Gandhi-King-Ikeda: Community Builders

Founding of Soka Kyoiku Gakkai

While Makiguchi was principal of Shirogane Primary School in mid 1928, he was visited by a reporter for a trade paper who was a Nichiren Shoshu adherent. The reporter introduced Makiguchi to a believer named Sokei Mutani. Mitani converted him to Nichiren Shoshu. If this chance meeting had not occurred, the Soka Gakkai, as we know it today, would not exist.

The first volume of Makiguchi's major work, Soka Kyoikugaku Taikai, was published in 1930. The Soka Kyoiku Gakkai is identified as the book's publisher. Thus, the Soka Gakkai considers the publishing date, November 18, 1930, as the founding date of the Soka Gakkai. The formal founding of Soka Kyoiku Gakkai occurred early in 1937 with the first general meeting, about 60 people attending. The second general meeting was held three years later with 3 or 4 thousand attendees. This showed remarkable growth in spite of government imposition of Shinto and emperor worship on the people as part of the nationalist drive. Makiguchi conducted annual summer courses and began publishing Kachi Sozo (Creation of Values).

In spite of government oppression, Makiguchi continued his efforts to spread Nichiren Daishonin's teachings. On July 6,1943, he, along with Josei Toda and other leaders, was arrested. On November 18, 1944, Makiguchi passed away at the Sugamo Detention House in Tokyo.

Information for this series was gleaned from 'Japan's New Buddhism' by Kiyoaki Murata and 'Makiguchi the Value Creator' by Dayle M. Bethel. A few copies of these books are available through Amazon.com resellers. This will be the last article of the Makiguchi series for this year. More in depth articles are slated for November 2008.

Mind of a Rock

Here's and interesting article in the 18 November New York Times Magazine. More substantiation of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism. Mind of a Rock

Remembering Tsunesaburo Makiguchi

Tsunesaburo Makiguchi June 6, 1871 - November 18, 1944. Founder and first president of the Soka Gakkai. Author of Jinsei Chirigaku (The Goegraphy of Human Life) and Soka Kyoikugaku Taikei (The System of Value-Creating Pedagogy). Converted to Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism in 1928. Arrested by the militarist Japanese government on July 6, 1943, for intransigent opposition to State Shinto, he died in prison on November 18, 1944. See About Tsunesaburo Makiguchi at SGI-USA.

Value Creating Pedagogy

Makiguchi published Jinsei Chirigaku (The Geography of Human Life) in October 1903. He had been encouraged by some respected scholars in Tokyo who agreed to look at his manuscript. The book was well received and became a standard reference in geography. However, the success of the book did not increase his social standing (since he had not graduated from a university, he was not accepted by high level scholars) or his financial resources. He worked a number of jobs in the publishing field but he continued to suffer hardship and deprivation.

Beginning in 1910, Makiguchi served as an elementary school teacher and principal in a number of schools in the Tokyo area. His research in the are of community studies led to the publication of Kyodoka Kenkyu (Research Studies in Folk Culture) in 1912). Makiguchi was considered an effective teacher and educator but his disregard for nearly sacred aspects of Japanese culture led to conflict with authorities, teachers and parents. Such conflicts eventually led to his being forced into retirement from active school work in 1929.

In 1928, Makiguchi was transferred to Niibori Primary School. This school was scheduled to be closed in the following year, thus the transfer amounted to a dismissal with a year’s notice. During this year, Makiguchi prepared his educational ideas and methods that he had developed during his years of teaching for publication. Ably assisted by Josei Toda, he published the first of four volumes of Soka Kyoikugaku Taikei (The System of Value-Creating Pedagogy) in 1930, The work Kachiron (The Philosophy of Value), a reissue of volume two edited and enlarged by Josei Toda. was published after Makiguchi’s death. An English translation was published by the Seikyo Press in 1964.

Makiguchi held that creation of value is part and parcel of of what it means to be a human being. He wrote, “The highest and ultimate object of life is happiness, and the goal of life is none but the attainment and creation of value, which is in itself happiness…. A happy life signifies nothing but the state of existence in which one can gain and create value in full.”

Makiguchi in Sapporo

Information about Makiguchi’s years of teaching in Sapporo is limited. He appears to have been popular with the student teachers he supervised because he was always easy to approach with questions and problems. Makiguchi thought that Japanese education was stifling and destroying the creative potential of children rather than releasing and developing that potential. His writings of this time show a sense of mission and personal responsibility to question the educational practices of his day.

Early in his teaching career Makiguchi became interested in geography. His concept of geography included the study of people and their relationship with the environment. He believed that it could be used as a means of organizing the elementary school curriculum. Accordingly, he spent his spare time for nearly ten years collecting material and working on a geography book for use by elementary school teachers.

The government wanted to produce teachers who would follow unquestioningly. Thus the students at Sapporo Normal School endured rigid discipline. A serious breakdown in discipline occurred in the spring of 1901. Makiguchi shouldered the blame for the student’s defiance and was asked to resign. Although he regretted the situation, Makiguchi was now free to move to Tokyo with his wife and children and with his precious manuscript.

Makiguchi's Politcal Environment

During the early years of the Meiji era, there was intense debate among Japanese leaders and intellectuals. One side wanted to build loyal subjects who could be depended upon to support government programs. The other side wanted to build citizens who could be depended upon to be independent and self-assured. The final answer was to build subjects. This decision became part of in the Constitution of 1889 and the Imperial Rescript on Education of 1890.

Makiguchi’s entire educational career was a protest against the production of subjects. Although he didn’t challenge government policy directly, he criticized Japanese teachers and educators for their tendency to accept popular educational ideas. But it wasn’t his educational philosophies and activities that led to his imprisonment. In the end, it was his religious convictions and refusal to accept the military government’s declaration of Shinto as the state religion that led to his arrest in 1943.

