It takes courage to become happy — courage to remain true to one’s convictions, courage not to be defeated by one’s weaknesses and negativity, courage to take swift action to help those who are suffering.
●Daily Quote by Buddhist Philosopher Daisaku Ikeda
Photo by Christian Frölich - “Sand Landscapes” [Flickr]
LINK – Daily Quotes
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In The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, a direct transmission of his teachings to his disciples, Nichiren Daishonin states:“Great joy [is what] one experiences when one understands for the first time that one’s mind from the very beginning has been the Buddha. Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is the greatest of all joys” (OTT, 211–12).
The all-conquering state of Buddhahood isn’t found somewhere far away. It exists within each of us. Could there possibly be any joy greater than awakening to this immense inner state of life? Moreover, strong and courageous faith is the key to attaining this lofty spiritual state.
Have no fear!
For the life of the Buddha derives from faith,
the power of which can move the entire universe.
From Daisaku Ikeda’s editorial - August ‘08 issue of Daibyakurenge, the Soka Gakkai monthly study journal
[Image Courtesy Of Google Earth] Cape Town city - birds eye view
http://earth.google.com/
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30th June 1957
Student Division founded
3rd July 1945
Josei Toda released from prison
MENTOR DISCIPLE DAY
16th July 1260
Rissho Ankoku Ron, (Establishment of the Security of the Land through True Buddhism) is presented by Nichiren Daishonin to the Japanese authorities
16th July 1951
YMD founded
19th July 1961
YWD founded
23rd July 1989
SGI-SA becomes a District. Announced at the 3rd SGI-SA AGM
[this is not when we became registered]
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Yasuhiro “Hiro” Miyashita
1.1.1956 – 15.6.2008 (52 Years Old)
Born in Japan, the land of the rising sun on New Year’s Day
“Those who celebrate this day will be loved by all”
The writings of Nichiren Daishonin, New Year’s Gosho
He became a SGI (Soka Gakkai International) member at a young age after his mother joined the practise because of his ill health. Hiro had health problems all his life (lung problems) and was not expected to live through childhood. He had a childhood lung infection caused by a virus.
Hiro first came to South Africa in 1997 and stayed in Johannesburg and left about 6 months later. He spent some time in French Speaking Africa (Franco Phone) . He appears to have travelled to some 8 countries in his lifetime – USA, Korea, Thailand, throughout Japan, China, French speaking Africa, South Africa and France.
He travelled to 4 continents to work for peace and introduce many people to Buddhism. He heard that Africa had been called of the continent of “the 21st century”and he determined to come to Africa to help with Kosen Rufu.
He would spend the last 8 years of his life in South Africa and was a group leader for the “Great Lion’s” Group, a name which no doubt inspired it to stand up and speak out and be courageous.
He travelled widely in South Africa, to Durban, Cape Town and many other places to visit SGI members. He would always contribute his time and effort and often on the weekends he would dedicate much of his time visiting and encouraging others. He was a very selfless person and took very little time for himself and his own personal comfort. The only thing he said that he wanted to have a good car to make sure that it would not break down. This was not the case with his old BMW however and after breaking down and being very heavy on petrol he changed to a Toyota Corolla.
For Buddhist meetings he was often the first person there and the last to leave and he would even do Gongyo at home and then act as security at the SGI South Africa centre.
President Daisaku Ikeda, had named Africa the continent of the 21st century and Hiro was determined to help this advancement. He travelled to some other parts of Africa, Africa Francophone before settling in South Africa. When he returned to South Africa in 2000, he took after Hiro Azuma’s job at Kumon, his flat in Parkhurst. It was as if Hiro Miyashita had changed lives with Hiro Azuma, also an SGI member, since Hiro [A] had to return to Japan to look after his sick parents. They were like brothers. They even shared the same name. The bond between them was special and it was Hiro [A] who informed us of Hiro Miyashita’s death early in the hours of 15th June.
Hiro [A] visited him often on his return to Japan. Hiro was the group leader for Durban for many years and was the central figure there. Hiro’s determination was to have someone replace him when he returned to Japan and Hiro Miyashita took on that role. Hiro Miyashita dedicated most of his spare time to activies for Kosen-Rufu and hardly took any personal time for himself.
Many people supported Hiro Miyashita to get back to Japan at the end of May and many brought him meals and encouraged him. Some walked up 10 flights of stairs to bring him water in hospital. In the end he would see his family for the last time and his brother would be at his side when he passed away. He would reach the age of 52 when he was not expected to live past his childhood.
May he rest in peace and be born soon.
He will always be remembered for his kind heart, giving personality and peaceful nature. Our friend. Hiro Miyashita.
Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.
You nor your efforts will be forgotten Hiro.
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[thanks martin for sending this]
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Quote by Buddhist Philosopher Daisaku Ikeda
LINK – Daily Quote
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The Daishonin writes:
“To forget the original teacher who had brought one the water of wisdom from the great ocean of the Lotus Sutra and instead follow another would surely cause one to sink into the endless sufferings of birth and death” (WND-1, 747).
The mentor-disciple relationship is the very heart of Buddhism. Our original teacher or mentor, of course, is Nichiren Daishonin. But we face the challenge of practicing the Daishonin’s teachings in modern times and spreading them around the world. It’s not possible for us to ask him specific questions that arise in the process of our efforts. That is why in the present age it is essential to have a teacher or mentor who is directly carrying on the Daishonin’s teachings and working selflessly for kosen-rufu. The mentor-disciple relationship in the Soka Gakkai is very important.
The mentor-disciple spirit found in the Gakkai was also praised many years ago by Nichijun Shonin (1898–1959), the 65th high priest of Nichiren Shoshu. He paid tribute to our organization’s great achievement in making the Daishonin’s vision of worldwide kosen-rufu a reality.
