This is the first SGI Internet community that I've joined since "ichinet" from years back.

I was first introduced to Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism by a coworker back in 1990.

He was the first openly Gay guy that I had ever met in the work place, and because I had some "coming out" issues of my own, I became interested in getting to know him.

I had never met a "Gay Redneck Buddhist," or a Buddhist from Oklahoma before.

I use to pick on him endlessly about chanting for things, and I remember that I use to giggle whenever I heard the words Nam Myoho Renge Kyo.

I didn't actually attend my first District Meeting until October of 1991.

Because Nikken had recently excommunicated us for the first time, I wasn't able to receive Gohonzon.

So I adopted everyone else's.

I changed a mountain of karma during the three years that I practiced without one, including buying my first home, some relationship issues, and lots of karma about money.

I enshrined my Gohonzon on Nichiren's Birthday February 16, 1994.

In the fall of that year I lost my sponsor, and original mentor to my practice to AIDS complications, but his heart and spirit still live within me.

Over the years I volunteered as an editor, and contributor to World Tribune, and the Seikyo Times/Living Buddhism for the Texas | Oklahoma Joint Territory for awhile.

I became a “Senior Leader” of sorts, which meant that I was in attendance at several “Senior Leader” meetings, which gave me a chance to contribute to the inner workings of SGI-USA-Texas.

I watched a lot of members leave over “The Temple Issue,” and I’ve fought with many of my “leaders” about a lot of things.

The bottom line for me is that the new members and the membership in general really wants to find benefit in their day to day practice. I’ve always remembered the concept and idea of “Practice for oneself, and practice for others.”

The only aspect of SGI-USA that I’ve been directly involved in over the past few years is the GLBT Group within SGI-Dallas. What a dynamic and exciting group to be involved with!

About three years ago I experienced a heart breaking loss in my life, and this was about the time that I sold me “Fortune House,” my first home. Which I might add, for 3x what I had paid for it. Nam Myoho Renge Kyo!

I purchased a 23 acre farm in Central Texas, where I’ve set about starting an Organic Vegetable growing business.

I’m far removed from my fellow SGI Buddhist practitioners, and when my friend Moana invited me to join this site, I was more than happy to do so!

I hope to make some new friends here, and rekindle some friendships from long past.

I’ll try to jump into some of the forums here, and participate as much as possible, as time permits.

In the early beginnings of my practice, my sponsor encouraged me to pick a “Gosho” quote, and not knowing the title of the Gosho I chose the following which has served me well over the past 17 years:

“Suffer what there is to suffer, enjoy what there is to enjoy. Regard both suffering and joy as facts of life and continue chanting Nam Myoho-Renge Kyo, no matter what happens. Then you will experience boundless joy from the Law.”

From the Happiness in this World Gosho.

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo!