Well, since my last entry a lot has happened in my life. One of the major changes was that there was a reformation within the SGI chapter of Eindhoven. This meant that the three districts where merged into two districts. With this merge it was decided that it would be good to start these two "new" districts wit newly appointed leaders. My old district, which had been effectively been run for more then 1,5 yrs without a district leader, was only run by me, an assistant Young Men's Division Leader.
After the decision was taken to reform, I was asked to resign as a leader so that others could stand up for Kosen-Rufu. After 7 yrs I found it was time for me to take a step aside as a leader as well. The day I took this decision to step back, a colleague of my work came to me. He wanted to ask me something. He was a member of the labor Union Abvakabo FNV and he was tasked to ask me for function for the Union within the company I work for. He told that the union senior members within the company had spotted my dedication and they were convinced they needed me. For me it was the chance to put Kosen-Rufu into action within the real world. Not just within SGI. At the same time it was a real turbulent time for the company. Being a sheltered company and having to deal with a government that wanted to discard the sheltered companies, it was obvious that Abvakabo FNV really needed the power of daimoku for the same of Kosen-Rufu.
At this moment the law we had protesting against, is deemed controversial, the government has fallen and the Netherlands will have elections on September 12th 2012. In the meantime I've been to a couple of important Union congresses, been to national action commitee meetings and was granted a training course how to deal with union members.
This colleague of mine who asked me to step up, is an union consultant for my company and also a legal consultant. He wants me to follow him into his footsteps. Somehow he recognized my value and the training of SGI that I received. Thanks to SGI I'm able to listen, discuss and take notes at the same time. This is something that you often need while in committee meetings of the labor union.
This colleague also told me that thanks to my efforts several other colleagues signed up as a member.
Kosen-Rufu at work.
Friday, August 3, 2012
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Life goes on/Tears in heaven
Since my last post, last year, a whole lot has happened in my life. Shortly after my girlfriend arrived I got the news that I should start looking for a new place to live. Reason was that my landlord got a letter of eviction from city counsel that he no longer could rent out the house to people that didn't work at his company. So my house-mates and I had to be gone by May 31st 2010. That letter came in on..... March 16 2010. I got a big apartment from housing co-operation in Veldhoven and signed the leasing contract, which is indefinably, on....May 3rd. I moved over on May 8 2010.
I just moved in into my new apartment, when I learned that my mother was seriously ill. She lost each time her functions to her arms and legs and fell down, but stayed contumelious all the time. The doctor sent her to hospital on June 3rd 2010. Only 3 days before her 69th birthday. Within a few hours we learned that my mother had lung cancer.The next day we learned that my mother had also a brain tumor. At first it looked like it was treatable but after 3 radiation treatments the doctors decided to stop, because my mother was to weakened already to continue. They told us that she would have a life expectancy of 2 weeks to 3 months maximum. After this message mom lived up and was transferred to kempenhof to the palientive ward where she died piece fully on September 4th 2010. Thanks to all the daimoku that was sent worldwide to her, this stay at Kempenhof was the best 6 weeks she had of her remaining life. She enjoyed it fully and totally free of pain. When she died , she died in the highest possible life condition. Even her funeral went exactly as she wanted it. The day of the funeral we had to take a small detour from the funeral home towards the church. Mom had told us that when the time was there to bring her to church, she wanted to drive past the airport. This, because she had never been there since the roads there where changed. This was what happened on the day of the funeral. Because of road reconstruction near the church, we couldn't drive the planned route and had to drive....past the airport! If she had planned it.
A few months after the funeral my father became seriously ill and had to go to hospital. Because of his former job, they found out that he had COPD alongside his heart condition and that he had an open abces between his blatter and colon. After 2 times committed to hospital by the end of 2010, he was recommitted by end of January 2011. It was decided to give him a temporary stoma, so that this so called fistula could heal. The surgery was scheduled for Friday February 25th 2011, but on the day before he got pain on his chest and was moved to the heart ward. At that time he also contracted Noro-virus. That Friday I learned That I had to count on it that I would loose my father as well if they couldn't operate on him. Or if the pneumonia on his right lung wouldn't cure in time. But, the doctors said, he will not die within a few days. It's more likely a matter of weeks if the pneumonia will not cure.
On Sunday morning February 27th 2011 at 03:50 hrs my phone rang. It was the hospital. I was already awake, since I woke up at 03:30 hrs and couldn't sleep anymore. The night nurse told me that my father died in his sleep between 03:30 an 03:45 hrs in the morning. Dad's funeral was on March 4th 2011. Exactly a half year after mom died.
It's strange, to loose one's parents in such a short time span, to empty one's elderly home and to handover the keys to the landlord. Still...I believe that my dad died out of grieve of the loss of mom. I know he loved her to death. Still he wanted to do so much, like restoring a old motorcycle back to working order. he started it already. Guess it's now my task to do so. At least, as far as I can. This I obliged to him. Somehow I know he started to restore this bike for me. I couldn't see him driving it. Such a heavy machine on his age and with his condition. But this machine give him a new purpose in life. A new goal. It wasn't suppose to be.
To all who chanted for my parents over the last year... Many thanks for sending daimoku. I know it helped them and it surely helped me.
Thank you all.
NMHRK, NMHRK, NMHRK.
André
I just moved in into my new apartment, when I learned that my mother was seriously ill. She lost each time her functions to her arms and legs and fell down, but stayed contumelious all the time. The doctor sent her to hospital on June 3rd 2010. Only 3 days before her 69th birthday. Within a few hours we learned that my mother had lung cancer.The next day we learned that my mother had also a brain tumor. At first it looked like it was treatable but after 3 radiation treatments the doctors decided to stop, because my mother was to weakened already to continue. They told us that she would have a life expectancy of 2 weeks to 3 months maximum. After this message mom lived up and was transferred to kempenhof to the palientive ward where she died piece fully on September 4th 2010. Thanks to all the daimoku that was sent worldwide to her, this stay at Kempenhof was the best 6 weeks she had of her remaining life. She enjoyed it fully and totally free of pain. When she died , she died in the highest possible life condition. Even her funeral went exactly as she wanted it. The day of the funeral we had to take a small detour from the funeral home towards the church. Mom had told us that when the time was there to bring her to church, she wanted to drive past the airport. This, because she had never been there since the roads there where changed. This was what happened on the day of the funeral. Because of road reconstruction near the church, we couldn't drive the planned route and had to drive....past the airport! If she had planned it.
A few months after the funeral my father became seriously ill and had to go to hospital. Because of his former job, they found out that he had COPD alongside his heart condition and that he had an open abces between his blatter and colon. After 2 times committed to hospital by the end of 2010, he was recommitted by end of January 2011. It was decided to give him a temporary stoma, so that this so called fistula could heal. The surgery was scheduled for Friday February 25th 2011, but on the day before he got pain on his chest and was moved to the heart ward. At that time he also contracted Noro-virus. That Friday I learned That I had to count on it that I would loose my father as well if they couldn't operate on him. Or if the pneumonia on his right lung wouldn't cure in time. But, the doctors said, he will not die within a few days. It's more likely a matter of weeks if the pneumonia will not cure.
On Sunday morning February 27th 2011 at 03:50 hrs my phone rang. It was the hospital. I was already awake, since I woke up at 03:30 hrs and couldn't sleep anymore. The night nurse told me that my father died in his sleep between 03:30 an 03:45 hrs in the morning. Dad's funeral was on March 4th 2011. Exactly a half year after mom died.
It's strange, to loose one's parents in such a short time span, to empty one's elderly home and to handover the keys to the landlord. Still...I believe that my dad died out of grieve of the loss of mom. I know he loved her to death. Still he wanted to do so much, like restoring a old motorcycle back to working order. he started it already. Guess it's now my task to do so. At least, as far as I can. This I obliged to him. Somehow I know he started to restore this bike for me. I couldn't see him driving it. Such a heavy machine on his age and with his condition. But this machine give him a new purpose in life. A new goal. It wasn't suppose to be.
To all who chanted for my parents over the last year... Many thanks for sending daimoku. I know it helped them and it surely helped me.
Thank you all.
NMHRK, NMHRK, NMHRK.
André
Saturday, March 13, 2010
It's like that (and that's the way it is)
Last week my girl finally arrived after a period of 3 years again in the Netherlands. This time to start her PhD study in the beautiful city of Groningen. She will stay there for 6 months, then she has to go back for a while before returning again.
Of course I went to Amsterdam International Airport, a.k.a. Schiphol, to pick her up. I had to leave very early since she was to suppose to arrive at 5.55 hrs in the morning. But like 3 years ago, her KLM flight landed again half hour early to the planning. So according to the flight plan I was on time.