[27.5.08 - Seikyo Shimbun, the Soka Gakkai daily newspaper]
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Quote by Buddhist Philosopher Daisaku Ikeda
LINK – Daily Quote
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Dear all,
When we decided to start this daimoku campaign after hearing the news of xenophobic attacks in Gauteng on 20th May at Mary’s house, we decided to conclude this on the Youth Day,16th June.
So, I would like to notify you all that this particular campaign ends today.
Sensei has sent us a message on our efforts during this period.
http://sgisakr.wordpress.com/2008/06/14/●sensei-sends-message-to-jb-all-members/
Personally, I have tried to keep up my 1 hour between 6 - 7am but it was difficult to do 1 hour every morning! I usually managed to do between 20-40 minutes. Still, it was good to have this focus for nearly 1 month.
It was also about the same time that I became aware of Hiro’s acute condition and noted in my safety report on the members that this campaign included chanting for his health, because our campaign was all about respect for life. Hiro stayed with us till the end of our campaign.
Marie-Therese’s dear son passed away on 3rd June.
In South Africa, the first SGI-SA youth camp was held in Western Cape this weekend.
In Gauteng, a very moving friendship day was held on this weekend.
In Japan, the members had a daimoku campaign to counteract the Priesthood movement during the same period. etc etc….
We cannot always see the significance of these things but no doubt they are all inter-connected.
As long as we keep chanting and taking actions for Kosen Rufu, everything will come together bit by bit for the best.
So, Aluta Continua! The struggle continues!
Love and respect,
Kyoko
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Dear All
I went to Hiro’s funeral today.
My husband couldn’t go because he had to go on a school excursion. But before he left, he translated Loren’s message to the Miyashita family. Hayashi and Anthony were also there.
Tomorrow, Shuichi and Nobuko will go.
Hiro and I ordered an arrangement of flowers for the funeral, with a message, “From all the members of SGI South Africa”. I am very grateful that I was asked to read out Loren’s message at the funeral, while facing Gohonzon and Hiro’s photo. After that, Hayashi read it out in Japanese. I could feel the spirit of the members in SA - the daimoku that everybody there has been chanting for Hiro’s eternal life. I believe his family and friends here could also feel the love and gratitude of the SA members, and learned just how much he contributed to Kosen Rufu in SA.
Take good care.
Lots of love,
Janine
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UPDATE: Monday16 JUne 19:45 - All home, safe and sound.
●Bright eyed and bushy tailed the young men and women high spirits were not dampened by the torrential rain and minor hitches that prevented them from leaving on time
Fortunately Nick discovered he had a flat tier and rushed off to fix it. Eriel’s rear view mirror came off in her hand in the car park! Sorted with some double sided mirror tape
See the dark cloud? That’s the one that poured down on them![10:10AM webcam]
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You may have fundamental questions about yourself and your identity: Who am I? What should I do with my life? It is quite natural to feel unsure about the best way to proceed. If you haven’t yet decided on your future course, I feel the best thing is just to concentrate your energies on what you need to do right now and gradually your full potential will emerge.
Ikeda Sensei - To my Young Friends
Congratulations!
This is a first! The youth holding a 2 day course away from Cape Town.
The MD & WD are sending loads of D’s your way for yr courses brilliant success
And for your safe return home!
Viva!The YD! Viva!
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Dear J,
Thanks for your report to Sensei. I had this translated and forwarded to Sensei’s secretarial office and the following is his message to you and the members:
“Thank you so much for your efforts. I am truly grateful to you all. I will be sending you my daimoku. Please take care and convey my very best regards and best wishes to all the members.”
Please know that all of us at the African Affairs Division are also sending you our daimoku. Although the situation is rough there I am confident that with your earnest chanting for peace in your society you will eventually be able to overcome the situation. At any rate, with all the daimoku that everyone has chanted, you have made a great good cause for accumulating benefits and good fortune. No daimoku ever goes to waste!
Please kindly convey Sensei’s message to all the members and take care!
M H
SGI African Affairs Division
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●Ikeda Sensei: Is sent Report re SGISA member’s safety & Xenophobia in South Africa – 25th May
Dear Sensei,
As you will have probably have heard on the News, South Africa has been rocked by xenophobic violence over the last two weeks. These attacks are primarily against African people who come from other African countries, and the aggression is taking place mostly in the “township” areas. At this point in time, the attacks have more or less stopped, but many thousands of people have been displaced and many are already returning to their land of origin. We would just like to report to you that all our beloved SGI-SA members are safe at this moment. We have begun holding a morning tozo between 5am to 9am each morning and 5pm to 9 pm each evening.
On Saturday we held a 24 hour tozo for peace around the country.
We do have members, both South African and from other parts of Africa, living in some of the badly affected areas.
In Cape Town, although neighbours shacks and shops were looted our members were safe and one member, B. says, “I am safe. I am living because of foreigners. They are my friends.” K took the prayer flags made by Cape Town members today, to the chairperson of the Ocean View/Masiphumelele/ Kommetjie Community Police Forum.
In Gauteng one of our South African members was at the very first meeting where violence erupted and reported that there was a strong criminal element fanning the emotions of people present. A lot of our members from other regions in Africa are not living in the townships and have been safe, so far.
A large proportion of our members in Durban are from West Africa. The group leader there, J, says “We are well physically but not mentally because of the issue Xenophobia. It is affecting us but I am not scared. We are doing more chanting. All the members are well but scared.”
In M, which borders Mozambique, is where our most rural members live. The group leader there, M, reports that a WD member in a local township had her house broken into on Tuesday and a TV was stolen. Another attempted break-in took place at 1 am on Friday night. She is a South African, single mother. M went to see the members in, a village very close to the border where many immigrants have moved into over the years. The members expressed unhappiness with the immigrants and did not feel sympathetic to the displaced people. This has alerted us to the fact that this actually needs serious attention from within SGI-SA.