Tsunesaburo Makiguchi

Tsunesaburo Makiguchi was born on June 6, 1871, in a small village in northwestern Japan. He was the first son of Chomatsu Watanabe; his mother’s name was Ine; his parents named him Chohichi. Makiguchi’s father abandoned him and his mother when he was very young. When he was three years old, he was left with the family of an uncle, Zendayu Makiguchi. His mother met with him secretly from time to time, eventually attempting murder-suicide by jumping into the Japan sea with Makiguchi in her arms. They were both rescued but he never saw his mother again.

In his mid-teens Makiguchi moved to Hokkaido and lived for a time with an uncle, Shiroji Watanabe. He took a job as an errand boy and studied to pass a government exam that would qualify him to take college entrance exams. His studiousness and dependability impressed the chief of police who invited him to accompany him to Sapporo.

Just before he graduated from Sapporo normal school in 1893 he changed his name to Tsunesaburo Makiguchi. He was accepted a position as a supervising teacher in the primary school attached to the normal school. He held the position for eight years.

In 1894 Makiguchi married Kuma. They had eight children, four boys and four girls. Tragedy struck repeatedly during the last twenty years of his life. Four of his children died between 1924 and 1932. In 1944 he was consigned to solitary confinement in Sugano Prison for refusing to cooperate in government required religious practices. During this incarceration his remaining son was killed in battle in World War II. Makiguchi died on November 18, 1944, at the age of seventy-three.

Soka Gakkai Founded in 1930

The Soka Kyoiku Gakkai (Value Creation Education Society) was founded on November 18, 1930, by Tsunesaburo Makiguchi and Josei Toda. Born in 1871, Makiguchi was an educator and author passionately dedicated to educational reform. The theory of Soka (value-creating) Education was first set out by Makiguchi in the book Value Creating Pedagogy, in which he voiced criticisms of the Japanese pre-war education system, many of which continue to be leveled today. Makiguchi asserted that the purpose of education is the development of the unique creative potential of each child - not the "manufacture" of obedient servants of the state. Makiguchi's relentless critique of existing philosophies in his search for a basis for his educational views eventually led him to take faith, in 1928, in the Buddhism of Nichiren. Josei Toda, a young teacher, had met Makiguchi around 1920 and joined his mentor in his conversion. The Soka Kyoiku Gakkai was founded in order to promote humanistic education based on Buddhist principles.

Bowie SGI News 10-14-07

Study Review 10am Saturday 27 October and 2pm Sunday 28 October at the Wolpert’s, 2838 Belair Dr., Bowie 301 262 6643
.
SS Toso 7pm Wednesday 17 October at Denise Greene’s, 15021 Newcomb Ln., Bowie 301 218 1414.

“Therefore, when you chant the daimoku of this sutra, you should be aware that it is a more joyful thing than for one who was born blind to gain sight and to see one’s father and mother, and a rarer thing than for a man who has been seized by a powerful enemy to be released and reunited with his wife and children.” (WND 1, 143)

Comments on "The Gift of Rice" Gosho

Nichiren Daishonin's gosho 'The Gift of Rice' explains the sincerity of offering while emphasizing the value of life.

Man has two kinds of treasure, he saya, - clothing and food. Man depends on clothing and food to stay alive. But life itself is the most precious treasure. Even the treasures of the entire universe cannot equal the value of a single human life.

The boy Snow Mountains (Sessen Doji) offered his body to a demon to receive a teaching composed of eight characters (see the writing "14 Slanders"). Boddhisttva Yakuo, having no oil, burned his elbow as an offering to the Lotus Sutra. Prince Shotoku peeled off the skin of his hand on which to copy the Lotus Sutra and Emperor Tenji burned his third finger as an offering to Shakymuni Buddha. Such austere practices are for saints and sages but not for ordinary people.

The word "nam" derives from sanskrit and means to devote one's life. Ultimately it means to offer our lives to the Buddha. Whether man has wealth or not, life is still the most important treasure. Accordingly, saints and sages of ancient times offered their lives to the Buddha and were themselves able to attain Buddhahood.

Even common mortals can attain Buddhahood if they possess earnest faith. Earnest faith is the will to understand and live up to the spirit, not the words, of the sutras. It means that offering one's only coat to the Lotus Sutra or, in a time of famine, offering one's food on which life depends is equivalent to the acts of Sessen Doji and other sages. Therefore, saints consecrated themselves by offering their own bodies, but common mortals can do so by the sincerity with which they give.

The true path of life lies in the affairs of this world. Pre Lotus Sutra teachings expounded the duality of life - that they relate secular matters in terms of Buddhism. In contrast, the Lotus Sutra teaches that secular matters are Buddhism. Based on thsis oneness of life and environment, rice is not merely rice, but life itself.

News 09-23-07

Coming Events
Mon 24 Sep 10am Japanese HR Study DCCC
Wed 26 Sep District Planning with Michael Aiken at Wolpert’s
Fri 28 Sep 7pm Crofton Toso at Wendy’s

Wisdom of the Lotus Sutra

From Wisdom of the Lotus Sutra Vol II The Parable of Medicinal Herbs Chapter.

President Ikeda:

… the point is that the Buddha’s preaching begins from a recognition of human diversity. The Buddha asks the question: How can I enable each person to attain Buddhahood, notwithstanding differences in circumstance, temperament and capacity? The Lotus Sutra, without departing in the least from the reality of the individual, clarifies the path to Buddhahood for all.

The humanism of the Lotus Sutra comes down to the tenet of treasuring the individual. This is the Buddha’s spirit. The Lotus Sutra’s fundamental objective of universal enlightenment begins with treasuring the individual and can be realized only through steadfast adherence to this point.

To love people or love humanity in the abstract is easy. To feel compassion toward real individuals is difficult.

