Schism, Semiosis and the Soka Gakkai by Forest C. Stone another lying SGI apologist

http://cedar.wwu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1375&context=wwuet

Old Man Marvin

I gave Old Man Marvin the rescue parrot away to my friend Shelley. Old Man was a sad 35 year old Quaker Parrot who lost his human mother. He would mope around all day, never standing straight up, or talking, like a hunched over old man. Shelley is the wife of my shakubuku, Redneck Ed. The moment she walked into the room, Old Man Marvin perked up and began to laugh, standing straight up and even rolling on the floor of his cage laughing and not for a minute or two but for ten or fifteen minutes. The more Shelley talked to him the more he laughed and cavorted. He is now one happy parrot but he hates Ed. When Ed goes to pick him up, Old Man Marvin tells him "F-you" and when Ed isn't looking, he turns around and sprays him with bird poo. I think he is one jealous parrot. Ed is trying to teach Old Man Namu Myoho renge kyo so he can change his karma.

SGI's old stance...Throw it out!

Q: What is the relationship between the Dai-Gohonzon, the Gohonzon enshrined at a community center or culture center and the Gohonzon in our homes?

A: The Buddhist principle of disbursement (bushin santai) describes how a source retains its uniformity even as it branches outward, just as river flowing from a lake to the ocean contains the same water as the source. Similarly, today the Dai-Gohonzon is the source for tapping into our inherent Buddha nature and attaining absolute happiness.

The Gohonzon enshrined at SGI facilities and those in private homes also contain this same source. All Gohonzon derive from the Dai-Gohonzon and all represent the same potential to create change in our lives, depending on our faith and practice.

http://www.sokaspirit.com/origin…/nichikan-gohonzon/faq.html

The Gohonzon issued by the SGI will be reproduced from a Gohonzon transcribed by Nichikan, the 26th high priest of Taiseki-ji, based upon the Dai-Gohonzon. In terms of Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism, it is obviously a valid object of worship.

http://nichiren.info/…/SokaGa…/Study/Temple/reaffirming.html

The Gohonzon that members of SGI enshrine in their own homes is based on one originally inscribed by Nichiren on October 12, 1279, known as the Dai-Gohonzon.

.....

Immediately prior to the passage from Nichio, quoted by NST above, Nichio defines “the entity of the Law” as the Dai-Gohonzon, stating: “The entity of the Law specifically transferred is the Dai-Gohonzon of the High Sanctuary, which is enshrined at this temple.” (Bennaku Kanjin Sho, p. 212). In fact, Nichio (56th priest, who served from 1889-1908) was the first to ever use the phrase “heritage of the entity of the Law.” “The transmission of the heritage of the entity of the Law,” which the priesthood now claims is a secret entity only possessed by high priests, actually indicates the transference of the responsibility to protect the Dai-Gohonzon and preserve it for humanity.

Throw out all of Josei Toda's writings on the DaiGohonzon

"The natural power of human beings is very weak. No matter how hard one tries to live one's own life in one's own way, in the end one is easily influenced by others and by external factors....I believe that to make one's life its strongest, most brilliant and happiest, there is no way but to live the Buddhism of ichinen sanzen [a single life-moment possesses three thousand realms] and the mutual possession of the ten worlds. This is the ultimate philosophy that Nichiren Daishonin delivered to the vast universe more than seven hundred years ago. He perceived people's ignorance of this profound principle and bestowed upon them the gem of ichinen sanzen so that they could attain the state of happiness. This gem of ichinen sanzen is nothing other than the Dai-Gohonzon that he inscribed...."(Buddhism in Action, vol. 7, pp. 107-08)

Oh, you were let in on the joke of SGI doctrine? You knew it for years?

Then why not the pioneer members? They had no right to know? And while we're on the subject, it was OK to slander those who taught correct doctrine all along? So much for SGI kindness. So much for Ikeda omniscience.

WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THAT DANNY BOY? or Do Japanese Blush When They Are Embarrassed?

I'd love to see the face of the fool Danny Nagashima after reading these posts. I guess he can assuage his shame at lying to the members for twenty years by looking at his bank account. WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THAT DANNY BOY?

Better now than later. Better now to receive the boundless benefits of the Law!

Send the Nichikan Gohonzon to me for respectful disposal and I will send you a Nichiren Gohonzon for free. Why wait five or ten years until SGI tells you that they are switching to a Nichiren inscribed Gohonzon and THEN throw out the Nichikan Gohonzon while paying for one of SGI's inferior copies. Since you will throw it out all the same, better now than later. Better now to receive the boundless benefits of the Law!

Throw it out [Nam Myoho renge kyo] because it is Namu Myoho renge kyo

Since SGI will throw out Nam Myoho renge kyo in twenty years or less, why don't you start chanting Namu Myoho renge kyo now?

Throw it out. Erase it from your mind.

"The Dai-Gohonzon of the high sanctuary of true
Buddhism at the Nichiren Shoshu head temple,
Taiseki-ji, is the basis of all Gohonzons. The
Gohonzon, which we are allowed to recieve so that we can
pray in our own homes, can be inscribed only by
one of the successive high priests who inherit the true
lineage of Nichiren Shoshu."
Daisaku Ikeda, Buddhism in Action, vol. 1, pg. 21

"It goes without saying that our Soka Gakkai is an
organization of Nichiren Shoshu believers. Therefore,
worshipping the Dai-Gohonzon and serving the
high priest is the fundamental spirit of the Gakkai."
Daisaku Ikeda, Inaugural address of president Ikeda, 1960

"The basis of Nichiren Shoshu is the Lifeblood recieved only by
a single person. To faithfully follow the High Priest of the bequethal of the
Lifeblood is the correct way for priests and laybelievers. If one is
mistaken about this single point, then everything will become insane."
Daisaku Ikeda, Discussing Kosen-rufu and Human Life, Vol. 3, p. 32

"Needless to say, the Dai-Gohonzon of the high
sanctuary inscribed for all mankind is the most
fundamental basis of the movement for the Nichiren
Shoshu Soka Gakkai [they have since changed the
name to SGI]. The Dai-Gohonzon has been preserved
and handed down within Nichiren Shoshu from
the founder, Nichiren Daishonin, to his successor,
Nikko Shonin, and then to the third high priest,
Nichimoku Shonin, up to the present 67th high
priest, Nikken Shonin. I hope, therefore, that we will
courageously dedicate ourselves to studying
Nichiren Daishonin's teachings in order to deepen our faith
and to propagation true Buddhism in each country
or community, as we follow the high priest's
guidance, and respect the traditions and doctrines
of Nichiren Shoshu."
Daisaku Ikeda, Buddhism in Action, vol 1, p 33

"We conduct the third prayer to express our deepest
appreciation to Nichiren Daishonin, the Buddha of
the Latter Day of the Law. In this third silent prayer,
we also offer our gratitude to Nikko Shonin, the
second high priest and the fouder of Taisekiji. Further,
we offer our appreciation to the third high priest,
Nichimoku Shonin, and all the successive high priests
of Nichiren Shoshu, each of whom transmitted
the heritage of the Law to the next. Presently, as
you know, the 67th high priest, Nikken Shonin, has
inherited the Law. Now he is the master of true Buddhism."
Daisaku Ikeda, Buddhism in action, vol 1, p 107

"...we must protect and transmit the essence of the traditions and doctrines
that have been continually protected for over 700 years, since the time of
the Daishonin. I am concerned that unless we make this our basis, that no matter
how much we temporarily increase in power, we would be unable to
avoid the criticism of future generations that our Kosen-rufu was a sham."
Daisaku Ikeda, Daibyaku Renge, No. 333, p. 13

"That which forms the basis of Nichiren Shoshu is the Lifeblood.
With the Dai-Gohonzon as the basis, the successive High Priests
alone recieve and inherit this Lifeblood, and preserve it eternally."
Daisaku Ikeda, Discussing Kosen-rufu and Human Life, Vol. 3, p. 256

"The Great Pure Law of the Latter day of the Law is transmitted
by the successive High Priests of the bequethal of the lifeblood
of the Law recieved by only a single person, and they inscribe
the Gohonzon for us believers from that standpoint."
Daisaku Ikeda, Discussing Kosen-rufu and Human Life, Vol. 4, p. 6

SGI members can not think for themselves

They have to wait to be told what to believe by their leaders. If it wasn't so sad it would be hilarious. 

