The Four Noble Truths

1. Life means suffering.

To live means to suffer, because the human nature is not perfect and neither is the world we live in. During our lifetime, we inevitably have to endure physical suffering such as pain, sickness, injury, tiredness, old age, and eventually death; and we have to endure psychological suffering like sadness, fear, frustration, disappointment, and depression. Although there are different degrees of suffering and there are also positive experiences in life that we perceive as the opposite of suffering, such as ease, comfort and happiness, life in its totality is imperfect and incomplete, because our world is subject to impermanence. This means we are never able to keep permanently what we strive for, and just as happy moments pass by, we ourselves and our loved ones will pass away one day, too.



2. The origin of suffering is attachment.

The origin of suffering is attachment to transient things and the ignorance thereof. Transient things do not only include the physical objects that surround us, but also ideas, and -in a greater sense- all objects of our perception. Ignorance is the lack of understanding of how our mind is attached to impermanent things. The reasons for suffering are desire, passion, ardour, pursuit of wealth and prestige, striving for fame and popularity, or in short: craving and clinging. Because the objects of our attachment are transient, their loss is inevitable, thus suffering will necessarily follow. Objects of attachment also include the idea of a "self" which is a delusion, because there is no abiding self. What we call "self" is just an imagined entity, and we are merely a part of the ceaseless becoming of the universe.



3. The cessation of suffering is attainable.

The cessation of suffering can be attained through nirodha. Nirodha means the unmaking of sensual craving and conceptual attachment. The third noble truth expresses the idea that suffering can be ended by attaining dispassion. Nirodha extinguishes all forms of clinging and attachment. This means that suffering can be overcome through human activity, simply by removing the cause of suffering. Attaining and perfecting dispassion is a process of many levels that ultimately results in the state of Nirvana. Nirvana means freedom from all worries, troubles, complexes, fabrications and ideas. Nirvana is not comprehensible for those who have not attained it.



4. The path to the cessation of suffering.

There is a path to the end of suffering - a gradual path of self-improvement, which is described more detailed in the Eightfold Path. It is the middle way between the two extremes of excessive self-indulgence (hedonism) and excessive self-mortification (asceticism); and it leads to the end of the cycle of rebirth. The latter quality discerns it from other paths which are merely "wandering on the wheel of becoming", because these do not have a final object. The path to the end of suffering can extend over many lifetimes, throughout which every individual rebirth is subject to karmic conditioning. Craving, ignorance, delusions, and its effects will disappear gradually, as progress is made on the path.

Buddhahood

About Buddhism
The greatest achievement is selflessness.
The greatest worth is self-mastery.
The greatest quality is seeking to serve others.
The greatest precept is continual awareness.
The greatest medicine is the emptiness of everything.
The greatest action is not conforming with the worlds ways.
The greatest magic is transmuting the passions.
The greatest generosity is non-attachment.
The greatest goodness is a peaceful mind.
The greatest patience is humility.
The greatest effort is not concerned with results.
The greatest meditation is a mind that lets go.
The greatest wisdom is seeing through appearances.

Buddha hood is nothing but a state of high life condition.

Bodhi (बोधि) is both the Pāli and Sanskrit word traditionally translated into English as "enlightenment." The word "buddha" means "one who has achieved bodhi." Bodhi is also frequently (and more accurately) translated as "awakening."

Although its most common usage by far is in the context of Buddhism, bodhi is also a technical term with various usages in other Indian philosophies and traditions.

Bodhi is an abstract noun formed from the verbal root budh (to awake, become aware, notice, know or understand,) corresponding to the verbs bujjhati (Pāli) and bodhati or budhyate (Sanskrit).

In early Buddhism, bodhi carried a meaning synonymous to nirvana, using only some different metaphors to describe the experience, which implied the extinction of raga (greed), dosa (hate) and moha (delusion). In the later school of Mahayana Buddhism, the status of nirvana was downgraded in some scriptures, coming to refer only to the extinction of greed and hate, implying that delusion was still present in one who attained nirvana, and that one needed to attain bodhi to eradicate delusion [1]. Therefore, according to Mahayana Buddhism, the arahant has attained only nirvana, thus still being subject to delusion, while the bodhisattva not only achieves nirvana but full liberation from delusion as well. He thus attains bodhi and becomes a buddha. In Theravada Buddhism, bodhi and nirvana carry the same meaning, that of being freed from greed, hate and delusion. It should also be noted that in the Mahayana Mahaparinirvana Sutra, "Great Nirvana" (maha-nirvana) is equal in all respects to Bodhi and indeed is the state of perfect Buddhahood.

Nawabi City - Lucknow

Our history books always described Lucknow as the city of Nawabs, now you don’t see them anymore around, but the legacy of ‘Tehzeeb’ that they left behind is still the trademark of the city, that if you take time to mingle with the old timers of the city.


Lucknow had been on my ‘to be visited’ list for a very long time, so as soon as I got an opportunity to visit it, I jumped to take it. I got to see the Bada Imambara, Chhota Imambara, Shahi Hammam, Clock tower and swift through the Hazrat Ganj, courtesy a friend who works there. After a long time got a joy ride on Tonga through the old city

The most memorable part of this visit was a small conversation with the guide who took me around the Bara Imambada and Bhool Bhulaiya. To begin with I just another tourist for him, but as I started talking to him he starting telling me a lot of things. He had been a guide all his life and was in his late fifties. He took me through a way in bhool bhulaiya and asked me to trace my way back, which I managed to and he was not too happy about it, as he almost challenges all his tourists for that. I took some time to explain him that since I was concentrating on the way, I could make it, but in a panic situation, it would be impossible to make the way through those dark corridors that can lead you to the same place where you started from. He then took me to the Bouli and explained me the history and the architecture of the place.


