Spiritual Journey: H.E.L.P. — Hello Eternal Loving Presence - Ms. Lonnie Fain

By Ms. Lonnie Fain

Rissho Kosei-kai of Tampa Bay, USA

This Spiritual Journey by Ms. Lonni Fain was contributed to Rissho Kosei-kai International for publishing in the Living the Lotus.

Ms. Fain (second from right) participates in hoza at the Tampa Bay Dharma Center.

I was brought up in a small town in North Carolina. My family expected the youth to be educated, well-mannered, and to know some form of spiritual guidance. North Carolina is commonly known as the “Bible Belt,” so guidance is typically rooted in Christianity. As youths attending church, we were asked to participate in various activities, including ushering, food preparation, cleaning, and summer Bible studies.

It wasn’t until I was in my twenties that I received a gift from my neighbor who was of the Muslim faith. She told me that she had studied many doctrines of religion before finding comfort in the teachings of Allah. She said that I should have my own path and form my own relationship with a higher power. She said once that relationship is formed, I can name the higher power. I chose Universal Life Force. I have walked into many different churches practicing many doctrines: Christian, Jewish, Catholic, etc. What I find comforting is knowing that most religions promote love, compassion, and peace. So, it’s no coincidence that I found my way to these practices, but through a path I had not expected.

In October 2013, I was struggling with life’s troubles, including relationships, or the lack thereof. I kept wondering what I had done in my past lives to create such rejection in this one. On a Sunday morning, I decided to do a fast, giving up food and electronics for the day. I felt the best way to clear my mind would be to go for a spiritual walk. I felt that if I let go of things for the day, then maybe I would receive some message back. Little did I know the wisdom that was to follow. During my walk, I received many messages through meditation, and I was about to make my way home when a stern voice said, “Keep walking.” I thought I had gained some insight on things, so I answered, “Are you sure?” So again the voice said, “Keep walking,” so I kept walking. Within a few steps, the truth was revealed to me, and one thing that was said was, “In your next life, there will be joy and peace.” I thought, “Wow, I'm going to heaven when I leave this life,” but little did I know that my next life would start the next day.

I had not received the Dharma yet; that would come later in the day. As I walked back towards home, I passed by the Unitarian Universalist campus, which was home to Rissho Kosei-kai of Tampa Bay. The UU morning service was over, so I was able to talk to a member and ask about Rissho Kosei-kai, and I received information on their services. Later that day, I would end my spiritual journey attending a service on Buddhism, something I knew almost nothing about.

In my quest to lead a spiritual life, I had learned of many doctrines in various religious faiths, but never Buddhism. I met with Rev. Nick Ozuna and the sangha there and learned my first teaching. Rev. Ozuna spoke of how I was responsible for my own sufferings. Not the people who I thought caused my suffering, but just me. Those people were living their happy lives while I was suffering for nothing. I had heard this before, but that day I truly received it. He spoke of the Four Noble Truths and how this practice would help to see the cause of my suffering. His talk and the kindness I felt from the sangha there were a much-needed end to a day, but it was just the beginning of my next life.

Ms. Fain (center) participates in an event at the Unity Association in 2015.

I would continue to attend services and classes taught there, as well as conduct my own research on Buddhism. On November 12, 2013, I joined Rissho Kosei-kai of Tampa Bay with great joy and a sense of peace. Shortly after joining, Rev. Ozuna shared with the sangha that we would be taking on a new journey with Rissho Kosei-kai International of North America (RKINA) and that he would be moving to Los Angeles. I knew I had to learn as much as I could before he left.

I would learn how to set the altar for the Dharma Center and understand the fundamental teachings that I could practice in my daily life. I wasn’t sure if the Dharma center would stay open, but other members there wanted it to continue, and we stepped up to keep it going. After Rev. Ozuna left a few months later, I started to teach a class on Basic Buddhism along with another leader of the sangha, and we just kept doing what we felt the Buddha would want.

I do remember being left alone to set up the altar, as Rev. Ozuna had shown me how to do it and entrusted me with it before he left. I wanted to show others how to do it, but they didn’t seem to be interested. It seemed to frustrate me, but then I was told by Rev. Ken Nagata of RKINA how I was chosen to be there for the Buddha. He spoke of how I was to dedicate my time to ensuring that care was given to each sacred item and take pride in its appearance. Additionally, I learned to cultivate a positive attitude while practicing this, so that when I shared the Dharma, it would come from a place of positivity. This advice would change the way I see things every day.

