Mentor's Great Compassion

I am truly lucky to be able to find a mentor in life. A mentor that shows me the way to lead a meaningful and creative life.

It is through mentor's great compassion that enable us to walk the path of Mentor and Disciple and eventually achieve things that otherwise seems impossible. It is through his great compassion that allows ordinary person like us to achieve extra ordinary endeavors.

Examples were obviously seen on the Human Revolution The Musical staged by our youth division. Nobody would ever imagine behind the touching musical script was an electrician who has zero experience in all sorts of playwrights. The main director of the musical was actually a freight forwarding agents that has nothing to do with any stage or theatre plays. The composer and lyricist of the beautiful theme song was another common working class who is busying with her 9 to 5 daily job.

If not because of his daily guidances and novel, we wouldn't be inspired to put up the musical in the first place. If not because of his great compassion that lead us to walk the path of Mentor & Disciple, we wouldn't be able to achieve what we have achieved thus far.

From the bottom of my heart, I thank you so much, Sensei. You have shown us the way to lead a fulfilled life, an enlightened living.

Sensei's Necktie

Being the emcee for our Mentor & Disciple Hall Soft Launch for the past 2 days was a truly turning-point to me. I renewed my vow to Sensei to pledge to become Sensei’s eternal disciple to carry out my mission as a real protagonist of kosen-rufu everywhere I go.

I have emceed numerous events, big and small, within Gakkai events and external public events before, however this time I really learned a lot from Mineo-san as well as Mr. Koh on how to become a real emcee. How to be an emcee that always put Sensei as my focus. That I have never thought about before.

Being an emcee for the Soft Launch for our Mentor & Disciple Hall brings me the opportunity to participate in all Mineo-san MDH explanation tour in details. Mineo-san explanation was really detail and touching. From the man who is closest to Sensei, I can feel his spirit is always one with Sensei. Thinking of how to make Sensei happy, how to make Sensei at ease, how to arrange activities for Sensei. His episode on Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata at Shizuoka was especially touching to me; his episode on Sensei’s resignation on 1979 truly make me feel the true disciple’s attitude towards one’s mentor; and he shared many more episodes he had for the past 40 years working besides Sensei.

Last night was their farewell dinner before leaving for KLIA. I had the opportunity to dine together with them (thanks to my YMD chief who had nominated me). After the dinner, Mineo-san presented every men attended the dinner with a piece of Sensei’s necktie. This necktie, which either Sensei used before, or being with Sensei before, had a deep significant to me. The moment I received it from Mineo-san hand, I pledge in my heart, I will give my life for the sake the Law, Gakkai and Sensei.

When I returned, I chanted an hour daimoku to thank Sensei for his great care and impartial love for a disciple like me.

Human Revolution The Musical Premier Show

Tonight is the first night of HRTM. It is going to run for 4 more shows on every Saturday night in SGMS. The audience response was good but I still find there are rooms for improvement. There is still scenes that we can trim and streamline. Probably I was having too high of a hope on our inexperience youth division on this musical. But somehow I find I cannot live on a mediocre musical especially on this one that we dedicated to the man who inspired us, Ikeda Sensei!

I am hoping this musical can be improved from day to day and it is eventually a prefect gift for Sensei in 2010.

On the 80th Anniversary of Soka Gakkai Founding

I'm on my way back from HK after my week-long business trip. Tired but feel really exited on this special day. I was reading the novel Human Revolution on the plane and can't help but to think of the determination both the Founding President Makiguchi & his successor President Toda hold on to were so powerful that even the militarist government in Japan couldn't bend them an inch.

However, today there is a scholar, BV, in University of Adelaide claimed Makiguchi Sensei was a supporter of Japan's militarism in his "Engaged Buddhism: A Skeleton in the Closet?"!! How on earth did he came to this conclusion? According to DB, an article contributor to IOP, BV had only partial view of President Makiguchi's writings and he didn't even refer to his most important work, The Pedagogy of Value Creation. Hence it can be very misleading and even dangerous to just have to believe whatever being published even by some "scholar".

Soka Gakkai has come so far in the past 80 years. Ikeda Sensei has successfully built the foundation of kosen-rufu around the world. It is now Sensei's disciple, SGI comrades around the world including myself to move SGI towards 2030, the 100th Anniversary of its Founding.

