Recently a student of mine asked me about Buddhism. She’s 14 years old.
How do you shakabuku a 14 year old? I mean, I know the old-school Gakkai way, but that’s hard to hang with these days. So much has transpired since NSA and well, you understand….
What do I tell her? What do I not tell her? Do I explain that back in the 60’s war brides of American servicemen were some of the first Nichiren Buddhists to bring this Buddhism to the US and being eager to spread this incredible practice they handed out Gohonzons from their car windows?
And what about the initial conflict between the Soka Gakkai and Nitattsu Shonin in 1979, the wooden Gohonzons, Pres. Ikeda stepping down in apology from his position as President of the Soka Gakkai and then being named President of the Soka Gakkai International after being totally forgiven by the next High Priest Nikken Shonin? Do I tell her that in 1990 that same High Priest turned around and excommunicated all the Soka Gakkai members in a continuation of that same conflict? If I were to share this with her this, how would I explain it in the context of the history of Nichiren’s Buddhism and it’s transmission from the only Country to be attacked with Atomic weapons to the rest of the world?
Certainly I would share that Nichiren lived during the Kamakura era, a time plagued by starvation, disease, civil unrest, intrigue among the ruling class, and soon-to-come invasion from abroad. His mission was not one of invention or creation rather one of re-clarification and the sifting out of the real from the unreal.
Buddhism was nothing new by that time and Japan was already a Country which fully embraced the teachings of the Buddha, in all its myriad forms, versions and conflicts. The problem for us now in this modern world and in the nations of the West is that Buddhism remains something exotic, strange and different in the ways people seek that which is new and wonderful instead of that which already is firmly planted and accepted.
We look at the form and mistake it for the function, the tangible. Invariably if we encounter Buddhism from a particular source, the mystic law of the universe is replaced by temples, incense and colorful costumes. We receive the wrapper, not the gift. This is what I fear for someone so young seeking something so deep and powerful.
To get so close, and then become misguided into following something colorful yet empty…
Nichiren, during his 30+ years of study, clarified why Japan was suffering when in fact they should have been prospering. The reason why was that they were following the form and not the function, the unreal instead of the true, and in the process were committing slander of the law of the universe contained in the Lotus Sutra. It’s not superstition, its life and the working by which life exists. Slander of the Lotus Sutra is to ignore the truth and pursue the unreal – when you very much know better.
But this is hard to explain to a 14 year old. What I would like to share with her is that when Nichiren finally returned to his home temple after years of study and reflection in 1253, he proclaimed that Nam Myoho Renge Kyo, the title of the Lotus Sutra, was the supreme truth. After that life got a little rough for him. He was chased, attacked, persecuted, almost beheaded and exiled twice. And all of this confirmed to him, in light of the sutra, that he was telling the truth.
It would, I suppose, be a simple thing to compare Nichiren to Jesus. In Japan Nichiren is as well-known as say, George Washington. The difference between Nichiren and Jesus is that Nichiren lived a mere 700 years ago and is generally accepted as being an historical figure. Jesus, as we in the West know, has entered into a state of mythology.
I would certainly tell her about the Gohonzon, the inscription and central object of focus in Nichiren Buddhism because well – let’s face it – the Gohonzon is just so cool.
I don’t know what I will share with her initially. Truthfully I probably will just tell her to try chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo for herself and log some personal experience with it. I mean, Nichiren’s Buddhism is a lot like martial arts, you gotta kinda do it before you can make sense of it….
Maybe I can share with her that renge represents cause and effect, just like in science, and that with Nam myoho renge kyo you become enabled to make unlimited causes in and for your life, all of which manifest real effects.
What do you think???
Rev. Greg, Shidoshi
Funny you should ask Queen Lolo! I e-mailed her the url to this blog right after I wrote it so the response contains all your replies as well!
Why don't you ask her what she has learned from it? I expect that she will still read the comments from time to time!
Rev. Greg, Shidoshi
Posted by: Rev. Greg at April 4, 2005 04:04 AMJust following up... curious about what you ended up telling her! Do share with us all...