Anyways, after greeting each other and hugging and kissing we went to the car and we drove to Groningen to her room. She slept almost all the way from Amsterdam to Groningen, because she was dead tired. We wanted to have some breakfast along the way, so we stopped at a Van de Valk road restaurant which is normally known as a good and cheap place for eating. Not for breakfast though. Open breakfast buffet is great, but not when they want to charge you € 11,00 p.p. Only for one sandwich and to cups of coffee! That they wanted you to pay upfront with the story that they weren't able to control if you only took 1 plate or 2 plates if they would let you pay for only 1 plate but lat you in wit 2 persons. So the had to charge you for 2 persons. So I told the waitress in Dutch to cancel the order and we left. for € 22,00 I can have breakfast and lunch or lunch and dinner for 2 at MacDonalds!
Once we reached her room we unloaded the car and rested for some hours till it was time to leave for her to go to the Academy building for her appointment there. I drover here to her appointment, parked my car near her faculty building, it's only a 5 minutes walk from the academy building and went for a hamburger at a local snackbar. I walked back to the car and picked her up again and we went to do some shopping. She needed a simcard and we needed food for the weekend. Man, what did I miss the Indian kitchen.
In the evening i gave her some presents I bought fer her that she can wear on the beach this summer. She was really surprised. She said I was crazy that I bought it for her. I simply said to her that it would look marvelous on her skintone. After that she had wine and I some juice and we and a long and nice night together.
On Sunday friends of us came to visit and brought even more food and stuff for her and the man of my girlfriends friend checked my girlfriends laptop after which the laptop kept rebooting itself. so, he took it with him to repair it at his home.
Together with our friends we went into Groningen and made some photos and had a nice walk trough the city from the faculty building to the train station and back.
After those friends left in the evening I left also. By then it was already 21.30 hours and it's a 2,5 drive back to Eindhoven. So my girlfriend wanted me to stay and leave next day. Still I left that night. My speedometer acted crazy and i wanted to be home so I could check it and if need be see if i could get a salvaged one to build in. As it turned out, 100 kilometers before I reached home the speedometer broke down. The needle went crazy. It thought it was not a needle but a propeller. It spinned around the dial like crazy. Luckily I had a Satnav in the car and this tells you also your actual speed that you're driving.
Anyways, I had a great weekend and I happy that my girlfriend is back in the Netherlands. Now we can also pray, chant and do SGI activities together in the weekends again.
André
Of course I went to Amsterdam International Airport, a.k.a. Schiphol, to pick her up. I had to leave very early since she was to suppose to arrive at 5.55 hrs in the morning. But like 3 years ago, her KLM flight landed again half hour early to the planning. So according to the flight plan I was on time.
Anyways, after greeting each other and hugging and kissing we went to the car and we drove to Groningen to her room. She slept almost all the way from Amsterdam to Groningen, because she was dead tired. We wanted to have some breakfast along the way, so we stopped at a Van de Valk road restaurant which is normally known as a good and cheap place for eating. Not for breakfast though. Open breakfast buffet is great, but not when they want to charge you € 11,00 p.p. Only for one sandwich and to cups of coffee! That they wanted you to pay upfront with the story that they weren't able to control if you only took 1 plate or 2 plates if they would let you pay for only 1 plate but lat you in wit 2 persons. So the had to charge you for 2 persons. So I told the waitress in Dutch to cancel the order and we left. for € 22,00 I can have breakfast and lunch or lunch and dinner for 2 at MacDonalds!
Once we reached her room we unloaded the car and rested for some hours till it was time to leave for her to go to the Academy building for her appointment there. I drover here to her appointment, parked my car near her faculty building, it's only a 5 minutes walk from the academy building and went for a hamburger at a local snackbar. I walked back to the car and picked her up again and we went to do some shopping. She needed a simcard and we needed food for the weekend. Man, what did I miss the Indian kitchen.
In the evening i gave her some presents I bought fer her that she can wear on the beach this summer. She was really surprised. She said I was crazy that I bought it for her. I simply said to her that it would look marvelous on her skintone. After that she had wine and I some juice and we and a long and nice night together.
On Sunday friends of us came to visit and brought even more food and stuff for her and the man of my girlfriends friend checked my girlfriends laptop after which the laptop kept rebooting itself. so, he took it with him to repair it at his home.
Together with our friends we went into Groningen and made some photos and had a nice walk trough the city from the faculty building to the train station and back.
After those friends left in the evening I left also. By then it was already 21.30 hours and it's a 2,5 drive back to Eindhoven. So my girlfriend wanted me to stay and leave next day. Still I left that night. My speedometer acted crazy and i wanted to be home so I could check it and if need be see if i could get a salvaged one to build in. As it turned out, 100 kilometers before I reached home the speedometer broke down. The needle went crazy. It thought it was not a needle but a propeller. It spinned around the dial like crazy. Luckily I had a Satnav in the car and this tells you also your actual speed that you're driving.
Anyways, I had a great weekend and I happy that my girlfriend is back in the Netherlands. Now we can also pray, chant and do SGI activities together in the weekends again.
André
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Dont stop thinking about tomorrow.
Happy New Year!
Since the lasy post of me, a lot has happened. I went to Trets ( European study center if SGI Europe) as a keibi again. It was my 4th time there as a keibi. When I was there, there was in the second half of de week a course of German Young men. On this course were among them 3 old keibies who i met last time in Trets 2 yrs ago, when I was a Keibi there. Also, there was a young men i knew from chapter Limburg south, district Maastricht. At that time he just moved back to Germany. It was wonderful to see him again.
Since the last time 2yrs ago, a lot has chanced in Trets. Since 2009 there is wireless internet at the center in Trets. If i had known that, I had brought my laptop along with me.
I also met a few Men division members from Germany, who where in Trets to support the young men course. One of them was the German study department responsible, The other was a chapter chief for Berlin. Both of them wrote articles for the second level study exams of last November. Which I also participated in.
When I came back from Trets, I learned from my girlfriend that she will come to the Netherlands this March to start her PhD study in Groningen. This news made me very happy. As did it to some of our mutual friends.
Only last month a member from Japan called me to ask my address, so they could send me a Christmas and New year card. Then She told me that she and her family probably will come to the netherlands for 1 year. Her husband has to do an upgrade course at the HQ of his company, which is situated in Veldhoven, the Netherlands. It will be nice to greet them back in the district again.
Let's hope that this year will be a very good year.
André
Since the lasy post of me, a lot has happened. I went to Trets ( European study center if SGI Europe) as a keibi again. It was my 4th time there as a keibi. When I was there, there was in the second half of de week a course of German Young men. On this course were among them 3 old keibies who i met last time in Trets 2 yrs ago, when I was a Keibi there. Also, there was a young men i knew from chapter Limburg south, district Maastricht. At that time he just moved back to Germany. It was wonderful to see him again.
Since the last time 2yrs ago, a lot has chanced in Trets. Since 2009 there is wireless internet at the center in Trets. If i had known that, I had brought my laptop along with me.
I also met a few Men division members from Germany, who where in Trets to support the young men course. One of them was the German study department responsible, The other was a chapter chief for Berlin. Both of them wrote articles for the second level study exams of last November. Which I also participated in.
When I came back from Trets, I learned from my girlfriend that she will come to the Netherlands this March to start her PhD study in Groningen. This news made me very happy. As did it to some of our mutual friends.
Only last month a member from Japan called me to ask my address, so they could send me a Christmas and New year card. Then She told me that she and her family probably will come to the netherlands for 1 year. Her husband has to do an upgrade course at the HQ of his company, which is situated in Veldhoven, the Netherlands. It will be nice to greet them back in the district again.
Let's hope that this year will be a very good year.
André
Sunday, August 16, 2009
I can't stop loving you
Maybe the title sounds a bit strange. But this Ray Charles song is one of my all time favorites. Till now I never actually really listened to the lyrics, I have to confess. But after listening to it last night, it struck me that this song could go about me and my girlfriend. It is all about thrust, confidence in each other and supporting and loving each other. Maybe even about the lack of it all in a relationship. Depending from which angle you look towards it.
Talking on the phone last night with my girlfriend and hearing her say that she has lost confidence in my actions and willingness to fight for my job and overcoming my health karma, really hurted me. It wasn't the first time she said this. That was the most hurtful. Like I was giving up the fight instead of fighting on the battle. I know how difficult it is when you are not able to be with the person you love because of distance and cultural differences. But it doesn't mean that I'm the only one who has to fight and show proof. Yes, I want to marry and settle down also with her. This doesn't mean that I have to do everything on my own. I'm still true to the goals we both set on February 11th 2007. But this also means that she has to set things in motion to come back to the Netherlands and not to wait till my problems are solved or till I show actual proof of a big victory. I already made some small victory and I'm sure that I'm on the break of a major victory.
