Good Karma Music Stories

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.

Today I spent a very happy time cleaning a Buddhist women’s vihara.