share the same aspirations and ways“- reads like you feel a deep emotional connection, safety, and a sense of belonging in the temple, a strong communal bond, because of shared values, goals, and practices.

“Normally I feel like a fish out of water”– but in your everyday life, you feel out of place, misunderstood, or disconnected from your surroundings and the people around you..

“But there… I’m at peace”–  the temple is a refuge for you, a sanctuary, a place where you can relax and feel at peace with being you.  A powerful testimony, John!

“I have had a long history in Theravadin, Mahayana, and Zen Buddhism, and it’s been a very interesting, and often challenging trip“- reads like you spent a considerable amount of time studying and practicing within these different Buddhist traditions, exercising a deep level of engagement and commitment.

Theravadin focuses on individual enlightenment through rigorous practice and adherence to early Buddhist teachings. Mahayana emphasizes the bodhisattva path, practicing compassion and aspiring to achieve enlightenment not just for oneself, but for the benefit of all sentient beings.

Zen Buddhism is a school of Mahayana Buddhism that promotes a simple and uncluttered lifestyle, meditation and direct experience, which means experiencing the present moment fully and directly without the filter of preconceived notions and linguistic labels. It is also known for the use of koans (paradoxical questions or statements).

In your post on another thread less than two hour ago, you quoted from Matthew Arnold’s poem, Dover Beach (first published in 1867).

“The first sentence ‘Ah, love let us be true to one another!’ is really the conclusion“- the conclusion is a heartfelt appeal for loyalty, honesty, and mutual support in a world that seems increasingly uncertain and bleak, seeking solace and security in genuine, honest relationships, a refuge from the chaos and confusion of the external world.

“Ah, love, let us be true-  To one another! for the world, which seems-  To lie before us like a land of dreams,- So various, so beautiful, so new,- Hath really neither joy, nor love, nor light,- Nor certitude, nor peace, nor help for pain;- And we are here as on a darkling plain- Swept with confused alarms of struggle and flight,- Where ignorant armies clash by night.”- the world appears to be a wonderful and idyllic place, full of beauty and promise, but despite its (deceptive) beauty, the world lacks true joy, love, peace, and solace. Humanity is depicted as being in a state of confusion and turmoil, engaging in chaotic and senseless conflicts and struggles.

The imagery evokes a sense of disillusionment, hopelessness and helplessness. In response to this disillusionment, the poet emphasizes the importance of mutual truth and fidelity in personal relationships, of genuine connection and support as a source of stability and comfort.

Dover Beach was written around 1851, and first published in 1867 in his collection “New Poems.” I think that the themes and insights of the poem are even more relevant today, 173 years later, than back then because of the negative consequences of advanced technology: climate change, pollution, and a much greater technological capability for mass destruction of billions of lives, a capability which accompanies current chaotic and senseless political instabilities and wars

The poet’s plea for truth and fidelity (being faithful, loyal, trustworthy) in personal relationships emphasizes the timeless importance of human connection. In our current era where digital interactions often replace face-to-face communication, the need for genuine, meaningful relationships remains crucial for emotional well-being.

Thank you, John, for the poem and posts. Your given name fits you well, if I may say so: a man of belief, conviction, new beginnings and opportunities. Here in these forums is an opportunity for genuine, honest relationships, truth and fidelity among ourselves.

anita

Welcome to the forums, Mahmoud Mazloum. I am grateful that you are here, and hoping to read more from you, here and on other threads!

anita