After 2 years of combating severe migraine attacks, which often make it impossible for me to work, I finally found a professor who made a spectacular research break through in the research and treatment of migraine. This professor, who works at the Leiden University Medical Center, is my last hope for treatment through regular medical treatment. Downside is that I might be due for an appointment in November of this year. In the meantime I can only do daimoku and try to work as much as possible in between migraine attacks.
Another personal small victory for me is the fact that I allowed to go to the European Study Center at Trets, France of SGI Europe again. That I can go to Trets as a Keibi(protector of the Gohonzon at centers and the members there)is for me a strong sign that there will be a big victory soon and that I can challenge my karma to expatiate soon through extra strong daimoku. This happened every time when I went to the Trets center. So I'm confident that I will win no matter what and that my girlfriend and me are together again soon.
I know my girlfriend does send me a lot of daimoku. I can tell. She also keeps on sending me encouragement. Even while she says she lost confidence in me and she doesn't care or doesn't mind anymore. Still I can tell she does care and mind and that she deep in her heart wants to be with me and does love me. But I guess that it is sometimes easier to deny that to have to admit.
André
Talking on the phone last night with my girlfriend and hearing her say that she has lost confidence in my actions and willingness to fight for my job and overcoming my health karma, really hurted me. It wasn't the first time she said this. That was the most hurtful. Like I was giving up the fight instead of fighting on the battle. I know how difficult it is when you are not able to be with the person you love because of distance and cultural differences. But it doesn't mean that I'm the only one who has to fight and show proof. Yes, I want to marry and settle down also with her. This doesn't mean that I have to do everything on my own. I'm still true to the goals we both set on February 11th 2007. But this also means that she has to set things in motion to come back to the Netherlands and not to wait till my problems are solved or till I show actual proof of a big victory. I already made some small victory and I'm sure that I'm on the break of a major victory.
After 2 years of combating severe migraine attacks, which often make it impossible for me to work, I finally found a professor who made a spectacular research break through in the research and treatment of migraine. This professor, who works at the Leiden University Medical Center, is my last hope for treatment through regular medical treatment. Downside is that I might be due for an appointment in November of this year. In the meantime I can only do daimoku and try to work as much as possible in between migraine attacks.
Another personal small victory for me is the fact that I allowed to go to the European Study Center at Trets, France of SGI Europe again. That I can go to Trets as a Keibi(protector of the Gohonzon at centers and the members there)is for me a strong sign that there will be a big victory soon and that I can challenge my karma to expatiate soon through extra strong daimoku. This happened every time when I went to the Trets center. So I'm confident that I will win no matter what and that my girlfriend and me are together again soon.
I know my girlfriend does send me a lot of daimoku. I can tell. She also keeps on sending me encouragement. Even while she says she lost confidence in me and she doesn't care or doesn't mind anymore. Still I can tell she does care and mind and that she deep in her heart wants to be with me and does love me. But I guess that it is sometimes easier to deny that to have to admit.
André
Monday, August 3, 2009
I'm leaving on a jet plane
Well, after a long period of not writing, I finally have the time again to do so.
Today some 40 members of SGI Netherlands left from Eindhoven Airport to Marseille Airport (France), to go for the Dutch summercourse of SGI Netherlands at the Institute European du SGI (IESGI)center at Trets, France. I went to Eindhoven Airport to see them off.
Although most of them I knew, I saw also some new faces. One of the members, who will be a Byakuren (hostess) at this course,told me she would fly from Eindhoven Airport. There where members from Rotterdam, Den Bosch, Tilburg, Breda, Amsterdam(!) and Eindhoven.
I wish all memers who went for the Trets course this year a great and fun week and a save flight from and to Marseille!
André
Today some 40 members of SGI Netherlands left from Eindhoven Airport to Marseille Airport (France), to go for the Dutch summercourse of SGI Netherlands at the Institute European du SGI (IESGI)center at Trets, France. I went to Eindhoven Airport to see them off.
Although most of them I knew, I saw also some new faces. One of the members, who will be a Byakuren (hostess) at this course,told me she would fly from Eindhoven Airport. There where members from Rotterdam, Den Bosch, Tilburg, Breda, Amsterdam(!) and Eindhoven.
I wish all memers who went for the Trets course this year a great and fun week and a save flight from and to Marseille!
André
Friday, April 24, 2009
Discontinueing of my website Itai-Doshin.net
To all my readers and visitors of my blog en website.
After running for some years an own website to promote Kosen Rufu (world peace)and doing a lot of chanting for it of what to do with it, I have decided to not continue my website Itai-Doshin.net.
I hear you think right now, why? Well, the main factor of my decision was the time it took to maintain it, the low visit rate and the fact that maintaining a blog to share experiences with Nichiren Buddhism was more easily. Also a blog is more easy to find and has a lower threshold then a website. Most reactions I've got came trough my blog anyway so why would I then continue the website?
Greetings,
André
After running for some years an own website to promote Kosen Rufu (world peace)and doing a lot of chanting for it of what to do with it, I have decided to not continue my website Itai-Doshin.net.
I hear you think right now, why? Well, the main factor of my decision was the time it took to maintain it, the low visit rate and the fact that maintaining a blog to share experiences with Nichiren Buddhism was more easily. Also a blog is more easy to find and has a lower threshold then a website. Most reactions I've got came trough my blog anyway so why would I then continue the website?
Greetings,
André
Friday, February 6, 2009
Instant karma is gonna get you
For those who already read my last blog entry of Wednesday February 4th 2009.
Many of you read my blog often and already know that I NEVER intended to hurt others. The only reason I wrote this blog was, that it was a very negative experience and that I had the feeling that this also happens to other members.
Anyhow, on this blogpage are many personal experiences of me, both good and bad ones. I only write and publicize them as an encouragment and as a way of expressing myself. Let me state it clear to you all, the last blog entry wasn't meant as a complaint but merely an expression of how I felt about it. This also means that, since the Netherands has freedom of speech, if i want to, I can write over whatever I want. Even if this means writing over my own feelings, worries and what's bordering me. So from time to time there are some negative experiences on this blog and from time to time there are positive experiences on this blog as well. It's just a representational of my life. Nothing more and nothing less.
Still if feel sorry for those who feel offended by what I wrote in my last blog.
André
Many of you read my blog often and already know that I NEVER intended to hurt others. The only reason I wrote this blog was, that it was a very negative experience and that I had the feeling that this also happens to other members.
Anyhow, on this blogpage are many personal experiences of me, both good and bad ones. I only write and publicize them as an encouragment and as a way of expressing myself. Let me state it clear to you all, the last blog entry wasn't meant as a complaint but merely an expression of how I felt about it. This also means that, since the Netherands has freedom of speech, if i want to, I can write over whatever I want. Even if this means writing over my own feelings, worries and what's bordering me. So from time to time there are some negative experiences on this blog and from time to time there are positive experiences on this blog as well. It's just a representational of my life. Nothing more and nothing less.
Still if feel sorry for those who feel offended by what I wrote in my last blog.
André
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
When we don't talk.
Last night I got a telephone call from my regional leader of SGI. He called me because he was informed that there could be a problem between me and one of my members and he wanted to know what this problem was.
After telling me what came to his ear, I told him that my intentions where misunderstood by this member and that it never was my intention to feel this person uneasy by what I said or done. That my intentions where pure and that I never would harass anybody. After having said this to him, he told me that certain "stories" where circulating about me. Of course he never mentioned which stories these are.
I know which sort of stories are circulating about me, let me very clear about these stories, most if not all, aren't true or just from hear say. This also means that these stories going to lead their own life! Let me also clear about the following, being confronted with these stories through means of a third or fourth person who doesn't know exactly what or when is plain slander and an act of a coward!
Rather then acting this way, it would be better to have a dialogue with me in person between the person who has a problem with the way I am and me. I don't mind having a third person present as a sort of mediator. It is far better in this way than when you have to hear and being told not to have contact by a more senior leader! The chance that you find a satisfactory solution for both parties involved is far better then getting told to not contact the other party except for official SGI business.
Knowing by experience that chanting together to overcome a mutual problem or problems and sorting them out together works far better then bypass the other and let someone else clean up the mess. It also is better to talk directly towards each other (with or without a mediator) just to prevent misunderstanding and miscommunication. Otherwise you'll get the problem of hear say because you tell your story to one person, this person tells another person who has to tell you what is being said. Chance is big that by the time you get the message, this message is distorted and not the correct representation of what is actually being told. The effect is: getting even more angry with each other and eventually ending up hating and disliking each other and mutual hurt.
