Mmmm. We Nichiren Buddhists love our celebrity chanters -- from Eve Ensler to Duncan Sheik to Orlando Bloom and beyond....
Add Amy Winehouse to the list. (Hat tip: Tricycle blog.)
It must be said: Many emotionally manipulative religious groups tout their all-star membership rosters, boasting that such-and-so movie star or rock star is a member. It's a strategy for gaining publicity, legitimacy and new recruits.
Personally, I squirm when I hear that a fabulous celeb has joined the Bowling Club. I know how the Club will exploit it and milk it for all it's worth. (The article about Winehouse makes no mention of the Bowling Club. Whew.)
That said, I happen to adore Amy Winehouse's music, and I care about her well-being. I'm thrilled that she's chanting daimoku. I don't care if she joined the Bowling Club, I just hope she continues her practice.
Imagine the smoldering intensity of her voice chanting the Mystic Law...wow!
"...tried to make me go on Tozan...I said nooo no no."
What do you think?
1 comment
I have mixed feelings. It is always wonderful when someone encounters namu myoho renge kyo and begins to chant. For some reason we feel an affinity for certain celebrities and are delighted when they start chanting because it's as if a friend has suddenly discovered the practice. I know nothing about Amy Winehouse. I would be glad to hear similar news about someone more of my generation. I would feel a sense of kinship with the person on some level.But Beryl, as you know, the Bowling Club mixes poison with the medicine. They teach ridiculous doctrines and employ (as you pointed out) manipulative techniques and relational aggression to make members dependent on the organization. I would caution all new chanters to be extremely wary of involving themselves with soka gakkai. I take heart that perhaps this young woman did not actually join the Bowling Club but has just picked up chanting from what she has seen Tina Turner doing online.You said: "I don't care if she joined the Bowling Club, I just hope she continues her practice."I too hope that she continues to chant and makes the practice her own. But all too often I have seen the Bowling Club impede growth and independence. I would tell her, "You don't need the Bowling Club. Just keep chanting."