Happiness in this World - A Gosho of Joy (31)
Galactic_bodhi: Most people don't realize that when you slander another, you slander yourself. Absolute happiness begins and ends within you. .... Only a life spent creating joy and value for all will be of any lasting benefit and a source of joy that is absolute. ........
Thank you all for your life, for your time, and for your wealth as individuals struggling for a better tomorrow.
Thank you all for your life, for your time, and for your wealth as individuals struggling for a better tomorrow.
Simply Beautiful and Worthy words to live by - strive for
As I understand...
Buddhism is unlike a religion; faith,saviors, and God...not a part of Buddhism
Kharma, Self reliance, and Universal truths are some of the teachings.
Glad you posted this -
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Thank you sir. I think this message is pertinent to all creeds and faiths. This thread was instituted to start a respectful dialogue about the similarities in faith, and not their differences. With all the threads up regarding divisive aspects of dogma, I thought it was time for a thread inviting people to agree to disagree if nothing else. 
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Comparative Religion
Topics and/or Questions for Discussion and Dialogue
* Connecting human hearts: Benefiting from our shared religious traditions
* Linear/deterministic vs. Non-linear/dependent origination Religious theory
* Truth-based vs. Virtue-based religious thought
Quotes & References
From When Religion Becomes Evil, by Charles Kimball:
“Religion is arguably the most powerful and pervasive force on earth. Throughout history religious ideas and commitments have inspired individuals and communities of faith to transcend narrow self-interest in pursuit of higher values and truths. The record of history shows that noble acts of love, self-sacrifice, and service to others are frequently rooted in deeply held religious worldviews. At the same time, history clearly shows that religion has often been linked directly to the worst examples of human behavior.”
“The progression of people’s ability to talk about other religions has progressed from ‘us’ an ‘it,’ to ‘we’ and ‘they,’ and now we’re starting to get to ‘we’ and ‘you,’ but we must finally get to ‘we’ and ‘us.’”
“Understanding religion requires reflecting on how adherents of the religion understand and interpret its elements, for religion does not exist in a vacuum; it exists in the hearts, minds, and behaviors of human beings.”
From The Pluralism Project, by Dana Eck, Harvard University:
“Religions can have a life affirming influence or a corrupting influence. The benefit of comparing beliefs is to see the shared structures, patterns and tendencies. It is important to challenge ‘sup-positions,’ to think in new ways, and have dialogues.”
From Global Ethical Options – in the tradition of Gandhi, King, and Ikeda, poem by Daisaku Ikeda, “In the River of Revolution”:
We have no need of any sect
Valorously transcending the obstacles
of narrow partisanship, of cliques,
as human beings
as stark-naked human beings,
live, move, and for the sake of the joyous new society
fight young people!
And I too will fight!
The sect of non-sectarianism
the sect called human being, which is no sect at all —
let us call this the Human Party
Topics and/or Questions for Discussion and Dialogue
* Connecting human hearts: Benefiting from our shared religious traditions
* Linear/deterministic vs. Non-linear/dependent origination Religious theory
* Truth-based vs. Virtue-based religious thought
Quotes & References
From When Religion Becomes Evil, by Charles Kimball:
“Religion is arguably the most powerful and pervasive force on earth. Throughout history religious ideas and commitments have inspired individuals and communities of faith to transcend narrow self-interest in pursuit of higher values and truths. The record of history shows that noble acts of love, self-sacrifice, and service to others are frequently rooted in deeply held religious worldviews. At the same time, history clearly shows that religion has often been linked directly to the worst examples of human behavior.”
“The progression of people’s ability to talk about other religions has progressed from ‘us’ an ‘it,’ to ‘we’ and ‘they,’ and now we’re starting to get to ‘we’ and ‘you,’ but we must finally get to ‘we’ and ‘us.’”
“Understanding religion requires reflecting on how adherents of the religion understand and interpret its elements, for religion does not exist in a vacuum; it exists in the hearts, minds, and behaviors of human beings.”
From The Pluralism Project, by Dana Eck, Harvard University:
“Religions can have a life affirming influence or a corrupting influence. The benefit of comparing beliefs is to see the shared structures, patterns and tendencies. It is important to challenge ‘sup-positions,’ to think in new ways, and have dialogues.”