When I got home I, after this phone call, I sat down in front of the Gohonzon and chanted for more then 1 hour. Just to trying to get rid of my anger and hurt. Also I tried to understand why this person acted like this by not even being clear to me or trying to talk to me directly, avoiding unnecessary hurt, anger, pain and gossip and thus slandering. The only thing I ever wanted was friendship, not a relationship! Having already a very sweet (Indian) girlfriend, the last thing I want is to betray this girl! Also trying to encouraging this member and showing that I will be there if needed, together with WD seniors if necessary, was the only thing I tried to do. It was never my intention to being alone with this member.
In my opinion there is nothing wrong with being friends outside the organization while being also members of the same organization and practicing within the same organization together. I think that going out for a drink outside an official activity and socializing never hurts.
NMHRK
André
After telling me what came to his ear, I told him that my intentions where misunderstood by this member and that it never was my intention to feel this person uneasy by what I said or done. That my intentions where pure and that I never would harass anybody. After having said this to him, he told me that certain "stories" where circulating about me. Of course he never mentioned which stories these are.
I know which sort of stories are circulating about me, let me very clear about these stories, most if not all, aren't true or just from hear say. This also means that these stories going to lead their own life! Let me also clear about the following, being confronted with these stories through means of a third or fourth person who doesn't know exactly what or when is plain slander and an act of a coward!
Rather then acting this way, it would be better to have a dialogue with me in person between the person who has a problem with the way I am and me. I don't mind having a third person present as a sort of mediator. It is far better in this way than when you have to hear and being told not to have contact by a more senior leader! The chance that you find a satisfactory solution for both parties involved is far better then getting told to not contact the other party except for official SGI business.
Knowing by experience that chanting together to overcome a mutual problem or problems and sorting them out together works far better then bypass the other and let someone else clean up the mess. It also is better to talk directly towards each other (with or without a mediator) just to prevent misunderstanding and miscommunication. Otherwise you'll get the problem of hear say because you tell your story to one person, this person tells another person who has to tell you what is being said. Chance is big that by the time you get the message, this message is distorted and not the correct representation of what is actually being told. The effect is: getting even more angry with each other and eventually ending up hating and disliking each other and mutual hurt.
When I got home I, after this phone call, I sat down in front of the Gohonzon and chanted for more then 1 hour. Just to trying to get rid of my anger and hurt. Also I tried to understand why this person acted like this by not even being clear to me or trying to talk to me directly, avoiding unnecessary hurt, anger, pain and gossip and thus slandering. The only thing I ever wanted was friendship, not a relationship! Having already a very sweet (Indian) girlfriend, the last thing I want is to betray this girl! Also trying to encouraging this member and showing that I will be there if needed, together with WD seniors if necessary, was the only thing I tried to do. It was never my intention to being alone with this member.
In my opinion there is nothing wrong with being friends outside the organization while being also members of the same organization and practicing within the same organization together. I think that going out for a drink outside an official activity and socializing never hurts.
NMHRK
André
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Livin' on a prayer
It's remarkable what can happen once you take a ferm determination on a seemly impossible goal and you start doing daimoku for it.
Last Thursday I had a meeting with 2 YMD members and a YWD member, who is on the March 16th action committee, about what we could do as a cultural act on this festival that is being organized. She encouraged us to really chant for a "impossible" goal for march 16 and to chant for the success of the March 16 festival on March 15 at the conservatorium at the Hague.
Now, after a few days of very powerful daimoku, I found out at the website of the IND (Immigration an Naturalization Department red.)that there is a opportunity for my girlfriend to come to the Netherlands again. Since she has a Ma degree that is also certified by Fontys Tilburg, as a part of the Erasmus Mondus project SEN with as participating universities Roehamton, London; Fontys applied sciences university, Tilburg and Charles university at Prague. So I strongly advised her to apply, since i am convinced that she qualifies for this arrangement. She has nothing to loose, only to gain. I can not other explain then this is a gift from Gohonzon for her.
Now it's also time for my other goals such as going back to work in one form of another, finding a suitable house for Kosen Rufu and for my girlfriend and me and receiving my Omimori Gohonzon ( travel gohonzon which is a miniature verion of the gohonzon red.) on February 15, 2009. So I have a lot of daimoku still ahead till that time.
NMHRK
André
Last Thursday I had a meeting with 2 YMD members and a YWD member, who is on the March 16th action committee, about what we could do as a cultural act on this festival that is being organized. She encouraged us to really chant for a "impossible" goal for march 16 and to chant for the success of the March 16 festival on March 15 at the conservatorium at the Hague.
Now, after a few days of very powerful daimoku, I found out at the website of the IND (Immigration an Naturalization Department red.)that there is a opportunity for my girlfriend to come to the Netherlands again. Since she has a Ma degree that is also certified by Fontys Tilburg, as a part of the Erasmus Mondus project SEN with as participating universities Roehamton, London; Fontys applied sciences university, Tilburg and Charles university at Prague. So I strongly advised her to apply, since i am convinced that she qualifies for this arrangement. She has nothing to loose, only to gain. I can not other explain then this is a gift from Gohonzon for her.
Now it's also time for my other goals such as going back to work in one form of another, finding a suitable house for Kosen Rufu and for my girlfriend and me and receiving my Omimori Gohonzon ( travel gohonzon which is a miniature verion of the gohonzon red.) on February 15, 2009. So I have a lot of daimoku still ahead till that time.
NMHRK
André
Thursday, January 8, 2009
New years day
A new year,time for new determinations.
On January 2nd 2009 I've received a message through my regional leader, who went to Japan to follow the Dutch training course in December, from President Ikeda. The message was the following:"I have received you letter and I have read it. I will do Daimoku for you. Signed, Daisaku Ikeda, president of SGI".
When my regional leader called me to tell me this, i was really moved that Ikeda Sensei sent this message on his birthday to me. At that moment tears rolled from my eyes from gratitude. I really feel a deep connection with Ikeda Sensei now. To me, it really give me a moral boost that president Ikeda sent me this message on his birthday. Also according to my regional leader it's very special to receive a message on Sensei's birthday.
If it comes to my determinations for this year, I really want to accomplish at least that I'll find a house or apartment for Kosen Rufu, get my girlfriend to live together with me and marry her and at least 3 new Gohonzons in my district. Further I want to accomplish also the determinations I've made last year.
André
On January 2nd 2009 I've received a message through my regional leader, who went to Japan to follow the Dutch training course in December, from President Ikeda. The message was the following:"I have received you letter and I have read it. I will do Daimoku for you. Signed, Daisaku Ikeda, president of SGI".
When my regional leader called me to tell me this, i was really moved that Ikeda Sensei sent this message on his birthday to me. At that moment tears rolled from my eyes from gratitude. I really feel a deep connection with Ikeda Sensei now. To me, it really give me a moral boost that president Ikeda sent me this message on his birthday. Also according to my regional leader it's very special to receive a message on Sensei's birthday.
If it comes to my determinations for this year, I really want to accomplish at least that I'll find a house or apartment for Kosen Rufu, get my girlfriend to live together with me and marry her and at least 3 new Gohonzons in my district. Further I want to accomplish also the determinations I've made last year.
André
Friday, October 10, 2008
I just don't know what to do with myself
Since a few days I learned that the neurologist can't do anything for me. He thought that my migraine is caused due to some sort of psychological stress. So he has sent me to the psychiatrist. This was both a relieve as that i made me very sad. Why? Because I got afraid that after some 6 years I might have another depression. I sleep badly, feel bad and so on.
Last night my girlfriend called me,like she knew that something was wrong with me. She encouraged me by referring to one of the letters of Nichiren Daishonin (gosho). It was the gosho "The difficulty of sustaining faith". Just hearing her voice and hearing her reading out loud this gosho made me cry. At first, because I felt I failed in my life. But after a while talking with her these tears became tears of joy. It made me realize how much she cares about me and how much she must love me. She is a really sweet girl.
She also encouraged me to get advice from one of the seniors in faith, like Mr. Kotera or one of the other seniors about this. She also remembered me that I have a gohonzon and that i should pray in front of it to use it as a means to overcome my problems before October 20th. To be honest, I was so low that I didn't even thought about that. Yes, even I can get into state of hell.
Anyways,for the next few weeks I have a daunting task.
Greetings,
André
Last night my girlfriend called me,like she knew that something was wrong with me. She encouraged me by referring to one of the letters of Nichiren Daishonin (gosho). It was the gosho "The difficulty of sustaining faith". Just hearing her voice and hearing her reading out loud this gosho made me cry. At first, because I felt I failed in my life. But after a while talking with her these tears became tears of joy. It made me realize how much she cares about me and how much she must love me. She is a really sweet girl.
