Q&A With YWD Central Territory Leader Ryoko Potts

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  Being a District Leader means obtaining knowledge and wisdom to share with others around you. We are in this world on a mission to spread kosen-rufu in all that we do! Although I like to be behind the scenes, I know that sometimes I have to be front and center. I also have to throw on some clothes, get to the SGI Center, and spend some time with my extended family.

  Saturday was one of those moments, and I just want to share my scribbled notes. YWD leaders from different districts huddled in for a Q&A with Ryoko Potts, the YWD Central Territory Leader from Colorado. She was in town, and was kind enough to spend some time sharing her experiences and wisdom with us. This was my first time meeting her, and I decided not to waste a Saturday when such an opportunity was staring me in the face. Once I got texts from fellow SGI sisters inviting me to the same event, I knew this was something special.

  It was an intimate setting, but the session was full of great knowledge and reassurance of what we as young women need to do. It was a refresher on faith, action, and working around our own fundamental darknesses. It was a moment of identifying, vowing for kosen-rufu, and remembering what Sensei Ikeda and Nichiren Daishonin have said and written for us to place into our own lives.

The Session

  Ryoko started off by telling us about her own experiences. She had a hard climb after she lost her job out of the blue. Her company decided it was time to let her go, without telling her until she got back from a vacation. Devastated, she sought out the wisdom of those around her, specifically Danny Nagashima, who is the President of the SGI-USA Corporation, and General director. His advice to Mrs. Potts--"Exertion for kosen-rufu is important for the pursuit of happiness."

  So, eventually Ryoko end up doing what we call a "shakubuku", which is introducing and explaining the practice to those around us. It's a peaceful, enjoyable exchange of compassion to point out erroneous views, and bringing folks closer to enlightenment. When Mrs. Potts shakubukued a friend of hers, that friend ended up absorbing Nichiren Buddhism with great force, bringing her husband into the practice as well.

  This was a great step in the vow for kosen-rufu, which is something we as Nichiren Buddhists strive to perpetuate in our daily activities and when we chant. Her friend eventually said to her, "why didn't you tell me about this before? I'd been looking for Buddhism for years!"

  Ryoko then began to focus on her dreams, vowing to get a dream job by the weekend. Once she made this vow, she realized she had about two days left. Like anyone, she had to combat fundamental darkness along the way. With all her faith, she chanted. During an online search, she found the job of her dreams and applied on the spot. On the same day, she was invited for an interview. She had great news to share with the YWD at her Victory Meeting in Ohio.

  Although she had the job of her dreams, she met with a digital roadblock that interrupted her work. Instead of feeding into the fundamental darkness that would distract her from getting things done, she decided to focus on Mr. Nagashima's previous advice--"kosen-rufu for happiness and faith."

Q & A

  After sharing her story, Ryoko went right into the Q & A portion of the discussion. This was our time as YWD to ask her things, but also to chime in with commentary and positive reinforcement to those in the group. It was a very intimate session, causing time to fly by rather quickly.

Marsha's Question-- How to get back on track with chanting when "nothing is happening".
  • Marsha and her mom are both having trouble finding jobs at the moment.
  • Marsha is also going through deadline issues with tuition, and getting financial aid.
  • She and her mother both began to feel disheartened about chanting, feeling like nothing was coming from it. As a result, motivation has taken a dive.
Ryoko's Answer-- The battle for balance is constant. We fight fundamental darkness to overcome it, not to get rid of it. It is a part of life, and our duty is to keep up the fight despite the odds, and continue to chant no matter what. As human beings, we end up being our own obstacles, allowing that darkness to deter us from our goals. We make vows, but are often prone to our weaknesses that end up creating excuses as to why we can't do one thing or the other. "Chant like hell!", says Ryoko with a warm smile and a laugh from the rest of the women.

