Nobeoka Calcium

Nice to hear from you so soon.

I didn't know that many have left Ikeda.

I take it that you live in Japan? Perhaps we can meet some day.

I'm in the South, Kyushu, Nobeoka, an unknown part of Japan to many Japanese.

Howard

From: inanak51@hotmail.com
To: ahner1@hotmail.com
Subject: RE: The Buddha within
Date: Tue, 3 Feb 2009 20:25:58 -1000

WOW what wonderful experiences and benefits.

I am a "lone Wolf". I believe in the Daishonins teachings and your priest was right.
It is only our practice that we discover what is correct for us. That is why I cherish the Gohonzon and Nam Myoho Renge Kyo.
I can now understand why so many people left SGI... I have encountered many leaders (American and Asian) who have "snubbed" me when I try to
encourage people to just chant and read the Gosho. I say to myself, "self, the daishonin and Shakyamuni had compassion to appreciate
everyone and not be "choosey". Thank you for answering my email. I think that is really what Nichiren was looking at; people uniting despite their
differences and keeping it real.

So why Japan? My uncle Ollie was in Japan for 15 years; but he couldn't find a job. His wife Fran was a teacher and taught Enlish as a second language and that is how Uncle Ollie got to stay in Japan. After Aunt Fran retired, they moved, to all places, Tucson Az... Of course Uncle Ollie was from the great state of Hawaii (Hawaiian by blood/ American by Force)... and so Japan suited him just fine.

What type of work do you do?

I also believe that Buddhism is "happiness in this life". You are right. We encounter so many "challenges" and work very hard for our benefits; but you know, when I chant abundant diamoku with peace and happiness in my heart, times and that difficult.

Well, I will read your "sponge cake in Japan" note..

Once again, thank you for sharing and please do not stop writing. I have friends who left SGI and belong to the NS-Sangha group in Houston. As a matter of fact, Linda is now an NS-Sangha priest.. I say, "go girl"... I do not believe that "if one leaves the orginization, they will suffer" theory. I just believe that, "one might have elevated to another plane..." so

good morning (here it is 2300) and look forwards to our conversations and perhaps one day, both your wife and daughter will chant; but only if it is in their time... PS.. that is another thing I believe in: I don't "PUSH" people to join or recieve GOHONZON. I plant seeds, teach them to chant and let them make their decisions... Nichiren did say, "in the time and capacity of the people" so I just keep trotting along and spread the word...

Aloha for now, Kanani

another PS... I don't like the "revised edition" of Gongyo here; many times I will do A, B and C and then chant a lot..

Aloha Pumehana,Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

Kanani

From: ahner1@hotmail.com
To: inanak51@hotmail.com
Subject: RE: The Buddha within
Date: Sun, 1 Feb 2009 04:39:05 +0000

Hello Kanani,

I enjoyed reading your email. Thank you for spending the time to write it for me. As an American living in Japan since 1989, I don't get much contact with people that want to discuss Buddhism. The members here in Nobeoka, Japan stopped calling on me after I announced my split in 1991.  I remember the top leader of the local SGI that tried to switch my gongyo prayer book to the new orange one, said to me, "I will meet with you in ten years, and we will see who has advanced." Well, I haven't heard from him at all, and it's been 17 years now.

I've been to see the Dai Gohonzon many times. Each time is a new experience. I believe that the experience has enriched my life greatly.

(were you an NSA member before the great split?)

Yes, I was practicing in Santa Ana, California from 1976 until 1989 when I came to Japan. I continued with the SGI, I gave them a lot of money and a lot of my time.  And, you know, since I read that Taisekiji and SGI split in the local newspaper, I contacted the local temple. The result has been quite substantial.  My life improved constantly, greatly until today. But, from 1976 until 1991, my life was a sad austerity. I had one accident after another, one job after another, etc. But, I didn't seem to mind. Gongyo and daimoku was still satisfying.

( My belief is that if you follow Nicherin Daishonin then how can any of us be wrong?)

I agree with you there. I remember in 1977 or so, there was a lot of hoopla about studying Ikeda's guidance's. I couldn't understand why the Gosho wasn't the main emphasis. I always received greater encouragement from reading the gosho than I ever did from reading Ikeda or the World Tribune or the Seikyo Times. Once, I read a very short piece from Nitatsu, the head priest at the time. It was a 1979 New Year's address. Although, later I read that it had been shortened by the Seikyo Times staff. Anyway, I remember getting so encouraged from reading it. I told other top leaders of NSA at the time about how much it encouraged me. They just shunned me and tried to lead me back to Daily Guidance's by Daisaku Ikeda. I never once got encouraged from reading those daily writings. That's my experience, anyway.

(...people who have crossed over)

I always wonder why people use the phrase "cross over". I joined Nichiren Shoshu in 1976. It was at Myohoji Temple in Etiwanda, California.

(I NEVER felt like I needed a priest to be a go between.)

My experience with the priests here in Japan has been very little, nothing like a "go-between". In fact when I begged them for guidance, they just looked at me as if it was strange. My priest just doesn't profess his opinions. He just mentions gongyo and the gosho. And, that's it. I asked about "daimoku tozos", getting together to chant daimoku as a group, and they couldn't understand it. One priest said that it isn't Buddhism. I couldn't understand, because I wanted to attend many meetings like I did with the SGI. But, now I understand. Buddhism is a personal thing. Just do gongyo and study the gosho. I have received tremendous benefit from it. All that running around I did in phase I, II and III wasn't Buddhism. It was just running around, in my opinion.

(I was a person who so needed that type of discipline in the beginning.)

