I became a member of Soka Gakkai International, better known as just S.G.I., and there have been difficulties for me along the way. At first, I clung to whatever they told me, although I was told to be skeptical. I took that serious and when I questioned something, they looked at me like I had a penis growing from my forehead. Some members got angry and but most just looked at me as if I was brain damaged and acted rather condescending and arrogant. All I asked was about how this worked, how come meditation was not only not endorsed, but seemed to be frowned upon. One friend of mine kept trying to tell me that chanting IS active meditation, but they believe chanting is practicing Buddhism. Chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo is practicing Buddhism. Some members told me that Nichiren Daishonin is the Buddha of the latter day and that Daisaku Ikeda is the modern day Buddha. These are the opinions of S.G.I. district leaders that I really take issue with:
1) S.G.I. is the "correct" or "true" Buddhism.
2) Everything other than the Lotus Sutra is merely a "provisional teaching" and not worth studying.
3) Everything Daisaku Ikeda writes is more important than the Lotus Sutra.
4) If you have a problem you can "Take it to the Gohonzon" to get the solution.
5) Japanese language and customs are Buddhism, not Shintoism.
6) Even though Nichiren called Shakumuni Buddha (Siddhartha Gautama) the "Lord of teachings" the things that the historical Buddha taught are not worthwhile today since we are in the fifth 500 year period.
This is MY TAKE on the Lotus Sutra: It said that all other vehicles lead to the same thing. It is all inclusive of other forms of Buddhism and not EXCLUDING ANYONE, since the middle way was made to adapt to anyting as an addition, not a "One Thing Only" type of thinking. My analogy is that even though today we have street traffic signals at major intersections in large cities that have a red "Stop" light, a yellow "Caution" light, a green "Go" light, a camera in them, photo radar attached, a left turn only arrow and/or a right turn only arrow attached, and is the most modern signal, there are still places in the world where the closest thing they have to a traffic control signal is a two or four way stop at intersections. This works just fine for the people who live in those places and no one would start ignoring them just because they are the "Older" form of traffic control. Just because they came before and are considered somewhat antiquated, they still do their job and merely require slightly more thinking, knowledge of how they work, and courtesy/responsibility towards other drivers.
I have started reading and practicing the mindfulness trainings of Thich Nhat Hanh and going to the Order of Interbeing type Buddhist meetings. I really enjoy the meditation and the first five mindfulness training are, "...1. The First Mindfulness Training: Openness
Aware of the suffering created by fanaticism and intolerance, we are determined not to be idolatrous about or bound to any doctrine, theory, or ideology, even Buddhist ones. Buddhist teachings are guiding means to help us learn to look deeply and to develop our understanding and compassion. They are not doctrines to fight, kill, or die for.
2. The Second Mindfulness Training: Nonattachment from Views
Aware of the suffering created by attachment to views and wrong perceptions, we are determined to avoid being narrow-minded and bound to present views. We shall learn and practice nonattachment from views in order to be open to others' insights and experiences. We are aware that the knowledge we presently possess is not changeless, absolute truth. Truth is found in life, and we will observe life within and around us in every moment, ready to learn throughout our lives.
3. The Third Mindfulness Training: Freedom of Thought
Aware of the suffering brought about when we impose our views on others, we are committed not to force others, even our children, by any means whatsoever - such as authority, threat, money, propaganda, or indoctrination - to adopt our views. We will respect the right of others to be different and to choose what to believe and how to decide. We will, however, help others renounce fanaticism and narrowness through practicing deeply and engaging in compassionate dialogue.
4. The Fourth Mindfulness Training: Awareness of Suffering
Aware that looking deeply at the nature of suffering can help us develop compassion and find ways out of suffering, we are determined not to avoid or close our eyes before suffering. We are committed to finding ways, including personal contact, images, and sounds, to be with those who suffer, so we can understand their situation deeply and help them transform their suffering into compassion, peace, and joy.
5. The Fifth Mindfulness Training: Simple, Healthy Living
Aware that true happiness is rooted in peace, solidity, freedom, and compassion, and not in wealth or fame, we are determined not to take as the aim of our life fame, profit, wealth, or sensual pleasure, nor to accumulate wealth while millions are hungry and dying. We are committed to living simply and sharing our time, energy, and material resources with those in need. We will practice mindful consuming, not using alcohol, drugs, or any other products that bring toxins into our own and the collective body and consciousness. ..."
