In this month’s Buddhism meeting in my district, we are discussing the concept of “the Eight Winds”. The "Eight Winds" represent eight conditions that can sway a person's mind and prevent them from progressing on the path to enlightenment. These conditions are divided into four favorable winds (prosperous, honor, praise, pleasure) and four unfavorable winds (decline, disgrace, censure, suffering). The goal is to remain unperturbed by these winds, neither overly attached to the favorable ones nor repulsed by the unfavorable one. I am personally most susceptible to the winds of praise, pleasure, censure and suffering. What are the winds that you don’t wish to be swayed by?
Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism is a Japanese Buddhist practice where we chant “Nam myoho renge kyo” daily, which means “I believe in the power of cause and effect”. This practice’s purpose is to be hap...