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Sunday, April 17, 2016

The Lotus Sutra, Nichiren, and rain challenges

Rain challenges are a tried and true Buddhist tradition embraced by Nichiren and many others. It is a useful faith practice to arrive at the superiority or inferiority of a particular teaching. There must be very few so-called Nichiren Lotus Sutra Buddhists, let alone provisional Buddhists, who are absolutely confident that their faith and practice is correct because not one in twenty years has taken me up on my rain challenge. 

"When conducting prayers for rain, if rain actually falls, the nature and aspect of the rain will indicate whether the person conducting the prayers is worthy or unworthy. There are various types of rain such as heavenly rain, dragon rain, asura rain, coarse rain, sweet rain, and thunder rain.

In the present instance of prayers for rain, of course, no rain whatsoever fell. Moreover, for a period of fourteen days there was even more severe drought than there had been previously, and great evil winds blew without cease throughout the twenty-four hours of the day and night." -- Nichiren

Shakyamuni Buddha states:

"If someone seeking the buddha wisdom
for a period of eight hundred thousand million
nayutas of kalpas
should practice the five paramitas,
during all those kalpas
distributing alms to the buddhas
and to the cause-awakened ones and disciples
and the multitude of bodhisattvas,
rare delicacies of food and drink,
fine garments and articles of bedding,
or building religious retreats of sandalwood
adorned with gardens and groves;
if he should distribute alms
of many varieties, all refined and wonderful,
and do this for the entire number of kalpas
to express his devotion to the buddha way;
and if moreover he should keep the precepts,
in purity and without omission or outflow,
seeking the unsurpassed way,
praised by the buddhas;
and if he should practice forbearance,
remaining in a posture of submission and gentleness,
even when various evils are visited on him,
not allowing his mind to be roused or swayed;
when others, convinced they have gained the Law,
harbor thoughts of overbearing arrogance
and he is treated with contempt and vexed by them,
if he can still endure it with patience;
and if he is diligent and assiduous,
ever firm in intent and thought,
for immeasurable millions of kalpas
single-minded, never lax or neglectful,
for countless kalpas
dwelling in a deserted and quiet place;
and if he practices sitting and walking exercises,
banishing drowsiness, constantly regulating his mind,
and as a result of such actions
is able to produce states of meditation,
for eighty million ten thousand kalpas
remaining calm, his mind never deranged;
and if he holds to the blessing of this single-mindedness
and with it seeks the unsurpassed way,
p.280saying, “I will gain comprehensive wisdom
and exhaust all the states of meditation!”
If this person for a hundred, a thousand,
ten thousand, a million kalpas
should carry out these meritorious practices
as I have described above,
still those good men and women
who hear me describe my life span
and believe it for even a moment
win blessings that surpass those of such a person.
If a person is completely free
of all doubt and regret,
if in the depths of his mind he believes for one instant,
his blessings will be such as this.
These bodhisattvas
who have practiced the way for immeasurable kalpas
when they hear me describe my life span
are able to believe and accept what I say.
These people will
gratefully accept this sutra, saying,
“Our wish is that in future ages
we may use our long lives to save living beings.
Just as today the world-honored one,
king of the Shakyas,
roars like a lion in the place of enlightenment,
preaching the Law without fear,
so may we too in ages to come,
honored and revered by all,
when we sit in the place of enlightenment
describe our life spans in the same manner.”
If there are those profound in mind,
pure, honest, and upright,
who, hearing much, can retain it all,
who follow principle in understanding the Buddha’s words,
then people such as this
will have no doubts. -- LS Chapter 17

Nichiren teaches, quoting the Lotus Sutra:

“If there are good men or good women who... believe and revere it with pure hearts and harbor no doubts or perplexities, they will never fall into hell or the realm of hungry spirits or of beasts, but will be born in the presence of the Buddhas of the ten directions.”

and 

"Though one might point at the earth and miss, though there be one who binds the heavens, though the tides would cease to ebb and flow, and the sun rise in the west, it could never happen that the prayers of the devotees of the Lotus Sutra would go unanswered. If the bodhisattvas, the human and heavenly beings, the eight kinds of nonhuman beings, the two sages, the two heavenly deities, and the ten demon daughters would by some unlikely chance fail to appear and protect the practitioner of the Lotus Sutra, then above them they would be showing disdain for Shakyamuni and the other Buddhas, and below they would be guilty of deceiving the beings of the nine realms.

It makes no difference if the practitioner himself is lacking in worth, defective in wisdom, impure in his person, and lacking in virtue derived from observing the precepts. So long as he chants Namu-myoho-renge-kyo, they will invariably protect him. One does not throw away gold because the bag that holds it is dirty; one does not ignore the sandalwood trees because of the foul odor of the eranda trees around them; and one does not refuse to gather lotuses because the pond in the valley where they grow is not clean. If they ignore the practitioner of the Lotus Sutra, they will be going against their vow."

And still, my challenge is brushed aside by the Buddhist masters who claim their practices excellent medicine for the people of this latter degenerate age. I would think especially the HBS, SGI, Pure Land, Shingon, Tendai, Gold Mountain Temple, and Tibetian masters would rush to defend their faith and practice against this lowly layman of the Buddha founded sect.


--Illarraza Disciple of Shakyamuni Buddha and Nichiren Daishonin

73 comments:

  1. That sutra passage has nothing to do with challenging other faiths to a prayer contest for rain. It has nothing to do with the 5 Paramitas which your votary doesn't advocate as a worthwhile practice. Everyone regardless of their respective faith should pray for the peace of the planet which would yield the 6th Paramita, Wisdom.

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  2. The Lotus Sutra states, "prajna excepted". Do you know why? Because belief in Myoho renge kyo is wisdom itself.

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  3. inviting adversaries to participate in your rain ritual is ignorance. Explaining every teaching of the Tathagata as mhrgk is not prajna.

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  4. Rain challenges would be a welcome "come back"--as far as I'm concerned, there should be greater emphasis placed on the continuity of past/present/future -- We've got 9000+ years to prove the True Law--.

    Let's round up a few of those "I am the object of worship, embodying the life of Nichiren" SGI "sages"-- and insist they put their money where their mouth is--If "they" can't produce a lovely gentle rain fall, with their enlightened daimoku, then it's back to flipping burgers for the whole lot!!

    ~hi Ho!
    Katie

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    1. Maybe it's time to use our supernatural powers predicted by the Tathagata and read the weather forecasts. We should know that he was correct in attributing an imbalance of the 4 elements to an imbalance in our mind. Hey, but go ahead and attend the vanity show and tell one another how much better your principles are but you will succeed in making matters worse. And please, skippit the methane burgers would really help.

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    2. another o g perversion. quit mixing up your teachings.

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    3. I have challenged them on numerous occasions. They talk the talk but all fail to walk the walk. None of them truly beiieve or believe in Nichiren, not a one.




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  5. Another pervesion dispersion from someone who doesn't know which way the wind blows. You're still on "Cult watch" Greg. Enjoy your vanity show.