Throw out your old SGI Sutra books

Now 12 million members will have to buy five new sutra books for three dollars a piece which equals ~ $150,000,000.00 in the SGI coffers.

"Even though the Daigohonzon is held hostage by evil minded people, the official view remains; "I offer my deepest praise and most sincere gratitude to the Dai-Gohonzon of the Three Great Secret Laws, which was bestowed upon the entire world."  -- SGI member reciting the old 2nd prayer from his Sutra book

"Worshipped" not "worship"

"Millions of SGI members pray to the Dai-Gohonzon every day. How short-sighted it would be to think that physical proximity made a difference in one's prayers." -- Kathy Ruby

Throw it out

1279: October 12  -- Inscription of the Dai-Gohonzon

Members of SGI practice Buddhism as taught by the 13th-century Japanese priest Nichiren, which involves chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and sections of the Lotus Sutra in front of a scroll called a Gohonzon. The Gohonzon that members of SGI enshrine in their own homes is based on the one originally inscribed by Nichiren on October 12, 1279, known as the Dai-Gohonzon. SGI members commemorate this anniversary each year on October 12.

The Gohonzon represents a physical embodiment, in the form of a mandala, of the eternal and universal law of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, the essence of the Lotus Sutra, and Nichiren's purpose in inscribing it was to make available to all humankind the means to achieve a state of ultimate happiness, or Buddhahood.

13^th century Japan was a time rife with social unrest and natural disasters. The ordinary people, especially, suffered enormously. Nichiren wondered why the teachings of Buddhism had lost their power to enable people to lead happy, empowered lives. His intensive study of the Buddhist sutras convinced him that the Lotus Sutra contained the essence of the Buddha's enlightenment and that it held the key to transforming people's suffering and enabling society to flourish. The Lotus Sutra affirms that all people, regardless of gender, capacity or social standing, inherently possess the qualities of a Buddha, and are therefore equally worthy of the utmost respect. Nichiren started sharing the practice of chanting NMRK in 1253 and later began inscribing personal Gohonzon for particularly devoted disciples. This teaching of empowerment for all people, which spread quickly among both commoners and priesthood alike, was alarming to the government, which, in collaboration with influential temples, head priests and officials at every level, conspired to harass, suppress and even injure and kill  Nichiren’s followers. Finally, in 1279, matters came to a head and in Atsuhara, 20 farmers were falsely accused of theft, arrested and imprisoned. In the face of torture and threats, his followers united and fought in the spirit of “many in body, one in mind.”  

Unwavering in their faith, three of the farmers were later executed. Moved by their faith, Nichiren finally had confidence that his teachings would be maintained and practiced after his own passing. Where before he had inscribed Gohonzon only for individual believers, he now inscribed a mandala explicitly dedicated to the happiness and enlightenment of all humankind.

Some months later Nichiren inscribed the Dai-Gohonzon, of which all Gohonzon are replicas, in response to the powerful faith exhibited by ordinary people in the midst of the Atsuhara Persecution and expressed his deepest wish and vow for kosen-rufu, the propagation of the Law to free all people from misery and lead them to genuine happiness, enabling all humanity to attain Buddhahood everywhere and at any time.  This symbolized the establishment of Nichiren Buddhism as a universal faith.

Better throw out all your SGI books before 2014 including the New New Human Revolution

ABOUT THE DAI-GOHONZON By Ted Morino
[Excerpted from the 9/10/99 World Tribune]

SGI President Ikeda stated: "Nothing has changed in the way we view the
Dai-Gohonzon: It was inscribed by Nichiren Daishonin for the happiness of all
humanity and is the basis of our faith." The SGI has always upheld the validity
of the Dai-Gohonzon, even during these years when we have not been able to see
it."

We should clarify what is the correct attitude toward the Dai-Gohonzon. First,
the power of any Gohonzon, including the Dai-Gohonzon, can be tapped only
through the power of faith. It is wrong to think that the Dai-Gohonzon alone has
some kind of unique mystic power that no other Gohonzon possesses. The
Dai-Gohonzon and our own Gohonzon are equal.

What is most important is the power of our faith and practice, which enables us
to tap the power of the Buddha and the Law in the Dai-Gohonzon and in all other
Gohonzon, and within ourselves. In this respect, the Daishonin states: "The
Gohonzon is found in faith alone. As the sutra states, 'Only with faith can one
enter Buddhahood'" (The Major Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 213).

It is wrong to think that, whether we have faith in the Dai-Gohonzon or not, the
Dai-Gohonzon is absolute. Faith is what matters. In this respect, President
Ikeda states: "The Gohonzon enshrined at our home carries the same significance
as the Dai-Gohonzon. They are as beneficial as the Dai-Gohonzon, in accord with
the Buddhist principle of "dispersing the body of the original in different
forms" (Jpn funjin santai).

Since the Dai-Gohonzon is made of wood, its physical longevity is naturally
limited. But the essence of the Dai-Gohonzon, the Law, will never perish because
it inherently exists in the universe and within each of us. President Toda used
to use the expression "the Dai-Gohonzon in my home," meaning that the Gohonzon
we worship at home is essentially the Dai-Gohonzon itself.

The millions of SGI members who have achieved victories in their lives have done
so through their practice to their own Gohonzon. This is because we have been
practicing the Daishonin's Buddha's correctly in accord with the compassionate
spirit behind the Daishonin's inscription of the Dai-Gohonzon.

This awareness is more important than ever today. "

More Kathy Ruby

"Incidentally, we still worship the DaiG.  We just don't travel to Taisekiji to do so."

Kathy Ruby

"Of course, the DaiGohonzon is the object of worship the Daishonin inscribed for all people, the purpose of his Advent." 

EXTRA EXTRA Its Official: SGI dumps the DaiGohonzon

AN OPEN LETTER TO THE PIONEERS OF KOSEN RUFU

I'm sure that some of you are puzzled or disturbed by Soka Gakkai President Harada's announcement on November 8, 2014:

 " The Soka Gakkai does NOT regard the Gohonzon that was inscribed in the second year of Koan [1279], and is located at Taiseki-ji, now a center of slander of the Law, as the object to be accepted and upheld in terms of actual practice...All Gohonzon-script or character mandalas of the ten worlds- inscribed by the Daishonin himself for humanity, as well as transcriptions thereof, are equally the object of devotion of the essential teaching..”. [emphasis added] (World Tribune, Dec. 12, 2014)

The doctrine of the Dai-Gohonzon simply does not exist in the Daishonin's writings. Nichiren Shoshu's claim of the superiority of the Dai-Gohonzon is based on three myths manufactured over centuries by Taiseki-ji.

 MYTH 1: The Daigohonzon is the only Gohonzon "to be enshrined in the High Sanctuary of the essential teaching." 

