Keibi in Trets, France

Some weeks ago my Keibi coordinator Junya came to me asking if I could be Keibi at our European Center at Trets. So I told him that if my work allowed it i would go. Lucky me, my boss said it was ok because i didn't have any holiday jet. So i went together with Nick and Rob. For me it was my 3th time as Keibi in Trets. We left from Eindhoven Airport with Raynair to Marseille, France. This was on September 14th. We were due to return to the Netherlands on September 22nd 2007.Finally we arrived at the Center at 1.30 hrs. In the middle of the night. Our taxi chauffeur drove like he was possessed. Luckily we called to Trets when we would arrive so our Italian colleagues where waiting for us. Also some course members greeted us. As it turned out, they where Italians too. Coming from the Rimini area. It was so good for me to be back in Trets. I took from home a list of goals I wanted to work on while being in Trets. Also I made some new friends. The Rimini course had a very beautiful cultural festival with lots of singing and dance. They left on Sunday. In the same time some 450 French members of the area starting to arrive for the 1st level study exams which will take place the first weekend of November. There we stood, only 3 Dutch Keibis manageing 450 members. So we had to devide us between the ECC (European Cultural Center) and the CPE (Centre Par l'Etude). After this day we had a 3 day period of quietness and time for maintainance, talking to the guard of the center, Mr. and Mrs. Sugai and for lots of Daimoku. Also we had to cook for our selfs during these days and had a lot of time to talk to each other and covering for one and other when we felt tired. Of course I got some troubles with my knee. And of course I was forgotten to pack a sporting brace for my knee. So long as i could sit and chant it was ok, but as soon as I had to walk up and down over the terrain, my knee started hurting. On Thursday I Asked Mrs. Sugai for a elastic bandage for my knee. That day would arrive another Italian course from the Milan/Trieste area. So it was very important that I could move around.
During this week I was able to do 36 hrs of daimoku. that's some 5 hrs per day on average. While sitting at the reception desk this course members arrived. Among them was Roberto Baggio, the former team captain of the World cup winning Italian football team. He retired in 2004. At first I only recognized his face but couldn't place a name to it. One of the course members said that Roberto Baggio was attending the course as well.Also During the few days we had with this course before going home, I made some friends. By the time we left, we where thanked for taking excellent care of the course and making them feel save and welcome. To me it was a sad day when we left Trets. Leaving my new friends to an inexperienced German Keibi team hurted me. Still I chanted for them to grow quickly in there role as Trets Keibis. I also chanted for my friends to get home savely.

Area summercourse South Netherlands at Baarlo castle

Last weekend SGI area South Netherlands had it's, now well known, summer course at Baarlo castle de Berckt. this course takes place almost 2 weeks after the Dutch Summer course at Trets.
This year the course was a weekend long. Motto of the course was: "The power of now. Eternal fighter spirit.

Also this year the course was very intensive. Knowing that the Trets course is 4 days long, try imaging to squeeze in 4 days into 1,5 to 2 days. It's great to see that this course is getting the name of being a well organized course within SGI Netherlands. This year we had some members from outside our own area.

One of the things that really moved me, was a passage of the New Human Revolution a book of SGI president Daisaku Ikeda. This passage was told by Mrs. Kotera, who was present when this passage happened. The passage tells about the unexpected visit of president Ikeda to the Netherlands in 1973. Due to engine problems Sensei's plane landed at Amsterdam and would be delayed for the next 4 hrs. Mr. Ikeda worked at that time at Amsterdam IAP/Schiphol for Japanese Air Lines (JAL). Sensei asked Mr. Kotera if he could drive him around in Amsterdam and to show him some nice scenery. In his excitement Mr. Kotera said to the few members who where presents something like "Let's go to the windmill near the airport". Forgetting that he never told the members which windmill he would drive to. finally everybody reached the windmill mentioned.

Of course I've heard this story many times in the last few years, but somehow...this time it made me aware of what importance this visit was to the members and organization of SGI Netherlands. At that time the Humbon Netherlands was established. Hearing this story from Mrs Kotera made me realize how important it was.
This story made me more determined to chant for president Ikeda. That he will visit the Netherlands again next year (2008). And of course that I'm able to be there (as a Gajokai/Keibi) to welcome Sensei.

Sunrise Scouting

Today is for me also a very special day. The 100th aniversity of the establishment of Scouting by Lord baden Powell. On August 1st 1907 B.P. held a camp for 20 boys to see if his idea of scouting for boys could work. Now, 100 years later, Scouting is still alive and played in at least 160 countries.
Today scouts of 160 countries joined together at Brownsea Island to commemorate this fact. To bad that I'm not able to be in London at the World Jamboree. Still I be there in spirit. After all these years I guess I'm still a scout. When the World Jamboree came to the Netherlands again in 1995, I was there. This event reminded me of the times I was a scout myself and made me rejoin scouting as a leader now. after 6 years i was forced to stop with scouting due to my job at that time. Jet, once a scout, always a scout.
Of course there are a lot of similarities with SGI. Both organisations are working for a better world by education, culture and peace. Of course the scouting movement is some 20 years older and I believe Makaguchi Sensei could have been influenced by Lord Baden Powell. Seeing what he tried to do with youth. Making them aware that they them selfs can change the world.
When I first encountered Nichiren Buddhism and the SGI, it struck me how much both organizations worked for peace and a better world for everyone. Although the backgrounds are different, Scouting originated from the British Army and SGI has it's roots in Buddhism, both work with the same goals in mind. Now a days both organizations are here to stay and it's not thinkable that they are not there. Often scouting is the only thing children can be active in. Especially in development countries. So is SGI. People are getting inspired by SGI or Scouting. Also the scouting pledge and the pledge of SGI are more or less similar. At least in my eyes.
Anyways, I'm in my heart both Scout and Buddhist and who knows, I might be coming back into scouting as a leader again in the near future. You never know.
HAPPY 100th BIRTHDAY SCOUTING!!!

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