The youth of SGI USA Texas Gulf Coast Region will be participating along with 8,000 youth from the central part of the United States in the DECISIVE VICTORY YOUTH CULTURE FESTIVAL in Chicago on July 10^th, 2010.

We meet at the community center every 2^nd and 4^th Sunday Rock the Era Meeting to have fun, study, and rehearse for this historic performance.

Performance groups:

· Brass Band

· Dance

· Chorus

· Taiko Drums

· Elementary School Division Fan Dance (ESD - Age: 12 years and younger)

· Byakuren, Gajokai, and Soka Group (BSG - Supporting behind the scene)

Performance Group	Rehearsal Schedule
Brass Band	· Sunday, June 13, 2010 from 10 am to 1 pm · Saturday, June 19, 2010 from Noon to 2 pm · Sunday, June 27, 2010 from 10 am to 1 pm
Dance	· Saturday, June 12, 2010 from 11 am to 4 pm · Sunday, June 13, 2010 from 10 am to 2 pm · Tuesday, June 15, 2010 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm · Saturday, June 19, 2010 from Noon to 3 pm · Saturday, June 26, 2010 from 3 to 6 pm · Sunday, June 27, 2010 from10 am to 1 pm · Tuesday, June 15, 2010 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm
Chorus	· Sunday, June 13, 2010 from 10 am to 1 pm · Saturday, June 20, 2010 from 11:30 am to 1 pm · Sunday, June 27, 2010 from 10 am to 1 pm · Saturday, July 3, 2010 from 12:30 to 2 pm (optional)
Taiko Drums	· Sunday, June 13, 2010 from 10 am to 1 pm · Thursday, June 17, 2010 from 6:30 to 8 pm · Sunday, June 27, 2010 from10 am to 1 pm · Thursday, July 1, 2010 from 6:30 to 8 pm
ESD	· Sunday, June 13, 2010 from 10 am to 1 pm · Sunday, June 27, 2010 from10 am to 1 pm
BSG	· Sunday, June 13, 2010 from 10 am to 1 pm · Sunday, June 27, 2010 from10 am to 1 pm

Everyone & Anyone is welcomed to join.

For more information about July Festival: http://www.sgicentral.org/

]]> http://sgi-houston.org/rock-the-era/feed/ http://sgi-houston.org/houston-pride/ http://sgi-houston.org/houston-pride/#comments Sun, 06 Jun 2010 04:27:05 +0000 sgiadmin http://sgi-houston.org/?p=874 The SGI-USA Houston Chapter is excited to participate in the 2010 Houston Pride Parade on Saturday, June 26!!!

The Pride Festival is the single largest community event that supports Houston’s gay and lesbian community and friends. Admission is free and each year the Pride Festival & Parade brings out approximately 150,000 people.

The SGI-USA Houston Chapter will be participating in the night time Parade from 8:45 pm to 11:00 pm along Westheimer Street.

Pride NOT Prejudice
Houston LGBT Pride Parade
June 26, 2010
8:45 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.

SGI-Houston is proud to announce our participation in 2010 Pride Parade, themed Pride Not Prejudice. We would like to invite SGI members, guests, friends and family to join in our support of Houston’s LGBT community by helping to plan and participate in this year’s Parade Day festivities.

Saturday, June 26, 2010 - Parade Day Schedule
2:00 p.m. - Meet at Community Center for daimoku and brief planning meeting
5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. - caravan/carpool to parade site
8:45 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. - march in parade

In addition to Parade Day activities, two planning meetings will be held in preparation for the festival. Meetings are open to all SGI members and guests who would like to offer input, ideas, or just lend their general support.

Parade Planning Meetings
Tuesday, June 15, 2010 - 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010 - 7:00 p.m.

There will also be an SGI introduction meeting held at the SGI-Houston Community Center in conjunction with the festival. We would like to follow up on our efforts at the parade, introduce new guests to SGI and our wonderful mentor, Daisaku Ikeda, and to show our commitment to continuing our support of the Houston LGBT community.

Introduction Meeting
Sunday, June 27, 2010 - 2:30 p.m.

There will be sign-up sheets posted at the community center for all of those who would like to participate at the parade and support the introduction meeting.