It is indeed true that this is the only Gohonzon inscribed with the words "Honmon Kaidan" (High Sanctuary of the essential teaching). However, the actual inscription reads "Bestowed upon Yashiro Kunishige, petitioner for the sanctuary of the essential teaching, and members of the lay society."(Human Revolution, book 2, pg 1061) This Gohonzon honored a person who did-or would-petition the sovereign for the creation of the High Sanctuary-and it was bestowed upon the lay society, not the priesthood. The actual identity of Yashiro Kunishige is unknown, although we DO know from the Gosho that a believer from Atsuhara named Yashiro was decapitated in April, 1279. High priest Nichiko Hori, a man of integrity who helped Toda compile the Gosho, stated "I do not know the basis for the matter of Yashiro Kunishige" There is no inscription stating that the Dai-Gohonzon is "to be enshrined in the High Sanctuary of the essential teaching". That is an opportunistic mistranslation of the inscription on that Gohonzon used to the priests' advantage (Confirmed by SGI-USA Study Department.)

 MYTH 2. The Daigohonzon is the only one "bestowed upon the entire world".

 

The second myth is that this Gohonzon contains the inscription "Ichienbudai soyo"-"bestowed upon the entire world".This was used by the priests to make the claim that this Gohonzon alone was the one bestowed upon the entire world. In fact, there is NO such inscription. The actual inscription reads " Never in 2,230-some years since the passing of the Buddha has this great mandala appeared in the world." This is the exact inscription Nichiren inscribed on no less than half of the 130 or more Gohonzon in his own hand which are still extant. It is correct to say that ALL of Nichiren's Gohonzon were inscribed for the entire world. There is no inscription on this Gohonzon which says “Ichienbudai soyo”. (Confirmed by SGI-USA Study Department)

MYTH 3: Nichiren said the Daigohonzon was the“reason for his advent in this world.” 

Actually, Nichiren called the inscription of the Gohonzon to Abutsu-bo "the reason for my advent" in march, 1272 ("On the Treasure Tower",v.1, pg 299)...more than seven years earlier. The priests interpreted a passage from “On Persecutions Befalling the Sage” in a self-serving and devious way in order to claim that their Gohonzon had special power. High Priest Nichiko stated, in 1939 :” The purpose of the Buddha’s advent can be said to have been achieved only when those guided by the Buddha establish the same life-condition as the Buddha’s. It can be said that the Atsuhara Incident, which took place in the second year of Koan (1279), and where the farmers displayed death-defying faith, signifies the accomplishment of the purpose of Founder Nichiren’s advent." Here Nichiko himself refuted a centuries old Taiseki-ji myth.(Confirmed by SGI-USA Study material for 2009 Study Exam))

SGI's bizarre practices

An SGI member admits to reciting Buddhist scripture in front of a picture of Ikeda:

"Steve, I would like to get a little explanation of how reciting the Kaimoku-Sho in front of a picture of Pres. Ikeda is supposed to equal the belief that he is the true Buddha or a reincarnation of Nichiren?" 

He would have us believe that reciting the Kaimoku Sho to a picture of Ikeda is a mere affirmation of camaraderie. Then, when asked about the memorization of the poem To Our Young American Friends, all few hundred lines, he stated, "This is nothing more than another of the myriad Buddhist practices of the Lotus Sutra."

SGI's and Nichiren Shoshu's heretical doctrine is totally refuted.. This Dharma ending age will last until Maitreya Buddha makes his advent 5,670,000,000 years in the fruture

Question: 1. Is there to be a period after Mappo? Or is this considered an end times period? 

Answer: Mappo is the Dharma ending age. It will last for 10,000 years and more, according to Nichiren Daishonin. 

The people who live in Mappo are the original disciples of Shakyamuni Buddha who attained Buddhahood in the eternal past, not merely the historical Shakyamuni Buddha of India who attained Buddhahood for the first time under the Bodhi Tree.

Question 2. Will there be another Buddha? ,

Answer: The Lotus Sutra and Nichiren are very clear:

"..There is a bodhisattva-mahasattva whose name is Maitreya, and who has been predestined by Shakyamuni Buddha as the next buddha"  -- Three Fold Lotus Sutra Chapt. 15 page. 243

"..There is a bodhisattva, a great being, called Maitreya, who has received a prediction from the Buddha Shakyamuni that he will become a Buddha after Shakyamuni in the future" Lotus Sutra pg. 227 (BDK English Triptaka)

"...There is a bodisattva named mahasattva named Maitreya who has received a prophecy from Shakyamuni Buddha that he will be the next hereafter to become a Buddha..." Lotus Sutra (Watson) pg. 218

"WHEN the Buddha was about to pass away, Ven. Ananda and many other disciples wept. The Buddha said, `Enough, Ananda. Do not allow yourself to be troubled. Do not weep. Have I not already told you that it is in the very nature of things that they must pass away. We must be separated from all that is near and dear to us. The foolish man conceives his idea of Self; the wise man sees there is no ground on which to build the Self. Thus the wise man has a right conception of the world. He will conclude that all component things will be dissolved again; but the Truth will always remain.' 

The Buddha continued: `Why should I preserve this body when the body of the excellent Law will endure? I am resolved. I have accomplished my purpose and have attended to the work set upon me. Ananda, for a long time you have been very near to me in thoughts, words and acts of much love beyond all measure. You have done well, Ananda. Be earnest in effort and you too will soon be free from bondages! You will be free from sensuality, from delusion, and from ignorance.' Suppressing his tears, Ananda said to the Buddha, `Who shall teach us when You are gone?' And the Buddha advised him to regard His Teaching as the Master. The Buddha continued again: `I am not the first Buddha to come upon earth; nor shall I be the last. In due time, another Buddha will arise in this world, a Holy One, a Supremely Enlightened One, endowed with wisdom, in conduct auspicious, knowing the universe, an incomparable leader of men, a master of devas and men. He will reveal to you the same Eternal Truths which I have taught you. He will proclaim a religious life, wholly perfect and pure; such as I now proclaim.' 

`How shall we know him?' asked Ananda. The Buddha replied, `He will be known as Maitreya which means kindness or friendliness.'

"...There is a bodhisattva named Maitreya, on whom Sakyamuni Buddha has conferred the prophesy that he shall be the next Buddha, directly following him." (Lotus Sutra, pg. 231, Hurvitz)

In the writing On Prayer, referring to Dainichi Buddha [or Daisaku Ikeda or anyone claiming to be the Buddha],  he states,

"Even if he had simply appeared in the world without parents, then in what sutra is it mentioned that such a Buddha would appear in the world to expound his teaching during the 5,670 million years between the passing of Shakyamuni Buddha and the appearance of Maitreya, the Compassionate Honored One? If there are no passages of proof, then who would put faith in such an assertion? The True Word doctrines are full of mistaken assertions of this kind, which is why I spoke of them as an erroneous teaching.

Other sutras too are very clear. For example, in the Anagatavamsa or Record of the Future commentary, it is written:

"Praise to that Lord, Arahant, perfect Buddha.

Thus have I heard: At one time the Lord was staying near Kapilvatthu in the Banyan monastery on the bank of the river Rohani 

Then the venerable Sariputta questioned the Lord about the future Conqueror:

'The Hero that shall follow you, 

The Buddha-of what sort will he be? 

I want to hear of him in full. 

Let the Visioned One describe him.' 

When he had heard the Elder's speech 

The Lord spoke thus: 

'I will tell you, Sariputta, 

Listen to my speech. 

In this auspicious aeon 

Three leaders have there been: 

Kakusandha, Konagamana 

And the leader Kassapa too. 

'I am now the perfect Buddha, 

And there will be Metteyya [i.e., Maitreya] too 

Before this same auspicious aeon 

Runs to the end of its years. 

Here, was the perfect opportunity for Sakyamuni Buddha to announce that Nichiren Daishonin is the Original Buddha or that Nichiren would be the next Buddha. 

SGI's and Nichiren Shoshu's heretical doctrine is totally refuted. Nichiren Daishonin is Bodhisattva Jogyo, as predicted in the Lotus Sutra. To assert that Nichiren  Daishonin is the next Buddha is to call Shakyamuni Buddha a liar.