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  6. Ohgee,

    Rain challenges are not a vanity show-- just a less threatening challenge than a public debate - with the same goal: clear actual proof of the authenticity and superiority of one's doctrines of faith--

    I cannot think of a reason to believe the True Law loses power in the Latter Day - No reason rain could not be produced by the sincere prayers of a Votary of the Lotus Sutra / or s comment pulled from the heavens -- should the NEED arise.

    Confusing and misleading people with slanderous provisional teachings in the Latter Day is cause for alarm. Especially when those doing the leading have nothing but the material benefits they milked from the sincere offerings of members they mean to impress .

    ~Katie

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  7. if the purpose is to prove your teaching is to prove supremacy of doctrine then it is inferior. Buddhism is based on compassion, relief and kindness. with hurricane, typhoon and drought forecasting, Bodhisattvas can better mobilize to help those affected. Telling victims that their suffering is a result of slander only produces ill will and distorts the intention of the Tathagata.

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    1. ohgee,
      If you do not know the cause of suffering, you can't eradicate it--, however,
      If you only wish to lift the spirits of a suffering person- a great many things can be successfully employed-- compassion, relief and kindness are not exclusive to Buddhism.

      Ohgee, I think the teaching you practice brings you comfort and satisfies your desires. If you truly felt great compassion for the suffering of others, you would have a *seeking* mind, not a judgmental, authoritative mind.

      You disregard the Buddha's teaching that is the "good medicine for all people of the Latter Day", and even criticize those aspiring to attain the way, for the sake of all living beings.

      Actual proof is the surest means for breaking one's attachment to lesser, erroneous teachings. Proving a teaching that can save all living beings is superior, is a means for arousing faith in those who will absolutely benefit from this teaching.

      It would actually be a grave sin, to deprive other living beings of this teaching because one is attached to the personal comfort of her lesser teaching.

      "In pursuit of minor good, they commit great evil."-

      You are pretty much role modeling the formula, which is the teaching and practice of the SGI.

      ~Katie






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    2. "compassion, relief and kindness are not exclusive to Buddhism"
      Bingo!
      Whose the judgemental one?

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    3. ohgolly -gee

      Investigating, evaluating, --seeking the most beneficial medicine for US all-- suffering people in the Latter Day--

      or rather--

      "Judging" teachings through the writings of the Nichiren.
      ~Katie



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    4. I judge the teachings by reading the teachings. If I read "up," it still means "up" despite someone saying, "no, "up" really means "down."

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    5. ohgee--

      You can't be reading Nichiren's teachings, then...

      Compassion, relief and kindness are band aids-- the conditions of our societies in nearly every *developed*country in the world are deep, gaping, hemorrhaging wounds. Band aids -- even the fancy ones, for anyone's suffering these days are futile, and if handed out by people chanting daimoku, they are dangerous.

      Provisional teachings are what most people believe Buddhism is-- or ALL that it is. So, the mainstream nuanced SGI and the died in the wool traditionalist NST "look" like Buddhism-- from a distance. But both are cheap shots at imitating Nichiren's Buddhism-- which is a particularly *evil* thing to do. There is no reason why any member of either organization should STILL be in the dark about that. But no-- pumped up with pride, you reel in totally clueless people ---with the strategy of open market capitalism.

      What's the marketing pitch for SGI/NST?

      Each person seeking his/her own way, avoiding conflict, becoming happy, fulfilling personal goals, achieving personal glory-- and when a certain number of people have "become happy" world peace will happen. Really? Then, how do you explain the rapid decline in every area associated with *creating peace*? Oh- forgot, you don't *go there*--. Forget about , corrupt institutions exploiting vulnerable people for $$- corporations, industries providing wealth for a few,-- abuse and neglect of children and the elderly, unprecedented acts of violence by youth-- "hate crimes"-- right? Because, ALL of you "gonna get there on my own" Buddhists aren't PART of this mess. Right.

      Do you believe in "Dependent Origination"? Seems like you have separated yourselves OUT of the fray--BUT, if you chant the daimoku, claim to follow Nichiren AND put on airs like the turmoil that is literally everywhere is NOT about YOU-- AND you haven't read the teachings Nichiren shared from the Lotus Sutra that calls what you are doing SLANDER of the Law--which is tantamount to becoming a major contributor of the turmoil and strife, you will be berated by anyone who follows Nichiren's example -- some of these people appear within SGI/NST.

      Those True believers and followers of Nichiren are cast out-- in various unsavory ways-- but, hey, You probably think that kind of mean spirited BS is okay-- as it preserves the *peace* in your fantasy land of happy seeking sheep.

      The *topic* of this blog post is about demonstrating the power of faith in the True Law-- It is not about vanity, it is about Truth-- The best way to prove it is nonsense is to accept Mark's challenge--
      ~Katie

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  8. "The people of today in any event already turn their backs on the Lotus Sutra, and because of that error they will undoubtedly fall into hell. Therefore, one should by all means persist in preaching the Lotus Sutra and causing them to hear it. Those who put their faith in it will surely attain Buddhahood, while those who slander it will establish a “poison-drum relationship” with it and will likewise attain Buddhahood.

    In any event, the seeds of Buddhahood exist nowhere apart from the Lotus Sutra. If it were possible to attain Buddhahood through the provisional teachings, then why would the Buddha have said that one should insist on preaching the Lotus Sutra, and that both those who slander it and those who believe in it will benefit? Or why would he say, “We care nothing for our bodies or lives [but are anxious only for the unsurpassed way]”? Persons who have set their minds upon the way should clearly understand these matters."

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    1. Why is this so?
      Knowing we took delight
      in the Small [Vehicle] Dharma,
      He exercised the power of skillful means to
      teach in ways to accommodate us,
      but we did not know that truly we were Buddha-children."
      [Lotus Sutra, Chapter 4 - Faith and Understanding]
      In truth, we have always been Buddha-children,
      yet we delighted in the Small [Vehicle].
      Had our hearts delighted in the Great,
      the Buddha would have taught us the Great Vehicle Dharma."
      [Lotus Sutra, Chapter 4 - Faith and Understanding]
      This explains how the poor son,
      though joyful at receiving the family wealth,
      also expressed regret for the past:
      We previously wondered
      if the Buddha withheld the Great Vehicle from us
      by not teaching it.
      Now we know that
      what the Buddha taught us from the start
      contained the teachings of the Great Vehicle.

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  9. I know, you know more than the Supreme Votary of the Lotus Sutra Nichiren, Tientai the Great, Chang-an, Miao-le, and Dengyo.

    "Answer: In the “Expedient Means” and other chapters, it would appear that the Buddha is carefully considering the capacities of his listeners in preaching the sutra. But in the “Never Disparaging” chapter, even though what is said may invite slander, the preaching of the sutra is done in a very forceful manner. Though both ways are contained within a single text, the former and the latter are as different from one another as water and fire.

