On the way back from Labor Day Holiday, my Woman’s Division Chapter Chief called on my cell phone. She wanted to know how many copies of the 2006 Study Review pamphlet I needed for my members.
I said “hmmm… 10”
She paused and stammered, struggling with the English translation of what she wanted to say, and I knew in that moment that any reply from me would have received this same forthcoming response…
“There is not many available, only 30 per Area, and they’re very expensive, $3.25 each, are you sure that you need that many?” This is a more accurate translation of what she really said.
“Ok”, I began, “How many do YOU think I should get?”
She responded “Could you please count the exact number of members and let me know in two days?”
Somehow I sensed that this was the preferred process she that everyone was suppose to go through, and she just couldn’t tell me that up front "Donald, Please count the number of booklets you need and let me know in two days” - wayyyy too simple, we needed to get there the long way around the block.
“Ok” I concluded. Seconds later I was calling the Men’s Division Region Leader. I replayed the story and asked him why we couldn’t have printed more. He replied simply, “more are on the way, and anyway it’s on the SGI-USA website to print for free for anyone who wants them”. We both laughed, “and besides, they’re only $3.25 each”.
I called my WD leader back, “Never mind, I don’t need any. I can print them off the website with my own paper for my members”.
Oh - confusion - terrible confusion….
“Please count the number of booklets you need and let me know in two days” was the only answer she could muster.
“No”
“You can’t count the number of booklets you need?” She verified.
“No”.
I didn't mean to be so short, but I’ve learned that a more lengthy and detailed answer would simply be too confusing. I confirmed again that I would print my own from the website for the members I was promoting for the exam.
End of call.
Price of study review booklet - $3.25
Price of cell phone call - a couple of bucks.
Opportunity to change my karma through difficult inter-cultural communication - priceless.
Donald out.
Too funny, Donald. I can relate to the language difficulties, we have those also.
Nancy
Posted by: Nancy at September 8, 2006 01:27 PMDonald:
Classic. I laughed hard after reading this as this logic and your exchange brought back a flood of memories.
Charles
Posted by: Charles at September 9, 2006 09:44 AMI really got a kick out of this one, Don - thanks for the story. I think it's fabulous how the SGI-USA makes its study materials available over the web for anyone to download. I also think the 2006 matierials are wonderful , with a lot of substance.
Thanks again for the laugh, Best, Byrd in LA
Posted by: Byrd in LA at September 12, 2006 11:05 AMHi Don,
Changing one's Karma? Now that is priceless indeed, but not possible ufortunately. What you are, that is what you are at the moment, any change is momentary, you can't change. I can't find that concept at all in the core chapters of the Lotus Sutra? Why would you want to change when Buddhahood is one of your inherent conditions? Just thinking outloud.. Yeah. I do that sometimes.. Bruce
Some don't even accept the notion of karma. What is priceless is someone who trumpets the Lotus Sutra yet seems deluded as to its meaning or intent. The core chapters of the Lotus Sutra don't mention a lot of concepts, ideas and things, but that doesn't make them invalid.
Don't forget that the final chapter of the Lotus Sutra presents admonitions about skeptically enlightened types who trouble and disparage believers. There is an aura of stale, empty, hopelessness in the above opinion. In the Lotus Sutra, the Buddha "vowed" to make everyone equal to himself. Clearly this vow is unfulfilled for most of people on this planet, except, perhaps the author above.
Without effort and yes, a change in karma, this world that "can be" realized as one of eternally tranquil light, will remain a realm of demons, skeptical savants, and religious madmen.
If people thought, lived, and acted with the behavior indicitive of the inherent Buddha nature, this world would be a magniificient place. They don't, and one cannot just think themselves into their inherent Buddha nature with a mere change of perspective. Remember Crowley's admonition in The Book of Lies that "thought itself is untrue."
Charles
Posted by: Charles at September 26, 2006 07:24 PMThis is too funny. Or should I say Priceless. Thanks so much for the laughs.
Peace out.
Bridget
Posted by: Bridget at September 27, 2006 04:57 PMwonderful posts here, thank you so much.
this one had me rolling out of my chair with laughter.