Amida, Maitreya, Dainichi. Medicine King, Nichiren, and the Bodhisattvas of the Earth are manifestations of the Original Eternal Buddha Shakyamuni. The Buddha appears to us in a form that we can understand. 

Fantasy versus reality

Fantasy: SGI top senior leaders are a non profit and selfless group of men committed only to attaining Buddhahood, repaying their debt of gratitude to others, and world peace.

Reality: SGI top senior leaders only care about themselves, their families, their mid six figure salaries, and power.

The Lotus Sutra on the Ikeda Hall of the Great Vow for Kosen Rufu

"'Ajita, these good men and good women need not for my sake erect towers and temples or build monks quarters or make the four kinds of offerings to the community of monks. Why? because these good men and good women, in receiving, embracing, reading and reciting this sutra, have already erected towers, constructed monks quarters, and given alms to the community of monks." -- Lotus Sutra

Salutations to Andre Luiz Fernandes da Costa

Una Bodhisattva Mahasatva della Terra

A Buddhist who hates Shakyamuni Buddha. Figures, a Nichiren Shoshu member

"Shakyamuni abandoned his birthright/Kingdom which is a slap in the face to his ancestors." -- NST member

"By attaining Buddhahood he repaid all his obligations in full." -- Nichiren

SGI recent history: The Kitano Memo

KITANO MEMO

         SGI-EU Summit with Gen. Sec. Kitano. 20/21-12-97 Villa Sachzen. 

After the last preparations were carried out re: the SGI-EU Directorate on 19/12/97, and the last participants of the "Summit" had arrived late evening, the meeting of those responsible for Europe began in the Rheinsaal of the "Villa Sachzen". 

(Only) theme: The incidents connected with the Priests visits to Europe etc. First, extracts of the speech of SGI GD at the meeting of the representatives of the SGI in the Kansai Guidance Center on l4/11/97 were read out. 

As reported, (by SGI-USA and SGI-Taiwan), the actions of the Nikken sect have become more dangerous and we must keep them under careful observation. You already know what is happening in Japan where the sect changed its statutes on the 29th September, (to make many SGI members uncertain or insecure). To enable the Nichiren Shoshu Temples to keep to these statutes, all are intensely involved in coercing the Soka Gakkai members to join them. They approach the members through the post or by telephone threatening them that they will be disqualified if they do not heal themselves. 

Such incidents do not just happen by chance but have been carefully planned. Shinsho Abe, a son of Nikken and author of these incidents said: "It is important to carry out the fight against the Soka Gakkai for two months to achieve a Tozan membership of 100,000 people. We have altered the statute at this time as the preconditions of our fight". 

We assume that this type of action is to be followed in every country. In fact, we have already received reports from the USA, Argentina, and Taiwan regarding letters and posters through which the members were to be convinced to become registered Temple members although, the final reason for doing so was not stated in them. 

What we, at all costs, have to watch are the malicious strategies of the Nikken sect overseas. Initially, they target a member and organize a core group of about ten members as a "unit". Eventually, this becomes a basic group and this will be legally registered. Then the intrinsic members of the local management of the organization are taken over/replaced as we have seen in Panama. 

Following this, Obayashi, who is the person responsible for Nichiren Shoshu overseas affairs, or a Priest of the Nikken sect, comes and takes over the Chairmanship. Next follows the building of a Temple which is also the house or home of the Priest. He then takes over responsibility for the planning and activities of the Temple members and the organization expands. 

Mathematically viewed, the attack of the Nikken sect starts from point to line, from line to the lateral dimension, and from the two dimensional to the three dimensional. If one of us thinks: "It is better that he/she has joined the Nikken sect" or "In our country, we have no such problems" or "The Priest was here by coincidence", the sect will immediately attack us. As the Priests of the Nikken sect move about, evil seeds are sown everywhere. 

In order to destroy the overseas strategies of the Nikken sect, I want to make a suggestion to all the representatives that we start a special SGI campaign against the Nikken sect starting today to last until the end of the Tozan of 100,000 people. During this period, Nikken will be in court on 22/12/97 and on 2/2/98. We should continue our fight during this period. Do you agree? 

Before the beginning of our fight, I would like to confirm three points: Initially and especially we should be "pro-active", in other words, be informed of all the movements of the Nikken sect and apply a practical system of "counter-action". As you have already been informed, the SGI Strategy Dept. has been founded at the SGI-Head Office. In the past, the movements of the Nikken sect have been carefully monitored outside of Japan and in conjunction with the Bureau of the European Continent, counter- activities were instigated. Moreover, the Strategic Department has been provided to strengthen this system. 

In several countries in which seminars about the Nikken sect were held, and guidance relevant to this was given, campaigns to win the members back were carried out. In addition, measures were taken against the Priests and Danto organizations. In those countries in which no measures were taken, I hope that a plan will be discussed according to the situation in that country. The SGI will do its utmost to support those countries and make available all the necessary information and publications. In each country, discussions will be held regarding the title of the Strategy Dept. 

Secondly, we should exert ourselves and never be inattentive. Because the power of the Soka Gakkai is overwhelmingly strong and dominant in Japan, the members think one can easily deal with the Nikken sect and they don't take the situation seriously enough. Consequently, one does not know their precise strength. Going into detail, we found that it is not the Temples that are the places of the leading persons, but their homes. 

They are constantly seeking ways to increase their sphere of influence. It is very dangerous to underestimate their influence and say: "Everything is OK here, up to now none of our members has resigned". The Nikken sect works like mad for shakubuku and their sphere of influence can increase 

even if we can't see anything. 

Perhaps you think there is no Danto in your country. Although, in Sweden and in Mexico, Koreans from America and Mexicans have taken a leading role. Actually the Danto movement, the Danto organizations which are formed from ten or more members, were established without our knowing anything about it. 

At all events, the Nikken sect concentrates its energies more and more on shakubuku for the services of the "Tozan of 100,000 people". If our attack is not strong enough, the strength of evil will destroy us. We must fight with all our strength because we must not allow the might of evil to show itself. 

Submit to Daisaku Ikeda or to the Supremely Venerable One?

"The living beings, ever tormented by pain,

Blind and without a guide,
Do not recognize the Path wherein pain is terminated,
Nor do they know enough to seek deliverance.
Throughout the long night of time they gain in evil destinies
And reduce the ranks of the gods.
From darkness proceeding to darkness,
They never hear the Buddha’s name.
Now that the Buddha has gained the supremely
Serene Dharma free of outflows,
We and the gods and men,
In order to gain the greatest advantage,
For this purpose, all bowing our heads, 
Submit to the Supremely Venerable One" -- Lotus Sutra Chapter 7

Tientai the Great of China on Myohorengekyo

"Myohorengekyo is the inner storehouse of the exceeding profundity of the original ground; ... it is what all tathagatas of the three time periods have obtained." Thus, when we chant Myohorengekyo, the Buddha of original enlightenment will appear within our minds. Our body and minds are like a storehouse, and the character myo, to the seal that opens it. It opens the secret innermost storehouse; this is termed myo (wonderful). It demonstrates the correct principles of true and provisional; therefore, it is termed ho (dharma). It indicates the original effect (obtained by the Buddha) in the distant past; for this, ren (lotus) is used as a metaphor. It encompasses (everything) in the perfect path of non-duality; this is illustrated by ge (blossom). The voice does the Buddha's work; this is termed kyo sutra." He also states, " The word myo praises the inconceivable Dharma. Moreover, myo indicates the ten realms, ten suchnesses and all provisional and true teachings."

How does SGI feel about Nichiren Daishonin?