    The Great Teacher T’ien-t’ai explains this by saying: “Shakyamuni, addressing persons of his time who in previous existences cultivated good roots, preached the doctrines of the lesser vehicle and assisted and protected them. But Bodhisattva Never Disparaging, addressing persons who in past existences did not cultivate good roots, expounded the doctrines of the great vehicle, forcing them to hear it, though it angered them.”25

    The meaning of this passage is as follows. In the case of persons who already possess good roots and are capable of gaining enlightenment in their present existence, it is proper to preach the Lotus Sutra directly. But if there are persons among the group who are likely to slander the Lotus Sutra when they hear it, then it is better for the time being to preach the provisional teachings as a form of preparation, and only later to preach the Lotus Sutra. As for persons who have not in the past acquired any particularly good roots and who in their present existence are incapable of taking faith in the Lotus Sutra, they are likely for one reason or another to fall into the evil paths in their next existence anyway. Therefore one should preach the Lotus Sutra to them in a forceful manner, and when they speak slanderously of it, they will thereby create a reverse relationship with it.
    According to the above passage of the Great Teacher T’ien-t’ai, in this latter age the persons who are lacking in good roots are many, and those who possess them are few. Therefore, many people are doubtless destined to fall into the evil paths in their next existence. And if they are destined for the evil paths in any case, then one should preach the Lotus Sutra to them forcefully and thereby allow them to create a “poison-drum relationship” with the sutra. Hence there can be no doubt that this latter age is the proper time in which to preach the Lotus Sutra to all people, thus enabling them to create a reverse relationship with it by slandering it.

    Moreover, the “Expedient Means” chapter describes how the five thousand persons of overbearing arrogance withdrew from the assembly. They did so after hearing the Buddha make the concise replacement of the three vehicles with the one vehicle, and when the Buddha was about to begin making the expanded replacement of the three vehicles with the one vehicle. At that time, the Buddha used his power to influence them in such a way that they rose from their seats and withdrew. Later, through the Nirvana Sutra and the four ranks of bodhisattvas, the Buddha made it possible for these persons to achieve enlightenment in their present existence.
    On the other hand, in the Non-Substantiality of All Phenomena Sutra it is recorded that Bodhisattva Root of Joy, addressing the monk Superior Intent, forced him to listen to the Mahayana teachings, causing him to speak slanderously of such teachings [and thus create a reverse relationship with them]. With regard to these two differing incidents, the Great Teacher T’ien-t’ai explains that “the Thus Come One Shakyamuni was exercising the virtue of compassion in causing them to withdraw, while Bodhisattva Root of Joy was exercising the virtue of pity in forcing the monk to listen.”

    continued..

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  10. The meaning of this passage is that the Buddha was moved by compassion and for the moment put aside thoughts of the later happiness of the five thousand persons. He could not bear to see them slander the Lotus Sutra and suffer the pain of falling into hell, and therefore he inspired them to withdraw from the assembly. It was like the case of a mother who knows that her child is sick but cannot bring herself to inflict suffering on the child, and therefore does not treat the child quickly with moxibustion. In the case of Bodhisattva Root of Joy, he was moved by pity. He did not mind that the person he was addressing would suffer pain for a time, but thought only of that person’s eventual happiness. Therefore he forced the person to listen to the Mahayana teachings. It was like the case of a pitying father who, seeing that his child is ill, is not deterred by the fact that the child may undergo temporary suffering but is concerned only for the child’s eventual welfare. Therefore he applies the treatment of moxibustion.

    When the Buddha was in the world, for the first forty and more years of his preaching life he kept the Lotus Sutra a secret. Even the bodhisattvas who had reached the stage of near-perfect enlightenment or those who had achieved the level of non-regression did not know even the title of the sutra. Furthermore, with regard to the “Life Span” chapter, during the eight years in which the Buddha preached the Lotus Sutra, the very title of the chapter was kept secret and only revealed in the latter part of the period. Therefore, one may wonder why one should go about so energetically preaching the Lotus Sutra to ordinary people in this latter age.

    In his commentary, the Great Teacher Miao-lo explains this by saying, “The people who lived when the Buddha was in the world had the innate capacity to gain enlightenment, and therefore the Buddha took their capacities carefully into account when he preached to them. But in the case of persons of the latter age, one preaches the truth to them directly so that they can form a relationship with it.”27 The meaning of this passage is as follows. When the Buddha was in the world, there were many persons who were capable of attaining the stage of non-regression during the Buddha’s lifetime. Therefore he did not immediately set forth the doctrines of the Lotus Sutra, for fear that his listeners might slander them, but instead gradually nurtured their capacities and after that preached the Lotus Sutra. In the period following the demise of the Buddha, however, there are few persons who have the capacity to attain enlightenment and many who can only form a relationship with the sutra by hearing it directly. Therefore it is best in most cases simply to preach the Lotus Sutra to them. There are many examples such as those above-mentioned.

    Many of the teachers in the latter age cannot judge the capacities of their listeners. When one cannot tell the capacities of one’s listeners, it is probably best just to preach the true teaching to them in a forceful manner. Thus the Great Teacher T’ien-t’ai in his commentary says, “If people’s capacities cannot be judged, one can best avoid error by preaching the teachings of the great vehicle to them.”28 The meaning of this passage is that, when one cannot tell what people’s capacities are, one will not go wrong if one preaches the doctrines of the great vehicle to them.
    There is also another approach in which one carefully determines the capacities of the persons of a particular age and preaches the Law to them in an appropriate manner. Thus if the people of a particular country are all believers in the provisional teachings and speak slanderously of the true teaching, stubbornly refusing to accept it, then one should preach the true teaching to them in a rebuking and censorious manner. But whether this approach is appropriate or not will depend upon the times.'

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    1. Dude, I'm TAITEN. Sponsoring incendiary prayer competitions is like the Westboro Baptist church protesting at funerals for vets protests. Bandaids stop the bleeding until a wound gradually heals. Alienating others which I suppose I'm doing now is like inflicting a wound and then putting on salt. This group saying enlightenment is guaranteed in this life is all the proof I need as to the absurdity of your methods. The Buddha said himself, he first began his aspiration for Enlightenment by creating good affinities.

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    2. There is no similarity between issuing a challenge in the tradition of the religion one practices and HATE crimes, passing for "freedom of speech". The latter is in the top ten "Signs that a nation harbors slanderers of the Law"- The former is a wake up call , in the spirit of "propagating the True teaching for peace and prosperity of the land --

      Band aids won't stick on hemorrhaging , gaping wounds---

      The ill effects from the practice you were doing before going TAITAN, will abate more rapidly if you embrace the "methods" of Nichiren Believers. I know this from personal experience.

      The Buddha also said that in the Latter Day of the Law it will be very difficult to determine who is a good teacher and a good friend.

      ~Katie

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  11. But I have a clear conscience.

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  12. "There is no similarity between issuing a challenge in the tradition of the religion one practices and HATE crimes, passing for "freedom of speech""
    WRONG!

