A community for SGI Members
Our Responsibilities as sgibuddism.org Members
One of our leaders expressed a little concern about this site when I told him about it last Sunday morning at our culture center. He said that there have been other attempts at Buddhist social networking sites but that they had sort of devolved into some of the muck found on big general sites like MySpace.
I was a little taken aback by it at first, but it got me thinking. I began to feel that I, as an SGI member and a Buddhist, have some responsibility to do and say and post things here that ensure the benefit of this site into the future and not let it fall outside of the standards of the SGI. To do so, I think, has the potential to harm rather than benefit people.
When I think about this, I think of two principles. First, the principle of the 3000 realms in a single moment of life which says that at every moment we have the potential for both great good and great evil, and second the principle of many in body one in mind which teaches us the correct way to be in the SGI to ensure the harmony if the Sangha. (the Buddhist community) With that in my mind, I feel that if we keep these principles foremost in our minds as we express ourselves on this site, we can succeed.
What does everyone think? I am excited to learn from everyone about this. It has been on my mind a great deal for many days now. Thank you in advance for all your wonderful wisdom.
I was a little taken aback by it at first, but it got me thinking. I began to feel that I, as an SGI member and a Buddhist, have some responsibility to do and say and post things here that ensure the benefit of this site into the future and not let it fall outside of the standards of the SGI. To do so, I think, has the potential to harm rather than benefit people.
When I think about this, I think of two principles. First, the principle of the 3000 realms in a single moment of life which says that at every moment we have the potential for both great good and great evil, and second the principle of many in body one in mind which teaches us the correct way to be in the SGI to ensure the harmony if the Sangha. (the Buddhist community) With that in my mind, I feel that if we keep these principles foremost in our minds as we express ourselves on this site, we can succeed.
What does everyone think? I am excited to learn from everyone about this. It has been on my mind a great deal for many days now. Thank you in advance for all your wonderful wisdom.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Dan Day on -
Hello everyone, I just joined this group today (March 10 '08 if this does not get date-stamped) and this is my first post.
A member sent me a link to a SGI members' discussion site on MSN 3 years ago or so. Perhaps because I used hunderbird, or was it Netscape at the time, I had trouble getting on the site, so never got in the habit of going. Anyway, I am very disappointed that online SGI communities have, as you put it, "devolved into muck". What I saw at the time seemed very mutually supportive. We need to agree to disagree on things not having directly to do with faith, no matter how it can be to put things aside.
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Permalink Reply by Dan (site assistant) on -
As a veteran of a former SGI discussion site from the middle '90s, yes some of the discussions did devolve. It was a transition period back when as we were stil smarting from the priesthood issue, and all kinds of grudges that were aired out and dirty laundry. Email flame wars were quite common as egoes, personal issues & old complaints kept getting recycled. Hate to admit it, I got pretty good at 'smoking' people at the speed of light. It's an ego thing...(shame shame shame) back when.
Just remember that cyberspace is not the best arena to resolve your own human revolution and personal issues. We should be vigilant of ourselves and remember that we're all here to share our victories, a safe place to ask for consoling and support; also that our very words that's published in here are respected and not sent onto strangers no matter how encouraging. Always ask for permission from the author. No matter what, we're all buddhas.
best,
=Dan
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Permalink Reply by Lotus Flower on -
I saw this discussion and my first thought was 'Oh no they didnt?!" lol
As a new member, I specifically started myspace page as way to get in touch with other SGI members from all over the world. So far after almost a year on myspace, I have over 800 SGI friends that I'm in contact with. I heard all about the horror stories on myspace but I felt like I could change things around and use it for good- as a means to spread the word about our practice in a healthy and responsible way.
At my discussion meeting, I mentioned to one of my leaders about my site and she happily wanted to see it. Then she told the other members about it and so on and so on. Every person so far that I have told about this site and myspace site have been wonderfully supportive.
I think many of the older leaders maybe cannot grasp that we live in a high-tech super fast information world and I cant think of a better way to connect with members from all over than sites like this. Especially since the future of this practice is on our youth (they have cell phones, myspace, email, facebook, forums, blogs etc)
There are always going to be some sort of negative issue but come on guys..we're Buddhists! We know how it goes!
We're family and we look out for one another...I and Im sure others here are only going to give our best.
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Permalink Reply by Faith White-Poe on -
I agree with you we live in high tech fast paced society. My son is almost 19 and everthing he does is Facebook, MySpace,text messages, Chats. Sometime he will send me a chat request on google while I am at work and he is in college if he sees I am on line.
I have been around for 42 years but I am young at heart. I have belong to a few SGI groups online. While there were some misunderstandings and different points of view that is life.
Not everyone in SGI has had a great experience with thier practice, district or thier leaders -- but then eveything is releative to thier own karma, and the karma of the leadership.
