My determinations for 2012

Yesterday I did lilac at New Year's Day gongyo celebration in Morley, Leeds. Getting up at 0755 yesterday morning was difficult and standing in the lashing rain for nearly 35 minutes waiting for a lift wasn't great either. But, as soon as as I got to this little old stone building in Morley that was freezing and had enough plastic cups to last a lifetime, I felt better. I felt like the celebration was finally kicking off and I had a part to play. I stopped regretting cutting my New Year's Eve celebrations short. I stopped feeling cross about having to stand in the rain for so long and my heart warmed towards everyone else who'd also been standing in the rain and had to go to bed before 3am. We'd all made this effort to celebrate New Year with each other and that was fantastic.

The action team were all crowded round someone's little Omamori Gohonzon and we did a quick 5 minute action gongyo. There was such a great spirit and we all resolved to do the best that we could. I felt fantastic in my lilac uniform and felt that I was creating such value by supporting our members. What was making a cup of tea or fetching water to me was making someone's New Year's Day celebration even better - how can I be unhappy doing this?

Anyway, after some experiences and determinations for 2012 from our members, it made me question what  my determinations should be. I wanted to have achievable determinations and measurable ones. I didn't want to create something that was unachievable and then I'd beat myself up for not getting there. I want to make a positive change in my life and I want to be able to achieve things that take me there. Even though I don't know what I want to do in my career, there are things that I would like in order to improve my life state and situation. I think once I'm operating in a higher life state and have my Buddhahood making more of the decisions rather than the devilish functions that often run my life then I'll have clarity and vision and be able to move on. I never chant for a new job, I chant to reveal the innate Buddahood which is wise and will help me to make the right decision. Sometimes it's easy to chant for worldly possessions and I've chanted for a new house, to pass my driving theory test and other things. I should concentrate on trying to reveal my Buddhood, elevate my life state, have strong Ichinin and create value. All these small trifling matters will then take care of themselves. I know this to be true.

My determinations for 2012 are:

• Aim to finish my 1,000,000 Daimoku campaign.
• Pass my driving test.
• To have discussions with members of my family in other to create a relationship that works for us.
• To have learned the Lotus Sutra chapters recited during Gongyo off by heart.

There are other things that I will aim to start doing in 2012:

• Everyday I will do a task that creates value. I will write what I've done and how it's created value in my diary.
• In difficult situations, I must stop and think of cause and effect. Everything that happens in my life happens for a reason; is my responsibility and I must fight to change my karma.
• I will attend more discussion meetings and offer to support as a lilac.
• I will aim to attend a summer course in 2012, either in England or overseas.

I think these are achievable. I will fight to achieve these. I think once I have achieved these, I will be in a higher life state and will be able to move on to do so much more!

Here we go 2012.