Funny how things can happen. Last week I had planned to go to the monthly YMD meeting, when one of my friends called me on Thursday if I could help moving a member in Vught to her new location in Tilburg. Knowing that she had an accident a few weeks earlier, I decided that helping her relocate was more important to me then the YMD meeting.
So, last Saturday I went to my friend first to do some daimoku and gongyo before going to relocate our mutual friend to Tilburg. We just arrived when her father also arrived and we started to move things out and into the van and trailer. By 10.00 hrs we all left for Tilburg where a friend of one of her house mates already waited to help us move her into her room. After some organizing we had everything except a small couch and dishwasher on her room and we where by 12.00 hrs with our selfs. While my friend and I tried with the help of this other friend to get the couch 2 stories up, our lovely lady went to do some groceries. We got the dishwasher up but somehow this couch didn't want to get up the last floor. What ever we tried it just didn't go up. So after a call to her father we decided to put it somehow into a sort of storage till her father could pick it up. Luckily for her,one of her new house mates offered her the chance to put the couch on this house mates room. By the time it was 15.30 hrs we were finished moving her and my friend and I left for Vught again.
After some shopping in Vught we went to my friends place to drink something and I went back to my home. Since I was growing hungry, I decided to make a stop at the MacDrive in Veldhoven. I learned that it was redecorated and I wanted to check it out. If I had to grade it, it would have failed major time! No atmosphere left, no thinks that reminded you to the original theme, aviation. after all, this MacDrive is located near Eindhoven Airport. So next time I want to eat MacDonald's I think I stop at the MacDrive of Best, which has a lovely Rock 'n' Roll theme. Has a good and nice atmosphere and you have somethings to look at while eating your fries and burger.
Like Nichiren Daishonin once said; Invisible benefits give visible rewards. So lets hope and chant that I also find me a nice apartment or house for Kosen Rufu so my girlfriend can stay with me.
André
Monday, January 14, 2008
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
One piece at the time
First of all a very happy new year to all my readers.
Reflecting back on last year (2007) I must say that a lot has happened to me. First my girlfriend went back to India in February, I started working for a new gardening company, went to Trets as a Keibi again, making some new friends and spending Christmas and old years day alone with my parents and some house mates. And last but not least I turned 37. Still a whole life in front of me.
I also had not such a good start of the year. After going to the Cultural Center of SGINL for the New Years gongyo, which was awesome with some 150 attendants, I got a bad case of stomach flu. I will spare you all the unpleasant details. It also meant that I had to mis the new year reception of the chapter Eindhoven. Yes, chapter Eindhoven, since we are from January 1st a self contained chapter. And this date also called for a new region. Namely SGINL region Tilburg-Eindhoven-Limburg a.k.a. TEL.
My goals for this year are:
Have a good and dynamic year.
André
Reflecting back on last year (2007) I must say that a lot has happened to me. First my girlfriend went back to India in February, I started working for a new gardening company, went to Trets as a Keibi again, making some new friends and spending Christmas and old years day alone with my parents and some house mates. And last but not least I turned 37. Still a whole life in front of me.
I also had not such a good start of the year. After going to the Cultural Center of SGINL for the New Years gongyo, which was awesome with some 150 attendants, I got a bad case of stomach flu. I will spare you all the unpleasant details. It also meant that I had to mis the new year reception of the chapter Eindhoven. Yes, chapter Eindhoven, since we are from January 1st a self contained chapter. And this date also called for a new region. Namely SGINL region Tilburg-Eindhoven-Limburg a.k.a. TEL.
My goals for this year are:
- Getting married with my girlfriend
- Making my own bussines to a great success
- Going both to Milan and Trets
- At least 3 new Gohonzon members in my district
- Finding a suitable house for Kosen Rufu
- Making this year's SGI theme to a great success
- Reconstructing the SGINL Cultural Center's garden to it's former glory
Have a good and dynamic year.
André
Sunday, December 9, 2007
I want it all
Today was a very beautiful day.Not really as if in weather but more as in a good time to receive a Gohonzon. One of my district members, who is an Indian woman who lives and works at this moment in Eindhoven, received her Gohonzon today. This meant that I had to leave early to our National Cultural Center in Zeist of SGI-NL. After the ceremony there where a few cultural acts of members. After the meeting we all went home to prepare us for the enshrinement on 16.00 hrs at her apartment. Besides 6 members there where also a few colleagues of her. After the official part, her colleagues started to ask questions about Nichiren Buddhism. Those we tried to answer as good as possible. During this dialogue we also talked about the origin of Buddhism. It surprised me how little my co-members knew about the origin of Buddhism. Maybe it would be a good subject for a distirct meeting.
