by James C. Stephens
Sunday, 12:30 am February 22, 1980
Relaxation was the order of the day. Liz, Eric and I slept in then took a long walk along the beach. It was Eric’s and our first time on the beach together. Eric was comfortably zonked. I was happily carrying him in the baby backpack. Liz and Eric were a sight. 80 degrees out, rolled up pants, camera, and blanket, Eric and me in a turtle neck. I loved it. Although a bit tired and out of it. It was a beautiful day and the company likewise.
Had an interesting talk with Nori Hashibe, my Landscape Architecture Design Skills Professor on Thursday night. On our way out from class we talked and he suggested we stop in the North Campus Food facility for a coke or something. Our conversation was about the Soka Gakkai and Nichiren. He felt that the Gakkai was basically a lot of disillusioned people whose only way to win a title in society was through the Gakkai’s own social system. Then later when the Komeito party rose it was a shock to many people that this party rose from these people. Nori was really happy to hear that the American people didn’t really go for the Gakkai organization. It is really a credit to the character of the American people. I said the Japanese seem authoritarian. He took that and said not all that way. The Gakkai works and some organizations operate that way. We talked of the purity of the founder and later of the person who is the politician who broadcasts the religion. “Ikeda has a lot of power problems,” he said. Nittatsu Shonin did not really like him. I said they did not get along at first, but later that changed. Nichiren Shoshu High Priest was concerned with purity. It’s a matter of organization. He said organization are not always bad, they accomplish great things. Look at UCLA. Nichiren did one great thing, Nori said. He put religion above the state. This was like Siddhartha. We talked about much more, varying from teaching style, the upcoming trip to Japan, the Greenhouse. While walking to the parking structure, Nori said he felt that when he personally became aware of philosophy and the reality of life he began to use it in aesthetics to become aware of life. That was a “right on the mark perception. We parted silently content at that moment with a nod. Sometimes it’s better not to speak. I felt very quiet on the way home just listening to the North wind and the hum of the engine. It was as warm as a summer evening. I sat on the porch steps and gazed at the beautiful moon and soaking in the peace of the night. If the night could speak, the silence of the night was speaking in harmony with my mind.
Friday I had an appointment with Bruce Smith to go over our design for his landscape. Kevin told me at the party Saturday night. He heard directly from the horse’s mouth that it had gone very well. He was impressed because I was very straightforward, open and vulnerable with him and did an excellent presentation…That experience with Bruce was very encouraging for me. At first I was a tad bit nervous and then surrendered to it. He said he was surprised I was not unglued having a young infant. I said, Quite frankly I never realized how uptight I was physically and spiritually until Eric came along. I recognize that now and find it difficult to relax. He said you may really just be more sensitive to your environment and reacting. That’s possible. Afterwards I visited the PCH project, interesting design project in Malibu on a hillside overlooking the ocean.
Got to hair appointment about ten minutes late. No problem. Spent an hour and a half with Sonja. Had a terrific conversation about Japanese culture, religion, etc. Left there with a beautiful haircut with first class treatment. Got home ate. Liz and I planned out what to do for our party. It’s a miracle we got the house together by Saturday night.
The party was terrific. About 70 people showed up. It was an eating, drinking and talking party. Reestablished a lot of contacts with friends. Sue Nigh finally made it. ( Sadly she passed away at a far too young age in _____ Sue was a very sweet person and will be missed). Sue said she talked to Carol Dell. Carol said Russ (Dilando) was really sorry he returned his Gohonzon. Obviously none of them knew Gary Curtis still has it. That was good news! The bad news this morning came when I got up and Lyla and Togo (our two cats) were nowhere to be found. Finally Lyla came back in. Togo was under the house, hissing and evidently not doing too well. They didn’t like that so many people invaded their space last night.
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Journal of a Young Buddhist Radical 