Let the gods forsake me

Let all persecutions assail me

Still I will give my life for the sake of the Law

Close with Sensei

JN briefed us on his Japan SGI 80th Anniversary General Meeting, saying the entire SGI is moving towards the a great shakubuku campaign, great discussion meeting, fostering capable youth to build a youthful Gakkai. The only way to ensure Gakkai development is through human revolution.
I remembered telling all these to KP and all our YMD Region leaders that this should be our direction for post 80th anniversary 1 month ago. Furthermore our 80th Anniversary Youth Projects are in exact accord with the direction of Soka Gakkai whereby our quotes of Justice compiled from Sensei's guidances and lectures and Human Revolution Musical are exactly JN's 80th Anniversary's General Meeting emphasis in Japan.
Never before for me to feel so close to Sensei as my thought and plan was exactly what Sensei wanted the rest of us to do.
Thank you Sensei for your great compassion to let me, your disciple, to feel how you feel and allowing me to walk into your world with greater confidence.

Human Revolution, the Musical

SGM Selangor Youth Division is putting up the "Human Revolution, the Musical" in conjunction with the 80th anniversary of Soka Gakkai Founding. I went to see their practice today. I was really touched by a few scene together with their music composed and arranged. Towards the end I encouraged them to continue finish reading the Human Revolution novel and chant more daimoku for the great success of the musicals. I am too challenging the same. Must finish the novel within 2010! My promise to my Mentor.

Rise! YMD! Rise!

Read about how Sensei expand the rank of the YMD to 1000 during his First Corp leadership assignment in 1953. Coincidentally it is also the target I set for gathering 100 YMD per Honbu for our new 10 Honbus start next year 2011. We are talking about launching a campaign to gather 1000 YMD strength for SGM Selangor.

Tonight I shared this vision with the other YMD Region chiefs and the way how Sensei prepared for this great campaign. Urging them to give it a good thought on how well we can achieve this epoch breaking record for YMD in Selangor. KP, YL, GH & JN enthusiastically shared their thoughts on how we can make it for 2011.

2011, YMD in Selangor must rise! Rise to a level we have never imagine before. To be able to report to Sensei on our Ever-Victorious YMD story.

Lion Roar of a Chief

Tonight we watched the SGI 39th HQ Meeting together in kaikan. LP, VC & CM shared their experiences attending the meeting themselves together with mentor. Especially touched by VC on his frank sharing that he cried so many times during his entire kenshukai in Japan.

Both JC & I had a chat with our Region Chief after the video session. Listening to his lion roar-liked encouragement on how youth should challenge our weaknesses and cowardice. Being a great chief in Gakkai does not mean problem-free. But a great chief will face his problem boldly and challenge head on without any pretense. Encouraging everyone who are facing problems now to challenge together and win. He shared this with us tonight:

When problem arise, the wise will rejoice and the fools will retreat.

I must fight on to develop myself to be able to have such life condition. A life condition that encompasses all those are challenging their individual problems and circumstances.

24-Hour Duty @ SGMS

Yesterday was my second 24-hour duty in kaikan for the year. Got a news from Region Chief in the morning JL got violent again and chanted an hour Daimoku for him. GW group on duty was YK. We both went to a few photography trips together. We shared our opinion on the importance in photographing Gakkai activities to leave a track record of kosen-rufu history in Malaysia. Read an article on how Sensei train the Suiko-Kai in 1960. Sensei was very strict but his affection for his youthful disciples has never been a question. The article truly make me think of how a true mentor foster his disciples.

Night Duty on the 15th of Seventh Month

According to Chinese saying, on the 15th of Seventh Month of the Lunar Calendar, the hell breaks free!
GH & I were supporting C3 kaikan night duty on the 3rd shift. Didn't manage to sleep the whole night but managed to dialogue with JY & KS. Got to know both of them are doing well in their lives and careers. Feel really happy for them.
It was a calm and quiet night for GH & I to talk about what we should be doing from 2010 onwards. The direction on where should Gakkai's Art & Culture movement heading. Deep in night & deep in thoughts, well alert!
That very moment, I feel like I'm in the Land of Tranquil Light

Neither the pure land nor hell exists outside ourselves; both lie within our own
hearts. Awaken to this truth, one is called a Buddha; deluded about it, one is
called common mortal. The Lotus Sutra reveals this truth, and who embraces the
Lotus Sutra will realise that hell is itself the Land of Tranquil Light.

