Experience - My first year as a Nichiren Buddhist

It's been a year since I become a Nichiren Buddhist. It's kinda weird how I become one. One night, I was on iTunes searching for Buddhist podcasts where I found, ironically, A Buddhist Podcast. The first episode I listened to was the Study Special with Jason Jarrett, the host, and William Woolard, the author of "The Reluctant Buddhist". They were going over study material for the Buddhist Learning Review that year. I listened for a few minutes before going to bed. Later that night, at around 1AM, my niece got in trouble for stealing our Grandma's car. The house was in an uproar. The next morning, everyone was still upset and so I decided to go to the Benson Grind on 60th and Maple. I had the podcast on my mp3 player and listened to it while I was there. The more I listened, the more it made sense. So, I began to research more on my own. I was suprised to discover that there was an SGI here in Omaha. I wanted to go, but I didn't know how to drive and took the bus. Well, Alex, Claude and Mayumi came to pick me up and I attened my first SGI meeting. I was unsure about everything, thinking what I had gotten myself into this time. But, throughout the meeting, it made more sense. So, I started going to more meetings and meeting many wonderful people. In May 2009, I became a member of the SGI and in August 2009, I had my Gohonzon enshrined. I feel grateful for finding Nichiren Buddhist or it finding me and I know that I'm much happier now that I was a year ago.

Little Feet & Spirit Fingers

Yesterday was my first Sunday meeting at the SGI in Omaha. There was a lot of people, including some of the member's kids who ran around, sat with there parents or played in the playroom. We watch President Ikeda speaking to a group of students on video. The person who announced was a tad bit too excited, even President Ikeda told him to calm down. :) The announcer kind of reminds me of a sports announcer. Also, Katie explained to me the difference between jazzhands and spirit fingers. Jazzhands are like a frantic wave while spirit fingers are like typing on an invisible keyboard.

Cousin Rufus

This may be a little strange, but sometimes whenever I hear kosen-rufu, or world peace, I would think that someone is saying, "Cousin Rufus". The first few times I heard it, I was like, "Who's Cousin Rufus?" Has that ever happened to any of you guys.

Worries :O

*Hi! Sorry I've been long so long! :P*

I'm worries about a couple of things:

1. I worry that I don't chant enough during my day. I chant when I get up, while waiting for school to open, before bed, etc. But, sometimes I forget to chant.

2. I worry that I'm not doing enough to be the change in my life and for the world.

Is this normal?

Indigo and Potatoes (or Potatos?! :P)

Today, Maiyumi and I drove to Debbie's house for the monthly SGI District meeting. There were many nice, funny people there. This month, we discussed how like when something's dipped in indigo, it deepens the color, I think, much like the Daishonin Buddhism, when we pray, study and tell others, we deepen our faith, I think. lol :D Also, it'll be this Tuesday the 78th Anniversary of the formation of the SGI. After the meeting, there was some confusion on maybe having future meetings start later or earlier and Debbie said that we're all like potatoes, being plucked from the ground and put into the pot of water (The World?). In the pot, while we're trying to get clean, we're pushing and trying to make room. I think we may have reached a compromise because all I could think about was indigo and potatoes. It was a very good meeting. :)

My First SGI Meeting

Today, I attended my first SGI meeting at the Omaha Community Center. Alex, one of the members, picked me up, along with Maiyumi (I think that's what her name is. I not good with names. :P) and Claude. At the beginning of the meeting, when did the Nam-Myoko-Renge-Kyo chant for 30 minutes. Then, the girls were talking about chapter 5 of President Ikeda's wife's book. (President Ideka is the head of SGI worldwide.) Then, we talked about what is happiness and what is unhappiness. My first meeting was really nice and the people are really friendly and funny. :)