Please get involved and prove the true POWER and HUMANISTIC SPIRIT of this practice!

“As Nichiren Daishonin states: ‘Through the example of one person, all living beings become equal.’ Buddhism upholds equality and expounds supreme humanism. All human beings have equal rights. There is no difference whatsoever in their inherent dignity. So no matter what you may face please live with pride, confidence, and courage.”
– SGI President, Daisaku Ikeda, LGBT Conference 2001

Experience for 2010 Women’s Division General Meeting

 When I began practicing in 1976, at the beginning of each meeting, we used to recite the famous passage from Kaimoku Sho or in English, “The Opening of the Eyes” gosho from Volume 1 of the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin which says, “Although I and my disciples may encounter various difficulties, if we do not harbor doubts in our hearts, we will as a matter of course attain Buddhahood. Do not have doubts simply because you do not enjoy an easy and secure existence in this life. This is what I have taught my disciples morning and evening, and yet they begin to harbor doubts and abandon their faith. Foolish men are likely to forget the promises they have made when the crucial moment comes.”

            I recited this passage in both Japanese and in English but I had no real idea what it truly meant or that I would come to live what it says. I could not understand why the members around me throughout my years of practice would attain all these material benefits but somehow I didn’t. I practiced with all my might or at least that’s what I thought. I went to every meeting, many times everyday of every week that there was one. I went to meetings in Japanese, meetings for Men’s Division, meetings that required staying to make costumes or get guidance at 3 or 4 in the morning. I attended daimoku sessions during my lunch break. I even went to a meeting during an unprecedented ice storm and was the only member to show up. I did Ushitora (midnight) gongyo countless times! I always was eager to do activities for Kosen Rufu (world peace) and I sought guidance so often, I was once criticized for it because I was always seeking and never absorbing.

            Then one day my chapter leader told me, “Doris, you can’t just read the gosho and that’s it, everything’s ok. You have to absorb what you read; you have to live the gosho and strengthen your faith.” It still took some time before those words sank in. I still had only a shallow understanding. I kept practicing but I was not standing up on my own. My lazy nature and my fundamental darkness were in control, not me. I began to doubt the power of the Gohonzon and was easily swayed by anything that happened in my life or anything anyone said. I begrudged my life and began to harbor ill feelings. I lost my sense of appreciation and my resolve to win over myself and my circumstances.

My situation worsened and I ended up abandoned and abused, homeless and sick. I suffered with obesity, depression, social anxiety, diabetes, congestive heart failure, gastrointestinal issues and high blood pressure. My husband left me and our children, taking all of the money in our bank account and the monthly bills were due. Shortly after that, I was in a car accident that totaled the car, faced life threatening illnesses three different times that brought me within days of losing my life, then the house we rented flooded and I went through 13 evictions before ending up homeless, living in my car, then in a shelter for 4 months while separated from my children. It was during this same time that one of my daughters was sexually assaulted and the other was admitted to a mental facility for adolescent depression. I was ridiculed, judged and reprimanded for my weight, my race, my behavior and my lack of material wealth. Still, I didn’t get the real message and couldn’t see that real benefit is inconspicuous, but I did continue to practice.

Then, during a pioneer meeting with Mrs. Elliot, I worked up the courage to ask why my life always seemed to be in winter that never turned to spring. This time the guidance didn’t go over my head. It hit me square in my face. I was told that I was being lazy and to begin chanting 2 hours a day. This was easier said than done and I only kept up this new goal for 6 months. But the Gohonzon is absolute and I began to gain the wisdom to see my life with true clarity. When I gave in to my lazy nature again, I became seriously ill and my cardiologist announced to me during a routine visit that I was in danger of literally dropping dead. This was another “wake up call” for me. I began to treasure my life and sincerely appreciate my fortune to practice.

            I started to see how easily I was swayed by my circumstances. I understood why I begrudged my life and regretted my choices. And it all came to me only recently when doubt, fear, worry and lack of appreciation and resolve almost caused me to “forget the promises I had made and abandon my faith.” Under the influence of my fundamental darkness, I considered leaving the organization and abandoning my vow to the Gohonzon and Sensei because I was not leading a peaceful, easy and secure life. I wanted to escape, but I remembered the adversity Sensei and Nichiren Daishonin endured that I had read about so I began to chant with all my heart.

