Paul Monaco (.org) - Latest Comments

Re: Let’s Not Berate those who Slander

Mark Rogow — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 22:39:33 -0000

Dear Paul:

I congratulate you on your courage and your Lotus Sutra Nichiren Daishonin first attitude. The Lotus Sutra, Chapter 28 states, "You will gain your reward in this very life" and Nichiren Daishonin, in the Opening of the Eyes, quoting the same passage states, "In this present existence they [the practitioners of the Lotus Sutra] will gain the reward of good fortune.”

Please see my blog. I think you will find it informative and interesting:

http://www.fraughtwithperil...

Mark

Re: 2008 - The Year of Capable People and Develpment

David Rice — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 01:25:08 -0000

Dear Paul,
I have been practicing Nichirin Daishonin Buddhism for 14 years. i am glad that I have run across your bog. Every time I read what someone has descovered for themselves about themselves I am excited. Knowing what I do from my own studies I ahve decided that when Ikeadea is pronouned the Budda of the 21st century I will get up and cheer but untill then he is just a master of his work. Much respect and admiration is given to him for his longevity in the faith, and for his knowledge which is mountainous. I guess that I want to say thanks for doing what you are doing. All of us need inspiration and not just from time to time. Good luck, good chanting.
yours truly, David Rice practicing in Mexico City in Spanish

Re: Polishing My Mirror

pfmonaco — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 22:36:44 -0000

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and replying. I really must update this blog and post about some of the great benefits I've recently received. My faith has much been improved seeing all the wonders that have manifested by concentrating on the core practice. I've even seen changes within my district.

Re: Polishing My Mirror

myoho — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 22:31:42 -0000

This is why I stay with the SGI as well. It is my duty as a Bodhisattva to speak out against injustice in society and in the SGI. It is my duty to chant and study the Gosho, the Lotus Sutra, the World Tribune, and the Living Buddhism with members so that the true intent of Nichiren's Buddhism is not lost. Some people in the organization don't really understand the importance of chanting to understand these writings with their life. They want to share this Buddhism but don't want to support the members in a sincere way. This practice enables all people to take responsibility for their happiness and their sufferings through chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo! It has been my determination to continue to show the validity of my own and the lives of other. No matter what I know that daimoku will change this frustrating phase that is occurring in the SGI!

Re: Holy Wars in Buddhism

Kemi — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 17:32:11 -0000

I am a fairly new practitioner and i would advise you to hang in there. I know someone who comes to practise in our district because of the issues and upsets in his district. I think that a district leader's emphasis and focus can have a profound affect on the direction and focus of a district.

Re: Holy Wars in Buddhism

pfmonaco — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 17:34:48 -0000

Believe me, I want to hang in there. I often wonder if we have a district specific issue. Some of our members go as far as reverse engineering the work schedule of potential shakubuku's and showing up at their (retail) jobs to encourage them. To me, this boarders on stalking. If I were approached in such a way I doubt I would have found this Buddhism appealing.

Talking about it within the group and mentioning my concerns only resulted in a visit from our "Soka Spirit Zone Leader" - Now just that fact that such a position exists scares the heck out of me! Visions of WWI "minister of propaganda" quickly fill my head. Now I attended the Soka Spirit meeting and was very frank with my views. Unfortunatly she just spouted the party line and wouldn't deviate from her scripted answers. It was like interviewing a presidential candidate through a press secretary. The answers were very deliberate and preformated.

I would have to say that this one meeting was pivital in swaying my opinions to the negative side entirely. The SGI is my one fundamental darkenss that has risen as a result of my daimoku to change things.

On numerous occations I have attempted to spark interest in performing some type of high visibility civic activty to draw attention to our group. City clean-up, grafitti removal. you know the kind of stuff everyone agrees is a good cause. Response has been minimal and most are afraid to do it "without permission" of the SGI. I then suggestion we wear generic "Buddhists for Beauty" shirts to not give the impression that it was an officially sanctioned activity. Of course then the general response is if it's not SGI it's not worth doing. There is no selflessness in the group. If there is one think they should understand is that there are larger issue and more important causes then the SGI. (or any one individual group).

At the beginning of the year I was excited to hear about presentation of a "Humanitarian Award" at the annual kick off. Much to my dismay I discovered this award went to the district with the most new recruits. This is humanitarianism? I was expected homeless shelters, educational programs, soup kitchens.. something truely humanitarian.

The SGI appears to be turning into a multilevel network marketing program to finance their varius puplication properties. I really don't like being this bitter and seeing change and being proven wrong would be a delight. But when I chant daimoku this is what manifests. Daimoku supersedes SGI, NST and any other groups thinking.

Re: Holy Wars in Buddhism

Mark Meyer — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 16:12:58 -0000

I have many of the same feelings that you do, and I am fortunate that those in my area seem to share these feelings. I have looked around to see if there was some other means available to practice Nichiren Buddhism, but I live in a small, isolated town, and SGI seems to be the only game in town.

I am of the opinion that if we work within the organization, we can accomplish far more towards the goal of Kosen Rufu than if we allow our differences to splinter an organization that has far more positive attributes than negative. SGI is a big tent that includes many varieties of emphasis. In Brazil, the emphasis is on providing services that the government cannot or will not provide. In Cuba, the organization has gotten the seal of approval from the government, which is no easy feat. Locally, the current attitude about shakabuku is to live a life so shining that those seeking will ask you what it is that you do to receive such incredible benefit.

There will always be those that let their enthusiasm carry them away, which, considering that this practice actually improves one's existence, is understandable. Have patience with them. Smile and nod. Let them burn themselves out. Their manic energy is limited. Living an exemplary life is a far more powerful testimony about the efficacy of Nichiren Buddhism than being an over enthusiastic pest. Hang in there, Bubba!

Re: Holy Wars in Buddhism

Vittoria — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 11:08:24 -0000

As your sponsor, I take great interest in hearing how things are going with regard to your practice. You aren't the only one who is growing increasingly uncomfortable with the way the temple issue is being addressed.

But please remember: You are the SGI. If a critical mass within the SGI feels that a certain shift is due, it will occur, but only if they stick around. What helps me is to remember that the SGI doesn't take care of me; we take care of each other. That's the correct way of looking at my role in the organization, and it reminds me that I have an active, not passive, role to play.

Many members, particularly those who joined since 1991, don't get preoccupied with the temple issue, but continue to participate in SGI activies. Doing so is a source of tremendous benefit, precisely because our PRIMARY mission is to still to foster faith, practice and study, just as ad-hoc local group you would form. Guiding members in their study, encouraging them in their personal advancement and working for world peace are what President Ikeda is known for. These are the characteristics and activities I want to emulate when I look at my mentor.

Hope you'll find a way to ride this out and stay with us.

xo
Vittoria