She also encouraged me to get advice from one of the seniors in faith, like Mr. Kotera or one of the other seniors about this. She also remembered me that I have a gohonzon and that i should pray in front of it to use it as a means to overcome my problems before October 20th. To be honest, I was so low that I didn't even thought about that. Yes, even I can get into state of hell.
Anyways,for the next few weeks I have a daunting task.
Greetings,
André
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Breaktru
Last week I got a breakthrough in my life. Actually, it were 2 breakthroughs.
First I was told by my job coach that my waiting time for a decant house or apartment was shortened by half a year. So by March of next year I should be able to finally move and for seconds, I learned that I will receive a Omimori Gohonzon. This is a small (travel) version of the Gohonzon (this is a mandala on which Nichiren Daishonin inscribed the essence of all life which is Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo).
For both things I was chanting for the last few years and to be honest, I almost forgot about it. Hopefully this also means that I get rit of my migraine attacks soon. I want to go to India by the end of this year and hopefully marry the girl I love. So I have to finish my Daimoku sheet fast and hopefully i can do another one before the prises of the airline tickets go ballistic. So I want to fulfill all of my targets and goals of this year. I just hope and pray that I find enough resources (money)to be able to fly to India. Also I pray very honestly that I can work some "overtime" on my free time. It is a means to finance the ticket.
Also I have a real struggle to keep of of the cigarettes these days. I promised my girl not to smoke but sometimes I just feel the urge to smoke. Especially when I feel stressed or under Pressure. These are times I really want a smoke. So it's very hard for my from time to time. If you ask me, it is better in these times besides chanting to give in to that urge and smoke a cigarette. I know it's a bad habit and it's unhealthy but it beats chemical medication to make you relax, which has from all things nicotine in it to relax you!!!
So I just keep praying that i can stay of the cigarettes which is very difficult. So far I failed on many occasions. But hey, I'm only human!!!
Stay healthy and take care for now
André
First I was told by my job coach that my waiting time for a decant house or apartment was shortened by half a year. So by March of next year I should be able to finally move and for seconds, I learned that I will receive a Omimori Gohonzon. This is a small (travel) version of the Gohonzon (this is a mandala on which Nichiren Daishonin inscribed the essence of all life which is Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo).
For both things I was chanting for the last few years and to be honest, I almost forgot about it. Hopefully this also means that I get rit of my migraine attacks soon. I want to go to India by the end of this year and hopefully marry the girl I love. So I have to finish my Daimoku sheet fast and hopefully i can do another one before the prises of the airline tickets go ballistic. So I want to fulfill all of my targets and goals of this year. I just hope and pray that I find enough resources (money)to be able to fly to India. Also I pray very honestly that I can work some "overtime" on my free time. It is a means to finance the ticket.
Also I have a real struggle to keep of of the cigarettes these days. I promised my girl not to smoke but sometimes I just feel the urge to smoke. Especially when I feel stressed or under Pressure. These are times I really want a smoke. So it's very hard for my from time to time. If you ask me, it is better in these times besides chanting to give in to that urge and smoke a cigarette. I know it's a bad habit and it's unhealthy but it beats chemical medication to make you relax, which has from all things nicotine in it to relax you!!!
So I just keep praying that i can stay of the cigarettes which is very difficult. So far I failed on many occasions. But hey, I'm only human!!!
Stay healthy and take care for now
André
Sunday, September 14, 2008
All the answers
For the last few days or weeks I feel very tense, restless and sleep very badly. I guess it comes through living in this house now for over 6 years. 6 Years of living in 2 very small rooms (7 m2 per room) starts taking its toll. Also having to put up with all the nonsense and still ongoing battle between the 2 newbies (Frenchies) and the rest of the residents finally shows off its bad results on me. For the details on that story, just read my last entry before this one.
The more I chant for peace and quiete in the house, the more intense the battles becomes. Even trying to having open dialogue amongst all of us without the landlord isn't possible with them at the moment. How much we (my other house mates and me) try, they just turn and walk away. So what to do when the other party is refusing dialogue to solve problems? Chanting for their happiness was the advice I got, but that is not enough. Especially when my work starts suffering under this small war. Only positive thing about is, that our landlord finally decided to have a negotiation talk with all of us.That will take place this Wednesday.
Like president Daisaku Ikeda once mentioned; "Only through having an open dialogue we can overcome our differences." I believe he is right in this.Without reasoning and open dialogue to overcome once differences, the only alternative left is destruction, grief and pain. This is under all circumstances not an option, I believe. By having dialogue you are able to understand each other. I really hope that the mediation of the landlord will have to desired effect we all want. Especially those who where already living here in the house before the newbies arrived. So lets wait and see what will happening the next days.
André
The more I chant for peace and quiete in the house, the more intense the battles becomes. Even trying to having open dialogue amongst all of us without the landlord isn't possible with them at the moment. How much we (my other house mates and me) try, they just turn and walk away. So what to do when the other party is refusing dialogue to solve problems? Chanting for their happiness was the advice I got, but that is not enough. Especially when my work starts suffering under this small war. Only positive thing about is, that our landlord finally decided to have a negotiation talk with all of us.That will take place this Wednesday.
Like president Daisaku Ikeda once mentioned; "Only through having an open dialogue we can overcome our differences." I believe he is right in this.Without reasoning and open dialogue to overcome once differences, the only alternative left is destruction, grief and pain. This is under all circumstances not an option, I believe. By having dialogue you are able to understand each other. I really hope that the mediation of the landlord will have to desired effect we all want. Especially those who where already living here in the house before the newbies arrived. So lets wait and see what will happening the next days.
André
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Friends will be friends
Since my last blog, a lot has happened in my life. After announcing at a combined Young men's and Men's meeting that I decided to be a Keibi at our National Cultural center for the next 5 years, I learned that the Keibi group was due to disbandment. Off course I heared this as a rumor earlier, but still it came as a shock to me that this actual happened. Especially because the weekend that I was Keibi and I heared this terrible news, I was celebrating my anniversary of being 5 years Keibi.
The reason that was given for the decision of disbandon the Keibi group was, that we had to less Keibis anymore and that most tasks forfilled by the Keibi group could be also done by the Byakuren and Sokahans. These tasks were manning the desk and answering the phone, opening and closing of the butsudan in the main Butsuma and providing secrity services during the weekends without any regards wether or not there was a course going on or not. Also another reason was that the fire department didn't clear the building for overnight stays of groups any longer.
That Sunday our national Womens Division leader came to me and asked me how I felt, so I told her. When she learned that I was 5 years Keibi, she asked me what I wished to most for except for the continuation of the Keibi group. I answered that it must be an omimori (travel) gohonzon. I also told her that I expressed this request to the secretary of SGI Netherlands, since he is also the keeper of our Cultural Center. She promised that she would make a plea for my wish to be granted, because in her opinion I had deserved one for my relentless efforts as a Keibi over the last 5 years. This story will be continued....
Then there is my ongoing struggle with the migraine attacks I've having. After a small period of not having any, I start suffering again from migraine attacks. Part due to stress in my personal life, part of having to proof myself again at my work. Then there is the fact that my neurologist can't seem any defined reason why I have these Migraine attacks. So I got new medication again which I have to try.
The personal stress is caused by some new guys who start living in the house I live in now. It's a kind of student house for working people. These guys are French and just don't want to adjust to the other inhabitants of the house. When they moved in, they complained the same evening about the noisiness in the house and they demanded that it would be quiet at 21.30 hrs. And this is still an ongoing battle ever since. I call it a battle, because the rest of us respect the house rules as put down by the landlord but they keep looking for reasons to complain. It makes for me very difficult to practice properly. I think most of the readers who are SGI members know how difficult the relation is between the French government and SGI France.
Since a few months I'm no longer the only practitioner of the Buddhism of Nichiren Daishonin. One of my house mates started also chanting. He is a German who at first was only interested and decided to try. He is my shakabuku and when possible we try to chant from time to time to together. So this is also becoming a bit more difficult because of the complains of these French guys. Till now we tried talking with them but till now without any result. It's very difficult to keep a dialogue going when the other party don't want to.
Then I learned last week that one of my Internet SGI friends suddenly passed away. This friend lived in West-Hollywood and wrote scrips for movies, television programs and was writing a screen play. She used to encourage me from time to time and showed me how to deal with various issues in life and the coherency with SGI Buddhism. I'm sure,knowing her, that she is discussing with Toda Sensei about the Gosho and Buddhism. She was a true Boddhistava of theearth. I'm sure that with me, a lot of SGI-USA members will miss her.