Tariq Hassan Visits DC

Saturday 15th Tariq Hassan, East Territory Leader, met with district chiefs at the DC Community Center. He presented his views on the meaning of the ‘2nd Act of Kosenrufu’ that was proclaimed by President Ikeda at the June Headquarters Leaders meeting and announced to the SGI-USA by General Director Danny Nagashima at the June 24th simulcast. Citing several issues of the World Tribune and Living Buddhism, Mr. Hassan spoke of the completion of the ‘essential phase’ and the appearance of disciples who must have the same ‘great vow’ as the mentor. Everything depends on the disciples, who should challenge their human revolution. We need to raise successors for the next 50 years. Empower the youth, he said. Now is the time. See WT 12 Jan 2007, 23 March 2007 and 31 March 2006. See also Jan 98 Living Buddhism. Installment 9 of President Ikeda’s lecture on ‘The Heritage of the Ultimate Law of Life and Death’ that will be published in the Jan-Feb 08 Living Buddhism answers the question, “What action is required now?”

Bowie General Meeting

The Bowie District held its general meeting commemorating the 6oth anniversary of President Ikeda's practice on August 25th at the Community Center. 15 members attended (not all pictured). The theme of the meeting was "Creating Waves of Victory through Our Human Revolution". We discussed the 7 points of Human Revolution postulated by President Ikeda.

Letter to the Brothers Study Points

(3) “Letter to the Brothers”
The following study points are related to the following passage:
“The doctrine of three thousand realms in a single moment of life revealed in the fifth volume of Great Concentration and Insight is especially profound. If you propagate it, devils will arise without fail. If they did not, there would be no way of knowing that this is the correct teaching” (WND-1, 501).

When We Spread the Correct Teaching, Negative Functions Will Arise
Nichiren Daishonin emphasizes that those who practice and propagate the correct teaching of Buddhism will invariably encounter obstacles, and that the appearance of such obstacles serves to confirm the validity of their practice. This is a fundamental principle of Buddhism and a major point of this letter. (See Study Guide, pp. 49–50, or May–June 2007 Living Buddhism, pp. 53–54.)

Uncovering and Strengthening Our Buddhahood
Nam-myoho-renge-kyo—“the doctrine of three thousand realms in a single moment of life”—is the teaching that enables ordinary, unenlightened people to uncover their Buddhahood. All phenomena—body and mind, self and environment, sentient and insentient, cause and effect—are integrated in the life-moment of the common mortal. One’s life at each moment actually contains the whole of reality and pervades the entire universe. (See Study Guide, p. 50, or May–June 2007 Living Buddhism, p. 54.)

It is through a courageous practice that we transform the source of our suffering and bring forth the power to overcome it.When this transformation of our fundamental darkness takes place in the context of propagating the Law, our Buddha nature is strengthened to the utmost and we are assured of victory. (See Study Guide, pp. 50–51, or May–June 2007 Living Buddhism, pp. 54–55.)

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The following study points are related to the following passage:
“One passage from the same volume reads: ‘As practice progresses and understanding grows, the three obstacles and four devils emerge in confusing form, vying with one another to interfere. . . . One should be neither influenced nor frightened by them. If one falls under their influence, one will be led into the paths of evil. If one is frightened by them, one will be prevented from practicing the correct teaching” (WND-1, 501).

“The Wise Will Rejoice While the Foolish Will Retreat”
Once we resolve to struggle for the sake of our enlightenment and help others do the same, we invariably encounter resistance from the fundamental darkness within, which also manifests in the form of external hindrances. By quoting the passage from the Great Concentration and Insight, Nichiren encourages Munenaka that his disinheritance actually demonstrates his strong faith, and that by persevering through this obstacle, he can change his destiny and further his enlightenment. (See Study Guide, pp. 51–52, or May–June 2007 Living Buddhism, pp. 55–56.)

Developing the Wisdom To See Through All Negative Functions
Only when we fail to recognize obstacles as functions trying to obstruct our progress in faith are we influenced or frightened by them, and only then do we allow them to come between the Gohonzon and us, and thus fall into the lower states of life. However, once we can recognize such hindrances for what they are,we will quickly find that we have the will and the courage to challenge them. They will no longer have power over us; rather, we can take them as proof that we are practicing Buddhism correctly. (See Study Guide, pp. 52–53, or May–June 2007 Living Buddhism, p. 56–57.)

There is no other way for us to defeat devilish functions that arise from fundamental darkness than manifesting the life of a Buddha from within. To manifest Buddhahood, there is no other way than chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with faith. (See Study Guide, p. 53, or May–June 2007 Living Buddhism, p. 57.)

Hardships Can Be a Good Teacher
We may tend to think of visible benefits as proof that we are practicing correctly, but in light of the above passage, the appearance of obstacles can also be tremendous proof of our progress in faith. What we must remember, then, is to “be neither frightened nor influenced by them,” as Nichiren teaches. Once we are resolved to overcome them, hardships can be a good teacher and a good means to lead us to purer faith, greater strength and a higher state of life. (See Study Guide, p. 53, or May–June 2007 Living Buddhism, p. 57.)

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The following study point is related to the following passage:
“Whatever trouble occurs, regard it as no more than a dream, and think only of the Lotus Sutra” (WND-1, 502).

No Trouble Lasts Forever
When we face a serious problem, it often seems as though it will drag on indefinitely. But in reality, no trouble lasts forever. Most sufferings will not even last a lifetime. Faith in the Gohonzon, on the other hand, awakens us to the part of our lives that is eternal. In saying, “Whatever trouble occurs, regard it as no more than a dream, and think only of the Lotus Sutra,”(WND-1, 502), Nichiren teaches us to not be deluded by relatively minor hardships, thereby compounding our suffering or perhaps even abandoning our faith. To practice Buddhism is to wage a battle against devilish functions. Challenging devilish functions to reveal the pure state of Buddhahood is the essence of Buddhism. Our enlightenment and kosen-rufu itself can be actualized only when we are prepared to overcome obstacles and devilish functions. (See Study Guide, p. 53, or May–June 2007 Living Buddhism, p. 57.)

