A Byrd's Eye View

Hi Byrd,

This is exactly what I meant in my last comment! You quoted the same gosho twice, although the interpretation of the translation is somewhat different. Mostly because of difference in school. The first quote is from SGI & Nichiren Shoshu school. (as established by Nikko Shonin) The other is from one of the other Nichiren schools as established by one of the other 5 priest disciples of Nichiren Daishonin. I believe that the Daishonin also said in the same gosho to follow at al times the Law and NOT the person.
As far as I can understand the temple problem, it's mostly a power struggle between the different Nichiren schools.
To me, it looks a bit like lack of study by some so called leaders of SGI-USA. Because of this lack of study, it looks like the don't want dialogue to happen. Suppose Kosen-Rufu would break out!!! But I'm with you in this regard. It certainly looks like a medieval European witch hunt or a kind of Buddhist inquisition that they started.
I'm sure that you should report this to president Ikeda personally. These leaders are not reacting accordingly to the wish of both the Daishonin and President Ikeda.
NMHRK
André de Wit

When an organization has a 90% attrition rate, it has to scrape the bottom of the barrel for leaders, so the leaders' decisions and actions are probably not going to be very good.

Couple that with management freedom from all transparency and accountability -- and the attrition rate goes up, despite proselytization.

American business people marvel at the Japanese "tolerance for bad management" -- which has roots in Samuai values, but is sinking Japan's economy now. As it is sinking the Sokagakkai in America.

I don't think President Ikeda is personally at fault. His education and thinking are quite Western. But the organization managers -- especially the manipulative women-- have different backgrounds and agendas. So the bureaucracy runs on railroad tracks toward inevitable wrecks.

I continue to chant for them to wake up. It would be lovely if they could read and heed a blog like this.

Barbara

Dear Byrd and Antelope Valley friends --

Me again. You touched a nerve.

Are you aware of the scientific studies of human behavior when individuality is superceded by groupthink? It's scary.
In the U.S. and Canada, test subjects (usually grad students) are quite willing to inflict serious pain on others, if they believe that the testing group wants them to do so. Their personal values of right and wrong are just shut off.
That's why it's so easy to start (and prolong) riots. People take cues from the people around them, and do things that they never would do as individuals.

As for Japanese team-spirit unity -- Have you watched Ken Burns' "The War" on PBS? And the film showed only a fraction of the unified-group atrocities that most Japanese are still denying. Or shrugging off, since it was supposedly the fault of another regime.

I have thought that when Nichiren created a truly Japanese Buddhism, he did away with personal responsibility for making bad causes, since unified people couldn't choose to follow Sakyamuni's precepts...That he promised instead that daimoku would save them from karmic consequences.

I've thought that Nichiren and his successors understood the dynamics of perpetual clan war, of pulling different people together in hatred of a common enemy. (Shakubuku means "break and subdue.") And I've felt that peace-loving Sakymuni would be spinning in his grave, if he had a grave.

I'm delighted to see the other translation that you posted. Really, really delighted.

Barbara

As I said in the previous post/topic, this is happening solely due to the crazyness of one/some (person who think he/they is/are) leader/s. Eventually, the Law will prevail and the healthy body of the lion (all of us, not the solely SGI) will expell its parasites naturally. If your friends are not "confused", there's nothing to worry about.

This is a local phenomenon: In Japan SGI and N-Shu basically cohexist and do not interfere. They have their own share of sh..t to take care about. You can (all) write a letter to the SGI international center if you feel so inclined.
Perhaps it would keep them busy with something else than trying to figure out how to create more trouble overseas.

Please note that a person is wicked/stupid REGARDLESS of her/his affiliation. Invevitably, some will seek refuge and leave SGI for other denomonations. I personally know a couple of those guys.

This will create even more trouble, but is inevitable. I think there should be a kind of "meta unity", a unity of purposes, regardless of affiliations. I'm pretty much positive that this will happen soon enough, therefore "fair play" is extremely important from all sides.

Byrd,
There is a difference between cooperate and transcending differences.

I think Nichiren's understanding of 'Cherry, peach, plum, dansum," perhaps better illustrates the concept of transcending differences and not cooperation.

I have met NShoshu members after the split, and their is a difference in how a NSHoshu member perceives an SGI member today, not equal in faith.

Faith equals daily life

If a person does not see me as equal in faith, that is a statement on may levels of their faith and practice and not mine, irregardless of their religion.