These are what I feel Buddhism, as I read it, is meant to be. This may only be MY OPINION, but since I have one and this is my blog, there it is. This is NOT the exclusive, narrow minded, leader deifying, sensai worhipping, tunnel visioned, NON-Activist doing but activism talking, mind numbingly boring incessant chanting of a perverted sutra title that I experienced at S.G.I.
If I was trying to learn how to speak English, I would have to practice by using the English language over and over. If I sat all day saying, "Devotion to The Dictionary through using my own voice.", then, I wouldn't be practicing the English language, I would be merely saying an affirmation that was personal to me, but not practicing the principals behind the book I was chanting the affirmation about.
If, like I did at first, one uses the method of practice to learn what there is inside you, determination to move along, and then finding the principles contained in the sutra to go out and use as a guide to learn more, do more, be actively involved in something besides sitting at an altar and chanting, then I would say, it is working for you. The positive things I learned from S.G.I. is that one must never give up, despite what things may come up as a deterrent, we must persevere to have faith in our own Buddha nature. Like most religions, the members, not the book or the religion, are more flawed and cause grief than one should have to respect.
I do want to say one thing about faith. One can have faith in anything, but as I learn to have faith in my own natural connection to the earth, other people, and even every speck of dust in the universe, then, I feel more enlightened.
Namaste,
Arizona Mildman
Monday, June 13, 2011
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Do Not Cling To Views - The Simile of The Raft to Get to The Other Side
The Raft
"I shall show you, monks, the Teaching's similitude to a raft: as having the purpose of crossing over, not the purpose of being clung to. Listen, monks, and heed well what I shall say" — "Yes, Lord," replied the monks. and the Blessed One spoke thus:
"Suppose, monks, there is a man journeying on a road and he sees a vast expanse of water of which this shore is perilous and fearful, while the other shore is safe and free from danger. But there is no boat for crossing nor is there a bridge for going over from this side to the other. So the man thinks: 'This is a vast expanse of water; and this shore is perilous and fearful, but the other shore is safe and free from danger. There is, however, no boat here for crossing, nor a bridge for going over from this side to the other. Suppose I gather reeds, sticks, branches and foliage, and bind them into a raft.' Now that man collects reeds, sticks, branches and foliage, and binds them into a raft. Carried by that raft, laboring with hands and feet, he safely crosses over to the other shore. Having crossed and arrived at the other shore, he thinks: 'This raft, indeed, has been very helpful to me. Carried by it, laboring with hands and feet, I got safely across to the other shore. Should I not lift this raft on my head or put it on my shoulders, and go where I like?' "
"What do you think about it, O monks? Will this man by acting thus, do what should be done with a raft?" — "No, Lord" — "How then, monks, would he be doing what ought to be done with a raft? Here, monks, having got across and arrived at the other shore, the man thinks: 'This raft, indeed, has been very helpful to me. Carried by it, and laboring with hands and feet, I got safely across to the other shore. Should I not pull it up now to the dry land or let it float in the water, and then go as I please?' By acting thus, monks, would that man do what should be done with a raft?"
"In the same way, monks, have I shown to you the Teaching's similitude to a raft: as having the purpose of crossing over, not the purpose of being clung to."
"You, O monks, who understand the Teaching's similitude to a raft, you should let go even (good) teachings, how much more false ones!"
Note: For free distribution. This work may be republished, reformatted, reprinted, and redistributed in any medium. It is the author's wish, however, that any such republication and redistribution be made available to the public on a free and unrestricted basis and that translations and other derivative works be clearly marked as such.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Take a Minute and Think
If I assumed the role of a disabled person living within the confines of the Judeo-Christian thinking, I would be upset with myself most of the time. To live life saddled with the idea that I deserve to be crippled, that I deserve whatever some spook in the sky wants to grant me as a life condition and no more, then I would be in a wheel chair and on morphine for the rest of my life. That isn't me. The idea that because someone ate an apple in a garden when the first people were created, then, I am born into sin and misery for the rest of my life, as a punishment for being human, doesn't sit well with me. For me to say merely that I am a sinner is a great way of casting off responsibility for my own actions, but that doesn't seem like I am trying to learn or develop and actually speaks highly for those who are dying of alcoholism and addiction since they are poor sinners who can't help themselves. This doesn't deal with the fact that some people have a moral code and stick with it without being given a book full or guilt ridden ideas that "kind of" similate a parable of right and wrong in parts. If people could decide on which part of the parables that are parables and not try to act like all the stories are a history of ancient times, then, we could all agree.