In both Gauteng and Cape Town many members are taking voluntary action in trying to support the different communities. There is a call for food, clothing and blankets as we are rapidly approaching winter and more than 40 000 people have been displaced and are in community halls, and other places of refuge. It is great to see these examples of Bodhisattvas in action. Our primary focus is, however, to saturate the land with our Daimoku.
We are determined to continue to spread the ideals of mutual respect for Humanity and the dignity of life and to speak out against violence and Racism. We see it as our mission to never lose hope in the face of this terrible behaviour, and to continue to chant to transform the hearts and minds of our people.
JB
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12 June 2008 11:59
Ebrahim Rasool
The Western Cape government and the City of Cape Town have locked horns over how to handle fugitives from xenophobic violence. Pearlie Joubert spoke to both sides: mayor Helen Zille and Premier Ebrahim Rasool.
Helen Zille
Why are you refusing to open the Sea Point civic or other facilities in town for refugees? Are you keeping the refugees out of white areas?
Nonsense. Fifteen halls are open across Cape Town. We cannot open more halls. We don’t have the capacity to provide all the services and additional resources required to run community halls as refugee centres; we’re stretched to the limit. The province declared the xenophobic violence a provincial disaster, to release additional resources. Major provincial and national facilities are totally unused. Nowhere in the world is a crisis of displaced people left to local government.
You say putting people in community centres risks a xenophobic backlash. Aren’t the politicians pandering to discriminatory views?
Local residents are getting increasingly irritated at the municipal resources we have put into dealing with the refugee crisis in comparison with the extensive needs of the hundreds of thousands of poor Capetonians. This increases tensions. The relief effort for displaced people will probably cost the city R100-million.
Why did you open the refugee camps?
The United Nations strongly condemned them.
I met the UN again last night and they certainly did not condemn the camps. They again commended us for our swift response and our adaptation of holiday resorts into refugee centres.
Have you and Ebrahim Rasool spoken about the city’s crisis?
Rasool says you walked out of a meeting in Du Noon?
Rasool’s version of an alleged meeting in Du Noon is pure fiction. On the night the violence broke out, I was dealing with the practicalities of the crisis — opening halls, and getting supplies from disaster management. It is impossible to walk out of a briefing that you do not attend. Rasool is overseas and has been for about two weeks. The province and the city worked well together until the province’s unilateral directive to remove the Soetwater people against their will and their court interdict, under false pretences, to force us to open all our halls.
The Treatment Action Campaign accuses you of being callous and racist.
The TAC is misguided. The root of the problem is that many people do not agree with the province’s approach of enforced reintegration. They want to be repatriated or relocated to a third country. This is why the people of Soetwater refused to get on to the buses to be taken to community halls. Local government cannot deal with people’s demands to be repatriated or relocated; only the UN can. I have met the UN and they have agreed to assist in the voluntary repatriation of 2 000 refugees.
The provincial and national governments insist people must be reintegrated. How?
We fully support efforts to reintegrate people who want to return to their homes. However, many foreign nationals don’t want to go back to the communities [or] remain in South Africa. We have to face this fact, not force reintegration on everyone. The UN exists to intervene and deal with such crises. The national government must formally request the UN to do so; it has the necessary resources, experience and expertise.
Ebrahim Rasool
Why haven’t you asked the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to assist with humanitarian support and refugees who want to leave the country?
We’ve been working with the UNHCR from the outset. I visited the Soetwater camp on May 25 and, faced with demands, I promised the displaced people that a UNHCR representative would visit them shortly. The UNHCR’s Arvin Gupta visited the camp that evening and we’ve worked closely with the UN family ever since.
What’s your plan for Soetwater and other camps set up by the city?
The provincial government advised the city not to set up these massive beach camps, but they proceeded against our advice. Soetwater has been condemned by the UNHCR, the South African Human Rights Commission, the TAC, the Black Sash. Given the threats of mass suicide, hunger strikes, that the leadership of that camp has consistently obstructed our attempts to reach agreement on the way forward, Soetwater’s continued existence is untenable. We’re planning a two-step move, to a reception centre and then reintegration.
The Caledon Square and other refugee groups want to be located away from where the violence took place. Can the province assist?
More than 7 000 have already returned to their communities and reintegration is taking place on a daily basis. We believe this is the only sustainable solution.
What about compensating the victims of violence?
Resettlement assistance is being discussed with the UN and other donors.
Reintegration doesn’t seem to be working well …
There are many examples of communities where reintegration has been taking place successfully — Masiphumelele, Hermanus, Knysna, Paarl, Stellenbosch …
Have you and Helen Zille even discussed the crisis?
The mayor refused to attend a meeting with the province and city on the first night of the violence because I was in the meeting. She has on three previous occasions refused to share a platform with me.
Isn’t this a continuation of petty political squabbling?
Of course we need to work together. I called a meeting of the premier’s coordinating forum with all mayors after a provincial disaster was declared and we agreed on a three-pronged strategy. Zille did not attend, but she was represented by councillor Dan Plato and others.
Can you force people to reintegrate? Will you close Soetwater?
The camps are inhumane and, in Soetwater’s case, unsafe. Displaced people need to be closer to their communities to continue to work and so that their children can attend school, while we work towards reintegration. The government and NGOs are determined to do what’s best for everyone concerned, and we’ve deployed conflict-resolution specialists to assist with reintegration.
Zille argues that filling community centres may provoke a xenophobic backlash. Your response?
We fought for a South Africa that belongs to all who live in it. The overwhelming majority of our people do not support discrimination. Leaders have a responsibility to support principles, even if it may appear unpopular in some quarters in the short term.