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  13. Where is the "Hate" in Mark's challenge? I don't see it.

    ~Katie



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    1. It's incendiary and from my 'Buddhist' opinion, it has nothing to do with purifying peoples minds or serving others, but only winning the argument. it's a moot point since no one is going to take the challenge, not because of fear but because of the absurdity. So debate all you like. Buddhism should assuage doubts, not confuse and misguide people.

      "Today the World-Honored One
      has led us to contemplate
      and to cast away the excrement
      of frivolously debating all Dharma.
      Through this, we earnestly increased our diligence
      and attained the single day's wages of Nirvana."
      [Lotus Sutra, Chapter 4 - Faith and Understanding]

      To cast away the excrement of frivolously debating all Dharma: Excrement symbolizes all kinds of ignorance and afflictions. All frivolous debate of the Dharma is affliction. Contemplation refers to our mental states; all good and evil actions arise from these states.

      [Purna] He expounds the Dharma as it is.

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  14. "Shakyamuni Buddha said to Wisdom Accumulated, “Good man, wait a little while. There is a bodhisattva named Manjushri here whom you should see. Debate and discuss the wonderful Law with him, and then you may return to your homeland.”

    Mahakatyayana (Mahākātyāyana) One of Shakyamuni’s ten major disciples, known as foremost in debate. He is also called simply Katyayana (Kātyāyana). The sixth chapter of the Lotus Sutra predicts that he will become a buddha named Jambunada Gold Light.

    The keyword is "frivolous". There is nothing frivolous in debating and correcting SGIs or your slander. Debating the merits or demerits of transsexuals using this or that bathroom is frivolous debate.

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    1. Once again a passage from the Lotus Sutra doesn't pertain to Mark. This is called selective hearing which Subhuti sincerely repented about after realizing that during the Vaipulya teachings, the Buddha was preaching to the Hearers as well as the Bodhisattvas. The Tathagata witheld nothing. Prayer debates may have been a common occurrence in thirteenth century, they're frivolous in a scientific age.
      The passage reads "frivolous debate of the "Dharma."" But since we can find the Dharma everywhere ...

      "Furthermore,
      as Tathagata-wisdom was
      opened, revealed and
      taught for the Bodhisattvas,
      we ourselves never had such aspirations."
      Why is this so?
      Knowing we took delight
      in the Small [Vehicle] Dharma,
      He exercised the power of skillful means to
      teach in ways to accommodate us,
      but we did not know that truly we were Buddha-children."
      Only now do we realize that
      the World-Honored One never withheld the Buddha-wisdom from us."
      [Lotus Sutra, Chapter 4 - Faith and Understanding]

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    2. " Prayer debates may have been a common occurrence in thirteenth century, they're frivolous in a scientific age."

      Ohgee-- How long is the "age"of mappo ? Or, how many more thousands of years before we are no longer in The Latter Day of the Law?

      The "Time" for specific practices is key- Three different "Times" were referenced with their predicted duration-- The advancements are lack there of in "Science" have no bearing on the correct practice for our age, our Time-- NOW!!

      There is no such thing as *perfect* science. The True Law, however is, was and will eternally be, "perfect"

      ~Katie

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    3. Not selective at all. Pointing out that there aretwo kinds of debate according to the Lotus Sutra and common sense, frivolous debate versus intelligent, sensible, wise, grave, mature, serious, solemn, and thoughtful debate.

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    4. Not selective at all. Pointing out that there aretwo kinds of debate according to the Lotus Sutra and common sense, frivolous debate versus intelligent, sensible, wise, grave, mature, serious, solemn, and thoughtful debate. You are the one with selective hearing

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  15. Assuming that evoking a tradition (rain challenge) that Nichiren himself employed is "incendiary", it is interesting that producing rain, would put out the fire, would it not? The point here, is that the Truth of both the Mystic Law and the power of faith of a True practitioner, is put to the test--. There is no malice implied or intended toward anyone.

    Difficulty in understanding the intention behind this challenge is itself a matter of faith. Those who believe, embrace and practice faith in the Lotus Sutra as Nichiren taught, are aware of the teachings in the Lotus Sutra regarding the battle ground in the Latter Day of the Law. The strongly worded admonitions and stern rebukes are compared to the action required for a parent to protect or save a child, who is unaware of the danger he is in.

    Also, with regard to faith in the practice Nichiren taught, that accords with the Lotus Sutra, the goal is for all living beings to hear, and thus be able to attain the benefit of the Law; to attain Buddhahood. Strong admonitions against "discarding" the Lotus Sutra (we can only discard something we actually had )ARE teachings in the Lotus Sutra, spoken they are heard, written, they become known.

    ~Katie

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  16. no, Science/tech is not perfect. It requires wisdom to maximize the efficacy if technology. The fact that your using Internet to express opinion, makes for another moot point. What would Eagle Peakers do without the omnicient supernatural powers of the eye and ear to pour scorn on sgi and others?

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  17. " It requires wisdom to maximize the efficacy of technology"

    Yes, I agree. In 1998 my fellow members and I utilized FAX services for a fee, to send letters to SGI USA National Leaders and Top SGI Leaders in Japan, including Pres. Ikeda, protesting the disbanding of our district- basing all of our objections on Nichiren's writings and Pres. Ikeda's guidance. WE were "told" to join other districts and "trust" our leaders by SGI/USA leaders. Early warning signs that SGI was NOT adhering to the basic tenets of Nichiren Buddhism, and that Pres. Ikeda couldn't be bothered to address the authoritarian behavior of the leaders, nor could he support members who followed his guidance regarding "members speaking out, taking leaders to task." We members were *scorned* by SGI *top brass* who labeled us , trouble makers, and influenced members to shun us. WE continued our practice and by 2000, the internet was a venue for sharing experiences and learning from others who were utilizing the new technology to stay connected.

    Regardless what mode is used for communication, the truth does not change. The teachings Nichiren recorded , do not change. And, the scorn poured on Nichiren Believers is no less than the scorn poured on the teachings in the Lotus Sutra that "are appropriate for our Time"-. This is how you are using the internet...so it goes.

    "What would Eagle Peakers do without the omnicient supernatural powers of the eye and ear to pour scorn on sgi and others?"

    Since we are ALL without omniscient supernatural powers of the eye and ear, Eagle Peakers would continue to share the teachings of Nichiren to the best of our ability-- so that you and countless others are able to encounter the True teachings ---

    Rain or shine~
    ~Katie



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  18. could be wrong but I seem to read posts as suggesting that the Lotus Sutra is really the teaching of Nichiren. This was also part of SGI's propoganda. It is Sakayamuni's crown achievement. Of course, all are welcome to interpret.

