The Journey to the West

Buddhism is the most widely worshiped religion in Asia. The history of Buddhism brings us back to Northern India, 2500 years ago. Siddhartha Gautama was the founder of this religion. Siddhartha Gautama was the crown prince of a nation in Northern India. When he was young, he went out of his palace and observed people's pains for i) Birth, ii) Aged, iii) Sick, and iv) Death. He escaped from his palace and trained himself to save people from their pains. He became an awaken one, Buddha. Buddhism quickly gained ground in India but could not be major there. Some analyze that Kings and Politicians in old India did not welcome Buddhism belief, Equality of People under Buddha, for their governing purpose. Buddha, however, stayed in Indian religious scene to be one of many gods in Hinduism.

How did Buddhism become most widely worshiped religion in Asia? China played an important role for Buddhism to grow in Asian countries. How did Buddhism become major in China? It was 7th Century when a Chinese monk, Xuanzang Fashi traveled to India breaking the law. He studied Buddhism in several key places, in Indian Buddhism. He brought Buddhist Scriptures to China. Xuanzan's monks worked to translate these Scriptures to Chinese. Xuanzan Fashi was the largest reason for Buddhism to be found well in China and Asian countries.

Later, in China, Xuangzan's journey to India became a fictional story. In this story, 3 monsters follow Xuangzan as trainees of Buddhism. They are i) Stone Monkey, Sun Wukong, ii) Big Monster, Zhu Beijie, and iii) Soldier Ghost, Sha Wujing. The title of this story is "Journey to the West (Xi You Ji). The story became popular worldwide. It became cartoon stories several times in China and Japan. Media made it be Movies and TV Programs so many times.

All 3 followers of Xuanzan Fashi had their own stories. They were stories of pain, agony, fear, remorse, and resentment. They are identical pains as human beings. The 3 followers were the ones who could not endure these pains and became monsters. Stone Monkey, Sun Wukong was born from stone. He was smart and powerful but violent. His supervisor put him under a mountain for 5 thousand years until Xuanzang found and released him. Zhu Beijie and Sha Sujing were generals in heaven. Their supervisors and colleagues exiled them to earth for punishment. They were waiting to meet Xuanzong for thousands of years.

They fought against all odds, for the sake of Xuanzang. Sun Wukong with his 2 other colleagues saved and helped Xuanzang all of their way to India. Their journey was even more painful to all than their former lives, which caused them to be monsters. In their trip to India, the 3 followers had gradually realized Buddhism philosophy of love. They grew as trainees of Buddha. At the end of their trip, Buddha gave them the status of Buddhism gods. Sinful people can repent and release themselves from their bondage of sin. They can even become god even people today worship.





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Making Mistakes Is Better Than Doing Nothing

This seminar was on mental development for entrepreneurs. It taught that being a self-employed requires different mentality from an employee. The most of the contents were general on business as a self-employed. The contents included pioneer spirit, think outside of the box, self-branding, and so on.

There was, however, notable points, which were eye-opening. The cost for the seminar was about $1,000. It was worth investing this much, however. That point motivated me to share with readers of this article. The message could be described in the following 3 points:

1. Do not be afraid of going ahead of trying something new.

2. Do not be afraid of making mistakes.

3. Remember making mistakes is better than not doing anything.

The first point is clear and simple. Everybody has an experience to do something, for the first time. He will be uncomfortable, annoyed, puzzled, and afraid. He cannot, however, procrastinate, since soon or later he needs to decide if he does it or not. Once one decides to do, he should not be afraid of trying. He should go ahead and start doing.

The second point touches upon reason why one hesitates to start something. He hesitates because he does not want to make a mistake. He needs to break down the wall he has in his mind. The wall is his fear of making a mistake. This is what the seminar taught. Let us consider the employment situation, first. If one is an employee, avoiding to make a mistake may not be bad. In this sense, there is a choice for an employee to do nothing new, simply in order not to make a mistake. If he is a self-employed, it does not make sense decide not to do anything new due to the possibility of making a mistake.

It was a decision one made to be a self-employed. He could not be afraid of the decision he made. Being a self-employed is like being a cowboy in the Wild West. He needs to be determined to continue trying something new. He will be fearful for failing. He will be reluctant. He will be afraid of making mistakes. He will feel miserable when he makes mistakes. He will regret to take some actions. He will feel like crying some times. He will feel constant pressure. This sounds terrible. The reward, however, is huge, when one breaks his mental wall and go ahead and succeed.