            Suddenly through chanting daily for 3 hours again, studying Sensei’s guidance and the Daishonin’s teachings, and with the tireless support of my children, my leaders and the members of this magnificent organization, I realized that I was living and absorbing the gosho by doing my human revolution. Each hardship I faced and each goal I desired to fulfill was my benefit to show the validity of this Gohonzon to others and to myself. My obstacles are my opportunities to empower and transform myself to change my karma. My life, my mission is to show that no matter what we face or how long it takes, we will “as a matter of course attain Buddhahood” just as the gosho states. And I will never forget the promise I have mad to practice and propagate Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism.

            I have withstood great adversity to practice but ultimately it was my arrogance that caused my faith to waiver and it was study and daimoku that opened my eyes to why. Together, President Toda and President Ikeda used to study “Letter from Sado” which heralds the mentor/disciple spirit for inspiration during times of adversity. In his lecture on the this gosho (in the 2010 Jan/Feb. Living Buddhism), President Ikeda says, “Nichiren’s writings can rouse an indomitable fighting spirit in the hearts of those buffeted by the bitter winds of suffering and adversity. When his invincible spirit pulses in our lives, nothing can intimidate us. As long as we make a point of reading his writings and internalizing their lessons, no karma can defeat us. And as long as we dedicate ourselves to the way of mentor and disciple, no obstacles or devilish functions can hinder us. Please be confident that by living based on Nichiren’s writings and in accord with the path of a disciple, you can break through any obstacle or limitation.”

Thank you.

My experience began three years ago when I attempted to join the military in order to earn money quickly to pay for school. After months of being given the run around due to having been diagnosed with childhood asthma, I thought, “this is crazy why am I fighting to get in to the military.” So I applied to this mechanics school I kept seeing commercials for on television. Later that week I get a call from the school’s recruiter. He explains to me that the enrollment process requires a screening process for all of its applicants and he will have to ask me a series of questions. Before he begins he says “Here at UTI we want you to understand that you are not a Mechanic you are a Technician.” After the interview he tells me he will call back in a few days to let me know if I am accepted or not. It is November 9^th, I receive a call saying that I had been accepted. Then it hit me, at the age of fourteen my mother died from pancreatic cancer, November 9^th was her birthday. I remembered she always reminded me she never wanted any of her children joining the military. Wait, how am I going to pay for it? I live in Alabama and the school is way out in Texas I’ve got to pack, move, save, plan…..”NO” I say to myself, I will not be defeated. I don’t know how or where the money will be coming from but I am going. When I first arrive in Texas I contact my new district members to start attending meetings, next I get a part time job to pay for my bills. As school gets more involved my hours begin to get cut back and I have to get a second part time job along with school to pay for rent and all other necessities. Its all one HUGE balancing act and I’m fighting to stay on top. As time goes by sleep deprivation starts to get the best of me. I stop coming to meetings all together just to get a full eight hours of sleep on the weekends in order to be rested for the upcoming week. Soon even gongyo falls to getting accomplished every now and then. Everything completely falls apart; my current relationship fails I get laid of from one of my jobs and I start to fall behind on rent. Fortunately my family is able to help me out for a while but even that doesn’t help and the eviction notices start to show up. I contact a fellow member, DeShon, for guidance. He meets me at my apartment for a home visitation. It’s been almost two years since we last saw each other. During our conversation he reminds me that I have forgotten the most important piece to my jumbled puzzle, chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo. After our inspirational reunion I decided I need to do something to always remind me how important this practice is and always will be in my life. I decide to get Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo tattooed on me as it appears on the Gonhonzon. I put it on my forearm because it is the first tattoo I always see to symbolize where the practice is supposed to be in my life, FIRST. After returning from my long hiatus to meetings I learned that there was a youth festival coming up and the hip-hop dance group needed some help. Normally I would have quickly said no and be done with it because I have always had a severe stage freight especially dancing in front of a large crowd, but I remembered a New Year’s resolution I made where I have to say yes to everything I would normally say no to, so I agreed to help out, like I had a choice. I also learned that my graduation was to be the same weekend of the youth festival which made me really nervous. Both the graduation and youth festival came and went without much of a fuss but the real scary part had arrived. I had graduated with no job. The month before graduation I had lost both my jobs due to repeated car trouble and my lease was ending a month after graduation. After falling in love with my new found SGI family and accomplishing so much on my own I made the determination to stay in Texas. I got two interviews but no solid job offers and even though I had fixed my car from its earlier problem another one occurred. No job, no money, and no car. How am I going to get over this huge obstacle? I began thinking maybe I’m supposed to move back home for some reason, maybe there is a bigger issue that needs to be taken care of before I begin this stage of my life, should I give up? I have no car to get to any interview and no money for gas even if I did have the car. I got more guidance from another member who also offered to help me out. They encouraged me to increase my daily one hour of daimoku to two hours. Days go by and still no word on the job offers. My parents finally gave me one week to find a job or else I’d have to move back home because it was starting to do more harm than good staying in Texas with no job. As I chanted I thought to myself I have to make the impossible possible I have to be victorious. Three days left, I get a call for another interview. At this point I was so drained from everything I was beginning to mentally admit defeat. “Ok Gohonzon, I give up, I am putting my complete faith and trust in you. I want to stay here, I want to prove to myself and everyone else that even in the face of Armageddon that I will be victorious.” Two hours after the interview I get a phone call offering me the job with full benefits and insurance with weekends off!!! After accepting and hanging up I completely breakdown I had done it!! I achieved Victory through my faith, determination and devotion to the practice…and now in my victory I stand here as proof of the unlimited power of Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo. Now, I ask you. Will you challenge yourself when life brings you down and you are faced with your obstacles? Will you persevere and make the impossible possible?? I did!!!

