This past weekend I had experienced what I believe may be the new wave of Nichiren Buddhism in America.
The first wave was the appearance of Nichiren Shu and other traditional schools with the Japanese immigrants in the early 20th century.
The second major wave was the appearance of Soka Gakkai spreading the practice of chanting Odaimoku from 1960 on.
The third wave was in part caused by the split between SGI and Nichiren Shoshu in 1991. This caused many disenchanted members and former leaders of those groups to seek out other forms of Nichiren Buddhism either already in America among the Japanese-Americans or back in Japan. Nichiren Shu, Kempon Hokke Kai, Honmon Butsuryu Shu, Rissho Kosei Kai and Reiyukai all gained a higher profile as Nichiren Buddhists all learned (to their delight or dismay) that the Nichiren Shoshu/Soka Gakkai were not the only players.
The fourth wave coming in rapid succession to all of that was the Independence Movement wherein people just struck out on there own - completely disillusioned with the established schools and/or unwilling to check out any others or unable to do so due to remoteness.
The fifth wave may be happening at places like Bill and Jean Anker's "Buddhist Alternative Group" or "Empty District" (among other possible terms of reference). I have a suspicion that this may be going on all-over but not in a way that anyone on the public boards and net community know about. Anyway - here is what is happening as I see it. An SGI district had formed over the years with Bill as their district leader (Bill or anyone else please correct me if I have things wrong) and its composition consisted of some pretty progressive, spiritually tolerant and open-minded people. These were people who were serious and dedicated to faith, practice, and study, but had not gotten involved in Buddhism in order to buy into any dogmatism or other people's conflicts (esp. overseas conflicts like the ones George Washington once warned us to stay out of). These were people who, like Jean and Bill, decided to emphasize the positive aspects, and distance themselves from battles and sectarianism. For them, Buddhism was about opening and awakening - not closing ranks and circling the wagons against imaginary or trumped up threats. For them, Buddhism was not about holding back from possible contamination, but about reaching out compassionately to others and engaging in true dialogue even with supposed "enemies." Certain people did not/do not understand or like this approach so Bill was removed from his position as district chief and SGI members were discouraged from meetings at his home, and in fact official SGI meetings may no longer be conducted there.
But that did not end the story. The aspiration for people to have non-denominational and open meetings that would be open to anyone of sincere faith to come and practice together and learn and discuss the Dharma was as strong as ever. The meetings continued, though unofficially. Simply a gathering of friends. What made this different from the earlier waves of Nichiren Buddhism is that no one felt the need to leave the Sanghas they were in or even to sit around complaining about their current Sanghas, or to seek out some other Sangha. The meetings would simply be people of whatever school or no school at all who enjoyed being together for the purpose of sharing and deepening their faith, practice, and study. Sectarianism had not just been avoided, it seems to have been transcended altogether as an issue.
I got to see for myself what this is like this past weekend when I finally got a chance to accept Bill's longstanding invitation to come down to one of their meetiings. Apparently this group (or Empty District, or Buddhist Alternative Group, or Gathering of Friends) had decided to use "Lotus World: An Illustrated Guide to the Gohonzon" as the basis for a study series on the calligraphic Omandala of Nichiren Shonin. The book was published by my temple for its 25th anniversary. Bill asked me if I could send them a bunch of copies in time for their meeting on the 5th Sunday of January. As it turned out, the San Jose Temple does not have services on 5th Sundays so I offered to bring them myself and help kick off the study. As it turned out I was also invited to lead their gongyo (using the skills I have learned in Nichiren Shu and the Sacred Services book published by the San Jose Temple and since then used by many in the Independence movement), and then Shodaigyo Meditation, and then to give a brief presentation about my book.
