Benefits

HL & I discussed over internet chat today on whether will Danto members receive benefit when they chant.
We came to a conclusion that the Danto members will not receive benefits even if they chant NMHRGK. It is because they are chanting with a total different intend from Nichiren Daishonin.
The whole tenet of Daishonin Buddhism is to make common people realize the great potential in us called Buddhahood. This was quite a revolutionary philosophy on how one should look at Buddhism and religion as a whole in the 13th century. It was because of this revolutionary view about the truth of Buddhism that created jealousy and hatred among the well established religious leaders and priests. They noticed their position and importance in the religious world has been threatened. Hence, they plotted unscrupulous schemes with the government to bring Nichiren Daishonin down. However, Nichiren Daishonin with his great compassion to bring to light the real truth about Buddhism, he did not compromise a single bit. Daishonin taught as long as one realize they possess this Buddhahood in them and recognize this truth, one is called a Buddha; the ignorant ones are common mortals. This is the real benefit of practicing Daishonin's Buddhism, recognizing we are the Buddha.
However, the Nikken Sect denied this truth from its believers, the Dantos. They were taught their Buddhahood in them are different from the Buddhahood Daishonin mentioned. They still need the priests to bring them the real benefits of Daishonin's Buddhism. Isn't this the total opposite of what Daishonin was fighting for?
The so-called benefits the Dantos claim that they receive are mere results of action they took to overcome their problems. Even people with a strong confident but without chanting will be able to achieve that.

Happy 11.18

Received a call from KP telling me a "super" good news. Our local TV station has finally signed the agreement to air Sensei's animation in the month of Dec for 4 continuous saturdays. Great victory for SGM. Even better to hear they are gearing to promote this series of animation through different public media like newspapers. KP has also told me, despite the short notice given to SGI & Sensei, Sensei has agreed to accept the media's interview!
I just can't hold back my tears when I got to know this. I can truly feel Sensei's compassion for his disciples everywhere in the world. We, in Malaysia, has been very fortunate to receive Sensei's direct encouragement & protections through many incidences. It is very significant to celebrate 11.18 this way.
Today starts the countdown for our 80th anniversary of of Soka Gakkai founding! I resolve to fight even harder alongside with mentor for this coming year.

This Is It

True to its title, MJ has really lived true to his legendary life. His dedication to his music, to his performance, to his passion, to his fans, and to his life. Through this documentary movie of his preparation for his supposedly last concert "This Is It", I can really see and feel he has really put his all for this rounds of performance. I think he must have told himself this, "This Is It"!!
Next year, 2010 will the 80th anniversary of Soka Gakkai founding and 50th anniversary of Sensei's inauguration as President. It will be the year I shall break through, the year the entire YMD organization shall revolutionize, the year Selangor organization shall achieve total victory, and the year the entire SGM shall set a new phase for future kosen-rufu! And we shall tell ourselves, "This Is It", this is the only time we will achieve total victory with Sensei!

"The Nature has been tolerating very hard for the mismanagement of humankind to the environment!", MJ

Nobel Peace Prize

Recently, one of the world most prestiged recognition for Peace Worker has announced its 2009 recipients. Another American President! For the past 10 years, this Nobel Peace awards has been conferred to 3 American top politicians (ex-president & vice-president); namely Jimmy Carter, Al Gore & Barack Obama. A country that possessed the most number of Nuclear Warheads in the world and having most soldiers invading other countries social security and welfare in the name of 'peace'. Has the world seen more peace after the American acted as the 'world policeman' to maintain peace and ensuring human rights by unilaterally intervening other countries welfare? Even in the event when UN has clearly opposing their action!? Or has the world seen more chaos and warfare with their interference?!
I am not sure what criteria the Nobel Peace Foundation Commitee actually looking at when they decide on the Nobel Prize laurate. Are they giving this prize to someone who has actually contirbuted towards world peace? Or are they conferring this prize to someone has merely promised to bring peace to the world?!
I heard a news while driving to work today, the American President (the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize laurate) has ordered to send another troops of thousands of soldiers to Afganistan for 'peace-keeping'... Peace is not kept through weapons! It is clear from the history we see. Don’t he get it?!
Peace can only be fostered through thorough education and cultural exchange that promote inter-culture, inter-racial, inter-ethnic, inter-religion and international understanding.

