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Friday, April 22, 2016

Some sects still assert that Nichiren is the Original Buddha.

"Grand Master Miao-le further explained, "Wise men know the cause of a phenomenon; a snake knows that it is a snake. Bodhisattva Maitreya does not know those great bodhisattvas coming from underground because he is a disciple of a temporal Buddha, while those great bodhisattvas are disciples of the Original Buddha." (Noppa, Kaimoku Sho, page 164) 

Maitreya had never seen the bodhisattvas that appeared from underground to attend the Ceremony in Open Space with the Original Buddha Shakyamuni. After Maitreya questioned Shakya, he received the following answer: 

"Maitreya! It was I who taught and guided those great bodhisattvas whom you said you had never seen. After I attained perfect enlightenment in this world, I taught, guided, controlled them, and encouraged them to aspire for enlightenment.... I have taught and guided them since the eternal past." (P. 166) 

Nichiren, identified and revealed himself as Jogyo (the leader of the Bodhisattvas of the Earth). If all those bodhisattvas coming from underground were disciples of the Original Shakyamuni, then Jogyo too was a disciple of the Original Shakyamuni. Please note, "since the eternal past". If Shakya taught Jogyo since the eternal past, how could Nichiren be the Original Buddha that taught Shakya?? Yet, some sects still assert that Nichiren is the Original Buddha. -- author unknown

13 comments:

  1. IF Nichiren is the Original Buddha, Shakyamuni's teacher, whose advent was solely to inscribe the object of worship for those of us in the Latter Day, then, Shakyamuni must possess a few unsavory character traits; like, arrogantly denying another Buddha was his teacher; and lying about how the Law would spread in the Latter Day and WHO would propagate it. Ask a SGI Leader or a NST priest to explain this?? (please,because their response will be very illuminating...)

    I have compared the lofty words of SGI leaders and a few NST Priests who believe that Nichiren is the Original Buddha-- establishing the Gohonzon and thus, his own Buddhism; compared what they say they believe to their actions. I have noted (and recorded in journals) the responses they make to their being challenged about the discrepancies they so blatantly display--

    My premise, a Question: Shouldn't we expect that following Nichiren's teachings to the *letter* would be enhanced by his status as a True Buddha, instead of a bodhisattva, envoy of Shakyamuni? What then, accounts for the "lower world" back biting, gossip driven , exclusionary practices of SGI that belittle, demean and destroy the faith of members?

    Answer: Provisional views-- such as; Nichiren is A Buddha-- we cannot compare ourselves to him-- surely NO member can do this. OR--

    All we need to do is chant (and follow the guidance of SGI/NST), we will get the benefits of Shakyamuni's bodhisattva practices without having to *go there*- OR:

    PRAISE Nichiren!! The Buddha who suffered persecution in order to inscribe and leave the Dai Gohonzon for all of us is truly Great!!--. WE have the Gohonzon, and can now proceed straight to fulfilling all of our dreams. THANK YOU, Nichiren !!--OR.

    We should not expect to have the same capacity for wisdom or forbearance as Nichiren, in fact, it is not necessary that we develop these things-- only that we *honor* him by chanting to the object of worship and fulfilling our dreams--(which are also The Buddha's desires for us--) SEE where this leads us-- backwards-all the way.

    The more I ponder these oddities, the more I see influences of Judeo Christian religion -- Worshipping a superb deity-- maintaining a safe distance between thoughts words and deeds disparage the deity, and justifying all manners of deriding and even abusing those whom we deem are "disparaging the deity"--

    And as is the case with this superstition ridden religions, there has to be a contemporary human being, who is will to act as role model and teacher, guide and even judge-- otherwise we we stray from the deities teachings, and his/her desire for our true happiness--

    Become Happy, achieve Victory for__________. (deity, noble servant of the deity who truly knows what we can never know)
    Because, -- THIS is all the Deity and his representative really want!!

