| I read an uplifting story about how a sickly Korean | | | | Kathy, that he had a shakabuku rock. He was going to |
| woman overcame illness by helping others. Her story | | | | carry the stone with him to remind him to share |
| gave me the inspiration to use a similar tactic in my | | | | Buddhism with others. Unfortunately, Rich had |
| own life. | | | | discovered that he never had the opportunity to have |
| The woman began practicing Buddhism and was | | | | a casual conversation with anyone at work. He also |
| encouraged to tell other about the philosophy, and to | | | | knew religious discussions at work were a taboo |
| chant Nam Myoho Renge Kyo. She gathered several | | | | subject. |
| pebbles and placed them in her pockets. Every time | | | | However, the following day, a coworker discovered |
| she told someone about Buddhism, she removed one | | | | Rich lived close to his house and asked if they could |
| stone. In three months time all her stones were gone, | | | | carpool to work. Rich gave the young man a ride and |
| and so was her debilitating illness. | | | | they wound up discussing philosophy. This unlikely |
| The word for introducing others to this particular sect | | | | event made it possible for Rich to tell the fellow about |
| of Buddhism is shakabuku. Proselytizing can be an | | | | Buddhism. Rich told the folks at the meeting that the |
| uncomfortable practice - even when an individual has | | | | stone was a good reminder to take the time to share |
| experienced absolute proof that chanting works. With | | | | Buddhism with others - especially those who are |
| that in mind, I decided to experiment with a whimsical | | | | suffering. |
| icebreaker at my next Buddhist meeting. I purchased a | | | | While I believe in the importance of spreading |
| number of colorful glass stones and placed them in a | | | | Buddhism, I thought that the stones don't need to be |
| large, glass vase. I passed the vase around and told | | | | limited to only religious introductions - or shakabuku. I |
| the members to take a few stones. They could take | | | | thought to myself that I could carry stones to remind |
| one, two, or a handful, but they would be using the | | | | myself to practice other good deeds as well. I try to |
| stones at a later date. Everyone participated. Some | | | | be a thoughtful person, but it never hurts to have a little |
| folks carefully selected a single stone. Others took a | | | | physical reminder. |
| handful. After everyone had their rocks I told them | | | | Since I have a habit of sticking my hands in my |
| about the story of the Korean woman. I asked each | | | | pockets anyway, I can use this simple act as an |
| person to carry their rocks around to remind them of | | | | opportunity to nudge me in a kinder, gentler direction. |
| the importance of telling others about their Buddhist | | | | The act can be as simple as a smile to a stranger, |
| practice. | | | | opening the door for someone, or simply a kind word. |
| A week later, I was at a different meeting, and since I | | | | I'm using my shakabuku rocks to create a shift in my |
| still had plenty of stones, I did the same icebreaker. | | | | thinking. Rather than making a mountain out of mole hill |
| One of the men, a fellow named Rich, had been at my | | | | when things do not go my way, my determination is to |
| previous meeting. He told the group that when he | | | | take a mole hill of kindness and turn it into a mountain - |
| came home from the first meeting, he told his wife, | | | | one beautiful, glass stone at a time. |