Gift of Rice Study Points

(2) “The Gift of Rice”
The following study point is related to the following passage: “As for the matter of becoming a Buddha, ordinary people keep in mind the words ‘earnest resolve’ and thereby become Buddhas” (WND-1, 1125).

Earnest Resolve Determines the Quality of Our Lives From Moment to Moment
Nichiren Daishonin explains that our earnest resolve is the key to revealing our innate Buddhahood. Earnest resolve refers to our innermost determination to practice and spread Buddhism for ourselves and for the sake of others. In terms of making Buddhist offerings, it denotes our sincerity—our heartfelt actions. The power of our resolve determines the quality of our life from moment to moment and also determines whether or not we reveal our Buddha life-condition and enjoy authentic happiness. (See Study Guide, p. 36, or March–April 2007 Living Buddhism, p. 70.)

The following study point is related to the following passage: “When we carefully consider what exactly earnest resolve refers to, it is the doctrine of observing the mind” (WND-1, 1125).

Observing the Mind Means Perceiving and Manifesting Buddhahood Within Us, No Matter What Our Circumstances
To “observe one’s own mind and to find the Ten Worlds within it” (WND-1, 356) means perceiving and manifesting Buddhahood within us, no matter what our circumstances. Put simply, the “observation of the mind” refers to one’s practice to attain Buddhahood. Nichiren teaches that by embracing the Gohonzon with faith and chanting Nammyoho- renge-kyo, we can perceive and bring forth our innate Buddhahood. (See Study Guide, p. 37, or March–April 2007 Living Buddhism, p. 71.) Our earnest resolve to devote ourselves to Nichiren Buddhist practice is synonymous with the “observation of the mind”—with our attainment of Buddhahood. (See Study Guide, p. 38, or March–April 2007 Living Buddhism, p. 72.)

The following study point is related to the following passage: “When we inquire into what exactly the doctrine of observing the mind refers to, it means that offering one’s only robe to the Lotus Sutra is equivalent to peeling off one’s skin. . . . This is the teaching called the paramita of almsgiving for the observation of the mind that is set forth in the seventh volume of Great Concentration and Insight” (WND-1, 1125–26).

Benefit of Offerings
Offering in actuality refers to the physical offering of one’s body and life for Buddhism as demonstrated by the stories of legendary sages. Offering in principle denotes the offering of
one’s material possessions with the earnest resolve to support the further spread of Buddhism as demonstrated by ordinary believers such as this letter’s recipient. Nichiren teaches that the benefit derived from offering in principle is no less than the benefit derived from offering in actuality. In other words, making offerings out of one’s earnest resolve to spread Buddhism and protect its integrity is the solid path toward attaining Buddhahood. (See Study Guide, p. 39, or March–April 2007 Living Buddhism, p. 73.)

The following study point is related to the following passage: “The true path lies in the affairs of this world. . . . In the end secular matters are the entirety of Buddhism” (WND-1, 1126).

Buddhist Practice and Daily Life Are Never Separate
The “true path” refers to the correct teaching of Buddhism which does not exist apart from secular matters. The practice of the correct teaching does not exist anywhere apart from society and one’s daily life. (See Study Guide, p. 40, or March–April 2007 Living Buddhism, p. 74.) Since “all phenomena are Myoho-renge-kyo” (WND-1, 384), from the ultimate iewpoint of those awakened to the Law of Myoho-rengekyo, Buddhism is at one with secular matters. Buddhist practice and daily life are never separate. (See Study Guide, p. 41, or March–April 2007 Living Buddhism, p. 75.)
Continually bringing the humanistic wisdom of Buddhism to our individual lives, families and communities—this is the genuine way to practice Buddhism. (See Study Guide, p. 41, or March–April 2007 Living Buddhism, p. 75.)

The following study point is related to the following passage: “The essence of the sutras preached before the Lotus Sutra is that all phenomena arise from the mind. . . . But it is not so with the Lotus Sutra. It is the teaching that the moon itself is mind, and the flower itself is mind” (WND-1, 1126).

The Spiritual and Material Are Essentially Inseparable
From the non-dualistic viewpoint of the Lotus Sutra the spiritual and material are essentially inseparable. Each life, each entity, is at one with the cosmic life. That is, “the moon itself is mind, and the flower itself is mind.” Instead of seeking the ultimate reality in a transcendent, metaphysical realm beyond all phenomena, the Lotus Sutra finds the ultimate reality at one with all phenomena, the cosmic life at one with our lives. (See Study Guide, p. 42, or March–April 2007 Living Buddhism, p. 76.)

The following study point is related to the following passage: “You should realize from this that polished rice is not polished rice; it is life itself” (WND-1, 1126).

Sincere Buddhist Offering Is Not Self-sacrifice
The sincere offerings we make to support the spread of Buddhism are in themselves the offerings of our lives and the cause for our Buddhahood to emerge. A genuine Buddhist offering—made out of one’s earnest resolve and directed toward the correct teaching—is not self-sacrifice. It is ultimately a gift each of us gives to his or her true self, that is, the Buddha dwelling deep within our lives. Moreover, it is an expression of and further cause for our joy and appreciation in practicing Buddhism. (See Study Guide, p. 44, or March–April 2007 Living Buddhism, p. 78.)

60 Years of Effort

Human Revolution Volume 3 Jiyu Chapter recounts that on the 14th of August 1947, Shin'ichi Yamamoto accompanied some friends to attend a Sokagakkai discussion meeting. He wasn't aware that it was a Buddhist religious affair but thought it was a meeting about philosophy.

He was a member of a group of young men who gathered periodically to discuss philosophy and, although poor, he had an extensive library.

The discussion meeting he attended was presided over by Josei Toda who was delivering a lecture on Rissho Ankoku Ron.