They hate him. They hate him for pointing out their errors. They hate him by changing his writings and relying on inauthentic texts. They hate him by taking passages from the authentic texts out of context and arbitrarily interpreting his words. They hate him by following the teachings of another master.

Some telling experiences

"I'm not surprised on their lack of procedure. SGI will give guideance to members to chant diamoku, if you have issues with someone else, but they treat their own members and leaders differently. They say never give up on helping a member to grow and develop in spite of their negativity or their issues with you, but they don't follow their own guidance. SGI has become a religion of "do as I say and not as I do" policy. Whatever happened to Pres. Ikeda's "New Renaissance"? We've gone into the "Dark Ages" of religious authoritarianism. SGI accuses the High Priest of saying that members cannot attain enlightenment without his approval, yet SGI demands that members follow Pres. Ikeda's guidance no matter what. You won't get benefit, if you don't follow Pres. Ikeda's guidance. That sounds the same as "you won't attain enlightenment without obeying Pres. Ikeda's guidance". Sometimes you want to lead your own life, but you are forbidden. You have to be monitored periodically with home visits to get you back in line.

If you are a long term member, you no longer have a choice. Your are required to have leaders home visit you to "encourage" you to follow Pres. Ikeda or be labeled an outcast. I seriously think that SGI's issues with the Temple will never be resolved, because the Temple is a

reflection of what SGI is doing. To be a good member, you have to be blind to that. Leaders want to pry into your life to know everything that you think and do. Do they keep a database on your life? Why do they get upset when you want to keep certain things private? If you're not asking for guidance, they want to pry into your life, so that they can force guidance on you. Everyone has faults and weaknesses and I don't like leaders talking about me behind my back and gossiping. Don't ever think you have privacy after you get guidance!!!! Whatever you reveal during guidance becomes your reputation.

SGI doesn't excomunicate, they just have the men's and young men's division follow you around, if you go to a large assembly to be sure that you stay in line. Their eyes are on you. They are like the "Gakkai Police Division" to discourage you from going to large activities. SGI wants the temple members to return to SGI, yet when your participating sincerly in activities, some leaders will use you for their own purpose and say it's for kosenrufu. If you complain about mistreatment, those leaders are not replaced, they are promoted; becausethey "kiss ass" to their leaders, but jerk you arround. Then you are told that its your own karma. Yes, faith equals daily life or its more like daily life equals faith. SGI has become a bureaucracy that is no different than the big corporations that have their own internal office politics. Rather than being an example to members of how to live a life of compassion, they take steps to protect their own asses.

Pres. Ikeda has written guidance in SGI publications that leaders should treat their members with respect. Yet I have heard many times that Pres. Ikeda has yelled and scolded his subordinate leaders in front of other leaders in the same room. He mistreats them for kosen rufu and not

follow his example. Oh, but he is our example of the Buddha's behavior. Once in a large meeting, General Director Danny Nagashima told us of how Pres. Ikeda yelled at him at a special dinner for high level leaders. 

I've heard of Pres. Ikeda yelling at former General Director Mr. Williams questioning his loyalty of supporting him and then Mr. Williams was fired and now SGI slander's his name.

Don't count on SGI being an example of faith, because if you have problems with them they will say it's your karma. Keep chanting no matter what and you will get the life you create. Likewise, SGI will get the life that they are creating. I'm sure the remaining leaders are chanting to resolve all these issues too. SGI is not there yet; so you'll just have to put up with it until SGI is perfect. Who needs members to do Human Revolution, when you've got leaders that jerk you around?" -- Savantakashik

------------------------------------------------

"I cannot believe there is someone who has had the same experience (s) that I have had. I've often thought whats really the difference (priesthood VSSGI?) Why does everything have to impinge on a home visitation opposed to just getting guidance and even then many times a member in good standing will delegate another member who you may hardley even now or who has been less than cordial to you call you out of the blue and start their own pitch thus adding insult to injury. In my case Ive observed that when we finally got our own center It didnt take to long to notice a Private country club mentality take place. Members will often times be more than glad to get you to meetings that are right in you're neighborhood but it seems only a select few get to "go to mecca" and provisions are made for them but yet often times you get a startled look when you're seen by someone who acts surprised to see you there.In another case I've recently befriended a newer member with whom I share similar obstacles/demons but its been hard to connect because they fear of letting to much be known for the "database" you're referring to. That person lives close to me and its been like pulling teeth because were not encouraged to just get together outside of an activity and chant. Im glad that you are continuing to chant and encourage us to do so.I appreciate you're candor and that you're still chanting . Please keep expressing youre thoughts. -- CP

----------------------------------------------------

Yes, I know exactly what you mean by "Private country club mentality". When they asked for Mens Division volunteers to do traffic control, I would readily volunteer. I did it many times as a Group Leader and as a District Leader and I was in good standing. I had asked many times of my leaders and the Youth Division leaders to give me or sell me one of the blue jackets that identify me as one of the volunteers, but they never gave me one. Near our Kaikan there was a small street and I was instructed not to let members park in front of the neighborhood houses and so I prevented many members coming to the meeting not from parking there. However, some close "buddies" of my MD Area Leader parked there and they treated me like I didn't know what I was talking about. My Area leader came out and told them that I was doing the traffic control, but he didn't support me and tell them to move their cars. Instead, he told me to go inside to the meeting and when I came out after the meeting, his ''buddies" still had their cars parked in the street that I had all the other members avoid. I think the word that best for this type of inside group is "clique". The type you hear of in high school. The type of exclusive group that you may never be apart of. My MD Area Leader has his own special support group of non-leaders that he socialized with and to whom he gave special organizational privileges . I wouldn't be supprised if this happens quite frequently in many parts of SGI. We are all supposed to be equals, but this is not the reality of the organization. -- S

Nichiren Shoshu theology is based on internal forgeries

"This transmission is the oral transmission from Nichiren to one legitimate disciple, the secret transmission entrusted to only one person." "Ubuyo Sojo Ji" [Transmission Concerning the First Bath], Shinpen, p. 1710.

"The successive Shonin are all, without exception, Nichiren." (Nichiren Daishonin, "Seven Teachings on the Gohonzon Transmitted from Master to Disciple", Fuji Shugaku Yoshu, vol. 1, p. 32; Nichiren Shoshu Seiten, p. 379)

"[The documents of] this Heritage [of the school of the Essential Teachings of the Lotus Sutra] and [the documents of] the essential matters of the Gohonzon are documents of the Transmission of the Law from Nichiren to the successive masters in the seat of the Law. They concern the Transmission bestowed [on Bodhisattva Jogyo] at the Treasure Tower, the Transmission of the Heritage of the law exclusively from one to the next." -- On the True Cause

Actual guidance for SGI leaders

"Compel your members to accept some truths while rejecting others." -- SGI top Senior Leader

"The High Priest is just like you and me" -- Nichiren Shoshu member [Post rated R]

Shudo Mizutani went on to become the High Priest of Nichiren Shoshu in 1935.

***********************************************************************

Nichiren Shoshu General Admintrator Charged with Breach of Trust over a Concubine.

Yomiyuri Shimbun, December 29, 1930

Re. Shudo Mizutani (56), the cief priest of Josen-ji temple in Koume-cho, Mukomima in Honjo-ku, was summoned in profound secrecy to the Marunouchi Police Station for questioning several times in December about allegations of breach of trust, involving a geisha. Rev. Mizutani is also the general administrator of Fuji Taiseki-ji, the Head Temple of Nichiren Shoshu, one of the five temples on Mount Fuji, which has 700,000 believers throughout the country. Rev. Mizutani was examined by Chief Judicial Official Nakamura. At the same time, Kikutaro Hirasawa and Senzo Suzuki, representatives of Josen-ji temple's lay supporters, and the proprietresses of the machiai (house for geisha entertainment) "Suzuran" in Asakusa and "Kozuchi" in Kameido were also summoned and questioned as witnesses.

