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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Becoming a Chaplain – Personal Journey #2

Before anyone thinks too highly of me I need to tell you not just what I did in caring for those young men; boys if you will. It is important to tell you who I was at that time. This was a very low point in my spiritual practice, having drifted away from a regular consistent daily devotion. I was also was filled to overflowing with anger. At the time I was not mature enough…

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Knowing The Past And Changing The Future – March 16, 2014 Dharma Talk

Good morning, thank you all for joining with me this morning to celebrate the Lotus Sutra and practice according to the instructions given to us by Nichiren Shonin. Continuing with my weekly reflections on the Lotus Sutra I offer you this from Chapter II. “All things are devoid of substantiality. The seed of Buddhahood comes from dependent origination.” Lotus Sutra, Chapter II Originally I had planned to go in a different direction reflecting on this…

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Buddhism and Money #6 – March 13, 2014

Essentially money is simply a means of exchange. You could think of it in terms of the middle-man between your means of earning and the things you buy. Money is the middle point between your working on a spreadsheet for your boss and the next vacation you take to some exotic location. Money in your pocket or bank account was once your work, your effort, your employment at whatever company or industry you work for.…

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