Feb 23: Apprecation for New Centers

As I look back on "Actual Proof" in my life, there are so many and I need to edit them first! But I do know, as a child, remembering my momma taking me to the Kaikan (Community Center) in Mt Rainier, Washington D.C. area for Meetings. Last year, they have a new location on Embassy Row in Washington, D.C.!! We have a new Activity Center in Fort Worth, Texas!! We have a new Community Center in Dallas, Texas! Also in Addison, Texas! This is fantastic! Not only that, just think about all the SGI Members now in 192 Countries! I have been chanting for as long as I can remember, and I will be 49 years old this year! I will blog back with more personal "Actual Proof" soon!

Thank You,

Name: Margie Aguirre (picture on rt)
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
Organization: Fortune District/DFW Chapter

Feb 22: Never Giving Up

Hi everyone,

I feel my victory is about never giving up on myself or other members. I have a good friend who was a strong SGI member and left the organization. I stayed in touch with him and his wife over the last eighteen years and recently they both started chanting again. I also learned that they have very strong ties to the temple and I am working very hard to disassociate both of them. It is not an easy road but I will not give up. That is my greatest victory because I feel that I am totally supporting President Ikeda.

Name: Elaine Bridges

Feb 21: Nothing is Ever Wasted

"The bigger the problems we have, the higher the state of life we can develop. The more deeply we pray to overcome our problems, the more profound the wisdom we can tap. The harder we challenge ourselves right to the end, the greater inner strength we can forge. Nothing is ever wasted in Buddhism.” (Kaneoko Ikeda, Jan-Feb LB p. 16)

I have developed a trusting friendship with a co-worker of 14 years so much that he and his fiancé will be lifetime friends. They have known about my practice for many years but never showed much interest. However, about 9 months ago, he told me about some of his frustrations which led to a discussion on his philosophy, which enabled me to share Buddhism in greater detail. Through several conversations he decided to try chanting at home. However, he was inconsistent; he chanted only when he was frustrated and would not come to a meeting. I even began teaching him Gongyo in my car in the parking garage during our lunch hour!

Months went by and my expectations began to frustrate me, he would not comply with MY agenda and campaign goals! My motivation was to get a result; it wasn’t about him. No wonder he wasn’t interested! Where was my compassion? Where was my heart? I became so focused on “getting” him to chant I stopped introducing the practice to others. Once I realized this I began to chant to find my heart, to get my motivation from a place of compassion. I also began to chant to find those Bodhisattvas that were looking for the Gohonzon. As long as I nurtured that compassion, opportunities to share this Buddhism with others came frequently and easily. This resulted in meeting two complete strangers who immediately showed interest and received their Gohonzons within a month. I did not have to say clever philosophical things; my encouragement and actions came from my daimoku for their victories.

I was so preoccupied with my two new members, I almost gave up on my co-worker, once again thinking if he didn’t adhere to my agenda then he wasn’t going to follow through and join. I would then have to chant again, to continue the human revolution to make that paradigm shift to be motivated by compassion. Two weeks ago, he opened up to me about a problem and this time I spoke from my heart about how amazing this practice is and how it would enable him to breakthrough. I encouraged him to attend a MD toso that evening, he said OK!!!! At the end of the work day when it came time to go, he was gone, he went home without saying anything to me. I was so disappointed, so I re-determined with deadly serious daimoku that he would come this week, and he did! For his first meeting, he chanted an entire hour! I will not give up on him!

Name: Ellen Wadsworth

Practice: 35 years

Location: Austin, TX

Position: Texas/OK Zone Women's Leader

Feb 20: The Joy of Sharing Buddhism

"Just last Sunday, Feb 15th, I had 2 people receive the Gohonzon and one join SGI from O'Hare District. Amazing things happen when you do Shakubuku! Michelle, who is my neighbor's best friend, has 2 kinds of cancer. When her 3rd husband learned she had cancer, he left her and her friends stopped calling her. It's was too difficult for them to handle. But this past Sunday her husband drove her, her daughter and me to the Chicago Culture Center to receive her Gohonzon; her 14 year old daughter joined SGI too. He was very impressed by all members he met at the center.