{Reply to the wife of Late Lord Ueno}

Feel like a Buddha on the 15th of Seventh Month! Haha!!

Bold Struggle

I was sick over the weekend and took a day off from work today. I arrived early in kaikan for our all leaders meeting tonight. GD came earlier and none of the Region leaders was around during that time. Apparently it was due to some road construction on the bridge that make all the leaders from the other side of the river late. KP who is suppose to in-charge of the slides are late. He called and told me, being an emcee, to drag on, and at the same time he will email tonight's meeting slides to kaikan. I understood most of the leaders has already in the hall and I can't dragged any further. I told Region chief who was leading the Daimoku to start Gongyo in 5 minutes. I told him we might run into a risk that there will be no slides for my part (review of Campaign 2) and his part (encouragement for Campaign 3).

As I started the meeting and reviewing the kosen-rufu results of our previous Campaign (without slides), the members are all very attentive and pay most of their attention on how far we have done. When come Region Chief speech, our Multimedia group, KA, managed to finish downloaded the slides KP sent. Timing was just nice for Region Chief Speech. And the subsequent slides for GD speech were all OK.

When GD speaks, he gave his all and encouraged us on the NHR Bold Struggle chapter. I can feel GD's spirit in me. Even though the meeting did not end until 10:00pm, all the leaders were listening attentively to GD and none of them leave early.

The meeting ended with great success with our Daimoku sansho.

I realized that every meeting is a challenge, a struggle. In fact a Bold Struggle, a struggle to overcome whatever circumstances that may popped up unexpectedly. A strong determination and prayer will ensure a successful meeting.

Shitei Kaikan - The Beginning

We had a meeting with SGI leaders last night. They both stressed on the importance of Mentor & Disciple Spirit. They mentioned both our Advisor & GD went to Japan on different occasion to meet SGI leaders on how to conduct kosen-rufu with Mentor & Disciple Spirit in Malaysia in the future. I thought this is something everyone (or rather every top leaders in SG) should know. Why need to ask anymore?
However, I found out this is not the case for a disciple who always seek for Mentor. A disciple who think he knows all is arrogant! I feel very proud our Malaysia kosen-rufu is actually led by these two humble gentlemen! Even at this many years of faith in Gakkai, they are still always seek for Mentor in their hearts. It was due to this pure seeking spirit Sensei agreed to open the Shitei Kaikan in Malaysia. That's why the 5th Shitei Kaikan in the world will be KL soon!
Thank you Mr. K & GD for showing me the right path of Mentor & Disciple!

Do You Hear the People Sing

I came across these words from Sensei, inspiring and touching,

My mentor said to me, quietly but firmly: "Daisaku, be like Hugo!"

The Light of the Century of Humanity

"Words of Truth and Justice The Most Powerful Weapon"

"President Makiguchi, who was also advanced in age, carried on his stuggle even in prison, asserting the truth of the Daishonin's Buddhism to very end. I, too, am resolved to keep striving as long as I live, into my 70s and 80s. I will keep speaking, keep writing, keep calling out for justice. If I am no longer able to walk, I will still be able to write. And if I can't use my hands, I'll still be able to talk about Buddhism. I'll still be able to chant to the Gohonzon and read the Gosho. I will continue exerting myself until my last breath leaves my body, even if l have to crawl on all fours. That's my determination. Please watch me. For that is the path of Buddhism and will rep-resent the total victory of my life."

New Human Revolution "Heart & Soul"

Peace Proposal 2010 Chanting session

One more week towards Student Division Sensei 2010 Peace Proposal Presentation. They are all very anxious about it, some even feel stressed. Up till this moment they are still struggling to finish their script, not to mention their presentation skills.

I was quite worry at first. However, after I join their chanting session today, I can feel the sincerity and dedication of this group of student division members. Some may not be the brightest students but they all strive to understand Sensei's Peace Proposal and resolve to present it to all 4 divisions members by end of this month. As I chant with them, my confidence in them grows. I'm all for them to achieve greatest victory in 2010 Peace proposal presentation. I told them at the end of the chanting session, let's do it even better than the last year presentation. Let's achieve Total Victory in Peace proposal presentation for Sensei!

