Posts from — April 2008

“A dialogue for happiness, one Europe for peace!” 

March 16, 2008 @ Milano 

SGI European Youth Division General Meeting

It was such a memorable day! 5,000 SGI youth from 35 countries throughout Europe gathered for an SGI-Europe Youth General Meeting held at the Datch Forum in Milan, Italy, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of March 16, 1958, when second Soka Gakkai President Josei Toda entrusted the mission of creating lasting global peace to the youth just weeks before he passed away.

I still remember the moment I arrived, a little groggy after the long morning ride from Rosa’s place. Immediately, I was awakened! First of the buzzling energy of people. I tell you, so many people! All with shinning eyes, big smiles and the endless greetings (some kissing again!) to everyone that came to sight. Next thing I noticed are the beautiful blooms of the trees surrounding the Datch Forum. They are in pink. Just reminded me of the cherry blossoms trees. What a beautiful sight for such a eventful day, I thought to myself!

Hadas was so excited that she couldn’t decide where we should stand, or take a coffee, or go inside. In the end, we walked about a bit, met up with the rest of our Belgian friends and went in. I tell you again, the feeling is indescribable when I walked in. The place is huge and the place is filled with so many different people. But all with the same mind.

We were quite early, so I think I sat there for a good 2 hours just staring amazedly at my surrounding. At everyone. At everything.

Then it started. First with a very upbeat version of ”Marching Towards the 21st Century” by a choir group of 400 youth from 12 countries, lead by a super enigmatic YWD. Man, again I can’t describe it in words for you really have to see her in action. I was breathless just by looking at her!

And that moment of the song, was a moment when all the years of my practise since 1986 (first time I chanted Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with my dad) came flashing by. All my emotions went thru 3 mins of mini-quakes Afterthat, it was like a very good movie where I couldn’t tear my eyes off the stage, and I was all ears on everything, every words, every sounds, every music and every laughter.

There was delivery of messages, experience sharings, award ceremonies and a speech from Roberto Baggio, yes, that famous footballer! Not forgetting the introduction of the SGI-Europe Youth Declaration. The declaration, unanimously adopted by the participants, is a three-point pledge to respect life and work against discrimination, to work for the abolition of nuclear weapons, and to become capable individuals who contribute to the happiness of others.

Then there was an hours break where I spent the whole hour queueing up to pee. (Ok, I didn’t mind so much cuz I was still staring at everything)

Follow on was the very impressive Cultural Show. No wonder, I was not even invited to participate We have so many artist in SGI Europe. Its incredible. Even the video footage was impressive. The songs. The dance. The photographs. All done by pros. I was very breathless that day!

After that, I was so tired out, I slept all the way in the bus to the airport.

I would say the discussion went pretty well, though everyone had to speak thru the interpreter, Barbara.

The thing that strikes me the most are the realisation I went thru while trying my best to answer to their curious questions.

First, a dynamic and powerful gongyo together. (I did my evening gongyo twice that day!)

We started off by a brief introduction and telling of how we met this wonderful buddhism. Round table.

It still amazes me how the buddhism, from the far east is being encountered, practise continously and propagated by these vibrant Italian members. Or speak about all the people in Europe. I find it intriguing and often that is my first question to ask. How did you meet. Why do you continue. (I hope its not rude nor too imposing on personal details)

Then they asked us 3 questions:

1) How did you prepare yourself to join the 3.16 in Milano?

For me, I would admit I didnt prepare or should I say the preparation came naturally. Just before 3.16, I had countless of struggles. Everything just came on me at the same time. I was quite down and depressed therefore I was too preoocupied to overcome them. Good thing was that I chanted A LOT during those times. And read and read endlessly. So that was my preparation! My faith was re-enforced with all the happenings around me.

2) How do you feel about mentor & disciple spirit?

Honestly, I never thought about this before. And now that I think about it, Sensei has always been there in my life. Ever since I was a child. I’ve read countless of his books, I’ve heard countless times about him, I’ve seen his pictures since he was much younger. Now, it just hit me that one day, he may not be there anymore. I’ve taken so much for granted!