André
André
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Paranoid
Watching the news the last few days, it frightens me. Especially what I hear and see about a Dutch member of parliament, Mr. Geert Wilders the fraction leader of the so called Partij Voor de Vrijheid (Party For Freedom). Mr. Wilders announced that he is planning a broadcast of a movie about the way Islam is treating women. Knowing Mr. Wilders as a right winged person he is and the way he talks and thinks about Islam and non-Christian/Jewish religions who he considers as inhumane or non-humanistic. It's no wonder that a lot of people are afraid that the Netherlands will be the next target of terorrism attacks. Even our parliament warned him for retaliation of the Islamic world and that it could be very bad for international relationships, national economics, riots and so on. According to the Justice Department, they have no means to persecute him within the confinements of the law.
What really frightens me is that I see history repeating itself again and it happened only 74 years ago. A certain Mr. A. Hitler blamed the Jewish community for the bad economics in Germany and the fact that most bankers, lawyers and doctors were Jewish and controlled almost every aspect of society back then. Now we see more or less happening the same to the Islamic community. The only difference is that they get blamed for radicalization within Islam, bad economic situations and financing terrorism. Instead of learning about Islam and engaging into dialogue and see what Christianity an Jewishm have in common with Islam, Mr. Wilders calls for hate, intolerance and persecution. If you ask me,it's getting time to stop this madness before it gets out of control. A good idea would be for Mr. Wilders to read the book "Global Civilization", written by Daisaku Ikeda, cover to cover.
A few lines ago I mentioned that our Justice Department said that they can't persecute him, I beg to differ. They could try persecution Mr. Wilder for spreading hate and discrimination. That is forbidden by our National Constitution, under Act 1 of the constitution. Also he endangers a whole country because the population will be suffering under terrorism only because he thinks he can get away by the way he discredits the Netherlands. I would dare to say that he is the new Mr. A. Mussert and his pary is the new Nationale Socialistische Beweging (NSB). In English, National Socialistic Movement. The NSB was a right winged Dutch political party in the 1930's till 1945 and the Dutch version of Hitler's NSDAP or Nazi party. And our Government is acting the same as the government under prime-minister Colijn during the 1930's. Meaning, waving away the danger till it was to late.
The most frustrating is that i can't do anything except chanting my ass of, praying that this devil of a man will come to reason and that the Netherlands will be spared of bombings and so on. Even the government isn't sure if they will be able to protect Mr. wilders as he currently has the highest protection level possible to make it possible for him to continue function within the parliament. And all of this scares me. The fact that a man like Mr. Wilders can make into parliament again and calls for hate instead of dialogue, mutual understanding, respect and compassion. Showing we have learned from history.
André
What really frightens me is that I see history repeating itself again and it happened only 74 years ago. A certain Mr. A. Hitler blamed the Jewish community for the bad economics in Germany and the fact that most bankers, lawyers and doctors were Jewish and controlled almost every aspect of society back then. Now we see more or less happening the same to the Islamic community. The only difference is that they get blamed for radicalization within Islam, bad economic situations and financing terrorism. Instead of learning about Islam and engaging into dialogue and see what Christianity an Jewishm have in common with Islam, Mr. Wilders calls for hate, intolerance and persecution. If you ask me,it's getting time to stop this madness before it gets out of control. A good idea would be for Mr. Wilders to read the book "Global Civilization", written by Daisaku Ikeda, cover to cover.
A few lines ago I mentioned that our Justice Department said that they can't persecute him, I beg to differ. They could try persecution Mr. Wilder for spreading hate and discrimination. That is forbidden by our National Constitution, under Act 1 of the constitution. Also he endangers a whole country because the population will be suffering under terrorism only because he thinks he can get away by the way he discredits the Netherlands. I would dare to say that he is the new Mr. A. Mussert and his pary is the new Nationale Socialistische Beweging (NSB). In English, National Socialistic Movement. The NSB was a right winged Dutch political party in the 1930's till 1945 and the Dutch version of Hitler's NSDAP or Nazi party. And our Government is acting the same as the government under prime-minister Colijn during the 1930's. Meaning, waving away the danger till it was to late.