I can see their young glowing eyes sparkled with courage and enthusiasm at the end.

Facing the Giants

Attended Blk 2 YMD meeting tonight. And they brought up a clips from Facing the Giants.

Mentoring is so important in our life. We need a mentor in life to guide, encourage, at times push us to the next limit.

I'm Lovin' It!

HOME (English with subtitles)

Dialogue with my Heart

I have carried out a series of dialogues within these 2 days in kaikan.

Dialogue 1:

Met MC while answering my mobile outside a restaurant during my luncheon. MC was quite helpless in job now as he sees his boss is going down the drain without much hope. He thinks he can't really do much as this is his fate. I told him he can make the change if he wants to. Only if he is willing to start believing in Gohonzon and chanting.

Dialogue 2:

Talk to SK during the Art exhibition. He was quite angry when I met him in the hall. He claimed he was misunderstood and being blamed for the fault he did not commit. I told him it is his mission being a chief to be responsible for all the shortcoming and mistake of his group members. In the first place he should find out from his fellow members on the task assigned to them, check if they need helps. He eventually accepted this as a challenge and we had a group discussion with his assistance PICs.

Dialogue 3:

Encouraged MT about his wife miscarriage. He was a bit emotional when he related what he and his wife went through. I told him it is up to them to make whatever had happened a positive influence or negative influence in their lives and their commitment in kosen-rufu. I told him it is their decision and action now to decide whether their unborn baby a devil or Buddha.

Dialogue with my heart:

After the above dialogues, i told my heart I feel so happy and worth my day for being able to give courage and hope to others. I myself was encouraged in return. I truly understand the meaning of dialogue.

24h Duty @ SGMS

Today I'm at SGMS performing my 24h duty. Coincidently met Mr. MBE on his GW duty as well. We had a good chat about his grudges against some leaders. He is my senior in faith who took care of us when i was a Jr. member in TG District. All I did was sharing with him a passage I learned from SGI Study Dept Chief last night, all beings possess Buddha natures and never belittle anyone like Bodhisattva Never Disparaging in Lotus Sutra Chapter 11. It turns out to be a good chat this morning.

星落秋風五丈原

The Falls of the Autumn Star at the Wuchang Plain. A beautifully touching song depicting the scene of Zhuge Liang last battle at the Wuchang Plain. This song was performed by SGM KL Choir the other night. I was so touched by the lyric and the chorus. I remembered Sensei shared Toda Sensei's guidance to the youth division, "As youth, you should think like Zhuge Liang. Bring forth wisdom. And win victory upon victory for the sake of the people." I must fight on.

SGM Vice YMD Chief

Tonight we celebrated 2010.5.3 in Cheras BK. GD announced my appointment as SGM Vice YMD Chief together with KP as SGM Vice Student Division Chief.

My appointment on this very significant day, the 50th Anniversary of Ikeda Sensei Inauguration, tells me the mystic bond I have with my mentor. Sensei has fought for worldwide kosen-rufu for 50 years, tonight I am appointed to continue to fight on this great legacy of my mentor. I take it as my mentor has official passed on the baton of kosen-rufu to me tonight!

This I will state. Let the gods forsake me. Let all persecutions assail me. Still I will give my life for the sake of the Law.

May 3rd 2010

Tonight we celebrated this significant day of 5.3. It marks Sensei's 50th Anniversary of Inauguration. Youth Division took on the stage to organize the entire meeting. A very fresh and daring approach but the outcome was not bad. Need further polishing on this group of youth to handle future kosen-rufu of SGMS. I was especially touched by the slides presentation on 5.3. No doubt it stills have room for improvement but the overall concept was good. The efforts put in was remarkable, especially coming from this group of new leaders. Deep in my heart, I thank them for the great efforts done.

The part when individual Honbu representatives came to the stage to give their respective Honbu resolution, it was suppose to create a groundswell like response from their Honbu leaders from the floor, but it didn't. What actually went wrong? Everything seems so right but something is still lacking.

