A sea of Black women in every hue in red suits and dresses. Some wearing hats with impossible gravity. You might ask, what is a Nichiren Buddhist doing at a women's day services on Palm Sunday at a Baptist Sanctified Church? For those uninitiated, Sanctified Churches are not the sedate variety. Praise singing, call and response and hand clapping abounds. I don't think this was the variety of Christianity that Greg Martin was writing about in a recent Living Buddhism issue.
Anyway, one of my dearest friends invited me to her church. A friend who has been my big sister in my eight years in Modesto. The minister's children are a part of my pediatric practice. I also went for a sense of community, connection to other African Americans. As the neice and grand daughter of Baptist, Lutheran and Disciples of Christ ministers, I have had a substantial sprinkling of Christianity. My Unitarian-Universalist parents always kept me connected with my Christian relatives.
The red dresses were not a fashion statement. Rather they represented the blood of Jesus Christ. This is not your "The Passion of the Christ" kind of Christ.
Rather one that my brothers and sisters have a personal and daily relationship. A faith that shares the passion and joys as well as the struggles and pain.
Therein lies the contradiction. How do I reconcile the religion of my culture with the religion of my choosing? I am passionate about the Lotus Sutra and Daimoku despite the fact that much of my practice is solitary (living in a outside area that has few people of color chanting). The biggest difference is in how I view change in my life and path to happiness. Nam myoho renge kyo enables me to take charge of my life rather than handing it over to a deity. I chant first for happiness in this world rather than focusing on the next.
There are just those times when hugs from older Black women, being stuffed with potato salad, fried chicken and pound cake cannot be replicated with Daimoku.
Clapping and singing in praise doesn't quite sound like recitation of the Lotus Sutra.
Not to worry. I didn't declare Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I didn't take communion. I have made that commitment to Buddhism that for now cannot be reversed. I have a deep profound connection to the Law.
Perhaps I need to be more like Ananda and find the dance and joy in my daily life.
Four snaps and claps in syncopation,
Dr. Mimi
Posted by drmimi at April 4, 2004 06:48 PM"Therein lies the contradiction. How do I reconcile the religion of my culture with the religion of my choosing?"
That's the real trick isn't it? In my case, it took years to figure out if I was Catholic or Buddhist. I did resolve this in favor of Buddhism some time before I joined Nichiren Shu. For a long time I would say "I have Buddhist eyes but a Christian heart." I meant by this that I had adopted a Buddhist worldview and practice but retained the Christian value of unconditional love. But eventually I discovered that this was just a sentiment, and that in any case Buddhism teaches loving-kindness and compassion as well and in a more sensible and systematic way. In other words, all that I valued in Christianity I eventually discovered in Buddhism as well. But I will always have a deep appreciation and visceral reaction to Catholicism, and I think that is a good thing. Buddhists should be able to have love, compassion, gratitude, and appreciation for their heritage and not disdain or contempt. And afterall, this is a primarily Christian culture, and throughout the history of Buddhism, Buddhists have learned to deal with other religions not as enemies but as expedient means. See Nichiren's Opening of the Eyes for the way in which he shows his appreciation for the values (limited though they may be in his eyes) of Confucianism, Taoism, and Brahmanism.
Anyway, I didn't mean to write an essay. I just wanted to say I really appreciated reading your experience because in my own way I have had to deal with this issue as well.
Namu Myoho Renge Kyo,
Ryuei
Visualizing Rev. Greg as a child...Did he tell people to "Think poo poo head!" all the time?
Nice to know there is a friendly voice in my County.
Best,
Mimi
Posted by: Dr. Mimi at April 6, 2004 09:59 PMI was called Rev. Greggy back then...
Rev. Greg, Shidoshi
Posted by: Rev. Greg at April 6, 2004 09:36 PMI'm happy to see a women perspective. I've just recently joined in. (I'm a childhood friend of Rev. Greg, known him since 1st grade) I'm just beginning to learn, I'm also from a Baptist background and I live down the road from you in Turlock.
I'm looking forward to your posts.
Danna
I'm still feeling the "higher and higher" notes 2 days later. Thanks for the supportive response.
BTW the 100 women in red made it to the front page of the local newspaper.
What a great post! Although I am white, I attended a black church years ago for awhile. . .and have been fortunate enough to perform in an all black cast (except me) doing L. Jordan songs. . .the joy and passion built within this culture in contagious.
The church I grew up in, however, was extremely sedate and boring. One time I was asked to sing. . .and I chose a slightly upbeat song with a mild drum beat . . .the minister heard me rehearsing and asked me to choose something else.
I chose not to sing that sunday. ;-)
I agree. . .The Mystic Law and Daimoku make sense to me, that responsibility. . .but living in an area with no center and few members. . .I feel that solitude too.
And even though, years ago, when I attended that mainly black church. . .I never felt out of place. . .they immediately embraced me and then when the singing started. . .AMEN! ;-)
I am so excited that you will be posting here! I sense that I am going to really look forward to your input & outlook on this Buddhism.
Nam Myoho Renge Kyo. . .
Posted by: john at April 6, 2004 05:29 AM