(you probably didn’t realize it was Chapter II)
Before we move on to look at challenges you may face as a Buddhist who is incarcerated, let’s review the chapter. I have given you two exercises or activities to engage in.
One is to practice gratitude awareness. Doing this by keeping a gratitude journal would be highly recommended. For anyone who comes to me for advice, or guidance on practice, or who wishes to train with me I always give them gratitude awareness as a practice. It may seem trivial. It may seem to you there is nothing to be grateful for. It may seem pointless. Yes, it probably does. I understand. I also understand how important it is to creating change within self. I also understand how science, psychologists, have done studies which have proven the effectiveness of this practice. It has been shown to influence a sense of well being. It has proven beneficial to people suffering from depression. It has many well researched benefits.
And if that isn’t enough, it is also a fundamental practice of Buddhism.
“The merits of the Buddha are beyond the expression of our words. ”
Lotus Sutra, Chapter VIII
It is not possible to know the merits you have received if you are not aware of them. Keeping this journal enables you to first be aware, be in the state of knowing, be in the state of deep appreciation, and be in awe of the very merit of life. Also knowing what you have can empower you to know you have enough to help others become happy and attain enlightenment. Consider this. When you know what you have you are then free to give of yourself.
“‘Good men! I think that the Buddha, the World-Honored One, wishes to expound a great teaching, to send the rain of a great teaching, to blow the conch-shell horn of a great teaching, to beat the drum of a great teaching, and to explain the meaning of a great teaching.’”
Lotus Sutra, Chapter I
The Buddha’s life is immeasurable and infinite, he is able to freely give of himself to benefit all life. Knowing what you have frees you from being miserly with your gifts to help others. Also knowing what you have will help to identify your strengths and how you might be the best person to help a fellow human.
The second thing covered in this chapter was discernment. Where are you right now, where do you wish to go? What do you feel now, what do you hope to feel? What do you know, and what do you hope to learn? Who are you now and who do you wish to become? What gifts have you received and what gifts can you share? These and many other possible questions are yours to answer and explore.
“Maitreya Bodhisattva, wishing to have his doubts removed, and also understanding the minds of the congregation, asked Mañjuśrī: ‘Why is the World-Honored One displaying this good omen, this wonder?’”
Lotus Sutra, Chapter I
Maitreya knew his own mind and so knew to ask to have his doubts removed. He also understood that others may feel as he did. Without a deep sense of personal awareness we can only move forward blindly, causing much suffering for ourselves and others.
“I think that this Buddha also is emitting this ray of light, and showing this good omen, wishing to cause all living beings to hear and understand the most difficult teaching in the world to believe.”
Lotus Sutra, Chapter I
The Buddha is fearless, and without limits. In this instance he uses his great supernatural powers to demonstrate something very profound is about to be taught.
“I have the store of the Dharma in which the immeasurable wisdom, powers and fearlessness of the Buddhas are housed. These living beings are all my children. I will give them the Great Vehicle. I will not cause them to attain extinction by their own ways. I will cause them to attain the extinction of the Tathāgata.”
Lotus Sutra, Chapter III
And finally here the father of the children in the Burning House who represents the Buddha states he has the storehouse of the Dharma which is limitless. With such infinite treasure he is free to give the highest and greatest teaching, the Lotus Sutra, so all beings can become enlightened. Knowing what you have and who you are can give you strength and courage to freely give to others to help them become truly happy.
For your benefit I hope you will take seriously the gratitude awareness exercise and use the discernment process for self discovery and personal awareness.