BCAF is Houston’s award-winning one-of-a-kind outdoor art gallery is a juried fine art event that boasts 300 acclaimed artists in 19 media formats from throughout the U.S. and the world. Ranked the #3 Festival in the U.S. the event features fine art, multicultural music and dance on the Houston Arts Alliance stage, international food and wine cafes, and interactive art where children and families can discover the fun of making art together.

The crowds were wall to wall as the SGI volunteers entered the event.  Volunteers were greeted with stage performances and continuous multi-cultural musical and dance shows with art demonstrations. There were incredible paintings, handmade jewelry, ceramic art, stained glass murals, sculptures, hand-woven scarves and a Creative Zone for kids’ crafts like rock painting, mask-making, face painting, wax hand souvenirs, beaded necklace and bracelets, and more.

Seventeen SGI-USA Houston members volunteered for the two-day festival. On Day 1, volunteers were assigned duties in the Creative Zone for children to experience the fun of making art projects. Houston’s East and West Area youth division rocked the bat mask-making station sponsored by Buffalo Bayou Partnership, a non-profit organization revitalizing and transforming Buffalo Bayou, Houston’s most significant natural resource. On Day 2, several Houston youth and adult division members were assigned Artist Relief duties where they looked after the artist booths while the artists took breaks for lunch or snacks.

Direct interaction with festival guests of all ages made volunteering all the more fun. So much fun, in fact, that the SGI members did not want to leave even after their shifts ended. It was an awesome day. Each and every one of the volunteers had some new-found appreciation for art and for what goes into organizing a very large public event. SGI Houston is proud to have supported BCAF, of which the proceeds of the festival fund 17 area arts and service nonprofit organizations. So, if you want to ‘experience art’ at its best with a good amount of southern hospitality thrown in, visit the BCAF in March 2010 at Memorial Park in Houston, Texas.

- Contributed by Ashwini Kulkarni

On October 17, a gorgeous 70 degree day in Houston TX, SGI held a YMD 3 on 3 Rock the Era basketball tournament at Crain Park where 15 members participated in a joyful and friendly competition. The tournament included four teams: Houston Heat, Pepperoni, Soka Hoopers, and Teran Brothers. Team Pepperoni was made up of four guests from Pasadena Texas and won the tournament against Team Houston Heat. Team Teran Brothers was the youngest among the four teams and they were smiling all the time even they didn’t win the tournament.

