I have been thinking lately about what happens to our online community when Nichiren Buddhists die. In the last couple of years, we've lost several prominent contributors. For me, losing M. Simon was huge. Fraughtwithperil.com lost Greg and Byrd. We lost Kathy Sain. Now, with news of Don Ross in failing health.... I worry about the loss of what some would call "institutional memory" in western Nichiren Buddhism.
So my question to you is: If you knew you were about to die, what would be your final words to the Nichiren Buddhist community?
It's a difficult question for me. I'm sort of at a loss. How about you?
6 comments
I don't know who said this originally:"To be one, to be united is a great thing. But to respect the right to be different is maybe even greater."Maybe I would add this quote from Frank Barron professor of Psychology at the University of California Santa Cruz :"Never take a person's dignity: it is worth everything to them, and nothing to you."I say this because I consider that one of the most important thing that Nichiren said to his followers was, "All disciples and lay supporters of Nichiren should chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with the spirit of many in body but one in mind,transcending all differences among themselves to become as inseparable as fish and the water in which they swim. This spiritual bond is the basis for the universal transmission of the ultimate Law of life and death. Herein lies the true goal of Nichiren's propagation. When you are so united, even the great desire for widespread propagation can be fulfilled. But if any of Nichiren's disciples disrupt the unity of many in body but one in mind, they would be like warriors who destroy their own castle from within." -The Heritage of the Ultimate Law of Life It's fighting over things not worth fighting over that has given Nichiren Buddhists a bad name.
I forgot to write that I'm sure many will find it funny coming from me.
I would express gratitude to all who have helped (and/or hindered) me along the way. Nichiren Buddhists and non-Nichiren Buddhists alike.Well my ship's been split to splinters;It's sinking fastI'm drowning in the poison, got no future, got no pastBut my heart is not weary,It's light and freeI've got nothing but affectionfor those who have sailed with meEverybody's moving if they ain't already thereEverybody's got to move somewhereStick with me baby, anyhow,Things should start to get interestingright about now"Mississippi" Bob Dylan
Hey, it has been fun. I'm confident that we'll see each other again in some way, shape, or form. You all helped make my life more interesting and worthwhile this time around. Here are the main points i want to make for the next generation of Nichiren Buddhists.1. Use the law as a lamp. Chanting daimoku will illuminate your life.2. Be willing to see when the light comes on. Be willing to act.3. Don't make excuses for your religious organization. Don't make excuses why they can't respect you or live up to their own stated values. Just like a bad boyfriend or girlfriend, the more you make excuses for bad behavior, the more they walk all over you.4. You can be part of the Nichiren community (sangha) without being a member of a religious organization. In many ways, this is a brand new idea in Nichiren Buddhism. If you spend even part of your life "pioneering" this new idea, your life will be well spent for the sake of Nichiren Buddhism.5. No hard feelings. Let's be friends.Oaks out.
"heavens to mergatroid, exit stage left"Snaglepuss works for me.That and beware of Blue Elephants or anything attached to buddhism anything that needs to be incorporated into culture because it cannot transcend into it without it.
We never know whether our most recent comment will be our very last. "Since death is certain and the time of death is uncertain, what is the most important thing?"I would say: Thank you and goodbye.Please trust that the Mystic Law animates your life in a way that goes much deeper than the conscious mind.Practitioners of Nichiren Buddhism spend a great deal of time and energy on what I would call "organizational" issues -- battles between sects, formation and reformation of sects, and promotion and marketing of sects. This is out of balance, I feel.The weight of our focus should be on chanting and opening to what arises rather than trying to control or micromanage what we think is happening in our environment.It sounds trite, perhaps, but the sangha starts with you. What qualities do you contribute? I hope that we all take this question to heart.