WE HIT 20,000!!!

CONGRATULATION TO ALL YWDs!!

we have hit our 20,000!! (of cuz much earlier.. this is a backdated update..) hahaha..

went down to syc with one of my ywd friend to help out piecing the jigsaw.. we have to piece 2 puzzles actually.. 1 to be sent to sensei, the other to be placed in SYC..



alamak.. all the pieces look the same neh.. :S



see the already completed portion? *sense of satisfaction*

hide-and-seek neh.. *wisdom wisdom*

is this the one??? nevermind lets try one by one.. =)

the progress after 4 hrs of struggling.. Gambatte!!

reachin 14,000!!!

Dearest all YWD Leaders,

Updates!!! We are nearing the 14,000 mark, hopefully we will break the 15,000 mark by tonight.

We are @ 13994 today from 13676 yesterday, a jump of 318 dialogues... As the 3.16 events preparations gets geared up , Let's grab the time NOW to involve as many of our YWD Mbrs/Bels in the dialogue campaign so all will understand the significance of 3.16 & strengthen our bond with Sensei ..

NOW we have 6006 & 3 more days to go... Can we SG YWDs win this battle!! Let us be the one to determine the results.. let's create an unprecedenct VICTORY!!!

Lastly, recent words from Ikeda Sensei published in the Seikyo Shimbun.

March 10th - 16th, 2008
-- WORDS OF THE WEEK --
Let's hold a vibrant and uplifting discussion meeting,brimming with the spirit of March 16 (Kosen-rufu Day)*.Let's share our thoughts and experiences with each otherenthusiastically and without hesitation during the meeting.This is the meeting where kosen-rufu really exists and advancesand where capable people begin to learn how to develop their capabilities.

Michelle: ** In our dailogue campaign, the 1-1 dialogue sessions are also considered as a mini discussion meeting... :) **

*On March 16,1958, more than 6,000 youth attended a ceremony at the head temple where President Josei Toda passed the responsibility for the spreadof the Daishonin's Buddhism to all the youth division members.
(The Human Revolution, Vol. 12, "Successors" chapter)

** Shin'ichi also shared some memories of his times with Josei Toda: "March 16, 1958, was the day our mentor, President Toda, revealed for us the outline of kosen-rufu, letting us participate in a dress rehearsal for that time so that we would know in what direction to strive. A top government leader had promised to attend that day but in the end couldn't make it.President Toda declared that all of a nation's citizens, including its prime minister, are equal in front of the Gohonzon. He showed us a vision of kosen-rufu in which the light of the Mystic Law would shine equally on all people."

After the ceremony and just before returning to his lodging, President Toda called out to us, 'Let us fight!' I think these words are profoundly meaningful. I feel certain he was referring to the whole spectrum of struggles we must grapple with: to help those suffering become happy, to challenge erroneous teachings, to fight against abuses and injustices committed by those in positions of power and our individual struggle against our own weaknesses.

"In any case, when I heard him call out, 'Let us fight!'--his eyes sharp and radiant, his voice strong and vibrant despite his terrible gauntness--I was electrified. At that time, I resolved anew to fight intrepidly forkosen-rufu. His cry came from the depths of his being; it was an appeal from his very life.

"Engraving our mentor's words deeply in our hearts, let's fight resolutely and unceasingly until the day we have finally achieved kosen-rufu." (The New Human Revolution, Vol. 4, "Spring Storm" chapter)

Editors' note: it is already the crucial moment i have decided. why? because every moment i determined it to the moment igive my best, the moment i fight to my utmost for my members, the moment where my members are suffering and need me. "Engraving our mentor's words deeply in our hearts" means to bear in mind and put into action every word our mentor said and not to say repeat it over and over again like a fairytale. Lets Fight! my comrades, lets emerge from the earth!!

We have broken the 13,000 mark!!

Dearest all YWD Leaders,

Congratulations!!! We have broken the 13,000 mark, hopefully we will break the 15,000 mark by tonight.

We are @ 13676 today from 12962 two days days ago, a jump of 714 dialogues... As the 3.16 events preparations gets geared up , Let's grab the time NOW to involve as many of our YWD Mbrs/Bels in the dialogue campaign so all will understand the significance of 3.16 & strengthen our bond with Sensei ..

NOW we have 6319 & 4 more days to go... All in One mind, SG YWDs!! let's create an unprecedenct VICTORY!!!