One of the guests, Chien Wang, said after the game that he would definitely come back to do more activities with SGI and bring more guests with him next time. YMD member Sushain Dhawan said that this game brought out the unity of many in body one in mind among everyone and he learned the importance of having great friends in our Buddhist practice. YMD member Go Ochiai, who was planning to drive four hours to Dallas the same day, said there was no way he would miss this opportunity to have a great time with fellow YMD members. Several members from three other divisions came out to show support by taking photos and bringing fruit and water for the activity.

Despite the outcome, everyone is a winner at the end. This activity served as symbols of creating bond through friendship and planting seed for kosen-rufu. Based on President Ikeda’s guidance, each of the 15 young men received tremendous benefit by creating golden memories for their lives and put faith into action through the games.

- Contributed by Tony Lee

Time: 10 AM – 2 PM

Venue: Crain Park @ 9051 Triola, Houston TX 77036

Eligibility: All YMD members & guests

Entry fee: Yourself

Check-in time: 9 AM on October 17 @ SGI Houston CC

Deadline for signup: Wednesday – October 14

ALL GAMES WILL BE SELFOFFICIATED.

1. Game Length: The first team to 15 (win by 2, 20 point max) wins.

2. Time Outs: One per team per game ‐ duration 30 seconds in length.

3. All games are self officiated. The two teams involved should mediate questions of judgment. If teams or players cannot agree on the validity of the foul then the player “contesting the call” will shoot a free throw. If the free throw is made the foul is nullified and that team will get the ball. If the free throw is missed the foul shall stand and the “fouled” team shall retain possession.

4. 3 on 3 basketball is a half court game played by 2 teams of three with a maximum of 4 per roster. Teams MUST have at least three people to start a game.

5. Substitutions may be made after a basket or any stoppage of play.

6. Coin Toss. The team listed first on the score sheet shall call the toss and choose to take the ball.

7. The possession changes after each basket (this is NOT make it, take it).

8. The “Check Line” is determined by the three point arc. The ball must be beyond the arch at the beginning of each half.

9. On defensive rebounds (including air balls) and steals, the ball must be passed or dribbled beyond the arc. The ball does not need to be given to a different player. As long as the ball goes beyond the arc, there are no limitations on who can shoot it.

10. The Three Point Shot is in affect and 2 points will be awarded for a shot made behind the arc and 1 point for any shot made on or within the arc.

11. If the ball is knocked out of bounds or goes across the mid court line it shall be awarded to the opposing team (the team that did not knock it out).

12. Alternating possession on all jump ball situations will be in affect.

13. The offensive team must “pass the ball in” before a shot is attempted (make one pass before a shot is taken).

14. Out‐Of‐Bounds. If the ball goes out‐of‐bounds the offensive team must check the ball with the defensive team at the top of the key.

Notes:

‐ Sportsmanship like conducts will be implemented throughout the tournament.

‐ All players will meet at SGI Houston Community Center on game date at 9am.

‐ All players are required to fill out liability forms provided by SGI‐USA at sign‐in.

‐ Water bottles & snacks will be available for each participant.

‐ Please wear appropriate clothing for the games.

BEACH DAY ‘09 will be taking place on Sunday, June 28 at Indian Beach! The party is held for the graduation of Jr./Sr. High School & Student Division graduates as well as a final farewell get together for those moving out of Houston at the end of summer! All youth and friends are encouraged to attend to have fun with us (Men’s and Women’s Division support are welcome too)!

Schedule:
9:30-10:00 Meet at community center (3465 West Alabama - Houston, Texas 77027) to do gongyo, organize carpools, collect consent forms from minors, headcounts.
10:00 Leave community center promptly for beach house at Indian Beach, Galveston TX
11:00-12:30 Arrive at beach, icebreakers, discussions til everyone arrives and have food/lunch
12:30-1:30 Activities and graduation ceremony for graduating Jr./Sr. High & Student division members.
1:30-3:30 Beach time! (volley ball, soccer, games, swimming, etc.)
3:30-4:00 Pack/clean and round people up, get ready to leave
4:00 Leave for community center promptly
~5:00-5:30 Arrive at community center and go home!