So sometimes people vent. Howeve,r the only site that I know of that totally disrespected the participants were the temple sites that I still visit every now and then. I make sure before I post or put something up it would not offend the majority of members . Then again I might find some members here that my share my veiwpoint ( i.e. the New World Order, Federal Reserve being run by the banking cartel, and paying tax's is illegal -- I pay mine. If that is the case then we can start a GROUP and discuss our interests without boring or offending others. I LIKE THE SITE.,,,
However, there will never be many AREA, REGION, ZONE OR TERRITORY leaders on any given site. They must keep up appearance - at least that has been the feelings I have received each time I have emailed one of them to join groups in the past.
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Permalink Reply by Lisa Stratton on -
I am a fairly new member (January 2007). Being so "green" I certainly can not comment much on those sensitive issues of the past. Furthermore, I have not been much of an internet socialite, so this kind of thing is new to me in general (so y'all forgive any e-faux pas, will ya?).
That being said, all along I have craved forms of online collaboration among members, locally and beyond. I like the formal meetings, and would not wish to trade them for anything...they are certainly valuable tools for keeping us organized and unified and allowing us to make meaningful connections as human beings in a spiritual context. I think that more casual interactions beyond the formal meetings are also important to me, because of the potential for spontaneity, because it enhances that diversity that we thrive on. Any one can start a thought provoking topic like this, and others can ponder it at length and reply while they are waiting for the microwave to ding with dinner or on their way to bed. I like joining discussions with gut level thoughts, speaking from the heart and offering first impression responses to ideas at meetings...but I also like having time to carefully consider something and articulate my thoughts more fully and maybe change my mind a few times as I respond. Both are great...and I may go back and forth on which form of interaction is more appealing at any given moment...it is nice not to be boxed in, but a box can be nice and cozy too.
Regarding what I have seen of "bad vibes" out here in cyberspace, I can certainly see how an open forum could get tricky if we do not empower ourselves with responsibility for our own thoughts and perceptions and reactions. I can certainly have compassion for the organization and its long-time members for having a self-protective urge born of past injuries and insults. I can also have compassion for those who have chosen to form negative perceptions and voice them loudly in a need for some kind of validation. Both groups are suffering, both are worthy of compassion.
If those with positive perceptions of the organization reacted with compassion and kind-heartedness publicly, then those with negative perceptions will lose credibility and perhaps even be inspired to evaluate the inner cause of those perceptions that they have chosen to externalize in the form of public criticism. This is the essence of non-violence, is it not? Take the blows, but deliver none? Be whatever change we wish to see in the world? Those reacting by lashing out in defiance for whatever reasons they have, are creating causes...just as those with a sense of loyalty are creating causes in how they react. Any action, inside or outside the membership, positive or negative about the community, that creates disharmony or disunity in any form will produce exactly that...and that disharmony and lack of genuine compassion really serves no greater good in any form, even if well-meaning. What I have seen of that which is negative usually reads like disharmonizing, alarmist fear-mongering, and that which is more positive is usually presented intelligently, calmly and with reason. I personally think that the calm and reasonable stuff is more useful.
Shin Yatomi made a great point...I found this in the book Buddhism in a New Light, in the article titled "Denouncing Devadatta...but that book says it was published in the World Tribune (but before my time):
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In the story of Devadatta, Shakyamuni teaches us that the antidote to ensure the survival and integrity of Buddhism can be found in our wisdom and courage. Each member of the Buddhist community must develop the wisdom to perceive the truth beneath the surface and the courage to speak up and out against those of malicious intent, just like the Buddha’s disciples did at the time of Devadatta’s betrayal.
Although it should not be mistaken as license for emotional criticism or destructive slander, denouncing someone like Devadatta is our responsibility as Buddhists — an important way to repay our debt of gratitude owed to the precious community of believers.
We can develop the necessary wisdom and courage to carry out “the act of information” against Devadatta’s kindred by first looking inward and challenging our own Devadatta-like inclinations such as arrogance and egotism. Only such honest self-reflection makes the act genuine and effective and prevents it from degenerating into ostracism.
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I digressed a bit there...I think that this group has been just fantastic. Just as I have seen in the face-to-face discussions in meetings, we may not always understand things exactly the same way, using exactly the same words, etc...but the exchange has been one of appreciating and encouraging the contributions and growing together under the various understandings offered. I have been pleasantly surprised by many responses that I have read, on topics that I may never have thought about otherwise. This kind of exchange edifies all of us, whether in a meeting or in an online forum.
This is the change I wish to see in the world, one of respect and truly embracing diversity of thought processes with a unified intent to awaken to our inner goodness and influence others to do the same. We seem to be that change here, and very visible as such. With this spirit, we can only improve our collective image in the minds of those who do not seem to understand or have felt injured. With this kind of example set, the impression that the organization makes can only get better.
Okay...the microwave dinged a long time ago...and I have to go start it back up again now. Warm vibes and healing intentions to all.
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Permalink Reply by James Ryan on -
Be polite and focus on solutions.
Anything else goes!
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Permalink Reply by Bruce Jewett on -
I think of this site as the part of the evening when the formal meeting is over and we're schmoozing and conversing or just thinking to ourselves as we walk to our cars. I like having a little bit of cyberspace dedicated to our Buddhism. I'm a little apprehensive when a flame war starts but we run the risk of disharmony at any of our activities.