    ReplyDelete
  19. “The two sons, being concerned about their father, leaped up into the air to the height of seven tala trees and there performed various types of supernatural wonders, walking, standing, sitting, and lying down in midair; making water come out of the upper part of their bodies; making fire come out of the lower part of their bodies; making water come out of the lower part of their bodies; making fire come out of the upper part of their bodies; manifesting huge bodies that filled the sky and then making themselves small again; after becoming small, making themselves big again; disappearing in the midst of the sky and then suddenly appearing on the ground; sinking into the ground as though it were water; walking on the water as though it were land. They manifested these various types of supernatural wonders in order to cause the mind of their royal father to become pure and to make him believe and understand.

    “At that time when the father saw his sons displaying supernatural powers of this kind, his mind was filled with great delight, as he experienced what he had never known before, and he pressed his palms together, faced his sons and said, ‘Who is your teacher? Whose disciples are you?’
    “The two sons replied, ‘Great king, the buddha Cloud Thunder Sound Constellation King Flower Wisdom is at present sitting in the Dharma seat under the seven-jeweled bodhi tree and, amid the multitudes of heavenly and human beings of all the world, is broadly expounding the Lotus Sutra. This is our teacher and we are his disciples.’

    “The father said to his sons, ‘I would like to go now and see your teacher. You can go with me.’"-- Lotus Sutra Chapter 27

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nowadays, it is easy to perform the Power of Unimpeded Bodily Action. Not only can we travel by plane, we can travel to other planets by space shuttle. This is not difficult!

      Delete
    2. The rain challenge is looking better-- a more down to earth demonstration of the power of faith and prayer.

      "When conducting prayers for rain, if rain actually falls, the nature and aspect of the rain will indicate whether the person conducting the prayers is worthy or unworthy. There are various types of rain such as heavenly rain, dragon rain, asura rain, coarse rain, sweet rain, and thunder rain."

      I believe that the prayers of a votary of the Lotus Sutra would produce "sweet rain". Not because he/she desires this rain fall, but because of the desire to prove the power of the teaching that is in peril, due to disbelief and slander--
      Namu myoho renge kyo!
      ~Katie

      Delete
  20. IOW, U & Nichiren don't give a fig about planet earth, only your distorted ideology which you call Buddhism.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Spreading the Law is the sole means for saving the planet. Go back to sleep ohgee

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Mark, you would stand a better chance getting rain doing a rain dance with your poison drum. I'm waiting for organized religions to join your vanity show. Like that will happen! At least Native Americans performing a rain dance are sincere.

      Delete
    2. "At least Native Americans performing a rain dance are sincere"

      And yet, the all of the rain they have ever caused to fall, or ever will produce will not quell the fires in the hell(s) you are destined for-- not in the least.
      ~Katie

      Delete
  22. The Lakota Sioux are particularly adept at makiing rain fall, not unlike the votaries of the Lotus Sutra. Perhaps you who fancy yourself a votary would care to partake in a rain challenge?

    http://www.drbachinese.org/vbs/1_100/vbs808182/80_19.html

    http://www.chinabuddhismencyclopedia.com/en/index.php/Prayer_for_Rain_Sutra

    http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=42,8433,0,0,1,0#.VyLRCzArKM8

    ReplyDelete
  23. I had a nice shower here yesterday which was predicted. The rainbow that followed was astounding and I don't chant. Sakyamuni never partook in such frivolity as competing prayer. He told stories of past lives where people came together for prayer in a time of drought.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, now I get it, ogee! You have discarded the teachings in Shakyamuni's highest teaching, The Lotus Sutra, that pertain specifically to us, in the Latter Day. In your befuddled state, you believe the peaceful practices of the Former and Middle Days will save you and the planet.

      And then, you disregard Nichiren, who fulfilled prophesies Shakyamuni made in his higher teaching, The Lotus Sutra,
      which is the highest honor that has been bestowed upon The True Buddha by anyone since the Buddha's passing.

      And, you refuse to chant the title of the Lotus Sutra-- after stealing select teachings and spitting on the True Buddha whose mercy even extends towards unfilial children, like you,-- it is truly unfathomable.

      - Your abject ignorance and your flagrant arrogance is repugnant enough, but the mere fact that you can dishonor Shakyamuni and then cite even a word from his teachings makes you a grave robber- .

      Every degrading insult, petty criticism and all of your mockery combined pales in comparison to what you have demonstrated here about yourself.

      ~Katie

      Delete
  24. It is you that dishonors the World Honored One by distorting his intent in the teachings of the Lotus Sutra. This is exactly what was predicted in the Age of Dharma Degeneration. I have no problem with you or anyone chanting for better climate, etc. You and Mark can please stop recasting my original argument as using prayer as a competitive practice, thereby alienating others. If you can find any such example where the Tathagata uses prayer as debating tool or even debates with other religions, then I'll shut up. He spent 5 years familiarizing with other religions before undergoing 6 years of ascetic practices. After awakening he spent 42 years readying others. Even the teachings of the smaller vehicles contained the Great Vehicle it was just that others, with the exception of Bodhisattvas were attached to their own self awakening. During those 42+ years, he never engaged in "frivolously debating all Dharma."

    "Today the World-Honored One has led us to contemplate
    and to cast away the excrement of frivolously debating all Dharma.
    Through this, we earnestly increased our diligence and attained
    the single day's wages of Nirvana." [Lotus Sutra, Chapter 4 - Faith and Understanding]

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. "It is you that dishonors the World Honored One by distorting his intent in the teachings of the Lotus Sutra. This is exactly what was predicted in the Age of Dharma Degeneration. "

      ohgee, How is it that you alone possess the wisdom to discern the Buddha's intent-- in the Latter Day of the Law, when the Buddha predicted such wisdom would be non-existent? Because you are calling the World Honored One a liar?

      Why do you persist in slandering Nichiren, who fulfilled the World Honored One's predictions ? Because you refuse to chant the title of the Lotus Sutra and devote yourself to the practice that suits those aspiring to attain Buddha hood in the Latter Day of the Law !

      And why do you persist in defaming and mocking Nichiren's followers with vulgar insults? Because you claim to have an argument based on your meager understanding and warped thinking.

      "Nonetheless, the way that prayers are offered in our present age is the exact opposite of what it ought to be. Prayers today are upon the provisional teachings, which were intended for propagation in previous ages, rather than upon the secret Law of the highest truth, which is intended for propagation on the latter age."

      If you cannot grasp the Buddha's intention with regard to the Time, though he made this crucial matter perfectly clear, how can you make correctly judge any matter of importance?

      Yes, you should desist, because you are committing grave offenses.

      ~Katie


      Delete
    2. "How is it that you alone possess the wisdom to discern the Buddha's intent--"
      Sakyamuni is quite explicit in revealing his intent in the Lotus Sutra.
      "Know, Sariputra!
      of yore I made a vow,
      Wishing to cause all creatures
      to rank equally without difference with me.
      According to the vow I made if old,
      now all has been perfectly fulfilled
      For converting all living beings
      and leading them to enter the Buddha Way."

      I could quote more passages where the Tathagata expresses his intent.

      "-- in the Latter Day of the Law, when the Buddha predicted such wisdom would be non-existent?"
      I don't know what you mean and I feel that you don't know what you're talking about either.

