Buddhist Victory

In the March study lecture on 'The Strategy of the Lotus Sutra', President Ikeda writes, "Buddhism is primarily concerned with victory and defeat. It is a struggle between enlightenment and ignorance. Kosen-rufu is a battle between the Buddha and devilish functions. The heart is what decides our victory or defeat in all things. Spiritual victors can lead lives undefeated by anything. The secret to adorning our lives with brilliant victory is the 'strategy of the Lotus Sutra'". (Living Buddhism Mar-Apr 2009 pg 53)

The Bowie District study meeting will be held at the Wolpert's on Monday 23 March. Please come to learn more about this important writing by Nichiren Daishonin.

Mid-Atlantic Zone Expands

As announced at the Zone Kickoff Meeting on 28 Feb, the Mid-Atlantic Zone has expanded to five regions: Virginia South, Virginia, Capital, Washington DC and Maryland. Region and area leaders were announced during the meeting. Prince George's Area has divided into the Central Area and the Southern Maryland Area of the Capital Region.

PG Central Chapter has divided. Cheverly, Broad River, Fortune and Mt Rainier Districts are in the Central Area. Bowie and Prince George's Districts are in the Southern Maryland Area along with the districts of Potomac Chapter. 

Leadership positions were announced as follows:

Capital Region: MD Ken Hodge; Vice MD Jason Feinman; WD Karen Howe; Vice WD Tina Smith, Jennifer Bryant and Angela Baden; YMD Damien Bryant; YWD Ayanna Wilson.

Southern Maryland Area: MD Mac Ewell; WD Jennifer Bryant; Vice WD Sarah Fultz.

Until chapter and district leaders are announced at the April Kosenrufu Gongyo, we will continue with the current organizational setup. 

Shijo Kingo - Trusted Disciple

The study material for March is the gosho "The Strategy of the Lotus Sutra".

Shijo Kingo was the recipient of this gosho. Shijo lived in Kamakura with his wife and two daughters. As a samurai well versed in medicine and martial arts he was in the service of the Ema family. Lord Ema was a follower of Ryokan, a priest of the True Word Precepts school who bitterly opposed Nichiren Daishonin. Shijo urged Ema to take faith in the Lotus Sutra resulting in a loss of favor with Ema to the point that Ema threatened to confiscate Shijo's fief. Later, Ema grew ill and Shijo was able to nurse him back to health thus restoring Ema's trust. Shijo was granted a fief three times larger than the original one. Even so, out of jealousy and resentment, Shijo's enemies (fellow samurai) attacked him. Shijo escaped unharmed. This letter is a reply to Shijo's report of the attack.

Shijo, recipient of 29 of Nichiren's writings, was a most trusted disciple. He accompanied Nichiren to Tatsunokuchi where Nichiren was to be beheaded. He also visited Nichiren during his exile to Sado. When Nichiren was on his deathbed, Shijo attended him and he participated in his funeral.