NMHRK, NMHRK, NMHRK,
André
The reason that was given for the decision of disbandon the Keibi group was, that we had to less Keibis anymore and that most tasks forfilled by the Keibi group could be also done by the Byakuren and Sokahans. These tasks were manning the desk and answering the phone, opening and closing of the butsudan in the main Butsuma and providing secrity services during the weekends without any regards wether or not there was a course going on or not. Also another reason was that the fire department didn't clear the building for overnight stays of groups any longer.
That Sunday our national Womens Division leader came to me and asked me how I felt, so I told her. When she learned that I was 5 years Keibi, she asked me what I wished to most for except for the continuation of the Keibi group. I answered that it must be an omimori (travel) gohonzon. I also told her that I expressed this request to the secretary of SGI Netherlands, since he is also the keeper of our Cultural Center. She promised that she would make a plea for my wish to be granted, because in her opinion I had deserved one for my relentless efforts as a Keibi over the last 5 years. This story will be continued....
Then there is my ongoing struggle with the migraine attacks I've having. After a small period of not having any, I start suffering again from migraine attacks. Part due to stress in my personal life, part of having to proof myself again at my work. Then there is the fact that my neurologist can't seem any defined reason why I have these Migraine attacks. So I got new medication again which I have to try.
The personal stress is caused by some new guys who start living in the house I live in now. It's a kind of student house for working people. These guys are French and just don't want to adjust to the other inhabitants of the house. When they moved in, they complained the same evening about the noisiness in the house and they demanded that it would be quiet at 21.30 hrs. And this is still an ongoing battle ever since. I call it a battle, because the rest of us respect the house rules as put down by the landlord but they keep looking for reasons to complain. It makes for me very difficult to practice properly. I think most of the readers who are SGI members know how difficult the relation is between the French government and SGI France.
Since a few months I'm no longer the only practitioner of the Buddhism of Nichiren Daishonin. One of my house mates started also chanting. He is a German who at first was only interested and decided to try. He is my shakabuku and when possible we try to chant from time to time to together. So this is also becoming a bit more difficult because of the complains of these French guys. Till now we tried talking with them but till now without any result. It's very difficult to keep a dialogue going when the other party don't want to.
Then I learned last week that one of my Internet SGI friends suddenly passed away. This friend lived in West-Hollywood and wrote scrips for movies, television programs and was writing a screen play. She used to encourage me from time to time and showed me how to deal with various issues in life and the coherency with SGI Buddhism. I'm sure,knowing her, that she is discussing with Toda Sensei about the Gosho and Buddhism. She was a true Boddhistava of theearth. I'm sure that with me, a lot of SGI-USA members will miss her.
NMHRK, NMHRK, NMHRK,
André
Monday, May 26, 2008
I did it my way
On Tuesday May 20th 2008 my aunt Mieke finally passed away peacefully after a 2,5 year struggle with cancer. Last year I asked you all to chant for her, so she could prepare herself on the final battle of her life. I would like to express my warm feld thank you all for doing so. By chanting so massively for her health and finding peace with herself, she was able to pass away really quietly and peacefully.
By chanting for my aunt, it also reflected on her husband, children and grandchild. They found the strength to go on and support her in those very difficult times. Especially when she was due to pass away. My cousin told that when she was at her mother's side during the last hour, my aunt was being very peaceful and even managed to pass away in a very quite fashion without anyone noticing. I can only express my hope that you all remember her in the 4th silent prayer.
During my aunt's life she arranged most of her funeral details herself so when she would passed away, only the very last things would have to be arranged with the funeral company. Although this company tried to put their stamp on how thing should be done, the family stood firm and demanded that everything would be done according to what my aunt wished and what the family wanted. So this happened in the way the family dictated, not the way the funeral company tried to dictate. I find this a remarkable example of how strong chanting is. Even if other family members like cousins or family in the 3th degree practice, while you yourself are not practicing this Buddhism.
When I learned about the passing away of my aunt, I started to make preparations for a incense ceremony for a deceased person, by taking up contact with our National HQ at Zeist. Within my region we didn't had any experience with this, although I was a few times Keibi during such a ceremony.But this is different from having it yourself. By Friday and Saturday there where opportunities to pay last respect to my aunt for the family and on Saturday I was able to ask my cousin for permission to do this ceremony and at the same time convey the condolences of of my girlfriend. Since my aunt always was interested in many things, including all schools of Buddhism and the last few years also in Nichiren Buddhism, she told me to go along with this ceremony.
So this last Sunday, May 25th 2008, this incense ceremony was held at the main Butsuma in Zeist. It was supported by members of my District,chapter and region and conducted by caretaker of the Cultural Center. To me it was off course emotional and I feld very supported by my members. I'm sure my aunt loved the ceremony and the fact I organized this just to sent her a last farewell. So she will be protected by a high life state till she reincarnate and starts practicing Nichiren Buddhism or on her journey to the Eagle top to join the other Buddha's from past, present and future and all directions.
Nichiren states in the Gosho The heritage of the ultimate law of life:"“When the lives of these persons come to an end, they will be received into the hands of a thousand Buddhas, who will free them from all fear and keep them from falling into the evil paths of existence.”5 How can we possibly hold back our tears at the inexpressible joy of knowing that not just one or two, not just one hundred or two hundred, but as many as a thousand Buddhas will come to greet us with open arms!""
Knowing that my aunt at least had heard about Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo and also read about it convinces me that my aunt will at least reincarnate to be for fill her role as Bodhisattva of the Earth.
During the cremation ceremony today, my cousin told about my aunt's way of living. The way she stood in life, the way my cousin and her brother where brought up and the way my aunt dealed with her disease. My aunt was a firm believer of bringing up children as strong individuals who where capable of taking care of their lifes them selfs. This resulted often in heavy discussions at home. Often about the most small things. Like my cousin remembered,she wanted in the 1980's a pink sweater but at first my aunt refused to make it for her. When she finally agreed to do so she told my cousin that when she would wear it she would be on her own and this was not negotiable. So one a sunny day my aunt and cousin when to the nearby city and my cousin decided to take her coat off this resulted in....my aunt splitting and leaving my cousin fully on her own. My aunt kept her promise!
At the time off course my cousin thought off my aunt as a b*ch, but afterwards they could laugh about it. Although this was some years after this story happened. Also my cousin said she would miss was gossiping with my aunt about all of us. The other family members like brothers and sisters, the in-laws and the other cousins. Also some other aunts of mine shared their memories about my aunt. Also depicting a picture about my aunt and the way she was during life. Fair, open hearted, humorous, straight forward and lovable. Just the woman she really was.
Aunt Mieke you really did it YOUR way!!! I will always remember you for the wonderful person you where and I will always remember you in my prayers. That you may Rest In Peace.
By chanting for my aunt, it also reflected on her husband, children and grandchild. They found the strength to go on and support her in those very difficult times. Especially when she was due to pass away. My cousin told that when she was at her mother's side during the last hour, my aunt was being very peaceful and even managed to pass away in a very quite fashion without anyone noticing. I can only express my hope that you all remember her in the 4th silent prayer.
During my aunt's life she arranged most of her funeral details herself so when she would passed away, only the very last things would have to be arranged with the funeral company. Although this company tried to put their stamp on how thing should be done, the family stood firm and demanded that everything would be done according to what my aunt wished and what the family wanted. So this happened in the way the family dictated, not the way the funeral company tried to dictate. I find this a remarkable example of how strong chanting is. Even if other family members like cousins or family in the 3th degree practice, while you yourself are not practicing this Buddhism.
When I learned about the passing away of my aunt, I started to make preparations for a incense ceremony for a deceased person, by taking up contact with our National HQ at Zeist. Within my region we didn't had any experience with this, although I was a few times Keibi during such a ceremony.But this is different from having it yourself. By Friday and Saturday there where opportunities to pay last respect to my aunt for the family and on Saturday I was able to ask my cousin for permission to do this ceremony and at the same time convey the condolences of of my girlfriend. Since my aunt always was interested in many things, including all schools of Buddhism and the last few years also in Nichiren Buddhism, she told me to go along with this ceremony.
So this last Sunday, May 25th 2008, this incense ceremony was held at the main Butsuma in Zeist. It was supported by members of my District,chapter and region and conducted by caretaker of the Cultural Center. To me it was off course emotional and I feld very supported by my members. I'm sure my aunt loved the ceremony and the fact I organized this just to sent her a last farewell. So she will be protected by a high life state till she reincarnate and starts practicing Nichiren Buddhism or on her journey to the Eagle top to join the other Buddha's from past, present and future and all directions.
