2011 ESD Graduation Agenda 7 August 2011

Reserve 2 rows in the front of the room for ESD and Youth Division members,

10:00 ESD Members will chant with the group at large and then leave for their meeting.
Non -Graduating ESD Members will be entering from the side singing Forever Sensei

11:10 Non graduating ESD members will re-enter the room from the side entrance singing "Forever Sensei",(with morning sun, mid day sun, and moonlight pix) they will take a seat in the front two rows that were previously vacated.
Graduating ESD Members in two rows of 4 will enter the room from the rear wearing their caps and tassels

11:10 Graduating ESD members enter the rear of the room 11:12 Non Graduating ESD members will take a seat in the front two rows that were previously vacated.
Please bring out the Podium, Photographer will assume her position ,

11:13 ESD Leaders Felicia Barbera and Mynette Meier will recite a scene about the "Ceremony In the Air" Felicia: A long time ago there was a very special ceremony. Shakyamuni Buddha was teaching the Lotus Sutra. It was such a special teaching that Buddhas, bodhisattvas and other beings gathered from all over the universe. Mynette: A special object, a treasure tower, appeared. It was golden and covered with jewels. The tower and all of the beings that had gathered at this ceremony rose up into the air. Felicia: Can you guess what that ceremony was called? It was called the Ceremony in the Air. Mynette: What if right now everyone rose up into the air? Would that get your attention? Would you want to make sure you paid attention to whoever was speaking? Felicia: Well, that is what happened at that ceremony. Shakyamuni was teaching about how great our lives are. He used the treasure tower to let us know that our lives are that awesome; they are as big and special as that treasure tower. Mynette: Nichiren Daishonin said that this ceremony happened in Shakyamunis heart. In fact, he said that this ceremony can happen in our own hearts, too. We were all there. We all made a vow at that time. We promised to come back at this time and have problems that we would challenge with our Buddhist practice. We also promised to help each other be happy by chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. Felicia: There is another ceremony we can be part of each day. We usually do it together at our meetings. Mynette: Each time we sit in front of the Gohonzon and recite the sutra and chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, we are participating in the Ceremony in the Air again. We say some of what Shakyamuni taught at that ceremony. We have a chance to remember our promises and see how well we are keeping them. Mynette: Would our youth mentors who have been charged with ensuring these new bodhisattvas become capable leaders please come to the front and stand on my left Felicia: And now the 10 members of the 2011 ESD Graduating Class will please come to the front of the room and stand on my right (pomp and circumstance plays low in the background)
Mynette:-- Nadan Boyd ESD and YD come to the front of the podium

2011 ESD Graduation Agenda 7 August 2011

Nadan Boyd ESD(3) "Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is like the roar of a lion," the Daishonin says It is by chanting powerful daimoku, like a lion's roar, that we can move the Buddhist deities, the protective forces of the universe. 3. Youth Division Mentor YMD: "Be the youth of America who create an exemplary youthful Soka Gakkai with the unity of many in body, one in mind!" Felicia gives the certificate, Mynette moves the tassle, Katie takes the picture, YD and ESD both exit to the right and move to the far left of the stage ******************************************************************************************************************** FeliciaMika Rooker ESD and YD come to the front of the podium Mika Rooker ESD(4): This lifetime will never come again; it is precious and irreplaceable. To live without regret, we must have a concrete purpose, continually setting goals and challenges for ourselves. And we need to keep moving toward those specific targets steadily and tenaciously, one step at a time. 4. Youth Division Mentor YWD: Don't compare yourself with others. Be true to who you are and try to cherish and feel content with your own irreplaceable life. Even if you're sometimes laughed at, or people let you down, keep going forward and never let yourself be defeated. Felicia gives the certificate, Mynette moves the tassle, Katie takes the picture, YD and ESD both exit to the right and move to the far left of the stage ******************************************************************************************************************** MynetteNaquan Nito ESD and YD come to the front of the podium Naquan Nito ESD (1): "Those who chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo are themselves the treasure tower 1. Youth Division Mentor YMD: Be the Youth of America who eternally inherit the Gakkai spirit of the oneness of mentor and disciple Felicia gives the certificate, Mynette moves the tassle, Katie takes the picture, YD and ESD both exit to the right and move to the far left of the stage ******************************************************************************************************************** FeliciaDamaris Guerin ESD and YD come to the front of the podium Damaris Guerin ESD(2): "This Gohonzon is the essence of the Lotus Sutra and the eye of all the scriptures, "It is like the sun and the moon in the heavens, a great ruler on earth, the heart in a human being, the wish-granting jewel among treasures, and the pillar of a house" 2. Youth Division Mentor YWD: "Resolve to be the "Sun." Then no matter what problems you may face, the dawn will always break, fine weather will always return, and spring will never fail to come." Felicia gives the certificate, Mynette moves the tassle, Katie takes the picture, YD and ESD both exit to the right and move to the far left of the stage ******************************************************************************************************************** Mynette:-- Darcy Wax ESD and YD come to the front of the podium Darci Wax ESD(5): When we change, the world changes. The key to all change is in our inner transformation--a change of our hearts and minds. This is human revolution. We all have the power to change. When we realize this truth, we can bring forth that power anywhere, anytime, and in any situation. 5. Youth Division Mentor YWD: Our challenge is to dream of results as big as the power of the Gohonzon, which has no limit. With this attitude of faith, you can tap the infinite power of joy, gratitude and victory. If you find you are stuck, pray to the release the chains of doubt and fear clouding your mind of faith. Pray for unbounded confidence and courage to win over your past and joyfully step into your bright future. Felicia gives the certificate, Mynette moves the tassle, Katie takes the picture, YD and ESD both exit to the right and move to the far left of the stage

