A BRIEF STORY of
NICHIREN SHU HOKEKYO INDONESIA BUDDHIST ASSOCIATION
(SANGHA MYOHO SAN RENGE JI)

Nichiren Shu first known through the internet. In the beginning Mr. Sidin had a milist group called Yuraku Dharma. And through this mailing list he was acquainted with Mr.Alexandar Ang from Malaysia (Penang Temple). The dialogue between them had finally come true and from the dialogue he knew clearly about what Nichiren Shu actually is? On his attraction to the Nichiren Shu, then began the discussion about this matter with Mr. Tony Soehartono, Mr. Herman, and Mr.Bambang Indrawan, friends of Mr. Sidin. In early November 2002, Mr.Sidin has started studying and implementing the Dokyo Shodai Nichiren Shu tradition. Then because of the desire and the support of the Penang Nichiren Shu – Malaysia, then Mr.Sidin, Mr.Bambang Indrawan, Ms.Yani Susanti, and Mrs. Indrawati can be able to visit Penang – Malaysia.

The first meeting was very touching felt like to come home which long time abandoned. Mr.Sidin, Mr.Bambang and Mrs. Indrawati officially become the 3 first members of Nichiren Shu Indonesia and got gojukai conducted by Rev.Watanabe, and Rev.Ono and on that occasion they also brought a statue of Buddha Sakyamuni for “kaimu”.

Based on initiative between Mr.Sidin and Mr. Tony Soehartono, after their return from Malaysia, We were routinely performed Dokyo Shodai at Mr. Tony Soehartono’s house every week. Slowly, more and more people were interested so that the Dokyo Shodai activity group finally made and declared themselves as the first Nichiren Shu’s Sangha group in Indonesia.

It was an Infinite happiness and indescribable when first Nichiren shu’s reverends came to Indonesia to inaugurate the establishment of Nichiren Shu Hokekyo Indonesia on 18-20 February 2003 and we also agreed to set April 28 as the anniversary of Nichiren Shu Hokekyo Indonesia (Myoho San Renge Ji ). A legal aspect of the establishment of Nichiren Shu Indonesia was marked by the establishment of Nichiren Shu Hokekyo Indonesia Foundation, with Bpk.Tony Soehartono as the founder and Mr. Sidin as the Chairman of the Foundation. The reverends who came to the inauguration were include Rev.Shoryo Tarabini (Head Temple of Nichiren Shu London – United Kingdom, at that moment), Rev.Shoyo Tamura, Rev.Kimyo Oshawa. The Renge Ji temple was Located in the small room size 5 x6 m² built an altar and the number of members authorized to accept Gohonzon were 6 people, and had gojukai 12 people.

On 28-30 May 2003, for the second time Nichiren Shu reverends visited Indonesia to implement guidance and religious services. This time we were visited by Rev. Kanshin Mochida, on this occasion he held the placement of Special Mandala Gohonzon for the temple size 67x34cm and also the ceremony “kaimu” to the statue of Nichiren Shonin and gojukai for 3 new members. Furthermore since the year 2004 until the year 2007, the Sangha Renge Ji was fostered by Rev. Nun Myosho Obata of Nichiren’s South East Asia, and now will be continued by Rev. Kangyo Noda.

Days passed, after a year occupied a small room in that building as a temple in Pangeran Jayakarta Street, then because the eagerness and sincerity of Mr. Tony and Mrs. Lily, the temple was moved to Sunter area (north Jakarta) and used Mr. Tony and Mrs.Lilys’ house. Members continued to grow to form a few sanghas in Indonesia; they are Jogyakarta’s Sangha, Tangerang’s Sangha and Semarang’s Sangha.

After occupied for about 5 years in Sunter, then we began to think that it was the time for us to have one temple which is appropriate to use, we began a search for a suitable place. Because for years the place that we used as a temple was a house of our kind member who lent the second storey of the house, made as the temple by us.
Then we began searching for a suitable place. It’s just the time has arrived then not long after we searched, we got good news. A relative of Mrs. Lily, offering her house to be used by us for 1 year free but we should renovate the house by ourselves, then for rent the next year.
With not having a lot of money then we searched for donation from friends, selling recycle things. Week by weeks we searched donation then renovated the place, again and again until it finished today. The temple we created is a simple but nice and unique as we want to have a comfortable place for members to chant and do activities. This renovation cost more or less Rp.35.000.000, – (at about 350.000 yen) and was the kindhearted donations from friends, relatives, etc.
And the temple finished with still have flaws here and there; we then inaugurate the soft opening of the temple on May 9th, 2009 and attended by our members. Then on, May 17th 2009, we officially pronounced the grand opening of our temple and attended by Rev. Kangyo Noda and our member. Until today we still completing the flaws in our temple, because we still searching for donation to buy the Sakyamuni Buddha statue which made from stone and office tools like office desk, chairs and other equipments.

It was a miracle until at last this temple that we use now can be exist and realized in the middle of the financial problems which experienced of most members. This is a testament to the power of the Buddha. Although Renge Ji sangha has ups and downs in the number of members, but still survive until today, this is all because the generosity of all the reverends who continue to guide us.

In the future, is expected to be more and more people who believe in the Lotus Sutra, Nichiren Shu, and more and more people who feel real happiness. Moreover with the guidance from rev. Kangyo Noda who really cares to this sangha, make members always have the spirit and continue to strive. One thing that become our hope is the existence of a reverend that guide and stay permanently or living in Indonesia. That’s all a brief story about the history of the establishment of the Sangha Renge Ji. Gassho, thank you.

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