Stuff to bring:
-Minors/Under 18 please bring parental consent forms and have them signed prior to coming to the center. Download the Minor Consent Form.
-Some food and snacks will be provided by some of our lovely Women’s Division members, but please bring your own bag lunches if you can
-Towels, swimsuits, change of clothes if you plan on getting wet
-Suggestions: hand sanitizer, sunscreen, chairs, umbrella, old sheets, games, soccer/volleyballs, a bag to carry everything, etc.
-Cameras, phones, music
[please keep track of all personal belongings]
-A smile and friends :)!!

Other Information:
-If you are able to provide transportation, please email Rose. Come with a full tank of gas so we can leave together and make a nonstop trip to and back from the beach. Maps and directions will be provided at the CC on Sunday unless you plan on meeting us there–if so, let me know and I can email you directions.
-Some Women’s and Men’s Division have asked how they can support; this is totally voluntary but if you’d like to help, we are asking the Women’s Division to bring some snacks, etc. (coordinator: Tanya Ayers) & Men’s Division to help with water, ice, light refreshments (coordinator: Howard Lee) –thanks everyone so much!!

]]> http://sgi-houston.org/beach-day-09/feed/ http://sgi-houston.org/txok-ikeda-kayo-kai-kickoff-meeting-may-23-2009/ http://sgi-houston.org/txok-ikeda-kayo-kai-kickoff-meeting-may-23-2009/#comments Wed, 13 May 2009 04:16:16 +0000 sgiadmin http://sgi-houston.org/?p=847

On Saturday, May 23, 2009, 160 young women from across Texas and Oklahoma challenged their lives and woke uncharacteristically early on a Saturday morning. While it would have been completely normal to still be lying in bed these young ladies packed sandwiches, props for skits and rice balls to drive and ride buses for several hours in many cases for a historic gathering.

On the bus to Austin!

These youth finally met together at MacCullum High School in Austin, Texas to kick off their participation as members of the first class of the SGI Ikeda Kayo-kai. National Youth leaders Kim Herrmann, National Young women leader Vinessa Shaw and Central Territory Young Women leader Jee Moon joined the meeting to offer encouragement and information about the newly formed Ikeda Kayo-kai, an international faith-based studying group for young women founded by SGI President Daisaku Ikeda.

National Young Women’s Division leader Vinessa Shaw explained the background of the SGI Ikeda Kayo-kai and shared a picture that she took of the World Ikeda Kayo-kai apricot tree that was planted in Japan at Makiguchi Memorial Hall in early May of this year in between President Ikeda’s mother’s tree and Mrs. Ikeda’s mother’s tree, symbolizing our deep mission as young women of the SGI to lead happy lives and help others do the same.

National youth division leader Kim Herman challenged all of the young women in the room to make that day the kick-off day for their lives, urging all of us to “wake up to who we really are and how we can truly live each day of our lives based on the oneness of mentor and disciple.”

Study is one of the main components of being a part of the SGI Ikeda Kayo-kai

Highlights of the TX/OK Zone Kayo-kai kick-off meeting included a history of Kayo-kai by South Central Texas young woman and a clever skit by the young women of the Texas Gulf Coast Region that conveyed the elements of Nichiren Daishonin’s writing “On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land” through three television shows on The Gakkai Channel. Sharing a spirit of contribution, the Oklahoma young women made bead bags to share with guests and new members.

Next, Ashima Vermani shared a deeply touching experience of her struggles with her mother-in-law that are helping her achieve her own human revolution. Also, Nisha Bhatt shared an inspiring May contribution experience about how she and her husband fought and met their annual contribution goal even after several financial set backs.

Just before the close of the meeting, an unexpected Gohonzon conferral was announced. Daniela Gaudiesus, a young women’s division member from Killeen, Texas was shocked to learn that her guest Jamaica Martinez decided right then and there to receive her Gohonzon. In a breathtakingly joyous moment, Daniella and her shakabuku hugged and thanked everyone for their support. “My life has been so hard,” said Jamaica, in tears. “But thanks to Daniella, I’ve been chanting and already seeing changes.” The entire audience rose to its feet to cheer for this tremendous victory and there was not a dry eye in the room.

Buoyed with joy, the South Central Texas Region young women ended the meeting with medley of dancing and singing. The Texas/Oklahoma Zone SGI Ikeda Kayo-kai Kick-off meeting was a great success and filled many with a renewed sense of hope and determination to lead lives of indomitable spirit.

