When we watch a film or read a novel we usually identify with the main character and we want and hope that they overcome their obstacles all through their lives, we are passionate about their loves, we are angry with those who betray them and hope for a happy ending. All these ingredients make us really enjoy this special moment on the other hand if in the film or book there weren't any obstacles or dramas this film or story wouldn't make much sense, we would get bored. So why do we feel down and say to ourselves: What did I do to deserve this? When the obstacles appear. Where did all that excitement about facing all that we share with the heroe go to? And why is the life of another always more interesting, more spectacular and with more possibilities than ours? As one definition of our own path in life, Buddhism speaks of four realities: birth, sickness, old age, and death.

The curtains go up
First act: We are born to be happy and to enjoy ourselves.
We arrive in this life with a "tumultuous vital energy"; our karma, which is the result of our thoughts, words and action and which has accumulated during all our lives. Karma can be positive and negative, but has in itself the potential to be transformed and used to build unchangeable happiness. In accordance with the teaching of Nichiren Daishonin, chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-kyo allows us to experience Buddhahood. "When we activate our essential pure consciousness, the karmic energy positive and negative which we hold is directed towards value creation; the mind or consciousness of our ethnic group and all humanity receive the fluid of this energy which is characterized by wisdom and compassion". So "karma" is not a heavy weight but just the opposite, it is the energy which allows us to come out of the narrow corridor in which we sometimes feel we are.

Second act: We go our own way
As the characters of our own life we have to do what we have to do because nobody can do it for us. We are here for a reason and the problems are a bit like the form of this profound experience of existing. This is our mission. As the heroe of the film has to play his role or there wouldn’t be a film we have our own problems which allow us to live our lives, challenge ourselves and triumph. Of the largest range of possible sufferings in life illness is one of the most representative, it is the rupture of the physical, mental, moral or social aspect of ourselves. Sickness is probably one of the main fountains of suffering and worry in all our lives. But with this new perspective which we are learning, sickness awakens the searching spirit for the truth of life; overcoming our limits and learning to appreciate life are the only ways of healing.

Third act: A meaningful life.
If we are the heroes of our lives, our lives become exciting and full. Even if we don't like it we are the writers and directors of our life. This can be brand, mediocre or brilliant. It all depends on our heart and to what we dedicate our lives. If we really try to work for the happiness of people while we fight to make our dreams concrete, the people who surround us are really happy in our presence and express gratitude for our existence, because of the positive influence we give to our environment. Is there any other happiness better than giving value?. Then our life will be dominated by the "law of determination" instead of the "law of desire".

Fourth act: To concrete eternal happiness (the eternity of life).
Nobody likes to get old, but at the same time we don't have any problems with the beauty of autumn, when the leaves of summer fall leaving the trees to show their naked arms, bony and dry. We possibly know that the tree will sprout again in a few months. When we understandthe eternity of life, when we understand that our autumn is preparing us to melt into the vital cycle which never ceases, we can perceive all the beauty of this period of life. It is then natural that we would want to be benevolent and considerate.

"When we base our life on the Buddha State benevolence and deep solidarity become the cement of our life. So we want to be born again as soon as possible to make others happy".

Epilogue: "Faith directed continuously in making efforts for kosen-rufu, during our past, present and future, is itself the great ship to take on the eternal voyage on the "ocean of life and death…" Daisaku Ikeda

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This page was last modified on Sunday, August 20, 2006.