Lastly, sharing as promised, YWD's struggles for the dailogue campaign..

"We've conducted a small group dialogue with Paya Lebar West YWD. 8 YWDs (incl myself) attended and had a joyous discussion on our involvement in 3.16 and what we learn thus far from these preparations. Even YWD who are very quiet prior to this shares resolutely on her understanding on 3.16. A very very quiet and timid YWD even brokethrough her own fears, learn to identify dialogue opportunity and summoned the courage to speak to her colleague and sister.

We're mutually encouraged, and are more determined to win in this campaign by continuing and expanding our dialogue efforts.

paya lebar west chapter YWD Leader

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

6 more dialogues for me so far~1 dialogue from a believer. She invited her friend to the Chapter YWD mtg.if including the chapter YWD mtg over weekend, that'll be another 8 more.
i've been like erh.. encouraging my gals to share with their friends, while i'm totally weak at knees when it regards to that. So feel abit bad. This morning, refreshed and chanted that i must talk to at least 1 new friend everyday. Was running late for work, but somehow managed to go thru a not-the-usual-route to work today. with coincidence, found myself sitting beside a chinese student (from my workplace). Was comtemplating to hide in my own world of earphones or talk to her. But well, managed to hear her share about her plans to go to states and her uncertainty etc. didn't specifically told her i'm from soka or what. but did encourage her to think about her goals, dreams and to be determined to win before going for battle. (Yesterday, Future division mtg's theme was determination) So, very happy about that. lOL.Sorry, type so many. Thanks~Cheers,

Goldhill chpt YWD Leader

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
See attached latest updates of our spring dialogues so far.. over last week we had very wonderful reach out! Lets jia you!! A ywd ldr from toh guan upon knowing about our this campaign did 20 dialogues since the last discussion meeting.. truly encouraging!!
I made a BIG mistake.. not 200 per zone.. its 200 per chap!! The last fri youth leaders daimoku meeting was very encouraging and the daimoku chanted was POWER fighting daimoku!! Lets reach out to all leaders not to miss the last one on 7 March Fri @ TBSC.. how wonderful to have these events to rally and inspire the entire youth division! Pls reach out to all leaders to share about our 20k ywd dialogues campaign and 3.16 significant and events.. and encouragement to reach out and rope in their members and believers too.. lets not miss any out of this wonderful opportunities to work together with sensei on this significant 50th anniversary of 3.16!
Keep the updates coming.. tks!!

Jurong zone chief
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wow the bintan ywds dialogue efforts really encouraging!! Now then I notice it includes them!

Jurong zone chief

--

how can you miss out in this important campaign right now??? Lets strive as well as win in this important campaign together with all our comrades to give this wonderful present to our mentor, shall we?

JIA YOU JIA YOU~~ ^^

We have hit the 12,000 mark!!!

Just to clarify an error in the last update on Junior Choir YWDs (A&C groups) achieving 151 dialogues in a week. It should be Dailogues achieved since January.

Congratulations & Well done!!! We have broken the 12,000 mark, hopefully we will break the 13,000 mark by tonight.

We are @ 12962 today from 10272 four days days ago, a jump of 2690 dialogues... As the 3.16 events preparations gets geared up , Let's grab the time NOW to involve as many of our YWD Mbrs/Bels in the dialogue campaign so all will understand the significance of 3.16 & strengthen our bond with Sensei ..

NOW we have 7038 & 6 more days to go... (Estimated 10 dialogue per chapter per day) All in One mind, I am very confident that SG YWDs will WIN!!

Lastly, recent Sensei's guidances shared at last Friday Prayer Meeting.

"The young women's division members in particular are extremely dedicated.
In spite of their youth, they are summoning forth great courage and making earnest efforts to share the Daishonin's Buddhism with others and promote the Seikyo Shimbun (In our case, CL & SSA Times).

No doubt they occasionally have to deal with thoughtless or unkind remarks from acquaintances, and to face misunderstandings and prejudices because of their Buddhist faith and practice. The young women's division is very important. I want all of its members to lead wise and confident lives.

Don't live this period of youth in an aimless, empty fashion that you are certain to regret later. Please reassure your parents by staying on this great path of true happiness. Courage is the driving force for victory. A truly happy person is one who remains undefeated, no matter what happens.

Ultimately, unless we win over ourselves, over our own weaknesses, we won't be able to open the way to true happiness. Kosen-rufu also moves forward through winning. Winning makes our Buddhahood shine forth from within.

