A MUST READ... Truly an inspiring story!

JAVA

by Emile Svitzer
(Used with permission of the author.)

While doing gongyo and chanting daimoku this morning, I found myself
praying for the people of the South Asian countries affected by the
recent devastation. Though concerned for all the lives there, I could
not help but
think about one person in particular: a Men's Division member in India
named Java.

I met Java at the Florida Nature and Culture Center (FNCC) Men's
Division Conference in August of 2003. Encountering Java and what he
had to share has profoundly affected my life, as well as the lives of
those with whom I have shared my experience of meeting him.

On the first day of the conference, I noticed that some men, perhaps
less outgoing than others, were sitting alone at meal times. I made a
determination that at each meal I would find one such man to sit with
and hear his story. At
the next meal, I noticed an older East Indian gentleman, who appeared
to be in his late sixties, sitting alone at a table, so I introduced
myself. I'll never forget how his face lit up with excitement as I
introduced myself and asked to join him.

After telling me his actual, full name, which I tried to pronounce, he
mercifully told me that everyone just calls him "Java" and that he
lived in India. When I expressed how impressed I was that he had made
such a long journey to the Men's Division conference, Java confessed
that he had actually been in Washington State when he heard about the
conference and decided to come.

He had gone there to visit a member who was facing an obstacle and
needed encouragement. Somehow, I was even more amazed by this than the
idea that he had traveled all the way from India for the FNCC
conference--and I told him so. That's when he laughed at me (in a very
nice way) and told me about his first experience meeting SGI President
Ikeda.

At the beginning of his practice, about thirty years ago, Java
traveled to Japan, where he had the great fortune to receive personal
guidance from President Ikeda. At that time, Java was very poor and
had spent the last of his money to make the trip. Thus, he immediately
complained to President Ikeda that this terrible poverty karma was his
big problem in life and the one thing he most wanted to overcome.

Sitting down with him, President Ikeda said, "So, you want a lot of
money, then?"

"Yes", Java said.

"And if you get it, what will you do with all this money?"

Of course, Java had a whole list of things he intended to do with the
money, but sensing that President Ikeda's question was deeper than
this, he did not immediately answer. Sensei went on: "Java, you may
ask me for a knife, and
I might give it to you. But what will you do with it? Will you use it
to hurt someone... to hurt yourself? Or will you use it to carve an
ordinary piece of wood into the image of the Buddha?

"From a Buddhist perspective, everything in life has two purposes: its
basic purpose and its true purpose.

"The basic purpose of this building we are sitting in now, for
instance, is to protect me from the sun and the rain while I sit here.
But the true purpose of the building is to protect me from the sun and
the rain while I sit here... and encourage one person.

"The basic purpose of a car is to enable you to travel a long
distance. But the true purpose of a car is to enable you to travel a
long distance... and encourage one person.

"The purpose of having money is to buy gasoline to put in the car, so
that you can travel a long distance. But the true purpose of having
money is to buy gasoline to put in the car, so that you can travel a
long distance... and encourage one person.

"Why do we pray each morning, during gongyo, for the protection of the
Buddhist gods? We pray for the protection of the Buddhist gods so that
we will be safe as we drive in our car, and travel a long distance...
and encourage one person.

"If you possess a thing, like a car, but do not realize its true
purpose, then you may as well throw it away. But if you pray for your
desires with a sincere determination to realize its true purpose, then
you will always have what you need."

Whoa.

Java told me that he went home from Japan with his "mind totally
blown" -- and with a new determination. From that moment on, he began
to chant from this new Buddhist perspective, just as President Ikeda
prescribed. Shortly
thereafter, Java's son became extremely successful and wealthy in his
business and retired Java from work. Java has never had to worry about
money since. His son provides him all the money he ever needs so that
he can go anywhere in the world, at any time... and encourage one
person. That's what Java was doing in Washington State.

During our meal, Java went on to share other guidance he had received
from Sensei, but now my own mind was too blown to absorb it all.
Unfortunately, that was the only time I got to have a private dialogue
with Java at FNCC, as I was
determined to stick to my plan of sitting with someone new at each
meal. So I went around telling all the other men's division if you get
a chance to speak with this fellow, Java seek him out … he'll blow
your mind." From then on, at
meal times, there was always a huge crowd of men around Java's table
and all we could do was wave to each other across the room.

Since that FNCC conference, I've shared Java's story with dozens of
individuals and at various meetings, hopefully encouraging at least
one person. I have determined that in 2005, I will make Java's
determination my own, putting
President Ikeda's profound guidance to work in my prayers and in my
actions.

President Ikeda's daily guidance (For Today and Tomorrow, December 29)
reads: "Who is truly great? I hope you can develop the ability to
discern true human greatness. A great person is someone who forges
unity among human beings
through sincere dialogue, armed with a solid philosophy, feet firmly
planted on the ground. A great person is one who lives among the
people and earns their unshakable trust. Fickle popularity and
temporary fads are nothing but illusions."

When I read that, I thought again of Java. I regret that we didn't
exchange email addresses. If anyone out there knows how to reach him,
please let me know. I would like to know that he is alright. I am
praying that he is. And if he is alright, then I know exactly what
he's doing.