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2011 ESD Graduation Agenda 7 August 2011

FeliciaJacob Ray ESD and YD come to the front of the podium Jacob ESD (10) - Each of you should summon up the courage of a lion king and never succumb to threats from anyone. The lion king fears no other beast, nor do its cubs. Slanderers are like barking foxes, but Nichiren's followers are like roaring lions. Youth Division Mentor YMD(10): Be the youth of America who courageously refute the erroneous and reveal the true based on The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin. Felicia gives the certificate, Mynette moves the tassle, Katie takes the picture, ALL YD and ESD come to the front ******************************************************************************************************************** MynetteLilly Cayce ESD and YD come to the front of the podium Lilly Cayce ESD(6): The Gohonzon is the embodiment of the law of nam-myoho-renge-kyo, expressing the life state of buddhahood which all people inherently posses. Go means worthy of honor and honzon means an object fundamental respect which we hold the highest esteem. 6. Youth Division Mentor YWD: "Never seek this Gohonzon outside yourself. The Gohonzon exists only within the mortal flesh of us ordinary people who embrace the Lotus Sutra and chant Nammyoho-renge-kyo" Felicia gives the certificate, Mynette moves the tassle, Katie takes the picture, YD and ESD both exit to the right and move to the far left of the stage ******************************************************************************************************************** Felicia:-- Sarah Meier ESD and YD come to the front of the podium Sarah Meier (7): Gongyo, which means to exert oneself in practice, consists of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and reciting portions from the 2nd and 16th chapters of the Lotus Sutra. President Ikeda says that reciting the sutra and chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo are like starting the automobiles engine every day and driving in the direction of happiness 7. Youth Division Mentor YWD: Therefore, when you chant myoho and recite renge, you must summon up deep faith that myohorenge-kyo is your life itself. Felicia gives the certificate, Mynette moves the tassle, Katie takes the picture, YD and ESD both exit to the right and move to the far left of the stage ******************************************************************************************************************** MynetteIan Cayce ESD and YD come to the front of the podium Ian ESD (9): To be fearless no matter what happensthat is the root of true happiness. 9. Youth Division Mentor YMD: Be the youth of America who illuminate the darkness of the age as champions of propagation! Felicia gives the certificate, Mynette moves the tassle, Katie takes the picture, ALL YD and ESD come to the front

Mynette and Felicia TOGETHER: How noble it is to foster the capable individuals who will decide the eternal future of Soka and of kosen-rufu. -Shinichi Yamamoto, Let's have a round of applause for our graduates! Felicia - Home-work - All ESD Graduates and Mentors with ESD and Youth Division Group Leaders will gather in the middle for a photo Katie takes the picture,