On Buddha's Prophecies

Read Sensei's gosho lecture on "On Buddha's Prophecies". When asked about his prophecies, the True Buddha prophesied the True Law will spread in the Latter Days of the Law. Full stop!
Er... didn't he prophesied there will be natural disasters like the earthquakes in China & Samoa, Tsunami in South Asia, typhoon in Philippines, and the rest of South East Asian countries? How about the warfare that raged the Gaza Strip?
However, when i think further, these are all the characteristics of the Latter Days of the Law, where the misleading teachings went rampant. And the True Buddha prophesied it is in this condition that the True Law will spread throughout! How wonderful and significant this prophecy he made! And he actually pre-warned us it is definitely not easy to do so, as mentioned in the "Treasure Tower" chapter of Lotus Sutra.
No wonder he is the True Buddha!

A Chat with friend

I met an old friend from HK tonight. Did some catch up and share some experiences in a cafe in Taipan. From what he told me about his live with his wife for the past 2 years in HK was he learned a lot. He is more 'enlightened' now. He is more 'enlightened' to how the financial world works, and he had made some good bucks from last year bear market. He gathered this is what he is looking for and he is enjoying it very much. I congratulated him and he paid for my coffee... :)
Strange feeling in me telling me his enjoyment will not last forever. I looked at him more like he is imbued in the World of Rapture. I shared with him on the 10 worlds. Telling him there is always something greater in life that is more important and valuable. However, I feel he didn't really listen.
I am worried for him. Come home and chanted an hour daimoku for him. Hopefully somedays, he will see the real enlightenment.

Kosenrufu in Pulau Ketam

Last night we had a region meeting and S8 Honbu YMD chiefs reported their resolution to kickoff kosenrufu and Soka Spirit movement in Pulau Ketam. Everyone of us are very impressed on the YMD chiefs' initiatives. They have reported our major hurdle could be the N Sect believers on the island. N Sect has 40 families on the island and 37 of them been to Tozan. Gakkai has only 1 Gohonzon member family on the island. It is definitely not an easy task and it will be a great challenge indeed. However, I am looking at it as we can proof the greatness of Nichiren Buddhism and the righteousness of Gakkai through our Itai-Doshin (Many in Body, One in Mind) spirit. I remembered reading this recently,
"In contrast, although Nichiren and his folllowers are few, because they are different in body but united in mind, they will definitely accomplish their great mission of widely propagating the Lotus Sutra. Though evils may be numerous, they cannot prevail over a single great truth [or good], just as many raging fires are quenched by a single shower of rain. This principle also holds true with Nichiren and his followers (WND-1, pg618)
Sensei further elaborate to be united in mind, it simply means to be in the same mind with Mentor, Sensei.
In order to win this battle in Pulau Ketam kosenrufu, we need to be Itai-Doshin to win over the majority N Sect believers and new members. And the tenet in this Itai-Doshin is the spirit of Oneness of Mentor and Disciple.

Pulau Ketam photography

I went to Pulau Ketam with a group of photographers last Saturday. Pulau Ketam is a famous fishing village in Selangor. To a lot of people, this Pulau is nothing more than just seafood. However, the photographer group organized a day trip to this Pulau for shooting. The more experienced photographers have expressed their enthusiasm when they first set foot on the island. However, for the not so experienced ones find the island has nothing more than litters, stray dogs and loud karaokes (at least these were my impression). In my group, there is one professional photographer, AK, who is so exited about the things he sees and the things he can capture on the island. I was also captivated by his spirit. Did he actually see beauty in things that we could have easily taken for granted? His professionalism makes me reflect on the way I see things. I could only imagine how nice it will be if i can also see things like him. The world will be such a beauty to me.

911 Anniversary

9.11 8 years ago was a devastating day not only for the Americans but for everyone of us who cares about lives. We learned and saw it with our own eye how powerful and destructive human nature could be if it were to channeled towards the wrong side. When I mentioned wrong, I don't mean the teachings of their religions, but their attitudes towards humanity.
Today, 8 years has passed. What have we learned from this incident? Great majority of us have learned the Islamic extremists are the bad hats, they are the cold-blooded killers that kill the innocents, they are the trouble to the world security, they live in their own world, they this, they that...
And we forgot they are human being just like you & me.
Technically speaking, we are no difference. We are capable of committing crime many times worse when we look back the moment when we were mad at something or somebody. And we are also capable of total devotion to certain values that we could give up anything for that. What I am saying is that everyone of us do have these potentials in us. Just that we are conscious enough to choose and manifest the better values. The greatest value will be the manifestation of this limitless potential in us called Buddhahood.
IN his writings to his disciples, Nichiren Daishonin mentioned about evil people will attain enlightenment through the Mystic Law. This underlines the fact that we are all the same and capable of attaining enlightenment through this great Law. What is this great Law then? It is none other than realizing our limitless Buddhahood potential in us and manifesting it and lead a meaningful and fulfilled life. "They" too can do it.
8 years has passed. Has the 911 incident dividing us further or binding us closer?