Nichiren states in the Gosho The heritage of the ultimate law of life:"“When the lives of these persons come to an end, they will be received into the hands of a thousand Buddhas, who will free them from all fear and keep them from falling into the evil paths of existence.”5 How can we possibly hold back our tears at the inexpressible joy of knowing that not just one or two, not just one hundred or two hundred, but as many as a thousand Buddhas will come to greet us with open arms!""
Knowing that my aunt at least had heard about Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo and also read about it convinces me that my aunt will at least reincarnate to be for fill her role as Bodhisattva of the Earth.
During the cremation ceremony today, my cousin told about my aunt's way of living. The way she stood in life, the way my cousin and her brother where brought up and the way my aunt dealed with her disease. My aunt was a firm believer of bringing up children as strong individuals who where capable of taking care of their lifes them selfs. This resulted often in heavy discussions at home. Often about the most small things. Like my cousin remembered,she wanted in the 1980's a pink sweater but at first my aunt refused to make it for her. When she finally agreed to do so she told my cousin that when she would wear it she would be on her own and this was not negotiable. So one a sunny day my aunt and cousin when to the nearby city and my cousin decided to take her coat off this resulted in....my aunt splitting and leaving my cousin fully on her own. My aunt kept her promise!
At the time off course my cousin thought off my aunt as a b*ch, but afterwards they could laugh about it. Although this was some years after this story happened. Also my cousin said she would miss was gossiping with my aunt about all of us. The other family members like brothers and sisters, the in-laws and the other cousins. Also some other aunts of mine shared their memories about my aunt. Also depicting a picture about my aunt and the way she was during life. Fair, open hearted, humorous, straight forward and lovable. Just the woman she really was.
Aunt Mieke you really did it YOUR way!!! I will always remember you for the wonderful person you where and I will always remember you in my prayers. That you may Rest In Peace.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Another brick in the wall
After the release of the movie Fitna, made by Mr. Wilders who is a member of the Dutch parlement, I was a bit shocked by the way of portraying Muslims in this movie. Mr. Wilders used old news footage like the famous 9/11 images in conjunction with verses of the Koran to"warn" the Dutch for the danger of Muslims. Like every Muslim would be a terrorist (happens to be that most terrorists now a day seems to be Muslim, but that doesn't mean that this is also the truth the other way around).
After the release Mr. Wilders announced to be ready to have dialogue with the general Dutch public. Including the Muslims who live in the Netherlands. But what happend? Mr. Wilders was invited to come in a tv-show to have dialogue with the audiance. He declined and sent a party member to tell in this show the official view of Mr.Wilders and the party. This party is called PVV, Partij Voor de Vrijheid (Party For Freedom). For those amongst you who are not knowing who Mr. Wilders is, Mr. Wilders is an extremist and anti-Muslim. I think you could qualify him as the kind of party leader like Adolf Hitler, Mussolini or any other right winged dictator history provided us.
This man really scares the hell out of me. Why? I can't give you a simple answer to that. Let's keep it to the fact that at least some people actualy learned from the past. When I hear this man speech, I get images of the movies The Wall (Pink Flloyd) and The Wave in my thoughts. I guess those who are old enough to remember those movies know what I'm talking about. We all have seen happening this before. In the past it where the Jews who had done it, now it's the Muslims, who's next? The Buddhists?
When people don't know their neighbors and don't know the culture of these people, it's very easy to see them as a danger to you. But when you start talking to them, respect them as a human being and see them as such, you often find out that other cultures are in many ways similar to ours. They believe in the same gods, have the same interests, are nice and friendly, love food in the same way as we do even discuss the same issues as we do. They are just like us and that is scary. People are people no matter what they believe in, look like or eat. It doesn't matter what color your skin is, underneath that skin we all look the same. Our blood is red and without skin all tissue is red and pink.
In my personal past I had Muslim, Jewish and Christian friends. We often discussed religion and we came to the same conclusion each and every time. No matter which Holy book we read or to who we prayed, God, Allah or Jaweh, They all are 1 and the same God we prayed to each day. Even our Holy books are, for most parts, the same. So why we say that we're so different? Our answer was fear for the other person. The other one looked funny, talked another language, ate other things or just didn't prayed in the same way as we did. But we all believed in the same God(s).
Yesterday evening I was watching the movie "wind talkers" about the Navajo code talkers who the military used during the 2nd WW in both the Pacific as in the European theater. At one point one of the code talkers is confronted by some redneck marine that he looks Japanese and that the only difference between being a good guy and being the ad guy was the uniform he wore. At first this Navajo is frustrated and angry about it but later he uses this point to the advantage of the marines when he saves them from friendly fire by imposing a Japanese soldier and by doing this, he's able to get to the radioset of the Japanese positions and directing the fire on to those positions. Thus saving his mates lives. After this his friend saves the same marine who discriminated earlier from being killed. This redneck marine changed his point of view after that. Telling that he was tought that killing Native-Americans wasn't a bad thing and that his grandfathers were payed to do so and that he feld ashamed of his ignorance. He simple didn't know better till he started to know some Native-Americans himself.
If one man can change his point of view by experiencing how the other is like, why can't we then? it only takes a friendly word and a well meant smile and some time to know each other. Once you know each others customs and way of living, even if we disagree on it, it's much easier to understand one another.
Think about it, Nichiren Daisonin, and before him Shakyamuni, told us the same things. When we are as one in mind, many in body we can truly live together as one big family.
Greetz,
André
After the release Mr. Wilders announced to be ready to have dialogue with the general Dutch public. Including the Muslims who live in the Netherlands. But what happend? Mr. Wilders was invited to come in a tv-show to have dialogue with the audiance. He declined and sent a party member to tell in this show the official view of Mr.Wilders and the party. This party is called PVV, Partij Voor de Vrijheid (Party For Freedom). For those amongst you who are not knowing who Mr. Wilders is, Mr. Wilders is an extremist and anti-Muslim. I think you could qualify him as the kind of party leader like Adolf Hitler, Mussolini or any other right winged dictator history provided us.
This man really scares the hell out of me. Why? I can't give you a simple answer to that. Let's keep it to the fact that at least some people actualy learned from the past. When I hear this man speech, I get images of the movies The Wall (Pink Flloyd) and The Wave in my thoughts. I guess those who are old enough to remember those movies know what I'm talking about. We all have seen happening this before. In the past it where the Jews who had done it, now it's the Muslims, who's next? The Buddhists?
When people don't know their neighbors and don't know the culture of these people, it's very easy to see them as a danger to you. But when you start talking to them, respect them as a human being and see them as such, you often find out that other cultures are in many ways similar to ours. They believe in the same gods, have the same interests, are nice and friendly, love food in the same way as we do even discuss the same issues as we do. They are just like us and that is scary. People are people no matter what they believe in, look like or eat. It doesn't matter what color your skin is, underneath that skin we all look the same. Our blood is red and without skin all tissue is red and pink.
In my personal past I had Muslim, Jewish and Christian friends. We often discussed religion and we came to the same conclusion each and every time. No matter which Holy book we read or to who we prayed, God, Allah or Jaweh, They all are 1 and the same God we prayed to each day. Even our Holy books are, for most parts, the same. So why we say that we're so different? Our answer was fear for the other person. The other one looked funny, talked another language, ate other things or just didn't prayed in the same way as we did. But we all believed in the same God(s).
Yesterday evening I was watching the movie "wind talkers" about the Navajo code talkers who the military used during the 2nd WW in both the Pacific as in the European theater. At one point one of the code talkers is confronted by some redneck marine that he looks Japanese and that the only difference between being a good guy and being the ad guy was the uniform he wore. At first this Navajo is frustrated and angry about it but later he uses this point to the advantage of the marines when he saves them from friendly fire by imposing a Japanese soldier and by doing this, he's able to get to the radioset of the Japanese positions and directing the fire on to those positions. Thus saving his mates lives. After this his friend saves the same marine who discriminated earlier from being killed. This redneck marine changed his point of view after that. Telling that he was tought that killing Native-Americans wasn't a bad thing and that his grandfathers were payed to do so and that he feld ashamed of his ignorance. He simple didn't know better till he started to know some Native-Americans himself.
If one man can change his point of view by experiencing how the other is like, why can't we then? it only takes a friendly word and a well meant smile and some time to know each other. Once you know each others customs and way of living, even if we disagree on it, it's much easier to understand one another.
Think about it, Nichiren Daisonin, and before him Shakyamuni, told us the same things. When we are as one in mind, many in body we can truly live together as one big family.
Greetz,
André
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Imagine
March 16th, 2008. The 50th anniversary of Kosen Rufu day. Within SGI also known as Day of Youth. Today 4,000 youth members of SGI Europe came together in Milan, Italy to celebrate this occasion and pledge to president Ikeda that we will take Kosen Rufu to the next level and make this world a better and more humane and peaceful world to live. Just like our predecessors did 50 years ago to 2nd president Toda. And this happened everywhere by youth members in the world at youth meetings!
Although I wanted to go to Milan and I chanted and worked really hard for it, I was not chosen to go. Then I decided to be Keibi in Zeist instead. But because of having serious side effects of my medications which I got to fight migraine, I couldn't be Keibi. At first I thought it was an obstacle but it turned out to be protection and fortune. Last week a house mate of me went along to a young mens division meeting and he liked it so much that he decided that he wanted to go to the March 16th meeting as well. Since I can't drive my car due to these side effects, he drove me to the meeting. The meeting was held at our regional leader who was just back from Japan where she had attended a course and met President Ikeda. So , she encouraged us with the spirit of president Ikeda. she also stressed the importance of the youth and this day. And why youth is so important. Youth is able to make the necessary changes in the world, in politics, in making the world more humane and more safe and peaceful. The world is ours to change.
Being at this meeting mend that there was also a piece of culture in the form of singing and poetry. Also there was so lovely foods and refreshments provided by the womens division. After the meeting the regional leader told me that she would sent me the answers she got to the questions I asked but that she sadly didn't got a reply to take back for my from president Ikeda. But, she said, president Ikeda sees and get more then 2,000 gifts and letters every day. He tries to read all letters but as you can understand it is difficult to read all and answer them all in time. So probably you won't get an answer or a reply or you'll get a short message via the Cultural center at Zeist. But that can take time. I told her last time I sent president Ikeda a letter, I got a short reply via the Cultural Center. But this time I keep on chanting to get a personal answer from president Ikeda. No matter how long it takes to get this answer to reach me.
NMHRK
André
Monday, February 4, 2008
Don't loose your head
For the last 2,5 weeks I have terrible migraine attacks. It all started after being Keibi in January. After coming home, I felt some headache which soon developed into a full mounted migraine attack. So I took some medication i once got from my doctor and went off to sleep. Hoping that it was gone the next morning and that i would be fit for work again.
When I woke up this attack started all over again and I had to call in that I wasn't coming for work that day. As happened for the days after. Normally a typical migraine attack takes approxable maximally 72 hrs, but this time it started every day over and over again. So I went to see my doctor and he prescribed some diazepam (a.k.a. Valium) to take together with the diclofenac I already had. After doing this for the next few attacks, I came to the conclusion it didn't work and went, again, to see my doctor. Now I got a see through letter to see a neurologist at my local hospital. I got an appointment for February 13th. And I hope he can help me.
The last time a had such sever attacks was in 2006. At that time the neurologist couldn't find any thing and since it seemed that diclofenac helped me, he decided to keep with that. I really pray to my Gohonzon that he can help me. Either with better medication or that he find the cause of my migraine. Which would be even better.
Not be able to work, means no pay which in turn means not ale to pay bills. Lucky for m, I'm living in the Netherlands where we have a good social system which provides us with money when falling ill or in case you loose your job. It only takes some weeks before you receive pay from welfare office. Especially when you working for an employment agency like I do. In that case they have to calculate what you've earn normally and then they pay you 70% of your regular pay.
The only thing I'm now praying for is that I be able to work again, since not able to do anything the last weeks but sleep isn't that great. Also having this week Carnaval, which is a huge catholic dress up party before they fast for 40 days till Easter, doesn't help. The company I work for this agency is closed for the whole week due to these festivities which end this Tuesday evening.
Fact is, that I'm now typing this with my screen at the darkest possible mode. Just to avoid headache. Although this doesn't really help. Still get the migraine attacks.
Greetings, (with headache)
André
When I woke up this attack started all over again and I had to call in that I wasn't coming for work that day. As happened for the days after. Normally a typical migraine attack takes approxable maximally 72 hrs, but this time it started every day over and over again. So I went to see my doctor and he prescribed some diazepam (a.k.a. Valium) to take together with the diclofenac I already had. After doing this for the next few attacks, I came to the conclusion it didn't work and went, again, to see my doctor. Now I got a see through letter to see a neurologist at my local hospital. I got an appointment for February 13th. And I hope he can help me.
The last time a had such sever attacks was in 2006. At that time the neurologist couldn't find any thing and since it seemed that diclofenac helped me, he decided to keep with that. I really pray to my Gohonzon that he can help me. Either with better medication or that he find the cause of my migraine. Which would be even better.
Not be able to work, means no pay which in turn means not ale to pay bills. Lucky for m, I'm living in the Netherlands where we have a good social system which provides us with money when falling ill or in case you loose your job. It only takes some weeks before you receive pay from welfare office. Especially when you working for an employment agency like I do. In that case they have to calculate what you've earn normally and then they pay you 70% of your regular pay.
The only thing I'm now praying for is that I be able to work again, since not able to do anything the last weeks but sleep isn't that great. Also having this week Carnaval, which is a huge catholic dress up party before they fast for 40 days till Easter, doesn't help. The company I work for this agency is closed for the whole week due to these festivities which end this Tuesday evening.
Fact is, that I'm now typing this with my screen at the darkest possible mode. Just to avoid headache. Although this doesn't really help. Still get the migraine attacks.
Greetings, (with headache)
André
Monday, January 14, 2008
I like to move it, move it.
Funny how things can happen. Last week I had planned to go to the monthly YMD meeting, when one of my friends called me on Thursday if I could help moving a member in Vught to her new location in Tilburg. Knowing that she had an accident a few weeks earlier, I decided that helping her relocate was more important to me then the YMD meeting.
So, last Saturday I went to my friend first to do some daimoku and gongyo before going to relocate our mutual friend to Tilburg. We just arrived when her father also arrived and we started to move things out and into the van and trailer. By 10.00 hrs we all left for Tilburg where a friend of one of her house mates already waited to help us move her into her room. After some organizing we had everything except a small couch and dishwasher on her room and we where by 12.00 hrs with our selfs. While my friend and I tried with the help of this other friend to get the couch 2 stories up, our lovely lady went to do some groceries. We got the dishwasher up but somehow this couch didn't want to get up the last floor. What ever we tried it just didn't go up. So after a call to her father we decided to put it somehow into a sort of storage till her father could pick it up. Luckily for her,one of her new house mates offered her the chance to put the couch on this house mates room. By the time it was 15.30 hrs we were finished moving her and my friend and I left for Vught again.
After some shopping in Vught we went to my friends place to drink something and I went back to my home. Since I was growing hungry, I decided to make a stop at the MacDrive in Veldhoven. I learned that it was redecorated and I wanted to check it out. If I had to grade it, it would have failed major time! No atmosphere left, no thinks that reminded you to the original theme, aviation. after all, this MacDrive is located near Eindhoven Airport. So next time I want to eat MacDonald's I think I stop at the MacDrive of Best, which has a lovely Rock 'n' Roll theme. Has a good and nice atmosphere and you have somethings to look at while eating your fries and burger.
Like Nichiren Daishonin once said; Invisible benefits give visible rewards. So lets hope and chant that I also find me a nice apartment or house for Kosen Rufu so my girlfriend can stay with me.
André
So, last Saturday I went to my friend first to do some daimoku and gongyo before going to relocate our mutual friend to Tilburg. We just arrived when her father also arrived and we started to move things out and into the van and trailer. By 10.00 hrs we all left for Tilburg where a friend of one of her house mates already waited to help us move her into her room. After some organizing we had everything except a small couch and dishwasher on her room and we where by 12.00 hrs with our selfs. While my friend and I tried with the help of this other friend to get the couch 2 stories up, our lovely lady went to do some groceries. We got the dishwasher up but somehow this couch didn't want to get up the last floor. What ever we tried it just didn't go up. So after a call to her father we decided to put it somehow into a sort of storage till her father could pick it up. Luckily for her,one of her new house mates offered her the chance to put the couch on this house mates room. By the time it was 15.30 hrs we were finished moving her and my friend and I left for Vught again.
After some shopping in Vught we went to my friends place to drink something and I went back to my home. Since I was growing hungry, I decided to make a stop at the MacDrive in Veldhoven. I learned that it was redecorated and I wanted to check it out. If I had to grade it, it would have failed major time! No atmosphere left, no thinks that reminded you to the original theme, aviation. after all, this MacDrive is located near Eindhoven Airport. So next time I want to eat MacDonald's I think I stop at the MacDrive of Best, which has a lovely Rock 'n' Roll theme. Has a good and nice atmosphere and you have somethings to look at while eating your fries and burger.
Like Nichiren Daishonin once said; Invisible benefits give visible rewards. So lets hope and chant that I also find me a nice apartment or house for Kosen Rufu so my girlfriend can stay with me.
André
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