As a result, Rev. Mizutani was charged with breach of trust on December 26, and the papers pertaining to his case will be sent to the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office on January 4, shortly after the New Year recess. Rev. Mizutani became the cief priest of Josen-ji two years ago and was then appointed the general administrator of the Head Temple, Fuji Taiseki-ji. He has since made the above mentioned machiais his local haunt, and forgotten his position as a priest and spent large amounts of money to play with geishas. He then bought the contract of a geisha named Monya or Hatsu Morooka (21), whom Mizutani kept as his lover. He spent 9,000 yen of the temple's money and over-drafted bills for about about 30,000 yen. This unlawfull act, a blatant violation of the Buddhist monastic discipline, was discovered and investigated by Detective Shiina of the Marunouchi Police Station.

This case of Rev. Mizutani further worsened the plight of Fuji Taiseki-ji Temple. The believers have already been divided into two antagonistic factions, resulting from the election of Chief Administrator; an affair over which blood has been shed. The factions are also aggravated over the Theory of the Gohonzon that Chief Administrator Abe put forth last year. This case threatens to cause more trouble and throw all 700,000 Nichiren Shoshu believers into chaos and confusion.

********* ********* ********* ********* ********* ********* ********* *********

Prosecutor: High Priest Mazutomi, did you have an improper relationship with the geisha?
High Priest: Improper? ... There's nothing improper about that. That was one of the the sweetest geishas I ever had.

Question: Why did the adulterous High Priest wear underwear?
Answer: To keep his ankles warm.

Someone asked the adulterous High Priest if he was going back to Taisekaji after the scandal is over. He said that he thought he would poke around Tokyo for a while.

Question: What did the adulterous High Priest say to his wife after sex?
Answer: I'll be home in twenty minutes.

High Priest: Don't feel sorry for that poor geisha. She'll be back on her knees in no time.

There's a new meaning to the phrase, "All kneel before the High Priest."

Question: When did the high priest realize the geisha wasn't a Nichiren Shoshu Buddhist?
Answer: When she didn't swallow everything he presented.

Question: Why was the High Priest so interested in the Soka Gakkai Tokyo Kaikan?
Answer: He thought it was a geisha house.

Question: Why didn't the High Priest travel to America this year?
Answer: There are no geisha houses in America.

Did the High Priest chant to the DaiGohonzon to meet a geisha?

Question: What do the SGI and geisha have in common?
Answer: They both got f---ed.

Question: What else do the SGI and the geisha have in common?
Answer: The high priest loved them and left them.

Question: How do you know D.Ikeda is a better lover than the High Priest?
Answer: Because he's called D.Ikeda

D.Ikeda: I am better than you.
Nikken: No your not. I have many geisha.
D.Ikeda: I am better. I don't have to pay for it.

Question: What is the difference between the SGI and a geisha?
Answer: The SGI no longer has to kiss the High Priests butt.

Geisha # 1: How was the High Priest?
Geisha # 2: He possesses some plank of wood.

Question: How many High Priests does it take to screw in a light bulb?
Answer: Two. One to screw in the light bulb while the other is screwing the
geisha.

Was Sensei free to tell the truth by1992 or was he still lying?

"In this day and age, no one can attain Buddhahood without participating in SGI activities." -- Soka Gakkai President Daisaku Ikeda World Tribune, Dec. 1992

Will you die with a smile on your face singing Forever Sensei?

You are free to believe anything. You may believe in Santa Clause or the Easter Bunny. There is about as much proof of the authenticity of the DaiGohonzon and of Ikeda being the Buddha of the modern age as there is for Santa Clause. Who am I to question your beliefs? Why should I even care that you embrace a fairytale rather than experience the true greatness of the Daishonin's teachings? Hell, if you die with a smile on your face singing Forever Sensei, who am I to shake your beliefs, even if the Lotus Sutra and Five Major writings of Nichiren point out the  heresy of your beliefs?

Now: The Heart of an Octopus

http://www.sokaspirit.com/content/darkness-before-dawn/part_01.html

Before Daisaku Ikeda and SGI "could speak the truth"...

"Think of the example of an electric light. Assuming of course that the
light bulb itself is not burned out, no bright light will shine forth
from an electric light to which the electricity does not flow because of
a blown fuse, no matter how many times one turns on the switch. Even
though the light bulb itself works fine, without electricity, the light
will not shine. Accordingly, **those who do not worship the Dai-
Gohonzon of Fuji Taisekiji are slanderers."** Soka Gakkai Shakubuku
Kyoten, p. 339

"The Dai-Gohonzon enshrined at the Head Temple Taisekiji is the 
basis of everything in our religion. The successive high priests of 
Nichiren Shoshu alone arequalified to copy the Dai-Gohonzon, to 
make a Gohonzon, which each of us embraces. This is based upon 
the Buddhist principle of bunshin santai (dispersion of the entity)." 
-- Daisaku Ikeda, Chicago Community Center on October 11, 1980, 
reported in the November 24, 1980, World Tribune, p. 15

"In this sect (Nichiren Shoshu), the Living Essence, Uninterrupted Light
of the Law has been bestowed like the transferal of the water of the Law
from one vessel to another upon each specifically chosen High Priest in
the lineage until the present day. To the last, the True Buddha is
Nichiren Daishonin, and **we must revere the inner enlightenment of the
High Priests, which is only bestowed on and between High Priests, in the
same way that we revere the Daishonin."** --  Daisaku Ikeda, May 3, 1979

" . . . the 'Treasure of the Priest' refers to the High Priests in the
line of Nikko Shonin, who are the only ones who have received the
transmission of the Living Essence of the Law until the present day.
Furthermore, all of the Priests are the disciples of the High Priest.
They are the House of the Law. Consequently, no matter what the
circumstances may be, we must hold the Priests in a place of
importance." -- Daisaku Ikeda, February 28, 1978

"The 'Treasure of the Priest' refers to the 2nd High Priest of this
sect, Nikko Shonin, and as the 3rd president has stated, also refers to
the High Priests, the only persons who have received the Living Essence
of the Law." Seikyo Shimbun, June 30, 1978

"The Treasure of the Priest begins with Nikko Shonin, who correctly
acceded to the possession of the Living Essence of the Law of True
Buddhism, continues with the successive generations of High Priests, and
in a broader sense, includes all of the members of the Priesthood who
are of the House of the High Priest of the Law. [Omission] Realising
how vitally important the existence of the Treasure of the Priest is,
and honouring the Priests with faith filled with respect, thanks and and
a desire to repay the debt of gratitude which we owe them, it is
essential that we march forward toward kosen rufu in a spirit of
harmonious unity between the Priesthood and the laity." -- Daisaku Ikeda,
"Daibyaku Renge," November 1979 issue, reprinted in October 1983 issue

"Any person who is not obedient to the High Priest, whatever the reason
may be, is no longer a Priest or lay member of Nichiren Shoshu. This is
because there is no error more fundamental than this." Daisaku Ikeda,
November 24, 1981

"The foundation of Nichiren Shoshu is the Bestowal of the Living Essence
of the Law upon the One and Only Person. The only correct path for both
Priests and lay believers is to proceed in obedience to the High Priest
because of that Face to Face Bestowal of the Living Essence of the Law."
-- Daisaku Ikeda, Jan. 24, 1982

"Till the end, only the High Priest's instruction can be the basis for
the doctrines of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism." --  Daisaku Ikeda, April
17, 1981

"The inheritance of the Living Essence of the Law is the origin of
Nichiren Shoshu. With the Dai-Gohonzon as their source, the successive
generations of High Priests, the only ones to whom this has been
transferred, have continued in their Eternal Protection of the Law."
-- Daisaku Ikeda, July 24, 1982

"Realising how vitally important the existence of the Treasure of the
Priest is, and honoring the Priests with faith filled with respect,
thanks and and a desire to repay the debt of gratitude which we owe
them, it is essential that we march forward toward kosen rufu in a
spirit of harmonious unity between the Priesthood and the laity." --
Daisaku Ikeda, August 3 1981

"Today, it is in the faith of Nichiren Shoshu and the tradition of the
gakkai that we revere the successive generations of High Priests as we
do Nichiren Daishonin. If anyone so much as makes light of the High
Priest, as it says in the Gosho, the sufferings of hell await that
person without a doubt. Whatever may happen, I pledge that we will
proceed towards kosen rufu exactly as the High Priest instructs, and
construct a harmonious unity between Priesthood and laity." Gakkai
President Hojo, Novemeber 26, 1980

Bruce Maltz was correct then. What a pity. What a shame.

