I’ve been directly involved in Soka Spirit for many years because I knew, based on faith, that the Temple Issue was of supreme significance in the very history of True Buddhism on this planet. Takako Kawano and I attended a Hokkeko meeting to try to prevent a former SGI member from receiving a Nikken Gohonzon many years ago. 

Etsuko Fernandez and I accompanied a reformist priest in addition to a translator to the homes of former SGI members, only to have doors slammed in our faces. Not the funnest way to change one’s karma, but very effective indeed. 

In February of 2001, I attended the Courageous Heart Conference at the FNCC along with Shizue Negishi and Etsuko Fernandez. This conference typically deals directly with what used to be called the Temple Issue, but is now called Soka Spirit. Since that time, I have continued to sponsor Soka Spirit Daimoku sessions at my house on Thursday nights. We also have one Soka Spirit study meeting a month which Yumi Song facilitates. And, by the way, she does a wonderful job — thank you, Yumisan!

The benefit from my involvement in Soka Spirit has truly been profound. I feel like my human revolution has been put on “fast forward.” I have much more insight into myself and am much more aware of my own shortcomings. And, as painful as that can be at times, when I’ve determined to do the necessary human revolution, a wonderful conspicuous benefit follows, oh so quickly — often within minutes or hours of me making a fresh determination in front of the Gohonzon, to overcome some negative behavior or aspect of myself.

Getting involved in Soka Spirit is not for cowards. It will truly dredge up the darkest parts of one’s karma because one is practicing with the same mind as Nichiren. Doing battle with Nikken as he tries to destroy the correct practice of Buddhism – no, I would say “put your seatbelt on, and get ready for one hell of a ride!” Oh, but the benefits are sooo sweet!

An inner strengthening that you cannot begin to imagine — a kind of inner determination and awakening of one’s Buddhahood with wisdom as clear as a spring rain — begin to emerge in one’s life, at an alarmingly fast pace.

In addition, the conspicuous benefits have been pretty darn cool as well. I’ve completely transformed my work circumstances. At Audubon Montessori Elementary, what used to be a grueling job at times, involving classroom management of too many children, is now a breeze. The minute that I determined to become so capable that no matter what they threw at me I could enjoy myself — that’s the instant when everything changed seemingly overnight. The daily schedule for the children completely changed and I now have very few minutes on any day, where I need to manage more than 10 children at a time. Believe me, this is a tremendous change from what I used to have to deal with in the past four years on this job. Also, my perception of the kids as Buddhas themselves, and my compassion towards them has increased exponentially. Whenever one gets hurt on the playground I put my hands on the injured part and console them by chanting Ms. LILLY’s “magic words” Nam myoho renge kyo three times. 

In addition, I’ve lost 25 pounds in the last three months, conspicuous proof of my new inner resolve to become the best performing artist possible, and to fulfill my highest potential. For those of you who don’t know me, I am a professional pantomime working at the World’s Fair in New Orleans in 1984, as well as conventions etc. for the last 23 years. In the last three years, I have been working at the Children’s Castle in Kenner from time to time. It is a children’s theatre and a wonderful space for anyone to perform in. In the last year, I’ve worked there every Saturday as part of the box office staff, welcoming people and as an additional performer when needed, on stage. Just in the last month though, my dreams have really been coming true at the Children’s Castle: the directors there are now writing for me and directing me in some wonderfully new and original comic pantomimes. I am the warm-up act for the audience before the other performers come on stage. Wow, am I having a blast every Saturday now!!!!! Of course the goal is to work towards my own 45 minute show, which we are piecing together little by little. The audience’s response has been wonderful and the kids seem so happy when I come out on the stage. My performances are beginning to attract the same kids on a weekly basis. The reason I know this is because the kids are asking for me. In addition, I’ve worked more as a pantomime in the last 6 months than I’ve worked in the last 2 or 3 years. So yes, conspicuous benefits abound as well.

In closing, I would like to share with you what the latest Soka Spirit campaign is. There are four Tozans (pilgrimages to the Taisekiji) scheduled for U.S. temple members for the following dates: 

1. Oct. 23-28
2. Nov. 6-11
3. Nov. 27-Dec. 2
4. Jan. 2003 — date to be announced

Thank you very much.

Lilly P.