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Buddhism
in Soweto
By Anthony
George
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From
left to right: Mahlahle, Catherine and Lillian
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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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