The Buddha's Battle

       Back at the beginning of the year I made a determination to express myself creatively each day. At the time my intent was to jump start my acting career that had been on hold. However chanting has this amazing sneaky way of giving you other options that are so beyond your real of awareness. My new creative skill came out and surprised everyone as much as myself....I could rap. So as I started to share this information with people outside my inner circle I got lots of laughs but as soon as I rapped even a verse I could see there minds judgment change rather quickly.
       I began writing down lines almost everywhere at a stop light in LA traffic, riding the escalator into work, it seemed once the switch was turned out the flow just came pouring out! They range from partying, to my issues with the government, work, even about the more dark elements of my life I was astonished to say the least. So when Youth Month came about in the SGI I was asked to write a rap for it. Some of my pieces already had Buddhism infused language and I had been meaning to write a specifically Buddhist based rap so I put my mind to the task. About 5 hours over several days I wrote this:
The Buddha’s Battle
I’m trying to be the best kind of person I can be
A bright future is what I want to see
Just trying to figure out what I need
Never giving up this girl won’t concede

Where’s the line between need and want
Trying to understand the puzzle is starting to haunt
My mind, my dream, and everything between
I feel so swayed which way should I lean?

In this whole big city how can one stand out
Even the best would begin to doubt
If they had what it takes
To make a name for themselves

When the darkness overtakes the light
And it hurts to even put up a fight
That’s when you truly begin to see
Your own strength and the power of who you want to be

When it’s hard I remember I’ve got a buddha’s heart
And that’s it’s up to me to always do my part
When my mind whirls with all these questions
I chant to the gohonzen for some suggestions

CHORUS:  A buddha thinks with their heart and mind
                   To establish peace for all human kind
                   Fighting to do our human revolution
                   To change the world is our ultimate solution

We all want to effect Kosen rufu
But remember this undertaking starts with you
It just takes one person to stand up and create change
Don’t think small go big with your range

I know i’m reaching into depths of my heart and soul
to extract as much darkness as humanly possible
So I can shine with so much joyous light
That no one would ever know my horrendous plight

A true test of character isn’t the day you win
It’s about conquering the struggle and having the courage to begin
To live the fullest life you always imagined
To become your own hero and the stuff of legend

Because life isn’t a game of winners or losers
It’s made up of lovers forget the abusers
Ya gotta love one self before you can open it up
You can’t go any further till you fill up that cup

With positive energy and strong universal flow
Aiding your growth with nam myho renge kyo
You WERE meant for victory and don’t forget IT
Take a step towards the future now that’s the spirIT

CHORUS: A buddha thinks with their heart and mind
                  To establish peace for all human kind
                  Fighting to do our human revolution
                  To change the world is our ultimate solution

We are the bodisattvas of this earth
The ones who reach enlightenment and come back at birth
Ready for another life’s mission to complete
Thanking the universe for this chance to defeat

Generations of family karma and lessons to learn
To practice this buddhism gives you the chance to turn
All of that negativity into positive gain
And to know defeating those obstacles wasn’t in vain.

On March 16th Toda passed the torch to the youth
To create peace in this world and follow their truth
He encouraged all to fight for their own victory
And since that day it’s been part of SGI history

He shared his hopes and dreams with his disciples
And hoped they continue another cycle
Of bringing peace to this conflicted planet
To stop the wars, nuclear weapons and all the panic

In this day Ikeda asks us to illuminate all humanity
Through participating in an Sokka activity
The sutra says “seek the Buddha way”
So I’m asking you- can you start today?

I prepared to preform it all week by listening to the lyrics on my commute to work. Although I fell short of having it 100% memorized for the meeting it was still such an amazing joy to share one of my pieces in public. My goal is always to touch someones heart in any of my creative endeavors. So I think since I've preformed a rap I wrote in public that officially makes me a rapper! Stay tuned this is only the beginning......