Michelle Flowers is
taking in a lovely rose
soft power aglow.

A moving quote in honor of SGI Women’s Day from one of my heroes, Audre Lorde:

“I am still learning–in how to take joy in all the people I am, how to use all my selves in the service of what I believe, how to accept when I fail and rejoice when I succeed.”

To celebrate the day, I hope all the SGI women will prioritize their most important obligations as women in this organization and shape their ’selves’ to fulfilling these obligations. Our role within the SGI is important. We owe it to ourselves and to other people in the organization to forge the path forward willingly, purposefully and joyfully.

While visiting Florida at a conference recently, I happened upon a lovely sunset. It was a lovely break from a rather busy schedule and heavy thinking. I found it to be very refreshing and soothing amid the hustle and bustle of the busy conference schedule and the anxiety that naturally comes along with presenting something that was important to me to a crowd of strangers.

I share a picture of the peaceful sunset with you here.

It reminded me of this quote from the Gosho that says, “One should regard meeting obstacles as true peace and comfort.” This is how I felt after completing my presentation. Then to walk outside to be met by this radiant and delicious sunset…ah, it was just a wonderful feeling.

Pardon my delayed responses folks. I didn’t think anyone was reading this blog. I am just now getting back into the swing of it again. I’ll be more consistant with my post from now on. A question: how have the rest of my Buddhist friends spent the last month, or so? Do you practice the holidays you were raised to celebrate? I’m especially curious to hear from folks who were not raised in a Buddhist household. I mean people like me. I was raised in a formally Jehovia’s Witness/Voodoo/Episcopal/Baptist/Holiness family on an island that was at first predominantly WASP and later Jewish. So, when the holidays roll around, I tend to take in all of the love and celebrations from as many different faiths as I can. I also tend to take time during the holiday season to reflect and do a little self assessment. You know what I mean? I try to see how I can learn from the year’s past mistakes and move forward in a more self-aware, honest and sincere way. And you? How do you celebrate? O,r do you?

Sequoia Trees

Peace and culture are one. A geniunely cultured nation is a powerful nation, and vice versa. When conflicts multiply, culture wanes and nations fall into a hellish existence. The history of the human race is a contrast between culture and barbarity. Only culture is a force strong enough to put an end to conflict and lead humanity in the direction of peace.

-President Ikeda (Buddhism Day by Day)

Your sacred space is where you can find yourself again and again.

-Joseph Campbell

Altadena+Culture

The Altadena districts meet at my favorite coffee shops, the Coffee Gallery, the first Sunday of each month for the Introductory Meeting. It’s worth stopping by for encouraging conversation and a great cup of coffee. The Coffee Gallery also serves breakfast before 11 AM. Their omelets are delicious. In fact, if you ask nicely you can order a custom made omelet from the friendly cook. My favorite custom made omelet is spanish, sausage and cheese. Yum!!!

SGI recently updated the a few of the silent prayers in the text, The Liturgy of Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism. I will type them here for the benefit of people who are unable to pick up a new copy at their local SGI bookstore:

Second Silent Prayer – Appreciation for the Gohonzon

I acknowledge my debt of gratitude and offer profound appreciation for the Dai-Gohonzon of the Three Great Secret Laws, which was bestowed upon the entire world; to Nichiren Daishonin, the Buddha of the Latter day of the Law; and to Nikko Shonin.

I acknowledge my debt of gratitude and offer appreciation to Nichimoku Shonin.

Chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo three times.

Third Silent Prayer – For the Attainment of Kosen-rufu

I pray that the great desire for kosen-rufu be fulfilled, and that the Soka Gakkai International develop in this endeavor for countless generations to come.

I acknowledge my debt of gratitude and offer appreciation to the three founding presidents–Tsunesaburo Makiguchi, Josei Toda and Daisaku Ikeda–for their eternal examples of selfless dedication to the propagation of the Law.

Chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo three times.

Fourth Silent Prayer – Personal Prayers and Prayer for the Deceased

I pray to bring forth Buddhahood from within my life and accomplish my own human revolution, change my destiny and fulfill my wishes in the present and the future. (Offer additional prayers here.)

I pray for my deceased relatives and for all those who have passed away, particularly for these individuals: (Sound the bell continuously while offering prayers.)

Chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo three times.

I pray for peace throughout the world and the happiness of all humanity.

Sound the bell and chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo three times to conclude (group chants in unison).

Myoho!