The overall event (from the preparation till the meeting proper) help me see what is our new future leaders' quality. I had in mind who will be our successor in SGMS.

Tonight's meeting gave me an indicator how to lead SGMS Youth Division in the future. They are all great leaders in their very own way, I should say!

About Unity

Tonight's R. Meeting really triggers me to re-think about Unity. Some think unity is about closeness, some think unity is about same mindset and agree on everything, some think unity is about working together and some even think unity is not to voice out differences. I think unity is about working together towards the same direction with everyone holding a very diversified background, culture and thinking. Even after much disagreement and discussion, everyone can come to a broad-based consensus and put behind all differences and move towards a same goal.

2010 SGMS Youth 3 Projects

2010, in conjunction with the 80th Anniversary of Soka Gakkai Founding, we, SGMS Youth Division has pledged to launch 3 projects centering at our mentor, Ikeda Sensei.
First project, we are compiling all Sensei's quotes about Justice from all his New Century Headquarter Leaders Meetings since Nov of 2006. This is to compile into our 2nd Soka Spirit Handbook to be given out during our National Soka Spirit Seminar. Target: 3.16

Second project, we are compiling all Sensei's quotes on Justice from all other Sensei's lectures and writings. We are going to compile them all into a daily guidance book called Living 365 days with Justice. Target: 5.3

Third project, we are reading Sensei's renowned novel Human Revolution. And our target is to celebrate this novel with a Youth Musical: Human Revolution. Target: 11.18

Now that first project is approaching its deadline and I am doing final proofread on the guidances compiled on Justice by the participating Youth Division. I can't help but to feel encouraged and feel inspired by Sensei words of encouragement. Every quotes I read, I felt Sensei is directly telling me, to be strong, to be diligent, to be courageous, to be righteous and to be victorious! To all others who may come across this blog, I strongly urge you to read Sensei guidances again and again in this significant year of 2010. We can never be more motivated and moved by his insightful words of wisdom.

India and Buddhism

Writing this blog in Ajit Bhawan Palace Resort at Jodhpul, India
I can never forget my first Indian trip to Mumbai few years ago. JC and I were both not very impressed with India.
However, this CNY break I took another trip here with KE. This time I travel to the Delhi, Agra and the Rajasthan, the land of the Maharajas. It gave me a total different impression of this land and its people again. I see India as one of the most colorful country i have visited so far. The richness of its history, culture and traditions, not mentioning its breath of religious mythologies and deities, has already captivated my photography interest by far. Their temples are decorated and celebrated highly by the people. The people flock to places of worship in thousands to make their offerings daily. These scenes quenches my photography's thirst but deep down in me, I think otherwise...
One really disheartening fact is the trace of Buddhism, one of the most profound philosophy in the world today, has lost its influence in the lives of the people at its birth place, India, today. A philosophy that liberates people from the shackles of spiritual and religious dependency has lost its appeals here. When will people start to realize the whole idea of human existence is to impart and create values into this world? We are not born to serve a religion or a deity or something. A true religion should be there to empower human spirit, a spirit for us to live a life that shines through others' lives and society. Buddhism teaches us exactly that, a philosophy that guides us to lead a value creating life. I must do more shakubuku, an act to make people realize the purpose of their life. In other words, an act to guide people to fulfill their mission in life.

Avatar

Just to share with you something about this Avatar film we shared with KF the other day.

PL & I went to encourage him the other day, and we brought him out for a cup of tea and so happen the restaurant was showing Avatar on their "big" screen. He said he has watched it and he likes the movie. He likes the main actor, just like him (on wheel chair).

Yea, we shared the significance of the director has chosen a crippled to act as the main role in Avatar is probably because he wants to tell us, no matter what happened to us, even we are physically disabled, we are still able to dream. In Avatar's 'dream', Jake is able to do wonders in his 'dream' world, and eventually he saved the world of Pandora.

We agreed we are able to do wonders too if we live true to our dreams, no matter what circumstances we are in. For KF, he knows he needs to find his dream and live true to it...

The tea session lasted for more than 1 hour. And we each went home filled very differently about this film and our dreams...

James Cameron has not only brought Avatar to a new height in the movie industry, he has also make us 'dream' that night.

Happy 82nd Birthday Sensei!