In my opinion, the only real discipline is to learn to do it by yourself. If one needs others to help one practice, then, I think it's a crutch, it's a waste of time.  Great benefit comes when one makes it their own idea to chant, to study, to practice. In a way, I am glad that no one visited me after I quit Garden Grove Headquaters in Santa Ana. And, I was a District Chief, a Chikubucho. Really, no one called me or visited me. And, after I gave every dime I had and all of my time for twelve years to the members of NSA, it was their disgrace. After I split with SGI here in Japan in 1991 and started to practice with the local priest here, I was a little confused when I found that no one visits you here either. You're on your own, Buddy. I learned that it's up to you to practice. If you have to be dragged to a meeting, it's of no use to you or anyone. It's my opinion, anyway.

I'll just give you a short list of the benefits I received since 1991.

1. We bought our second house last year. I always wanted a house overlooking the ocean. And, it's completely paid for. I can watch the sun rise in the ocean every day if I want to.

2. My daughter is now 17. She has won numerous contests at her schools. In fact, her name is on the sign right in front of her high school right now.

3. We've been married since July 15, 1990, very happily.

4. I've overcome pancreatic duct cancer, spinal meningitis and diebetis in the last year alone. My wife purchased extra cancer insurance policies just before, so we made out like a bandit. (We have a lot of money in the bank.)

5. My wife just had her first art exhibition in the Ginza, Tokyo a couple of months ago.

6. Although, my wife and daughter do not practice Buddhism as of yet, they are very sympathetic to my practice. And, I know that one day, they will begin chanting. I intend to show them through my example how great the gohonzon, daimoku, gongyo and the study of Nichiren Daishonin's gosho is.

Thanks for reading, and I pray that we can live our life to the fullest each moment of our lives.

Howard Ahner
February 1, 2009

From: inanak51@hotmail.com
To: ahner1@hotmail.com
Subject: The Buddha within
Date: Sat, 31 Jan 2009 06:08:06 -1000

were you an NSA member before the great split?

I am still an SGI member and have no issues with those who belong to other sects. My belief is that is you follow Nicherin Daishonin then how can any of us be wrong? After all, Nicherin did say "chant Nam Myoho Renge Kyo" will lead to enlightenment. I am one of these people who beleive that Gongyo is a formal ritual (I still do it though) and the Gohonzon isn't really a necessity (I will always keep mine safe and continue to chant in front of it)

However, when people get "to sticky" about "YOU HAVE to have a Gohonzon or YOU HAVE to do Gongyo EVERY morning and EVERY night, then I get a bit
nasty. I have met many people who have crossed over and I feel that that is their business. What is the difference?

I NEVER felt like I needed a priest to be a go between. That's what Catholocism is all about; you know, POPE, Bishop etc.
I NEVER felt that I needed to see the Dai Gohonzon. After all, only a hand full of Nichirens followers got one. And he left it as a REMINDER of what we all
have with in ourselves.
I NEVER felt that there was really a difference between NST/ SGI/ Nicherin Shu etc. I always felt that as long as we chanted Nam Myoho Renge Kyo,
propogate and protect, then we are following the Daishonin's teachings.

Some people left NSA because of the radical movements (washoi/ yearly contribution campaigns and even some of the leaders). However, I was a person who so needed that type of discipline in the beginning. After 27 years, if I can't make my own choices based on my experiences as a member and believer in the Daishonin's teachings, then I should just give it up and go back to being Wiccan.

I liked your web page and enjoy reading the documents. Thank you for your time...

I never liked the political aspect of any organization so I continue to be a member of SGI only because it is through the original NSA and Mr. Williams, Mr. Osaki and Mr Kikamura, that I was given the opportunity to meet Nam Myoho Renge Kyo, the Gohonzon and transform my life. I have never seen the Dai Gohonzon and perhaps never will. However when we think about pilgrimages or visiting those "historical spiritual sites or objects", it is as if I need confirmation that it really does exist. It makes me sound like a Christian who just has to go to Jeruselum or the Muslim that just has to go to Mecca to prove that they are believers of their faith instead of walking the walk... Ok... that is just my take on the issue.

I don't care if the Priest are NOT following or if the SGI is not doing the right thing. I know that Nichiren Daishonin encouraged us to chant and to respect all living beings. To live with the spirit of the Buddha and to "share" with others. He taught us to stand up for what WE thought was right and to have the courage to fight for what believe in. I believe that our current state of affairs in our country is challenging all of us to rethink our values.

As long as I continue to chant and change my life, then I can set an example to others of the greatness of Nam Myoho Renge Kyo.
I will NEVER slander another practitioner of the Daishonin's teaching as long as they continue in their efforts to progress in their lives and to encourgae others to do the same.

So why am I writing this? Because I know there is a lot of hostility between many of the believers and I don't believe in being that way. I believe that we should look at our common goals (Itai Doshin) and keep promoting the peaceful movement. IF we don't, then we are like the Christians who say, "my GOD is better than your God", or "only a certain group or certain number of people will go to heaven". As a United group of Nicherin believers, I think we can really help the growth of the world peace movement. And I think because there are so many people chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo, we are making a big difference. I choose to be a friend and follower of Nichiren Daishonin. I have to refute MY OWN negative ideas or erroneous ideas of people who choose to sell America for the mere price of gasoline; or healthcare benefits that do not benefit healthcare workers or Americans. I beleive that is what the Daishonin was talking about. Also, helping those who think that they have to kill 1,000+ people in order to get 7 virgins or go to heaven in their next life; or those who believe that golden statues and wooden objects will get them to a peaceful space instead of changing their own Karma from within.

Ok... I guess that is enough.. once again.. My name is Kanani and I am a Buddha who chants Nam Myoho Renge Kyo. I remain with SGI in order to help new people understand the Daishonin's messages. Have a great year and thank you for listening.. Kanani

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

Kanani