The other person was my tenant, a 32 years old ex-Marine. He began chanting last November and after just one month, he was reunited with his missing brother. They had not seen each other for 14 years. He lost his mom when he was 11 years old and has had a rough life. When 10 members enshrined his Gohonzon in his tiny (10 x 10 ft) room, he cried with joy. I asked his girlfriend to be his sponsor because our Campaign this month is "Let’s Win Right Now, Let's Win Together."

We held a new member's celebration party right after we enshrined his Gohonzon;15 guests and 14 members attended this party. One of the guests I invited is interested in attending next Saturday’s district meeting, if he decides to join, I will ask a Men’s Division Chapter leader to be his sponsor. Through my own Shakubuku experience, I feel so fortunate to be with such a great organization, and I am proud to be a member of the SGI Family, where people truly create happiness in their lives.

Thank you!

Name: Michiko Ishikawa (bottom rt in photo)
Practice: 33 years
Location: Chicago West Region Women Div. Leader

Feb 19: Our Hearts Decide Victory

Here's a portion of one of SGI President Ikeda's lecture series, The Hope-Filled Teachings of Nichiren Daishonin on "The Strategy of the Lotus Sutra." The entire lecture can be found on in the March-April Living Buddhism starting on page 51.

If you don't subscribe yet or need to renew, now's your chance! Click here to begin your bi-monthly subscription of Living Buddhism!!

* * * * *

[President Toda] would often say, "When you are young, it is very important to believe in yourself." And: "It is essential for young people to have something they can truly believe in. They need to trust their own hearts." The purpose of faith is to make our hearts strong and steadfast, to develop inner strength and conviction. Everything depends on our minds and our hearts. The ultimate conclusion of Nichiren Buddhism is summed up int he words: "It is the heart that is most important" (WND-1, 1000).

"Buddhism is primarily concerned with victory and defeat. It is a struggle between enlightenment and ignorance. Kosen-rufu is a battle between the Buddha and devilish functions. The heart is what decides our victory or defeat in all things. Spiritual victors can lead lives undefeated by anything. The secret to adorning our lives with brilliant victory is the "strategy of the Lotus Sutra" (Mar-Apr Living Buddhism, p. 53).

Feb 18: A Most Glorious History of Victory

Here's a portion of SGI President and Mrs. Ikeda's message for our February District Discussion Meetings celebrating Women's Month! The entire text can be found on page 1 of the February 13 World Tribune. If you don't subscribe yet, now's your chance! Click here to begin your weekly subscription!!

"...There are steep valleys of suffering and rocky mountains of adversity in the long journey of our lives. Some of you may be struggling in the midst of the rough waves of the global economic recession. However, no matter what difficult situation you are in, if you are resolved to never be defeated and maintain your strong determination, you will definitely be able to break through the thick wall of any difficulty.

"A life based on solid optimism will not experience defeat. You will definitely obtain victory in the long run. Nichiren Daishonin states, “If one’s mind is strong, then their protection is great” (The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 2, p. 668). He also says, “Fortune comes from one’s heart and makes one worthy of respect” (The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 1137). Faith is the ultimate driving force to enable us to absolutely win in our lives. Those who embrace the Mystic Law will create a most glorious history of victory, even through the worst crisis...."

Feb 17: Waves of Joy

We are in the midst of District Discussion Meeting week!! Let's welcome many new members and have wonderful women's led meetings just as SGI President Ikeda wrote in today's “To My Friends."

--TO MY FRIENDS--
History is created
from small gatherings.
"Showing [them] the same respect
you would a Buddha,"(*)
let's praise the participants
and create tens of thousands
of waves of joy.