So off I drove on Saturday afternoon with a car full of books and Buddhist accoutrements (none of which are necessary, but I enjoy my Buddhist toys and musical instruments and hoped they would too). I got there Saturday night and got to meet Bill and Jean and also Byrd (whose responses here assure me that my entries are being met with more than just the chirping of virtual crickets) and another friend whom I would name but don't want to get anyone in trouble. We had some great discussions and I wish to thank Bill and Jean for their hospitality over the weekend which made it possible for me to make the trip.
Anyway, the next day was the meeting - and I was really amazed. Altogether we estimated that 33 people were there to chant. That, incidentally, is the number of forms that Kuan Yin Bodhisattva takes on in the 25th chapter of the Lotus Sutra. A nice omen. It is rare that on this side of the Pacific that I get to chant with so many people - all of whom were chanting quite harmoniously, vigorously, and enthusiastically. As a plus, many of them were yoga practitioners so they had a good handle on the medititavie aspects of Shodaigyo Meditation, not to mention breathing and chanting from the diaphragm. I think the Empty District as a group definately are suited to bring out the yogic aspects of Odaimoku practice in addition to its deeper contemlative aspects that they have been freely exploring.
The group was composed of many SGI members, some who were not members of anything. Even Joe Walter, the general manager of Reiyukai in the USA came with his wife. It was really nice of him to come and I was glad to get a chance to meet and talk with him again (we had met briefly at the LA Temple a couple of years ago but I was a bit rushed then). His wife told us that she came from a Nichiren Shu family in Japan, but had never heard laypeople chant the Sino-Japanese gongyo together as we had, in addition to lots of vigorous Odaimoku. She seemed to have been very moved by the experience, and I was very touched by what she shared with the group about her experience of practicing with us.
Anyway, after gongyo and Shodaigyo I gave a talk about the Gohonzon, and fielded some questions. Then we broke for bagels and orange juice (which was deeply appreciated after all that chanting and talking). I really enjoyed being with everybody and got some great questions and comments. It is exactly this kind of experience of Sangha that is necessary to move forward in one's faith, practice, and understanding. It is important that we get together like this as fellow Nichiren Buddhists to encourage and inspire one another and through honest dialogue (as opposed to disguised polemics) gain a better understanding of one another and a deeper insight into the Wonderful Dharma.
Anyway, it was a great experience. I hope that I get a chance to do that again sometime somewhere. And again, my thanks to Bill and Jean and Byrd (who introduced Lotus World and got the ball rolling) and everyone of the friends who gathered together there to make it happen.
Namu Myoho Renge Kyo,
Ryuei
P.S.
Some might get the idea that I don't care about establishing Nichiren Shu Sanghas anymore, or that I am no longer interested in bringing new people into Nichiren Shu. That I think people should just go Independent or remain with their respective Sanghas and then just go out and do their own thing as they please. That is not my actual position though - so perhaps I should clarify where I am coming from and what I hope to see.
I think that the most important thing right now if Nichiren Buddhism is going to survive outside Japan is that sectarianism is transcended. And that means not putting down someone else's school or urging people to leave one school and/or to join another. It means just rejoicing that people are coming to the practice and letting them be where they need to be (or to not be where they do not wish to be).
Now if someone is in a Sangha, I would say to them: abide by the customs and traditions of that Sangha. If that becomes problematic for you, then perhaps you should think about leaving. The important thing is maintaining your conscience and integrity and your ability do develop your practice and to help other people develop theirs.
If you are not in a Sangha, I would say that you are free to "do as you see fit" as the Buddha told those who audited his talks. But I would urge you to avail yourselves of the wealth of knowledge, know-how, and experience of the lineages that are out there. You don't have to make stuff up as you go along or cobble together things from disparate traditions. You can usually benefit from the resources of various groups without having to join up. So for instance, you don't have to be a Nichiren Shu member to get books and materials from the NBIC (though we do not sell Omandalas, for that you do have to be a member and have it bestowed on you). And while there is precedent in Buddhism for being a tusker and going it alone in situations where there are no wise companions, and while the Lotus Sutra does talk of lone Bodhisattvas of the Earth, the third Jewel is the Jewel of the Sangha, and I think that without a Sangha of some kind there really can not be Buddhism for very long. My concern is that the Odaimoku not become a free-floating magical incantion with no roots in the tradition that gave birth to it.