Tracey Saunders
Fax: 086 611-7167
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This lifetime will never come again; it is precious and irreplaceable. To live without regret, we must have a concrete purpose, continually setting goals and challenges for ourselves. And we need to keep moving toward those specific targets steadily and tenaciously, one step at a time.
Daisaku Ikeda
•If this chain is new news to you - pls go to the first post [entry] - ●The SGI-SA Boddhisatva Alchemists are here! 24May08 - which explains how it came about and what it’s all about!
•Things are still very bad in the refugee camps - especially Soetwater
•Elvis is about to start his slot with others from midnight in half an hr to 6am!
It’s so brilliant to see that we have X SA members as part of the chain
Do let me know if you want to change yr slot
and if you have had any comments/experiences about being part of it
[•Weekend 24hrs chanters shown in brackets]
others are every day
Gongyo is not included in the chain - its only a chanting chain!
Daily gongy 5 - 9 [ am & pm - on the hr or half hr]
•To see the chain - pls click on this post’s title above or comment below next to the red Uncategorized | 1 Comment or click HERE!
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June 11, 2008
The only time I have heard Ebrahim Rasool speak was at the launch of a book of Sufi philosophy I had helped edit. The launch was in a museum in the Bo-Kaap. Rasool was on his home turf, comfortable amidst his community. He was confident, humane, urbane, knowledgeable and deeply impressive.
The now notorious refugee camp called Soetwater is a few kilometres from where I live. Three thousand people have been living there in bitter cold, increasingly wet tents for two weeks, tortured by uncertainty. They were wrenched from their homes and businesses by violence and terror. Overnight, the patient, painful work of years was plundered, burnt or crumbling behind them. The response of the authorities, and the UN, to their plight has been to insist that they must return to the communities that turned on them so suddenly and brutally. In other words, preserving the illusion of national harmony and tolerance is considered more Continue Reading »
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Quote by Buddhist Philosopher Daisaku Ikeda
LINK – Daily Quote
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[update 12.6.08]
Zelda Holtzman, social transformation consultant in the Dept of the Premier, demanded to speak to refugee leaders individually at the main gate, and, when they refused and asked to meet collectively with her, said “If you do not meet with me one by one, I will take away all the tents, all the food, all the medicine and leave you on the beach, and you can stay there.” An attempt was made to take down one tent, but soon abandoned. The 12 buses left empty….
[extract from press release]
● Zelda Holtzman, did do those things. It was confirmed by a reliable source that this actually happened.
Things are very bad in Soetwater
MORE CHANTING! MUCH MORE!
The refugees are traumatised enough as it is and they are further traumatised and threatened by this utterly unacceptable behaviour of Holtzman
The refugees have been thrown together - all strangers to each other
They are miles away from any where - living in tents in this bitter cold & strong wind
Soetwater is right on the Atlantic coast - there is nothing between them and South America! It is between Nordhoek and Kommetjie, past Masipumelele
If you want to read the press release
pls click on:
http://bizlinks.wordpress.com/2008/06/11/●cape-town-soetwater-refugee-camp-told-to-get-on-busses-or-tents-would-be-removed/
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What kind of future do I envision for myself? What kind of self am I trying to develop? What do I want to accomplish in my life?” The thing is to paint this vision of your life in your heart as specifically as possible. That “painting” itself becomes the design of your future. The power of the heart enables us to actually create with our lives a wonderful masterpiece in accordance with that design.
Quote by Buddhist Philosopher Daisaku Ikeda
LINK – Daily Quote
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●[Thank you so much David for transcribing this - and for all the other articles you have written - they have really helped me to understand what xenophobia is about and what the issues are - and most of all, thank you for teaching me how to blog! with out your patience and help this blog would not have seen the light of day!]●
This is a young woman’s experience of xenophobic violence, and police complicity, in her community:
I live in Joe Slovo settlement, in Milnerton. It was Thursday afternoon (22 May). Me and my friends were talking, and my friends were saying, “These foreigners, they must leave the country.” My feelings were different, that these are Africans, and we must stand together, but my friends said their parents feel betrayed by these foreigners, because they’re losing their jobs to these foreigners. So if someone’s standing with foreigners looking for a job, the foreigners will say to whoever’s going to hire them, “You can give me less money than to the South Africans.”
That’s where the complications come in, like say, the Somalians, they have these shops, where the prices are cheaper, which makes it difficult for the other black people, like the Xhosa, because people are going to go to the Somalian shops. So that’s where the conflict comes in.
And the other issue that came up in our discussion is that [my friends] believe that these foreigners come to South Africa with drugs, and that these drugs are affecting their children and their lives. But me, in my own opinion, there may be some who come in and sell drugs and stuff like that, but the other [foreigners] who are innocent, they work very hard, like five to five a day for minimum wages . . . But my friends say, “They’re not supposed to be here, they must go back to their country, ‘cause they’re simply messing up our country.”
But at the same time, while these riots are happening, our brothers, our brothers who are very close-minded, criminals who normally do stuff, get a chance to do things. So that night, when the riots were happening, they were burning people’s containers, you know, where [the foreigners] do business. People were burning these containers. Some of the foreigners were rushing into the containers before their things were all burnt up and they would lose a lot of money.
It was messy. People were running and screaming. It was women and children, and men were trying to protect their wives and their kids. And they didn’t know where to go, and the people were standing and yelling and screaming at them.
And the flames were going and the police were there all over, and the police were trying to stop [the mob]. But people didn’t listen and they were throwing stones. But at the same time, there were policemen who were not helping. There were policemen who went into Somalian shops and they took their money. You know, they took their money but they were the police. I was expecting them to protect these people, but they were not protecting them, they were just corrupt, they would take the money and leave and allow the mob to come into the shop and take their stuff. It was so sad. You know there was this Somali guy on the TV who said, “I worked very, very hard for everything that I have. Why is this government not protecting us? We are not criminals.”