Well, your answers are quite sad to read. Instead of going back to
the source and re-reading Nichiren you say, "what you say about the
severe retribution for not following your brand of Shakyamuni's
teachings is truly astonishing".........how is this my brand? It's
Nichiren's teaching. I didn't find "passages to support (my)
beliefs"........and "goshos are open to interpretation, despite (my)
insistence that (I) alone know the truth". Goshos are exactly as they
are written, no interpretation at all when it's so clearly spelled
out. You say that my statements do not "pass the rationality test".

And you say "there cannot only be One Way". (Sorry, that's Nichiren'
message, there is ONLY one way, not two or three.) "There are many
paths to enlightenment as there are seekers". Fine words, but they
are a different teaching. They are not Nichiren's and they are not
the Lotus Sutra. In case you didn't notice, Nichiren is a
fundamentalist, and his is an exclusive practice, i.e. the Lotus
Sutra only. Likewise, Shakyamuni says that he has "not yet revealed
the truth", which is found only in the Lotus Sutra. You can't be a
Nichiren Buddhist if you don't believe Nichiren's words.

Nichiren was a "scriptural Buddhist". He relied solely on the
sutras. His earliest credo was from the Great Nirvana Sutra.....
"Trust the Dharma, do not trust human teachers. Trust the wisdom (of
the Buddha) do not trust human consciousness. Trust the sutras of
final meaning, do not trust the sutras of non-final meaning." The
Buddha taught three kinds of teaching: provisional, expedient, and
final. The final is the Lotus Sutra, with the Nirvana Sutra as a
"gleaning".

Or as T'ien t'ai said: "If something agrees with the (Lotus) sutra,
then record and use it. Do not believe in oral transmissions." In
the Tendai tradition of Nichiren's day, there was a "zenification"
happening, which implied that there was some meaning that was higher
than the text. Nichiren rejects this completely. Unfortunately, the
SGI/NST philosophy is in this vein , and is completely in opposition
to Nichiren.....

You rely on the opinions of Ted Morino....even if they contradict
Nichiren. This SGI talk is simply "New Age mysticism in Buddhist
robes". It is not Nichiren Buddhism. (It's easy for Ted Morino to
tell you anything because you haven't looked it up for yourself.
Isn't this risky, like taking a stock broker's word for an
investment? I had no luck until I read everything for myself).

Like it or not, Nichiren was a strict fundamentalist. His words, "All
other sutras lead to hell" is a direct quote, correctly translated.
Jesus is a "bad teacher" and his teaching causes terrible suffering,
especially after death......only Nichiren used the name "Honen" in
this type of example. Obviously, he didn't know about Jesus, but the
principle is the same. Sorry to shock you, but it's not me who says
so, it's Nichiren himself. And Nichiren says that if people find him
to be too strict, then they must consider Shakyamuni to be even more
strict in the Lotus Sutra. Nichiren merely reiterates the teaching
that Shakyamuni transmitted to him at the ceremony in the air (Chapter
11, Lotus Sutra).

Instead of going on in this vein, let me be blunt. You practice
Soka-Buddhism,.not Nichiren Buddhism. .Do you think that a fake
honzon can give the same benefit as a real one? The answer is that
you are not getting the benefits that Nichiren described. I don't
doubt that you feel your practice benefits you. Christians get
benefits also, even miracles. So does every religion in the world,
including paganism, shamanism, even Norman Vincent Peale's positive
thinking. It's not the yardstick that we can use to compare the
"results". I can use my mental strength to create a miracle, because
the human mind is truly remarkable. However, the human mind is not
the equivalent of the Buddha mind, even though the latter is found in
each of us.

Don't you see that the lack of knowledge about Nichiren (what have
you been reading for 14 years? Ikeda? WT? But never the Lotus
Sutra? Does this pass the "rationality test"?)....this lack of
knowledge about Nichiren has fueled a philosophy that is completely
removed from the original writings? You can recite the daimoku, but
if it doesn't reflect the truth, then you miss the benefit. This
kind of chanting will lead you to someday find the Lotus Sutra again,
perhaps in a future life, but it misleads you now. Shall I quote
goshos that are specific on this point? I'm not saying this to
inflame you or to give you "fire and brimstone". It's the exact
teaching that Nichiren presented, and it mirrors the Lotus Sutra
perfectly. If you truly believe that the Lotus Sutra is removed from
Shakyamuni and the daimoku of Nichiren, then your chanting is a
provisional teaching, not the true teaching. (I'm paraphrasing a
specific gosho, this is not my own invention.) I wish it were
otherwise, then it would be easy to "receive and keep" this teaching.
But it's very hard to believe and practice in an evil age, harder
that to carry a load of dry grass through a fire without getting
burned, etc.

You're happy with SGI's version of Nichiren, but don't fool
yourself into thinking that the benefit "is all the same".
And don't expect me or anyone else who has walked both roads
to buy into the SGI "crock". I've been there and
back.....so have many others. As for the "world peace"
angle, more people have quit SGI than have stayed .
Conservatively, half million gohonzons have been sold in this
country but the membership today is probably under 30,000 in
the US. Do the math for yourself. If there is so much
benefit via the SGI way, why have so many left? People
don't leave if they are benefitting from something.
Realistically, the Gakkai is a means to drive people away
from the Lotus Sutra and Nichiren. How many Americans have
a bad taste in their mouth for Nichiren, just because they
were shuttled through the SGI? How many people can tolerate
the heavy handed "senior leader" tyranny? How many lives
have been ruined, marriages broken up, and careers wasted?
How many people have been crushed by the demands of insane
activities, min-ons and conventions? Or "guidance"? In order
to create "world peace" SGI would have to go back and win
these people back again. It won't happen.

Don't bother to convince me otherwise on these points, I saw more in
my years with SGI than you can even imagine. And I talk to new
people every day, who left five or more years ago. It hasn't changed
and the horror stories are still the same. My e-mail is full, every
day, of posts from people who write about their pain over the SGI
experience. Do you think that these people are lying to me, and
would waste their time in writing if they hadn't been spiritually
duped or abused by leaders? Shall I believe you and tell these
people that they must be mistaken? Shall I adopt the stance of
"denial", and lie to myself about what I went through? I see very
clearly the pattern that my life had in SGI. It's only because I
practice the orthodox way that I can see with crystal clarity what my
own life is about, and what it was about then. (I am being very
specific here, and the precise experiences that I refer to are the
basis of my spiritual convictions. They are significant and
substantial, not just "feelings".) Are you saying that this "actual"
proof of mine is invalid? Or that I can't compare the differences
between then and now? Are you doubting my experience that the real
benefit did not happen until I "parted from the false and adopted the
true"? (That's from the sutra.)

