Saratoga Springs Houses

Margarita Raycheva, The Saratogian, 06/26/2006

SARATOGA SPRINGS -- When David Lovelace decided to open the doors of his Saratoga Springs home for a session of chanting, reflection and Buddhism teachings, he did not expect people from across the Capital Region to stream into his dining room. But he saw all 25 chairs inside filling up with people holding colored beads and chanting in perfect synch.

"We help each other and encourage each other," said Mary Chamberlain, who drove from New York City to attend the meeting on Wednesday. "The bottom line is chanting -- it enables every human being to bring out their full potential."

People drove from around the region to chant together, seek enlightenment and bring the practice of  Buddhism to Saratoga Springs.

"We started to expand in the last year, " he said. "That means more people can find individual peace. Society reflects the life conditions of the person, so if you want to change society, you have to change the life conditions of the person."

Members believe that all forms of life have value and must be respected, said Boyce, who started following Buddhism 37 years ago in Japan. They teach that a person can achieve spiritual happiness in his or her current lifetime by chanting "nam-myoho-renge-kyo." Roughly translated, the phrase means "I devote my life to the mystic law of cause and effect through the teaching."

The phrase echoed numerous times inside Lovelace's house on Wednesday. Members held juzu beads as they worked to channel through their positive energy.

All eyes were directed toward the Gohonzon, a paper scroll with sacred Chinese characters, enshrined within a small metal altar.

"The Gohonzon is an object of devotion; it's not a god," said Lovelace. "We believe we stir up mystic powers when we chant to it."

Containing 34 Chinese symbols, the scroll is an expression on one of the fundamental beliefs in Buddhism -- that every human being, regardless of social status, race or gender, has the potential to become enlightened. Vilma Elliott, the chapter District Woman Leader for Vermont, said she joined because she loved the diversity of the group. At the Saratoga Springs meeting, people were old and young, and ethnically diverse.

"It's important to me to be a part of a group that is accepting and understanding, "Elliott said.

Like most other  members, Elliott was not raised Buddhist, but that never became an issue.

"I was raised Baptist. I went to choir. I used to spend the whole weekend at church, " she said.

Letitia Splain Dayer came to the meeting out of curiosity.

"I use meditation to stay focused," she said. "It opens your heart."