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March 10, 2000
Perspective: Soka Spirit
is the Struggle to Define Who We Are
By Laura McFarland
Los Angeles
SGI-USA?s “Soka Spirit” movement is not just
a new name for the Temple Issue. It is an outgrowth of
our deepening understanding of the issue. While the former
term belies, perhaps, a preoccupation with the wrongs
of the Nichiren Shoshu temple, Soka Spirit, I believe,
accurately gives expression to an emerging desire to understand
and give voice to what it means to correctly practice
Nichiren Daishonin?s Buddhism. This has always been the
spirit of the Soka Gakkai presidents, thus the term Soka
Spirit.
I was going through a period of suffering last year, really
determined to break through, using my practice to propel
me through the rough times and searching inside myself
for the answers. Not coincidentally I found myself surrounded
by friends and others experiencing similar pain in their
lives. This was my great fortune.
Taking action for the sake of others at a time when I
really felt at the bottom myself not only lifted me out
of my own depression but instilled in me a deep desire
to do whatever it takes to help heal the ills of humanity.
The bodhisattva spirit truly emerged to a degree I?d never
experienced before. I made a determination that I will
not only show great proof through my faith, but also profoundly
deepen my understanding of this Buddhism, of how and why
it works, so that I can inspire hope in others through
my own absolute conviction. I had experienced 13 years
of Buddhist practice with ever-increasing faith, now I
was aiming for absolute conviction.
Once I made this determination and started focusing my
prayer in this way, it wasn?t long before I was asked
to facilitate a region Soka Spirit meeting.
“Why me?” I asked. I am not on this committee
nor have I ever been especially interested in or involved
with the temple situation. Being agreeable by nature and
somewhat curious as well, I replied that I would do it.
That evening I realized how much I didn?t know and how
important this Soka Spirit issue is. I could also see
that it was SGI President Ikeda?s prime point, and for
that reason alone I felt I must take action to deepen
my understanding.Even though the gathering of members
was still called the Temple Issue Committee, I could see
that the issue was essentially concerned with my questions:
What do we, as an organization, as a religious philosophy
and practice, truly have to offer the world? Why are we
different than other similar organizations? What, exactly,
makes the SGI correct, and Nichiren Shoshu incorrect with
regard to the Daishonin?s Buddhism? Why should temple
members disassociate from the temple?
We really need to know the answers to these questions.
Not just parroting responses we?ve picked up in meetings
or in publications. We really need to understand these
points for ourselves, and on the basis of that understanding,
convey our absolute conviction to others.
This issue is of prime importance. The Soka Spirit movement,
and our actions to refute High Priest Nikken Abe?s false
portrayal of the Daishonin?s Buddhism, are our great opportunity
to deepen our understanding of our faith and to define
who we, and the SGI, are.
The process also enables us, individually and as an organization,
to accomplish our human revolution. Such self-scrutiny
based on faith definitely reveals both the good and the
bad, and gives us the opportunity to further cultivate
that which we like about our organization, while creatively
challenging and seeking solutions to that which we do
not like.
President Ikeda?s expressed desire when establishing the
first chapters in the Americas that we become a unique
organization, dedicated to the happiness of the American
people, fulfilling our mission in our own way. It is up
to us to wrack our brains and selflessly struggle to create
an SGI-USA that can be a great home for the American people.
In short, the situation with High Priest Nikken and the
priesthood is our incredible benefit because it is causing
us to really self-reflect, struggle and grow.
In addition to this issue being an opportunity, it is
also a necessity. The Daishonin repeatedly tells us that
obstacles, devilish influences and enemies will appear
without fail when we propagate and correctly practice
Buddhism. He says, “As practice progresses and understanding
grows, the three obstacles and four devils emerge in confusing
form, vying with one another to interfere” (The
Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, p. 501).
And “Something uncommon also occurs when an ordinary
person attains Buddhahood. At such a time, the three obstacles
and four devils will invariably appear, and the wise will
rejoice while the foolish will retreat” (WND, 637).
Most of us can attest to the occurrence of obstacles when
we are striving to achieve something great in our own
lives, especially in the realm of faith. Looking at the
body of believers as a whole, our excommunication and
the attacks upon our organization by Nichiren Shoshu are
proof that our organization is on the right track. The
Daishonin tells us in no uncertain terms that persecution
is inevitable; it is par for the course in the process
of attaining enlightenment.
The evening I stumbled upon my first Soka Spirit meeting
was a turning point. From the moment I made a determination
to deepen my understanding of this issue my life began
to transform at an accelerated rate. One of the first
things to happen was that I became aware of the influence
of the fundamental darkness within my own life. I saw
the ways in which my thoughts, words and actions toward
others were sometimes arrogant, hurtful or divisive. I
saw in myself the same “bully-ish” tendencies
I?d always abhorred in others.
I determined to win over these tendencies and become infinitely
more kind, considerate and compassionate. My work relations,
friendships and family relationships have deepened considerably
and become more mutually fulfilling. A pervading sense
of justice is germinating inside of me, and I have begun
to see the world and life itself through the eyes of one
committed to upholding justice. I now believe nothing
is a greater source of happiness than this.
SGI Deputy President Einosuke Akiya says: “What
do we need to do in order to attain an indomitable state
of life? In short, we have to fight against evil. By defeating
great evil, we establish within ourselves an indestructible
state of life of great good. The element ku [in the word
kudoku, or benefit] means eliminating evil, while the
element doku refers to the virtue one acquires by bringing
about good (Gosho Zenshu, p. 762). Only by actively opposing
evil can we defeat the inclination to remain passive observers,
the negative tendency to tolerate or even accommodate
evil. Through unflagging efforts to eradicate evil, we
without fail positively transform our lives and experience
a true revolution in state of life.”
I would encourage everybody who doesn?t feel involved
with the Soka Spirit issue to begin to get involved in
some way. Even if it?s just by chanting about it or studying.
Nichiren Daishonin says, “If you light a lamp for
another, your own way will be lit” (Gosho Zenshu,
p. 1598). By the same token, when we begin to take action
to fight against whatever forces appear as the enemies
of people?s happiness, we simultaneously win over those
enemies that threaten our personal happiness and, as President
Ikeda says, “experience a true revolution in one?s
state of life.”
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