The Kankucho bird in the Snow Mountains neglected making its nest while the sun was out. Benumbed by the warmth of the daylight, it forgot all about making preparations for the shivering winter nights. The bird ended up suffering nightly. We do not want to follow the example of this Kankucho bird.
We live our lives with the four and eight kinds of suffering. The key to overcoming this suffering is to realize that we now have the opportunity to stop the negative cycle developed from our past causes. If you turn your back on hardship and run away from it, you will be defeated by the poison within your own heart. In other words, the earthly desires in your heart are what prevent you from attaining enlightenment.*
*Excerpted from Nichiren Shoshu Monthly, August, 2014, pp.11-12.
Upcoming Introductory Meetings
Saturday, September 13th at 2:00 p.m.
Topic: What is Buddhism? A Brief History
Sunday, September 21st at 11:00 a.m.
Topic: Buddhist Concept of the Ten Worlds
Sunday, September 28th at 2:00 p.m.
Topic: What is Karma?
