Becoming a Chaplain – Personal Journey #3

After moving to Charlotte, NC with my partner after his retirement from the Navy I reconnected with my Buddhist practice in a deeper and more intentional way. Instead of the haphazard and inconsistent practice I had fallen into in California. In Nichiren Buddhism a practitioner is encouraged to recite portions of Chapter II and Chapter XVI on a daily basis as well as chant the Odaimoku or Sacred Title, Namu Myoho Renge Kyo. Throughout most…

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Ohigan – Renewal – March 23, 2014 Dharma Talk

Good morning. Today is our first Lotus Sutra service since the Fall Equinox, our first service of Spring 2014. For those of us who live in the Carolinas the weather has been very delightful lately with mild temperatures and a lot of sunshine. Today the weather will be dramatically cooler and rain is supposed to start. While out walking my dog over the past few days I have had plenty of chances to stop and…

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Praising the Buddha – March 9, 2014 Dharma Talk

Good morning to you all, thank you for joining with me today to celebrate the Lotus Sutra by reciting portions of Chapter II and Chapter XVI as well as harmoniously chanting the sacred title. Today is the first day of Daylight Savings Time here in the United States. For most of us the next few days or even weeks will be challenging as our bodies adjust to the change in time. I know I am…

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Buddhism and Money #5 – March 6, 2014

I wonder if you had any revelations as you worked through the inventory of items in a room? Now think about your whole house and what that inventory list would look like. We have done several different types of meditations or awareness exercises now. What are your thoughts? What are your feelings? Has anything arisen within you, perhaps a new understanding, or a desire to make some changes? Let’s recap the exercises so far. 1.…

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