      If you cannot grasp the Buddha's intention with regard to the "Time, though he made this crucial matter perfectly clear,"
      Everything can be accomplished with time, but karma will also be accumulated with time. If you move in a good direction, then you will be successful in your career. Everyone has their own aspirations. If we can follow our ideals, follow our aspirations, then we will lead a good life.

      This thread was about drought and climate so get back on topic or please, ignore me.

      Delete
    3. "With full understanding of Shakyamuni’s teachings, the four great voice-hearers said, “This cluster of unsurpassed jewels has come to us unsought.”53 They represent the world of the voice-hearer that is within ourselves. The Buddha stated, “At the start I took a vow, hoping to make all persons equal to me, without any distinction between us, and what I long ago hoped for has now been fulfilled. I have converted all living beings and caused them all to enter the Buddha way.”54 Shakyamuni Buddha, who has attained perfect enlightenment, is our own flesh and blood. His practices and the resulting virtues are our bones and marrow. The “Treasure Tower” chapter of the Lotus Sutra says, “He who is capable of guarding the Law of this sutra will thereby have offered alms to me and to Many Treasures.... One who guards this sutra will also have offered alms to the emanation Buddhas who have come here adorning and making brilliant all the various worlds.” Shakyamuni, Many Treasures, and the Buddhas of the ten directions represent the world of Buddhahood within ourselves. By searching them out within us, we can receive the benefits of all these Buddhas. This is what is meant by the following passage: “If one listens to them [the preachers of the Law] for even a moment, one will immediately attain supreme perfect enlightenment.”55 The “Life Span” chapter reads, “It has been immeasurable, boundless hundreds, thousands, ten thousands, millions of nayutas of kalpas since I in fact attained Buddhahood.” The Shakyamuni Buddha within our lives is the eternal Buddha since time without beginning, who obtained the three bodies more than numberless major world system dust particle kalpas ago. The “Life Span” chapter states, “Originally I practiced the bodhisattva way, and the life span that I acquired then has yet to come to an end but will last twice the number of years that have already passed.” He was speaking of the world of the bodhisattva within ourselves. The bodhisattvas, as numerous as the dust particles of a thousand worlds, p.366who emerged from beneath the earth, are the followers of the Shakyamuni Buddha present in our lives. They follow the Buddha just as T’ai-kung Wang and Tan, the Duke of Chou,56 served as ministers to King Wu of the Chou dynasty and later assisted his son and successor, the infant King Ch’eng; or just as the Chief Minister Takenouchi57 supported Empress Jingū and later her grandson Crown Prince Nintoku as a highly valued minister. The bodhisattvas Superior Practices, Boundless Practices, Pure Practices, and Firmly Established Practices represent the world of the bodhisattva within ourselves. The Great Teacher Miao-lo says: “You should understand that one’s life and its environment at a single moment encompass the three thousand realms. Therefore, when one attains the Buddha way, one puts oneself in accord with this fundamental principle, and one’s body and mind at a single moment pervade the entire realm of phenomena.”

      Delete
  25. You are another who talks the talk but fails to walk he walk.

    http://thedailyenlightenment.com/2011/06/when-are-miracles-appropriate/

    ReplyDelete
  26. Were "your teachings" superior to Nichiren's, it would be no small matter to best a disciple or believer of Nichiren in a prayer for rain challenge. You protest because your teachings have no power...

    “The two sons, being concerned about their father, leaped up into the air to the height of seven tala trees and there performed various types of supernatural wonders, walking, standing, sitting, and lying down in midair; making water come out of the upper part of their bodies; making fire come out of the lower part of their bodies; making water come out of the lower part of their bodies; making fire come out of the upper part of their bodies; manifesting huge bodies that filled the sky and then making themselves small again; after becoming small, making themselves big again; disappearing in the midst of the sky and then suddenly appearing on the ground; sinking into the ground as though it were water; walking on the water as though it were land. They manifested these various types of supernatural wonders in order to cause the mind of their royal father to become pure and to make him believe and understand."

    "But if there is someone brave and stalwart
    who can carry out difficult deeds,
    the king will remove the bright jewel from his topknot
    and present it to the man."

    Corragio.

    ReplyDelete
  27. My teachings? Sometimes we can't get our way, no matter how hard we may wish it. I suspect that will be the case of your vanity show. Why not try doing good deeds for others. Confucius said, "Listen to their words and observe their actions." By listening to people speak and watching the way they do things by observing them over a period of time, we can discern [their intent]. This is discerning wisdom.

    Among the Buddha's disciples, Maudgalyayana was foremost in supernatural powers. He was also unsurpassed in rhetoric, second to none as a debater and yet met an untimely death at the hands of an outside group who had once debated. Even the Buddha couldn't prevent Maudgalyayana's early death.

    We must be very clear on the substance and appearances of matters and things. Material things arise from the union of the four elements. All material things arise from the convergence of [causes and conditions] according to principles. Things cease from the separation of the 4 elements. This too is discerning wisdom.

    ReplyDelete
  28. If a person fails to have faith
    but instead slanders this sutra,
    immediately he will destroy all the seeds
    for becoming a buddha in any world.
    Or perhaps he will scowl with knitted brows
    and harbor doubt or perplexity.
    Listen and I will tell you
    the penalty this person must pay.
    Whether the Buddha is in the world
    or has already entered extinction,
    if this person should slander
    a sutra such as this,
    or on seeing those who read, recite,
    copy, and uphold this sutra,
    should despise, hate, envy,
    or bear grudges against them,
    the penalty this person must pay—
    listen, I will tell you now:
    When his life comes to an end
    he will enter the Avichi hell,
    be confined there for a whole kalpa,
    and when the kalpa ends, be born there again.
    He will keep repeating this cycle
    for a countless number of kalpas.
    Though he may emerge from hell,
    he will fall into the realm of beasts,
    becoming a dog or jackal,
    his form lean and scruffy,
    dark, discolored, with scabs and sores,
    something for men to make sport of.
    Or again he will be
    hated and despised by men,
    constantly plagued by hunger and thirst,
    his bones and flesh dried up,
    in life undergoing torment and hardship,
    in death buried beneath tiles and stones.
    Because he cut off the seeds of buddhahood
    he will suffer this penalty.
    If he should become a camel
    or be born in the shape of a donkey,
    his body will constantly bear heavy burdens
    and have the stick or whip laid on it.
    He will think only of water and grass
    and understand nothing else.
    Because he slandered this sutra,
    this is the punishment he will incur.
    Or he will be born as a jackal
    who comes to the village,
    body all scabs and sores,
    having only one eye,
    by the boys
    beaten and cuffed,
    suffering grief and pain,
    sometimes to the point of death.

    continued...