Although not well-versed in things Buddhist, he was profoundly affected by Mr. Toda. He became a Sokagakkai member on August 24th, receiving his gohonzon from Rev Taisei Horigome who would later become the 65th high priest of Nichiren Shoshu.

Shin'ichi became Mr. Toda's most trusted disciple. He saw the accomplishment of 750,000 members before Toda's death. He led Kansai to an amazing victory with over 11,000 new members in one month. He experienced prison, persecution, tabloid bad press.

Shin'ichi became the third president on May 3rd 1960. That same yesr he began worldwide propagation with the first overseas Sokagakkai visit. During this trip he formed districts in San Francisco, Seattle, New York, Washington DC. He created the first chapter outside Japan in Brazil, then another chapter in Los Angeles.

He led the accomplishment of 3,000,000 members in the early 60s. He led the construction of the Grand Reception Hall and the Sho Hondo at Taisekiji.

We know, of course, that Shin'ichi is, in real life, Daisaku Ikeda, our mentor in life.

He has met with a number of world leaders and dignitaries, including Mikhail Gorbachov, Nelson Mendela, Margaret Thatcher, Linus Pauling, Fidel Castro and many others.Since 1998 he has submitted annual peace proposals to tte United Nstions. He has given speeches at variuos universities including Harvard, Columbia, Soka (which he founded).

Soka Gakkai International now has nearly 200 million members throughout the world.

President Ikeda has left no stone unturned in his quest for kosenrufu and to carry out the will of his mentor, Josei Toda.

The SGI-USA men's division has held a commemorative meeting each August to celebrate President Ikeda's great victory in life. This year, on the 60th anniversary of his practice, for the first time, the men's division in each district are determined to help plan and execute a four divisional discussion meeting.

Tariq Hassan, national men's division leader, has encouraged us to use material from the July/August LB around the theme "Creating Waves of Victory through our Human Revolution". In his address during the June 24th simulcast, he suggested using the 7 points of human revolution postulated by President Ikeda. These 7 points can be found in the Jul/Aug LB.

During the unprecedented growth of the Soka Gakkai in the 60s and 70s, the US saw the rise of the hippie generation and the increasing popularity of rock and roll. Many of those hippies joined the NSA, which later became SGI-USA, and are in the forefront of our kosenrufu movement.

Many parents and religious leaders opposed rock and roll music during the 60s. Many called it the devil's music that would destroy the youth of America. Yet it gave rise to a new generation of activists, some good, some bad. But it chsnged Amercan culture. we, the SGI-USA members can change culture for the ultimate good. Let's be activists. Please encourage your husbands, boyfriends, sons, next door neighbors to attend the August discussion meeting in your district. They'll benefit, you'll benefit. You wiil feel good! Michael Aiken feels good. Let's all feel good. Let's rock n roll!

Three Kinds of Treasure Study Points

(1) “The Three Kinds of Treasure”
The following study point is related to the following passage: “Over and over I recall the moment, unforgettable even now, when I was about to be beheaded and you accompanied me, holding the reins of my horse and weeping tears of grief. Nor could I ever forget it in any lifetime to come” (The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 850).

The Oneness of Mentor and Disciple At the crucial moment, Shijo Kingo, without hesitation, resolved to die with Nichiren, the sublime path of mentor and disciple.
Kingo overcame his fear of death and carried out faith, which was based on the oneness of mentor and disciple. This indicates that Kingo could open a path of life filled with wisdom, and is the reason Nichiren praises Kingo’s faith. (See Study Guide, pp. 24–25, or January–February 2007 Living Buddhism, pp. 52–53.)

The following study point is related to the following passage: “If you should fall into hell for some grave offense, no matter how Shakyamuni Buddha might urge me to become a Buddha, I would refuse; I would rather go to hell with you. For if you and I should fall into hell together, we would find Shakyamuni Buddha and the Lotus Sutra there. It would be as if the moon were illuminating the darkness, as if cold water were pouring into hot, as if fire were melting ice, or as if the sun were ispelling the darkness” (WND-1, 850).

Transforming Hell Into the Land of Tranquil Light If people allow themselves to be controlled by their fundamental darkness, they will commit one evil after another and eventually manifest the life-condition of the hell of incessant suffering.
Fundamental darkness can be overcome through faith in the Mystic Law. Nichiren shows us that faith based on the spirit of the oneness of mentor and disciple is
equivalent to faith in the Mystic Law. Even if both mentor and disciple fall into
hell, through the power of the Mystic Law, they immediately transform it into the Land of Tranquil Light. (See Study Guide, p. 26, or January–February 2007 Living Buddhism, p. 54.)

The following study point is related to the following passage: “But if you depart rom my advice even slightly, do not blame me for what may happen” (WND-1, 850).

Practicing as Nichiren Taught If we were to depart from our faith—our sense of oneness with the mentor, Nichiren—we would stray from the path of transforming evil
into good and hell into the Land of Tranquil Light. (See Study Guide, p. 27, or January–February 2007 Living Buddhism, p. 55.)

The following study point is related to the following passage: “But it is better to live a single day with honor than to live to 120 and die in disgrace. Live so that all the people of Kamakura will say in your praise that Nakatsukasa Saburo Saemon-no-jo is diligent in the service of his lord, in the service of Buddhism, and in his concern for other people” (WND-1, 851).

The True Meaning of Actual Proof
The true meaning of actual proof in Nichiren Buddhism lies in developing our character as we develop our faith. When we show actual proof in this sense, we can truly “live with honor”—worthy of the esteem of others. (See Study Guide, p. 29, or January–February 2007 Living Buddhism, p. 57.)

The following study point is related to the fllowing passage: “More valuable than treasures in a storehouse are the treasures of the body, and the treasures of the heart are the most valuable of all. From the time you read this letter on, strive to accumulate the treasures of the heart!” (WND-1, 851).

