I appreciate the reality that Nichiren Buddhism is accessible to all. Regardless of what us Soka Gakkai International members would wish was true, there are many out in the Nichiren world who have had “less than satisfactory” experiences with SGI. I’m sorry if it hurts to hear that, because it’s just simply true. You can call it negative karma, you can say they didn’t challenge themselves, didn’t chant enough and throw around “potato rubbing” and “cleaning the muddy water out” analogies all you wish, I do, but facts are facts. One painful glimpse of the new incarnation of Buddhajones.com reminds me, as it should you, that nothing is perfect.
In Ninpo we come to recognize that there is Ura and Omote (negative/positive or yin/yang) in everything.
In all organizations people tend to forget the original purpose and get wrapped up in the org itself. It’s human nature. It is a reoccurring function of life, ubiquitous and free-ranging, even unavoidable.
Now there are many different Nichiren tribes. Tribal behavior demands that there must be an enemy tribe. It’s no fun being in a tribe that doesn’t have another tribe to fight with, it defeats the whole purpose. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t advocate “can’t we all just get along?” That is not the nature of ten, chi, jin, or the workings of Heaven Earth and Man.
What many of the once Soka Gakkai, now Soka Survivor folks perhaps forget, or never knew in the first place is that for some the practice of Nichiren’s Buddhism is not only a luxurious hobby or an esoteric self-identifying badge to wear on days out. Most of the members of SGI I have personally practiced with use this Buddhism as a way to be happy, and their training from SGI are how they make that happen. SGI membership is, for them, a means to an end, not an end in itself.
Gakkai Training
Since 1990 many different groups have sprung up in the world of Nichiren Buddhism that didn’t seem to be there prior. Among the more fundamentalist groups there are those who, as a way to separate themselves from Nichiren Shoshu, and especially SGI, preach an Only as Nichiren wrote doctrine, or practice only what is in the Lotus Sutra and the Gosho. It sounds fine; many SGI members believe they are doing this also.
An equivalent analogy in the Bujinkan would be to reject Soke Hatsumi’s teachings in favor of only what is wrote in the ancient Ninpo scrolls. In reality what you would be left with is a Ninja Recreation Society, like a bunch of trekkie-Ninja running around making poisons out of plants or practicing breaking and entry into recreated Shoji-screen Japanese houses. Just like the Renaissance Fair, everyone pretends they’re a real Ninja but what they practice is really in a vacuum.
Apply this analogy to fundamentalist Nichirenism and paint the picture for yourself.
SGI provides, on the positive side, training on how to apply Buddhism to everyday life. On the negative side, ok – I’ll say it – SGI is a cult. Everyone finds what they need, and what they think they want. I’ve never experienced the cult myself, but I don’t doubt it exists.
The Indy Movement
I’m glad for the Nichiren Independent Movement. I’m happy that the Gohonzon has been made available to those who don’t want to practice in SGI or any other group or sect. It fits how I perceive the workings of Heaven Earth and Man. No group should hold the Gohonzon hostage, and every group does.
On the other hand;
I have relationships in SGI. I recently had a challenge in my life, as a leader, in which I phoned another leader I’ve known since I first started chanting. The guy I called is Area level and has been chanting since he left Viet Nam. The guidance I received was in regards to supporting a new member, someone who decided to start chanting once he was already in combat in Iraq. Jeff was the only leader whose guidance I could depend on.
Nichiren’s Buddhism makes a fun toy, and I don’t mean that in a sarcastic way. It can be fulfilling to practice Buddhism independent from anyone else, or to conveniently maintain membership in support groups found only on the internet, at arm’s length, safe from intimate contact – safe from real relationships.
If it works for some, I’m glad. It lends balance to my universe. It just won’t work for me. I take my Buddhism too seriously to dick around with it by all by myself.
Your milage may vary…
Rev. Greg, Shidoshi
Greg, you wrote: "It can be fulfilling to practice Buddhism independent from anyone else, or to conveniently maintain membership in support groups found only on the internet, at arm’s length, safe from intimate contact – safe from real relationships."
As Woody commented above, independent does not mean alone. Speaking for myself, I maintain "real" relationships with good friends in the SGI as well as Hokkeko, and practice with all of these folks. You assume much, and over generalize. (Not unusual, with you, I know.)
Cheers!
Andy
p.s. Who is Robert M. Dilley?
Posted by: Andy Hanlen at April 19, 2004 07:52 AMThanks Rob, I'll go back and correct it. "Getting over myself" isn't really my style. But I don't mean to be "all up in my own grill" in a bad way.
Don't stop calling yourself Rev. Rob, you never know what will come of it. The issue of ordination over the internet has been on my list of blogging fodder for some time. Stay tuned.
Rev. Greg, Shidoshi
Posted by: Rev. Greg at April 18, 2004 09:15 AMI suggest that you get over yourself.
P.S. The word is "refrain" not "reframe".
re·frain
To hold oneself back; forbear: refrained from swearing.