Posted by: Queen Lolo at April 3, 2005 10:11 PMRyuei's book "Lotus Seeds" is a really good easy to read that is broken up into small sections biggining with basic buddhist concepts and up to the key elements in Nicherin Buddhism. I don't think there is a better introductory book out there. If you haven't read it, I would also say that, as far as I remember, it had nothing in it's explanations that would be controversial to any Nicheren sect.
Philip
Posted by: Philip at April 1, 2005 02:47 PMI also think it best to start with her--her questions, what makes her curious, her concerns and to talk with her on her level. BTW, there is a charming SGI book called The Way of Youth, not terribly doctrinaire, that talks about issues kids deal with in school, friends, parents, etc. You might want to take a look at it if you get a chance.
Posted by: titania at March 30, 2005 02:24 AMDear Greg,
Share with her what's in your heart with - Why do you practice, then? Open up a vein, ninja guy. Tell her that she has within her everything that makes life wonderful.
Now quit screwing around ;-D
best,
Dan
SGI member
Rev. Greg:
A young girl will probably not be interested in theory, books, and especially lectures. Those important elements will be of more interest later - perhaps much later, when she makes daimoku her own.
What should compell her is the sound of the mantra and how it resonates melodically in her body and mind. As you know, kids pick up on gongyo fast, but it should begin with daimoku.
What should she think about or focus on when she prays? The most typical answer - especially from the SGI is to pray for her desires. My personal opinion is that teaching someone - adult or child - to pray for their desires, boyfriends, material things, etc., is a mistake. Prayer to be at one with the mantra and understand her own mind is the best way, IMHO.
Be a great listener and a compassionate teacher without the dogmatic clap-trap and you should be able to get her going.
Charles
Posted by: Charles at March 29, 2005 12:03 AMThere's a book called "Wide Awake, A Buddhist Guide For Teens" by Diana Winston. I haven't read it, but there's a chapter from it in "The Best Buddhist Writing of 2004" which I have read. Might be worth checking out. I asked what you'd recommend because I am curious about beginner books on Nichiren Buddhism. The only ones I have are from the SGI...
Posted by: Queen Lolo at March 28, 2005 09:17 PMRev. Greg -
Fire in the Lotus for a 14 year old? Not saying it's the wrong choice, but it's certainly not where I might start, especially for someone with presumably little or no knowledge of Buddhism at all, and not knowing how mature this person is.
Maybe Sylvia Boorstein's "It's Easier than You Think", or "Awakening to the Lotus", or Karen Armstrong's "The Buddha"........just off the top of my head.
Namaste, Engyo Mike Barrett
Posted by: Engyo Mike Barrett at March 28, 2005 07:24 PMGreat question Queen Lolo -
The only book I would recommend at this point, and without further investigation, is Daniel Montgomery's "Fire in the Lotus", which unfortunately is out of print.
Rev. Greg
Posted by: Rev. Greg at March 28, 2005 07:11 PMI have a question: If you were going to recommend some books for her to read, what would they be?
Maybe the place to start is with HER. Why did she come to this practice in the first place? What is HER "burning question?" You could find out what she wants to know and start with that so you'll be speaking at her own level. I find that with my own kids, I have to work really hard to answer JUST the question they are really asking, and not go on and on with my own agenda. (They are very quick to let me know when I have crossed that line... and if they don't speak up, I can see it in their glazed eyes...) In any case, this is a fantastic question you raise and not an easy thing to answer. Please let us know how it goes!!!
Posted by: Queen Lolo at March 28, 2005 06:50 PMHi Greg,
I know a lot of what you wrote was rhetorical, but in any case, I wouldn't even get into sectarian stuff with someone asking me about Buddhism at all.
I usually tell someone that Buddhism is a way to understand that there is suffering in life, that we can cut off the selfish craving and ignorance that makes life seem to be nothing but suffering, that there is a way to be free from suffering, and this way is to lead a life that whole and complete. I would then share with them the practice of Odaimoku as a way of devoting our hearts and minds to this Wonderful Truth that Blossoms in our lives in every moment. That wonderful truth is that this freedom from suffering is right here and now if we can let go of our limited selfish perspective and embrace a perspective that vast, open, free, and above all full of loving-kindness and compassion for all including ourselves.
BTW, Nichiren started April 28th, 1253.
Namu Myoho Renge Kyo,
Ryuei