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Buddhist Study

Meetings are OK, but can’t I practice by myself?

March 6, 2025

Community—Joyful discussion at a district meeting, New York, February 2025. Photo by Michelle Riofrio.

This new study series aims to answer questions about the basics of the SGI’s practice of Nichiren Buddhism.

Sometimes, practicing Buddhism alone might seem more appealing than doing so in a group. Yet Shakyamuni Buddha himself, having tried various solitary and austere practices before attaining enlightenment, realized the importance of practicing Buddhism with others.

His disciple Ananda once commented: “It seems to me that by having good friends and advancing together with them, one has already halfway attained the Buddha way. Is this way of thinking correct?” 

Shakyamuni replied: “Ananda, this way of thinking is not correct. Having good friends and advancing together with them is not half the Buddha way but all the Buddha way.”[1]

After attaining enlightenment, Shakyamuni immediately sought out five friends, talking with them about his awakening. They were the first to embrace his teaching, and his Buddhist Order grew as he continued his dialogues with others. 

‘We Develop and Grow Through Contact With Many Other People’

Practicing alongside others helps us grow in ways we couldn’t on our own. Ikeda Sensei said: 

Our organization is one of great human diversity. This acts as a stimulus for our personal growth. In many sports, it’s hard to assess your real ability if you train or practice only by yourself. We develop and grow through contact with many other people.[2]

Practicing Buddhism in our Soka community strengthens our “real ability” to successfully navigate life’s challenges and bring out our greatest potential. 

Correct Nichiren Buddhist practice includes the three basic elements of faith, practice and study. Nichiren Daishonin instructs us: 

Exert yourself in the two ways of practice and study. Without practice and study, there can be no Buddhism. You must not only persevere yourself; you must also teach others. Both practice and study arise from faith. Teach others to the best of your ability, even if it is only a single sentence or phrase.[3]

Practice entails both practice for self and for others. Practice for oneself includes personal efforts to consistently do gongyo, chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and study Buddhism. 

Practice for others includes participating in SGI activities and sharing Buddhism with those around us—“even if it is only a single sentence or phrase.” 

Interacting with and supporting others stimulates our Buddha nature. In return, we receive support, especially during difficult times when it’s not easy to persevere alone. With the support we give and receive in our Soka community, we develop compassion, courage and conviction for leading enriching, fulfilling and victorious lives. 

Discussion Meetings Are the Heart of Soka 

SGI meetings take place regularly and can seem mundane. But there’s profound significance and beauty in these gatherings, especially our monthly discussion meetings, which welcome all people and focus on heart-to-heart exchanges. Sensei said that all our meetings and activities to share Buddhism and foster friendship and understanding are like tributaries that merge into the great river of our discussion meetings.[4]

In our world, filled with stress, conflict and competition, discussion meetings are the “home” to which everyone can return, where they can relax, recharge and be themselves. Sensei said:

[Our discussion meetings] brim with irrepressible hope that can inspire even those overwhelmed by painful karma to get back on their feet again. They are joyful, inspiring and often deeply moving. Soka Gakkai discussion meetings are oases where ordinary people gather; they reverberate with a spirit of fresh resolve and gratitude, where suffering is transformed into courage, and exhaustion into a satisfying sense of fulfillment.[5]

So, while solitary practice may seem appealing, our joy and abilities can grow manifold when we engage in Buddhist practice with others. 

—Prepared by the SGI-USA Study Department

March 7, 2025 World Tribune, p. 9

References

  1. The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 3, revised edition, p. 106. ↩︎
  2. Discussions on Youth, p. 243. ↩︎
  3. “The True Aspect of All Phenomena,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 386. ↩︎
  4. See The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 3, revised edition, p. 126. ↩︎
  5. Ibid., pp. 127–28. ↩︎

Ikeda Wisdom Academy Begins 7th Class

Let’s Engage in Dialogue, Brimming With Courage and Conviction