Comment

Comment by judy on January 21, 2009 at 2:07pm

Hello fellow diabetic buddhist. Yes, diabetes is an insidious disease and heavily karmic. And definately is in touch with your life-condition. Those around me know to ask if I have eaten when I start to escalate with my ornery behavior and of course I always say, I'm fine... so they hand me the milk or juice or whatever. I have found that this dis-ease comes up when I have something important to do, i.e. goal, personal or organization wise... or my life condition slips down..... or I do a lot of shakabuku.

I do find I do better if I keep my determination in line with Sensei, the Mentor/Disciple connection, chant a lot and do shakabuku...

President Ikeda says "Illness is not something to feel ashamed of. It is not a sign of misfortune or defeat. Suffering is the fuel of wisdom, and it opens the way to happiness. Through illness, human beings can gain insight into the meaning of life, understand its value and dignity, and strive to lead more fulfilling lives." Daisaku Ikeda

I have challenged cancer, kidney, colon, mysentary, lymph glands and diabetes by going to FNCC 5 times in 18 months...everytime I come home, I feel better, better, better. And I am going back in May-June for a couple of conferences. Refreshing is the word for my practice when I get home from being at FNCC.

Judy

Comment by boomboominspace on October 3, 2008 at 3:08pm

HI gang, i often am reluctant in telling people what is wrong with me, because i feel like i am giving up or giving in to the obstacles. But i am affected w/ Diabetes, Ischemic Heart Disease, (cardiomyopathy, congestive heart failure and coronary artery disease) I have underwent coronary bypass and have had several angioplasties, in addition, if this isnt enough, i have developed arthritis in my legs, along with neuropathy, which puts me in chronic pain all the time. Although i have been chanting since 1986, it was 2005 when the docs said i was going to have the opportunity to enter the next life, i began REALLY chanting a lot everyday, things began to turn around, and have continued to do so....I AM STILL HERE, i no longer can work a full time job, but i perform whenever i can, and DAMN IT, i am determined to win in this life NO MATTER WHAT!!!! I just keep thinking "Nam Myoho Renge Kyo is like that roar of a lion, so what sickness can therefore be an Obstacle." Thank you all so much!!! James

Comment by Audrey Rose on March 27, 2008 at 9:12pm

I struggle with this too. I have diabetes and it is a quite the daily struggle. Just through my own personal experience i've realized that my health is totally determined by my life condition. When I am on the ball and practicing strongly, my health is wonderful, but it is when I start to flounder in my faith that I become distracted and discouraged.
I think that with illness we really have to understand ourselves, be willing to look at ourselves make changes. I think it's really best to go to the Gohonzon and feel all that you feel about the illness and having it, in front of the Gohonzon right then. Don't hold anything back. This is a great way to transform all of those feelings into medicine.
People struggling with illnesses should know too that just because they may be sick doesn't mean they're automatically defeated. I have met people who feel this way, therefore creating a life of perpetual bad circumstance. We all make causes, millions of them a day, and believe it or not, even the small ones make a difference. We don't want to create a life in that type of life condition, further slandering our lives by believing that we're not buddhas too. On a physical level, when we chant our whole body can feel it too. The determination is really key with this I think. Daimoku is strength.

Comment by Gayla, from Columbus Ohio on March 24, 2008 at 5:26pm

I would love to know more about how to chant and be victorious over this illness. How are others handling their illness, along w/ your practice?
Gayla