The most frustrating is that i can't do anything except chanting my ass of, praying that this devil of a man will come to reason and that the Netherlands will be spared of bombings and so on. Even the government isn't sure if they will be able to protect Mr. wilders as he currently has the highest protection level possible to make it possible for him to continue function within the parliament. And all of this scares me. The fact that a man like Mr. Wilders can make into parliament again and calls for hate instead of dialogue, mutual understanding, respect and compassion. Showing we have learned from history.
André
Friday, November 23, 2007
Think!
Maybe you noticed already that the last blogs I've been writing have titles from songs. Actually Reading the blog of a friend of mine gave me that idea. He named all his blogs after songs. (thanks for that splendid idea, Nick).
After some ten months of naming my blogs to the events I wrote about, I became what people call, having a writers block. So after visiting his blog http://theexpat-files.blogspot.com/ , I started to copy the idea. Simply, because I liked it. I noticed that a song title was easier to remember too. people tend to remember songs easier then just words. I think, because we tend to paste certain emotions (often a peticular feeling or movie fragment) to it. Think about it for a moment. Take the title of this blog. Most people have seen the movie "The Blues Brothers", right? How may people remember that scene in the diner where Elwood and Jake come in and order just a dry toast and 4 chicken with coke and French fries, and their old guitarist comes out willing to join them when Aretha Frankin starts singing this song? Or maybe you only remember that chocomel commercials of the 1980's where a girl is alone at home playing this song on her fathers stereo set, just seconds after he told her to not to touch it? See the point?
Another reason for using song titles as blog titles is, that there is always a song that fits the story. Especially when you choose known songs.
André
After some ten months of naming my blogs to the events I wrote about, I became what people call, having a writers block. So after visiting his blog http://theexpat-files.blogspot.com/ , I started to copy the idea. Simply, because I liked it. I noticed that a song title was easier to remember too. people tend to remember songs easier then just words. I think, because we tend to paste certain emotions (often a peticular feeling or movie fragment) to it. Think about it for a moment. Take the title of this blog. Most people have seen the movie "The Blues Brothers", right? How may people remember that scene in the diner where Elwood and Jake come in and order just a dry toast and 4 chicken with coke and French fries, and their old guitarist comes out willing to join them when Aretha Frankin starts singing this song? Or maybe you only remember that chocomel commercials of the 1980's where a girl is alone at home playing this song on her fathers stereo set, just seconds after he told her to not to touch it? See the point?
Another reason for using song titles as blog titles is, that there is always a song that fits the story. Especially when you choose known songs.
André
I just called (to say I love you)
Last night I got a telephone call from my girlfriend. She was only calling to say that she was back from her workshop trip to Delhi. Actually I was really happy to hear her voice again.
One of the first things she asked me was if I still continued our own little daimoku chain of 3.20 hrs a day, so our wishes would be fulfilled. I answered her that i did. The most beautiful thing was her reaction on my question how she would react if an Dutch (Television) organization would call her to ask her if she wanted to come over for Christmas, if they would provide her a ticket and would also provide her with a visa. She told that she would pack and would be on the plane faster then I could say Nam-Myoho-Renge-kyo, so to speak. Then she started why I asked. I told her that I had emailed to a television show that she followed from time to time in the period that she was studying for her Masters degree in Tilburg. So I went further telling her that I've got an application form to fill out and that I already returned it and that there might be a chance that we possible would be selected for the show. I told her also that I was convinced that there is a good chance but that we, and everyone we know must do a lot of Daimoku for it. So we will get selected for the show. (See also the blog All You Need Is Love for that story)
I could hear that her spirit was lifted immediately to a higher life state. She is so desperate to come back to me at this moment.
In the last 24 hrs I got some wonderful reactions from people who knows us and stating that if they can help, that they will. So for everyone who knows me and my girlfriend and living in the Netherlands, please write to the email address listed in the last blog!!! Fill out the form that they send to you and return it. And yes, we both are in possession of a valid passport. The more of you write to the show, the more likely the chance that we get selected and my girlfriend can come to spend Christmas with me. This show will be aired on December 24th, probably around 20.30 hrs. For those among you who receives the form you can contact my if there are blanks for you. I only respond to those I know personally. You have my email address.