The last point shows the motivation for trying something new. If he succeeded in doing something new, it was great. Even if he did not succeed, and he made a mistake, it would be still okay. He learned that it did not work from the mistake, at least. People say Thomas Edison made more than 20,000 mistakes. When interviewers asked him about it, he stated he proved other 20,000 ways did not work. A self-employed must have Thomas Edison's mentality. One can be proud of making mistakes. If he did not do anything, nothing happened. We need to remember that making mistakes in the course of actions is better than doing nothing.




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You Will Not Get It Until You Try

Japan is unique in its history in many ways. One of the unique facts about Japanese history is its civil revolution and its modernization. Japan is a unique country that achieved modernization without civil war. It was 1895, when American Battle Ships, headed by Commodore Matthew C. Perry, appeared in Edo Bay, asking free trade with Shogun government that time. In later 19th century, American and European super powers were present in Japan. Another miracle in Japanese history is the fact that she did not become a colony of these super powers at that time.

There were reasons why Japan did not have a blood shed civil war for her modernization, and why Japan did not become a colony of superpowers. There are always people behind the historical events. There were groups of people who envisioned peaceful government change without civil war, believed that they could achieve the peaceful revolution, and realized it.

The center figure of this group was "Ryoma Sakamoto". Ryoma belonged to lower class of Samurai hierarchy in Tosa-Han, the feudal domain of Tosa, now Kochi Prefecture of Shikoku Island. His class of people needed to obey upper class Samurai. They were half farmers or merchants classified as lowest in Samurai structure. Ryoma and his class people could not be a part of local government in Tosa-Han. He would never be able to talk directly with local lord. He did not like the system and hierarchy. Ryoma escaped from Tosa-Han. He was 26 years old.

Cho-Shu-Han, feudal domain of Cho-Shu, now Yamaguchi Prefecture, was a military power, in west Japan. They were trying to overthrow Shogun government. Unfortunately, they were not strong enough to win Shogun. They had lost a war against Shogun. Satsuma-Han, feudal domain of Satsuma, now Kagoshima Prefecture, was another power. They were, however, in side of Shogun and fought against Cho-Shu-Han. They regarded each other to be the worst enemy. Ryoma decided that Cho-Shu and Satsuma need to form an ally to defeat Shogun Government. Nobody believed Cho-Shu and Satsuma would shake hands with each other. Even his own friends and colleagues were telling Ryoma that it is impossible. Ryoma proposed that Cho-Shu used Satsuma-Han to get approval from Shogun Government in buying necessary weapons from Europe. His idea interested both of them. They met in 1866 formed an alliance foundation to fight against Shogun government.

Later, Ryoma moved Local Lord of Tosa-Han, his own country. Tosa-Han joined the ally of Cho-Shu and Satsuma. 3 powerful feudal domains alliance made the non-blood revolution possible. This non-blood revolution did not give a moment and reason for superpowers to made her their colony. Ryoma Sakamoto was thinking "Outside of Box", out of common sense and knowledge. The society and custom of feudalism did not bind him think differently, going ahead, try, and achieve his dream.

There are 3 points to learn from Ryoma:

1. Think and decide if you want to get it.

2. If you do, do not think how difficult to do it. Think how to do it.

3. Do not listen to negative opinions. Go ahead and try.

One will not get it, unless he tries it.




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How to Overcome Intrusive Negative Thoughts

Since the move to Hayward, May 2009, my wife and I are enjoying gardening in new home. There is a Blackberry Tree, which our neighbor gave to us as a celebration for moving into Hayward. My wife planted it and, enjoyed to watch it growing. End of August, it gave us some blackberries. This blackberry tree had some problems. It was planted wall side to the next-door neighbor. The tree grew its branch across the wall and grew into our neighbor's back yard. My wife tried to pull it back, but when we found it, it had grown to thick that she could not pull it back. One day, we found the neighbor dog bitten it out. The good news was we could pull the branch back. But, the bitten branch seemed not be able to grow any more.

One morning, we found a new bud was growing just right above the bitten part and started to grow the branch from the new bud. It was growing all right for 1-2 months. My wife found some bugs on a branch top. She tried to kill the bugs and used a pesticide. Next morning, we found the 2-3 inches of the branch head was dark and looked dead. We needed to cut a portion of 2 branches, which were damaged by the pesticide. Though my wife worried about the survival of the tree, I was relaxed and believed it will survive.

