Finally, the last Bell has been tolled - the SGI has accomplished, albeit some 40 years late, World Peace - Kosen Rufu. The few stragglers should be easy to mop-up - keep a look out for the unhappy. Us 40+ Year-ers can now kick back and pick up a Gi-tar and strum to our hearts delight on the swinging bench chair on the front porch, waving simultaneously to driver's by. CONGRADULATIONS uall! Now, that thar he is holding is a Dreadnought 12-string gitar.....Dreadnought is a body style first produced by Martin in 1916 -bigger, bolder with a lot of projection, it quickly became the most desirable and copied. From the looks of the headstock, it might be a Taylor. The other guitar, also a 12 string, is a smaller Concert/Auditorium size with a cutaway - to more easily access the higher notes closer to the body. Leo Kottke is the embodiment of the Acoustic 12-string guitar, the master, and almost exclusively the 12-string. Others that have used it from time to time in such recognizable and unforgettable moments: Stairway to Heaven by Led Zep; Byrds - Turn, Turn, Turn; Hard Day's Night, George Harrision; Tom Petty's - Somewhere Under Heaven; Gordon Lightfoot - just to name a few. I got my first guitar in 5th grade, a $25 Kay, hanging on a hook at the local 45 rpm Record Store.....it made my fingers bleed, it was so hard to play. Then, a Gibson Acoustic followed by a Fender Strat, candy apple red with white pickguard.......then SGI - all traded for a Eb Horn.....Brass Band Baby!!! Now, 2 years ago, I bought a USA Made Fender Strat....black with black pickguard and Maple neck.....too cool to play! Then, last year, the 12-string Acoustic......can't put it down, it gives you so much sound as if someone is playing alongside you....so fulfilling. I keep it on the couch and can't pass by without picking it up......its a Martin DX series, made in Mexico, and it is superb. Now look out your window, do you see Army Tanks rumbling down the streets, people roaming the streets showing their emaciated ribs and throwing stones at a line of shielded police?.....I've stopped listening and watching the news....on NPR, which absolutely is a treasure, however, every hang nail, every infraction, every injustice - no matter the country, is piped into your living room - just to ensure you a lousy day....or to inform you that "they are coming to a neighborhood close to you!".....and soon. Well, I'll be on the front porch singing Gakkai songs.....pick up a guitar, it's not too late, get on Youtube, find tutorials, find the demo on any song ( I got hooked on Brokeback Mountain's theme song, "The Wings" )...and follow Prez Ikeda's suggestion..."lets dance and sing our way to Kosen Rufu!"
Too many books to read, so much joyful music to play - you can have it all while practicing Buddhism as Nichiren did, as an Independent.....checking this web-site everyday first thing in the morn, sipping hot coffee, and trying to extract something profound, some concept or lesson, over a period of time can be a fun way to increasingly bring you closer to Buddhahood....give it a try!
Finally, the last Bell has been tolled - the SGI has accomplished, albeit some 40 years late, World Peace - Kosen Rufu. The few stragglers should be easy to mop-up - keep a look out for the unhappy. Us 40+ Year-ers can now kick back and pick up a Gi-tar and strum to our hearts delight on the swinging bench chair on the front porch, waving simultaneously to driver's by. CONGRADULATIONS uall! Now, that thar he is holding is a Dreadnought 12-string gitar.....Dreadnought is a body style first produced by Martin in 1916 -bigger, bolder with a lot of projection, it quickly became the most desirable and copied. From the looks of the headstock, it might be a Taylor. The other guitar, also a 12 string, is a smaller Concert/Auditorium size with a cutaway - to more easily access the higher notes closer to the body. Leo Kottke is the embodiment of the Acoustic 12-string guitar, the master, and almost exclusively the 12-string. Others that have used it from time to time in such recognizable and unforgettable moments: Stairway to Heaven by Led Zep; Byrds - Turn, Turn, Turn; Hard Day's Night, George Harrision; Tom Petty's - Somewhere Under Heaven; Gordon Lightfoot - just to name a few. I got my first guitar in 5th grade, a $25 Kay, hanging on a hook at the local 45 rpm Record Store.....it made my fingers bleed, it was so hard to play. Then, a Gibson Acoustic followed by a Fender Strat, candy apple red with white pickguard.......then SGI - all traded for a Eb Horn.....Brass Band Baby!!! Now, 2 years ago, I bought a USA Made Fender Strat....black with black pickguard and Maple neck.....too cool to play! Then, last year, the 12-string Acoustic......can't put it down, it gives you so much sound as if someone is playing alongside you....so fulfilling. I keep it on the couch and can't pass by without picking it up......its a Martin DX series, made in Mexico, and it is superb. Now look out your window, do you see Army Tanks rumbling down the streets, people roaming the streets showing their emaciated ribs and throwing stones at a line of shielded police?.....I've stopped listening and watching the news....on NPR, which absolutely is a treasure, however, every hang nail, every infraction, every injustice - no matter the country, is piped into your living room - just to ensure you a lousy day....or to inform you that "they are coming to a neighborhood close to you!".....and soon. Well, I'll be on the front porch singing Gakkai songs.....pick up a guitar, it's not too late, get on Youtube, find tutorials, find the demo on any song ( I got hooked on Brokeback Mountain's theme song, "The Wings" )...and follow Prez Ikeda's suggestion..."lets dance and sing our way to Kosen Rufu!"
ReplyDeleteToo many books to read, so much joyful music to play - you can have it all while practicing Buddhism as Nichiren did, as an Independent.....checking this web-site everyday first thing in the morn, sipping hot coffee, and trying to extract something profound, some concept or lesson, over a period of time can be a fun way to increasingly bring you closer to Buddhahood....give it a try!
ReplyDeleteGreat read. Thanks Maxwell.
ReplyDelete