Untold History of SSA
The purpose of this page is to keep for posterity the untold history of SSA in associating with the actions of certain central leaders.
Disclaimers:
1. All contents and information should not be misused or misquoted against Soka Gakkai International (SGI) and its affiliates in any forms.
2. All contents and information exist for the sole purpose of education.
SSA Saga
Digressions Readers' Contribution Member's Injustice
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Special Report on Injustice faced by Jay Hou (Part 2)
After bearing the devastating blow caused by the staff of SSA Hq, Jay Hou was at one point on the verge of calling it quits. This was especially so when he was alone in a distant land, trying to resolve issue with the local organization. Instead of offering solution to help him to secure an entry ticket to participate in the gongyo meeting held in the Hall of the Great Vow for Kosen-rufu, the staff first bombarded him with hell lot of questions and later persuaded him to give up. However much the SSA staff and top WD leader may have use ways and means to dissuade him from participating the gongyo meeting, Jay Hou is in no way a weakling to be trampled with. Although his life was never smooth sailing, he has fought several battles and attained victories. I bet that forms the basis for him not to give up easily.
As he settled down to recap the purpose of the trip, his innate wisdom was once again revived. Inner hope was rekindled. He vividly recalled that the intent of visiting the Hall of the Great Vow for Kosen-rufu was to align his life, again, with the mentor to face his personal life challenges head on. Even though his personal problem may not instantly vanish after visiting the newly open hall, he realized that what he need is the inner strength to help him to prevail over his life challenges. Eventually, he decided to give his best shot to surmount this initial obstacle. On 1st Dec 2013, he left his warm lodging at 7am and treaded down the cold winter street of Shinanomachi. When he reached Josei Toda International Centre once again, the same staff that received him previously attended to him. The staff was astounded by the fact that Jay Hou did not manage to get the e-copy from SSA Hq. He immediately telephoned the South Asia Chief, Mr. Ushioda. After a few failed attempts to reach Mr. Ushioda by phone, the staff kindly advised Jay Hou that he might have to pray for the next slot, which will be at 2.30pm. Seeing so many of the overseas SGI members that had received their entry ticket and proceeded to the newly open Hq, the only encouragement the staff could offer was to give Jay Hou’s a gentle pat. The familiar scene can be recalled back to our old school days when our parent was late in picking us up from school. The gently pat is just like a kind parent of a classmate whom offered us a candy so as to reassure us that our parent will be reaching soon. I am certain that Jay Hou is deeply moved by this simple gesture of the Japanese staff. Finally, at 10.35am, Jay Hou’s application was finally approved. The Japanese admin staffs applauded to congratulate Jay Hou as he left Josei Toda International Centre for the newly open Hq. On the cold winter street in Shinanomachi, the sun has risen. He no longer felt cold. All he could feel in his heart was warmth and the hope for humanity. This could have never happened without the unrelenting efforts effectuated by the Soka Gakkai Japanese staff to always place the welfare of the members, first in the priority. When he reached the Hall of Great Vow for Kosen-rufu, he found himself to be the 41st overseas SGI members participating in the Gongyo meeting. The rest of the 40 SGI members ahead of him had no issue receiving the entry ticket except for Jay Hou. At this juncture, several questions could have surfaced from the reader’s minds: • Didn’t the Soka Gakkai Japanese staff, emulating after our mentor’s great compassion, exhibit this spirit? • In great contrast to the aforementioned, what kind of spirit is Ngeok Joon inculcating to our juniors? • How could hope be still felt in a so-called humanistic organization that has long forsaken the welfare of its members? After all, a question has been lingering on my mind and that is how did the rest of the overseas members able to get the letter of new format without hindrance? Is the procedure as complex as what our dear staff, Ngeok Joon, blustered? Without much effort, our editorial team has chanced upon a Taiwan Soka Association publication on the visiting procedure of SGI Hq in Shinanomachi. We have gotten it translated below. ================================================================================================== SGI Headquarters "Hall of Great Vow for Kosenrufu" - Visiting Procedure Published by Taiwan Soka Association on their organ paper With effect from December 1, 2013, SGI headquarters’ "Hall of the Great Vow for Kosen-rufu" will be opened for overseas SGI members to visit. The details are as follows: 1) Interested visitors (Restricted to members. No infants and young children are allowed) are to bring along SGI Taiwan’s introductory letter and report to SGI International Division (Josei Toda International Centre 2nd level) to obtain an entry ticket. (Each introductory letter can obtain one entry ticket.) 2) Visiting hour: 2 sessions daily at 11a.m. and 2p.m. respectively. (Hall will be closed on Mondays. Should Monday fall on a Japan public holiday, it will be closed on Tuesday instead) (1) Year end closure dates : Dec 24 - Jan 6 (2) Designated closure dates : 2, 9, 16 Dec 2014 14, 20, 27 Jan 2014 3, 10, 17, 24 Feb 2014 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 Mar 2014 3) No. of visitors: 50 overseas SGI members will be able to attend each session. Tickets will be issued on a first come first serve basis. ================================================================================================== Procedures are set to ensure the smooth flow of operation during the visit to the Hall of Great Vow of Kosen-rufu. It is not used to restrict the participants in any way whatsoever, as demonstrated by our Hq staff cum top WD leaders, Ngeok Joon. Procedures are not rules that are used to govern or dictate its followers. This is especially so when we practise it in a Buddhist organization that advocates compassion and wisdom. Depriving a member’s right is evil and greatly unacceptable in a humanistic organization such as SSA! |