Why should I attend my district discussion planning meeting?
from UKE December 2000

The Soka Gakkai has always placed the utmost importance on the discussion meeting. It is regarded as the prime place where members meet together and give their experiences based on their practice of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism. In this way, the faith of the members is strengthened and a path is opened for further development of our movement's unique contribution towards a peaceful society. If the meeting is joyful and vibrant, new members in faith and guests are greatly encouraged and the collective happiness spreads like a fire.

What part can planning play in creating such a meeting? A huge amount, in fact. This is where we prepare for the type of meeting we wish to have. This can include the topic of the meeting, who is going to moderate, what Gosho or guidance might be used, what leaders may be invited and how many guests we would like to have. Above all, it gives everyone the opportunity to chant for the success of the meeting and develop the sort of spirit SGI President Ikeda encourages us to aim for: 'Every meeting should be lively and cheerful, the type of gathering where everyone leaves feeling: "That was fun. I'm glad I went."'
(Faith into Action - Thoughts on Selected Topics by Daisaku Ikeda, p. 215.)

The idea of a planning meeting may not seem particularly inviting or exciting, and thus we might ask ourselves why we should go. However, it is not a question of 'should'. It is much more in keeping with our movement to look at this matter in terms of what value can be created from carrying out a particular form of action. Those who attend the planning meeting come up with suggestions for a topic for the forthcoming discussion meeting. Having once decided on a topic, they can then chant with tremendous purpose and clarity about the meeting, thus increasing the likelihood of its success. Also, those with advanced knowledge of the topic are more likely to arrive at the meeting having given it some considered thought. They are thus better equipped to answer any questions posed by those newer to the practice. The importance of this cannot be overstated: an inadequately planned discussion meeting can be a spiritless and chaotic event that confuses rather than inspires.

A further benefit of attending the planning meeting is that it gives you the opportunity to contribute your ideas towards the discussion meeting. If you are able to give even one idea, it could be significant in making the meeting great. It could also encourage you to chant for guests or for a wonderful experience. Experiences are at the core of discussion meetings and are the lifeblood of the movement for kosen rufu. An inspiring experience of how you changed something in your life through Buddhism can give heart and hope to everyone at the meeting. The time between the planning meeting and the discussion meeting itself can be used to prepare yourself for giving such an experience.

Amongst other things, chanting helps us become more prepared for whatever life may choose to throw at us: it is itself a form of preparation. Likewise, by getting into the habit of planning in connection with our important Buddhist activities, we develop the ability to be always one step ahead of what may be demanded of us. A sense of preparedness and the ability to anticipate accurately becomes ours. Particularly for those who have been practicing for a long time, the idea of attending 'yet another meeting' might seem somewhat unappealing. But there is always something new to be learned from doing so, as the following extract from the eleventh installment of The Wisdom of the Lotus Sutra: a discussion on Religion in the Twenty-first Century, suggests:

Saito: …A Sanskrit version of the Lotus Sutra says that the four great men of learning 'sat near the World-honoured One for so many years that their bodies ached, their joints were brittle… and they were old and weak.'

Suda: Then their teacher, Shakyamuni, turns to them and tells them they still have much to achieve, and urges them to keep trying.

Ikeda: He teaches them the practice of eternal self-improvement, and calls on them to determine never to retreat. 'Not advancing is retreating.' (Gosho Zenshu, p.1165) Buddhist practice means continually working to improve oneself and one's surroundings, advancing ever forward. It means eternal growth and, therefore, eternal youth. Life is eternal, continuing over the three existences of past, present and future.
(Conversations and Lectures on the Lotus Sutra, Vol. 2, p.121)

Enthusiastic engagement in planning our SGI activities contributes to our continuous self-development and the movement of kosen rufu.

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This page was last modified on Sunday, August 20, 2006.