Paul Monaco .org

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.

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.