Seems every time I write it’s about study.
I like study, I like to study.
Our new SGI study direction is, hands down, a continued improvement over previous programs. Everyone I’ve spoken to shares this feeling. Our Study Journal, Living Buddhism, is now an utterly more sophisticated publication than it’s predecessor Seikyo Times.
A bi-monthly journal, Living Buddhism now contains two months worth of study. The March-April edition has in it both study sections #11 for March and #12 for April. Oh, the joy of a numerically indexed program!
It is becoming clear to me that in official publications the truly controversial topics of Nichiren Buddhism are left out. We don’t refer to the Daigohonzon any longer, nor the Buddha of Kuon Ganjo. These sorts of holdover doctrines from our previous affiliation are still out there, but they’re mostly sitting on the shelf collecting dust.
Soka Gakkai International is focusing these days more on what I believe in my heart is our most valuable treasure, our tradition of practice and our tradition of member care. This is what I believe to be the true Soka Spirit, the spirit of introducing others to Nam Myoho Renge Kyo, and continuing to help them learn how to practice this wonderful law.
We in SGI have some hugemongous (my kid’s term) challenges ahead of us. Our fear of the internet, our incongruence regarding Buddhist history and our evolving awareness of how to effectively run a world-wide religious corporation. If you’re been IN SGI, you can see these things evolving, slowly but certainly.
More and more we are developing a true Soka organization. Not a Japanese one, but neither soley an American one, rather a true Soka organization”. It’s a long time coming, and has a long ways to go, but I have faith we will all get there.
Donald Shimoda
Posted by dshimoda at April 10, 2008 09:50 AMHi, Don - I'm glad to see us moving away from the obvious Shoshu-isms as well, such as the Dg and the True Buddha stuff.
I was a bit disturbed to read Liz Nobukuni;'s article in the most recent LB, however - it seems that we are intent on continuing to represent that all of Nichiren's disciples other than Nikko in some way"betrayed" Nichiren.
In fact, as you may know, one of them (Nichiji) went to China as a missionary in order to spread the daimoku and fulfill Nichiren's dream of spreading the Daimoku from East to West. Miss Nobukuni seems to feel that this was an example of "losing sight of (Nichiren's) spirit. This i, IMHO, unfortunate. I don't think we have to keep putting other Nichiren Buddhists down to make the Gakkai (and Nichiren Shoshu) look good.
Slowly but surely, I suppose...as you say.
Glad to see another post from you,
Wahzoh
Posted by: Byrd in LA at April 10, 2008 01:59 PMcomplete and utter drivel. Wake up everyone. Buddhism is not about chanting or hiding behind names, titles and labels; it is simply about BEING, be AWARE, be TRUE to yourself, refrain from harm, laugh and enjoy!!!!
Signing off now, you will not hear from me again, I'll leave you to your Japanese-isms and false, insecure beliefs. My seven year old daughter just gave me the sweetest hug and kiss, life is all about these moments. No doctrine or mindless chanting needed for her, just pure nature and goodness.
Think about that. You know where I am if you need me.
L.
Posted by: lucius at April 20, 2008 09:56 AMHey Don,
You ALIVE yet? You aware? Are you true to YOURSELF? SOKA, POKA, SCHMALLOKA, what are you saying? Stop - and think. ALL illusion. Your website - illusion. Your so-called community - illusion. Truth is - you and all your deluded 'friends' have totally missed the point - truth lies beyond words and labels - just BE. This is the essence of Gautama's message and for that matter Christ's, Bear Heart and all the other masters. A flower grows in beauty and purity, no effort, no pretense, it simply 'is'. You are making the basic human mistake of attaching too much importance to your own status and ego. You're forgetting - you are impermanent and will fade away, as will all of us, this site, the earth and everything. Be HERE, NOW.
L.
Y'all too scared to post an honest opinion? I CHALLENGE you to overcome your fear and conditioning. You are FREE to think whatever you choose. Your only obligation in any lifetime is to be true to yourself (thanks - the REAL Don Shimoda), think about what you give yourself consent to believe and choose. The secret lies here - CHOICES. Life is a continuous series of choices. Everything in your life is there because of what you have previously thought and chosen. Take a look, you'll see. YOU ARE FREE.
I'm here if you need me.
Be happy
Lucius.
Posted by: kev barry at May 8, 2008 02:21 PM