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Buddhist Recovery Group

Information

The BRG is an SGI-USA special interest group that was started in Riverside California in 2009. We have monthly meetings at the SGI-USA Riverside Community Center that focus on recovery, addiction and the application of Nichiren Buddhism.

Location: Riverside, California
Members: 43
Latest Activity: Aug 14, 2022

9 members like this

Discussion Forum

Zoom

Started by Ronald Reed Slater Oct 4, 2021. 0 Replies 0 Likes

Do you have Zoom meetings? I'm a SGI member from Springfield, ORContinue

Does Anyone Have Nichiren Buddhism Study Material for Recovery?

Started by Matthew David Leichter. Last reply by Kanani Dec 2, 2013. 8 Replies 1 Like

What passages in the WND do people find helpful? Or perhaps in writings of President Ikeda? Anything that is directly related to recovery?

Recovery and SGI

Started by Kari Carlile. Last reply by Frank M Jun 7, 2013. 2 Replies 5 Likes

I've been sober for 5 years and have been able to do so by utilizing AA and SGI. My Buddhist practice has taught me to listen for the good in others and to keep moving forward in human revolution. Is…Continue

Counselors: A source of Hope (from SGI Quarterly)

Started by Dan. Last reply by Marga Apr 15, 2012. 1 Reply 3 Likes

Subject: A series in which SGI members discuss their approach to theirprofession Counselors: A Source of Hope…Continue

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Comment by Sue Walsh on December 2, 2013 at 3:03pm: Hi Matthew...so good to hear from you. Are you able to maintain sobriety with SGI meetings instead of AA? My husband is a recovering alcoholic and has been having trouble reconciling the two different philosophies. I don't attend AA meetings so I'm not as familiar with AA philosophy as my husband, but I know he is trying to work through the differences. He's planning on talking with our SGI district leader about the possibility of starting an SGI Buddhist addiction recovery group at our Cultural Center.

Comment by Matthew David Leichter on December 2, 2013 at 8:51am: I can't reconcile the two at all and had to leave AA.

Comment by Sue Walsh on December 1, 2013 at 1:58pm: Hi all...I'm an Alanon member having a difficult time with conventional AA/Alanon philosophies...ie: we are all such powerless creatures on earth...Anyone out there have any suggestions for reconciling Alanon and SGI philosophy?

Comment by Richard Douglas Powell on April 14, 2012 at 10:08pm: Used to hang out with Steve Roberge, he lived near me back in the pre-Riverside daze...

Comment by Matthew David Leichter on October 4, 2011 at 4:46pm: I must earnestly disagree with most people on here about the AA program or 12 steps working in conjunction with SGI. The philosophies are dramatically different. I once read in an AA meeting an excerpt from President Ikeda's quotes about never surrendering and gaining true victory in your life and the response was horrible. They condemned Ikeda very deeply claiming he had no idea of what spirituality is.

You see, AA is based on the idea that we must surrender our lives. Surrender is a spiritual principle in AA. As is the idea of powerlessness. Step 1 requires us to admit we are powerless over alcohol and drugs, and the rest of the steps essentially go on to convince us we are powerless over everything else.

"Acceptance is the key."

"I am powerless over people, places, and things."
"Of myself I am nothing."

These are common AA quotes which underlie the general philosophy of letting go, giving up, and surrendering in all situations. To some extent it fits with a traditional Buddhist view, but definitely NOT with Nichiren Buddhism. I believe it can possibly do more harm than good to send our member to a program that does not agree with our basic principles of strength, courage, and victory.

Comment by Richard Douglas Powell on June 30, 2010 at 12:26am: My Rock the Era contributions have been supporting the kids by providing security at their practices so far, and I'm looking forward to July 9th, and 10th. My wife'll be outa town with relatives, Perfect!
Barbara, if you can blend the two approaches, as suits you best, I'm sure you'll win.
Wiley

Comment by Roger Thompson on June 29, 2010 at 11:26pm: IMHO = In My Humble Opinion. I think they mean SGI Buddhism.

Comment by Barbara Walter on June 29, 2010 at 11:04pm: I have a bit of a learning difference and sometimes accroynms throw me for a loop. And especially IM accroynms. not sure what IMHO means but sure it is cleaver. So if we break it down... the 12 steps and SGE Buddhism... one step at a time. Walk me through this.

Oh by the way.... Rock the Era is coming up... and I get to attend with some of my kids. I am so excited. Anyone else on the road to promoting world peace. This is more exciting than the 60's... and that was very impowering...

Comment by Richard Douglas Powell on June 29, 2010 at 4:33pm: On second thot, just chant for a personal breakthrough! Chanting without intent is, IMHO, a waste of time.
Wiley

Comment by Richard Douglas Powell on June 29, 2010 at 4:20pm: It seems we all have problems with the Nike ad--to "Just Do It!" 'cause without fail, our heads get in the way, we tend to think too much. I learned early on to make great efforts to simply shut the mofo OFF. I pictured my mind as the glassy, calm surface of a lake...and to put my mind in the service (exclusively!) of my heart, to chant with that picture in my head. Now I'm sorta "blissfully ignorant!"
Wiley