If you find Nichiren's words too harsh to accept at face value, then
stay with Soka-"Buddhism". But don't try to convince me that "it's all
the same". The "results" are completely different and the final
destinations are in opposite directions. I'm sorry you don't study
for yourself but rely on "scholars" like Ted Morino .........it's
lethal. You can accept the New Age philosophy without much personal
damage....but when you use new Age to destroy the teaching of
Nichiren, then it's a different scenario. You can strike your fist
at the air without damage , but if you strike a rock, then your hand
will break. To attack other teachings is to strike the air, but to
attack the Lotus Sutra (and SGI says it has no power, a serious
attack) is to strike a rock. It doesn't matter if you do so in
ignorance, your hand will still break. It doesn't matter if you give
the order to kill people or if you are the soldier who carries out
the order, the retribution is the same. Teacher and disciple fall to
hell together. Do you recognize these last two statements? They're
directly from Nichiren.

Enough said. I sincerely hope you consider both sides carefully.
We are a network, not a "leader-based' organization like
SGI, so don't think that I'm trying to get you to switch for the sake
of "our side". The purpose of this post is not to drum up
membership, like some "shakabuku campaign". The issue is doctrine
only, and the truth. Not some interpretation (based on lies,
sadly)......all "benefits" flow from the truth. The philosophy that
you described in your letter (new-age buddhism) is not Nichiren. No
amount of rationalization will make it so. At least admit to the
"revisionism" of SGI and consider seriously if it hasn't altered the
truth. Then consider what benefit can come from adopting the truth,
and what harm comes from accepting a lie. Base it on the words of
Nichiren and the Lotus Sutra only. Don't make "me" the issue. It's
cult mentality to attack the messenger, to see things as "us" vs.
"them". Remove "me" from the discussion and look at the issue of
doctrine only. If you don't study the doctrine you can be duped.

What prevented them from speaking the truth before and why should we believe them now?

"Fortunately, we can speak the truth now" -- SGI leader

There are thousands joining SGI every year and fortunately there are thousands leaving

We who practice as the Daishonin taught are lucky to gain ten adherents a year. However, not one has abandoned their faith. The reason is, the SGI is easy to believe and easy to understand while Nichiren Lotus Sutra Buddhism is difficult to believe and difficult to understand.

Sensei, For You

Sensei, For You

Through your eyes, we see the dream unfold
in your words, we hear the thunder roll,
each day we seek your wisdom
as our voyage begins anew
hurry home, hurry home, we're calling for you

Sensei, we're waiting,
we're reaching to touch your heart
we're ready to play our part
in your great dream
all our tomorrows
are shiny and new
we'll fight forever
Sensei, for you

By your side, we strive in unity
far and wide, so all the world can see
with bold determination
hopeful hearts and joyful tears
we'll go on, ever on through all of our years

chorus:

Sensei, we're waiting
we're reaching to touch your heart
we're ready to play our part
in your great dream
all our tomorrows
are shiny and new
we'll fight forever,
Sensei, for you

We'll fight forever
Sensei, for you"

"When Sensei came in 1990, everything became clear." -- SGI member

But before 1990, despite trillions of Daimoku to the SGI "True Object of Worship", everything was foggy. 

What, nothing about the SGI members swept away in the Japan Tsunami?

From: jimcu...@aol.com (Jim Celer, Midwest bureau chief for SGI's "Living Buddhism" magazine): 

The slanderous acts of Nikken and his followers in Indonesia have driven the Buddhist Gods from the country.

At least 30 NSI active members were badly affected by the social unrest. Some lost their stores and businesses. Some lost their houses or other property. Mobs invaded some of their homes, looting almost everything, including the Gohonzon and butsudan. Worse, one NSI member's Gohonzon was burnt. a grandmother, daughter and granddaughter of one family in Bintan Island were killed by their own employees while the son-in-law was in Jakarta participating in the Vesak Day ceremony. This incident has shocked not only the Indonesians, but was also widely reported in Singapore.  

So far we have only received 1 report of incidents directly affecting our members. -- Jim

"One can eliminate such a tragic life by practicing the true teachings which can only be found in Soka Gakkai and SGI!!!!"

From: SGI Steven Sonoda website

NIKKEN BOKOKU-4:

Mr.M is a city council representative at Maebashi-city. He was originally a Komei party member but later he left the Soka Gakkai and joined Hokkeko. Tragically, his third son died on 3/9/98 at the nearby hospital!!!! The son took several days off from school because of a "cold". Since his cold didn't get better he was hospitalized. Next day he was found dead from an unknown cause!!!!! (a rumor from the hospital worker says that it might be a suicide!!!!!) His first son died young from drowning. His second son has not been reliable in any way!!! His shock was enormous!!! One can eliminate such a tragic life by practicing the true teachings, which can only be found in Soka Gakkai and SGI!!!! -- Kachiyuke

Jean Gilbert, SGI Ireland’s Womens Division Leader was brutally murdered in front of her three children by her SGI "Buddhist" husband.

Earthly Desires Equal Enlightenment in the Soka Gakkai is taught from the perspective of a common mortal rather from the perspective of the Buddha.

The members are taught by their leaders that any desire or goal the member has, as long as they chant Namu Myoho renge kyo, is equal to Enlightenment. They are encouraged to chant for cars, boyfriends, houses, fame, even drugs and sex and that is equal to Enlightenment at the moment the desire is fulfilled.

The Wish Granting Jewel to these base depraved men and women of the Soka Gakkai is not the Great Wish for attaining Buddhahood that is bound to the Pure and Perfect Consciousness hidden in the core of being [Amala] but rather those common shallow wishes bound to the Five [Sense] Desires [Touch, Taste, Smell, Hearing and Vision]

Since this matter is of utmost importance, I will give an example of a Soka Gakkai leader who believed faithfully in this perverted doctrine of the Soka Gakkai. She was the top senior leader of a country who lived and breathed the Soka Gakkai and every doctrine and principle taught therein. She was a physically beautiful women of forty five years old with golden blond hair, bright green eyes and a near boundless determination to spread the twisted teachings of the Soka Gakkai, such as the primacy of the Oneness of Mentor and Disciple and Enlightenment Equals Earthly Desires. Married for fifteen years, she had three beautiful children, five, seven and eight years old, and a husband who worshipped the ground she walked on. He was absolutely supportive of her practice which kept her away from home for long periods, doing those insipid slanderous Gakkai activities. The husband, though having a business of his own, split the duties of taking care of the children with a nanny and he was content because he loved his wife and children and was willing to sacrifice whatever it took to make his wife and children happy and to promote the Gakkai’s vision of “Spreading the True Teachings” [Kosen Rufu].

During one of these activities, ten years earlier, she met another top senior leader in the Men’s Division and they immediately hit it off, having so many things in common: Their love and admiration for Sensei; endless activities for “Kosen Rufu”; and spouses and families who chant and support them. Her feelings for this man however, far surpassed those of a mere comrade in faith. Every day for ten years, morning and evening, when she did Gongyo and Daimoku, she always included in her prayers the wish to be with this man. Out of the blue he contacted her revealing his very same desire to be with her. They began an affair and then they both determined in front of the Soka Gakkai no-honzon that they would leave their spouses and be together thus realizing in their very bodies the Gakkai teaching of Earthly Desires are Equal to Enlightenment. They chanted and planned, planned and chanted for everything to go the way that it “must’ since their desires are equal to Enlightenment.

This was the day. This was the day she would tell her husband that she found her true soulmate and she had chanted long and hard about it and it would be. Not 10 seconds after she had told him, he ran to the kitchen, picked up a kitchen knife, and in front of their three children he stabbed her four times in the back. She lingered in agony for several hours.

This is the result of the perverted teachings of the Soka Gakkai that makes common mortals out of Buddhas.