(*)THE RECORD OF THE ORALLY TRANSMITTED TEACHINGS, "Chapter Twenty-eight: Encouragements of the Bodhisattva Universal Worthy--six important points, Point Six," p. 192 A quote from the 28th chapter of the Lotus Sutra. ["You should rise and greet him from afar, showing him the same respect you would a Buddha."]

(To My Friends is SGI President Ikeda’s daily encouragement which appears in the Soka Gakkai daily newspaper, the Seikyo Shimbun)

Feb 16: Subzero Weather Stops No One!

Our Morning Sun District meeting was held yesterday, February 15th . Planning in subzero weather we came up with a Hawaiian theme to add to help us win over the negativity of a bitterly cold winter.

Leis and flowers were handed out to all attendees as they introduced themselves. There was lots of warmth and enthusiasm helped by the 6 ESD, 5 junior high in attendance along with 4 guests.

Mary Ofelia Fonts, shared her victory in being able to keep her home in these tough economic times (the District Women's Leader )and Deepak Argarwal Men's division district leader helped by calling and sending last minute emails to encourage all to come and join us.

Some of the women and children dida hula dance. Joy permeated our universe and the sun shone!! Winter always turns to spring!! Special thank you to our "aloha" sister Jeannie Lee who helped with the music, dance and the flowers. Rosemary Moe

Name: Rosemary Moe
Location: Minnesota / West End Metro Chapter in the Twin Cities

Feb 15: President Ikeda's To My Friends

Please find below SGI President Ikeda’s daily encouragement “To My Friends,” which appears in the Soka Gakkai daily newspaper, Seikyo Shimbun:

February 15, 2009
The power of the Buddha
in the depths of our lives
is boundless.
Be an individual of courageous faith.
That person will definitely be victorious

February 14, 2009
The gosho states,
[W]inter always turns to spring.(*)
By challenging ourselves every day with
rigorous fortitude, we are creating
causes for a triumphant life.
Let's each win and open the way
to a springtime filled with happiness and fortune
in our respective arenas.

(*)"Winter Always Turns to Spring," WND I, p. 536.

February 13, 2009
The great citadel of Soka is
rock solid due to the efforts of
our [women's division,]
"mothers" of kosen-rufu.
Let's pay our utmost respect
to the women's division, protect them,
and praise them.
Therein lies the ever-victorious path.

Feb 13: Enjoyable Process

In November of 2008, I began my job search to begin my professional career. I was heavily recruited to interview for a position as an Assistant Professor at Iowa State University. I represented so much of what they were looking for in a candidate. Moreover, getting this job would mean that I could continue to be a part of my zone team and be able to support the same YWD that I have come to know and respect.

Overall, my interview went well. But I flopped on the biggest part, the research presentation, in front of 22 faculty and students. This was very painful and embarrassing. I knew deep inside that there was a reason why I had to go through that. It was time to start climbing. I was determined to make this a victory for my life and for the YWD that I support.

When I created my bucket list in January, at the very top was a career breakthrough. This involved growing as a better employee and securing a job offer by the end of the February.

I struggled internally for weeks about the job search and my weaknesses, all the while chanting for a victory, but not hearing from other jobs I applied to. I was becoming anxious until my mother reminded me about the power of having the correct prayer. As President Ikeda explained in his lecture, “The heart of the ‘Treasure Tower chapter’ – this is the heart of the Buddha’s vow to realize the happiness of humanity…and stand up resolutely to accomplish kosen-rufu in the Latter Day, no matter how enormous the hardships they may face.” (Living Buddhism, Nov-Dec 2008, p. 71)

Sensei’s lecture and my mother’s reminder helped me realize I wasn’t focused on my vow. I had a weak prayer for victory. So I changed my prayer from focusing on getting a specific job to getting a job where I can fully carry out my mission for kosen-rufu and support the YWD. Within hours after chanting this way, I received a call from Northwestern University to interview for a Postdoc position in the School of Educational and Social Policy. I thought, this is it! However, I would have to move.