Religion was early man's way of describing what science and nature were doing all around him, devoid of education or verification of any facts. He made things up that he was comfortable with and that was how it went. ALL RELIGIONS CONTAIN MYTHOLOGY. These have been taken to the point of being treated as empirical (provable or verifiable by experience or experiment) views. That has created wars and arguments. The fact that any statement that isn't qualified is enough to start an argument over ambiguity should lead us to understand that a parable that isn't qualified should also be considered capable of creating an ambiguitous argument. I am not saying that anyone is wrong for having faith in something that makes you feel good, I am just saying that if you take it to the point that you would kill or die over something you have no evidence of, then, you have started a war in the same manner some of our own governing officials seem to constantly do. When we asked after the nine eleven attack, "WHY would someone want to attack us on our own soil like that?", we were asking two things. 1) "Who would want to attack the land of the free, home of the brave, and the greatest ideology seeking nation in the world?" and 2)"Who, after all these years after Pearl Harbor, would be insane enough to attack us in our own country where our innocent citizens live?".
The immediate reaction from the then Bush White House was the statement that,"They hate us because we (Remember we are talking about a politician who lives not only in the United States, but in it's capital, Washington, D.C.) are Christian and we are White." I wanted to scream at that person, "Do you ever look outside your window?" Not only is Washington, D.C. more populated with African Americans than most any other state in the United States, the Bin Laden Group is right across the street from the White House. BUT, that sort of short thinking and ignorant bliss is exactly why we found ourselves in three wars over whose mythology we choose to believe. No one in the United States government wants you to know this but Bin Laden had put out a video tape, while in exile, of himself making a statement in Arabic, that said when our Seventh Fleet shelled Beruit, he had been there and saw the two sky scrapers in downtown Beruit burning and falling and said to himself, "I know another twin towers that needs to be destroyed." Our foreign policies of backing the Israelis over and over has cost us a few problems. All of
these, once again, are over religious differences. One can try to put a different light on it, but under it all, the ideology of Capitalism and Christianity rules all and is considered the "ONLY" kind of civilization that is considered "REALLY CIVILIZED" has got to either stop or we should expect more retalliation, as we try to change the rest of the world to suit us.
I am today a Buddhist by choice, not by the religion thrust upon me as a child, as I can see that they don't thrust their religion on anyone. They lead by example and are quite outspoken and activist, but don't force you to believe their doctrine, because part of their doctrine is to allow for and adapt to, change. Thich Nhat Hanh, the Zen monk, author, and peace activist developed the Order of Interbeing and I am now seeking this way to look at my life. It includes meditation and fourteen mindfulness trainings. The first three are significant here:
"...1. The First Mindfulness Training: Openness
Aware of the suffering created by fanaticism and intolerance, we are determined not to be idolatrous about or bound to any doctrine, theory, or ideology, even Buddhist ones. Buddhist teachings are guiding means to help us learn to look deeply and to develop our understanding and compassion. They are not doctrines to fight, kill, or die for.
2. The Second Mindfulness Training: Nonattachment from Views Aware of the suffering created by attachment to views and wrong perceptions, we are determined to avoid being narrow-minded and bound to present views. We shall learn and practice nonattachment from views in order to be
open to others' insights and experiences. We are aware that the knowledge we presently possess is not changeless, absolute truth. Truth is found in life, and we will observe life within and around us in every moment, ready to learn throughout our lives.
3. The Third Mindfulness Training: Freedom of Thought Aware of the suffering brought about when we impose our views on others, we are committed not to force others, even our children, by any means whatsoever - such as authority, threat, money, propaganda, or indoctrination - to adopt our views. We will respect the right of others to be different and to choose what to believe and how to decide. We will, however, help others renounce fanaticism and narrowness through practicing deeply and engaging in compassionate dialogue."
Cite: < http://iamhome.org/14trainings.php > The mindfulness bell, The fourteen mindfulness trainings by Thich Nhat Hanh.