But its not yet too late to think about it. For now, I believe I have already a foundation built ever since I started chanting (still need to continue refining of course!) but what I have realise now is how do I become a true disciple! I’ve benefited so much from this buddhism and formed my thoughts, personality and characteristics or even my life based on this wonderful philopsophy of life. And much of it is from the derivations of Sensei and his thoughts. From reading his books. From listening to the lectures. From everything.

Now, how do I continue what he has done? For me, that is the spirit of mentor and disciple. The want of continuing the admirable works of your mentor. Making his dream come true. Bringing his vision to reality.

For now, I still do not know what I can do. (For a tiny voice in me tells me I cannot do as what he has done. Commendable!) Nevertheless I will try now day by day to do it in my little ways till I find my foot in one day doing the great big things I’ve always dreamt of.

Bringing difference to one more life for happiness is the joy in others.

3) How do you feel as a child who grew up in the SGI environment? (This question is just for me, asked by a lady who just had her first boy, Gabriel Naoki)

There were many moments for me. When I was a child, I enjoyed tremendously the children activities. Singing songs, playing games, meeting friends. Then there were times when it was a drag especially to wake up in the morning of each Sunday at 7am to go for my Kotekitai (Fife & Drum Corps) practises under the hot scorching sun. But my parents, especially my dad, never force us but never gave up either. He was a really patient man in these cases, for he had to wake up earlier than us, make breakfast, pick the rest of girls, drive us there and send us back. Never once complaining and never once pushing us with force. Once a while, he lets us sleep on – skip it once and the following week, he’ll try again to encourage us to go for the training.

But those were the days, when little did I know, the way of thoughts, the measure of strengths and the nature of positivity was engraved in me.

Because if its not for those engravings, I wouldn’t think I would fit to go through my life as it is. Encountering one big obstacles after another. Emerging with victories in my little own life. I wouldn’t think I would be able to do all of it.

So now looking back, I truly appreciate the patience and faith my parents had in this buddhism as well as in us.

The buddhist practise is a big part of my life. In fact, my life is the buddhist practise. Each day and everyday.

And I truly believe it is the best ground for the education of a child.

Man, this is really testing my patience.

The Malaysian Embassy in Belgium advised me that the fastest way to get a new passport is to do it via London. So I had to prepare a bank draft of 100 pounds for that.

Meanwhile, a hunch in me told me to call up the Malaysian Embassy in London to double triple check. And they just told me that its not possible for them to process a lost passport request in London. It all has to be sent back to Malaysia for investigation. And it takes 3 months altogether. Normally.

WTF.

So what do I do with my bank draft now?

I’ve been down, frustrated, angry but it doesnt bring me back my passport.

Sometimes, I feel like cursing those thieves. I could even kill them if I do know them. I have had many scenes played on my mind these days. Like in those action packed mystery-murder movies. When I am out, I look about me at people, hoping to pry on one who is carrying my bag, or wearing my jacket, or even just my scarf. Alas, to no avail. No trace, no news, no suprises, no nothing.

All my things just went blop! and dissapeared. Forever.

On another hand, I try to pray for these thieves. For their goodness. For their compassion. For their humanity.

Then again, I am also praying that the Police will bust them someday. Soon. Now. Triumph. Celebration. Peace in Brussels. And returning all the stolen goods to where it rightfully belong.

Then again, its just material matters.

I am but a bunch of confusing thoughts.

Pfff, I need a miracle. NOW.

Remember I wrote about the book which was so captivating that I read it straight up within 8 hours – Kite Runner.

I caught the movie with a girlfriend from work last night. And it blew me off. Blew many others off too. There was much sniffings going on around me. My friend, she didnt yet read the book but the movie has moved her deeply.

There was no famous actor or actress (or its just I do not know of them!), most of the dialogues were conducted in Arabic (sounds like to me!) and the subtitles are only in French or Flemish (Belgian cinema!) – but still it wrecked up a whole lot of emotions within me. Just like reading the book.

The book was better though.

In the movie, I love the smile of the boy, Hassan. A whole lot of contentment in that toothless smile.