Celebrating in Earnest

Clark Strand, a contributing editor of the American Buddhist magazine Tricycle, said Soka Gakkai is the most active Buddhist group in the world. New Year's determinations are so important, he said, because Soka Gakkai is centered so much on "real, verifiable goals. Their teaching says you have to show proof that your Buddhism is working in your life."

Strand, a former Zen monk who lives in Woodstock, N.Y., said he now identifies with Soka Gakkai. His New Year's determination is to write a book about what he calls "the Buddhist Manifesto" -- something he feels all religions will and should evolve to emulate.

Buddhists "really represent a new paradigm of religious worship, because they think religion ought to serve life, not life serve religion," he said. "Life serving religion has been a disaster. People will do extreme irrational things to themselves and others in the name of religion. What if you flip it around and hold religion accountable? Is it improving my relations, it is making me more peaceful, is it serving my community?"

He added, "My determination for 2008 is to clear away obstacles" to write the book.

When it comes to Buddhists and New Year's, it is not possible to draw clear lines between national culture and religion. Buddhism formed differently across Asia, and New Year's is marked in many ways, including at different times of the year.

Among those celebrating today are members of the Buddhist Churches of America, established in Hawaii by Japanese monks in the 1800s. Members trace their roots to 13th-century Japan, although today nearly half of its members are not ethnically Japanese.

For BCA members, New Year's celebrations began last night. At temples such as the one in Fairfax Station, they rang the temple bell 108 times, an important number in Buddhism, to signify the impediments to enlightenment, and they listened to a lecture about the impediments, which they also call "defilements" or "afflictions." Unlike Soka Gakkai followers, BCA members don't focus on determinations.

Today, there is a traditional service and a New Year's potluck, which shows how Buddhism is adapting to America.

"When our temple started 25 years ago, we ate Japanese American food. Today, you find black-eyed peas, ham, collard greens. Not much sushi anymore," said Kennon Nakamura, 62, who lives in Burke and attends the Ekoji Buddhist Temple in Fairfax City.

The services have become shorter, Nakamura said, "so we can get to New Year's parties."