Paul Monaco .com

I’ve been meaning to post a picture of my altar for the longest time, but my camera phone just didn’t do a good job at all. So now that I have a real digital camera, here it is.

It’s a very basic set-up, but I’m proud of it. I spend many hours here.

About my last post… just ignore it. So far the temperature is the only indication that this is winter. The snow simply has not come to fruition, though this morning I thought it had. At 4am I’m awakened to the unmistakable sound of steel rubbing across pavement and back-up alarms. I thought for sure we got the mother-lode of snow overnight. I was so wrong.

I imagine the folks that make a living off of snow removal are pretty antsy this year, and as soon as they saw a dusting covering the pavement they came out full force, sanding and plowing. The snow was so light that I saw one contractor using a leaf-blower to clear a sidewalk. I have a hunch small claims court will be clogged in the coming weeks when the land owners refuse to pay these guys for jumping the gun like they did.

At least the weather isn’t effecting my power-walks. Actually I prefer to do it in the frigid cold then in summers sweltering heat.

Since I’ve quit smoking over 6-months ago, I’ve taken up walking to help get rid of the weight I gained from quitting. I have a hunch that after today my power-walk schedule will be greatly reduced as there predicted some snow on Friday then again on Monday. I think winter is finally in New England.

It’s actually amazing that the weather has been so mild this late in the season. I haven’t put snow-studs on my car yet and am still disputing if I should?

In an address given by President Daisaku Ikeda, the Lotus Sutra was referenced to define attributes pertaining to Bodhisattvas of the Earth. As a personal exercise and assessment I am going to compare these attributes to my own life, perhaps discovering new opportunities for development.

“[They are] firm in their intent and thought, with the power of great perseverance, the kind living beings delight to see” (LS, 216)

Since I’ve been chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo I have certainly developed greater perseverance. Though I’m not satisfied with my current abilities to stick with the difficult problems and see them through to the end I am happy that I have been able to Chant and do Gongyo daily. Even during those times when I don’t exactly feel like doing it.

“They constantly delight in the Law of the Buddhas, diligently and with a single mind pursuing unsurpassed wisdom” (LS, 219)

Now this certainly applies! I’m constantly looking for connections between events that happen in my life and the principles of Buddhism. It never ends. Sure, one can see cause and effect is an obvious interaction but to fully understand it can unlock unlimited potential. Far to few have come to this realization outside the practice.

“Skillfully learning the bodhisattva way, [they are] unsoiled by worldly things like the lotus flower in the water” (LS, 222)

Okay, I’m going to have to study this point a little deeper. Being very new to this practice I have very much to learn but I will attempt to present my interpretation… Just as the lotus flower is able to bloom beatify from the dirty waters of the swamp, so can Bodhisattva grow through great diversity.

I’ve been divorced twice, widowed, laid-off, sued and bankrupt. Does that qualify for adversity? Though these have all happened in my life prior to discovering this Buddhism each time I overcame one of these obstacles I’ve always felt great with an “Oh yea, Bring it on!” attitude just waiting for my next battle.

“They expound various wonderful doctrines and their minds are without fear” (LS, 220)

I’m kinda doing that now, ain’t I? Also, I’ve been compiling a fully indexed and cross-referenced notebook of all my studies. It’s very thin now but I know it will be a wonderful reference to use throughout my practice.

“They are clever at difficult questions and answers… upright in dignity and virtue. They are praised by the Buddhas of the ten directions” (LS, 223)

And yet another development opportunity. One of my life-long challenges has been with using proper grammar. My parents learned English only after immigrating to the United States. They felt it import that I be brought up on English and spoke it in the house as the primary language. Learning English on their own they obviously were lacking in the finer points of the language, so you might say I picked up a few bad habits.

What better way then to start off the year but with New Year Gongyo at our local SGI Activity center. This was the first time I’ve been this center so I really didn’t know what to expect, but once I saw a few familiar faces I quickly settled in and it felt like I was going there for years.

As the title of this post suggests, a “Year of Advancement and Victory” is the theme for 2007. Very appropriate and one I can relate to on a personal level. Several members share wonderful experiences and being the beginning of the New Year many also shared their determinations. I always find these very motivational and comforting.

What also made today extra special was that I took a guest along to this meeting, a good friend of mine whom I hope will embrace this practice. I have a pretty good feeling that he will.