Fate, Luck, Destiny or Karma

During One's struggle to find the time, energy and desire for faith, practice and study in our busy world, I am often reminded of the wonderful story in the Eighth Chapter of our Lotus Sutra. This is the story of the "Gem in the Robe."

Not unlike many others, in this story we find a man indecisive about his career life, he did not seem to be successful in regards' family or a permanent sharing relationship, but he was fairly cheerful about life. He had expectations, hope and good friends. One weekend while partying at his friends home the fellow had much too much to drink and was put to bed by his host. In the morning the host not wishing to disturb his good friend who was going through a tough time wanted to help out, and so he took the time to sew a valuable gem in his friend's thick robe, thinking to help him get through another of life's challenges. Then he goes off on a business trip.

The friend awakening realizes his host has left and goes out looking for work. Not finding work in the local area, he begins a life of wandering and taking whatever odd jobs he can, often hungry, often hanging out with negative sorts of people, rather than positive uplifting associates. So that for several years his life continues to be one of doubt, mistrust, and lower world conditions.

Then as One's karma would have it, returning to the area of his friend he bumps into him at the local coffee house. His friend is saddened to see that the fellow looks so downhearted and poorly dressed. He had wondered where his friend had gone and why he hadn't been in touch. After all he had left him with the means to temporarily get on with his life financially.

He seeing his friends miserable state of mind and body he says to him; "how could you be such a dolt. Look at yourself! I am truly saddened to see you in this state. The last time you visited my home I sewed a precious gem into your garment that you would be able to pick yourself up and get on with life. Look here, and so saying he cuts into the lining of the tattered coat and pulls out the precious gem. I wanted you to live comfortably, I have lots to live on and am happy to share what I have with you. Now take this and sell it and buy what you need. Why should you be in want?

The precious gem here is our buddha nature which we all possess. It is through our buddha nature that we are able to Realize that it is not fate, luck or destiny that makes one happy or rich. When we look about us, we see so many people watching too much television, listening to the noise and mis-information in the News, blaming others, living in denial, making unsound judgements. They are not in tune with their spiritual nature. Working ever so hard to make ends meet. Busy being busy, yet forever in turmoil with little thought or realization of their inner true value. When we look around us, it is easy to see the stress, the disease, the suffering of friends and family; the television and newspapers are filled daily with horror stories; yet people are not ready to accept the spiritual path that takes work, but leads to freedom.

Our Buddha nature offers the capacity to live in the higher Worlds of wellness, peaceful means, bliss, Bodhisattva and moments of Buddhahood. This is accomplished with discipline, through the study of the Buddha's messages, through practice and personal faith. Though all humans have an intrinsic Buddha nature, it is rare to find people to accept it in the same way our friend wandered about from one area to another and from job to job, never realizing how rich he really was, in more ways than one.

The lesson of this story or parable is that each of us are already empowered to find health, happiness and prosperity. It is up to us to become aware that there is so much more to life than the daily grind. The Buddha appeared almost 3,000 years ago in the Former Day of the Law to bring to earth the universal teachings. He taught that all human Beings have a buddha nature, which is our priceless gem. The instant we gain this Awareness we can accept the five challenges of life* expanding our vision of life through empathy, compassion and deep love. Our circumstances have little to do with luck, fate or destiny, it is up to us to expiate our negative karma, in this lifetime and live dynamic, fun, healthy lifestyles in the here and now; even as we prepare for our future existence by our present actions.

In our present Latter Day of the Law, the Sage Messenger Nichiren Daishonin opened the door of the Three Great Secret Treasures, 1] A Method: offering the object of respect, our Great Gohonzon Mandalas; merging the Precepts, Meditation and Wisdom. B] A Practice: the Five In One fundamental Meditation, chanting of the all inclusive title of the Lotus Sutra, Nam~Myoho~Renge~Kyo; incorporating awareness, breath, visualization, sound and the contemplation of mind. C] A Place: our modest Buddha Centre, our homes, wherever our life force makes conscious communication with the Buddha's of the Ten Directions, a Temple, any place of action, to awaken our Buddha nature.

Through faith, practice and study, we are the fortunate few. The precious gem in our life should be the gem of no doubt, for we are responsible for our challenges and our happiness. With the Three Secret Treasures and our Treasure Jewel of growing wisdom we are truly fortunate. If you have not found your gem yet, I suggest you check that old coat.

Thus Is Has Been Shared........  Sharing Session, with Henry

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