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| Buddhism in Action |
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| "Buddhism in Soweto" |
| By Anthony George |
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| From left to right: Mahlahle, Catherine and Lillian |
The name Soweto is synonymous with South African urban black experience and culture. Situated on the outskirts of Johannesburg, it was one of the first areas set aside for black urban residential use under the policy of territorial and political segregation of South Africa's white-dominated governments.
Eight years after the end of Apartheid, Soweto remains home to the majority of the Johannesburg region's black population, a vibrant melting pot of Southern African cultures. While Soweto encompasses both sprawling shanties and plush mansions, most of Soweto's roughly two million people live in small, low-cost housing units and struggle daily with the legacy of enforced impoverishment.
Even amidst the cultural diversity of the Soweto, the presence of Buddhists is an anomaly. The first Sowetan was introduced to Buddhism in 1995. Today the Soweto group is a vibrant and dynamic part of SGI-South Africa.
Catherine Maphophe began practicing Buddhism in 1997. After losing her son in a car accident and separating from her husband, Catherine had fallen into a pit of misery. Moved by her cousin Magdalene's confidence that Buddhism would enable her to transform her sufferings, she agreed to accompany her to a Buddhist meeting.
Months after beginning to practice, Catherine took a 1,000-mile trip to the coast and, at the age of 48, saw the ocean for the first time. The same year she made a number of other first-time trips with friends to different parts of the country. "I experienced the most wonderful things! I could do it because I felt happy and was not worried that I would be wasting money. I felt I had to go, and then the money was there."
Catherine also found she was able to let go of the bitterness she had felt toward her former husband since her son's death. "I understood that people have to die, and I no longer blame anyone. I believe that through my Buddhist practice I must focus and be happy and do what is right, regardless. Even if obstacles are there."
She has also begun to notice changes at her work as a primary school teacher. The schools of Soweto are often harsh environments where control of students is violently enforced. "For the first time I could see the suffering of the children in my class. Now I listen to their problems. I have become more open with the children and talk to them kindly. I used to just wait for the month to end so I could get my salary."
Last year Catherine lost both her sister and mother and overcame a life-threatening illness herself. Throughout, her optimism remained undaunted. "Without hardship you cannot hope to build great character. Our character is determined by how we challenge ourselves. Buddhism teaches that those who have suffered the most can enjoy the greatest happiness. Now I feel happy, happier than I can express!"
Attracted by her cheerfulness, a number of Catherine's friends and family members have begun to practice Buddhism. Her 20-year-old daughter Lillian was the last of her six children to do so. "I didn't want anything to do with it. I was angry with my mother, especially after she separated from my father. Since I started practicing, we've become inseparable. She's my role model. When she's home, I don't want to go out. We are like a belt and trousers!"
Lillian began practicing Buddhism in 1999 at the urging of her sister, Mahlahle. "I used to suffer from low self-esteem. I felt that I was stupid and boring." Mahlahle had overcome similar feelings through her Buddhist practice. "She said, 'Why don't you stop complaining and chant?' So that's what I did. And now I'm happy. You can feel when you are doing the right thing."
Meeting with the other SGI members in the Johannesburg region has been a source of inspiration. "I've learned to meet with people of different cultures and backgrounds. We're like a family. There's respect there, we're all equal. My feelings of low self-esteem are gone."
People in the community say we are lucky because even though we meet obstacles, we are able to overcome them. Even though we have problems, they don't bother me like they used to. Obstacles are part of life. I want to be a tree that is deeply rooted. I have so many things to tell.... I'm happy--it makes me cry sometimes! I'm happy, that's all I can say. That's why I am always smiling."
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[ Courtesy October 2002 SGI Quarterly ] |
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