From Global Ethical Options – in the tradition of Gandhi, King, and Ikeda, poem by Daisaku Ikeda, “In the River of Revolution”:
We have no need of any sect
Valorously transcending the obstacles
of narrow partisanship, of cliques,
as human beings
as stark-naked human beings,
live, move, and for the sake of the joyous new society
fight young people!
And I too will fight!
The sect of non-sectarianism
the sect called human being, which is no sect at all —
let us call this the Human Party
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The Three Kinds of Treasure
"... do not go around lamenting to others how hard it is for you to live in this world. To do so is an act utterly unbecoming to a worthy man.
"It is rare to be born a human being. The number of those endowed with human life is as small as the amount of earth one can place on a fingernail. Life as a human being is hard to sustain - as hard as it is for the dew to remain on the grass. But it is better to live a single day with honour than to live to one hundred and twenty and die in disgrace." - (Major Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol 2, p. 238)
Letter to Konichi-bo
You say in your letter, "Because my son killed others, I would like you to tell me into what kind of place he may be reborn." A needle sinks in water, and rain will not remain in the sky. Those who kill even an ant are destined for hell, and those who merely cut up dead bodies cannot avoid the evil paths. All the more must they suffer who kill human beings. However, even a large rock can float on the sea when carried aboard a boat. Does not water extinguish even a great fire? Even a small error will destine one to the evil paths if one does not repent of it. Yet even a grave offence can be eradicated if one repents of it sincerely.
(Letter to Konichi-bo, Major writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol 4, p 164)
KEEP RIGHT ON TO THE END
Be diligent in developing your faith until the last moment of your life. Otherwise you will have regrets. For example, the journey from Kamakura to Kyoto takes twelve days. If you travel for eleven but stop with only one day remaining, how can you admire the moon over the capital ?
(Letter to Niike - WND p1027)
"... do not go around lamenting to others how hard it is for you to live in this world. To do so is an act utterly unbecoming to a worthy man.
"It is rare to be born a human being. The number of those endowed with human life is as small as the amount of earth one can place on a fingernail. Life as a human being is hard to sustain - as hard as it is for the dew to remain on the grass. But it is better to live a single day with honour than to live to one hundred and twenty and die in disgrace." - (Major Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol 2, p. 238)
Letter to Konichi-bo
You say in your letter, "Because my son killed others, I would like you to tell me into what kind of place he may be reborn." A needle sinks in water, and rain will not remain in the sky. Those who kill even an ant are destined for hell, and those who merely cut up dead bodies cannot avoid the evil paths. All the more must they suffer who kill human beings. However, even a large rock can float on the sea when carried aboard a boat. Does not water extinguish even a great fire? Even a small error will destine one to the evil paths if one does not repent of it. Yet even a grave offence can be eradicated if one repents of it sincerely.
(Letter to Konichi-bo, Major writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol 4, p 164)
KEEP RIGHT ON TO THE END
Be diligent in developing your faith until the last moment of your life. Otherwise you will have regrets. For example, the journey from Kamakura to Kyoto takes twelve days. If you travel for eleven but stop with only one day remaining, how can you admire the moon over the capital ?
(Letter to Niike - WND p1027)
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All that is posted here is so worthy of reading, thinking
about and put into practice if so chosen.
Thoughtful, thank you.
Namaste'
about and put into practice if so chosen.
Thoughtful, thank you.
Namaste'
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Thanks Dusty. I will continue to post quotes from the Gosho here for people to read and discuss if they so choose. However, being as its a thread that invites discussion rather than argument, contemplation rather than ego, I fear it might be hopeless. 
Dusty45: All that is posted here is so worthy of reading, thinking
about and put into practice if so chosen.
Thoughtful, thank you.
Namaste'
about and put into practice if so chosen.
Thoughtful, thank you.
Namaste'
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Exert yourself in the two ways of practice and study. Without practice and study there can be no Buddhism. You must not only persevere yourself; you must also teach others. Both practice and study arise from faith. Teach others to the best of your ability, even if only a single sentence or phrase.
(The True Entity of Life - WND p.386, MW vol 1 p.95)
A bird's egg contains nothing but liquid, yet by itself this develops into a beak, two eyes, and all the other parts, and the bird soars into the sky. We, too, are the eggs of ignorance, which are pitiful things, but when nurtured by the chanting of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, which is like the warmth of the mother bird, we develop the beak of the thirty-two features and the feathers of the eighty characteristics and are free to soar into the sky of the true aspect of all phenomena and the reality of all things.
