The idea of this practice is nice: if you're struggling with something or someone, want certain…read morethings to happen in your life, you chant...2-3 times a day, every day. Overtime your mentality, spirit will hopefully change because you've refocused your mind & may have "gotten the things" that you were working towards, or conflicts had resolved. You try to lead a life with positivity and positive action.
This is what you're required to purchase in order to practice...
A local representative (sort of like a youth leader, cheerleader, sales person, social worker, neighborhood member all in one) to call, text, email encouraging you to attend meetings (at member's homes or NYC/Queens branch). An okay little church / communal space in a sleepy residential area- with a "store."
What it'll cost you (& I'm guessing the rep / youth leader earns commission per person & encourages you for each purchase)
$50 to Officially "sworn in" at a group meeting
$40 for the Scroll to chant to
$40-60 + (can't remember) for the wooden shrine / hanging big wooden frame to store the Scroll in
Clear off a big spot / table in your tiny apartment to sent these things up.
$20 for the Booklet & Chants to read
$20-40? for the Intro test to study, take & pass. Maybe $20 for the book to study, $20 for the test to take. I don't think I wanted to pay for the second test & stalled on it. Members try to connect & talk up the tests to you, to take more! $$$
(I kept stalling to buy these items)
$$ Sort of a singing bowl, to tap 3x before and after you chant
$$ A mortar type wand to tap the bowl with
$ Plants and water around the shrine. Water things every morning.
$$$ other items that I don't remember
For an Eastern, non-materialistic practice, it's quite costly! Gosh I wish fundraising for my non-profit was this member pro-active!
Although it's members seem friendly and welcoming, their encouragement/ persistence for you to practice could be helpful guidance for newbies feeling fragile and needing support & encouragement (however extremely costly); to overbearing eagerness / cult-like ness, slight guilt in why you don't make time to chant.
I was looking more for a nice community with positive vibes to regularly uplift each other, but the 3 times a day chant, chanting that could last up to an hour. Weekly or twice a week meetings. Reps offering to come over morning, evening, help you set up your shrine (actually there to try to convert your roommate), call to remind you of group meetings, call if you missed. You accidentally mass e-mailed higher level organizers about an event that you were having (thinking this is how you create mutual community); instead it causes big drama & phone calls to you (you cannot "sell things" in the group). You move out of the city, still get emails & calls and Christmas cards (after notifying of move...because this sect is "all over the world! & we support all past members.". Call checking up during Covid (nice gesture but this 3+ years since moved). When you post photos on social of other temples that you visit, messages from members who notice your photos (or may be happy that you're still a little Buddhist). You email the new group leader to please remove your contact because you're not interested in this particular sect anymore & meeting reminders, a few emails as to why before you're "removed" (but a few DM's from members trying to maintain contact during it). And you practically beg: although it's a nice gesture, please no more random phone calls & emails. No more contact! Another year later, somehow you're back on the group email list (non-BCC) for meeting announcements.
WHY??
I really hope I don't get any more emails or calls after this review. I hope everyone can practice what and how often they want. Obviously this regimen & money structure from this sect, just isn't for me.
Or my pocketbook. (No I don't have the items I bought anymore.) Please no more emails, snail mail, DM's, phone calls! Please! Work on you own individual practices and invested members!