Let's chant and take action to keep our Faith Book humanistic and value creating. Dan Defensor speaks well in his comment below. Let's not forget that the whole internet experience is one dimensional -- remember each one of us is a living and breathing Bodhisattva with 3,000 life conditions at any given moment. Before I blow someone away for something I disagree with, I hope I will hesitate and ask myself if I would do that at a district meeting.
I could never be Mr. Never-Disparaging but I always remember where my misfortune comes from; which is, of course, the mouth.
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Permalink Reply by Martin on -
When I started Practicing in 1975 there was little in the way of technology I often wonder how on earth we managed to communicate without mobile phones, e-mails and messageing. Personal computers didn't exist, no google, no webcams etc.
Now 30yrs later I can chat with members across the world, share experiences, photos, guidence, celebrate sensais birthday or anything else. Our district members contribute to planning meetings through e-mails if they cant attend and I can get guidence from my district leader by webcam so I dont have to catch 2 buses and take over an hour to get to him. Times have moved on, the world is a smaller place and its up to us to use our wisdom and use it all responsibly and I absolutely trust the members will do so. Sometimes it is difficult to move forward and take on new challenges. It took me a long time to finally give in and get a PC, but since I did a whole new world has opened up to me. This fantastic site is just the beginning and its great to be able to have an alternative to myspace etc. Buddhism equals daily life and lets face it, daily life is where we do our human revolution and its up to us to utilise any advances in society and culture in our journey of faith and the advance of kosen rufu.
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Permalink Reply by Faith White-Poe on
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I like the idea of webcam.This past winter in Chicago we had to cancel at least 5 leaders meetings because the weather was so bad. We struggle and sometimes we do 5 ways on the phone. I tried the webcam but then my system crash. The future is open to having a member who might be bedridden to join the meeting by webcame or chat room. We can not stop progress.
I think I am going to get my webcam up and running again. thanks for the idea.
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Permalink Reply by Ben Burton on -
Hi all, I would like to add my 'two cents'. When i was first approched about joining the site I had simular thoughts because I saw other sites devolve into "flame wars" and grudges held by members who had whatever type of problems with leadership, past and present. I chose to challenge those feelings and join because technology is going to expand and as "SGI Buddhists" we should embrace it rather than shun it. So I look at my own presence as a "cyber ambasador" for KR on the web. I have also started hearing experiences where people who were looking for something (This Buddhism) made their first contacts with the ORG and/or Members thru the web, so I think overall it is a good thing. I know for certain my kids are very cyber-active and if we expect the youth to participate and grow within the ORG we need to encourage their freedom to use all media available "websites, youtube, etc". I'm still forming my opinions, but my hope is that this site does become a site of great harmonious unity and that we can share our experiences with each other with the understanding that apples, cherries, plums, and dansom blossoms though different all have a unique perspective which we can learn from.
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Permalink Reply by Chris Tinney on -
Well I guess I should throw in my two cents as the guy that started the place. LOL.
All you or anyone else needs to do is chant.
It really is that simple.
Chant for our community to be the best of SGI.
Ok thanks.
I could stop there.
Isn't that always the answer?
For those that need to more on the "how" let me share a bit about the goings on you may not be aware of.
I've already banned one member. We exchanged emails and he came to agree this community was a not a good fit.
He said he wanted to share what "he had learned" and said some it contradicted the teachings of SGI.
I informed him he was more than welcome to believe whatever he wanted however this community is for people that have decided to join with others that believe the same way.
This community is clearly for people that want to support each other in their practice and to introduce new people to our wonderful community.
I have created other communities. Some have as many as 200,000 people. I don't have a problem.
If you join me in chanting for what we want there will never be a problem.
That's fact
:)
Chris
P.S. And any flaming just gets deleted and poster banned.
I dont bother to interact with them.
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Permalink Reply by Grady Broyles on -
Thank you all for such insightful and sincere dialog. This is a very important thing, I think, to keep forefront in our minds as we contribute and express ourselves here. I want especially to thank Chris Tinney for his hard work setting up this most attractive site and for his attention to the members' well beings. I am almost overwhelmed by the response to my post. I feel very flattered that people were moved enough by it to add to it and make it part of the discussion. I am so grateful.
About SGIBuddhism.org
SGIBuddhism.org is a privately owned site run and funded by SGI Member, Chris Tinney.
The views and ideas expressed by members here may or may not be representative of the Soka Gakkai organization. .
SGI members participating here agree to conduct themselves with a respecful and warm attitude towards others in the same way we strive to conduct our discussion meetings and activities within the SGI community.
Your participation is appreciated.
Peace,
Chris Tinney
The views and ideas expressed by members here may or may not be representative of the Soka Gakkai organization. .
SGI members participating here agree to conduct themselves with a respecful and warm attitude towards others in the same way we strive to conduct our discussion meetings and activities within the SGI community.
Your participation is appreciated.
Peace,
Chris Tinney
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