Good Karma Music Stories

I heard about this cool initiative while listening to the talk by Venerable Reverend Heng Sure “Being Buddhist in America” that I downloaded from iTunes. And I decided to go for it, not in the least part because I would like to listen to the CD!Right, so, as I was listening to the talk, I started thinking about what I good deed I can do. the thing is, I already volunteer for Amnesty International and for a local sustainability organisation. So, whatever I would have done for them could not really count, ‘cos I would have done it anyway. I caught the train home and when I was preparing to get off the train in front of me there was an old lady. I smiled at her and we started waiting until the train stops at the station. Then I noticed she had a suitcase with her, so I offered her to carry her suitcase off the train and down the stairs (as this particlular platform does not have a ramp). I told her that I myself sometimes require assistance of strong men when I travel ith my baby in a pushchair. It was only afterwards that I realised that it was a good deed for the CD. It all felt natural and nice. And being part of community in my nice town that I live in. I know it falls into the “helping old ladies across the road” category that the Venerable mentioned, but here we go.And today as well there was another case. One of my friends is extremely hectic and requires assistance almost constantly. At the moment, for example, she has no access to the Internet, and I check her e-mails for he.r She rang me and asked me to check if she could change the date of her flight (which I also helped her to book a couple of days ago) on a travel agents’ websites. Here, I must admit, I felt reluctant doing so. I myself get very tense and nervous when dealing with online bookings and travel agents, and fees and charges. But I forced myself to go ahead. Mostly, because my firend is in fact helpless. Partially, because I decided this to be my good deed. So, I e-mailed the travel agent with the question, giving my friend’s e-mail, and then checked her e-mail for her when she rang again, also telling her which otehr e-mails she got. I felt quite tense and not very happy, a bit annoyed at my friend, perhaps. But it needed to be done, I helped her, and I am happy that it is done. I will continue to assist her in any way I can, because, if I or our other mutual friend do not support her, no one will.

Many people visit the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas, and I always feel it is quite meaningful helping the visitors that come through. People come with a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences, but always seem to take away something beneficial or useful from their stay or visit here.

I’ve given rides to strangers, picked up clothes and toys from the playground, to hang up to be more easily found and not watered by the sprinklers, but I guess my favorite thing now is to but diapers for my “Sunday Friends”, that helps families in need in San Jose, and encourage others to give as well. My wish is that charitable donations replace trinkets as gifts to others. And you can give for free on THe Hunger Site.

Dear Sirs in Paramita!I`m Mohammad Najafi.the translator of Buddhist and meditation books in Iran.I decided to take task for translate some books about introduction of Buddhism and meditation also about interpretation of dreams in Buddhism.as you know there is not any Buddhist center in Iran and all Iranian people don`t know anything about Buddhism.Then if it`s possible for you please send me the books.Also I need some Buddha`s picture to install in my Meditation room.I tried to get that books from on line shops but there is not any international banks in Iran for getting credit cards and I could not to buy any book .I have many information about Buddhism religion and interested to publication for all Iranians.Faithfully yours:Mohammad Najafimy address and tel:P.O.Box 31465-1394 Karaj Irantel:+98 936 6006909

I was going into the Gallaria Mall in Houston a few weeks ago. I got out of my car and was walking to the door and noticed an elderly lady looking around confused. I asked her if she needed help and she said she lost her car. I asked her what level she parked on. she said she was not sure. I asked her the type of car and color and if she had any distinquising bumper stickers or such. She told me it was a dark blue La baron with a bumper sticker that said ” I love my poodle” on it. I walked around the area to find it, but no luck. I tried the level above and the level below, no luck. I went back to her and asked what was the first store she visited after she parked the car. She told me that she parked and went straight into Dillards. I knew that Dillards was on the far side of the Mall, so I gave her a ride over there and we found her car on the street level. She was so happy and thankful that she offered my money for my help. I told her that is was a pleasure helping her and that was payment enough.

My son turned one a few days ago. And we were thinking of how best to celebrate his first birthday. Through some coincidence, my mom got a contact of a nearby Home for special children who cannot be taken care of by their families (“Chembur Children’s Home, Mumbai”. Inspite of staying close to the Home, we never knew about it all these years. We instinctively decided to celebrate by going there and offering them some snacks and ice cream. When we went there one Saturday afternoon to distribute the food stuff, it turned out to be a moving experience. The first response was a something like a shock to our systems – we felt so lucky and privileged looking at them that a feeling of gratitude overwhelmed us. Gradually, we overcame the superlative flow of emotions and saw how happy they were to eat stuff they loved (who would not like an unexpected icecream on a humid Mumbai afternoon?). In the end, we felt lighter, more grateful and inspired enough to go there again (maybe each birthday of my son?). It was a moment of grace.

After an inspired weekend with some kindred spirit, I stepped into the airport shuttle. The shuttle driver offered me two seat options: the shot-gun seat or the seat way in the back of the van. I said, “You know what, I’m going to take the back seat. That way the next person could enjoy the front seat.” Instantly, he did a double take and smiled. As I got in, he public a public announcement to the four others already in the van: “This man took the back seat just so someone else could have the front. What a nice guy!” Then, he looked at me and said, “Welcome aboard, Sir.” It turns out that John, our driver, has been a native to Santa Fe. His ancestor, dating back to 1800s, were all based in the Native American communities locally. “Yeah, I could tell you anything about Santa Fe,” he joked as we drove to rural landscape and talked about Frito Pies. 🙂 A happy spirit, John served all of us with a full heart and joy.As I got out, I looked in my wallet for John’s tip. I saw that I had twenty dollar bill, so I just turned to him, put his hand on his shoulder and said, “Hey buddy, can I ask you a favor? I’ve got a twenty here. Can I give this to you, and ask you to pay it forward, do something nice for someone else? I just came from an inspired meeting, and I want to dedicate this to them.” As I stuffed the $20 in his fist, he looked at me and said, “Thank you, Sir. Thank you so much.” And he repeated that three times almost. Despite being the “nice guy” who took the back seat, he was surprised at my little act and smiled radiantly as we parted.