A discussion on the SGI Unofficial Yahoo Board has got me thinking about the topic of guest speakers in the SGI. As most of you here know, the independent, denominationally unaffiliated Gathering of Friends in Granada Hills was started when an SGI district was dismantled for the offense of inviting a speaker from another school of Nichiren Buddhism. I've spoken to some of my friends in the SGI who feel that this was the right move for the organization to make.
Another poster at the SGI Unofficial Board told about his experience in New Orleans, when he wanted to invite Sister Helen Prejean, the author of "Dead Man Walking", and outspoken opponent of the death penalty to speak to an SGI meeting. He claims that this effort was thwarted by his local area organization because there are a number of professional prosecutors in the SGI who would have been "upset" by the invitation.
My feeling at this point is that by all means, SGI members should feel free to hold interest-based gatherings (such as interfaith groups like the Gathering, or other interest-based groups) without waiting for the Gakkai's approval. In the case of the Gathering, these are meetings where people chant and listen to speakers who have been invited by the group. Sister Helen could certainly speak to such a gathering, as long as it wasn't an official SGI meeting. Similarly, those people who are interested in interfaith discussions can create their own schedules and so on without undue interference by the line structure.
I would be very interested to know how this issue is handled in other parts of the country, or in other parts of the world. Please, fell free to add your two cents.
Oh, and while I'm at it, I have peeled off 25 pounds in the past two months after a horrifying high blood-pressure episode which put me in the hospital. I feel fabulous, and perhaps I will write a blog entry about my wonderful new walking club soon. But for now, I am genuinely interested in how people feel this outside speakers / non-SGI interest groups issue should be handled.
Have a good one, everybody.
Be healthy, be happy, be cool.
Byrd in LA
Interfaith meetings?
This was one of the activities emphasized at the recent Culture Department FNCC. A member gave his experience about being a diplomat in the Middle East, supporting SGI members in Israel AND bringing together Muslims and Jews. He also made an offer to the audience to sponsor Islamic-
Buddhist interfaith meetings to support better understanding. This was supported by the national leaders at the conference.
At one of the local San Francisco Culture Department meetings last fall, a member related his experience appearing on a panel of Buddhists from various traditions at Stanford. Another activity sanctioned and supported by the organization.
I was at Kosen Rufu Gongyo today in Santa Rosa. I was able to listen to the most recent video of President Ikeda (July HQ meeting). In that video he STRESSED the importance of interfaith dialogue, having respect for other religions.
So I guess the big bugaboo is how we (SGI) dialogues with other Nichiren Sects. Ignoring them (as in Nichiren Shu, Risso Kosei Kai) probably isn't productive, disparaging them (as in Nichiren Shoshu) seems to be the method. I guess part of the process of being "right."
Thankfully I don't hear mention of "true Buddhism" these days..
Best,
Mimi
Posted by: Dr. Mimi at August 5, 2007 07:00 PMHey Byrd!
Congrat's on dropping 25! That's a real accomplishment - keep at it!
Namaste, Engyo Mike Barrett
Posted by: Engyo Mike Barrett at August 7, 2007 04:53 AMHi, Mike! I feel a lot better since losing the weight, and I am still going! The walking club is really keeping me on the straight and narrow. I'll make a special post when I fade to a shred and disappear, floating away on the wind....
Mimi, I saw that video, too, and was very, very encouraged by it. I called up one of my fellow "Gatherers" the next day, a woman who had been relieved of her vice-chapter position for going to the Gathering at the Ankers's house, and we had a good talk about this important direction. She was happy to hear about the video's message.
Maybe you're right, in the SGI, we're glad to talk to anyone...as long as it doesn't involve following Nichiren's admonition to unite with others who chant, becoming as inseparable as fish and the water in which they swim. Always remember this prime point of faith...chanting united daimoku with members of other denominations is a cause for disunity!
Has anyone else here other than the shamed Ankers actually had interfaith gatherings at the local level?
I'm also curious to know how people think issues like the Sister Helen problem should be handled...should the members just have a chanting / speaker meeting outside the auspices of the SGI? Should the SGI leader / prosecutors declare a conflict of interest and bow out of any decision-making about whether or not to allow such a speaker? Just curious to know what people are thinking about this....
Best, Byrd in LA