1 May 2013
May Schedule
District Daimoku on 14th is no longer "provisional". Still awaiting date for MD meeting.
18 Apr 2013
Three Thousand Realms in a Single Discussion Meeting
The theme of our discussion meetings this month was the Buddhist concept of "three thousand realms in a single moment". Quite theoretical for a discussion topic, some might think, but we in Dundee don't shirk away from things that are difficult.
I can't speak for the weekend meeting, but the weekday meeting was certainly worth reporting. It was attended by five women's division members as well as Fred and myself. Donna was hosting and MCing, with quotes from Shona (sent all the way from Napoli) and Elaine.
Though it took a few minutes for the discussion to really get flowing, flow it did. We steered away from the theoretical side of this concept as much as we could and really tried to concentrate on the idea of "life state" and revealing our Buddhahood in daily life. The conversation led down all sorts of interesting avenues and, I think, became really valuable for all those who attended.
If we can truly appreciate this admittedly quite difficult concept, then we can open up our lives and reveal its enlightened aspect in all that we do, through chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.
Our Basics of Buddhism meeting this month (24th) will be on the same topic and Rosie will be looking at the number work behind this concept and explaining the idea from a Buddhist study standpoint. It will be well worth a trip to the Chaplaincy.
I can't speak for the weekend meeting, but the weekday meeting was certainly worth reporting. It was attended by five women's division members as well as Fred and myself. Donna was hosting and MCing, with quotes from Shona (sent all the way from Napoli) and Elaine.
Though it took a few minutes for the discussion to really get flowing, flow it did. We steered away from the theoretical side of this concept as much as we could and really tried to concentrate on the idea of "life state" and revealing our Buddhahood in daily life. The conversation led down all sorts of interesting avenues and, I think, became really valuable for all those who attended.
If we can truly appreciate this admittedly quite difficult concept, then we can open up our lives and reveal its enlightened aspect in all that we do, through chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.
Our Basics of Buddhism meeting this month (24th) will be on the same topic and Rosie will be looking at the number work behind this concept and explaining the idea from a Buddhist study standpoint. It will be well worth a trip to the Chaplaincy.
1 Apr 2013
Gandhi-King-Ikeda Tozo
On Saturday 30th March, the members of Dundee & Tayside District held an all-day tozo in support of their campaign to bring the Gandhi-King-Ikeda Peacebuilders Exhibition to Dundee in 2014.
The activity saw the launch of our second 1 million daimoku chart, with the first having been completed the Monday prior, and what a great start we made to it. Over the course of the day, seven members—four WD, one MD and two YMD—contributed to a total of NINETEEN HOURS of daimoku to kick off our new chart and the next phase in our campaign.
As well as doing lots of chanting, we spent some time during the tozo studying a lecture on an extract from On Establishing The Correct Teaching For The Peace Of The Land given by Akemi Baynes in the November 2008 Art of Living. Everyone was very engaged in the lively discussion.
Regular chanting for the exhibition is still hosted by Rosie every Monday & Friday morning from 7am, with Gongyo at 7.30am.
The activity saw the launch of our second 1 million daimoku chart, with the first having been completed the Monday prior, and what a great start we made to it. Over the course of the day, seven members—four WD, one MD and two YMD—contributed to a total of NINETEEN HOURS of daimoku to kick off our new chart and the next phase in our campaign.
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| The completed first 1 million daimoku chart. |
As well as doing lots of chanting, we spent some time during the tozo studying a lecture on an extract from On Establishing The Correct Teaching For The Peace Of The Land given by Akemi Baynes in the November 2008 Art of Living. Everyone was very engaged in the lively discussion.
Regular chanting for the exhibition is still hosted by Rosie every Monday & Friday morning from 7am, with Gongyo at 7.30am.
21 Mar 2013
18 Mar 2013
Choose Life Group [3 of 6]
Before I begin this post proper, I want to apologise for the severe lack of posts on this blog recently. I haven't even put up the March schedule. Life gets in the way sometimes but I shall endeavour to update more regularly.
