As with most things (except my musical tastes which tend to run to extremes) I prefer the Middle Way.

I like that in Nichiren Shu one can gather in larger groups at the temples (where there is a temple) but that people are also encouraged to form more local practice groups in homes, apartments, or wherever they can find the space.

I like that in Nichiren Shu there is a standard liturgy but that this standard allows for variations - it is kind of modular in fact. There are certain key modules - chanting the Hoben-pon, the Jigage, and the Odaimoku that everyone will chant together. Even the parts that the ministers or leaders do are pretty standard - the Kanjo or Opening Prayer, the Kaikyoge or Verses for Opening the Sutra, the Eko or Final Dedication, the Four Great Bodhisattva Vows and such - though there are different versions of Kanjo and Eko depending on the service and inclinations of those doing the service. Then there are other things that can be taken out or added in depending on the group - the Shomyo hymns, other passages of the Lotus Sutra for recitation, readings from the gosho and so on. Even these can be found in the standard Nichiren Shu service books. All the minister (or whoever is leading the service) has to do is call out the page numbers.

I like that at this stage in the development of Nichiren Buddhism in America most groups are small enough to be gatherings of family and friends. There are no large impersonal congregatons. I hope the model of small groups meeting regularly in homes will continue but I also hope that these small groups will also continue to get together at the temples and for larger conferences and retreats. This is the way other Buddhists in America tend to practice as well - small practice groups scattered here and there who occasionally link up with larger groups for larger events.

Namu Myoho Renge Kyo,
Ryuei

I like the small group better. I always enjoyed the group meetings more than the district and the district better than the chapter. I think the larger group should serve to facilitate the smaller and each group should not be discouraged from developing it's own flavor. It seems very controlling to me to not allow a person to practice with whatever group they wish.

Hi, Byrd & all -

Personally I agree with Ryuei's comments here. It's also quite surprising what a very small number of determined individuals can accomplish when they set their minds to it.

Myself, I find it more important to have a general consensus regarding goals. There are some very different ideas, concepts and themes regarding what sangha is and should be; how it should be organized and operate. Getting large numbers of people to agree on such (excluding the method of accepting something already in place) is quite a challenge, especially here in the individualistic societies of North America.

Namaste, Engyo Mike Barrett