Paul Monaco .org

Last week I wrote of a Holy War in Buddhism referencing what I perceived as some attitude and behavior that was consistent with Buddhist philosophies.

As I suspected, word spread quickly through my group of my disagreement with the pack. Certain seniors in faith began appearing at meetings I regularly attended in which they normally do which was not surprising but welcome as it did let me see some different perspective as well as some unexpected agreement.

As I pull farther away from the Soka Gakkai I embrace more the root texts of the Gosho (The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin) and the Lotus Sutra. I consider this an exercise in Right Mindfulness, one of the Eightfold Paths. I’ve interpreted right mindfulness as a method to counter basic human ignorance with continuous alertness and self-examination.

In Nichiren’s letter to the Tripitaka Master Shan-Wu-Wei (wnd v1. P171) “Yet the Thus Come One Shakyamuni entered this saha world with the title “One Who Can Endure.” He is so called because he does not berate its people for the slanders they all commit, but shows them forbearance. These, then, are the special qualities that the other Buddhas lack.”

Perhaps my interpretation is wrong, locally members only wish to quote Daisaku Ikeda and not any root text. The Gosho then continues..

“We ordinary people, too, have been born into the saha world. Therefore we must not in any way turn away from the teachings of the Thus Come One Shakyamuni. But people all fail to realize this. If they would look carefully into the matter, they would understand that [as the Lotus Sutra say] “I Shakyamuni] am the only person who can rescue and protect the others,” and that they must not cut themselves off from the helping hand of the Thus Come One Shakyamuni.

I present these passages as support to my belief that the Daishonin did not intend for us to interpret his plea to defend this Buddhism as a call to jihad attacking all teachings that were not in agreement to his own. To agree with this would mean that one would have to defend against all other religions that do not conform to the interpretations of Nichiren.

Perhaps a more logical and Buddha-like interpretation of the Daishonin is to valiantly defend our Buddhism to the best of our ability when we are directly addressed. When we are approached by those who tell us how we will be doomed to a life of hell if we do not embrace their savior as our own. This is when it is time for us to defend our practice and hold steadfast.

Creative Commons photo credit: Gaijin Seb

My journey into Buddhism began several years ago shortly after the passing of my wife. I had joined the lay Buddhist organization Soka Gakkai and have absolutely no regrets. They taught me practice of Nichiren Buddhism and have been a valuable resource to have all my questions about Buddhism answered.

I was so thirsty for knowledge that I went to as many meetings as I could possible go to, in hopes of learning more about the life of Nichiren and Shakyamuni

Once I had a good understanding of the basics, it seemed that more and more emphasis was placed on shakubuku, or the propagation of this Buddhism. I fully understand how any organization, religious or not, Buddhist or baseball needs to actively have a means of bringing new members in order for the organization to grow. In our chapter it seemed to be more of an obsession. Each meeting revolved around recruitment and very little attention was giving to the basics of the practice.

This trend continued and as it did I attended fewer and fewer meetings. I still enjoyed the practice and have full faith it as the correct teaching and on a daily basis I chant and continue to receive incredible benefits. I’m still actively telling everyone I can about the practice and how wonderful it is, but at this point I am totally embarrassed to bring them to a meeting and have opted to provide them with alternative resources which will be a topic for another post in the future.

So here I am, happily going to my weekly toso which primarily consist of group chanting and some study along with our monthly meeting at our state’s activity center. Then while in a personal conversation with another member one of our more enthusiastic leaders jumps in ranting and raving about the “priesthood issue”. Evidently he got wind that I wasn’t particularly interested in it.

In the past, the Soka Gakkai and the Shoshu Temple worked in harmony. The Temple being clergy based and SGI the lay arm. Long story short, they had a falling out. I’m not even going to go into details on this as 1) it was before my time and I have no first had involvement in it. 2) It’s become very partisan. Each side has their own story and quite frankly I’m not going to devote my life to figure out who’s correct. 3) Leave me alone and let me practice MY Buddhism.

So now, I no longer go to our monthly meetings and am awfully close to dropping my affiliation with the SGI all together and have had several people (from the SGI and other organizations) express interest in forming an ad hoc local group for the purpose of study, advancement and true world peace efforts with an eye towards globalization.

Most of us who are active in an organized religion from time to time experience frustration, not with the actual faith but with the day to day logistics and mindset of the organization or a particular subset of it.  I know my experience is not unique nor is it exclusive to the SGI, the Buddist orgainzation I belong to.

Lately I’ve been very discouraged with my practice.  Meetings that once expounded the wisdom of the Lutus Sutra seem to be now filled with discussions about how we can effectively introduce new members to the practice.  Sure growth is important, but when that is the primary focus it is very easy to lose sight of our primary practice. 

Now being a Buddhist, I’m all to aware of what happens when we start slipping.  Already I’m seeing the signs of karmic sewage creeping into my environment.  People close to me having difficulties, ill feelings manifesting within me and my argumentative nature trying to vocalize itself.  I can see things could easily get ugly!

So today I made the determination to refresh my faith.  First I carefully disassembled my altar and carefully put it back together cleaning and polishing it.  Then I light the candles and incense and as I chant Daimoku in front of the Gohonzon I specifically focus on this situation knowing that if I continue this destructive line of thinking I can easily lose my faith and all the amazing benefits I have received from this practice. I didn’t expect an answer to come to me so quickly, but it did.

