My Trip to Taplow for Regional Course

Taplow Court is situated above the Thames River near a small town called Maidenhead. We had a 3 day training course starting from Friday till Sunday. This was my 1st trip to Taplow and Iwas all excited about it from the time I applied for the course. Just as I was thinking of booking tickets, Teely told me that Dennis was happy to offer lift to members from our district. Heromi and I Immediately agreed as we all had to reach by 11 am. Nao has a class to attend and so she decided to come back with us.
We started off at 7 am on the Friday Morning (31st Oct). Dennis picked Heromie and I waited for him at the train station. As I hopped in to the car we realised that we all were tired and sleepy. I was determined not to sleep. It was a bright sunny morning, seemed to me as if the weather was cheering us on our journey. It was 3 1/2 hour journey, despite my determination I dossed off as the the suns rays were hitting on my eyes. After about 11/2 hrs we stopped off for a break and headed again. In to time we reached the small town called Maidenhead. The road that led to Taplow was beautiful. It was narrow path with fully grown trees alongside, a typical country road. As we drove across,I was reminded of the song 'Country Road take me Home' by John Denver . We finally reached at 10 45 am. Looking at the Majestic Mansion of Taplow I was reminded of the Disney Land. I would run out of words to pen down the beauty of this place.
Heromie and I went off to freshen ourselves and get dress in the Lilac uniform. Soon member of the action team and course coordinators started coming and we started helping each other. We opened the door where our meeting was held. I was amazed looking at the Gohonzon. I was beautiful and big at 11 30 we started the action Gongyo followed by a briefing from the Action team led by Premila and Song Yun. Just after that the Lilac Team had a briefing to inform about the various activities that need to be performed by us. I must mention the encouragement given by Lynnet and Ruth ( Lilac Chief and Vice) saying that ''We are not forced by anyone to become members of SGI and work as Lilacs today. Its because of our own determination that we are here. Hence our duty is give 100% for the protection of members and their duty as Action and Vice Lilac Chief is to support us in contributing 100%''. This really touched me andI determined to give my 100%. We were all give our schedule explained about each and every role . We all set off Lunch at 12 noon to the cafeteria where we were served some nice English lunch. Just as I finished it I headed to set up the refreshment area after which, at about 13 30 I went away to set the Linen. It was in the accommodation block where we were staying, i had to set up the linen and hand a set of Pillow case, Bed sheet and Duvet Cover to each and every member who arrived. Around 14 45 I left the place leaving a note for the members to help themselves.
The Meeting officially started with an evening Gongyo and a welcome note from all senior leaders in faith. I was sitting in the front row protecting the Gohozhon and the speaker. My role was actually to keep an eye on the speaker, to keep chanting within my mind and of course to chant in front of the Gohozhon when No one was around. Then we watched a video of The Headquarters Leaders meeting in Japan, which was led by our mentor Daisaku Ikeda. It was a 45min video and in the end every one chants for 5 mins. It was amazing to realise that even though the language used in the video was Japanese with sub titles in English, the only one thing that relates all of us Nam Myoho Rengo Kyo. The rest of the day continued with a Lecture session, Dinner and group meeting. Just as we were going to wind up the day during our action debrief we were wished ''Happy Halloween'' as the two beautiful young women walked into our room all decked up and loaded with chocolate and lolly. .The day wounded up at around 11pm as I rolled into the bed after having a chat with my room mates. It was really like going back to boarding school or college hostels.