Strive To Accumulate the Treasures of the Heart Nichiren teaches that what is most important to acquire in life are the treasures of the heart, which refer to the spiritual richness we cultivate within. These ultimately point to our faith in the Gohonzon and the good fortune we accumulate through that faith. Our efforts for kosen-rufu constitute the supreme practice to accumulate the treasures of the heart. As we do so, we can freely enjoy the treasures of the body and the treasures of the storehouse. The treasures of the storehouse refer to material wealth, while the treasures of the body include such qualities as good health and our various acquired skills and abilities. These treasures are necessary in some respects to improve our lives, but they alone will not enable us to win in life. (See Study Guide, p. 30, or January–February 2007 Living Buddhism, pp. 57–58.)

Agenda -Crofton Group Meeting 21 July 07, 2pm

Hi everyone,

Here's the outcome of the Crofton planning meeting last Friday that Tom and
I attended.

Larry -Background on gosho "Many in Body, One in Mind" from Living Buddhism
(Jul-Aug 2007)

Kinuko - sharing an experience

Tom - Soka Spirit and possibly a video presentation

Guest Sr. Leader - pending response from Tina.

I'd like to take this opportunity to congratulate Kinuko, Larry and Marry
for their recent promotion. I look forward to working with you towards the
growth and success of Crofton Group!

Reminder - Tozo at Larry and Marry's house on Friday 20th at 7pm. Address
is 2806 Erics Court, Crofton, MD 21114. *BYOP - bring your own pillow :)-

Take care everyone. See you all at Larry and Kinuko's!

Wendy

Men's Division Meeting

The annual SGI-USA Men's Division meeting will be held on a date near the 24th of August. This date celebrates 60 years of Buddhist practice by President Daisaku Ikeda. The exact date and place are not known yet. It is also not certain whether it will be a the district or some higher level. National Men's Division Leader Tariq Hassan hinted that each district should hold a meeting.

Mr. Hassan also recommended that it be a 4 divisional meeting. The recommended theme is the 7 points of human revolution postulated by President Ikeda. These 7 points are published in the July-August Living Buddhism in a sidebar on page 27. They can also be found in the May 11 WT New Human Revolution pullout.

Other possible discussion items are:
60 years of advancement with President Ikeda
Mentor and disciple
Second act as procalimed by President Ikeda
3 SGI-USA's
Men's role in today's society.

Map to JFk Performing Arts

Map of Washington, DC US

Community Center Needs Your Help

Dear men's division members,

The community center needs your help. We need responsible volunteers for the reception group. We need men to take responsibility for a shift every six weeks. We need men for the weekends. We need men to relieve other reception staff during late activities. We need those men who can fill in during holidays or when someone is ill. We need men who will take the initiative, who will help with creative ideas and find solutions to the obstacles we face. We need experienced former reception staff and those who have never had the opportunity to do this activity ( We will be happy to have an orientation for those who would like or need one). We know that your responsibilities are great and your time limited, we also know that this activity of protecting the 'Castle of Kosen Rufu', protecting the members and protecting the future should not be considered lightly. I am sending this personal appeal to you, the guardians of this organization because we need your wisdom, your spirit and your help. Thank you sincerely for all of your effort in every arena to date. The work of Kosen Rufu is as long as our lives. We need you for a couple more hours.
For more information on how to get started:

call Michael Aiken 301 262-3730.
or e-mail me at: aikenphoto@tcs.wap.org

Thank You Again,

Mike

Seven Points 0f Human Revolution

Tariq Hassan, in his comments at the nationwide district leaders simulcast on 6/24/07, mentioned seven points of human revolution postulated by President Ikeda in his guise as Shinichi Yamamoto. He suggested that these 7 points be the theme of this year's Men's Division General Meeting. He also suggested that the meeting be 4 divisional.
In New Human Revolution Sunlight chapter, Shinichi is visiting the USA in 1973. In his remarks at the ceremony commemorating Josei Toda's passing, held at the America headquarters building, he offered 7 points about human revolution:

Health - the important thing is our earnest Buddhist prayer to be healthy and to attune our lives to the fundamental rhythm of the universe at the deepest level.

Youthfulness - as long as we continue to practice vibrantly and strive to improve and develop ourselves, we will never lose our youthful spirit.

Good furtune - good fortune accumulated through our practice protects us and enables us to experience genuine fulfillment.

Wisdom - to perfect ourselves and develop into capable members of SGI and society, we need to cultivate our minds. Failure to do so will lead to our defeat.

Passion - whether we are happy depends, in large part, on our ability to feel passionate about things in our lives.

Conviction - without conviction we may lose our way in life.

Victory - we carry out our human revolution by achieving victory after victory in our daily lives.

Shinichi went on to say that being a true Buddhist practitioner also requires bringing forth one's compassion, which embraces all of these characteristics.

Three Thousand Realms

The 'doctrine of tree thousand realms in a single moment of life' is the supreme philosophical achievement of the Great Teacher T'ien T'ai (538-97) of China. It is set forth in Great Concentration and Insight, a compilation of T'ien T'ai's lectures recorded by his disciple, Chang-an. Based on the Lotus Sutra, this doctrine clarifies the ultimate oneness of the absolute reality (Buddhahood) and the phenomenal world (environment).
A life-moment refers to the state of a person's life at any given moment and 3000 refers to the diversity of potential states it can assume at that moment. T'ien T'ai explained that a life-moment contains within it the Ten Worlds, their mutual possession, the ten factors and the three realms. In this way he demonstrated that all phenomena - body and mind, self and environment, sentient and insentient, cause and effect - are integrated in the life moment of the common mortal.
T'ien T'ai's doctrine is called the theoretical three thousand realms because it refers in theory to the life of Buddhahood latent in all people. In Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism, three thousand realms refers to the method of attaining Buddhahood in this life, and is referred to as actual three thousand realms.

