THE MASTER OF CEREMONIES

From Compassion in Action, p. 14

Discussion meetings usually include an emcee [master of ceremonies]. The emcee performs three important
functions: establishing the atmosphere of the meeting, keeping the meeting on track, and concluding the
meeting on time. District leaders should go over the schedule with the emcee before the meeting. This
instruction will allow him or her to be confident when speaking and gain a personal victory through the
experience. Although the emcee does not have to be a youth division member, it has long been considered a
fundamental part of youth training. Elementary school division children may assist the emcee if desired.
Chanting together and encouraging the emcee to pray for the success of the meeting are important in
preparation for the discussion meeting.

Quotes from The New Human Revolution, Vol. 25:

“Today I’d like to talk to you about being an emcee. Emcee stands for ‘master of ceremonies,’ so the emcee
plays an extremely important role in a meeting or at an event. In many ways, the success or failure of the
meeting depends on the emcee.

“That’s why emcees must have the determination to bear full responsibility for the meeting and to use their
voices to transform the atmosphere into a place of joy in seeking the Law, a true Buddhist assembly. That’s
what I’ve always strived to do.” (pp. 186–87)

“The most important thing for an emcee is the sound of one’s voice. It should be stirring, powerful, and
brimming with life force. With the voice, an emcee should create a mood for the members, sometimes
speaking lightly and at others times with great solemnity.

“An emcee needs to enunciate, so that everyone can hear and understand what is said. Facial expressions are
also important. An emcee mustn’t look tired or unwell. When you’re going to take on the crucial role of
emcee, you need to get a good night’s sleep the day before, then chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo on the day of
the event, and eat a proper meal. When you sit in the emcee’s chair, make sure to pay attention to your
posture and sit up straight.” (pp. 189–90)
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“When you are the emcee, pay special attention to timing. There are times when you need to jump right in
and speak to keep the tempo upbeat, and times when you need to take a breath and pause. If you lack that
crucial sense of timing, you can possibly ruin the meeting’s mood.

“For example, what happens if you say, ‘Those who are too hot, please remove your jackets,’ and then
introduce the next speaker before the members have a chance to finish taking off their coats. They won’t be
able to applaud, and the next speaker will have to start talking over the rustle of the crowd.

“In that case, you’d want to wait until everyone has taken off their jackets, then pause to allow everyone to
refocus, and speak only then. Timing is key not only in successful meetings but also in theater, dance, and
music.” (p. 191)

“The ability to respond quickly to events is also extremely important for an emcee. For example, when the
front rows of a meeting are fairly empty, but the back of the room is crowded and people are spilling out into
the hall, the emcee needs to
find the proper opportunity to ask participants to move up to the front.

“If the meeting has been going on for a long time and people are growing tired of sitting, the emcee should
consider encouraging the members to stand up, stretch, and maybe do some simple calisthenics. And if the
room is hot, you can invite them to remove their jackets.

“Different types of meetings also call for different ways of emceeing. If it is an introductory meeting, with a
large group of guests, the emcee should speak slowly and soothingly, to relax people.

“Buddhism teaches the need for ‘the wisdom of the truth that functions in accordance with changing
circumstances’ (see The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, p. 3). Emcees need to cultivate this quality
to the highest degree. To do that, it is vital that you chant with strong determination to make the meeting you’re
moderating a success. The purpose of Soka Gakkai meetings is to advance kosen-rufu, and they are the
contemporary versions of the assembly of the Lotus Sutra. As such, serving as an emcee at a meeting is to carry
out the noble work of the Buddha. As the Daishonin indicates, ‘the voice does the Buddha’s work’ (see OTT, 4).
Emcees must always bear this in mind.” (pp. 191–92)