I especially call upon the chapter members of SGI Eindhoven-Tilburg, the area members of SGI Zuid-Nederland and the Keibis who know both of us in person to respond and would like to see us together again and who knows us well. Please chant for our reunion for Christmas.
I know, this sounds pretty desperate, but at least I'm not. I can't say for my girlfriend, but we both trust Gohonzon on it and we're sure that this perticalery prayer not goes unanswered! I think it is a wonderful opportunity to proof the vality of our practice by bringing 2 loving people together, don't you think?
Let's all pray and chant that my girlfriends and mine story will be chosen for this show.
NMHRK
André
One of the first things she asked me was if I still continued our own little daimoku chain of 3.20 hrs a day, so our wishes would be fulfilled. I answered her that i did. The most beautiful thing was her reaction on my question how she would react if an Dutch (Television) organization would call her to ask her if she wanted to come over for Christmas, if they would provide her a ticket and would also provide her with a visa. She told that she would pack and would be on the plane faster then I could say Nam-Myoho-Renge-kyo, so to speak. Then she started why I asked. I told her that I had emailed to a television show that she followed from time to time in the period that she was studying for her Masters degree in Tilburg. So I went further telling her that I've got an application form to fill out and that I already returned it and that there might be a chance that we possible would be selected for the show. I told her also that I was convinced that there is a good chance but that we, and everyone we know must do a lot of Daimoku for it. So we will get selected for the show. (See also the blog All You Need Is Love for that story)
I could hear that her spirit was lifted immediately to a higher life state. She is so desperate to come back to me at this moment.
In the last 24 hrs I got some wonderful reactions from people who knows us and stating that if they can help, that they will. So for everyone who knows me and my girlfriend and living in the Netherlands, please write to the email address listed in the last blog!!! Fill out the form that they send to you and return it. And yes, we both are in possession of a valid passport. The more of you write to the show, the more likely the chance that we get selected and my girlfriend can come to spend Christmas with me. This show will be aired on December 24th, probably around 20.30 hrs. For those among you who receives the form you can contact my if there are blanks for you. I only respond to those I know personally. You have my email address.
I especially call upon the chapter members of SGI Eindhoven-Tilburg, the area members of SGI Zuid-Nederland and the Keibis who know both of us in person to respond and would like to see us together again and who knows us well. Please chant for our reunion for Christmas.
I know, this sounds pretty desperate, but at least I'm not. I can't say for my girlfriend, but we both trust Gohonzon on it and we're sure that this perticalery prayer not goes unanswered! I think it is a wonderful opportunity to proof the vality of our practice by bringing 2 loving people together, don't you think?
Let's all pray and chant that my girlfriends and mine story will be chosen for this show.
NMHRK
André
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
All You Need Is Love
After some hours of daimoku, I took a very deep decision. I have to write to the television program All You Need Is Love. My girlfriend and me have to be together this Christmas. No matter what. But where to begin?
First let me see if I could find the website of the program and see the add again. That was the easy part. But what to put in the email? So back to the gohonzon again to do some more daimoku. After another half an hour of daimoku I knew what to put in this email. So I wrote the presenter of the show that we wouldn't be together this Christmas and why. I also asked him if he could help bringing the both of us together for Christmas.
All i can do now is chanting to Gohonzon that this email will be answered positively. I love my girlfriend to death as most people who know me know. Of course it would help if those people who know my girlfriend and me, would also write the show. The email address is: allyouneedislove@rtl.nl
One thing, when on the Website of http://www.rtl.nl/shows/allyouneedislove/home/index.xml you have to registrate for the media passport, otherwise your email to allyouneedislove@rtl.nl will be blocked by their spam filter.
André
First let me see if I could find the website of the program and see the add again. That was the easy part. But what to put in the email? So back to the gohonzon again to do some more daimoku. After another half an hour of daimoku I knew what to put in this email. So I wrote the presenter of the show that we wouldn't be together this Christmas and why. I also asked him if he could help bringing the both of us together for Christmas.
All i can do now is chanting to Gohonzon that this email will be answered positively. I love my girlfriend to death as most people who know me know. Of course it would help if those people who know my girlfriend and me, would also write the show. The email address is: allyouneedislove@rtl.nl
One thing, when on the Website of http://www.rtl.nl/shows/allyouneedislove/home/index.xml you have to registrate for the media passport, otherwise your email to allyouneedislove@rtl.nl will be blocked by their spam filter.
André
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