A car for Kosen-Rufu.

Last Wednesday I had a big case of sansho shima, or devilish functions. First of all, it was a very wet and rainy day and because of the weather my motorbike ceased to function (moist in the electrical system). This happened at only 1 mile of the gardening company I work for. So I called that I had a problem with my bike together with my location. My foreman came with a small trailer and so I went to the company. There I left it to let the engine dry.
There I was in my van, waiting till it would become dry again. No luck. After 1 hour the boss called us back to the company. Only to sent my foreman and me back to cut some branches of a tree. after returning to the company I was allowed to go home again. This was a very difficult drive back with 2 near engine stalls due to moist.
So when I finally got home i decided that I definably needed a car that was both cheap and reliable. The day before I spotted already a car that looked in my eyes nice. It was a Peugeot 205 Diesel , build in 1989 for only € 350.00. So I wrote the owners cellphone number down and I decided to call him. No such luck. His phone was switched off and he never retured my call or voice mail. How rude! About sansho shima. When I told this on thursday to my parents, my father said that a diesel engine was maybe not the wised choice for me because of the hight road tax on it. When I reached home , after visiting my dentist and my father returned with my front tire who needed a refurbish, my father called to inform if € 400.00 was within my budget. When I told him that it was, he told me that he might found a car for me. A Skoda Favorit build in 1990 or 1991 with only 60,000 km on the clock. It belonged to a elderly man who bought a new car. He already called for it and would check it the next day. So when came on Friday, he told me that this car was in a better shape than his own Skoda Favorit! Lol. So, he gave me the number of the man who wanted to sell this car and I called right away. I asked him if it was ok for him that this Monday I came to collect the car and to put it on my name (registration) and pay him. He agreed. Also I called my insurance agent to make sure my car is insured on Monday, otherwise it's illegal to drive it in the Netherlands. My parents even called my uncle who helps me a bit with financial matters. He said that it was inportant that i could reach my job so i was allowed tobuy this car. Downfall is that I have to going to sell my bike :-((
So it's a bit of a difficult weekend for me. I drove this bike, a Yamaha XJ700 Maxim water cooled, for 10 years. So it's only natural that I feel a bit sad. It has survived 3 different relationships, a financial crisis for the last 5 yrs. Brought me to a lot of jobs, meetings. Seen a lot of different weather types and with this bike I met my current girlfriend. You could say that it served me very well those last 10 yrs. If i may put it a bit different, it was my companion for the last 10 years. I can only hope and pray that this car will serve me equal as good as that my bike did. It's a bit double, this feeling I have now. On the one hand I feel sad, on the other hand I'm happy to have found a car that is reliable. And that I can use for Kosen-Rufu activities as well. Still I will the kind of freedom that I had with my bike. Passing traffic jams, feel the weather, winds, smell the countryside. At the same time I'm happy that from Tuesday onwards I don't have to jump into a motor suit anymore. This don't mean that I never ride a bike again. Thank the Buddhist gods for the rent-a-bike stores. This also implies that I will keep my suit and helmets. Purely for in case I have the urge to feel truly free and have the need to ride a bike when the weather is good for a weekend or longer period. Once a biker, always a biker. At least it gives me an opportunity to ride different types of bikes. Like maybe a Harley-Davidson, a Kawasaki Vulcan, a Yamaha Wild star or something like that. So when the urge get to much or I can't resist the feeling to ride a bike, I can always rent one.