This past weekend saw the Choose Life Group met for the second time (the last meeting being canceled on account of snow) for a study session with SGI-UK General Director Robert Samuels. It was great, after four months, to come together once more in this youthful month, only one day after Kosen-rufu Day.
Youth division members traveled from far and wide, including three of us from Strathtay & Fife Chapter, to take an in-depth look at chapters 6 and 7 of the historic dialogue between Daisaku Ikeda and Arnold Toynbee. This month, we began to look at political themes, including nationalism, patriotism and a particularly interesting discussion about nuclear weapons.
Sue Thornton chaired the meeting once more, opening with some more of her recollections of when the dialogue took place and also sharing a few clips from a recent Radio 4 in which Choose Life was quoted.
The session took a much different form than the first meeting, with Robert leading a discussion amongst the group rather than delivering a lecture. We were invited to give our own interpretation of the text, offer our views on the issues raised and consider the Buddhist perspective of them as put forward by President Ikeda.
The participants were really engaged and the discussion became very deep and quite intellectual at points. It was a lively atmosphere fuelled by youthful enthusiasm. Even as we entered into the lunch break, during which we enjoyed fruit provided by President Ikeda, the conversation carried on and we couldn't wait to get back to the study session.
In the final hour, Robert posed us a few questions regarding the SGI's role in the campaign for nuclear disarmament—should we, as an organisation, be taking an active role to bring about the abolition of nuclear weapons, should we be a channel for information or should we take a step back altogether and leave it up to individuals to pursue these ends? This is an ongoing dialogue that we must have at all levels of the organisation and brought about some interesting and different views from the group.
We left London Ikeda Peace Centre with more refreshments from Mr Ikeda for our (sometimes long) journeys home. The overriding feeling was of excitement for the next session in May, when the study will be led by national women's division leaders Justine Marchant and Fiona Harrow.
Three more exciting instalments to come!
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| Participants from Scotland outside LIPC after the meeting |
22 Jan 2013
Choose Life Group [2 of 6]
This past weekend was planned to be the second meeting of the Choose Life study group (read the first post here for details of the group). Rather than Taplow, we were to meet in the London Ikeda Peace Centre, located a short distance from King's Cross Rail Station. We would be studying chapters 3 and 4 of the dialogue in a session led by Justine Marchant, national women's division leader.
However, as you will all be aware, the snow hit this weekend and, just under 24 hours before the scheduled meeting, I received a phone call to let me know that the session was canceled. It was deemed too much of a risk for members to travel from all parts of the UK when the weather conditions were so uncertain. When I received this phone call, I was already on a train on my way to London, having planned a weekend of visiting friends and attending this meeting. I was not phased by the news, simply embracing the opportunity to spend more time with friends I have not seen in a while.
While still on the train, I was e-mailed by Masashi Inoue, the national young men's division leader, to formally inform us of the cancellation. I e-mailed back to explain my situation and ask if I would still be able to visit the centre to do some daimoku while I was down. Before I arrived in London, I had already arranged with Masashi to attend a kick-off meeting in the east of London while I was down and to visit LIPC - I was thrilled.
The next morning, I showed up in Bethnal Green for the East End HQ 2013 Kick-Off. The small venue filled quickly and, despite more and more chairs being brought out, people still had to sit in the aisles. Young children were darting around and playing while the meeting went on, giving it a real family atmosphere; everyone was in a jubilant mood from the off, including me.
The day started off with a Gohonzon receiving ceremony and we saw three new people join our wonderful SGI family. This was such a joy. I also got to see a whopping 35 members receive their certificates for passing their Grade 1 and 2 study exams (I later found out that I, too, had passed my Grade 2). The meeting was lively and inspirational, with a great lecture from Masashi, entertainment from each of the four divisions and a surprise visit from Lisa Cowan (who was supposed to be at the Choose Life group). There were also some great determinations from the chapter leaders in the HQ.