I had spoken to Rev. Ozuna before he left about what it would take to become a Dharma Teacher, as I wanted to be there to conduct ceremonies in his absence. He called me a few months after moving and encouraged me to elevate my practice by inviting me to take the Advanced Seminar on the Lotus Sutra.

I felt a change within me, a desire to be there for others. I had become one of the leaders.

I would go on to complete the two-year Advanced Seminar as well as many online courses offered by RKINA.

I found that the teachings of the Lotus Sutra enabled me to gain a deeper understanding of the lessons in my own life. For example, in chapter 20, the Bodhisattva Never Despise comes through in my life with my stepfather. He never holds a grudge or gets mad over petty things. He says it is a waste of his energy. Having him and meeting my Dharma brothers and sisters during classes helped me to reflect on how I should live my life.

When I reflect on my relationships, I realize I thought I had met someone who was the perfect guy for me, but I never shared my true feelings with him. We had a great friendship, and he had mentioned having feelings for me, so I thought he was waiting for the right time to take it to the next level. That day came, as I saw pictures of his new, younger girlfriend. I asked what he thought about us, and he told me he never knew that I had feelings for him. I was broken. My sangha family would help me and show me how the teachings would help me look at my suffering from a different perspective. It would be a year before my friend and I would speak again, and when we did, I thanked him for being honest to his path, and I realized it wasn’t up to him to know my feelings. This helped me to see his buddha-nature more clearly, just like the Bodhisattva Never Despise. Because of my Buddhist practice and self-reflection, I was able to start rebuilding our friendship, and now we are honest friends years later. I trust the teaching that everything changes, especially our growth, if we practice diligently.

Rissho Kosei-kai’s teachings truly resounded within me. The aspects that stand out the most have been the stories I've heard about Japan, particularly regarding Founder Nikkyo Niwano and Cofounder Myoko Naganuma, and their devotion to sharing this wonderful Dharma. To think that such a simple idea of meeting in someone’s home and doing missionary work to help others would truly become known worldwide as Rissho Kosei-kai is simply amazing. In 2016, I had the opportunity to visit Japan for the first time, attending the fourth World Sangha Assembly, and was deeply moved by the people I met and the experiences I had. Over 1,000 people attended from all over the world, and I could sense the deep commitment of the attendees to these teachings, regardless of their origin or background. At a small hoza following the ceremony for the World Sangha Assembly, we were joined by Rev. Masuo Nezu, a former secretary to the Founder, Niwano. I was overwhelmed by receiving this merit and being able to speak with him directly. Through this great encounter, I came to learn more about Rissho Kosei-kai’s history and Founder’s and Cofounder’s spirit. On this same trip, I had the honor of receiving my Gohonzon along with 798 others. To walk across the sacred stage in the Great Sacred Hall at the organization’s Tokyo headquarters is something that’s beyond explanation, and I will treasure it for the rest of my life.

I found that the hopes and dreams of our leaders are truly there in Japan. If I hadn’t been a member then, the spiritual joy I found in Japan would definitely have made me want to join. I was able to feel the spirit of the Buddha everywhere we visited. I was so grateful to Founder and Cofounder for the path that they left for us.

Since Rev. Ozuna moved away from Tampa Bay, attendance had dropped significantly. As the new leader, I learned to be flexible and learn that people come and go on their own path and that I just have to be there for them when they need me. Sometimes I would end up being the only one there. Sometimes, this would be frustrating and discouraging, as I had made the effort to be there, but I came to learn that this was a precious opportunity for me. It would make me give my all to the day. I make sure to properly set up the altar as if the Buddha were there just for me, and I would go through the practice of sutra recitation with sincerity. Even if I am by myself, I usually feel the spirit of the ancestors with me, welcoming the Buddha and the teachings.

Lately, I have been able to attend the Online Sangha offered by RKINA. This has been a great opportunity for me to keep connected with the larger sangha and help encourage my practice. I am always grateful to participate in hoza and listen to the practices of other members, as it reminds me of the actual value of Rissho Kosei-kai as a means of finding happiness through working with others. I find great peace in the teachings that I have received from Rissho Kosei-kai over the years, and I know that this is only the beginning. I just can’t wait to see what the Buddha has in store for me. I know that I’m responsible for my own sufferings, but through the teachings, I have come to learn how to transform them into new opportunities. This I have found is the true compassion of the Buddha. I am extremely grateful for all the compassion the Buddha has given me so far, and I know I will be ready for whatever the Buddha brings me next.

Thank you.