The next morning I was up at 6 am to get ready for the action Gongyo at 7 am. Followed by breakfast at 8 am then back to action as the meeting started. As a lilac I again got to do water rota, protection in front of the gohozhon, and door duty. We had some experiences and lectures by senior member in faith and also a commemorative photo session to be sent to Sensei. At 12 noon we broke for lunch, after a quick lunch I started helping the canteen staff by clearing plates. Soon we realised that the dishwasher had broke down and with in few seconds we had the men's division members helping the canteen staff in cleaning the plates. I cud not stop appreciating them. Once all members were done with lunch, i started cleaning tables and setting it ready for dinner. Followed by the Lunch break we had an hour time practise for entertainment. I really wanted all the Lilacs to sing the song created by Mathangi called '' Mission of our Lives''. This was such a challenge for me as its a new song an none of the lilac's new it. The song also had a high pitch and base notes, hence getting on to perfection was just big challenge. From the very begining i was just chanting for the song to be sung and delivered in a perfect manner. I don't know why, but I desperately wanted to do this performance, and giving up halfway thru was giving into my own self. We all gathered together and listened to the song. Then we realised that there was a member who knew music and could train us. Just in a matter of 15 mins we managed to sing the song pretty well.
We then continued with the meeting, got to listen to Barbara's Exp (my women's division district leader). It was brilliant, I totally admire her for being a women, a single parent, bringing up her kids so well that both are settled now, fighting for truth and justice and supporting all of her members. She is a mom to all of us. She is a victorious woman. Then we had a Q & A session from SGI UK Director General. who answered to members questions regarding faith. Soon it was time for dinner and the cafe at Taplow turned into a venue filled with poem, dance , music laughter and loads of fun, and yes the song - it was sung without errors and the crowd joined in too :) . The day finally ended with action debrief.

I was not Lilacing the next morning and so I woke up at 7, got ready, cleared our room, checked out and headed for breakfast. Today also I helped in canteen after breakfast and lunch. After the morning Gongyo we had some free time, I used this time to walk around the Taplow court. As I walked around the lush green pathway I could hear bird chirping, water from the fountain gushing into the pond, and the white Lotus blooming from the pond. Gosh, it was sheer beauty, I missed my camera!!!. Soon it was time to head back, and all of us formed into groups and started cleaning the accommodation building at Taplow, we cleaned the bathroom, toilets , washbasin and mirrors. It was so much fun, talking helping and working towards a common goal. It was followed by experience and Lecture which spoke about the credit crunch and how can we work towards it. ''Taking action'' is something that I learnt from these three days course. We then broke for lunch, as usual i had a early lunch and helped the canteen. Just as I was walking out I met Divya, a member from Bangalore with whom I practised. I jumped out of joy in meeting her, it was such a surprise. We then carried on to our work.

As I was getting back to the hall i thought about a fulfilled wish, ''Yes, its an experience, it's a Victory'' I said to myself. Exactly a month ago on 5th Oct I wanted to do a canteen activity at Taplow, Divya was also gonna be Lilacing that day; by 3rd Oct everything was set, my slot to do an activity was booked, I found some one who was gonna give me a lift, and i told myself that if I got a lift I would get a rail card for me and that happened too. The very next day at 3 pm the person who was to give me a lift told me that he was not going. hearing this news, I broke down, I dint get tickets to go directly and had to call taplow to find a person to replace. I felt miserable, I felt I had let Taplow down and also felt betrayed by the member who said he would give me a lift. I called senior members and she just asked me to chant and said that there is probably a reason behind it. I dint have a choice but to accept this situation. I determined to do another activity very soon....... I finally stand at the premises of Taplow, contributing 3 days of voluntary work at canteen and also met the friend I was supposed to meet. How fortunate!!!!

I headed back to Toda Hall, where we had some determinations for the Area. Finally just before we closed Sensei had sent some cookies for us, so the course ended with a tea break along with some lovely cookies from Sensei.

I spent some time at the shop, brought stuff for friends and other members. As I was shopping Divya met me again and asked me if I was buying a Gosho book, I said no. She immediately turned around and picked up one for me and said that's my gift. she would mot listen to me if i refused it. I dint have a choice but to accept it. My heart was filled with joy, gratitude and emotions. Honestly I wanted a Gosho book, but it worked out expensive for me to invest for myself and also buy stuff for my friends and members which was also important. So i decided to give up on my needs and buy for others, and realised that even I got what I wanted. Mystic is all I can say.

We also had a quick snap with all members from my district, finished it and went in to have some Tea and cookies, It was 3.15 by then and we had our final debrief for the action team.At around 4 pm we victoriously headed back home. On our way back, Anna, Nao, Dennis and I had 4 hr conversation about faith, life, people and challenges. It was such an awesome experience. Dennis dropped all of us back home. I came back to my little space feeling victorious.

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

4th Nov 2008

Leeds, UK