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If I have a body I might as well have a soul

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Nora Heves is 21years old and from Hungary
Nora isn't religious, Nora does not belong to a particular religion she believes in something hidden behind this form of existence.
In the summer of 2022, Nora visited the Psychedelic Festival in Hungary known as OZORA. There, she met a wife and husband (Dr Sally Torkos and Béla Torkos) they were holding an event in the festival called ( the wheel of wisdom or WOW). Nora says_ " this event was inspired by their personal experience and imagination. As described by ((Dr Sally Torkos and Béla Torkos) The practice is concerned with the evolution of human consciousness from the first dawn of conscious awareness to the threshold we stand on today and its evolutionary potential In the future

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The model of the wheel In Ozora festival. from Archival photographs was given to Nora in the Festival

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when I am in pain I know that I am disconnected from my soul. recently I got hurt by someone I loved, I was haunted by nightmares, it felt as a liquid monster is eating me from inside. the whole space becomes narrowed.

(Nora Haves)

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Nora learned a new way of praying in Ozora festival. she creates a smaller model of the wheel made of stones in her room, then she brings a different precious stone of her choice,she closes her eyes and sense the stone with her hands. therefore she sends a wish to the precious stone.
finally she choose to place it in one of the sides of the wheel, as each circle in the wheel represents part of her soul.
furthermore, Nora learned How to use paintings and dancing as forms of art to reach an understanding of herself as a soul.
"when I pray, I am in a moment with myself in which I can see what is true within. then I reconnect to the space outside. I like to do face painting and get out in the Nature".

(Nora Heves)

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John, Patricia and Karin share the same spiritual practices and embrace Nichiren Buddhism, but each of them has his path, as individuality is an integral part of what the individual believes. They belong to a community called Soka Gakkai.

Who is Nicheren?
Nichiren (born February 16, 1222, Kominato, Japan—died November 14, 1282, Ikegami), militant Japanese Buddhist prophet who contributed significantly to the adaptation of Buddhism to the Japanese mentality and who remains one of the most controversial and influential figures in Japanese Buddhist history. He concluded (in 1253) that the Lotus Sutra teaching was the only real theory suited for his age after an intensive study of the many types of Buddhism.

what is Soka Gakkai?

a global, community-based Buddhist organization that promotes peace, culture and education centred on respect for the dignity of life. Its members study and apply the humanistic philosophy of Nichiren Buddhism.
Nichiren Buddhism (Japanese: 日蓮仏教), also known as Hokkeshū (Japanese: 法華宗, meaning Lotus Sect) is a branch of Mahayana Buddhism based on the teachings of the 13th-century Japanese Buddhist priest Nichiren (1222-1282) and is one of the Kamakura period schools. Its teachings derive from some 300-400 extant treatises and treatises either authored by or attributed to Nichiren. In the thirteenth century, Nichiren expressed the essence of the Lotus Sutra as "Nam Myoho Renge Keo". which are Japanese words that resonate in all forms of Nichiren Buddhism. In English, it means "devotion to the mystical law of the Lotus Sutra" or "glory to the Dharma of the Lotus Sutra". Nichiren taught the practice of chanting this phrase as a way for all people to overcome suffering and live happy and fulfilling life. For Soka Gakki, Myoho-renge-kyo describes “a mystical law, of which our lives are the expression. Chanting the Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is an act of faith in the mystical law and in the magnitude of life's inherent possibilities. Throughout his writings, Nichiren stresses the primacy of Faith. He writes, for example: “The Lotus Sutra. He says that one can "enter through faith alone." Thus, faith is the primary requirement for entry into the Buddha's path.”

The first three heads of Soka Gakkai, Tsunesaburo Makiguchi (1871–1944), Josi Toda (1900–1958) and Daisaku Ikeda (1928–1928), revived Nichiren Buddhism in modern times and created the basis for its development globally. An accessible philosophy. Their shared commitment to this effort exemplifies the
guru-disciple relationship in Buddhism.

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"It's about gaining strength to move forward."

Karin Christiansen

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Karin Christiansen is 51 years old woman from Denmark. She was introduced to Nichiren Buddhism at the age of 22 when she was studying psychology in the UK. Karin mentions that she was feeling misplaced while being far away in a strange environment, until she met her Neighbor(Chin) from Singapore who was residing in The UK. Chin was a member of the Soka Gakka community based organization. Not to mention, Karin opened up to chin about her feelings of discomfort, Chin told Karin that her happiness is not confined to a place or a person, instead, it's something that she can find within. therefore, Chin introduced Karin to the traditions and knowledge of Nichiren Buddhism and Soka Gakkai.

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Chin and Karin in the old days

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The first three founders of Soka Gakkai, Tsunesaburo Makiguchi (1871–1944), Josi Toda (1900–1958) and Daisaku Ikeda

“I have had a challenging relationship with my mother feeling hurt and disappointed but through chanting nam-myoho-renge-kyo I gradually transformed these feelings and opened up my heart to her. Now we have a mutually respectful relationship and I feel grateful to her for giving me my life.”

(Karin Christiansen)

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Karin's mother

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"To be spiritual means to be able to sense your guidance"

(Patricia Kamunyu)

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Patricia is 33 years old from Denmark
she was introduced to Nicheren Buddhism By her psychologist friend when she was experiencing a mental breakdown due to a struggle with anxiety while she was preparing for her final graduation exams in her degree. she says _"I was caught up in fear until I experienced a panic attack, I couldn't breath."

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"when I chanted for the first time I could calm down suddenly, then I could see myself and observe, I said "hey there I can see you" since then I decided this is going to be my life companion"

(Patricia Kamunyu)

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This is a list of Names that Patricia pray for

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"spirituality is a way of sailing on the ocean"

(John Hassall)

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John Hassall is a 40 years old rock musician and Artist. John began practicing Nicheren Buddhism when he was 19. at that time John's parents have divorced, In consequence he got depressed. John was very close to his guitar teacher who was following the Practice, John opened up to him about his depression. thus, the teacher introduced him to chanting in the Buddhist way as something that could benefit him.

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"when I am lost I feel lonely and detached. But, Nichiren Buddhism is the boat I use to sail on the ocean, the more I grow the more that boat becomes bigger”
(John Hassall).

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a song written by John Hassall

Public Story

There is more

Updated Dec 2022

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"Connect with yourself, love yourself, you will find the answer within.” I always heard these words echoing from many friends since I have resided in Denmark. It seemed to me that many individuals have taken this path of what they consider spiritual in confronting life obstacles, and perhaps it is an untrod-den path in which there may be some truth. So my research revolved around the meaning of what is considered to be spiritual, just as each person has their definition of what they regard as spiritual, and each has their way of connecting. (there is more) is a project that explores and investigates the concept of spirituality by following four characters (Nora Heves, Karin Christiansen, Patricia Kamunyu and John Hassasall)

Nov 21, 2022

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