Some key observations on how the tourists get handled in most of the places in India, and I found a re-enforcement of the same in Lucknow. We try to cheat people as soon and as far as possible. Probably people will be willing to them the same amount as they fleece, of only they would be more upfront. The heritage buildings are in pits and no one, not even the people who make an earning out of it try to keep it clean. I asked my guide, why don’t you try and keep it clean, all it takes is to have a dustbin put in few places here and there. But the answer was as anticipated, the government is to be blamed, I wonder ‘Is it?’


After all the hurdle I landed to the famous heritage shop 'Tunda Kabab'. Likely the rates were very nominal and the best part was the mutton kababs with paranthas. Mouth watering shahi chicken masala cost you 45/plate. you can eat like hell and your cheque can not exceed more than 150 rupees. Tunda was the famous cook who served to Britishers. it is now be taken care by his grand sons and you can see two pics of the owner with famous Shah rukh khan and Anil kapoor.


The whole city can be travel on rickshaw and it is spread in radius of 22 km.
The traveler in me says, the Chowk area of Lucknow is a perfect place for walking tours, covering all the above locations and may be a boat ride at Gomti River, and a shopping stop at some reliable chickankari shop. There are people who are passionate about this place, there is a culture that this city has to offer, and there is a heritage that the next generations need an introduction to. Any takers for organizing walking tours in this Nawabi city….:-)

'I' am What I am !!!

I see all this potential, and I see it squandered. God damn it, an entire generation pumping gas, waiting tables – slaves with white collars. Advertising has us chasing cars and clothes, working jobs we hate so we can buy shit we don't need. We're the middle children of history, man. No purpose or place. We have no Great War. No Great Depression. Our great war is a spiritual war. Our great depression is our lives. We've all been raised on television to believe that one day we'd all be millionaires, and movie gods, and rock stars, but we won't. We're slowly learning that fact. And we're very, very pissed off.

You're not your job. You're not how much money you have in the bank. You're not the car you drive. You're not the contents of your wallet. You're not your fucking khakis. We are the all-singing, all-dancing crap of the world.

• You are not special. You are not a beautiful or unique snowflake. You are the same decaying organic matter as everything else.

• The first soap was made from the ashes of heroes, like the first monkey shot into space. Without pain, without sacrifice, we would have nothing.

• Stop trying to control everything and just let go.

Dream Come True

A boy born in India with a dream .....





1. Snow surfing in Kashmir.













2. Watch Sun Rise in Kanya kumari.
















3. Camel racing in Thar Desert.


Sunrise at Kanyakumari -The very famous sunrise at kanyakimari . It was cloudy to begin with, but we were lucky as the clouds cleared up by the time the sun god decided to come.As the sun rose from the ocean, it was view worth capturing on film.
The golden brown sun was magnificent to look at.You have to see it to enjoy it.In the background we can see the rock. The rock is the Vivekananda rock. On the rock we can see the Statue of thiruvalvar (The great Tamil poet) A ferry ride will take you to the rock.

Actually the statue and the memorial are on two different pieces of the rock. The ferry will drop the passengers first on one rock and then after some time, the ferry can be boarded again to go to the next rock.

Nice question - What is Bhuddhism?

For SGI members, Buddhism is a practical philosophy aimed at awakening people to the limitless potential and value of their own lives. Practicing Buddhism brings about a positive transformation in the depths of an individual's life, transforming fear into courage, deluded impulses into wisdom and egotism into compassion.

Buddhism begins with individuals deciding to take responsibility for their own lives, first reforming themselves and taking action to improve their immediate surroundings and relations, and then gradually extending their wisdom, courage and compassion into a wider sphere.

An introduction to SGI

What is SGI?

The 12 million members of Soka Gakkai International (SGI) around the world embrace Nichiren Buddhism, a dynamic philosophy grounded in the realities of daily life. This Buddhist practice leads to empowerment and inner transformation or "human revolution" which enables individuals to take responsibility for their lives and contribute to building a world where people of diverse cultures and faiths can live in peace.

Nichiren, a 13th century Buddhist reformer, based his teachings on the Lotus Sutra and its core message of the dignity of all life. According to this sutra, all people possess and can manifest the Buddha nature--an unlimited, inherent life state of freedom which enables them to create value out of any situation.

SGI Philosophy?

The core philosophy of the SGI can be summed up by the concept of "Human revolution." This is the idea that the self-motivated inner change of a single individual positively affects the larger web of life and results in the rejuvenation of human society. The SGI movement has its roots in the life-affirming philosophy of Nichiren, a Buddhist monk who lived in 13th-century Japan.

Nichiren felt passionately that Buddhism should enable people living in the real world and facing real problems to become empowered and change their lives for the better. Nichiren Buddhism stresses the profound connection between one's own happiness and the happiness of others. The greatest personal satisfaction and fulfillment in life is realized by working for the happiness of others. Nichiren's teachings assert that each individual, regardless of gender, ethnicity, capacity or social standing, has the power to overcome life's inevitable challenges, to develop a life of great value and creativity and to positively influence their community, society and the world.

Nichiren's philosophy originates in the teaching of Shakyamuni, the historical founder of Buddhism who lived in India some 2,500 years ago. Nichiren discovered that the Lotus Sutra contains the heart of Buddhist teachings and the truth to which Shakyamuni was awakened. This sutra reveals that a universal principle, the Buddha nature, is inherent in all life. It affirms that all people are capable of manifesting the state of enlightenment.