What is true joy in life?

SGI President Ikeda's Daily Encouragement for May 28

What is true joy in life? This is a difficult question-and one which has occupied a great many thinkers and philosophers. Joy can quickly give way to suffering. Joy is short and suffering long. Also what passes for joy in society is superficial. It cannot compare with the joy deriving from the Mystic Law. The key then lies in cultivating a state of mind where we can declare without reservation that life itself is a joy. This is the purpose of our Buddhist practice.

20070513 Mother's Day Benefit

On this day, out of profound appreciation for motherhood and the women in my life, I took my wife, her Mom, her Sister and her two children out to Stevie's Creole Cafe and Bar in Encino. We had a grand old time. I chanted for the success of this activity just as I would and have any other. Families, in general, can be temperamental and so there was a lot of potential for things to "head south", but, they didn't... All were lulled into a sense of comfort and enjoyment, and, well, just look at the photos! We all had a blast!

From 20070513Mothe...

l2r: DJ, me, Deme, Mama, Dominique, Lani

From 20070513Mothe...

Mama, Stevie

From 20070513Mothe...

Jimmy McConell's Band, Reggie

From 20070513Mothe...

Lani, me

From 20070513Mothe...

l2r: Dominique, Lani, DJ, Deme

From 20070513Mothe...

Reggie, me

From 20070513Mothe... Reggie

20070512 General Update

I haven't posted anything for a couple of days so I thought I would now.

This past week has been one of silent struggle against and with:

1. Burnout at work
2. Personalities at work
3. People in general
4. Myself
5. My moods
6. My practice
7. Helping others
8. My marriage
9. SGI-USA and some of it's whackiness which is linked back to the people...

At the same time, and on a daily basis, my appreciation grows for:

1. Living
2. Being alive
3. Life itself
4. The good that I and others bring to this world
5. The struggle...
6. My moods
7. My practice
8. Being able to help others
9. SGI-USA and all the good that it does - and its whackiness...
10. Where I am right now and the opportunities for growth it presents
11. My wife
12. My marriage
13. My living conditions

I am so happy I found this practice!

Onward, forward, and, upward!

Tally ho, maties!

20070428 Visit with My Son and Family

On April 28, 2007 I attended a BBQ at my son and his wife's new home in North Seattle. Present were a neighbor, Fil (his Mom and my treasured friend), Scott (her new husband and my treasured friend), Brian's beautiful wife, Johanna, and, Samanda (Scott and Fil's niece). I cannot describe in words the deep joy I felt at observing and participating in my son and my extended family's prosperity. This is truly a deep and inspiring benefit.

Some pictures from the event:

From 20070428JoBriBBQ

l2r: Scott, Brian, Johanna, neigbor, me, Fil

From 20070428JoBriBBQ

Brian in front of his new townhome in N Seattle

From 20070428JoBriBBQ

Long shot of Brian in front of his new townhome in N Seattle

From 20070428JoBriBBQ

Brian and Jo in kitchen/dining area

From 20070428JoBriBBQ

Brian and Jo in kitchen/dining area

From 20070428JoBriBBQ

l2r: Scott, Fil, Jo

From 20070428JoBriBBQ

l2r: Scott, Brian, Jo, neighbor, Alhambra, Fil

From 20070428JoBriBBQ

Kitties on couch in living room

From 20070428JoBriBBQ

Kittie posing

From 20070428JoBriBBQ

Kittie surprised while eating

Buddhism is about Winning

SGI President Ikeda's Daily Encouragement for May 4

Buddhism concerns itself with winning. When we battle a powerful enemy, either we will triumph or we will be defeated-there is no middle ground. Battling against life's negative functions is an indivisible part of Buddhism. It is by being victorious in this struggle that we become Buddhas. We have to win. Moreover, Buddhism ensures that we can definitely do so.