Then there were two guys who stood up for the Somalians, two Rastafarian guys, South African guys. They were not afraid to stand up and say, “What you are doing is wrong.” And what happened to them? They got stabbed, and now they’re lying in Somerset hospital. The [mob] stabbed them just because they were trying to protect the Somalis. The rest of us, when we saw that happen, we feared, even though we knew it was wrong, we feared to let our voices be heard because we saw what could happen to us. If we were to say, “What you are doing is wrong”, they would hurt us too.
So we just stood there and kept our emotions inside ourselves. It was just horrible.
Ninety per cent of the people in the community hate the foreigners, ninety per cent blame the foreigners for losing their jobs and every bad thing that ever happens to them. And ten per cent actually feel for the foreigners, but they don’t have a foot to stand on. Ten per cent. That small. It’s very messy.
How did it start in specific places? I don’t have the facts for this, but apparently there’s a letter that arrived from Johannesburg that was delivered to each police station in Cape Town [saying] that they [Cape people] must chase these people [the foreigners] away, and if they don’t do it then the Jo’burg people will come down to Cape Town and they will do it themselves the violent way. So that’s how it started.
I’m not saying the police started the violence but that’s where the letter was delivered, the letter was delivered there [to the police] because the police have contacts in the community. So I wouldn’t say that [the police] started the violence but it started somewhere because the letter was delivered at the police stations ordering them that these people must get rid of the foreigners. If they don’t, they would come from Johannesburg and make a mess here. So, that night, people did it.
My own opinion – I think it was started by criminals, criminals wanting a chance. When they heard that [about the letter] they found a gap to do these things they always wanted to do. Neighbours, next to me, boys . . . when all these things were happening, they were carrying big screen tvs into the yard, and a tv stand and such big hi-fi speakers, things that they stole from other people.
So when [the violence] started, the people were running [after] these foreigners and burning their places. In our black community, when something like that happens, everyone leaves their home. They run to [where everything’s happening] so nobody’s left at home. So the criminals get a chance to break in and they take things and stuff like that. So South Africans were being robbed as well, it was not only the foreigners.
And people, you know, the Somalis, their shops were locked, but people broke them open, it didn’t matter how locked they were, they broke it open, they took … [It was] our mothers, big women… The other thing I don’t understand . . . our parents, they go to church. They practice this Christianity that says that I shall not kill, you shall not, things like that. But the things they did . . . I was so ashamed when I saw it, it was our parents running into these shops, taking their stuff.
And I was like, these people practice [Christianity]! Like even yesterday [Saturday 24] I was going past a church and I heard them sing and I thought, not too long ago they were robbing people, chasing people, throwing stones at them, and right now they were at church. I don’t know why they go to church when they do all these things.
Because it wasn’t only youngsters [looting], there were mothers, fathers, grown-ups breaking and shouting and going into the shops. They came out with big bags of food and dish liquids and all those things. And in their own way they feel they’re entitled to it, which was wrong. It was unbelievable. They were supposed to stop their kids, but they were doing it with their kids. I don’t care what they say but in my eyes they were criminals, they were stealing because those things did not belong to them and they took them; that was theft.
And the funny thing is this, during the day, it’s quite quiet, people just shush-shush here, shush-shush there, they talk about it. [But] at night people come out of their houses and they do these things. Why do they do it at night if they feel like they have the right to do it? Why not do it during the day when everybody can see? [But] they do it at night when it’s dark, you can barely see.
It’s wrong. People don’t feel safe, you know, when they walk. Yesterday, I was passing by, there was this child sitting there, it’s a girl, she was probably about 13 years old, she’s sitting there, she’s crying, very loud, it’s a foreigner, she was foreign, I could see, she was looking around. I think she misplaced her parents, she doesn’t know where her parents are, she’s crying. And then there are people standing around her. Nobody went over and asked her, “Why are you crying, where’s your parents?” . . . whatever. People just passed by like it’s nothing She didn’t know where her mother was, her mother probably didn’t know where she was
I wouldn’t be able to say if there’s any way of stopping it [the violence]. If people change inside their hearts, the way they feel . . . They are far from getting over this. But apparently today the president of the ANC, Jacob Zuma, will be arriving here in Cape Town to talk to the people and plead with them to stop what they are doing. I don’t know if that is going to help. But you know even if the Lord himself were to come down and say, “Please people, stop,” I don’t think [it would stop]. They want to do this, this is something they feel like they are entitled to.
You know the food prices are up and things like that now. My friend says that if these people leave the country – at the moment she’s not working – then she’ll get a job. And things (arguments) like that: if they leave, our parents will have work, they’ll get the pay that they want, because the foreigners, they get themselves small pay. If I were to work for somebody, I might ask for R100 a day, and that person, he wants to charge R40 a day. It’s their right, you know, to say that they’re going to work for R40 a day. But now people [South Africans] are losing their jobs. ‘Cause even me, if somebody said to me, “I’m going to sell this to you for R20,” and the other one says, “for R100”, I’m going to buy the R20 one, I wouldn’t buy the R100 one. So that’s how they (South Africans) feel. They feel betrayed.
But the worst part of all this is that they may not realise this now but what they’re doing is they’re being racist against their own, at a very wrong time, because this is supposed to be Africa month, we’re meant to unite and stand together but here we are falling divided.
Some people, they make jokes of this, they make fun. Me, it makes me sad. When I’m around people I know, I do voice up but again when I’m around a lot of people and I can see these people can hurt me, I don’t say anything, but I do feel that what they’re doing is wrong.