(Letter to Niike (WND p. 1030)
(The True Entity of Life - WND p.386, MW vol 1 p.95)
A bird's egg contains nothing but liquid, yet by itself this develops into a beak, two eyes, and all the other parts, and the bird soars into the sky. We, too, are the eggs of ignorance, which are pitiful things, but when nurtured by the chanting of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, which is like the warmth of the mother bird, we develop the beak of the thirty-two features and the feathers of the eighty characteristics and are free to soar into the sky of the true aspect of all phenomena and the reality of all things.
(Letter to Niike (WND p. 1030)
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A palace of splendor is here for the taking if we would
recognize our choices. Once discovered then the task is
to discard what is no longer part of the agenda. And, that
seems to be a moment by moment decision but well worth the
continual effort. Letting go of imaginary addictions and
making a habit of continuous good works do show lasting results.
recognize our choices. Once discovered then the task is
to discard what is no longer part of the agenda. And, that
seems to be a moment by moment decision but well worth the
continual effort. Letting go of imaginary addictions and
making a habit of continuous good works do show lasting results.
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Galactic_bodhi: This was the topic of discussion at my Buddhist meeting today. Most people don't realize that when you slander another, you slander yourself. Absolute happiness begins and ends within you. Relative happiness may be achieved by acquired fortunes and material wealth, but are ultimately transient. Only a life spent creating joy and value for all will be of any lasting benefit and a source of joy that is absolute. Warm fuzzy feelings originate within, and lead us to a promised land that is not only here and now, but for all eternity.
Thank you all for your life, for your time, and for your wealth as individuals struggling for a better tomorrow.
i don't know about better...i'll just be happy, being able to see tomorrow....Thank you all for your life, for your time, and for your wealth as individuals struggling for a better tomorrow.
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That in itself is a better tomorrow, because by the time it arrives, it is today. And then, a better tomorrow on that day, is the joy of knowing you made it this far, and have yet another tomorrow to look forward to.
jlw45: i don't know about better...i'll just be happy, being able to see tomorrow....
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Galactic_bodhi: That in itself is a better tomorrow, because by the time it arrives, it is today. And then, a better tomorrow on that day, is the joy of knowing you made it this far, and have yet another tomorrow to look forward to.
...God willing.....
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jlw45: ...God willing.....
Yourself willing. Don't be blaming it on God, now. He didn't blame yesterday on you, don't go blaming tomorrow on Him.
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Galactic_bodhi: Yourself willing. Don't be blaming it on God, now. He didn't blame yesterday on you, don't go blaming tomorrow on Him.
"yourself willing..."... ------ This thread is Archived ------
Nagarjuna, the Buddhist teacher believed to have lived in India sometime around the late second century and the early third century, expounded the teaching of sunyata (Jpn ku), which is variously translated as non-substantiality, void or emptiness. He developed the concept of non-substantiality from Shakyamuni’s principle of dependent origination (Skt pratityasamutpada; Jpn engi).
Nagarjuna asserted that since everything arises and continues to exist by virtue of its relationship with other phenomena (i.e., dependent origination), it has absolutely no fixed or independent substance of its own (i.e., non-substantiality). Viewed from this perspective, there is nothing that cannot be changed. Nothing exists entirely on its own, and no form is absolute and immutable. The universe, then, is full of new situations at every moment.
This open-ended nature of the universe also applies to human beings. Our lives are full of new possibilities for the future. It all depends upon how we view ourselves—how well we recognize these possibilities—and what kind of relationship we create with our surroundings.
According to the perspective of non-substantiality, everything changes not only in its appearance or shape but also in its nature or meaning. A raft, for example, may be useful for a traveler to cross a river. But it would be foolish for him to carry the raft a long distance after crossing the river. The raft then becomes a heavy burden, an obstacle to his journey. In this sense, the concept of non-substantiality suggests that it is foolish for us to base our lives on and grow attached to things that we possess, such as wealth or position. Like the raft, they are only of immediate value, and attachment to them can even become a burden on our journey toward self-perfection. And from the standpoint of eternity, they are nothing at all.