Little elements in the big picture

I read a book on how the Nat Geo photographers taking a wonderful photography. How often we were so mesmerized by the a scenery and we wanted so much to capture this image with our camera and show it our friends or for our own keeping sake. But when we printed the image out, the image looks so flat and it has nothing close to how we felt when we first saw with our own eyes. This book mentioned about besides the entire scenery that captivated us when we first saw it, there are also other elements in the scenery that entralled us. The little little elements like the breeze, the scent of the wild flowers, warmth of the sunlight, the chirping of the birds, the cultural background of the folks, etc. It was these little things in the scenery we usually overlook and missed when we capture a picture in our camera, and eventually making the entire picture look uninteresting.
Same goes to Gakkai. What makes Gakkai interesting or captivating to many is its little elements of pure hearted members courageously challenging their daily lives, their sincerity and efforts in sharing this great philosophy to others, their great contribution to the advancement of kosen-rufu. When I speak of Gakkai, it is these elements that I got encouraged a lot.

Facing the situation now with Courage

I visited KF the other night in hospital. He was so optimistic on his recovery even though he is still on wheel chair. No doubt the government hospital facilities are not so conducive as compared to his Putrajaya Hospital stay. But he is all forward looking and filled with hope. He is challenging his 1 million daimoku now before he receive his Gohonzon. I encouraged him to fulfill his mission no matter what circumstances he is facing now.
He texted me last night saying he brought so much hope to the other patients in the wad. I was so happy to hear that. In fact I am so encouraged by him. A half-paralyzed YMD that keep fighting for his victory and his courage to challenge the adversities.
Looking back at some leaders who are worried about coming out for activity now due to H1N1 case; I feel we should face this situation now with more courage. A courage that we all can learn from KF.

My pledge to my Mentor

It has been a year now since I went to Japan for SGI Youth Training with other SGM Youth Division leaders (CF, CH, KC, TJ, JT, CP & HS). All of us were very excited about meeting Sensei. Even the Japanese welcoming members in the Narita airport were all too excited to see us meeting Sensei in another 2 days time. They congratulated us.
Today marks the first anniversary on my first SGI Youth Training. What should I do to make this anniversary significant? I feel nothing is more important than renewing my pledge to strive harder for kosen-rufu. I remembered I started this blog after my SGI Training because I wanted to be sure on my commitment on my pledge to Sensei during the SGI Training. Today when I looked back, within a year there was already time when I was so slackened in blogging. I must buggle up and work harder!
Last night, went to hospital to visit KF. However, I wasn't allow to go in as it has passed visiting hours. I went straight to CT's house to discuss with him on his Honbu's YMD plan. Had a good night on home visits. Will carry on during this period of time.

Changing our kosen-rufu activity mode

The H1N1 Influenza A has gloom Klang Valley like a dark cloud in the sky that caused more than 80 death and thousands infected. SGM has officially announced KL will stopped all Gakkai activities effective 28 Aug. We in Selangor will implement the same as many cases were detected in Selangor (members & non-members) as well.
However, I personally do not agree on the announcement on "stopping" Gakkai activities. I would prefer it to be announced in a more positive tone where we can still encourage fellow members to challenge to change this "poison into medicine". I have trying my best to tell Selangor Region to take it as we are changing our mode of kosen-rufu for the last quarter of the year. In view of the recent H1N1 condition in the country, we are going to focus on small group (not more than 10 persons) Chant & Chat, thorough home-visit to all members to encourage them further in faith in Gohonzon and eventually leading us to achieve our shakubuku target of 10 Gohonzon applicants per Chapter.
Especially in Selangor, where the Nikken Sect is most rampant, if we were to officially announce Gakkai has stopped all activities, they will definitely seize this opportunity to approach our innocent members with their Tozan scam.
I am still chanting hard to have the wisdom to encourage the rest of the youth division leaders to keep intact and be diligent in kosen-rufu activities even though we have changed our mode of activity.

