My experiences with Buddhism

For almost two years, before I joined, I met many people – friends, relatives and well wishers, who suggested I join the faith…but somehow I never ended up joining…and then one day, two months back…just suddenly…out of nowhere I did! It all, fell in place perfectly. Like I got all the answers I was looking for.

I believe that we always attract the things we most strongly want. Today, I know, in wanting my answers I was attracting this faith in my life, much before I even knew what it was. When I look back now, I can see the beautiful metamorphosis I’ve been through in these two years – It remains the most cherished “solved” mysteries of my life.

The Buddhism of Nichiren Daishonin teaches that our experience of life is not the responsibility of an external, all-powerful being. Rather, this philosophy starts with the individual. It says, we all have the potential to attain budhahood.

It’s one of those thoughts and ideologies that completely change the way you look at life. We always put the blame of our troubles on God, on destiny...or whatever else we chose to call it. As if God or destiny was sitting there, waiting to throw troubles and misery on my way...and then not help when I had had enough. If anything, God was like a school principal, who would reprimand me if I even thought of doing something different from “His Will”

I heard this ideology of taking responsibility and not blaming any external, all powerful being, and that’s it – I finally found my GOD…the one who lived inside me…the one who was my friend…the one I could talk to everyday and not be scared of ...the one who was THE ONE!

And thus began my journey of LIVING life!

For me, this faith is about 3 things.

Wisdom

The wisdom to deal with every situation in a way that changes life from one of those never ending roller-coater rides to a smooth flowing river.

Courage

The courage to convert thoughts, wishes and longings into action, so that they manifest as my reality. Courage to deal with the unknown. To understand the universe on the days I’m hardest hit. Courage for the days I feel fearful, insignificant or cowardly…courage to take charge of my life and fulfill my greatest dreams.

And most importantly, the feeling of being one with the Universe.

I met a beautiful lady once at a very important juncture of my life...and she told me, “It doesn’t matter where and how you are. It doesn’t matter who loves or doesn’t love you. What matters is, that the universe is ALWAYS with you.”

Today, after two and a half months of chanting, I know what she meant. It’s one of those feelings that words fail to describe. When you’re one with the eternal force, it fills you with a motive - a motive to make yourself and everyone around you happy. It fills you with immense love and joy.

When I chant I feel happy. The kind of happy I’ve dreamt of being from the time I was 12. Chanting the eternal words of wisdom- Nam Myo Ho Renge Kyo, aligns you with the Universe – and that’s a natural high.

So, very humbly, I bow down and surrender to the mystic law of the universe, and pray that the Buddha in me manifest itself.