The important thing is that we create a positive relationship with our ever-shifting surroundings at every moment and thereby create value. If we base our lives on the belief that there is permanent value and meaning in money or social status, our expectation will be miserably betrayed sooner or later. For example, we would be endangering ourselves if we were to cling to a bundle of dollar bills rather than a jug of water when walking across a desert. If we attach ourselves to material wealth while ignoring our spiritual well-being, we will eventually become miserable as well. At the same time, if we develop the ability to utilize material wealth to support our happiness and to benefit others, neither shunning it nor enslaving ourselves to it, our lives can be more fulfilling.
Excerpt - Living Buddhism July 1999 p.5
Nagarjuna asserted that since everything arises and continues to exist by virtue of its relationship with other phenomena (i.e., dependent origination), it has absolutely no fixed or independent substance of its own (i.e., non-substantiality). Viewed from this perspective, there is nothing that cannot be changed. Nothing exists entirely on its own, and no form is absolute and immutable. The universe, then, is full of new situations at every moment.
This open-ended nature of the universe also applies to human beings. Our lives are full of new possibilities for the future. It all depends upon how we view ourselves—how well we recognize these possibilities—and what kind of relationship we create with our surroundings.
According to the perspective of non-substantiality, everything changes not only in its appearance or shape but also in its nature or meaning. A raft, for example, may be useful for a traveler to cross a river. But it would be foolish for him to carry the raft a long distance after crossing the river. The raft then becomes a heavy burden, an obstacle to his journey. In this sense, the concept of non-substantiality suggests that it is foolish for us to base our lives on and grow attached to things that we possess, such as wealth or position. Like the raft, they are only of immediate value, and attachment to them can even become a burden on our journey toward self-perfection. And from the standpoint of eternity, they are nothing at all.
The important thing is that we create a positive relationship with our ever-shifting surroundings at every moment and thereby create value. If we base our lives on the belief that there is permanent value and meaning in money or social status, our expectation will be miserably betrayed sooner or later. For example, we would be endangering ourselves if we were to cling to a bundle of dollar bills rather than a jug of water when walking across a desert. If we attach ourselves to material wealth while ignoring our spiritual well-being, we will eventually become miserable as well. At the same time, if we develop the ability to utilize material wealth to support our happiness and to benefit others, neither shunning it nor enslaving ourselves to it, our lives can be more fulfilling.
Excerpt - Living Buddhism July 1999 p.5
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The Daily Practice
There are three basics in applying Nichiren Buddhism to your daily life: faith, practice and study. They are the primary ingredients in the recipe for developing our innate enlightened condition, or Buddhahood. All three are essential. With this recipe, we will experience actual proof of our transformation in the forms of both conspicuous and inconspicuous benefit. The recipe is universal. These basics are the same in every country where this Buddhism is practiced.
Faith
In Buddhism, faith is based on experience. Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism emphasizes obtaining "actual proof" of the teaching’s power. Faith begins as an expectation or hope that something will happen. At the start of our journey, if we are willing to try the practice and anticipate some result, we will then develop our faith brick by brick as examples of actual proof accrue.
Practice
To develop faith, we must take action. We strengthen our wisdom and vital life force by actualizing our Buddhahood each day in a very concrete way. Practice in Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism consists of two parts: practice for ourselves and practice for others. Practice for ourselves is to chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo each morning and evening along with reciting Gongyo (two chapters of the Lotus Sutra). Practice for others consists of action based on compassion to help give others the means to make fundamental improvements in their lives.
Study
To gain confidence that this practice is valid, and to understand why your efforts will bring about a result, it is essential to study the tenets of this Buddhism. The basis of study comes from the founder himself, Nichiren Daishonin. More than 700 years ago, he instructed followers in the correct way to practice; and his writings, which have been preserved and translated into English, give us valuable insight into how this practice will benefit us today.
There are three basics in applying Nichiren Buddhism to your daily life: faith, practice and study. They are the primary ingredients in the recipe for developing our innate enlightened condition, or Buddhahood. All three are essential. With this recipe, we will experience actual proof of our transformation in the forms of both conspicuous and inconspicuous benefit. The recipe is universal. These basics are the same in every country where this Buddhism is practiced.
