4thought.tv

This makes me feel happy. It reinforced what I already believed.

How wonderful, thank you.

I was very moved by Yasunori's compassion. I too am chanting daily for those suffering in Japan.

This makes me feel happy. It reinforced what I already believed.

This makes me feel happy.

Glad that finally Buddhism has been given a look in on this. Too many people are talking about God when Buddhism doesn't have any Gods. I for one will chant for the Japanese.

The older I get, the more I am convinced that the human mind has a truly infinite capacity for self-delusion. It's quite depressing really.

This makes me feel happy. It reinforced what I already believed.

I was touched by the clarity and sincerity of this piece. I found it a moving explanation of how we can connect with people in Japan to support them. This connection between all humanity is a source of great hope. I agree that we are not powerless, through chanting we can communicate our encouragement to the people of Japan as they muster the courage they will need to rebuild their beautiful country.

I understand at times of tragedy and crisis people can feel alone, desperate and in need of support. However i feel its also a time when we are most in need of the truth, something which faith can't offer. Faith and religion is not real, it is not true and it has no effect on reality, indeed i agree with Richard Dawkins when he said "religion is a mind virus." I hate how faith attempts to lay claim to pure, natural human emotions such as sympathy. I look at the footage of the tsunami and i feel for the people affected, i have an urge to help, but realistically i accept the best i can hope to do is donate what i can, and pass on my sympathy. I don't need some imaginary god, fairy, energy or divine power, because they are a lie. Instead i justify my feelings and thoughts with reason and clear moral values, my faith is in myself and in humanity, where it belongs.

It reinforced what I already believed.

As a Bishop within a multi-faith global community of people made up from all arenas of faith, I firmly believe that our collective prayer energy can cause a positive reaction in the general mood of the people directly affected by the terrible events recently in Japan. As Noetic science confirms already, a mass energy of positive thought towards a particular event, area or condition, can and does cause a positive outcome.
I have experienced this personally through a serious personal problem that occurred to me a few years ago now (already well documented on the net and in the press etc) where after I was attacked I simply could not leave my front door through fear and PTSD. After a lot of positive prayer by both myself and thousands of people around the globe, one morning I woke up with renewed energy and a positive determination to move on that neither my GP nor my Psychologist could find a reason for. I firmly believe that a desire to plead with God to intercede on our behalf alone can make us turn negative energy into a much more positive experience.

Nichirens Buddhism is the religion for the 21st century. To save ALL people from unhappiness and suffering, through chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo. I know this as my life has changed since practicing this religion nearly 4 years ago. Big thank you to Yas, who truly cares for all people, especially the peole of japan at this distressing time.

This makes me feel glad. It reinforced what I already believed.

Religious peoples belief that God will help those afflicted by natural disasters are deluded and brainwashed. Common sense should tell them that a loving, caring God would have prevented the disasters in the first place.

I share Hirayama's opinion and views and feel much can be gained from this approach. One individual can help encourage and support many, a unified collective with the same endeavor I believe can help transform things wherever they may be situated.

It reinforced what I already believed.

I can only speak from my own limited experience, but I know that it's helping me every day to overcome my own much smaller scale disaster.

I have been practising this Buddhism for several years now and have seen my whole world change for the better. Allowing everyone to tap the limitless power of the universe from within their own lives. Thank you Yas, clear and informative. Our thoughts are with the people of Japan.

I learned something from it.

Beautifully sincere and thought provoking piece.

This makes me feel happy.

It reinforced what I already believed.

I will chant with even more determinaton for Japan!an will dedicate my struggles and victories to them! Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo

This makes me feel glad. It helped me understand the speaker's point of view.

It reinforced what I already believed.

Thank you so much, Yas. I will continue to chant and take action to support Japan in any way I can. I've been practising Buddhism for the past 13 yrs and have learned to appreciate not only the power of chanting nam myoho renge kyo, but also to have gratitude for life's challenges. Vigilante Teen, I hear you when you say - i study forensic psychology, into the mind to discover why murderers rapists and peados do what they do - I'm a qualified Dramatherapist who has worked in a variety of institutions including acute psychiatric settings. The capacity for human beings to manifest destructive aspects of 'Shadow' (Jung) knows no bounds....however the counter-point to this is that value-creating human potential is endless....boundless. This boundless potential is what we tap into when we chant. However chanting is not just a thinking function...it's a physical action that can create value for others, the environment and oneself - and there is no God in the equation. There is a school of thought that propounds that the mind and body remember every sensation that has been experienced - either consciously or unconsciously (See The Body Remembers, The Psychophysiology of Trauma and Trauma Treatment - Babette Rothschild) In terms of this concept if someone has never chanted, that person will not have had this mind-body experience, so I can appreciate skepticism or cynicism. However as Mandi said - There are amazing people who are naturally very strong and positive, who almost always do the right thing- then there's the rest of us ordinary folk (some who have been really battered by life both mentally and physically) who chant in order to connect with a higher part of OURSELVES (not an external being or energy)- Call me an optimist, but after I die I would like to think that I have left some measure of value in the world. My Buddhist practice supports me to make this a reality.

It reinforced what I already believed.

I also believe Buddism can tap into the greater power of the universe and change things for the better.

It reinforced what I already believed.

I'm sure all 10,000 plus Nichiren Buddhists in the Uk are chanting with the millions around the globe to support Japan in this time of tradegy. A great victory will arise from this. Nam myoho renge kyo..Ann Jackman

It reinforced what I already believed.

Couldn't believe it when I saw it on the telly...

It reinforced what I already believed.

In response to vigilante teen, this philosophy is all about your faith being simply in yourself and in humanity. We are connected. Practising reveals this truth.

An only great reason.

I wish I could believe that time spent chanting was better than hands-on help but regardless of the energy idea, if I was buried under a fallen building I'd be thanking the fireman pulling me out before the Buddhist. I feel the chanting is a coward's excuse, convincing yourself that hiding away in a form of prayer is making a difference. It would be braver to get stuck in on the ground and help. Imagine how much we could change the world with converting the hours of prayer into action.