Rob
Posted by: Rob at April 18, 2004 09:11 AMI would like to suggest your study a little bit on what the Bujinkan is, and what it stands for Rev. Rob. What you do with your ordination is all up to you, whether or not you use it as a mockery, or actually create some value - all up to you.
If you wish to have your comments remain on my blog however I will have to ask that you refrain from admitting that you've committed felony crimes. Fraughtwithperil is not ARBN.
Rev. Greg
Posted by: Rev. Greg at April 18, 2004 08:40 AMGreg,
Thank you. If it wasn't for your inspiration I would have never sought out a life in the ministry. I know that this is just the first step in my journey, but I feel that I'm ready for the challenge.
-comments ommitted-
Milking the internet for all it's worth,
Rev. Rob, Buddhist Minister(ULC)
Rob, thanks for reading. I understand you are an ordained minister now. Good for you. The mission of the Universal Life Church and Rev. Hensley is a unique one.
I hope, after the newness of testing out whether or not you could "do it" wears off, you will find something important to do with your new ordination.
Best wishes,
Rev. Greg, Shidoshi
Posted by: Rev. Greg at April 16, 2004 11:22 PMOrdination is easy - the path of the Ninja is not.
(play ominous music here)
There are some Bujinkan schools in S. California, Ron Blackwood is in City of Orange, Kevin Millis is a long-time Bujinkan teacher. I don't know how old you are but you will do alot of rolling and leaping about.
As far as feeling "powerful", it would be much easier to purchase and carry a gun. The path I've traveled these last 15 years has - well - stripped away many illusions about martial arts and life in general.
Of course your milage may vary.
Rev. Greg, Shidoshi
Posted by: Rev. Greg at April 16, 2004 08:35 AMI'm sorry "rev", but I must kindly decline your offer. I am currently waiting for my application to be processed to become a reverand myself. I found it in my cereal box. I can't wait. Now I'll be able to demand the respect from all my peers. If that doesn't work, I'll just become a Ninja and learn how to kill people. I would sure feel powerfull then! Can you recomend anywhere in the Southern California area where I can train? You sure are an inspiration to us all.
Faithfully following in your footsteps,
Woody
Posted by: Woody at April 16, 2004 07:52 AMBy the power vested in me as an ordained minister, I hereby ordain you, Woody, the highpriest of all Independant Nichiren Buddhists.
NOW, you have a proper organization Woody, with YOU in charge! Doesn't that feel better?
No need to thank me, it's just what I do.
Rev. Greg, Shidoshi
Posted by: Rev. Greg at April 15, 2004 07:28 PMI am eternally grateful that, when Nichiren Daishonin was unsatisfied with the current Buddhist schools, he took His Buddhism "serious enough" to go out ON HIS OWN. Read the Sutras ON HIS OWN. Read all the various commentaries ON HIS OWN. Most of whoms authors were all dead. He risked everything and sacrificed everything for His Buddhism, including a social life. Nichiren Daishonin was this worlds greatest "Independent Buddhist".
Way to go "Indies", Don't give up. Your the strong ones!
Woody
Posted by: Woody at April 15, 2004 06:51 PMWoody, come back to us and all will be forgiven. It's alright, Sensei welcomes you back with open arms.
Rev. Greg, Minion
BTW - what Gohonzon do you currently chant to Woody?
Posted by: Rev. Greg at April 15, 2004 05:22 PMEven if a Buddhist were to only get his encouragement from the Gosho and other Buddhists on the Internet, how is that any better than SGI members who have for a mentor a man that they have never seen, met, or talked to? They get their daily guidance from a book, not a person. The discussion groups on the internet are allot more in-depth than any SGI discussion that I have attended in a home. All those meetings were scheduled right out of Living Buddhism. I could just read it myself.
We are all Independent Buddhists.
Woody
Posted by: Woody at April 15, 2004 04:30 PMJust keep telling yourself that Woody. You can always have a spot in my Ninja death cult.
Rev. Greg
BTW - to my readers...
Don't even ask who Robert M. Dilley is - it's just too strange....
Posted by: Rev. Greg at April 15, 2004 04:17 PMGreg,
I take offense at your statement that implies that Independant Buddhists do not take their Buddhism seriously. In fact, I think they take it more seriously. They are willing to give up being a "social butterfly" and the belonging and fellowship within a group in order to follow thier hearts and beliefs.
Also, you assume that "independent Buddhists" only practice and learn on their own and through the internet. This is not the case. I am aware of "indies" who attend SGI meetings. I know some who attend Nichiren-shu services. Independent does not mean alone. Sometimes "thinking out side the box" and going out on your own opens the world up to more adventures and more people as well.
Peace,
Woody
Posted by: Woody at April 15, 2004 04:13 PMHONEST IT IS sad/never read it/you must have gained weight since the photo.But..... you can write...sure you can but, What? Well I like it.
R. M Dilley