Faith
In Buddhism, faith is based on experience. Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism emphasizes obtaining "actual proof" of the teaching’s power. Faith begins as an expectation or hope that something will happen. At the start of our journey, if we are willing to try the practice and anticipate some result, we will then develop our faith brick by brick as examples of actual proof accrue.
Practice
To develop faith, we must take action. We strengthen our wisdom and vital life force by actualizing our Buddhahood each day in a very concrete way. Practice in Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism consists of two parts: practice for ourselves and practice for others. Practice for ourselves is to chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo each morning and evening along with reciting Gongyo (two chapters of the Lotus Sutra). Practice for others consists of action based on compassion to help give others the means to make fundamental improvements in their lives.
Study
To gain confidence that this practice is valid, and to understand why your efforts will bring about a result, it is essential to study the tenets of this Buddhism. The basis of study comes from the founder himself, Nichiren Daishonin. More than 700 years ago, he instructed followers in the correct way to practice; and his writings, which have been preserved and translated into English, give us valuable insight into how this practice will benefit us today.
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Galactic_bodhi: The Daily Practice
There are three basics in applying Nichiren Buddhism to your daily life: faith, practice and study. They are the primary ingredients in the recipe for developing our innate enlightened condition, or Buddhahood. All three are essential. With this recipe, we will experience actual proof of our transformation in the forms of both conspicuous and inconspicuous benefit. The recipe is universal. These basics are the same in every country where this Buddhism is practiced.
Faith
In Buddhism, faith is based on experience. Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism emphasizes obtaining "actual proof" of the teaching’s power. Faith begins as an expectation or hope that something will happen. At the start of our journey, if we are willing to try the practice and anticipate some result, we will then develop our faith brick by brick as examples of actual proof accrue.
Practice
To develop faith, we must take action. We strengthen our wisdom and vital life force by actualizing our Buddhahood each day in a very concrete way. Practice in Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism consists of two parts: practice for ourselves and practice for others. Practice for ourselves is to chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo each morning and evening along with reciting Gongyo (two chapters of the Lotus Sutra). Practice for others consists of action based on compassion to help give others the means to make fundamental improvements in their lives.
Study
To gain confidence that this practice is valid, and to understand why your efforts will bring about a result, it is essential to study the tenets of this Buddhism. The basis of study comes from the founder himself, Nichiren Daishonin. More than 700 years ago, he instructed followers in the correct way to practice; and his writings, which have been preserved and translated into English, give us valuable insight into how this practice will benefit us today.
- There are three basics in applying Nichiren Buddhism to your daily life: faith, practice and study. They are the primary ingredients in the recipe for developing our innate enlightened condition, or Buddhahood. All three are essential. With this recipe, we will experience actual proof of our transformation in the forms of both conspicuous and inconspicuous benefit. The recipe is universal. These basics are the same in every country where this Buddhism is practiced.
Faith
In Buddhism, faith is based on experience. Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism emphasizes obtaining "actual proof" of the teaching’s power. Faith begins as an expectation or hope that something will happen. At the start of our journey, if we are willing to try the practice and anticipate some result, we will then develop our faith brick by brick as examples of actual proof accrue.
Practice
To develop faith, we must take action. We strengthen our wisdom and vital life force by actualizing our Buddhahood each day in a very concrete way. Practice in Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism consists of two parts: practice for ourselves and practice for others. Practice for ourselves is to chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo each morning and evening along with reciting Gongyo (two chapters of the Lotus Sutra). Practice for others consists of action based on compassion to help give others the means to make fundamental improvements in their lives.
Study
To gain confidence that this practice is valid, and to understand why your efforts will bring about a result, it is essential to study the tenets of this Buddhism. The basis of study comes from the founder himself, Nichiren Daishonin. More than 700 years ago, he instructed followers in the correct way to practice; and his writings, which have been preserved and translated into English, give us valuable insight into how this practice will benefit us today.
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A friend of mine from another forum ordered a Buddhist lecture series on video. He’s not a Buddhists himself but has an interest in theology. He’s been telling me about this lecture series and it’s pretty interesting.
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Galactic_bodhi: This was the topic of discussion at my Buddhist meeting today. Most people don't realize that when you slander another, you slander yourself. Absolute happiness begins and ends within you. Relative happiness may be achieved by acquired fortunes and material wealth, but are ultimately transient. Only a life spent creating joy and value for all will be of any lasting benefit and a source of joy that is absolute. Warm fuzzy feelings originate within, and lead us to a promised land that is not only here and now, but for all eternity.