2-3 days later, we found a bud close to the cut by the pesticide damage. The tree recovered from the damages. It is growing again. The blackberry tree gave us a message of life. My wife and I touched and felt the power of this tree given from Mother Nature. There were damages, but it keeps growing, as if it is a matter of course.

We should learn from this blackberry tree for living our lives, I thought. We all have happy times, bad times, pleasant times, sad times, and hard times. We may feel hurt, damaged, blue, confused, and beaten from time to time. But there is no time for stopping. If we stop there because of the hardship, it will be difficult to start moving again. We should go over the difficulties and continue to grow and walk. Let's continue to move ahead like this blackberry keeps growing. We should not allow our damages to take over us. We should overcome all these hardships. We will reach our goals if we do not stop going ahead. Do not forget that Mother Nature will take care of us as she takes care of the blackberry tree.




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49-Mile Scenic Drive in San Francisco

San Francisco is a lovely place. Entire city is like a popular theme park. "49-Mile Scenic Drive" is the best method to enjoy all of good places in this city. This driving course is highly enjoyable for anybody with driving license. Great things about San Francisco 49-Mile Scenic Drive are that one can start from anywhere in the city. A visitor finds the signs with seagull and start to follow. Also if he does not have time anymore and want to stop following the scenic drive sign, he can leave it any time. The official starting point is, however, the front of San Francisco City Hall. 49-Miles Drive ends by returning back to the starting point.

The starting point area of 49-Miles Drive is San Francisco's cultural center. East side of the City Hall, there is Asian Culture Center whereas various Asian Cultural Exhibitions and Theatrical Art Performance are held. They were showing Japanese Traditional Kabuki Play last year. In the museum, there is Chinese Arts Exhibition permanently set. It also shows history of Asian Americans. City Hall conducts wedding ceremony. There are couples that marry in the City Hall and take pictures in the park front every weekend.

Now let us follow the sign "49-Mile Scenic Drive" with seagull illustration to drive to Japan Town as next interest area. San Francisco city area is full of one-way road as others. Geary Street in down town goes to west. Turn left at Geary Street and drive several minutes, the follower of 49-Mile Drive will begin to see Japan Town's Main Buildings, namely Kinokuniya Building, Miyako-mall, Kabuki Theater Buildings. First he will see to his right from Geary Street is Japanese Style Pagoda with 5 layer roofs.

The Japanese-Americans lived here were brought into camps in World War II, and most of them did not come back. Now not so many Japanese-American families are living here. This place is for historical monument, Japanese restaurant and souvenir shops. For Japanese and Japanese-Americans, this area is still convenient place to eat Sushi and to buy Japanese books. There are several historical monuments in this area. 2 Japanese, Chinese Characters engraved on the wall in the Pagoda square shows all the Japanese and Japanese-Americans' hope for Love and Peace. There are some shops and groups who are providing training for Japanese Dance, language, Origami, Drams, or Music. Occasionally, these groups hold a booth in Japan Town Buildings and serve tea and talk with people visiting here. They are extremely friendly. It is an excellent place to hear Japanese Accent English explaining Japanese traditions and histories.

Let us leave Japan Town, turning right at Post Street. 49-Mile Scenic Drive is now taking the follower to one of the most famous and popular place for visitors. That is Union Square. Union Square is shopping center for visitors and residents. There is Macy's on South of Square, Neiman Marcus on South West corner, and Bloomingdale on Market Street. Also, there are shops such as Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Hermes, or Gucci. There are world-class hotels nearby. They include Westin St. Francis, Grand Hyatt, Clift Hotel, Villa Florence, Marriott and so forth.

The history of Union Square is deeply related to Civil War. This park name is "Union Square" because the pro-Union Army campaigns were held here, and people noticed this square as Union Army supporting movement. In 1903, the square constructed statue of Victory commemorating Admiral George Dewey's victory of the battle of Manila Bay. This Victory monument "Victory", was modeled from the likeness of a local heiress, Alma de Bretteville Spreckels. Union Square is precisely "heart" of San Francisco. Every weekend, there are some ceremonies and events are held including Art Shows. This Square is famous for Macy's sponsored Christmas tree and Christmas Decoration. Please revisit here when Christmas time comes.

Turning the corner of Union Square, the 49-Mile Scenic Drive leads the follower to China Town. China Town in San Francisco is one of the worlds biggest in size and population. Chinese people living in China Town, San Francisco is predominantly Cantonese. Despite of Japan Town, China Town has a smell of living. Visitors can hear a baby crying, in the upstairs in souvenir shops, or fighting voices, shouting out loud, in the second floor of a restaurant. China Town makes one feel more energy than Japan Town.