People needs a philosophy to depend on

Today I got a call from J. She told me a WD just got back from Tozan with daughter and they are very happy with the trip. I have also heard the Nikken Sect has achieved their Tozan target by recruiting more than 1700 people this time around. Be it true or not, I shouldn't be worried too much. The reason why they can recruit so many people for Tozan is because there are so many people out there that they are looking for a religion or a philosophy they can depend on. We are just too slow in approaching these people and the Nikken Sect believers are very focus on this. I strongly feel we need strong driving force to do shakubuku in the society. Get them to the right place before they are going to be misled by the Nikken Sect. I need to focus on YW & LK. I need to take care of KF so that he is strong to challenge his own karma.

Lost and Reset

My car was stolen yesterday. In a broad daylight at around 6:15pm at Sri Hartamas. Gone together with my car were my office laptop with all presentation slides and project files, my Gakkai meeting bag with loads of meeting notes and schedules, my 2 sets of prayer beads, my personal hard disk where I keep all my digital photos, my iPod, my sunglasses, my CDs, etc.
Strangely, I wasn't too sad about the lost of the car but I felt terribly upset on the items in the car that were gone together with the car. Those items are all about my life. I worked, I participated in Gakkai activities, and I travelled to different places in the world and captured images of the places. Now, that all is gone. More than 10 years of my life records were all gone just like that. I felt lost the whole night last night. Chanted 40 minutes of daimoku and went to sleep feeling lost...
This morning, continue to chant to try regain my energy but failed. I can't help but to feel lost. And this actually shows how much was I attached to my past.
At last I reckon I have no choice but to start everything anew. Once this determination is made, I feel so much alive again!
Even though all my work records are gone, but I have gained the work experience; even though all my Gakkai notes are gone, but I have accumulated great fortune; even though all my travel photos are gone, but I have captured them in my heart. The rest are insignificant lost already. Get a pair of new sunglass and go shop for a new car. It is only a "reset" button someone has pressed and I am starting afresh again! It is refreshing.

YMD Passing

Yesterday while I was on my way to the airport in Shanghai, I've got a sms from TP saying one of our YMD District leader, KS has passed away. It was truly a shock to me and I called HW immediately to find out more. It was indeed a sudden death. No one can really tell what caused the death.
I remembered noticing KS in pubs and bars in Klang Valley years ago. I was wondering what was he doing in all the pubs and bars that I went to, and i thought he must have had the same doubt in me either... I got to really know him when I was transferred to C10 as their Chapter YMD Chief. During then, KS was not having the best health condition he deserved. He needs to take care of his diet but he had fun anyway! We, YMD had a great time together in C10.
Today, B & I attended his funeral service in Cheras. B & I went to see him for the last time in his casket. He looks peaceful, just like sleeping away. C told us how KS was discovered death by his mom and the whole death thing was so quick and sudden that even KS mom wouldn't believe KS is gone. It is difficult for everyone of us to accept this, but I am not too sure if this is the best way for KS.
So long & Farewell KS! RIP~

Daimoku of Lion's Roar

I lectured on a gosho study meet in HH District last night. The gosho passage is on Reply to Kyo O, one of my favorite gosho and the first gosho phrase that I memorized by hard...

Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo is like the roar of a lion, what sickness can therefore be an obstacle.

This time when I read this very same passage again, it has another, more significant, meaning to me. In Buddhism, Lion or "shiji" in Chinese carries the meaning of the spirit of Mentor & Disciple. So, when I revisited the passage again, to chant the lion's roar-like daimoku, it means to me the daimoku of Mentor & Disciple. It now means more than a daimoku that is so strong that will dispel all sickness but a daimoku that is same as our mentor's. It has to be the daimoku for the happiness of ourselves & others, the daimoku of peace, the daimoku of victory, the daimoku for humanity & the daimoku for kosen-rufu. I do not think my previous daimoku of personal victory, personal fortune, personal relationship, personal wealth, personal this & personal that is in sync with my mentor! How shameful!
So, I reckon in order to dispel all sickness (not necessarily health sickness, can be problems we faced in life), I have to start chant like Sensei! In fact, this Mentor & Disciple spirit is the whole gist of Buddhism. Then I can proudly say:

Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo is like the roar of a lion, what sickness can therefore be an obstacle!