Thank you all for your life, for your time, and for your wealth as individuals struggling for a better tomorrow.
Thank you all for your life, for your time, and for your wealth as individuals struggling for a better tomorrow.
Great OP...... I particularly liked the first two paragraphs of the quote you used - and I KNOW that it is true!
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Many (not all) will agree that here in this existence we have free Will. I think there are also two voices that we have a choice of listening to. The voice of the Ego and and voice of the Spirit.
I don't know..., GB may or may not agree with this. <smile> Here in this world there is the force of the Ego and the force of Spirit.
If I were to describe the voice of Ego it would be a very loud, noisy, mad, insane, disruptive, conflictive, nightmarish, cunning, baffling and powerful one, which is endowed with its own Will. (basically to be the voice of this world of illusion)
Describing the voice of the Spirit would be a quieter, calmer, peaceful, joyful one full of love and with it the Will of good.
I think in every moment we have the choice of which voice we are willing to listen to and whether to choose its Will. We live through our minds; our thoughts. Our world here is made by the decision of which Will (we) choose. We look around and see by the fruits of our thoughts which is the predominating thought in this life here. People; responses; surroundings; are constantly telling us who and what we are. How we treat another is exactly how we are treating ourself. Our minds share and are united.
My thoughts are that the more we choose the Will of the Spirit, another world of perception will unfold to be that of what is known as Heaven and where we will recognize that we are one.
I don't know..., GB may or may not agree with this. <smile> Here in this world there is the force of the Ego and the force of Spirit.
If I were to describe the voice of Ego it would be a very loud, noisy, mad, insane, disruptive, conflictive, nightmarish, cunning, baffling and powerful one, which is endowed with its own Will. (basically to be the voice of this world of illusion)
Describing the voice of the Spirit would be a quieter, calmer, peaceful, joyful one full of love and with it the Will of good.
I think in every moment we have the choice of which voice we are willing to listen to and whether to choose its Will. We live through our minds; our thoughts. Our world here is made by the decision of which Will (we) choose. We look around and see by the fruits of our thoughts which is the predominating thought in this life here. People; responses; surroundings; are constantly telling us who and what we are. How we treat another is exactly how we are treating ourself. Our minds share and are united.
My thoughts are that the more we choose the Will of the Spirit, another world of perception will unfold to be that of what is known as Heaven and where we will recognize that we are one.
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Attaining "peace and security in this life" doesn't mean having a life free from all difficulties, but that whatever difficulties. arise, without being shaken in the least, you can summon up the unflinching courage and conviction to fight against and overcome them. This is the state of life of "peace and security in this life."
And, as indicated by the dictum, "If you want to understand what results will be manifested in the future, look at the causes that exist in the present,"[ref. 5] establishing a great state of happiness and security in this life is proof that in the future you will experience good circumstances; being born into a place conducive to your further growth.
Some religions teach that people will become happy after death even if their present lives are filled with misery. But this is not the teaching of the Lotus Sutra, which explains that we can thoroughly enjoy both the present and the future. That is the essence of Buddhism.
Toward establishing such an existence, we need to develop a strong life force by chanting daimoku and thoroughly challenging the realities of our lives. It is through such efforts that we realize true "peace and security in this life" and "good circumstances in the next."
Shijo Kingo, too, suffered on account of calumny. But the Daishonin told him, "Never let life's hardships disturb you." Those who resort to libelous accusations are defeated as human beings; nothing is more lowly and base. We should not be swayed in the least by such despicable actions. Just as you do not put garbage into your mouth, you must not permit such rubbish into your heart. -
This was the topic of discussion at my Buddhist meeting today. Most people don't realize that when you slander another, you slander yourself. Absolute happiness begins and ends within you. Relative happiness may be achieved by acquired fortunes and material wealth, but are ultimately transient. Only a life spent creating joy and value for all will be of any lasting benefit and a source of joy that is absolute. Warm fuzzy feelings originate within, and lead us to a promised land that is not only here and now, but for all eternity.
Thank you all for your life, for your time, and for your wealth as individuals struggling for a better tomorrow.