What I must do is focus on the core of my practice and the very reasons why I embarked on this path.  The SGI is a wonderful organization that gives me ready access to resources and guidance, but it in and of itself is not Buddhism.  For me, it is the teachings of the Lotus Sutra and more specifically it’s interpretation and explanation by Nichiren Daishonin.

Now mind you, I have no intentions of leaving the SGI.  At least not yet.. but for me, my primary course of study will be the Lotus Sutra and Gosho.  Of course this study will be supplemented by my continued actions for create great cause for the future and to create value in this world for we are all Bodhisattva’s of the universe.

I saw this message come across twitter and it resonates with me for some reason.  Perhaps I can think of so many situations with myself and others that I could apply it to.

I believe that people who run away from problems actually run deeper into their problems. This is universal.

Difficulties are part of life, something we all must deal with at different times and to different degrees.

“Suffer what there is to suffer, enjoy what there is to enjoy. Regard both suffering and joy as facts of life, and continue chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, no matter what happens” (WND, 681)

At times it can be so easy to ignore difficult situtuations.  Perhaps at the moment, they may not be all that difficult but deep in side we know action must be taken and sometimes that action may caust us to endure pain before we are able to overcome our situations.

In a recent discussion with I had about world events and the future of mankind, the other person said, “The biggest problem in this world is that man.. Doesn’t abide by God’s law.”

That got me to thinking, to “abide by God’s law” implies that the God of which this person speaks does not have the power…. To enforce His own law?

Myoho, the mystic law.. Cannot be disobeyed  or rejected.  It does govern all.

When you drop a pen, it will fall to the ground.  You can deny that it does, but still yet we can repeat our actions.  You can attribute the fall to some other power, yet the results are always the same.  Gravity is part of the mystic law just like every other function in the universe.  Cause and effect, and it’s simultanaety.

I’ve been following GeraldP1983on YouTube for a few weeks now and have always been intrigued by his insights and observations on Buddhism and it’s relationship with science. 

In this video he discusses selflessness and how he believes it can be achieved.

I’ve submitted this video replywith my thoughts that while one is of this earth, karma will in fact bring us benefit to our actions thus while we are enduring the pains of rebirth and death we cannot perform truly selfless acts.

Members of the Soka Gakkai are very aware of the importance of participating in discussion meetings and group activities.  My local group does wonderful job of supporting its members offering them encouragement, so well in fact that I feel any efforts I make myself are either redundant or they utilize a skill that I am weak at.

Part of my determination for 2008 The Year Of Capable People and Development, is to raise the bar on all my efforts and activities.  To me, this doesn’t mean just “showing up” and appearing active, but to take actual actions with measurable results and explore opportunities in areas that may not be so well developed.

JOIN ME EVERY SATURDAY AT 6pm EASTERN TIME

Nam-myoho-renge-kyo - The practice of Nichiren Buddhism centers on chanting Nam-Myoho-renge-kyo to the Gohonzon.  It is so wondrously simple that anyone can do it, yet so profound it can unlock the highest potential in any individual. It is, therefore, the ultimate reality of life and the universe.

My premier broadcast (view recording) on December 29th, 2007 drew over 30 views which shouldn’t have amazed me knowing the powers of myho, but it did.  I hope I can utilize this venue as a means to connect to members and those curious about the practice who for any number of reasons may have difficulties finding someone to practice with, especially those who may not live in a well populated district.

Your comments and suggestions are encouraged.  I will be experimenting with format and duration over the next several airings. 

Saturday, 6pm Eastern: http://www.ustream.tv/pfmonaco

As a Buddhist I am oh so aware of the power the each of us have to influence our environment.  This is something I believe we all know to some degree but until you actually study the Mystic Law of cause and effect and it’s simultanaety it’s real powers aren’t always apparent.

Part of our teaching is to at least plant the seeds of Buddhism where ever and when ever possible.  When the time is correct that seed will germinate.  Often times that seed is carried on in a karmic river without that carrier even being aware of it.

Ever since I’ve discovered the karaoke website SingSnap, I’ve been having a blast revisiting songs that I’ve enjoyed in my youth.  Seeing and singing the lyrics to this RUSH song, one could surmise that somewhere along Geddy Lee may have had a seed planted, though by practice he is Jewish.

Hint: Press the button on the lower right of the video to reveal the on-screen lyrics.

Last year was just an amazing year, through this practice of Nichiren Buddhism I’ve overcome the death of my wife, reversed a downward spiral into very unhealthy lifestyle and financially turned myself around.  Though these are things that need to continually monitor, they finally to the point where they are simple maintenance items that only require a minimum of attention.

So what do I do now?  I really had a problem with this.  It’s easy to maintain faith when your stuggling and trying get yourself out of a situation but once you acheive those goals and life is good.. well.. it’s easy to just sit back an enjoy it. 

The problem with just sitting back is that you slowly backslide without realizing it, much like being in a pot on a stove with the water slowly being brought up to a boil.  Before you know it your in trouble and you’re in a desparate situation again.

The practice of Buddhism teaches the true law of the universe and the simulteneaty of cause and effect.  Having embraced this practice I know through the many experiences I have both witnessed and heard of that there is no limit to what can be achieved. 

So for 2008, my determination is utilize my practice to not simply turn my life around which I have already accomplished, but to rocket forward and to live at a level I have never before achieved.  My goals are to concentrate productivity, efficiency and health.  Physical, emotional and financial success will be the result.