7.11 YMD Day

We had one of the most successful YMD Day Meeting 2 days ago. The theme for our YMD Day meeting is Human Revolution. We had an afternoon YMD All Leaders Meeting, we had YMD Night Duty appreciation dinner in the evening and followed by ALL YMD Meeting at night. It is a long day of meetings and everyone enjoyed them. We had the YMD leaders to perform the seven characteristics of Human Revolution to their fellow members, and they did great! Towards the end I talked to them about how Human Revolution is actually equivalent to Enlightenment in contemporary term. I hope they grasp the point. We should have this YMD Day meeting every year for ALL YMD to get together and go GaGa! Gakkai meetings should have ambient and spirit like that and everyone will be looking forward for Gakkai meetings.

SGM Pioneer Award

Region chief just emailed out the finalized list of SGM Pioneer award recipients today. I went through those old yet familiar names. These were the uncles & aunties that frequented my house when I was still little. These were the uncles and aunties who had fought for the Justice of Gakkai when I was still sitting on my mum laps when attending meetings. These were the uncles and aunties that risked their life for Gakkai when I was still debating whether wanna come out for Gakkai activities or not.

I had the privilege to hand the award invitation to Dato' & Datin Ch'ng, Mrs. Khoo & Mr. Lai. I read to them the significant of this award stated in the letter, I am not too sure how they feel but I felt proud being able to be in an organization that was built by these pioneers. Yes! I felt so proud that day being able to hand those invitation letters to them personally.

Among the 50 pioneer award recipient names, one of them is my father. Even though he has stopped coming out to Gakkai activities now, but he has been given me his silent support through the freedom in participating in Gakkai activities that I enjoyed today. I may be very discrete in our connection in Gakkai activities, but I am really proud to be his son who fought for the Justice of Gakkai in the 60s and 70s. And now I has the great fortune to carry on this legacy today!

Being the second generation on Soka Spirit, I am doing my best to impart this legacy to the youth divisions and many generations to come. I believe this is the tradition of Gakkai, tradition of Selangor.

2009 Peace Proposal

I just read Sensei's 2009 Peace Proposal. As usual, it is such a insightful proposal that I would have to read through it a few times before i could fully understand it. Sensei is such a thorough and far-sighted person that the world see no match today. Things that he sees and thinks are something that not everyone of us could comprehend, even some top-notch world leaders. He life condition is so high that everything happened in this world seems that is all within his grasp. Today we are all Sensei's disciples and I am very proud of that!

Siddhartha

I just come back after watching the local production of the Siddhartha, the Musical. I have heard remarks made on this musical before, goods and bads.

After watching the musical, I have no doubt about the great Wisdom of a Buddha. However, it also gives me the feeling that Siddhartha did not care about the feelings of his parents and wife when he decided to leave his palace and seek the Way. The only thing he cared was to find the source of the sufferings the other people are facing. Can we say he actually 'sellfishly' abandon his responsibility as a piety son and responsible husband to pursuit his self-interest of finding the Way? Someone may call this sacrificing the smaller goods for the greater goods; but I think it should be more aptly said this greater goods intention was developed later, along the way he was seeking his Enlightenment. He has gone through his share of Human Revolution too! And I think this is the true enlightenment!

There were a few scenes and Buddhist principles being related in the musical, and I find it a bit mythical. However, if I were to look at it as the musical is portraying the inner realms of ones life, everything makes so much sense.

I think the character Devadatta can be developed further. I think it is important we recognize there is always the battle between the Buddha & the Devadatta in every moment in our lives.

Last but not least, the musical missed out Lotus Sutra entirely which is the whole point of Buddha's intention in this life!

H1N1 Quarantine

I just got back from Hong Kong few days ago, and now I am staying away from all Gakkai activities as there is already a memo from GD saying those who came back from the H1N1 affected nations are to stay away from all Gakkai activities for 14 days! I can understand how serious this can be if there is any outbreak in Gakkai. I truly respect this decision made.

However, compared to the SARS outbreak 5 years ago, I was 'forced' to quarantine myself from going to office after my Hong Kong business trip. I felt really lousy about that and thinking to myself what might happen to office could happen to my family, and they just won't care!!

The quarantine now and quarantine 5 years ago has 2 totally different impact on me, one imposed by Gakkai and another one imposed by company. I guessed I'm just biased!! hehe :)

I Will Follow You

Last week we had our 2nd Act of Kosen-rufu Youth Leaders Meeting, we watched the 26th Headquarter Leaders Meeting on video. We all realize one thing in the meeting, Sensei is getting old. Compared to the Sensei I met last year in SGI Youth seminar, Sensei is struggling to give encouragement to us in this 26th HQ Meeting. Sensei is still addressing every one of us and giving high hopes on us, the Youth Division! Sensei is burning his life for the Youth Division. We must never let Sensei down and held high the banner of Soka in our own arena. And for me, I resolved to follow Sensei's footstep throughout my life!

