Opium of the masses, just cannabis for me
Karl Marx felt that "Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, and the soul of soulless conditions. It is the opium of the people".


He may be right? But Buddhism is more widely regarded as philosophy than a religion... which is why, after reading up on Buddhism, I attended my first meeting. A large property housed many Buddhists, eager to impart their wisdom on me. There was a good mix of ages and walks of life.

My counsellor and I decided that I ought to do something about my feelings of there being more to life than "this". Meditation also helps anxiety and general health, and as that was why I had counselling in the first place, it had to be worth a go.

It started as a gentle introduction to the Buddhist way of life; an address by the host; a marketing video from SGI; a question and answer session.

Then the topic of the regularity of chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo was bought up. One woman was eager to chant in groups for long periods of time - it was a condition of hers. I was eager to practice on my own - it is a condition of mine!

Well within seconds Nam Myoho Renge Kyo was resonating throughout the house, I was meant to be joining in, but I couldn't keep up. In fact I was getting quite anxious!

The silence came. And went. A woman started weeping. Nam Myoho Renge Kyo embodies the Lotus Sutra, Buddha Shakyamuni's teaching about supreme enlightenment and buddhahood.

I was surprised how few people there had read all of the Lotus Sutra, but the meeting was quite an experience. I was reminded about the last time I visited a stranger's house. I was 15 and was returning home from a meal in the care of an American man who was visiting my family. We bumped into an unknown, middle aged couple who welcomed us into their home and plied us with cannabis and Scotch whist we listened to Lou Reed's Transformer. That too was a time of enlightenment. I still listen to Transformer and can keep up with Walk on the Wild Side.