What I hope to see happen is that Nichiren Buddhist of all affiliations or none will just take the initiative and be willing to get together to chant and encourage one another and learn from one another. And if enough people get together to do this, then others will want to get in on it. And then it will be time from individuals or even groups to look for the experience of Sangha that best fits their style and needs (and note that sometimes we need to be challenged - we shouldn't just look for convenience). I think that a multi/non-denominational clearning house approach might be just what is needed to provide people with a safe non-sectarian hassle free haven to just come together and chant and learn. That is what I have been trying to set up myself at Faithful Fools and in Marin Co. There is no need to join or to leave anything.
Now if someone does want to join Nichiren Shu, I will certainly assist them (though part of that assistance is a six month program of working with me or another minister to learn enough about us in order to make sure that you really do want to be a member of Nichiren Shu). If someone wants to join something else, that is fine. I will point them to someone who can help them, though I might share my own experiences or views of different groups if it is asked for and appropriate. And certainly if someone joins something else they are still free to come to my meetings. So for instance, my Marin Co. "group" currently consists of two (or possibly just one) ex-SGI member, though in the past it has had a current Nichiren Shoshu member, a Soto Zen practitioner once visited, and we had a couple people join us who were new to Buddhism. My Faithful Fools group has three regular participants, one of whom is not a member of anything, one of whom practices yoga, and one is a Zen practitioner (that Soto connection again). For that matter, the San Francisco Sutra Salon is also non-denominationally Buddhist and consists of Zen practitioners, Vipassana practitioners, a former Nichiren Shu member (so no hard feelings in that regard), Tendai clergy, and even a Taiwanese nun. It makes for a very interesting cross-section of views and experiences and is all the richer for it.
So bottom line - these multi/non-denominational gatherings of Buddhist Friends (kind like Quakers in kesas) is something that I feel is needed now - and something that in the long run will help all the schools to grown in a positive way (or at least those who are supportive of them).
Namu Myoho Renge Kyo,
Ryuei
I haven't entered anything in a while, so I thought I mght as well recommend that you all read Brad Warner's blog until I can think of something to write:
http://www.hardcorezen.blogspot.com/
Oh, you might as well read the articles on his website too:
http://homepage.mac.com/doubtboy/
Oh, and check out his book Hardcore Zen, it's one of my favorites.
I don't necessarily agree with absolutely everything Brad writes, but damn he is authentic. He is truly himself and his experience and point of view really resonate with me. I also love his sense of humor because I would like to flatter myself by thinking that it is pretty much the same as my own sense of humor. Brad is exactly the kind of person I would have loved hanging out with back when I was in the Philly punk scene, and in fact he is the kind of person that I would love to be in a Sangha with: a straightshooter who doesn't take himself too seriously, idealistic but with enough worldly wisdom to allow for a very wry sense of humor, and sincere about his practice without being a narrow-minded self-righteous fanatic.
Anyway, I always find myself entertained and edified by his musings, so I hope that others enjoy them as well.
And if any of you are in the LA area, why not drop by his sitting group and tell him I said hello?
Hmm, one last thing, I think in comparison to Brad, my own writing online is rather pedantic and stuffy. I have purposefully tried not to be flippant and abrasive because people over the years have invariably taken it the wrong way. But sometimes when I read Brad's stuff I think to myself: maybe I should be more myself? I also think: maybe I should write more about the nitnoy things in my own life and my own interests and not be such a stuffed robe all the time? Eh, I don't know. I usually feel safer just being a conduit of information and pedantic reflections. If people want to know what I'm really like they can come over to Faithful Fools or invite me to lead a retreat or workshop, or maybe invite me out for a beer. How about it?
Namu Myoho Renge Kyo,
Ryuei