It has been a while ...

Arh.... I failed. I stopped blogging for 2 full months!! Laziness overcome me ~~
I'm terribly sorry to Sensei! I will pick the pieces up and start to record my path on Mentor & Disciple again in this blog!

Lots of things happened for the past 2 months. We completed our RUN For Peace 2009 with more than 6,000 participants, celebrated 5.3 with all Selangor Leaders and launched Selangor 2nd Campaign on Shakubuku & Soka Spirit. I have also completed more than 10 dialogues per month for the past few months.

My grand aunt has also left us forever during the past 2 months. She passed away peacefully on the May 2nd morning. I was the only one in the room with her, holding her hands and saw her took her last breath. We all feel sad for losing her, but strange feeling in me telling me this is the best way for her to leave. Both sister and I chanted an hour Daimoku on her bedside while waiting for her casket to arrive. I only cried on that morning and did not shed a tear after that. Everyday, she appears in my mind so vividly and I am afraid this image of hers may fade off one day. Everyday Daimoku & Gongyo are my best time to think of her and remember her.

Art of Healing

For the past 1 week, I have been attending class to learn the art of healing called longevitology. It is an art of channeling the energy from the universe through our hands to the sick and activate his "chi" for him to heal from within. I was a bit skeptical about the truth of this technique. But I do agree with the teachers on we must heal the people's heart first and let all have the compassion to help others who are sufferings.
These 2 days, we were trying it out with my grand aunt. The maid said she felt her body getting warmer. Today, she can come out from her room after 1 week. Is that a mere coincidence or it is truly the longevitology? I need to monitor further. But to me, I will continue to chant and do whatever possible to help her through.

Gosho & I

I was preparing a short Gosho passage to study with the Culture Division tomorrow this afternoon. Started with trying to understand the Gosho background, and try to find the phrase that was assigned to me from that Gosho. I started reading it and it was a letter written to his disciple Shijo Kingo. I was so engross on the Gosho and before I know it, I finished reading the entire Gosho. Nichiren Daishonin written this Gosho 750 years ago, and today it still has the appeal to many. I can imagine when Shijo Kingo first receive this letter from Daishonin, he must have been eagerly reading it numerous times! I figured out that must be the great compassion Daishonin has for all humanity that transpire space and time that had captured me.

When several children are caught in a fire, though the parents wish to save them all at the same time, having only two arms, they must decide which child to save first and which to leave until after. The Lotus Sutra is a parent with a thousand arms, ten thousand arms, or a million arms.

On Rebuking Slander of the Law and Eradicating Sins

I think one of these arms has extended to this century and to Malaysia too!!

Egypt Trip

I did a bag-packing trip to Egypt for 16 days during the Chinese New Year break. It was full of excitement, surprises and frustration as well. Beautiful country but it seems to me the people are not trustworthy. Most of them that I met were trying to con some money out of me. Even the seemingly helpful school teacher (as he claimed) that help me with direction on the street was asking me for tips after showing where should I take a cab! I bet there are genuinely nice people out there, but there are just too few on the street. I found out the Egyptian were tricked by foreigners big time in the past centuries with some of their most valuable treasures are still in the Museum of London and the Louvre. After knowing this background, I start to understand why they are now out there to cheat people at all possible occasions. Knowing a culture background is important for us to tolerate a behavior or incidence. I start to see the Egyptian from different lights, and start to appreciate their friendliness and helpfulness. And towards the end of my trip, I met a young guy who even offer to pay my tram ticket! I believe when I change (in me), the environment will just change!

God bless you, son!

i went to my ex-headmaster house with SP & SC yesterday as part of my Chinese New Year visits. Sir was bed-ridden for more than a year after he was last diagnosed with brain tumor. Yesterday we saw him being able to start moving by himself on his wheel chair! Great improvement! SP even brought some of the cards Sir sent to us after we left school, trying to help Sir to regain his memories. Sir's mom was very grateful seeing us visiting Sir. When we are about to leave, sir's mom embraced us with both her hands and said to us,"God bless you, son!" I was thinking we are all blessed in our own way by our faith. I will also chant for Sir for his fast recovery.