Letter to the Brothers

Nichiren Daishonin wrote ‘Letter to the Brothers’, the study material published in the May-June Living Buddhism, to the Ikegami brothers who lived in what is present day Tokyo. Although the brothers, who were both samurai, had been practicing for about 20 years, little is known about their early practice. It is known that their father was adamantly opposed to their practice and finally disowned the elder brother in an attempt to drive a wedge between them. In a final turnaround, the brothers converted their father after 22 years practice.

This gosho is about devils and obstacles to our practice. Devils in Buddhism are those negative functions that originate from our fundamental darkness. The brothers faced severe opposition from their father. As Nichiren Daishonin wrote in ‘Letter to the Brothers’, “If you propagate it, devils will arise without fail. If they did not, there would be no way of knowing that this is the correct teaching.”

For a more current example, and in a different context, consider a young woman who joined the SGI about 25 years ago and participated in vigorous activities. She married her sponsor. Life was good. But the woman, after 10 years of practice, was visited by a powerful devil.

From the gosho, Nichiren quotes from ‘Great Concentration and Insight’, “As practice progresses and understanding grows, the three obstacles and four devils emerge in confusing form, vying with one another to interfere … One should be neither influenced nor frightened by them. If one falls under their influence, one will be led into the paths of evil. If one is frightened by them, one will be prevented from practicing the correct teaching.”

The young woman fought the devil and the devil won. In 1991 she and her husband joined the temple.

O dear!

Practice with the temple was difficult. Members were expected to simply follow and not question. Rumors and hearsay abounded. Eventually she and her husband stopped going to activities. Now, life was not good. Then her husband left.

14 suffering years later, through the efforts of her brother and sister-in-law, she finally reconnected with the SGI. She made a new beginning. Her daughter, seeing the change in her mother, began a consistent practice. Life was getting better.

This is not an urban legend. You can read the account, and the experience of her brother, a member of the Soka Spirit Group, in the April 27 WT.

Nichiren Daishonin emphasizes that those who propagate the correct teaching will encounter obstacles and the appearance of such obstacles confirms the validity of their practice. One might wonder, ‘What’s the difference between my problems and those of non-believers?’ It might be better to look within rather than comparing ourselves to others. One doesn’t get rich by counting another person’s money.

The ‘doctrine of three thousand realms in a single moment of life’ mentioned in the text is the supreme philosophical achievement of T’ien T’ai the Great of sixth century China. Based on the Lotus Sutra, this doctrine clarifies the ultimate oneness of life and the environment. You can read some details in the May-June Living Buddhism.

T’ien T’ai’s doctrine is called the theoretical three thousand realms because it refers in theory to the life of Buddhahood latent within all people. In Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism, however, it refers to the means to manifest Buddhahood as a reality within the lives of all people. Therefore it is called the actual three thousand realms.

Mention of the three thousand realms opens the way to a discussion of the ‘three obstacles and four devils’. These are events or situations in our lives that tend to hinder our Buddhist practice. Some details can be found in the May-Jun Living Buddhism. Overcoming these obstacles and devils is the means to end the suffering that originates in our lives.

As long as we are determined to achieve our happiness and help others to do the same, we are certain to face obstacles. We may tend to think of visible benefits as our actual proof of the validity of our practice, but the appearance of obstacles can also be tremendous proof of our progress in faith. Once we are resolved to overcome them, hardships can be a good teacher and a good means to lead us to purer faith, greater strength and a higher state of life.

Human Revolution Podcast

Podcasts of the Human Revolution are available online beginning Feb 12 in commemoration of the Feb 11 birthday of second Sokagakkai president Josei Toda. Click here.

Bowie District Hosts GKI Exhibit

Bowie District hosted the Gandhi, King, Ikeda exhibit at the Crofton Library on 18 Feb 07. This was the initial public display of the 'Legacy of Creating Peace' in this area. The display is sponsored by Morehouse College and the Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel. 54 guests viewed the display and many of them watched the accompanying video. 30 members supported the event. This represents a great vicvtory for the women's division outreach initiative.

Gandhi, King, Ikeda Exhibit

A Legacy of Creating Peace, an interactive exhibit is coming to the Crofton library. Thanks to Alison, who contacted the library and arranged the reservation, and thanks to the district members who helped the setup 'rehearsal', this historic event will take place on 18 February. The exhibit will be open from 1 to 4:30 pm. The Crofton Library address: 1681 Riedel Rd., Crofton MD.

Women’s Division Commemorative Meeting

The theme for the 2007 WD Commemorative Meeting is, “Today, Again, Never Be Defeated”, as announced via SGI-USA memo from Linda Johnson and Barbara Snyder dated 5 Jan 2007.

For the full text of the memo click here.

The memo reads, in part:

“The basic requirement for happiness,” according to SGI President Ikeda, “is the determination not to be defeated, the ability to stand up and fight, no matter what the difficulties or odds.” (New Human Revolution,Vol. 6, p. 246.) He explains when one establishes the state of life in which one is never defeated by trials or suffering, just being alive is a source of the greatest joy. To engrave this lesson in our lives, in 2007 our women’s theme will be:

Today, Again, Never Be Defeated

The crux of “never being defeated” lies in developing an unbreakable spiritual connection to our mentor, President Ikeda. Our mentor provides the standard by which we should challenge ourselves to live every day. We should attempt to orient our lives to his rhythm, to focus on what he is emphasizing at this moment.
We must capture his heart and spirit and then actualize it in our daily actions. President Ikeda explains: “As leaders, it is essential that we cultivate the strength never to be defeated by anything. The starting point for this is the mentor-disciple spirit. Everything hinges on us challenging our own reformation each day so that we grow more today than yesterday and more tomorrow than today.
We, as leaders, must elevate our own life-condition.” (World Tribune, November 17, 2006, Insert p. IV.) This applies, not just to leaders, but to every Myoho Sister in the United States. The challenge is to continually do our own human revolution so that we can prove to others the power of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo through the example of our own lives. This commemorative meeting is an opportunity for us to share Nichiren Buddhism with others while
simultaneously deepening every member’s conviction in the power of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. This may be the only chance a guest has to hear about Buddhism. This may also be the meeting that gives people the courage to make a change in their lives. With Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, we can transform our lives, we can develop a life condition that is indestructible, and we can become absolutely happy. Every human being desires these things. Therefore, let’s plan a commemorative meeting where every guest
wants to join, every returning member wants to begin practicing again, and every member leaves with a deeper conviction in the power of faith and a deeper understanding of the significance of the mentor/disciple relationship.