Yamaha XJ700 Maxim, licenceplate MS-77-TG
"My friend, thanks for being there for all these years. Where we traveled for so many miles, seen so many roads, met so many different and nice people. Thanks to you I've met my current girlfriend. Too bad that you won't see the day that I will merry her or see the day that she will return to the Netherlands.
With pain in my heart I say farewell to you. Looking forward to the day that I have to hand over your keys makes me feel sad. I know that I will miss your power, your smell, the vibrations and sounds that you produced when I started you and revved you up.
For 10 years I took care of you. Fed you gasoline, kept you in shape by putting new brake pads and tires on your wheels. Gave you an 'new' exaustsystem or pipes, gave you a few times new spark plugs and clutch cable. Gave you new oil and filters. Let you service by a mechanic so you could make more miles. Even after a crash or two I nourished you back to life. Making sure that you brought me where ever I needed to go. That I could enjoy your company.
Thanks my friend, for never let me down all this time. I bought you when you only clocked 4000 miles. In those 10 years you've clocked some 51,000 miles together with me. Becoming a 'Kosen-Rufu' bike 6 years ago. With a heavy heart i have to retire you, my dear Maxim. I huts me to let you go. To have to sell you after all this time. How much I wanted to see that you turned 25 years in 3 years, while in MY possession. Too bad, too sad that this probably won't be the case. Too bad, too sad that your next owner will have that privilege. Who knows, somehow, I'll be able to buy you back in the near future.
In the mean time , the only thing I can do is making sure you come into the hands of someone who cares and love you as much as I did and still do. Someone who takes good care of you and will nourish you with the same love as i did. Lucky for you. I know such a person. He will take very good care of you and hopefully will not sell you to someone elsebut me after restoring you to your original state.
Well we will see.
So long, goodbye and farewell for now. May I be able to buy you back.
In the meantime, May the (Buddha)force be with you."

André

Avaaz.org - The World in Action

Avaaz.org - The World in Action

Remarkable experience of Congolese SGI member

Last weekend (Easter weekend) I was Keibi again at SGINL Cultural Centre at Zeist. During the Gohonzon receival ceremonies a Congolese man received his Gohonzon at SGINL. this man became the 5th SGI member in Kongo with a Gohonzon. This man told that he was introduced by a young woman who lived in Netherlands, but is French. After starting chanting he got the assignment from his Congolese National SGI director to put down the statues of the organisation and start the process of getting SGI Congo recognised as an official religious organisation. Which happened within 24 hrs after he took up this task. Shortly after this the Civil war in Congo started. He and his family was trapped in the house and they fled to the bathroom, where he started chanting for protection of his house and family members. His oldest daughter called from boarding school that the school was under attack by soldiers. Killing teachers and students. After a while the Congolese army liberated the school and sent them home. After this, this man fled with his family to Netherlands. His sons both started practicing on their own. And now received Gohonzon. This experience got a standing ovation from the members who attended the ceremonies.
After the ceremonies everybody wanted to talk to this man.

First General Dutch Keibi meeting at SGINL Cultural Centre at Zeist.

Last weekend I went to be Keibi during the first general keibi meeting. A keibi is a person who takes care of the National Gohonzon, the centre and the members of SGI. for me the weekend shift started on Friday evening. I just arrived at the center and put my stuff in the Keibi room, when one of my teammates arrived. this Keibi, Radboud, was 12,5 yrs Keibi and announced that it would be his last weekend shift. So we started by writing down our names in the Keibi-log and made our security round through the building. After that we drunk a glass of wine and went to sleep.
On Saterday I started with Centerkeeper Mitsu to finish the new Keibi badges. We had to cut them out and laminate them. After that we put a slot in it and put in a clip. Radboud found it a good idea to put all badges onto a tie. So we did and put the tie in the main Butsuma in front near the Gohonzon. The Keibi trainingmeeting started at 15.30 hrs. with a hour of chanting followed by a awarding and appointment ceremony by the SGINL General Direcetor Mr. Kotera. Both Radboud and Yajaira received the Champion of humanity certificate. this, because they were 12,5 yrs (Radboud) and 15 yrs (yajaira) Keibi for SGINL. After that the appointments for Keibi responsabele and coördinator followed. Then Radboud told us why he decided to stop bein Keibi at the center and he encouraged us by telling how important our work is and that we always have to greet everyone in the way we would greet President Ikeda.Also we took a groupphoto who will be sent to President Ikeda. Then the new Keibi badge was presented by Mitsu and me. After explaining why and how, we handed out the badges to the Keibi's who attended the meeting. Also we received from 2 keibi's who are abroad at the moment a message. The message printed below was sent by My girlfriend, who is also Keibi.