Religion was early man's way of describing what science and nature were doing all around him, devoid of education or verification of any facts. He made things up that he was comfortable with and that was how it went. ALL RELIGIONS CONTAIN MYTHOLOGY. These have been taken to the point of being treated as empirical (provable or verifiable by experience or experiment) views. That has created wars and arguments. The fact that any statement that isn't qualified is enough to start an argument over ambiguity should lead us to understand that a parable that isn't qualified should also be considered capable of creating an ambiguitous argument. I am not saying that anyone is wrong for having faith in something that makes you feel good, I am just saying that if you take it to the point that you would kill or die over something you have no evidence of, then, you have started a war in the same manner some of our own governing officials seem to constantly do. When we asked after the nine eleven attack, "WHY would someone want to attack us on our own soil like that?", we were asking two things. 1) "Who would want to attack the land of the free, home of the brave, and the greatest ideology seeking nation in the world?" and 2)"Who, after all these years after Pearl Harbor, would be insane enough to attack us in our own country where our innocent citizens live?".
The immediate reaction from the then Bush White House was the statement that,"They hate us because we (Remember we are talking about a politician who lives not only in the United States, but in it's capital, Washington, D.C.) are Christian and we are White." I wanted to scream at that person, "Do you ever look outside your window?" Not only is Washington, D.C. more populated with African Americans than most any other state in the United States, the Bin Laden Group is right across the street from the White House. BUT, that sort of short thinking and ignorant bliss is exactly why we found ourselves in three wars over whose mythology we choose to believe. No one in the United States government wants you to know this but Bin Laden had put out a video tape, while in exile, of himself making a statement in Arabic, that said when our Seventh Fleet shelled Beruit, he had been there and saw the two sky scrapers in downtown Beruit burning and falling and said to himself, "I know another twin towers that needs to be destroyed." Our foreign policies of backing the Israelis over and over has cost us a few problems. All of
these, once again, are over religious differences. One can try to put a different light on it, but under it all, the ideology of Capitalism and Christianity rules all and is considered the "ONLY" kind of civilization that is considered "REALLY CIVILIZED" has got to either stop or we should expect more retalliation, as we try to change the rest of the world to suit us.
I am today a Buddhist by choice, not by the religion thrust upon me as a child, as I can see that they don't thrust their religion on anyone. They lead by example and are quite outspoken and activist, but don't force you to believe their doctrine, because part of their doctrine is to allow for and adapt to, change. Thich Nhat Hanh, the Zen monk, author, and peace activist developed the Order of Interbeing and I am now seeking this way to look at my life. It includes meditation and fourteen mindfulness trainings. The first three are significant here:
"...1. The First Mindfulness Training: Openness
Aware of the suffering created by fanaticism and intolerance, we are determined not to be idolatrous about or bound to any doctrine, theory, or ideology, even Buddhist ones. Buddhist teachings are guiding means to help us learn to look deeply and to develop our understanding and compassion. They are not doctrines to fight, kill, or die for.
2. The Second Mindfulness Training: Nonattachment from Views Aware of the suffering created by attachment to views and wrong perceptions, we are determined to avoid being narrow-minded and bound to present views. We shall learn and practice nonattachment from views in order to be
open to others' insights and experiences. We are aware that the knowledge we presently possess is not changeless, absolute truth. Truth is found in life, and we will observe life within and around us in every moment, ready to learn throughout our lives.
3. The Third Mindfulness Training: Freedom of Thought Aware of the suffering brought about when we impose our views on others, we are committed not to force others, even our children, by any means whatsoever - such as authority, threat, money, propaganda, or indoctrination - to adopt our views. We will respect the right of others to be different and to choose what to believe and how to decide. We will, however, help others renounce fanaticism and narrowness through practicing deeply and engaging in compassionate dialogue."
Cite: < http://iamhome.org/14trainings.php > The mindfulness bell, The fourteen mindfulness trainings by Thich Nhat Hanh.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Buddhist Question: The River
This is an analogical question, kind of a riddle:
Question: When a Nichiren Buddhist comes to a river that is deep and wide with no bridge, no boat, and he doesn't know how to swim, he is left with a decision. What am I to do? First, we know that we must chant daimoku (Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo) and ask our reflection in the Gohonzon (our inner Buddha Nature) what our true path should be, we all should know that. But, What should we ask the Gohonzon? To make the river disappear?