"Buddhism is reason" WND

Patrick

Hi, Patrick - the non-SGI wife in question is not Nichiren Shoshu, but Nichiren Shu - something I need to do some more blogging about -there is a big difference.

And both of these people have wonderful practices. I personally like the "cooperate" translation better- maybe because I'ma Libran, and like Michael Jackson, "I'm a lover, not a fighter".

This is a wonderful topic and great dialog. The question will come down to simply "watcha gonna do now?".

Is this member/leader indeed going to stop having meetings? Are they going to obey the faceless unaccounted-for leader(s)?

If they do, then truly this is just Sansho Shima, and they have been defeated. Remember that when it comes to religious authoritarianism, it takes two parties, not one. We are under no threat of any real consequences if we chose not to obey. That is of course, until we begin receiving our paycheck from the org, but that's another blog for the future.

Rev. Greg

On a personal level, If my wife/mate and I practiced different religions/or organizations; as a husband/wife team we would attend both organizations together; showing both organizations, it is the heart that matters most.

I think the individuals can do more attending both organizations meetings together, rather than worry about where the meetings are being held.

I think that is the best way to show 'transecending diffrences' in action.

Just my thoughts about the subject.

My wife used to be catholic and this is how I supported her, by respecting her religion and in turn she respected mine and chose to join in her own time.

Patrick

Hi Patrick -

First let me say that I agree with your suggestion above. The problem seems to be in the implementation, at least where some local SGI-USA areas are concerned.

Here in Houston, an SGI member was specifically told that his partner was not welcome at meetings, as the partner had been to Nichiren Shu (note: NOT Nichiren Shoshu) services (the partner had not joined NShu at this time). A couple of months later, this was rescinded, and the person was told he was welcome again. When he visited, the leader hosting the meeting met him at the door, and asked whether he was ready to come back to SGI and renounce Nichiren Shu. He said he was not, and so she told him he was not welcome after all.

Naturally, this behavior only served to solidify his decision, and based on the results, seems like a counter-productive strategy on the whole. The SGI member of the partnership decided to leave SGI soon after that, with this incident being a strong contributing factor.

Namaste, Engyo Mike Barrett

"Renounce Nichiren Shu"? Cheezit H. Chrysler, Mike, did the leader use that language? "Renounce"? Yikes!

That language kind of reminds me of that final scene in the first Godfather movie when Michael Ccrleone is standing as godfather of an infant while meanwhile there's tubs of Corleone-instigated carnage going on:

Priest:
"Do you renounce Satan and all of his works"?

MC:
"I do renounce him".

Image: boom, boom (you know the scene)

Anyway, we shall see what comes of this matter. The fabulous couple in question seem to be doing fine.

Bye for now, Byrd in LA

Unfoortunately, Mike everyone does not understand the concept of Boddhisattva never Disparaging. To blame the entire SGI for this leaders shallow understanding of a correct practice is unfair to the SGI, and the leader needs some additional raining.

President Ikeda encourages all SGI memebrs to thank and show appreciation for those family memebrs that support their familes practice of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism. Sensei does not make distinctions whether the member is SGI, NShoshu, NShu, etc.. Sensei encourages each of us to show appreciation and support to all of those family members.

Obviously, here is a problem with a local leader, that perhaps needs additional leadership training, and a lesson in mutual respect; which is also discussed in this months Living Buddhism.

Patrick

I don't see how you can blame the "local leader" without acknowleding that there is a failure of leadership further up the pyramid that results in the point of view being put forth by the local leader whether through design or neglect.
ch

Phillip,
There is a pamphlet out called Compassion into Action, equired reading for all District leaders and up.

Obviously, this leader did not read that pamphlet, as that is covered by the SGI.

That leaders Chapter Leader is the first person responsible, they selected and trained the person. Can you blame Danny Nagashima for others improper actions or choices of leadership? I think not. Leadership positions are chosen and maintained at the Local Level.

I have seen good intending people doing bad things with regards to the SGI thinking they were doing the right thing, but they usually were not doing the right thing or the SGI thing.

I know leaders that have not atended any leadership training to date, and they may find themselves without leadership positions in the future, as member complaints mean somethng in the SGI today. Leadership can be offered and taken away as well.

