It’s been awhile since I’ve written.
Fact is I’ve been involved with things I can’t write about. But a few I can, like the Chapter Leader’s meeting at the Santa Clara Valley Kaikan in San Jose.
We’re entering yet another stage in SGI of collecting statistics. This is both a good and bad thing in my opinion. On the dark side is the tendency of making numerical goals, playing the numbers game. This, in my opinion, is worthless and non-productive and belittles our Buddhist practice which centers on introducing others to the Gohonzon.
On the light side is the reality that we must keep track of those whom we do introduce.
We broke into discussion groups, something that I both dread and enjoy. I gave everyone a solid 30 seconds to say something before I started in. 30 seconds went by, as expected (the Japanese sat politely and quietly still. Good for them, Japanese are so cute and quiet; ya gotta love ‘em).
I was glad to have Richard Yoshimachi in our group. I trust Richard and look forward to whatever he has to share. He shared a lot. Besides discussing the importance of collecting statistics for the member’s sake, and sharing weird stories of the upper-crust leadership in Japan riding the trains for hours with shoe boxes of membership cards (containing every member in their area), he stressed the primary function of Chapter Chiefs;
“To always instill confidence in the Gohonzon”
What I fear is currently lacking in the Monterey Area, and I mean me as well, is the willingness to instill this confidence through personal experiences. In Monterey our leaders have developed the habit of lecturing from notes and out of the Living Buddhism (our monthly journal) rather than to share their personal experiences, dreams, and goals. Lecturing is safer.
So, beginning with our Chapter Discussion meeting on the 25th, it’s my goal to change this.
Rev. Greg, Shidoshi
Good for you Greg.
A couple of past experiences:
I invited a friend to attend a lecture. Beforehand I gave her a copy of the Seikyo Times (Living Buddhism). After the lecture she scolded me angrily for wasting her time. The lecture consisted of nothing but excerpts from the magazine she had just read.
A couple of years ago I attended a study meeting at a local community center. The lecturer used Living Buddhism as his guide. My observation was that when he quoted from Living Buddhism his lecture was flat and not in accord with Nichiren or the Lotus Sutra. On the other hand, when he shared aspects of his personal religious experience, his words rang true and fresh—and they were in accord with both Nichiren and the Lotus Sutra.
I wish for you great success at your meetings.
Sincerely, Chikushonin 智倶諸人
Daikudoshin, myokaku, myojisokukyo/
Namumyohorengemyojisokukyo 南無妙法蓮華命時儈倶經