Texas/Oklahoma Zone SGI Ikeda Kayo-kai

3 Eternal Mottos of the SGI Ikeda Kayo-Kai

1. Strive together in friendship as sisters in faith and remain true to the path of faith throughout our lives.
2. Base ourselves on” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin” and always cherish and protect the SGI.
3. Forever advance together with President and Mrs. Ikeda.

By 2030, let’s become the type of women who are the source of limitless hope for all!

For more information about the SGI Ikeda Kayo-kai, please visit the SGI-USA website.

I honestly had no idea what to expect as 2007 drew to a close and 2008 became the new focus. This was The Year of Capable People and Development. January 1, 2008 marked the third year of my Buddhist practice and where I have definitely experienced several benefits both inconspicuous and conspicuous, I came to a point in my practice where I wanted to have unshakeable faith. The newness of my practice began to wear off and now I wanted to achieve various goals that I had set for myself. These goals included getting a great job that was in the field of consulting, moving out and being able to support myself financially, and in 2010 enter into graduate school.

The beginning of the latest chapter of my Human Revolution began during the month of February 2008 and ends in February of 2009. I was working at a Super Target in an intern/managerial role. I already aced all of my interviews and as soon as I was ready I would be shipped off to a store and working full time in the department of my choice. However, I couldn’t help but notice that I wasn’t really excited about this, nor did it seem like what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. After much thought on the issue, I concluded that I wanted to be a consultant because I love to dialogue, and help people find viable solutions to problems they face. I figured that I could stay at Target until I found an opening at a consulting firm and work my way up the ladder.

But, as most of you may know, plans and reality are two totally different things, one not guaranteeing the outcome of the other. One day while I was at work, my store manager called me into his office and told me he needed to have a serious talk with me. I had no idea what this could be about, as I had no indication that there were any issues with my performance. He then informed me that my position had been terminated and that they could no longer afford to pay my salary. I tried to hold back my tears but failed as I had no idea why this was happening to me. He was kind enough to let me stay until the end of February but after that I was on my own.

February came and went as the months tend to do, and I still had no prospective leads for employment. I saved up some money while working as is a habit of mine, so I was able to pay my bills but knew the money would run out eventually. At the end of March I landed a job working for the University of Phoenix. I was an Enrollment Counselor and was charged with enrolling students into various programs this university offered. After about three weeks on this job my birthday was approaching so my colleagues decided to throw a surprise potluck lunch to celebrate. I honestly thought it was a nice gesture, but, my stomach had its own opinion. I got food poisoning from something I ate there causing me to miss one and half days of work. I tried my best not to be swayed as this job was starting to take a physical toll on me. During the first week of May I contracted a bug that was going around the office and had to stay home to recuperate. On Thursday of that week shortly after I called in to work still feeling ill, I received a call from my recruiter of the employment agency that got me this job. She informed me that I sounded ill but, I was being fired for missing too many days.

During this most difficult time I received lots of encouragement and guidance from my Youth Leaders, many Women’s Division members as well as my comrades in faith. They encouraged me to never give up, chant to really understand my work karma, and change this poison into medicine.

Since I had so much time on my hands I decided to take action. I registered with five different staffing agencies and interviewed for various positions that each firm offered. I also researched a few opportunities that members told me about as I knew they wanted to see me win over this obstacle. I started to immerse myself in Gakkai activities for world peace, going to meetings and being active with my Jr./Sr. High members. I was also encouraged to study to understand why I’m going through this specific type of struggle. I also started chanting more daimoku to deepen my understanding.

During the middle of June I recall having a conversation with my Mom about how frustrated I was that I was doing all of these things but, I couldn’t land a job. She made the suggestion that I file for unemployment benefits until I was able to find another job. I did, and even though I had serious obstacles to complete the process, I was able to receive unemployment benefits.

Even though the benefits weren’t a whole lot I was able to pay my bills and get myself the things I needed. I know that this is largely due to the monthly monetary contributions I made to the SGI during this time. Sometimes it would be only a dollar or two. But, I distinctly remember many Women’s Division members telling me that in order to change your financial karma you should contribute as much as you can monthly. By making sincere offerings to the SGI, you will most definitely see a change in that part of your karma.

