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Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Greg Martin SGI-USA Study Chief discusses the Seven Jewels

Greg Martin in his lecture on The Real Aspect of the Gohonzon, at one point, discusses the Seven Jewels or Seven Treasures: 1). Hearing the correct teaching he interprets as "seeking guidance" 2). Believing in it he equates with "the unity of SGI believers" 3). Keeping the precepts he asserts are "Soka Spirit* activities" 4). Engaging in meditation he interprets as "calming the mind and self mastery" 5). Practicing assiduously "is doing SGI activities"; 6). Renouncing one's attachments too, "is tirelessly performing SGI activities"** 7). reflecting on oneself "is doing human revolution". 

To drive home his points, he quotes Ikeda, "All of these are encompassed in the word faith. They are all included in SGI activities." Ikeda thus equates faith with SGI activities.***

Most importantly, Martin fails to mention the most profound meaning of the Seven Treasures, that they are, according to Nichiren, "Na Mu Myo Ho Ren Ge Kyo". Is it because, in the Soka Gakkai, there are only six treasures, Nam Myo Ho Ren Ge Kyo?

SGI is a money making cult that only survives by mixing the impure teachings of Taisekaji, Makiguchi, Toda, and Ikeda with the pure teachings of the Lotus Sutra and Nichiren Daishonin.

*Soka Spirit according to SGI leader Harsh Mishra, "is a crucial focus in our practice by which we protect SGI member’s process of becoming happy from any confusing forces and reach out to dialogue and encourage those who mistakenly have drifted into the erroneous path of the priesthood or the temple. Soka Spirit is about protecting Daishonin’s teaching from subtle yet profound distortions of Nichiren Shoshu priesthood."

** Instead of selfishly devoting oneself to, for example, developing a happy and harmonious family or establishing one's career? Here we clearly see the reality of SGI, the cult mindset of devoting oneself entirely to the SGI and Ikeda without the window dressing of "faith equals daily life".

***no matter how SGI activities veer from the teachings of Nichiren Daishonin, for example SGI interfaith and mentor worship.] Of course, there is no mention of the Buddha.

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