You know, the foreigners walk around, they have to look behind their shoulders every five minutes because they don’t know what that [some] person might do to them . They have to hide, and I can see they’re frustrated. And yesterday – it’s a pity I didn’t go – but yesterday they held a meeting, the Joe Slovo community held meeting. Not too many people were there, but people did go, to decide whether to continue with this riot thing. But I can assure you that the foreigners were not there . . . I don’t know who organised the meeting. In some open field, they were discussing it.
You know, the foreigners, they’ve lost a lot. The other thing is, if they must go home as people say they must go home, some of them do not have the money to go, it’s very expensive to go. They have their places, they’ve bought houses here and now they must leave and drop everything. Because if you live in your house and you are a foreigner, they will burn you alive in your house. They wouldn’t think, they wouldn’t hesitate to burn you alive. So people just have to run. Because I wouldn’t choose to burn in my house either.
Some of them have babies. You must see there in the [budget] Formule 1 Hotel in Joe Slovo, the people sitting there, the foreigners booked themselves in there. The hotel’s full, they just sit and the women cry, they don’t know which way to go, who to turn to, who to trust because even the police, some of the police, they’ve got the same dirt in their hearts, they do the same thing. [The police are] supposed to protect [the foreigners] but they steal their money, they do everything.
Slovo is messed up, you can drive past there. Places have burnt, it’s just ashes everywhere.
LINK – David Le Page’s Blog
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Quote by Buddhist Philosopher Daisaku Ikeda
LINK – Daily Quote
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Dear all,
I do hope you are well. See another alarming update on the situation in Soetwater Refugee camp. It is vital that we don’t relax in our resolve for peace in the xenophobia/refugee debacle - I urge everyone to send daimoku to all the 4000 plus refugees staying there.
Yaliwe
What the press release says is that busses turned up last night at about 9pm to collect refugees. what exactly happened is not clear. some said that they new nothing about it as the police were escorting the busses
they didn’t know were they were being taken
it is possible that the police had been called to sort out some intimidation inside the camp. it is so easy to get the wrong end of the stick with out investigating and verifying what is fiction and what is fact!
“the committee” where upset as they knew nothing about it
if you wish to read their press release pls go here:
LINK - press release re Soetwater camp last night buses and police
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Josei Toda [2nd SG President] held the first WD meeting in Tokyo attended by 52 women - to day there are many millions in Japan and hundreds of thousands around the world!
Today is the day that the WD was formed
Viva! The WD Viva!
Viva! Toda Viva!
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To Fortune
I give thanks
For our brief encounter
Like a bird on the wing
Leaving a nest in my heart
Terry [Volbrecht]
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“Ultimately, we are responsible for our own destiny.
It may seem to us that our fate is predetermined, whether by our genes or by our environment.
What really matters, however, is how we can improve ourselves from this moment forward, how we can change the circumstances that we find ourselves in.
This enormous transformative force is what Buddhism is all about.
In this struggle lies the source of never-ending youth and vitality.”
Quote by Buddhist Philosopher Daisaku Ikeda
LINK – Daily Quote
LINK – SGI South Africa
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[Image: Hout Bay - Cape Town - South Africa]
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we will be workshoping the how 2 and where 4s Tuesday 10th for the 21st June.
Patty is the doyenne of workshopping!
come and learn how it’s done and be a part of seeing the magic happen between us as we throw our ideas about - to find the best way to communicate and learn - how to make it fun and thrilling for all the participants. It needs you and you and you for the magic juices of creativity 2 galvanise before our eyes and ears! Especially after a grt gongyo and focused chanting!
we chant from 6.30 and do gongyo at 7pm. We are planning for the 21st June workshop extraveganzaaa - it’s very sooooona! Can we pull it off?
not if you’re not there!
6.30 @ 91 Arnold Road, Observatory nr herootescure[sp?!] hospital the famous heart one
c u there!
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Optimism and a celebratory atmosphere were the immediate sensations
one experienced at Fortune’s Memorial service. On Sunday the SGI
members put forth their best demeanour to show considerable empathy
and support for Marie-Therese during this trying period of her life.
There was a considerable amount of sadness evident, but this did not
break through as wallowing and sorrow, but was manifest as hope for
the transition that Fortune has made to the next life. What was
particularly affecting were the individual comments that were made by
the members as they recollected the brief, but touching moments they
had shared with Fortune during his transient sojourn in this world.
The following are imprecise excerpts from the comments made, as
adequately conveying the emotions expressed is a difficult task made
all the more daunting by the contrasting feelings of grief and
faithful devotion prevalent:
Yaliwe’s Gosho quote emphasised that the flesh of the child is the
flesh of the mother. Though they have parted for now, the next meeting
will undoubtedly be a joyous occasion.”
Johnny’s view of life illustrated the eternal cycle of life and death
as we are all travellers in a cosmic journey. Despite the transience
of life here, we should make this snap-shot moment worth while by our
love and care for each other. Through our support for Marie-Therese,
we can help her carry this burden, and our awareness of the daunting
challenges of life enable us to better appreciate hopefulness and our
connectedness to those in our environs.
Various SGI members re-emphasised the need to chant continuously to
meet various needs. Uppermost amongst them, as we cannot sit down next
to Marie-Therese, our warm reverberations of concern will be felt, and
as chanting Daimoku is dimensionless, our messages will reach Fortune.
What is in our hearts will be felt by others as they can feel what we
can, and so positive thoughts will banish the negative ones and give
us common strength and a sense of purpose. Therefore the way we live
can thus be a tribute to those who are precious to us, and help attain
our goal of kosen rofu.
In a dignified manner, Marie-Therese then expressed her heart-felt
gratitude for the all-encompassing support SGI members have shown.