  Faith must be unconditional--hooked to the mission of kosen-rufu. Continue to make the vow for kosen-rufu, as well as for the things we want in life. Through these things, we're already vowing for world peace/kosen-rufu through our actions. The number one thing is to vow, but also to take action on that vow. Ryoko suggested this--we have to live in the moment (not the past) with new determination for kosen-rufu.

[At this point, Aminah points out that the SGI Center is looking for an accountant, which is what Marsha's mother is studying/pursuing as her dream job. Yoko, our emcee for the event gathered details, and here's hoping it all works out!]

Aminah's Question--Concern about her mother, who tends to shakubuku youth in a semi-unsolicited way.
Ryoko's Answer--Remember the three guidelines:
  1. Cherish friendships.
  2. As if the person is interested in learning about Nichiren Buddhism.
  3. (do not rush this part) discuss reception of the Gohonzon at a later time.
  It's important to have dialogue with people when talking about this Buddhism. Ryoko says that in this moment, suffering will reveal itself. Our mission is to offer comfort to these individuals. Before we share Nichiren's Buddhism, we also have to ask ourselves about the passion and seriousness for the practice, and our willingness to share. It's better to share when we are struggling (as Ryoko did with her friend) instead of waiting for a victory to share.
  • Invite that person to chant, invite them too a meeting.
  • Take their journey (and yours) day by day.
  • Always make sure enjoy how you shakubuku, how you plant the seed within that person/persons.
Erica's (First) Question--How to chant for an opportunity to shakubuku. (Tied in to the previous question.)
Ryoko's Answer-- Indeed, we must chant for the opportunity to shakubuku. When it presents itself, recognize it. Dialogue becomes a part of what the person may need to hear.

  At this point in the discussion, Aminah shared a hilarious story about how she deterred a young man via a shakubuku, but ended up getting him into the practice. Yoko shared a similar story.
  • Aminah gave him the address of the SGI Center here in Chicago, with the phone number. He asked for the wrong person, but ended up coming to the center.
  • Eventually, he joined and received a Gohonzon.
  • Yoko deterred advances from a younger gentleman, but got him to join as well. Although he sometimes still tries to date her, she simply reminds him of events and meetings. 
  Ryoko pointed out that it is important to be who you are, showing the power of experience through natural dialogue in such a way that you're showing the passion for the practice.

Erica's (Second) Question-- Is it possible to chant to find love, having standards, and still being able to maintain that balance? (Erica is currently in a semi-relationship she is hoping will work out, but is long distance.)
Ryoko's Answer--Boundaries are indeed important. Chanting is the way to bring about change. It's also the way to combat fundamental darkness about worth and relationships. It is important to find worth in relationships, not getting lost in one. It's also important not to give up when you aren't in a relationship. A woman must value herself and exert herself in great faith. Stay strong, despite the obvious difficulty. The most important thing is to find someone who loves you for who you are.

  Chant for the challenges of romance. Chant for the things that scare you. Chant for the things you tend to run from. In this case, Ryoko reveals that a weakness of shyness is her challenge. She is working on opening up. She feels that determination must be shared. "Do not hold back, especially with groups like the YWD!" When we have those feelings of desired isolation, they are the best times to share with others. Continue to chant for Human Revolution, never forget to do so. When we do not, we're being arrogant! Remember to share guidance, as it is a part of our challenge. It displays the power of practice. This is very important.

Reflecting

  This was my first time in a Q &A session as a YWD District leader, sharing thoughts and feelings with my fellow SGI sisters. We all grunted and went "hmmm", nodding our heads as we absorbed wisdom from Mrs. Potts and ourselves. It was a special moment that gave me insight to a lot of things I need to work on--specifically faith, combating fundamental darkness, and taking action to back up vows.

  I was so glad to be  part of the session. Although I didn't have a question, I was able to identify with the shakubuku-ing of people in my community. I've done it indirectly at least once, and then semi-directly with my father. It felt great to talk about my excitement and passion for the practice. I've got a lifetime of events such as these, and am continuing to grow daily by wisdom and my own Human Revolution. Yaaay!

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