Attaining Buddhahood is just another way of describing true victory. Let's all win! To win, it is crucial to chant daimoku and forge inner strength. Soviet cosmonaut Yury Gagarin (1934-68), who was the first person to fly into space, declared: "Success favors the bold." Success does not favor the timid-it flees from them! . Be bold and courageous. Faith is the highest form of courage. Courage is the heart of Buddhism."

--- Editors' note ---

for my dearest HGS comrades and friends,

if you are reading this blog, i hope you can provide me with ur support.. (not morally thou) but pls spread this message with your mbrs and ldrs and let them also know about this blog and contribute to it. Let this be another(not the only) medium wher we can use technology to do kosen-rufu. And if you have any ideas or things where you feel will make this blog more attractive and interactive, more content etc, pls let me know. in future, i would like to let this become a bulletin board where constant updates for campaigns can be posted here.

Cheers!

Lets create a joyous Era of Dialogue!!

something that i chanced upon dialogues and lets really learn from our comrades in USA.

Sensei says:
"In his writings, Nichiren Daishonin states, 'I praise myself, for I cannot hold back the upsurge of joy in my life' (Gosho Zenshu, p. 334). The essence of Buddhism lies in the joy of faith. In other words, being able to truly enjoy ourselves reflects the essence of Buddhism. Fully enjoying your devotion to the Mystic Law, brimming with confidence, please always be cheerful in spreading the seeds of happiness across your country and constructing a truly peaceful paradise in this land of freedom and justice, this land of America."

In excerpts from his speech at the 2nd CEC SGI-USA, General Director Danny Nagashima says: "After everything that has happened since Sept. 11, our fellow citizens are suffering. They are looking for the answers to life, the solutions to problems big and small. And we have the solution. We must realize the urgency to propagate the Law for the sake of all humankind. Why do people get up each day, work and raise families? They are looking for happy, fulfilling lives. But in the Latter Day of the Law, their owninner negativity keeps them from finding it. They are seeking the Gohonzon, no doubt about it. This is our conviction, this is our mission -- and this is our joy."

From her speech at the 2nd CEC SGI-USA, Women's Leader Matilda Buck shares: "Genuine dialogue is founded on listening -- not trying to convince someone by a barrage of words. Doctors are finding that listening has a healing power. As we truly listen with openness and respect for another, we cleanse and heal our own lives of pettiness and egotism. As we listen to another, we help to heal the pain of separation that many of us carry. As we listen, we empower others, empower them toward hope and revitalization."

In an excerpt from part of her speech at the 2nd CEC, SGI-USA Young Women's Leader Wendy DeSouza comments: "This weekend, the young women's leaders resolved to devote ourselves to sharing and promoting the World Tribune in 2002. Toward this task, I have self-appointed myself as SGI-USA Women's Leader Matilda Buck's apprentice. I would like to ask all the young women to unite in accomplishing an unprecedented victory in inspiring thousands more of our members to subscribe to the World Tribune. We can only do this by tapping into the treasure trove of wisdom found in the women's division members."

From his speech at the 2nd CEC focusing on joyful propagation, SGI-USA Young Men's Leader Steve Mortan expresses: "It is my determination and prayer that the SGI-USA youth will experience personal joy and confidently share this Buddhism. When President Ikeda was in his 20's, he completely dedicated himself to propagation, determined to help those who were suffering the most. Through this intense training in spreading the Law, he was able to develop his life. Inspired by President Ikeda's life, let's create our own stories of an American shakubuku spirit which we can share with our future generations. With our personal victory, let's us bring President and Mrs. Ikeda back home to America."


~ON DIALOGUES~
In his article about the newly established $20 million Wosk Center for Dialogue at Simon Fraser University in downtown Vancouver and the importance of dialogue, Toda Institute for Global Peace and Policy Research Director Majid Tehranian writes: "What is the magic of dialogue? … Dialogue begins with the assumption that 'truth' or 'meaning' is not the monopoly of any single person or group. Truth (with a small 't') must betherefore negotiated among contending parties. To do so, it is necessary for the parties to any dispute to enter an open-minded conversation on their conflicting perceptions of the situation at issue. Dialogue is thus a contemplative process in which parties to a dispute listen more than talk."

we have hit 10 000 dialogues!!!

To my dearest YWDs:

Congratulations!!! We have broken the 10,000 mark.