    ReplyDelete
  29. And after he has died
    he will be born again in the body of a serpent,
    long and huge in size,
    measuring five hundred yojanas,
    deaf, witless, without feet,
    slithering along on his belly,
    with little creatures
    biting and feeding on him,
    day and night undergoing hardship,
    never knowing rest.
    Because he slandered this sutra,
    this is the punishment he will incur.
    If he should become a human being,
    his faculties will be blighted and dull,
    he will be puny, vile, bent, crippled,
    blind, deaf, hunchbacked.
    The things he says
    people will not believe,
    the breath from his mouth will be constantly foul,
    he will be possessed by demons,
    poor and lowly,
    ordered around by others,
    plagued by many ailments, thin and gaunt,
    having no one to turn to.
    Though he attached himself to others,
    they would never think of him;
    though he might gain something,
    he would at once lose or forget it.
    Though he might practice the art of medicine
    and by its methods cure someone’s disease,
    the person would grow sicker from some other malady
    and perhaps in the end would die.
    If he himself had an illness,
    no one would aid or nurse him,
    and though he took good medicine,
    it would only make his condition worse.
    If others should commit traitorous acts,
    plunder, and rob,
    blames for such sins
    would be unjustly visited on him.
    A sinful person of this sort
    will never see the Buddha,
    the king of the many sages,
    preaching the Law, teaching and converting.
    A sinful person of this sort
    will constantly be born amid difficulties,
    crazed, deaf, confused in mind,
    and never will hear the Law.
    For countless kalpas
    numerous as Ganges sands
    he will at birth become deaf and dumb,
    his faculties impaired,
    will constantly dwell in hell,
    strolling in it as though it were a garden,
    and the other evil paths of existence
    he will look on as his own home.
    Camel, donkey, pig, dog—
    these will be the forms he will take on.
    Because he slandered this sutra,
    this is the punishment he will incur.
    If he should become a human being,
    he will be deaf, blind, dumb.
    Poverty, want, all kinds of decay
    will be his adornment;
    water blisters, diabetes,
    scabs, sores, ulcers,
    maladies such as these
    will be his garments.
    His body will always smell bad,
    filthy and impure.
    Deeply attached to views of self,
    he will grow in anger and hatred;
    aflame with licentious desires,
    he will not spurn even birds or beasts.
    Because he slandered this sutra,
    this is the punishment he will incur.
    I tell you, Shariputra,
    if I were to describe the punishments that fall
    on persons who slander this sutra,
    I could exhaust a kalpa and never come to the end.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am inspired by the Buddha's great love in studying the Lotus Sutra; In your case, his teachings of great love inspire a paranoid imagination.
      This response of repeating this passage to me only illustrates a repeated attempt to insulate your perceived innocence.
      “Again, Sariputra,
      For those who are arrogant and indolent
      And for those who cling to the view of self,
      Do not teach this Sutra.
      Unenlightened people have shallow intelligence
      They are deeply attached to the five desires and
      As they listen, they cannot understand
      so, do not teach it to them either.”

      The Buddha repeats this over and over again, so take it to heart.

      Delete
    2. You should be afraid ohgee. The Buddha's speaking about you in this passage. I assure the readers that Nichiren and his disciples and believers will enjoy a short rest at Eagle Peak before returning to the Buddha's land in this Saha world.

      Delete
    3. If anyone said they were unafraid of death, especially you, I would call them a great liar. We leave this life with nothing, except our karma. Your disguised threats serve as a reminder of how the Buddha patiently endured in the Saha world and to always be grateful for the time we have.

      Verse for Opening the Sutra
      The Dharma is Infinitely Profound and Subtle
      We may not encounter it for billions of kalpas
      Now that we can hear, study and follow it
      May we truly understand the words of the Tathagata


      Sariputra respectfully expressed his belief that
      the World Honored One had not said anything false
      he only wanted his children to escape the fire
      by further giving them all great carts equally,
      He did not commit the fault of speaking a falsehood.

      In the end he did not give the smaller carts,
      but equally gave each a great cart;
      this describes the elders original intent.
      both small and great carts
      Were part of his original intent.

      He began to teach the Great Vehicle Dharma
      this is an analogy for how the Great Vehicle
      that the Buddha is formally teaching now
      does not conflict with the three vehicles
      that were skillfully taught in the past.

      "Starved, emaciated and thin,
      his body covered in sores and ringworms,
      he had gradually made his way to the city where his father lived.
      Continually hired for different jobs,
      he eventually arrived at his father's house."
      [chapter 4]
      "His body [was] covered in sores and ringworms" means that as he was lacking in nutrients, he had thus lost his immunity.

      "Starved, emaciated and thin," is an analogy for "lacking spiritual provisions of the Great Dharma to nourish our wisdom-life." We have not reached the stage of actualizing the Six Paramitas. As we have not put the Great Dharma into practice, we do not have the spiritual provisions of the Great Dharma with which to nourish our wisdom-life.
      Try instead planting trees or developing water conservation education to name but a few strategies for ending our water crisis.

      Delete
    4. Totally, absolutely unafraid. Sometimes even welcoming. Since you are afraid, as well you should be, I suggest you refrain from slandering the Sutra and its votaries, particularly the Supreme Votary... "When monks, nuns, laymen, or laywomen uphold the Lotus Sutra, if anyone should speak ill of them, curse, or slander them, he will suffer severe recompense for his crime."

      Let me innumerate that which will befall a slanderer such as yourself...

      If a person fails to have faith
      but instead slanders this sutra,
      immediately he will destroy all the seeds
      for becoming a buddha in any world.
      Or perhaps he will scowl with knitted brows
      and harbor doubt or perplexity.
      Listen and I will tell you
      the penalty this person must pay.
      Whether the Buddha is in the world
      or has already entered extinction,
      if this person should slander
      a sutra such as this,
      or on seeing those who read, recite,
      copy, and uphold this sutra,
      should despise, hate, envy,
      or bear grudges against them,
      the penalty this person must pay—
      listen, I will tell you now:
      When his life comes to an end
      he will enter the Avichi hell,
      be confined there for a whole kalpa,
      and when the kalpa ends, be born there again.
      He will keep repeating this cycle
      for a countless number of kalpas.
      Though he may emerge from hell,
      he will fall into the realm of beasts,
      becoming a dog or jackal,
      his form lean and scruffy,
      dark, discolored, with scabs and sores,
      something for men to make sport of.
      Or again he will be
      hated and despised by men,
      constantly plagued by hunger and thirst,
      his bones and flesh dried up,
      in life undergoing torment and hardship,
      in death buried beneath tiles and stones.
      Because he cut off the seeds of buddhahood
      he will suffer this penalty.
      If he should become a camel
      or be born in the shape of a donkey,
      his body will constantly bear heavy burdens
      and have the stick or whip laid on it.
      He will think only of water and grass
      and understand nothing else.
      Because he slandered this sutra,
      this is the punishment he will incur.
      Or he will be born as a jackal
      who comes to the village,
      body all scabs and sores,
      having only one eye,
      by the boys

      cont...

      Delete
    5. beaten and cuffed,
      suffering grief and pain,
      sometimes to the point of death.

      continued...