The highlight of the meeting, for me, was the entertainment provided by the future division. Around a dozen children stood in front of the audience a sung a lovely song, complete with interpretative actions, and brightened the mood of every single person in the audience that little bit more. I saw the future of kosen-rufu in East London and I was truly moved.
So, while the weekend may not have gone to plan, I still took a lot from it and met some great new people. The youth division leaders encouraged us, in light of the canceled meeting, to create the maximum possible value from the weekend; I think I absolutely did that. It was a weekend to remember and hopefully I can bring a little of the spirit of East End HQ back to Northern Lights. I have such gratitude to Masashi and all the members who make my experience so unforgettable.
The next Choose Life meeting is to take place in mid-March and I absolutely cannot wait. This year is, without a doubt, going to be one of the most jam-packed and joy-filled. I'll be sure to keep you all up to date with my various exploits.
However, as you will all be aware, the snow hit this weekend and, just under 24 hours before the scheduled meeting, I received a phone call to let me know that the session was canceled. It was deemed too much of a risk for members to travel from all parts of the UK when the weather conditions were so uncertain. When I received this phone call, I was already on a train on my way to London, having planned a weekend of visiting friends and attending this meeting. I was not phased by the news, simply embracing the opportunity to spend more time with friends I have not seen in a while.
While still on the train, I was e-mailed by Masashi Inoue, the national young men's division leader, to formally inform us of the cancellation. I e-mailed back to explain my situation and ask if I would still be able to visit the centre to do some daimoku while I was down. Before I arrived in London, I had already arranged with Masashi to attend a kick-off meeting in the east of London while I was down and to visit LIPC - I was thrilled.
The next morning, I showed up in Bethnal Green for the East End HQ 2013 Kick-Off. The small venue filled quickly and, despite more and more chairs being brought out, people still had to sit in the aisles. Young children were darting around and playing while the meeting went on, giving it a real family atmosphere; everyone was in a jubilant mood from the off, including me.
The day started off with a Gohonzon receiving ceremony and we saw three new people join our wonderful SGI family. This was such a joy. I also got to see a whopping 35 members receive their certificates for passing their Grade 1 and 2 study exams (I later found out that I, too, had passed my Grade 2). The meeting was lively and inspirational, with a great lecture from Masashi, entertainment from each of the four divisions and a surprise visit from Lisa Cowan (who was supposed to be at the Choose Life group). There were also some great determinations from the chapter leaders in the HQ.
The highlight of the meeting, for me, was the entertainment provided by the future division. Around a dozen children stood in front of the audience a sung a lovely song, complete with interpretative actions, and brightened the mood of every single person in the audience that little bit more. I saw the future of kosen-rufu in East London and I was truly moved.
So, while the weekend may not have gone to plan, I still took a lot from it and met some great new people. The youth division leaders encouraged us, in light of the canceled meeting, to create the maximum possible value from the weekend; I think I absolutely did that. It was a weekend to remember and hopefully I can bring a little of the spirit of East End HQ back to Northern Lights. I have such gratitude to Masashi and all the members who make my experience so unforgettable.
The next Choose Life meeting is to take place in mid-March and I absolutely cannot wait. This year is, without a doubt, going to be one of the most jam-packed and joy-filled. I'll be sure to keep you all up to date with my various exploits.
A Studenty Weekend
On the weekend of the 12th of January, Scotland area was visited by Koichi Samuels, the young men's student division leader for SGI-UK. Over his two-day trip, he, Alessandro and I visited around a dozen YMD members across Scotland, offering words of encouragement and forming bonds of friendship, as well as encouraging many of them to attend the upcoming Student Division Training Course.