We are @ 10274 today from 8971 two days ago, a jump of 1303 dialogues... As the 3.16 events preparations gets geared up , Let's grab the time NOW to involve as many of our YWD Mbrs/Bels in the dialogue campaign so all will understand the significance of 3.16 & strengthen our bond with Sensei ..

NOW we have 9726 & 10 more days to go... (Estimated 10 dialogue per chapter per day) All in One mind, I am very confident that SG YWDs will WIN!!

We should really learn from the Junior Choir YWDs (A&C groups) because they responded in great cheers when we started rallying the Arts & Culture (A&C) group members (whom may not be active in the yonsha) to be part of our Spring campaign..

Guess what!! Though young & majority of them being members, they achieve 151 dialogues in a week. Do give them a pat and asked them how they did it if you have a chance to see them around... :) Btw, Young girls aged 10 & above are also considered a member of the Young Women Division...

Let's all double up our efforts and see if Singapore YWDs can achieve 15,000 by end of this week.

--- Just a gentle reminder ---
7 Mar 2008 (Fri), 7.30pm @ TBMH / TSC - All Youth prayer meeting (Two venues & its for all youth)
(For those of you whom are still holding on to 3.16 Interfaith event tickets & do not require them anymore, kindly return them to us this friday at the daimokukai)

Lastly, words from YWD Chief

"Hi all, thanks for your efforts we've hit 10K dialogues. Next 10K will be harder to achieve so let's stay focus & determined to WIN.
Through dialogue campaign, let's share on 3.16 spirit & greatness of Ikeda Sensei with as many young women as possible.
Victory starts from us with strong prayers & quick actions.

Jia you! ~ Lay Huay"

YWD jigsaw pictures

Our chapter chief say no pics.. very boring hor.. so i managed to grab some pics..
here they are:

YWD 20,000 Dialogue Camapign jigsaw puzzle!!!

Wher's the piece for this part?? Wah all look the same leh.. @_@

ah.. almost almost!!

Ikeda Sensei!!!!

muahahhaha.. that's all.. the pieces are definitely not easy to piece cuz the color are all almost the same.. haha.. nevertheless, as long as we are able to complete the dialogues, we are also definitely able to piece it up and send it to sensei right?

Cheers!

YWD dialogue campaign updates!

Hi my dearest sisters of HGS!

here's some updates on our recent dialogue campaign:


We are @ 8971 today from 5746 four days ago, a jump of 3225 dialogues... momentum is really picking up now and do involve our YWD Mbrs/Bels in this campaign too..

Though we have 11029 & 12 days more to go... Let's all double up our efforts and see if Singapore YWDs can achieve 15,000 by end of this week.


though we may feel pressurize by this campaign but lets take this as a chance to forge closer bond with our ywds members and believers. As long as you take the step to let them know about the significant of 3.16 as well this dislogue campaign, you have already advanced one step. AND remember to spread the forces by letting your YWDs be involved orh!!


lastly, to quote a guidance from Sensei's guidances found in "faith into Action"

"The efforts made by one individual can be immensely important. Nichiren Daishonin repeatedly states that Victory depends not on numbers but on a group or individual's attitude and resolve.

Resolve to be the sun. This is the first thing you must do. As long as you are the sun, no matter what problems you may be facing now, the dawn will always break, fine weather will always return, and spring will never fail to arrive.

The resolve to accomplish your goals is what counts. Everything depends on what is in our hearts. Heartfelt prayers will definitely be answered. If we decide that something is impossible, then consistent with our minds thinking so, even possible things will become impossible. On the other hand, if we have the confidence that we can definitely do something, we are one step closer to achieving it.

The important thing is to take that first step. Bravely overcoming one small fear gives you the courage to take on the next.

Through our efforts at dialogue, through our acions, we are fundamentally changing a society that lacks compassion and is awash with false friendship. We are transforming the destiny of our society, which tends to be discriminatory and lacking in compassion. We are sending the sunlight of spring to a society locked in frigid winter. We are thawing people's hearts with a warm current of humanity.

March 16, Kosen Rufu Day. The spirit of this day lives not in magnificent ceremonies or high-sounding words. It lives in victory. Victory is the most crucial thing in all endeavors. In life and in Kosen-rufu, we either win or lose. I would like you to be absolute victors in Both. No matter what excuses we try to make, giving in to defeat brings misery and loses us the respect of others. I hope each of you without exception will adorn your life with indestructible triumph."