Dear Friends,

Congratulations for organizing and attending this Keibi training course on 24, 25 march 07.

How I deeply wish I was a part of it and be with you all. But I am sending daimokus for the success of this course. This only deepens my prayers and determination to be Keibi again in Zeist !!!

I take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude to each and every Keibi for helping me understand, imbibe the Soka staff spirit. Everyone in SGI NL has helped me in imbibing the true Soka spirit, training me and helping me in deepening my faith and trust in the Gohonzon. This is the Soka family which treasures every individual and helps to realize full potential. I am so glad to be a part of it.

In new year’s message Ikeda Sensei said “Fear is contagious but courage is contagious too.” he also said “those who walk the correct path of mentor and disciple throughout their lives will know no impasse or stagnation. This is the essence of genuine victors in life- people of profound spiritual, depth, strength and nobility.”

Trying to understand and apply this guidance in my daily life I am determined to really grow as a true disciple of my mentor. Like Sensei went to challenge the toughest areas in realizing Toda Sensei’s vision of a global family, I am also trying to challenge the toughest areas of my life to truly grow and understand his spirit. This one line or one word that really motivates me is that courage is the key to win…to advance and show actual proof !!!

Another fuel for me to understand my mentor’s heart is:

The struggles of a “disciple who volunteered” and dared to fight.

“I want to win. I have to win. And report this victory to my mentor”. The disciple exerted a hundred million eons of efforts in a single moment of life.

For only herein lies the path of mentor and disciple. And now, who will tread the way? The only path that makes the “impossible” possible! (Osaka campaign 1956)

This makes me think that Sensei is counting on me; he wants me to be proactive in his vision of Kosen Rufu so how am I as his disciple responding to his call? What responsibilities am I taking to achieve his vision?

I redetermine to take the full responsibility and walk alongside with my mentor by courageously challenging the toughest areas and win in every area of my life.

I thank once again specially Mitsu, Kuniko, Ashwini, André, Richard, Omiljko, Andrea, Ingrid, Junya, Ann, Charlie, Martin (and dear friends whose names I can’t spell. ) I also miss words of everyone’s wisdom at breakfast and dinner tables. The rich discussions and interactions are great cherished experiences for me.

I take your training and spirit wherever I am. I am sure of my mission so I hope to see you all very soon and be with you all very soon.

I hope and pray that every one of you courageously realizes his wishes in this significant year of advancement and victory.

Thank you , Soka family NL for giving me an opportunity and nurturing me to be a part of Keibi Group. We (keibi’s) are many in body , at different places but one in mind !!!

This is the most memorable and cherished treasure of my stay in the NL.

Take care,

Warmest regards,

Meenakshi
23.3.07.
( Bharat Soka Gakkai , India)

After dinner we toured with the new keibi's the building giving them instructions about what to do and how to handle. then we sat down and talked about what was said during the day. Answering a lot of questions from the new Keibi's.

On sunday we had besides the Keibi training the monthly video meeting. Shown was the video of January 2007. This was for the new Keibi's the time to look if this was what they really want. As weekend teamleader i had to maintain supervision and write the log. Round 13.30 hrs we went for lunch and Radboud finsihed his shift. After changing he came to say goodbye tous. He also wished us lots of good shifts. Of course we made fun of him, saying things like "you can't leave", "Keibi_one_kanobi has left the building".

Anyways....I know I will sertainly gonna miss my mate. Each time we runned shifts together we had a lot of Kosy Rufu, lots of joking and fun and most important a relax posture and doing a lot of daimoku. The best shift ever with Radboud was for me the Trets Keibshift of January 2005. A whole week at the European Study Centre of SGI-Europe. It was lots of fun with from time to time a strict word or encouragement. After 2 yrs, I still remember it vivitly.

Thank you Radboud for training me and for being "Keibi_one_kanobi" for such a long time. We will miss you an I hope you will want to continue training us from time to time. Your experiences as a keibi are so usefull for the whole team. I really hope that we all can keep using the encouragements and experiences Radboud can share. Also he transfers the group ownership to me as well. Now he isn't a keibi anymore.

