Living in a Grateful World - To Me

Some things I'm grateful for:

Three weeks of mild summer weather and some rain! (I live in Australia in a time of severe drought.)

People I can email and ask "Can you help me with some work?" and always get a "Yes" in response.

Strong coffee that I finally drink black! (Okay I still add sugar...)

Having had parents who encouraged me to choose my own path and who were always there for me. A father who taught me about integrity and honesty, and to have a strong work ethic. A mother who taught me about humility and being grateful, and the importance of laughter and the magic of a smile.

Having found the best practice for me—Pure Land Buddhism. Having found the best life for me—being a Buddhist nun.

Chanting "Amituofo"

Living in a Grateful World - In Prison

The following came from David, the inspiration of Taking it for Granted. David is in a correctional facility, a place we don't ordinarily associate with gratitude. He had not yet seen my Living in a Grateful World series when he sent this to me on Christmas Day...

Amituofo. I hope all is well with you this Holiday Season, I'm doing pretty well. This is my 11th Christmas in places like this, and this is not the best time of the year to be here so this year I'am trying to reflect more on the positive than the negetive, and I have many positive things to be thankful for, such as I'am not yet old, sick, or dead, I have a clear thinking mind, I get around pretty well, I play ping-pong, and the guitar real well, and all though I don't eat any flesh I can pretty much eat other things that I like so I'am blessed much more than billions of others who might not get to eat at all!

But my bigest blessings are I am fortunate to be able to study and even more important to practice the Buddhadharma. Thank you. Yours in the Dharma, David.

Amituofo David.

And thank you.

Living in a Grateful World 6

Words by Venerable Master Chin Kung

Artwork by www.amitabha-gallery.org

Living in a Grateful World 5

Words by Venerable Master Chin Kung

Artwork by www.amitabha-gallery.org

Living in a Grateful World 4

Words by Venerable Master Chin Kung

Artwork by www.amitabha-gallery.org