      ReplyDelete

      Mark RogowApril 29, 2016 at 9:50 PM
      And after he has died
      he will be born again in the body of a serpent,
      long and huge in size,
      measuring five hundred yojanas,
      deaf, witless, without feet,
      slithering along on his belly,
      with little creatures
      biting and feeding on him,
      day and night undergoing hardship,
      never knowing rest.
      Because he slandered this sutra,
      this is the punishment he will incur.
      If he should become a human being,
      his faculties will be blighted and dull,
      he will be puny, vile, bent, crippled,
      blind, deaf, hunchbacked.
      The things he says
      people will not believe,
      the breath from his mouth will be constantly foul,
      he will be possessed by demons,
      poor and lowly,
      ordered around by others,
      plagued by many ailments, thin and gaunt,
      having no one to turn to.
      Though he attached himself to others,
      they would never think of him;
      though he might gain something,
      he would at once lose or forget it.
      Though he might practice the art of medicine
      and by its methods cure someone’s disease,
      the person would grow sicker from some other malady
      and perhaps in the end would die.
      If he himself had an illness,
      no one would aid or nurse him,
      and though he took good medicine,
      it would only make his condition worse.
      If others should commit traitorous acts,
      plunder, and rob,
      blames for such sins
      would be unjustly visited on him.
      A sinful person of this sort
      will never see the Buddha,
      the king of the many sages,
      preaching the Law, teaching and converting.
      A sinful person of this sort
      will constantly be born amid difficulties,
      crazed, deaf, confused in mind,
      and never will hear the Law.
      For countless kalpas
      numerous as Ganges sands
      he will at birth become deaf and dumb,
      his faculties impaired,
      will constantly dwell in hell,
      strolling in it as though it were a garden,
      and the other evil paths of existence
      he will look on as his own home.
      Camel, donkey, pig, dog—
      these will be the forms he will take on.
      Because he slandered this sutra,
      this is the punishment he will incur.
      If he should become a human being,
      he will be deaf, blind, dumb.
      Poverty, want, all kinds of decay
      will be his adornment;
      water blisters, diabetes,
      scabs, sores, ulcers,
      maladies such as these
      will be his garments.
      His body will always smell bad,
      filthy and impure.
      Deeply attached to views of self,
      he will grow in anger and hatred;
      aflame with licentious desires,
      he will not spurn even birds or beasts.
      Because he slandered this sutra,
      this is the punishment he will incur.
      I tell you, Shariputra,
      if I were to describe the punishments that fall
      on persons who slander this sutra,
      I could exhaust a kalpa and never come to the end.

      Delete
    6. More teachings of the Buddha absolutely applicable...

      “Suppose a layman should violate the rules of conduct, doing things that are not good. Doing things that are not good means discoursing on the errors and shortcomings of the Law of the buddhas, discussing the evils or offenses committed by the four kinds of believers, or stealing or committing acts of lewdness without any feeling of shame. If such a person wishes to repent and wipe out his offenses, he should diligently read and recite the broad and impartial sutra and ponder its highest principle.

      “Suppose a ruler, a high minister, a Brahman, a householder, a rich man, an official, or some other person of this sort in his insatiable greed for gain should commit the five cardinal sins, slander the broad and impartial sutra, or carry out the ten evil acts. As recompense for such acts of great evil, he is certain to fall into the evil paths and be beaten by violent rainstorms. Inevitably he will fall into the Avichi hell. If such a person wishes to wipe out the impediments of such acts, he should summon up feelings of shame and remorse and determine to remedy his offenses.”

      Delete
    7. I have no fear because I enjoy the benefits of the teacher of the Law:

      http://www.nichirenlibrary.org/en/lsoc/Content/19#para-227

      Delete
    8. Either you don't know the 10 evil acts or think yourself so special, that they do not apply. Whatever applies, it's hard to take you seriously since four of the ten evil acts are deeds of speech.

      "His body was covered in sores and ringworms."

      Delusions of views and thinking are like sores or ringworms growing on our body.

      Delete
  30. The above is how the Buddha performs the forceful practices [through words] towards faithless men such as yourself.

    ReplyDelete
  31. ohgee says, "This thread was about drought and climate so get back on topic or please, ignore me."

    And,ohgee has no clue as to why he cannot comprehend even the topic of this blog post.

    ohgee says, "I am inspired by the Buddha's great love in studying the Lotus Sutra; In your case, his teachings of great love inspire a paranoid imagination."

    But, ohgee cannot say why he has not done a thorough study of the Lotus Sutra, but arrogantly displays disdain for Nichiren who devoted his life to study and practice of ALL of the True Buddha's teachings in the Lotus Sutra.

    ohgee disparages those who share and practice the True teachings, chanting the title of the Lotus Sutra-- which ohgee refuses to do.

    Displaying total disregard for Shakyamuni Buddha and expressing disdain for the Lotus Sutra, ohgee addresses True believers with contempt--and solely on the basis of those behaviors, should be left *strictly alone*.

    ~Katie


    ReplyDelete
  32. Wow, Katie speaks to me in third person and not responds to content. I think that was what the Buddha meant by creating a bad affinity, something to be avoided.

    ReplyDelete
  33. All metaphors or are you too frightened to ponder the reality?

    ReplyDelete
  34. That would be the reality that your proposal to hold a prayer competition aka vanity show will not happen.

    ReplyDelete
  35. of course it won't happen. Our contemporary religious leaders and their disciples and believers are even more cowaardly than those who lived in the time of Nichiren.

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  36. Fear seems to be your modus operandi but like anybody else, you chase after suffering without fear.
    Bodhisattvas possess four kinds of fearlessness
    in teaching and transforming sentient beings:
    First,
    they completely retain and uphold all goodness and Dharma without forgetting,
    so they can teach the Dharma fearlessly.
    Second,
    they completely know the joy of all Dharma.
    among these Bodhisattva skills, 'instilling fear' is not listed.

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  37. Then, instilling fear in those who would slander a sutra such as this or the sutra's votaries must be reserved for the Buddhas...

    “If anyone sees a person who accepts and upholds this sutra and tries to expose the faults or evils of that person, whether what he speaks is true or not, he will in his present existence be afflicted with white leprosy. If anyone disparages or laughs at that person, then in existence after existence he will have teeth that are missing or spaced far apart, ugly lips, a flat nose, hands and feet that are gnarled or deformed, and eyes that are squinty. His body will have a foul odor, with evil sores that run pus and blood, and he will suffer from water in the belly, shortness of breath, and other severe and malignant illnesses. Therefore, Universal Worthy, if you see a person who accepts and upholds this sutra, you should rise and greet him from afar, showing him the same respect you would a buddha.”

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  38. "Who's Afraid of Mark Rogow" it's a metaphor.

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  39. Besides the government, the SGI, the slanderers of the Lotus Sutra, and those like the Muslims who fail to believe in the dignity of human life, no one is afraid of Mark Rogow.

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