I had a really good shift and weekend.

NMHRK

André

It's cold at night.

Yesterday (February 19th 2007) my girlfriend had to go back to India after a 3 month holiday. Remarkably how fast time flies when ones has fun.I brought her to Schiphol International Airport where we finaly had to part.Of course it got emotionaly and we both shed some tears. So my girlfriend went trough customs and I went to the promanade platform so that I could she her plane leave in time.
Now, for the first time in 3 months my bed is cold and I'm lonely at night. And for that matter also during daytime when I don't have to work. Coming home and finding no-one at the rooms is quiete strange after 90 days of being together. For at least 6 months I'll be alone again before I'll be together with her again. That would be around September 1st 2007. Hopefully she can start then with her PhD study at Groningen. Only thing i can do now is chant Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo and pray that we'll be together soon and that I'll be able to go to India by the end of this year.
NMHRK
André

Times, they are a changing

Well, today was a very special day indeed. After seeing the video of president Ikeda's speech of 18 November 2006, we had a general responsible meeting of SGI Netherlands. There were 215 members attending this meeting in our Cultural Center at Zeist. As special guests we had the SGI Europe General director Mr. Takahashi and former general director, and now adviser, Mr Hasagawa.
We where told that we got a new layer in our organization. All of the regions became areas. So a lot of new appointments followed. In essence nothing changed and everything chanced. Same leaders, different responsibilities. Also, a whole lot of new chapter-, district- and group leaders where appointed. There were a lot of encouragements from our special guests and our general director Mr. Kotera. In between there was a lot of Culture in the form of music. Even Mr. Kotera sung a song.
This year is crucial for our growth of SGI Netherlands for Kosen Rufu Netherlands and for Kosen Rufu worldwide. Our main goal till January 2nd 2008, President Ikeda's Birthday he becomes 80 then, is to have 2,000 Gohonzon members in the Netherlands and of that 600 youth division members. Mr.Hasagawa told us that he believed that not 2,000 new Bodhisattva's of the earth were waiting to emerge, but 10,000 Bodhisattva's. He also told us that,when this happens, it would be like an eruption of a volcano and that growth would be unstoppable. That would be a real big victory. Mr. Hasagawa told also about the news that Cuba recognized the SGI as a religious organization. This is a big step for our members in Cuba. Fidel Castro met Sensei in 1996. Castro received Sensei not as usual in his uniform, but in a suit. This was a true historical moment. And this happened never again.
It was a truly great day and I'm happy that I was a part of it. Next week we will have our yearly responsible course. This year only 1 day and at the Cultural Center at Zeist.
Today my girlfriend was a byakuren (hostess of the Young womens division) and next week she is a Keibi or Gajokai (protector of the National Gohonzon, the Center and the members).
NMHRK
Andre

New years Gongyo at Zeist

This weekend me and my girlfriend went to the SGI Cultural Center at Zeist. We arrived on December 31st. round 15.45 hrs at the Center. Since we where the first to arrive there. The Center keeper, Mitsu, asked me to be Keibi because I was there to support the Keibi open days in this special weekend. Luckily I brought my Keibi-uniform. Eventually we where with 8 Keibies and trainees. So we made dinner and did the tour through the center giving instructions.

At 0.00 hrs we did gongyo with everybody who was there. We wished each other happy New Year and we ate and drink for a few hrs. then we went to sleep. At 9.00 hrs we did the Keibi-gongyo and then we prepared our selfs to receive the guests who would come for the new Years Gongyo. This was very nice to experience. So many guests and members (around 200 people). After the meeting we did our evening gongyo and had our own new Year party at the center, together with some Sokahans and Byakurens who stayed and joined us.

Of course we had our difficulties within the group who was keibi. This is only natural. Not every-one has the same high life condition. After a year of problems within the Keibi group we're sure that this year we will have a good group and that everybody will be motivated to do Keibi shifts so we can protect the center,the Gohonzon and the members and guests.

Happy New Year.
Andre