Patrick

Hi, you two - I am trying to get someone a little "higher up the line" at SGI Plaza to talk to this couple, and I am genuinely hopeful that it will get worked out. The decision seems to have been made higher up than the district level, as the district did not know about it. I'll keep you all informed. Have a happy O-eshiki weekend -Byrd in LA

I have no problem blaming Danny Nagashima, when an agent in the course of their duties does something wrong the blame goes to the whole organization and especially personally to those in authority. That this happened is Danny Nagashima's failure and the failure of SGI to properly train people. There is no escaping that. You can scape goat the underlings all you like since THAT really seems to be the american way. I will not be buying it.
ch

In gakkai hierarchy, it is not our place to question our betters. The system requires unconditional fealty.

Barbara

I wish to weigh in yet again on this thread. Engyo Michael Barret wrote something that I had previously missed;

"Here in Houston, an SGI member was specifically told that his partner was not welcome at meetings, as the partner had been to Nichiren Shu (note: NOT Nichiren Shoshu) services (the partner had not joined NShu at this time). A couple of months later, this was rescinded, and the person was told he was welcome again. When he visited, the leader hosting the meeting met him at the door, and asked whether he was ready to come back to SGI and renounce Nichiren Shu. He said he was not, and so she told him he was not welcome after all."

Mainstream SGI members (a generalization of course) know little about Buddhism and the global world of Nichiren Buddhism. What is it that this leader wanted the guest to renounce? Would he be able to explain in his own words which doctrinal issues were incompatible between SGI and Nichiren Shu? I doubt it.

In fact we Americans, well - probably all non-Japanese SGI members make a terrible mistake when we superimpose non-Buddhist cultural values, or worse - values that are taken from other religions as in this case, and impose them on our fellow members or guests as the case may be.

This "renouncing" is clearly a Christian concept. The Catholic Church uses "renounce", not Nichiren Buddhists. Asking someone to renounce a sect to which they do not even belong is insanely ignorant, and yet this Leader, by virtue of the authority he has been granted, unfortunately makes this very horrible mistake. "Renounce" is meant to refer to a loyalty, not a mere belief. I would not ask an ignorant person to "renounce" their belief that there is no global warming, rather I would try and convince them of a reverse.

This story is pathetically disheartening.

RG

Byrd:

To contine along the line of Rev. Greg's comment, I am flabbergasted by the extremism of this leader's behavior. Nichiren was a purist, to be sure. When the "uneducated rabble" of sectarian superiority act like they are speaking for Nichiren "himself" the end-result is hurt feelings and alienation.

I have learned of, and have been witness to a great many examples of sectarian intolerance by the SGI and Nichiren Shoshu. The high horse of the "correct teaching" is not a Clydesdale but a pygmy pony. It is some kind of dark form of religious zealousness that has no foundation in Buddhist scholarship or broadmindedness. In short, we come off as narrow minded as a bible banging southern Baptist pushing creation science at the museum of natural history.

We all chant the daimoku of the Lotus Sutra and revere Nichiren. What this leader should have done was invite that person in, done gongyo, chanted daimoku with them, and listened to their experience with an open, non-judgmental mind - as a fellow child of the Buddha. Being strict about faith and the discipline to attain liberation is our common ground. When we set ourselves up as judge-jury and executioner, we look less like thegreat bodhisattvas of the earth and more like dull-witted asura demons.

Unbelieveable!

Charles

Thanks for chiming in, Chuck - I agree that we look really, really wacky when we do things like that, especially if we're doing it in the name of our universal mentor. But you and I aren't policy makers or leaders. You can't do the kind of stuff you're recommending here and stay a leader for long. I had a phone conversation with a dear friend a few days ago in which he expressed his opinion that I shouldn't be a unit chief because of my friendship and chanting with Ryuei. Might confuse the members and all that.

Thanks again for chiming in. I will let you know if there are any developments from Santa Monica, although I doubt there will be.

Best, Byrd in LA

Engyo, Rev. Greg, thanks for all your insight. I practice near Byrd in Valencia. Holding my own so far and holding meetings within the confines of the SGI as a district leader. There are a lot of us here who refuse to let individuals highjack this Buddhism and speciously speak for "us" in the guise of official dictums. Even while supporting it's ideals, this Buddhism in the USA is a "movement" comprised of the same individuals which sometimes forget that their own individuality depends on others. Arrogance based on fear of the unknown tramples like a stampede of cattle. Resolute patience is is what I'm chanting for myself. Or maybe I'll just go Billy Jack on them. LOL.