    In just this way, questions about teachings become irrelevant, but so does following the example of "The Original Buddha", Nichiren.

    For SGI/NST and other heretical sects, for sure, The Gosho and The Gohonzon have become*props* for the oldest, most pitiful human drama, -- Master/Slave. That's what it looks like from here--

    NST/SGI Defines, DEfends and Guards the *props* (sacred relics), but they also *market* them as the means for acquiring material/actual proof ; fulfilling earthly desires--"in accordance with" what the True Buddha, Nichiren desires FOR us, Bah,bah, baaah- died in the wool , lowly, interior, human sheep....

    ~Katie

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  2. Wow, thanks Katie. I usually enjoy reading your posts but this right on point. Great analysis. Lately, the more I ponder it the more the phrase frim Nichiren "I am not the founder of any sect..." keeps coming to mind.

    I wonder if Nichiren, given his experience of "schools" & "teachers" didnct have strong views about the risks posed by such. I wonder what he would make of his "Buddhism" today.

    It's a tricky balance because on the one hand for a teaching not to be lost, one has to preserve it, study it, understand it, put it into practice and pass it on - roles often performed by a "priest". On the other hand, as we can see, sects and priests can become disorted and do more harm than good. At heart we need a good way of doing those functions without the problems. Perhaps it's just down to good people. Taking it seriously and doing their best. And this place seems to be one such. Mark is exemplary and I really appreciate him setting it up. I hope I can do more soon. But thanks for your posting too and the other contributors. :)



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  4. Thanks for this feedback and your insights, Mudpie--

    It would be interesting to learn about the relationship dynamics amongst Nichiren's followers. Nichiren was writing to several at the same time, and addressing several in one letter, suggesting they read and study the letter together. What was their sangha like?? How did they proceed with their faith and practice after he passed away? Did they share letters with one another--?

    It's so irritating to read the Gakkai "background" at the end of each Gosho now-- more than ever, I want truthful, meaningful information.

    That was central to this forum's attraction for me --. you have been a great resource for me since day one :-) THANKS!!!

    ~Katie

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  5. "If Shakya taught Jogyo/Nichiren since the eternal past, how could Nichiren be the Original Buddha that taught Shakya?? Yet, some sects still assert that Nichiren is the Original Buddha. -- author unknown"


    The eternal past is the eternal past and during the eternal past Shakya taught Jogyo in the same way that Devadatta taught Shakyamuni and Shakyamuni taught Devadatta during the eternal past so it stands to reason that Nichiren taught Shakya as Shakya taught Jogyo/Nichiren under the "He who was once the teacher is now the disciple," principle that Nichiren explains in this Gosho passage


    The “Devadatta” chapter of the Lotus Sutra states that Devadatta was the teacher of the Thus Come One Shakyamuni in some past existence. He who was once the teacher is now the disciple, and he who is now the disciple was formerly the teacher. In pondering this chapter, I, Nichiren, have realized that it reveals the profound meaning of the Lotus Sutra through the oneness of past and present, and the inseparability of the one who teaches and the one who learns. Therefore, the merciful Thus Come One Shakyamuni became the teacher of the wicked Devadatta, and the wise Manjushrī became the teacher of the ignorant daughter of the dragon king. Certainly I can in no way be inferior to Manjushrī or to the Thus Come One Shakyamuni. The men of Japan are like Devadatta, and the women are like the dragon king’s daughter. Whether by following it or opposing it, they will attain Buddhahood through the Lotus Sutra. This is the message of the “Devadatta” chapter. (Persecution by Sword and Staff)

    Thus come one Shakyamuni wouldn't have the title Thus come one in front of his name if Thus come one didn't come.