From Edinburgh airport, we traveled to Kincardine to see the Trevett brothers before heading to Sauchie near Alloa to visit a young college student who has only recently started practicing. Then it was back to Edinburgh to meet with two young men followed by a walk around the city centre to afford Koichi the opportunity to take in some of the sights (albeit briefly). We concluded a long day with a truly joyful meeting in East Renfrewshire at Jason Steele's home, attended by several students and HQ leaders. It was the perfect end to an inspirational day.
The next morning, we were off bright and early through the snow to Aberdeen to visit one final young man. Then it was back to Edinburgh airport for Koichi to catch his flight back to Belfast, bidding Scotland a fond farewell.
I feel so fortunate to have been able to support Koichi in this activity and, further, to have been asked to be the new young men's student division representative for Scotland area. I feel this visit and new appointment marks a bright new beginning for the student division of Scotland who will become the driving force for kosen-rufu in the country. Through friendship and mutual support, we can build a strong student division of capable members, leading the way in growing a youthful SGI in Scotland.
The Student Division Training Course is taking place from 1st to 3rd of March. We are determined to have a really great turn-out from Scotland and I am doing a lot of daimoku to this end. If you feel you can support with daimoku, it would be greatly appreciated; please let me know and I will pass it on to all the students.
Here's to a great start to 2013, the Year of Victory for a Youthful SGI.
From Edinburgh airport, we traveled to Kincardine to see the Trevett brothers before heading to Sauchie near Alloa to visit a young college student who has only recently started practicing. Then it was back to Edinburgh to meet with two young men followed by a walk around the city centre to afford Koichi the opportunity to take in some of the sights (albeit briefly). We concluded a long day with a truly joyful meeting in East Renfrewshire at Jason Steele's home, attended by several students and HQ leaders. It was the perfect end to an inspirational day.
The next morning, we were off bright and early through the snow to Aberdeen to visit one final young man. Then it was back to Edinburgh airport for Koichi to catch his flight back to Belfast, bidding Scotland a fond farewell.
I feel so fortunate to have been able to support Koichi in this activity and, further, to have been asked to be the new young men's student division representative for Scotland area. I feel this visit and new appointment marks a bright new beginning for the student division of Scotland who will become the driving force for kosen-rufu in the country. Through friendship and mutual support, we can build a strong student division of capable members, leading the way in growing a youthful SGI in Scotland.
The Student Division Training Course is taking place from 1st to 3rd of March. We are determined to have a really great turn-out from Scotland and I am doing a lot of daimoku to this end. If you feel you can support with daimoku, it would be greatly appreciated; please let me know and I will pass it on to all the students.
Here's to a great start to 2013, the Year of Victory for a Youthful SGI.
30 Dec 2012
Activities w/c 31/12/12
We are just over twenty-four hours away from the start of 2013, Year of Victory for a Youthful SGI. For many, the new year is a time for fresh determinations (or renewing some old ones) and setting yourself new challenges in faith. Let's support each other as a united district to win no matter what.
There are a few activities this week to help us all get our year off to a flying start. Many thanks, as always, to the members opening their homes to us.
New Year's Eve Midnight Gongyo - Monday, 23.30-00.30 at Rosie's
Your opportunity to ring in the new year with fellow SGI members and what better way to do it than with a hearty Gongyo at the stroke of midnight. Better than Jackie Bird, by far.
New Year's Day Gongyo - Tuesday, 13.00-14.00 at Fred & Elizabeth's
New Year's Day Gongyo - Tuesday, 13.00-14.00 at Fred & Elizabeth's
For those sensible enough not to be sleeping off a hangover on New Year's Day, there's another great opportunity to come together as a district and kick the year off with some daimoku. A great way to spend one of your last days off of the season.
Kosen Rufu Gongyo - Sunday, 11.00-12.00 at Alessandro & Natalya's
Kosen Rufu Gongyo - Sunday, 11.00-12.00 at Alessandro & Natalya's
The one day of the month when the whole world chants together in their respective districts for a wonderful cause. Hope you can all make it along for this first of the year. Doors open 10.50am.
Have a great week!
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