My interview was January 22 and expected to hear their decision immediately. I received an email a week later stating their search was on hold and would resume in late February. This meant I could still fully support this month’s meetings. But, I had to fight feelings of inadequacy again until I realized, I have to fight. I have to support the YWD. I have to focus on my mission and do human revolution.

This process has been my greatest benefit. These challenges have instilled in me a greater since of mission and belief in myself. For the first time, I’m living Sensei’s encouragement to give 100% to encouraging a member as if it may be the last time I could see them. The quality of my visits are better, and I’ve experienced so much joy hearing YWDs breakthroughs. Also, this process has given me a greater sense of belief and pride in my capability as a researcher and a deeper sense of determination to be that good as a professional.

I have yet to receive a job offer. But this has become a very enjoyable process. Who knew that a 4 month job search could bring about so much joy!

Name: Emanda Thomas (far left in photo)

Length of Practice: 29 years (entire life)

Location: Minnesota/Midwest Zone Vice YWD ldr

Feb 12: Example of Family Revolution

I have spent the last 30 years seriously chanting for family revolution - my entire family disliked me due to my behavior throughout my teens and early adulthood. I was the example of what not to be, what not to do, and what not to become.

I have a cousin who is several years younger than I am. During our growing years, I was always angry and jealous of her: I felt that she had the beauty, she seduced any boy I ever liked, she had parents who were millionaires, she "had it made", while I struggled for everything.

I received a call from her about two months ago, when we really started our Bucket List, and my goal was to do meaningful personal shakubuku (sharing Buddhism). I found out that her parents have rejected her, her husband left her for another woman, she is trying to receive disability due to her disastrous health condition, and she is selling her possessions to survive. She said her reason for calling me was because she "just knows in her heart that I have the answers she has been looking for, because of my happiness, my success, and because everyone in the family looks up to me."

I invited her to our District Meeting to celebrate Women’s month because my heart was so touched by compassion due to her current life situation and life condition, and she agreed to come. To me, this is an amazing example of human revolution, family revolution, and I am determined to continue until she can be as happy as I am with my practice, my family, and my life.

Thank you all.

Name: Cora Christensen
Length of Practice: 35 years
Location: Omaha Area/ Bellevue District Women’s Leader

Feb 11: To All Central Territory Women and Young Women Members

February is underway, the month of women's victories!
And the women led district discussion meetings are just around the corner, some may be happening this weekend!

For February 2009 our SGI-USA women's theme is "Let's Win Right Now -- Let's Win Together!" We want to demonstrate the power of faith and practice (daimoku, shakubuku and study!) to achieve at least one dream on our "bucket list" of personal goals.

To encourage ourselves to greet each day with fresh determination, we have created this Central Territory Women's Victory Blog.

Maybe your "victory" is the attainment of a long sought dream. Great! Post it on our blog! Maybe your "victory" is finally attaining that unshakable life condition to continue striving with no fear, no complaint. Great! Share it with us! We’ll also be sharing them with President Ikeda!

SGI-USA Women's Leader Linda Johnson writes: "While many of us consider the attainment of a goal as proof of our victory, that is not the only way to gauge victory. Buddhism assures us that when we continue to challenge ourselves despite our circumstances, we are winning." (Living Buddhism, Jan-Feb 2009, page 20)

We want to read your victories!! Send it in to ourvictories@gmail.com so we can publish it on this blog. If you want, you can even send a photo that we can include. We know you probably have so much to share. But because of space, we ask that you send in anything from 5 words or up to 500 so we can read snippets of breakthroughs from the women across Central Territory.

Inspire yourself and others to never give up! With the prayer, the Wiritings of Nichiren Daishonin, and President Ikeda as our mentor, each of us can win! In fact, Let's Win Right Now -- Let's Win Together! Happy February!