At the end of August, my good friend Brittane told me of a position that she knew was available. The position was with a Trustee who sits on the board at Houston Community College, is a Program Advisor on multiple levels, owns her own communications and consulting companies, works closely with Metro, and is active and supportive in the Hispanic community. I interviewed with her at the beginning of September and waited to hear back from her.

While I waited, I chanted for wisdom because while I was appreciative to be receiving the unemployment benefits, I needed more money to do more things and to buy Christmas gifts. I chanted for an opportunity to reveal itself that would allow me to do these things. Right after Hurricane Ike swept through the Gulf I went to work for an Aunt who works in landscape architecture. She needed me to run a small catering operation for her men for a period of two weeks. This was just the opportunity I needed! Now, I’ve never done this type of work before but I knew I could complete this project. Little did I know that this would be the start of several projects that I would take part during this five month period. Other projects that I worked on included fashion consulting (which I love) and managing the office operations of a small business owner. I was able to buy everyone on my list a gift for Christmas.

As I managed these various projects and saw positive results, I picked up a book that I can honestly say changed my life. It’s called Commentaries on Buddhahood: On Attaining Buddhahood in This Lifetime. This book really opened my eyes and helped me to find the answer of how to deepen and strengthen my faith. During this whole experience I wanted to develop that unshakable faith that I’ve heard several members speak of. To some degree I doubted myself and my ability to deepen and strengthen my faith. But, after reading this quote my perspective changed. It reads: “For example, the Mystic Law is revealed in human life as courage, perseverance, wisdom with which to break through obstacles, and compassion for others. These various powers–described as the attributes of the Buddha’s life–immediately come forth from within. By chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with confidence in its existence, this mystic truth and, with it, the condition of Buddhahood will appear.” (Commentaries on Buddhahood: On Attaining Buddhahood in This Lifetime pg. 14) After reading this I realized what it was I was missing in order to obtain this kind of unshakable faith. Confidence + Courage = Faith. Faith equals daily life. The more confidence and courage that I have in my practice this reflects the depth and strength of my faith. The only way to get this confidence and courage is by chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with this conviction. By living each moment, knowing, my life is an entity of the mystic law; that “Myoho-renge-kyo is my life itself”.

While I was discovering what the deepening and strengthening of faith entailed, I found myself chanting from a totally different perspective. The perspective of persevering based on faith. I noticed more confidence and courage in my life, and as a result felt like I could take on the world. At the beginning of December, Brittane called and told me the Trustee I interviewed with in September would be looking to hire me at the beginning of the year if her last few contracts were approved. I chanted for them to be approved as I knew this would be an opportunity of a lifetime to gain experience in my field of interest.

I later found out that the Trustee’s contracts were approved and that she wanted me to sit in on a meeting and discuss the final details of my employment. After the meeting we discussed the details and I must say that I got everything that I chanted for. All of the detailed goals that I wrote down and placed on my alter were met, the specific salary range, the kind of work I would be doing, the location of the job, the kind of people I wanted to be surrounded with, and being involved with the community. I started this new job as a Project Assistant on February 23, 2009! This first week of work has proven to be extremely gratifying. I was able to participate in a series of meetings in relation to procuring new contracts, setting up consultations with existing clients, and sitting in on my first board meeting. As I reflect on the work week, I realize that at my new job I am utilizing various skills I learned in college, and from the projects I completed during my time of unemployment. Like all of the opportunities I’ve had up until this point prepared me for this job. Mystic huh? I also look forward to learning more about the world of consulting and what it has to offer. One quote by my mentor SGI President Daisaku Ikeda that has touched my heart during this challenge states: “Youth should not seek an easy comfortable path. No one develops in a pampered environment. Youth should instead actively seek out challenges and hardships, transforming them all into valuable assets as they strive to become individuals of outstanding character and ability.” (For Today and Tomorrow Daily Encouragement pg.33)

February had another significant date for me as it was the last month that I had to pay my car note! So now with my car paid off, new job, and a new cell phone, the next big goal I’m working on is finding the right apartment for me. In hindsight I can say that this lesson in deepening my faith came at the perfect moment, a time when I needed it most, as we all know nothing is ever wasted in Buddhism. I look forward to advancing and winning!