This is my last link roundup of 2011. I'll try to make it a good one. I'll start low and aim high with this blurb from the OC Register crime blotter:

Disturbance. 0 block University Drive. A drunken man at Soka University of America reportedly open a dorm room door, urinated and then passed out. 4:58 a.m. Saturday.

In Nichiren Buddhism, we call this ceremony Ushitora Gottago.
Did you know that Soka Gakkai wants to build a columbarium in China? Who knew? And what's a columbarium anyway? Soka's neighbors in China know, and they're outraged. From China Daily:

A planned private columbarium in Tai Po, fiercely opposed by hundreds of area residents in the district's six villages was given approval by the Town Planning Board on Friday.

The applicant, Soka Gakkai International of Hong Kong (HKSGI), had been rejected by the board in June....

...The columbarium site, called the Cultural and Recreational Centre, is scheduled to commence construction in mid 2012 for completion in mid 2013. There will be a total of 6,000 double-urn niches for 12,000 urns.

...The villagers complained that the psychological harm inflicted by the site next door will be unbearable for many, and that residents "will live in horror".

Hmm. Many of us agree that Soka is the pits, but living in horror?

Tisca Chopra is famous in India. Guess what? She chants. From the Times of India:

I don't believe in God, but I do believe in humans and the potential for divinity in them. To me, what makes humans divine is the magical ability to change for the better, to evolve. I practice the Buddhism of Nichiren Daishonin. I chant Nam MyoHo Renge Kyo everyday. I chant at least an hour a day, but sometimes time is scarce so then I do how much ever I can. It helps me reflect on my inner nature. I get up early, or sleep late but I make time for my own spiritual evolution.

I like it when celebrities (or anyone else for that matter) can say in their own words what chanting means to them, even if I disagree or think it's "Nichiren lite."

Guess who else is famous in places other than India (and maybe in India, too, I don't know) -- Miranda Kerr. She chants, too:

She and [Orlando] Bloom are practicing Nichiren Buddhists, but she doesn't want to talk about that.

Um, OK. We respect the solemn privacy of your religious convictions.

People who aren't famous also chant:

...Believers chant individually, in one-on-one sessions, in groups with other people, and once a month hold meetings where they share their experiences with each other. "We meet and talk about how chanting has helped us overcome difficult situations. It's about spreading happiness and giving each other support, especially when somebody is going through a tough time," says Kapoor.

It's a way of living, not a religion, she adds, so the question of religious conversion doesn't arise. "Along with chanting, I also read Gayatri Mantra and Bhagvada Gita. There are many Sikhs, Hindus, and Muslims who also chant," says Kapoor.

It's a religion, and if you practice it, it will necessarily affect your way of living. But why quibble? Soka's professional PR flaks in India ought to get a raise...

Oh, look -- Miranda Kerr suddenly wants to talk about chanting:

She told Hollybaby.com: "The whole time I was pregnant, I was chanting to my son and when I was giving birth, Orlando was chanting. So that was the first thing he heard when he came out into the world, Nam-Myo-Renge-Kyo. It's pronounced 'Nam-Me-oh-ho-Ren-gay-Key-oh'. And now we chant as a family. Flynn sits there and he has his little beads. He loves it."

And why not? Nichiren Buddhism is apparently a health and beauty regimen for famous people:

Orlando Bloom and Miranda Kerr are gearing up for their first Australian Christmas with their son Flynn after arriving in the country looking better than the average flyers today.

...Perhaps her  top form had something to do with her Nichiren Buddhism beliefs.

Kerr reportedly chants every morning and night for 20 minutes, practices yoga, meditates, and reads widely on spirituality.

I always hate it when Nichiren Buddhism is co-opted by vanity and portrayed as a narcissism-enhancement tool.

Here's a little note about Nichiren Shoshu practitioners going on Tozan, which is a visit to the head temple of Nichiren Shoshu in Japan to see the so-called Daigohonzon, a super-duper special Nichiren mandala of dubious authenticity:

Probably the most important reason is to have an audience with the Dai-Gohonzon of the High Sanctuary (Gokaihi Ceremony). Through the compassion of our High Priest Nichinyo Shonin, we are given the privilege of being able to go into the Hoando and offer prayers to the Dai-Gohonzon. This is as if we are having an audience with the True Buddha Nichiren Daishonin himself, the true master who leads all living beings to enlightenment. We should realize that this is a very special privilege that is given only to Nichiren Shoshu believers that have a strong desire to see the Dai-Gohonzon and are able make the pilgrimage to the Head Temple Taisaka-ji.

Reverend Kimura has explained to us on a number occasions that the Dai-Gohonzon of the High Sanctuary is the fundamental root of our practice. The Joju Gohonzons that are enshrined in the temples are like branches. The Gohonzons that are enshrined in our homes are like leaves. If we do not seek out and yearn to see the Dai-Gohonzon, the fundamental root of our practice and only practice to the Gohonzon in our home, it would be like a leaf falling off a tree, which would wither and die. In other words, we would not be able attain Buddhahood. Going to see the Dai-Gohonzon is an essential part of our practice.

Another very important reason to go on Tozan is to see the High Priest and to pray to the Dai-Gohonzon together with him. He, along with all the other successive High Priests is one of the great masters who lead living beings in the Latter day of the Law to attain Buddhahood. When we go on Tozan, we are able to attend the Gokaihi Ceremony, Ushitora Gongyo, and other ceremonies that are lead by our High Priest Nichinyo Shonin, the true master who possesses the life blood heritage of the law of True Buddhism.

When we go on Tozan and participate in the ceremonies and chant with the High Priest Nichinyo Shonin, we are able to manifest the immeasurable benefits of the Dai-Gohonzon through the principle of the master and disciple relationship.

All bolding/emphasis mine.

Hmm wow. When I read these statements -- knowing how sincerely many people believe and embrace them -- I realized how deep the differences are between and among the Nichiren sects. There was a time when I believed this stuff, too -- this stuff about "branches" and "True Buddhas" and special privileges.

In the new year, my hope is that I will hold all my beliefs lightly and with a sense of humor, because they may one day be ridiculous to me. And also, I seek to have a kind of faith that will never be ridiculous and laughs easily because it is rooted in genuine goodness and clear perception of reality.

Have a good new year and DO NOT under any circumstances drink and drive.