Right from the time she received the news of Fortune’s sudden illness
to the present moment on Sunday afternoon. She gracefully traced the
time-line of events and even delved back into the past when she
recalled how she had first joined the SGI community here. She and her
son had been welcomed and felt at home from the very beginning, as we
become part of their family. She is now taking life day-by-day, as
hopefully the worst has passed and by chanting even more as this
winter of her life will turn to spring once again.
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The Lotus Sutra is the king of sutras, the direct path to enlightenment, for it explains that the entity of our life, which manifests either good or evil at each moment, is in fact the entity of the Mystic Law.
If you chant myoho-renge-kyo with deep faith in this principle, you are certain to attain Buddhahood in this lifetime. That is why the sutra states, “After I have passed into extinction, [one] should accept and uphold this sutra. Such a person assuredly and without doubt will attain the Buddha way.” Never doubt in the slightest.
Respectfully.
Maintain your faith and attain Buddhahood in this lifetime. Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.
Nichiren
[On Attaining Buddhahood In This Lifetime]
●It is a SGI tradition to do a commemorative gongyo for the deceased on the 7th, 49,100th day and then every year. [The day of passing away is day one]
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Image: CapeTown live Webcam@17:55 Monday 9th June 2008
www.kapstadt.de/capetown-webcam/
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Dear Marie-Therese,
I am deeply sorrowed by the news of your beloved son’s death.
I offer my sincere condolences and pay respects for your son’s life in my prayers.
In his writings, Nichiren Daishonin indicates that the premature death of one’s child for a parent is one of the greatest sorrows imaginable for a human being. I experienced a deep sorrow such as this when my wife died 18 years ago. I can therefore empathise with your feeling.
I think that the depth of your sorrow reflects preciousness of your child’s life and your love towards him. It also teaches you how precious your own life is.
I sincerely pray that you will overcome the devilish function of death by chanting lots of daimokus and strive to live a life of value creation in daily life.
I believe that will be the best tribute to your deceased son.
2008-06-07
Hidenori Kimura
Kyoko’s Father
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My dearest Marie Therese
I can not imagine your heartbreak at the loss of your fortune child. Fortune was a very special baby. This was manifest in his life from the moment he was born. He was a magnet attracting good fortune to his life. Who can say what his mission was in this lifetime. Perhaps in the future it will be revealed.
However, I would like to share some words from President Ikeda on the loss of a loved child:
“Probably no words can heal the heart of a mother who has lost her child. Someone truly wise, on meeting a woman whose child has died, might simply sit down at her side, and stay there not saying a word. Even though no words are exchanged, the warm reverberations of concern from deep in that person’s life will be felt.
In the Buddhist view, the bonds that link people are not a matter of this lifetime alone. And because those who have died in a sense live on within us, our happiness is naturally shared with those who have passed away. So the most important thing is for those of us who are alive at this moment to live with hope and strive to be happy. By becoming happy ourselves, we can send invisible waves of happiness to those who have passed away. But if we allow ourselves to be overwhelmed by sorrow, the deceased will feel this sorrow too, as we are always together, inseparable.”
Fortune was one of the happiest babies I have met. Please keep his smile deep within your heart and know that he is smiling still. We will all miss him very much and will continue to send prayers for his life.
with love,
Loren Braithwaite Kabosha,
SGI-SA General Director
[loren is in the states - hoh]
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Thank you so much everyone, for organising the memorial for Fortune. It was
fit for a king.
Love,
Kyoko
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Many tears flowed and many tissues used.
I found it unbearable to see marie teresse’s pain and as people spoke and showed their grief - tears flowed
Its the first time I’ve been with SGI members and seen so many people cry and I’ve been to quite a few Buddhist funerals!
Marie Terese left for home at about 5.30 she seemed tiered but looked strong and serene
I will post all the guidance and quotes as I get them
All messages were put in an envelope for Marie Teresse to take with her
Loren, our general director, who is in the states at present, managed to get a message to Jonny which was read out - I will post it as soon as it is emailed to me - MT is glad to share it with us
It was amazing that Marie Teresse manages to talk to us at the end of the proceedings. She said that yesterday was a terrible day for her - Fortune was buried – it was an excruciatingly painful day for her as was Tuesday when he died
She expressed her gratitude for all the SGI members support
I told her there were messages from you for her which I printed and put in the envelope with all the other guidance and lorens message
She asked me to tell you that when she is feeling stronger and able to she will be writing back to you
One by one
I know that all of us will be chanting for MT every day – for her to recover and emerge back into the world as quickly as possible - many many more tears will flow. pls keep contacting her by phone or sms or here and i’ll pass it on to her
hoh
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Dearest Marie Teresse,
I think, there are no words to explain how sad I am for Fortune´s death. I wish, I could be there with you and hold you tight in my arms, but I can´t. I’ll do it with my Daimoku. I’m always with you.
Lots of love
Iole
[pic - Cape Town - @Top of Lions Head]
[Via email 10:01 8.6.08]
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Venue: Jane & Terry’s
MC: Sipho
Conducting service: Jonny
13:45 . Chanting
14:00 . Welcome by MC and explain service. [12:00 GMT]
14.05 . Gongyo [Jonny] + 20mins Daimoku whilst offering incense.
14:30 . Gosho quote: Yaliwe
14:35 . Sensei’s Guidance: Jonny
14:40 . Message from Loren
14:45 . Spontaneous Tributes/thoughts/encouragement
14:50 . [Marie Therese?]
Close ceremony – Jonny.