In addition to sightseers, there are always Chinese people selling and buying meats, vegetables, fruits, or daily goods. A visitor can feel the power of Chinese people who spread around the world and build their own cities. Whichever city in the world one visits, he will find Chinese restaurants. There are always Chinese people living there.

Coming out of China Town, the route leads the follower up the hill and brings him to Coit Tower in Telegraph Hill. There was history when some broadcasting was made from top of this Hill. Coit Tower was built as city planning, adding another attractive architect to the city. Mural in the Tower is something a visitor must see. The mural, partly showing European living, shows lives of Native Americans. Coit Tower is not in the official 49-Mile route. This place, however, is a popular spot having an aerial view over the city. The problems are traffic jam en route to the top and difficulty in parking.

The route leads the follower to Lombard Street, the world most crooked street. The slope here was too steep to build straight road and made a road crooked like this. The road next to Lombard is so steep that it looks like a cliff diving when one tries to drive down. The visitor can make his passenger scream for fear.

Now the route is taking Leavenworth Street toward north. When the follower reached the top of the hill, he starts to see San Francisco Bay and Alcatraz Island. Fisherman's Wharf is close from here. This place is always full of sightseers. Whenever visitors come to this place, they can always find something to be interesting, funny, and new. Visitors cannot visit this place without bringing a camera.

Keep going west passing Fisherman's Wharf, the follower will pass Fort Mason and reach Entrance of Presidio. Fort Mason is the city in the park, whereas Beijing Olympic Torch runner was running, instead of scheduled and announced road, due to protesting movement. Presidio Park is Navy Base historically, like the movie. Presideo Park is a forest with old but elegant looking houses. The other reason visitors like this area of Fort Mason and Presidio Park is the spectacular view of Golden Gate Bridge. There is the entrance for walkers and bicycle riders to the Golden Gate Bridge in north center of Presideo Park.

The follower will see Greek or Roman Style buildings in the foot of Golden Gate Bridge. This is Marina District. Visitors will find hands-on style science museum here called "Exploratorium". Inside of the museum, there are science projects that visitors can try themselves, and see what happens, how it happens, and why. This is an excellent place for children.

The Drive Route finally takes the follower to the beach of Pacific Ocean. In the beach, there are families to play kite, walk dog, running with small children. The visitor can take a lunch break in "Cliff House". This "Cliff House" was guesthouse for the President of US and other famous VIP's. Original Cliff House was burned down twice, and now it is a restaurant and a souvenir shop.

Now the drive takes the follower to the south part of the city. The visitor drives along the ocean side "Great America Parkway", enjoying Pacific Ocean view to his right. Passing San Francisco Zoo to his left, he drives down to Lake Merced. He may be amazed to learn that San Francisco has a lot of places to relax. This lake has amusement of boating, fishing, and rifle shooting. He can just relax his eyes as local people do.

After driving to the south side of the Lake Merced, the Scenic Drive now turns to North in Sunset Boulevard. Sunset Boulevard runs North-South and one of the main roads of West San Francisco. In South Part of the Boulevard, there is the campus of UC San Francisco. San Francisco - Bay Area residents are undoubtedly much education oriented surrounded by famous universities such as Stanford, Barkley, UCSF, UCSJ, and UC East Bay.

Now the drive brings the follower back to North part of the city. Taking Sunset Boulevard North, the visitor will drive back into the northern part of San Francisco. Sunset Boulevard will go across Lincoln and enter into Golden Gate Park. This Park may be similar to Central Park in New York or Hyde Park in London. The park is full of green trees and beautiful flowers. Golden Gate Park is residents' favorite relaxing and recreational area. There are museums, Japanese Garden, Outdoor Theater. People can enjoy events here. In the weekend, a visitor will be able to meet to the jogging people or people ride on bicycles. Driving in the park surrounded by green makes the driver feel happy. One can feel better releasing him from fears, anxieties, or angers from everyday life.

After coming out of the east gate of Golden Gate Park, the drive heads toward south again. Driving up the hill, the follower of the drive will reach residential area on the top of the hill. This is Twin Peaks. One can pull up the car at the top of the hill and enjoy the view of the central San Francisco. Driving south-east of the city along Castro Street, drive on Interstate Highway 280, the drive will take him to Business District and finally to the starting point, San Francisco Civic Center.





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