Answer: We should ask our selves how do I A) build a bridge?, B) build a boat?, or C) learn to swim? .
Lesson Learned: I must always A) look to myself in the Gohonzon in order to find an answer and B) expect the answer in a form that makes sense.
Question: When a Nichiren Buddhist comes to a river that is deep and wide with no bridge, no boat, and he doesn't know how to swim, he is left with a decision. What am I to do? First, we know that we must chant daimoku (Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo) and ask our reflection in the Gohonzon (our inner Buddha Nature) what our true path should be, we all should know that. But, What should we ask the Gohonzon? To make the river disappear?
Answer: We should ask our selves how do I A) build a bridge?, B) build a boat?, or C) learn to swim? .
Lesson Learned: I must always A) look to myself in the Gohonzon in order to find an answer and B) expect the answer in a form that makes sense.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Nichiren Buddhism
I am a practicing Nichiren Buddhist. I used to think this was a big jump from other forms of Buddhism and questioned things like the difference between chanting and meditation/ reaching the holy grail of Buddhism - Nirvana / enlightenment as a bi-product. I have come to discover that I was listening to members who were just learning themselves. The problem for me is that I am thoughtful and when being told, "Be Skeptical it will lead you to having faith", I couldn't help notice that the people I asked about this seemed to be real sketchy with answers. They said to be skeptical but when I was they looked at me like I was stupid and then didn't understand my questions from THEIR BOOK. I was told that the reason I was so inquisitive is that I read a lot. The problem is that every book has words that make me wonder the definition. Some people don't read so they just practice. The idea of meditation or chanting is to empower yourself to become more of what enlightened persons are supposed to be. Enlightenment recently became clear as I read what an extremely intelligent Bodhisattva named Shin Yatomi said. "...Enlightenment is the realization of life's supreme potential, and delusion it's negation. The true benefit of our Buddhist practice lies in our consistent efforts to nurture enlightenment and stem delusion." Pretty simple. I don't necessarily need to practice in a certain way, as long as my intentions are good. Not understanding the essential practice for what it represents is wrong. If I am treating chanting or my Gohonzon (object of devotion that I chant before) as if it were the Santa Clause in the sky that I am begging for things from instead of using my chant to pump up my inner conviction and fight against the three poisons, greed, anger, and foolishness, then I am doing something for selfish reasons and following an impure teaching. If I had not read and understood that to begin with, I might be following delusion.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
The More I Chant
The more I chant, meditate, or focus on something in my life or life in general, the more clear my life becomes. I somehow reach plateaus and for some reason it seems I freeze and let things get built up to a head. I can't do that anymore and my focus can only work if it is constant. I am not telling anyone what THEY need to do, but it works for me. I am going to do a little promotion here of some of the videos from YouTube that will allow me to show you what I understand but let someone else put it into their words.
First, Tina Turner:
Larry went to high school with her?
Now, Richard Gere:
Now, the Vietnam War Peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh :
First, Tina Turner:
Larry went to high school with her?
Now, Richard Gere:
Now, the Vietnam War Peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh :
Don't You Love This Guy?
Why aren't more of our world leaders this smart? This man speaks several different languages. He is the "Buddha of Compassion" who loves all people. It shows in his nature. He is happy and laughing despite all the stuff that happened to him.
I grew up here in the United States and one of the things I had to "un-learn" was my Christian background which teaches you how to judge, conceive, and look at everything. This man undoes all my past views about who Buddhists and also Asians are. I am grateful to be able to learn this all now. I would have loved it more sooner but I didn't know I needed it.
He is so honest about the magic of the spirit. I think his idea about global responsibility is something we should all demand from the people who gain the highest level of monetary gain. Philanthropy used to be a virtue, now it is a rarity and usually only done for public relations moves. That is so unfortunate.
I grew up here in the United States and one of the things I had to "un-learn" was my Christian background which teaches you how to judge, conceive, and look at everything. This man undoes all my past views about who Buddhists and also Asians are. I am grateful to be able to learn this all now. I would have loved it more sooner but I didn't know I needed it.
He is so honest about the magic of the spirit. I think his idea about global responsibility is something we should all demand from the people who gain the highest level of monetary gain. Philanthropy used to be a virtue, now it is a rarity and usually only done for public relations moves. That is so unfortunate.
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