14:50 . Tea & snacks
Marie Therese driven home
15:45 . Tidy up & leave
●12:30 . set up team chanting
Action & content: Jonny
Diamond: Eriel
Soka: Hermann
Catering: Julie
Security: Elvis
Marie T’s friends & guests:
Children:
Telephone:
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If you would like to send a message to Marei-Teresse email me or leave it here [click on title above] before 11am SA time pls to give me time to print it up to take with me
•South Africa time = GMT + 2
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Image: CapeTown live Webcam@09:15 Saturday 7th June 2008
webcam of Kapstadt
www.kapstadt.de/capetown-webcam/
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●Ikeda: On getting there
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Daily Quote by Buddhist Philosopher Daisaku Ikeda
LINK – Daily Quote
[image: Daily Quote Web Site]
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Place
Terry & Jane’s
4 Freda Rd
Diep river
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Therefore, when once we chant Myoho-renge-kyo, with just that single sound we summon forth and manifest the Buddha nature of all Buddhas; all existences; all bodhisattvas; all voice-hearers; all the deities such as Brahma, Shakra, and King Yama; the sun and moon and the myriad stars; the heavenly gods and earthly deities, on down to hell-dwellers, hungry spirits, animals, asuras, human and heavenly beings, and all other living beings. This blessing is immeasurable and boundless. (WND-1, 887)
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●12:30 set up team chanting
Action & [content]: Jonny [Mary B]
Diamond: Eriel
Soka: Hermann
Catering: Julie
Security: Elvis
Marie T’s friends & guests:
Children:
Telephone:
Welcome at gate:
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[Received via email 16:15 Friday]
Dear WD’s,
At this late date, sorry to let you know so late, we are NOT going to have a women’s meeting on sunday morning as planned.
i’m sure most of you know by now of the tragic passing of marie-therese’s son, Fortune, last tuesday 3rd june.
There will be a buddhist memorial service for him on sunday 8th june at 14h00. this will be at jane and terry’s place in diep river.
Sensei says:
Nichiren Daishonin makes us this firm promise: “Misfortune will change into fortune. Muster your faith and pray to this Gohonzon. Then what is there that cannot be achieved?” (WND-1, 412).
The prayers of practitioners of the Lotus Sutra will always be answered. Whatever the situation, a person who chants strong daimoku can change poison into medicine and has nothing to fear.”
I’m organising the catering (tea and eats) for this, so if anyone would like to help bring/serve this, please give me a call ASAP!
hope to see you there,
lots of love
julie xx
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Daily Quote by Buddhist Philosopher Daisaku Ikeda
LINK – Daily Quote
[image: Daily Quote Web Site]
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From Mary B - the details [she is with MT rght now13:00]
[will keep updating this post with latest info as i get it- hoh]
When - Saturday 7th June
Time - @ 9 AM
Where – 1 Jooste, 8th Avenue, Boston [Northern suburbs]
All arrangements have been made by Marie Teresses’ close friends and Cameroonian community
•Gather at 9am to pay ones last respects,
Viewing of Fortune and paying tributes [if you wish to]
Then
•There will be a grave side ceremony at
Stickland cemetery
[Yomia will be MC]
•Then refreshments afterwards
The above is not a Buddhist funeral or ceremony
Lets be there for her - I’m sure we can help do stuff like look after her friends and guests?
[I asked Mary B if it would be OK to take something - sure it's fine soft drink & bickies]
Buddhist Ceremony - Sunday 8th June @ 2pm - to be confirmed & announced
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Enquiries: 073 214 8284
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●Gauteng – 15th June - SGISA’s Big bash! Introducing Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism to the curious!
Who’s it for?
For family and friends and colleagues – finally they can find out what the heck you beleive in and what it’s all about!
Why you’re so darn enthusiastic about life!
[remember to remind them the day before too, if they are comming – that's most people over 50!]
when:
15th June 2008
where:
Starts @
10:00
Chanting [you have to hear how amazing and revitalizing the chanting is! Especially when there are lots of people doing it – it shakes the rafters and rattles the windows gives many goose bumps!]
10:30
Presentations
11:10
Question & Answers
11:30
a snack of home made soup
Enquiries: 011 [can someone let me know pls! incase someone needs some info or wants to give info]
FREE! Downloadable Introductory brochure to SGI from website
http://www.sgi-sa.org.za/contacting-us/
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●Tsunesaburo Makiguchi, was born 6th June 1871 in Japan
●Third Predisent Ikeda Declared to day Europe Day in1981
Tsunesaburo Makiguchi — First President of the Soka Gakkai
“Tsunesaburo Makiguchi (1871-1944) was a reformist educator, author and philosopher who founded the Soka Kyoiku Gakkai (the forerunner of the Soka Gakkai) in 1930. His life was characterized by confrontation with repressive authorities. As a teacher known for his warmth and consideration, he strove to introduce a more humanistic, student-centered approach to education. He fiercely opposed corrupt educational practices and was forced into early retirement as a result…..
The 1930s saw the rise of militaristic nationalism in Japan, culminating in its entry into World War II. The militarist government imposed the State Shinto ideology on the population as a means of glorifying its war of aggression and cracked down on all forms of dissidence. The refusal of Makiguchi and his closest associate Josei Toda (1900-19fifty eight) to compromise their beliefs and lend support to the regime led to their arrest and imprisonment in 1943 as “Thought criminals.” He died in prison from malnutrition at the age of 73………In recent years his humanistic educational theories have been attracting increasing international attention……”
To read more pls go to:
www.sgi.org/about/history/makiguchi.html
image: www.sgi.org
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Birth, aging, sickness and death are the inescapable realities of life, and the eternal questions humankind has attempted to resolve. How can we create the greatest value amidst a reality that is impermanent and in constant flux? It was the search for answers to these questions that led to the birth of Buddhism.
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Quote: http://www.ikedaquotes.org/contents/buddhist_quotes/life_death.html
Image: CapeTown Webcam@18:20 Thursday 5th June
webcam of Kapstadt - http://www.kapstadt.de/capetown-webcam/
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