We must all strive for compassion and the good nature that is within us

Peace Day helped to unite many religious organizations with the common goal of peace.  Through Peace Day, I met many wonderful people of different religions.  For example, I met a couple of people involved in Christian Science where they pray to heal people who have illnesses.  I also met members of Shinnyo-en where they meditate and get advice from the spiritual world.  I enjoy learning from different religions.  Throughout my life, I have been fortunate to have practiced Christianity, Buddhism, and Shintoism.  I am very open to the many possibilities of the unknown.

Siddhartha Gautama Buddha or otherwise known as Shakyamuni Buddha, is the founder of Buddhism.  He said that there were thousands of Buddhas before him and there will be thousands more Buddhas after him.  He said that everyone must bring out the good nature within them and strive to become a Buddha.  It doesn’t matter if you are athiest, agnostic, or from another religion.  If you are a good person, you are a good person.  For a Buddhist, the ultimate goal is to become a Buddha in which one becomes enlightened by attaining pure compassion and understanding his or her existence.  I believe, very few individuals will ever achieve this level.

For many Buddhists, attaining the level of a Bodhisattva, one level below that of a Buddha, is a difficult task in itself.  A Bodhisattva aims towards the goal of becoming a Buddha to help all beings, but feels the limitation of attaining enlightenment.  This is because they too, like any other beings are prone to suffering and mistakes.  A Bodhisattva is a person who is dedicated to assisting or helping others achieve happiness and hopefully Buddha-hood even if he or she cannot attain it or postpones from attaining it. 

My favorite Bodhisattva is Achala “The immovable one.”  Shingon and Shinnyo-en Buddhist sects perform a periodic fire ritual to honor Achala and to rid ourselves of negative energy.  Achala is shown in pictures and statues as fearsome and often carrying a sword in one hand.  Despite his fearsome look, his role is to aid all beings by showing them the teachings of the Buddha, leading them into self-control.  He is willing to face evil to try and save others. 

I will do my best to play a small role in helping others find happiness and achieving a more peaceful world.