A Byrd's Eye View

In Memory of Barbara Pike

This morning, I was planning on going to the skilled nursing facility where my 79-year old friend Barbara Pike was recovering from her lung cancer surgery. I thought I'd give her a call before going over, and when the young man at the nursing home picked up the phone, he put me on hold for a second. A moment later, he came back to tell me kindly that Barbara died this morning.

Apparently, she passed away peacefully in her sleep sometime between 4:30 am and 7:30 am. Just sort of fell asleep, the way we probably all wish we could go.

Nichiren Buddhists around the world have been chanting for Barbara for over a month, now. The last time I spoke with her, she felt that she had "turned a corner", and was feeling very much on the up-swing.

I grabbed my omamori Gohonzon (the miniature, traveling kind) and headed out the door to the skilled nursing facility. It was my hope that I could get there in time to chant some daimoku with her remains before they were removed.

In the car on my way over, I kept thinking about a quote from Nichiren's writing entitled "The Heritage of the Ultimate Law of Life". In this Gosho, Nichiren writes, in part:

“When the lives of these persons come to an end, they will be received into the hands of a thousand Buddhas, who will free them from all fear and keep them from falling into the evil paths of existence.” How can we possibly hold back our tears at the inexpressible joy of knowing that not just one or two, not just one hundred or two hundred, but as many as a thousand Buddhas will come to greet us with open arms!

That seemed to fit Barbara's passing so perfectly - so many of us, worldwide, all sending her loving and caring Daimoku - like a thousand Buddhas stretching out our arms to her. How wonderful, indeed.

When I got to the nursing home, there were two SGI members already there. A husband and wife, both of whom were friends of Barbara's. They kindly let me take a seat by the bedside. I placed my omamori on Barbara's chest and chanted Daimoku for awhile.

I think if I were going to give Barbara Pike a Bodhissatva name, it would be:

"Bodhissatva Doesn't Mince Words".

That's Barbara to a "T". Whether it was online, or in person, Barbara Pike was going to tell you exactly what she thought of something, and she was going to tell you in no uncertain terms. If you think I'm blunt, well, I'd like you to meet my good friend Barbara! I'm going to miss her chiming in here at my blogsite, too - I always looked forward to hearing what she had to say.

Barbara started practicing Nichiren Buddhism over 30 years ago, back in the 70's. She admired SGI President Daisaku Ikeda, but tempered her admiration by saying how she thought of him as a "peer", someone who has gone through the same world history as she had. I appreciated that perspective.

She also lived through that period of history before sexual harassment in the workplace became illegal - I always find it interesting to talk to older women who managed to succeed in business or in a creative field (Barbara was a writer) before we had any way of fighting back against men who abused their power in the workplace. That struggle made for a lot of scrappy old gals, and Barbara could be very outspoken on the issues. Barbara and the women of her generation struggled hard for rights that young women today take for granted. I'm sorry to see them dying off one by one, and their contributions not being discussed.

Barbara was a regular at the Nichiren Buddhist Gathering of Friends at the Ankers' home in Granada Hills. I frequently picked her up to go over there. I also enjoyed going thrift store shopping with her, and out for an Indian buffet lunch. Her tiny dog, Cinnamon, and her cat Jojo were always well-fed and friendly. Don't worry, they won't be going to an animal pound. We've got people who are willing to take them.

Barbara's apartment is filled with books. She had a particular interest in the evolution of human beings from more primitive forms of life. What we had managed to shed, and what we had kept ahold of as a species. Now that she's gone from this lifetime and this body, I find it interesting to ponder if she may not have "evolved" to a more free and open plane. I hope she has. She deserves it.

Bon voyage, Barbara. We'll miss you.

Your friend, Byrd in LA

Posted by wahzoh at March 29, 2008 05:07 PM