Soka Spirit News

During a discussion after the Soka Spirit toso recently, we learned that a member of a nearby district left SGI for the temple. Sad news indeed. We’ll add this person to our prayers. In addition, it seems that the temple’s shakubuku campaign is not going well. The local (DC) priest has said that if the goal of 40 shakubuku is not met by July he will resign. This follows an announcement that the head temple will no longer provide financial support to outlying temples. The temple will have to increase its membership dramatically to meet financial obligations.

Future Perspective Wrapup

“In any event, Nichiren Daishonin states, ‘If Nichiren’s mercy is truly great, Nam-myoho-renge-kyo will spread for ten thousand years and more, for all eternity. His blessings will dispel the blindness of all mankind and block the path to the hell of incessant suffering.’ We must act precisely according to this spirit of the True Buddha, without the slightest deviation. That is the essence of kosen-rufu and the basis of everything. The question is how, on this basis, we should secure the peace of the country and the world.”

After the election, members paid close attention to news reports of election results. The news was good for Kansai, not so good for Tokyo.

On his flight back to Tokyo, Shinichi Yamamoto reflected on the campaign and the future growth of the Soka Gakkai. President Toda, too, pondored the election. Although Kansai had won a great victory, he was deeply concerned about the loss in Tokyo. He began to think about reorganization to meet the needs of the rapidly growing membership.

President Toda and Shinichi Yamamoto shared a vision for the future of the Soka Gakkai. They were concerned that the general public would view the Gakkai as a politically motivated organization. Nothing could be further from the truth! It is faith that matters.

In the future, the Soka Gakkai could spread into all fields of society. It would undoubtedly become the crown of the religious world.

The Soka Gakkai’s election success astounded the general public. Media people sought interview with President Toda, seemingly to gather information they could use to discredit the Soka Gakkai.

President Toda, stressed out over the despair of members whose candidates had lost, saw to it that all the chapters had leaders meetings in order to inspire the dejected members. He also prepared for the appointment of a large number of new leaders.

The inauguration of sixteen new chapters was held on August 26th at the International Stadium in Ryogoko, Tokyo. At the monthly leaders meeting a few days later, President Toda elaborated on the spirit of the decision to promote unit discussion meetings as the main force for kosenrufu.

After the meeting, President Toda was content that he had confronted a weakening of the Gakkai spirit and had prevented a buildup of a bureaucracy that would push the organization into mere formality.

Washington DC Region Soka Spirit Kickoff

The Soka Spirit Kickoff meeting was held at the DC Community Center on 14 January 2007.

These goals were announced at the 14 January kickoff meeting by Region Leader Kathy Ruby:
1. 25 disassotiations 2. Close the Myosenji temple 3. Increase the Soka Spirit toso sponsors to 100.

Zone Leader Penny Parker presented a report which focused on the planned temple efforts for the coming year. It was announced late last year that the head temple would no longer support local temples so the temple must raise the necessary funds. The only way to do this is to gain new members and aggressively promote donations. A super tozan will be held during next year. It was also reported that Nikken, although retired as high priest, is keeping close tabs on temple activities.

Michael Aiken spoke of the Joy of Soka Spirit quoting from the goshos 'Reply to Sairenbo' and 'Happiness in this World'.

My patience wore out during the Myth Busters 'game' an hour and forty-five minutes into the meeting with no end in sight.

New Perspective

New Perspective (96-98, 1491-1494)

“Toda wanted the members to acquire the spirit of the Soka Gakkai which had been inherited from its early days. This aim, he was certain, could be fulfilled by earnestly holding unit discussion meetings, no matter how small, in every nook and cranny of the organization. He wanted then to realize that the true path to human revolution and kosen-rufu lay in Buddhist practice conducted in inconspicuous places. He wanted to warn them against believing that only brilliant activities would lead to kosen-rufu. He wanted each and every one of the members to rise and further strengthen their faith. It was for these reasons that he had spoken with unusual force and passion to the leaders assembled that evening.”

The inauguration of the sixteen new chapters was held on August 26 at the International Stadium in Ryogoko, Tokyo. A number of headquarters staff appointments were made as well. Leaders throughout the country realized that a new era had arrived.
At the inauguration ceremony, President Toda spoke about the vicious slander that was being heaped upon the Soka Gakkai after the recent election cast it into national prominence. He went on to say, “Scientists as well as statesmen are racking their brains as to how to bring peace to the world. However, neither politics nor science alone can bring about true happiness. They must both be based on the true religion which squarely tackles and solves the fundamental question of birth, old age, sickness and death – sufferings which no human can avoid. A great power wells forth from within our life – this can only be obtained through faith in the teaching of Nichiren Shoshu.”
The monthly leaders meeting was held on August 31st. The number of households converted was only slightly higher than the previous month. The shock and exhaustion of the election campaign apparently still lingered in the members hearts.
The meeting began with General Director Konishi speaking about donations for the construction of a Grand Lecture Hall at the Head Temple – one of the three principle goals for 1956.
Josei Toda elaborated on the spirit of the decision to promote unit discussion meetings as the main force for kosen-rufu. After the meeting, he was content that he had completed all the necessary preparations. He had confronted a weakening of the Soka Gakkai spirit. He had prevented a buildup of the bureaucracy that would push the organization into mere formality. He would persist in this challenge.