    The teacher or master has become one with Thus come one and the student or disciple that understands becomes one with Thus come one, I think its fair to say from what Nichiren explains about the Devadatta chapter

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    1. This letter Persecution by Sword and Staff was written to Nanjō Tokimitsu, the steward of Ueno Village in Fuji District of Suruga Province, in the fourth month of 1279, 3 years before his death

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  6. The Devedatta Chapter is contained in the theoretical section of the Lotus Sutra. therefore, to whom it is speaking of the "little" Shakyamuni Buddha who attained enlightenment for the first time under the Bodhi Tree. The Eternal Original Buddha Shakyamuni who has been Buddha since the infinite past had no teacher other than the Law. He is the teacher of all Buddhas throughout the Three Existences according to Nichiren [who calls all Buddhas throughout the past, present, and future "His emanations".

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    1. "to whom it is speaking of the "little" Shakyamuni Buddha who attained enlightenment for the first time under the Bodhi Tree"

      Is the same "little" Shakyamuni Buddha who attained enlightenment for the first time under the Bodhi Tree the same as the Shakyamuni Buddha that attained enlightenment during the distant past

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  8. "The Eternal Original Buddha Shakyamuni who has been Buddha since the infinite past had no teacher other than the Law. He is the teacher of all Buddhas throughout the Three Existences"

    Does the Eternal Original Buddha Shakyamuni have the individual aspect of that Alaya consciousness that endlessly moves our karma from one life to the next throughout eternity

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  9. Could he the teacher of all Buddhas throughout the Three Existences according to Nichiren [who calls all Buddhas throughout the past, present, and future "His emanations be the 3 bodied Tathagata Thus Come One

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  10. "The Eternal Original Buddha Shakyamuni who has been Buddha since the infinite past had no teacher other than the Law."

    The Law is the teacher, there we have it

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  11. “The way of the bodhisattva is the same as this. As long as a person has not yet heard, not yet understood, and not yet been able to practice this Lotus Sutra, then you should know that that person is still far away from supreme perfect enlightenment. But if the person is able to hear, understand, ponder, and practice the sutra, then you should know that he can draw near to supreme perfect enlightenment. Why? Because all bodhisattvas who attain supreme perfect enlightenment in all cases do so through this sutra. This sutra opens the gate of expedient means and shows the form of true reality. This storehouse of the Lotus Sutra is hidden deep and far away where no person can reach it. But now the Buddha, teaching, converting, and leading to success the bodhisattvas, opens it up for them.

    “Medicine King, if there are bodhisattvas who, on hearing this Lotus Sutra, respond with surprise, doubt, and fear, then you should know that they are bodhisattvas who have only newly embarked on their course. And if there are voice-hearers who, on hearing this sutra, respond with surprise, doubt, and fear, then you should know that they are people of overbearing arrogance.

    “Medicine King, if there are good men and good women who, after the thus come one has entered extinction, wish to expound this Lotus Sutra for the four kinds of believers, how should they expound it? These good men and good women should enter the thus come one’s room, put on the thus come one’s robe, sit in the thus come one’s seat, and then for the sake of the four kinds of believers broadly expound this sutra.

    “The ‘thus come one’s room’ is the state of mind that shows great pity and compassion toward all living beings. The ‘thus come one’s robe’ is the mind that is gentle and forbearing. The ‘thus come one’s seat’ is the emptiness of all phenomena. One should seat oneself comfortably therein and after that, with a mind never lazy or remiss, should for the sake of the bodhisattvas and the four kinds of believers broadly expound this Lotus Sutra.

    “Medicine King, I will send people conjured up by magic to p.206other lands to gather together assemblies to listen to the Law. And I will also send monks, nuns, laymen, and laywomen conjured up by magic to listen to the preaching of the Law. These people conjured up by magic will listen to the Law, believe and accept it, and abide by it without violation. If the preachers of the Law are in an empty and silent place, I will at that time send large numbers of heavenly beings, dragons, spirits, gandharvas, asuras, and others to listen to their preaching of the Law. Though I should be in another land, from time to time I will make it possible for the preachers of the Law to see my body. If they should forget a phrase of this sutra, I will appear and prompt them so that they are able to recite the text correctly and in full.” The Teacher of the Law

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