Hello everyone! I've been officially practicing Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism since April 6, 1986, but I started chanting circa 1969 after a friend, Laura Wilhelm, wrote the words Nam Myoho Renge Kyo on a scrap of paper and told me to "chant these words to get anything I wanted." Yowza how it worked, even back then! I have so many mystical experiences regarding chanting that I could write a book. I'd love to recount some of them, but right now I'm in a hurry to get out the door.
I call myself a "Buddhist on the fringe" for two reasons: I have been practiing in the relative hinterland of Reno, Nev. since 1988, after beginning to practice in Los Angeles, and because, of late, I have become estranged from the organization.
I don't go to meetings anymore for a variety of reasons, mainly because I can't stomach the propaganda about President Ikeda from the head-bobbing sychophants. Also, I haven't experienced much, if any, compassion from the leaders or members here. They've basically dropped me like a hot potato - not that they made much effort in the past to really get to know me or listen to me, anyway. My best friend - who got treated like shit by the leadership, by the way - died a few years ago - so what's the point? Incidentally, although becoming estranged has been a very painful experience for me, I have continued to reap vast benefits. Life is indeed mystical, and, Wow! contrary to what the organization tells you, good - amazing even - stuff continues to happen even if you don't go to meetings!
Why you should care is twofold, as well. It's different practicing in an area like Reno - we joke that an hour of daimoku here is worth three in the city! A Kansai-type campaign would alienate the whole city; we would get a bad reputation. It's very different. But also, I think that the progression from utterly gung ho member for many, many years to an alienated member ought to concern the organization. Perhaps they could learn something from me. However, it sure doesn't seem like they care at all.
Posted by melanie at April 22, 2004 09:01 AMHi Melanie!
Well, at the end of the 80's SGI-USA (or, rather, NSA) had gotten some 500,000 peple to join. That means that somewhere along the line, some 450,000 left. And it wasn't because the practice doesn't work. Now I hear a new campaing to get 500,000 people is going to be launched. But unless we can learn from the mistakes of the past, it won't matter a darn bit if it succeeds or not. - Brian
Melanie. . .can't wait to here more of your experiences! I love the name of your blog. . .
Posted by: john at April 22, 2004 04:39 PMMelanie,
I will be interested to hear what has caused you to become estranged from the organization. I've noticed that there are a lot of blogs with people who are in the samce condition as you.
I promise that I will not judge you or your faith in the Daishonin's teachings.
Just think of me as an "old hippie" who just wants to let you groove in your own way.
Peace & love,
Eddie
I completely identify and am in a similar place. Would love to communicate more.
Posted by: sally at April 23, 2004 03:02 PMI just ran across this site. Thank you for sharing.
I was a gung ho member for about 10 years starting back in 1974. I was a senior in high school. I stopped participating in NSA activities a couple of years after my daughter, Maya, was born (19 years ago). I was tired of YMD activities, being made to shave my mustache off, brass band....
I was "away" from the organization when the big rift came along. I tried to come back when I needed the practice in my life, but I was completely turned off by the Ikeda-worshiping attitude of the organization then.
I spent much time researching what happened and discovered nothing but a bunch of angry people. That turned me off so much it destroyed my confidence in my memory of how much the practice helped me.