We cannot expect our practice of Buddhism, wishing to become enlightened, to take a short period of time, or little effort. Yet we can destroy all that we have attained all that we have accomplished within a short period of time by being discouraged and abandoning our practice.

“A man who misses his opportunity, and a monkey who misses his branch cannot be saved.” Hindu proverb

When you consider the many opportunities we have had to practice any number of other religions other than Buddhism we can appreciate how rare the chance we were presented with. Buddhism is not the most common religion in America. I have heard that Buddhism is the fourth major religion in America, yet it is still rare to come into contact with Buddhism, especially in some areas of the country.

The two princes in Chapter XXVII of the Lotus Sutra realized what a rare gift they had been given to meet the Buddha. If you have a copy of the Lotus Sutra you might enjoy refreshing your memory of Chapter XXVII.

The choice has been presented to us. We have been given a wonderful and rare opportunity. Now, do we miss this chance, will we be like the monkey who misses his branch as he swings through the forest? There is no saving either the monkey who misses his branch, nor the person who misses the opportunity to practice the Lotus Sutra when given the option to do so. The branch presents itself – the Lotus Sutra presents itself – but it is up to us just as it is up to the monkey whether or not we reach out and hold fast.

Learning the facts of wisdom of life is as important as learning the facts of life. It is not enough to know what words mean; it is important to know how to use the words. It isn’t sufficient to learn numbers but to learn how to employ the numbers. It is true in everything. We learn the facts, but we need to learn how to use those facts in skillful ways, in productive ways, in ways that enhance not only our lives but also the lives of others.

In Buddhism it helps to learn as much as we can. In that way we are better prepared, as the Sutra says, to answer questions skillfully, to answer not only the questions of others but our own questions as well. Yet, perhaps as important if not possible more so is the requirement that we learn how to use the knowledge of Buddhism in our lives in both practical and useful ways. In other words, to bring the wisdom of the Buddha into existence in our life.

To those walking their path of suffering and who become tired or discouraged the teachings of the Buddha offer a way out, a way to continue, a way to end the suffering. We only need to embrace the teachings of the Buddha.

Winston Churchill said: “If you’re going through hell, keep going.” Makes sense to me. There isn’t much point in stopping in hell, not if you can keep going and get out. The trick is to know and realize that we are in hell, since sometimes we are not even aware that we are suffering. I think many of us become so acquainted with sufferings that we just think it is a normal part of our lives and there is nothing to do about it. Yet, as we learn in Buddhism, that doesn’t have to be the case. We can wake up from our anesthetized state, a state of almost being immune to the effects or feelings of suffering and begin to move on through.

In spite of the fog created by the appearance of multiple choices for everything in our life, there really is one fundamental choice that we need to make and often ignore. That choice is the choice of whether or not to be happy. The Buddha has given us the ultimate teaching, the purpose for the existence of all Buddhas, the treasure-store of teachings. It is our choice whether or not we will take advantage of it, pick it up, and embrace it, and choose to be happy.

Examining the teachings of the Buddha we see that the Buddha frequently waits until he is asked a question before he teaches. In fact our Buddhist practice really doesn’t begin to take place until we ourselves ask and prepare for the answer to the question of how to end suffering.

It isn’t until we become aware that we suffer, or that there might be an alternative to suffering do we begin to even look for a way to end suffering. When we awaken to the truth about suffering being an option we begin to ask questions about how to end it, how to practice Buddhism.

We travel through existence after existence, through suffering after suffering going from one desire to another or from one way to trying to fulfill a fleeting desire to a different way, always to no avail.

One of the reasons we fail is because we have not clearly understood what it is that we are truly seeking. We think that if we change this one condition or another or if we were in a different situation we would be happier. We fail to understand that the condition of Buddhahood, the condition of our indestructible and complete end to suffering exists within us already.

Some situations aren’t meant for us to change, they are meant to change us.

By giving to others we make space within our lives for more. By sharing with others our joy of Buddhist practice, by encouraging others to never give up, by sharing our material as well as spiritual gains we make space for being refilled, being refreshed. We may think that if we give it away there will be an empty spot, but the nature of life is that the empty spot will not remain empty as long as we make space for compassion and caring for others.

Frequently in Buddhism teachers and others will use the analogy of emptying the teacup. It is a good image when you consider that before you can receive more tea, fresh tea, hot tea, different tea you need to first empty your cup. If your cup remains full then there is no space for more. The same goes with our lives. If we cling tightly to what we have and do not seek to give it away then we have no space for more. If we are feeling good and have received merit from our practice of Buddhism what good does it do us to cling tightly?