I'm going to make a fresh start.

[PipenSnus]

I've had a psychiatric diagnosis, and been on the "crazy drugs". I don't recommend them unless nothing else works. They can make you worse instead of better, and many have some pretty nasty side effects. Not to mention that trial & error is the normal prescription strategy -- do you really want to be treated like a lab rat?

Time, and lots of inner work in self-development healed my problems. The shrinks were worse than useless. Your mileage may vary.

[tom502]

I got into SGI right after the split with NST(Nichiren Shoshu). The constant fued of these 2, and the over adulation of Sensei just turned me off. Though I did enjoy the activities, it was fun, I liked the philosophy and practice. You probably know, or knew, many of the same people I did.

[PipenSnus]

You probably know, or knew, many of the same people I did.

I was never involved with the SGI group here. I practiced when I was living in other cities -- Nashville, San Diego, and Baltimore, to be precise.

[tom502]

OK. Many of the people were 20 year or more members when I saw them. If I compare todays SGI, with NST, I like the NST more. But there is no local NST, so all I know is what I have read, from their mag, and online.

Did you go to Japan? See the Shohondo? I'm not remembering the term for that pilgrimage.

[Roo]

Hey Tom did you check out the Vimalakirti Sutra yet? I really do think you would like it.

[tom502]

No, I haven't. I do have an interest, just been busy with other things. I will check it out as soon as I can. Thanks.

[PipenSnus]

Did you go to Japan? See the Shohondo? I'm not remembering the term for that pilgrimage.

No, I never went on tozan (pilgrimage). But when I lived in Baltimore, I got to visit Myosenji Temple in Silver Spring, MD a few times. I really liked the priest who officiated there at that time. He was very down-to-earth.

[tom502]

I would love to go to Japan. A close buddy of mine moved to Japan, but he got drunk one night and fell in a lake and died. I suspect Yakuka(jk, maybe?).

The Shohondo was very unique, they tore it down, but their new Head Temple is amazing nice too. Of course when I was in SGI, Temple related stuff was verbotten.

[PipenSnus]

The Shohondo was an architectural wonder, incredibly beautiful, but I understand the structural engineering wasn't up to par. Nor was it a traditional design, which probably irked the priesthood. I can understand why they wanted a new temple after the 1991 schism. Of course the issues behind the schism were brewing as far back as the latter half of the 1970's, when I joined.

[dxh]

Indeed.
The nail that sticks out gets hammered.