Monetary contribution

I drove to Singapore with BC yesterday. He was concerned about those rumors going around criticizing Gakkai wealth. He heard one of the MD member told his wife not to subscribe to Cosmic because Gakkai is very rich... I have heard this many times before but never had a chance to seriously talk to anyone about it. Yesterday was my first attempt to explain this to a concerned YMD. Not too sure how well he take it but my explanation was no matter how rich (or poor) Gakkai is today. Our thoughts of contribution shall come from one's heart. It shall never depend on any external circumstances. The spirit of intent is we want to contribute in our own small little way for this great cause of kosen-rufu. Never for once we think we are 'subsidizing' the kosen-rufu movement. One will stop 'subsidizing' once one find out there is enough in the pool and no point 'subsidizing' anymore.

Courage of a YMD chief

KS who was from PJ that had never encountered any Danto members in his life, chanted an hour of daimoku to summon up his courage to go knock at his Danto neighbour's house today. He was nervous initially but he pushed on to press his neighbour's door bell. They became friends. This was his first step in Soka Spirit. I truly admire his courage to step out from his comfort zone to be involved in Soka Spirit. Courage is not being fearless, but overcoming our fear!

Youthful Flag bearers

KP sent out an email, "A Call for Soka Spirit", yesterday. Calling all YMD Chapter and Honbu chiefs to answer to this call for Soka Spirit.
Till today, none of the YMD chiefs replied except a WD (SB, she is wife of one of our Chapter YMD chief) wrote to me to register herself into this once-in-a-ten-thousand years battle of the Law. I cannot hold back my emotion when I see her email. Partly I truly grateful to her and the youthfulness of her spirit, and on the other hand, I feel Where are the Youthful Flag Bearers?
Must chant and dialogue more!

Discussion Meeting at Dist. V.

I went to District V. for discussion meeting at FH's house last night. I was the YMD District leader at District V. before I went oversea. After 14 years, last night was my first time to attend their meeting again. Familiar faces and a few new faces greeted me with mixed feelings. Auntie SM hugged and kissed me when she saw me walked into the house. She told me she was very sick few years ago. She is still challenging. Auntie HE spoke to me enthusiastically after about her family challenges for the past few years. Besides her extremely poor eye-sight, three of her right leg's fingers were removed due to virus infection. She is grateful of the protection of Gohonzon and she told me she has overcome! Met CV, uncle TL, uncle WK, YW, auntie SH, CL, AL and YT in the meeting. JC and KC was there in the meeting too. It was a lively meeting. :)

I was really touched by the members sincerity. Something that I always seek in Gakkai and this is something that make Gakkai beautiful as it is.

I wanted to talk to FH for 2 weeks already but couldn't find time to do that. Finally, I met FH at the end of the meeting and encourage him to reflect on his human revolution & put everything unhappy behind & be diligent in Gakkai activities.

Soka Spirit Dialogue

Tonight I went to District J. with some S7 WD, YMD & YWD to homevisit the Danto members. There are plentiful, but our team managed to visit 2 Danto household and a Gakkai household. A youth from one of the Danto household said times are bad now. His job has slowed down a lot. I had a in depth discussion with this YMD on the true spirit of Buddhism and how a real Buddhism is going to make a person stronger and more independent especially in this economy down turn period. After the homevisit, we all meet at the stall to have the famous 'Oil-fried devil'! We split into 2 groups, 1 group went back to Klang after supper and PL & myself went to a YMD house to help a YMD to prepare for his coming Tuesday Discussion Meeting topic. Happy that I have so much today! Thanks to the S7 leaders arrangement. Came home to chant an hour of daimoku to complete my daily daimoku target.

2009 first Soka Spirit Chant & Chat

Attended Kota Kemuning Soka Spirit Chant & Chat last night. It seems like the District Chief is more interested in next week pot-luck get-together for all district members than Soka Spirit. Anyhow, when come to my turn to speak, I talked about Soka Spirit again. Talking about freedom of spirit, I studied with them this...

Buddhist teachings that view the Law as existing outside one's own life tend to be authoritarian or formalistic, disregarding and repressing people. They are prone to emphasizing rituals or clerical authority, while their followers passively seek to assuage their anxieties through dependence on ceremonies or clergy.

YMD Dialogue

We conducted our first Region/Chapter leaders dialogue meeting last night. Managed to hear from most of them their testimonies, concerns and problems in carrying out 2009 1st campaign. Truly happy to see JY joining the meeting after more than 2 years absence. Did not get the chance to talk to FH as the meeting ended at 10pm. Will try to arrange to talk to him another day.

Oneness of Mentor & Disciple

We studied Oneness of Mentor & Disciple last night with Soka Talent Group. One of the questions we posted to the youth division was "Can we have a mentor in life other than Ikeda Sensei??" Lots of them say yes. I did not agree, but I was not able to answer to them convincingly on the meeting. Spoken to Region chief and a few YMD leaders, and come home to continue another hour of daimoku...

"A blacksmith’s apprentice is a blacksmith; a fishmonger’s trainee is a fishmonger. In the same way the Buddha’s disciple is a Buddha. It all works out very neatly..."

Toda Sensei said.

Nichiren Daishonin inherited the oneness of mentor and disciple relationship with the Law of Myoho-renge-kyo, the Buddha. He endured all the persecutions befalling him with utmost conviction and determination. And in 1930s, Makiguchi Sensei personalized the Daishonin's spirit and become one with the Daishonin, and summoned the courage to retain the pure spirit of Daishonin lineage in the face of government persecution. Toda Sensei was one with his mentor, Makiguchi, and with his ailing body, his spirit was high and achieved 750,000 households conversion in his lifetime. With his severe tuberculosis in his youth who were diagnosed not able to live beyond 30s, Ikeda Sensei is one with his mentor and spread this seed of humanistic Buddhism to 192 countries and territories. Where did all this wonderful and magnificent power come from? They are all ONE with their mentor, who inherited the lineage of a Buddha, the Law.
So, can we have a mentor in life other than Ikeda Sensei?? The answer is "yes" if our ultimate goal in life is NOT attaining Buddhahood in this Lifetime. A Buddha disciple will definitely become a Buddha!

1st Campaign All Leaders Meet

Completed 1st 2009 Campaign All Leaders Meet. I lectured on "On Attaining Buddhahood in This Lifetime". I thought I did badly but some leaders came to me telling me I did a good job (wanted my presentation slides some more). It must be the working of daimoku. Leaders attendance was no good. Only 42% of the entire leadership turned up. We can't even pass the passing mark of 50%!! Region chief spoke to me and YWD chief after the meeting. Encouraging us to take the full responsibility of the entire Selangor region kosenrufu, and not confining to our own division only. I pondered over this many times in the afternoon and chanted another hour of daimoku to accept this. I was telling myself, let launch the 'shinichi yamamoto campaign' in me first before I can foster more sensei's disciples for sensei. I must overcome!

Sensei's Birthday

We had a truly wonderful daimoku session together with all other Honbu leaders last night to chant to Sensei's good health and longevity. KP & I managed to come out a slide presentation on Sensei. Region chief likes it so much and want us to present it again on Sunday's All Leaders Meeting. Even there is only a 5-minute slide show about sensei, but I can feel both KP & I have already deeply pledged our life for sensei on this significant 81st Birthday of Sensei.
The student division last night was collecting 81-hour daimoku drive for sensei too. Wonderful efforts and "cool" campaign (as how they put it in their sms).
Text my sister wishing her Happy Birthday late at night. It was her birthday too.

New Year Resolution

2008 was actually my first time writing down my New Year resolution concretely. On the Eve of 2009 New Year day, we went over to TP & SB's had our New Year mid night gongyo. SB gave us back our written resolution and everyone went through it with mixed feelings. Some achieved some didn't. I personally feel for the first time I have done something meaningful (concretely) for the past one year. No doubt I did not fulfill every single resolution made on 2008, but I am happy there are few that I have challenged and overcome!
2 days ago when I attended an organization statistic meeting with CK, he mentioned about his recent homevisit to District J. There are plenty of Danto members out there and the WD is having a hard time to cope. According to him, there are 1 YMD and 1 WD from the N. Sect who are actively converting the locals to their misleading group. This statement really cut through my heart deeply!
What have Sensei's disciple been doing?! How could Sensei's disciple lose to the evil N. Sect youth?! I must fight on! Unless I move, no one will move; unless I fight, no one will fight!
With this in mind, this has become part of my 2009 New Year resolution. A resolution I must fight through! The rest of the resolution are:
- To find my career in life that will proof the greatness of Sensei and Gakkai in 2009.
- To dialogue with 100 people in 2009.
- To challenge 1 million daimoku in 2009.
Completed my first 1-hour daimoku in 2009 yesterday.