"Answer: This is a matter of the utmost importance that I keep in my mind. But since you have an unmatched aspiration, I will explain it in brief.
The object of devotion as set forth in the 'Life Span' chapter is Shakyamuni Buddha, the lord of teachings, eternally endowed with the three bodies, who since the beginning of numberless major world system dust particle kalpas in the past has had deep and abiding affinities with this land of ours.
The “Life Span” chapter speaks of “the Thus Come One’s secret and his transcendental powers.”Volume nine of the commentary [by T’ien-t’ai] says: “The single body is none other than the three bodies, a statement that is secret. The three bodies are none other than the single body, a statement that is secret. Also, because from ancient times this has never been expounded, it is called secret. And because only the Buddha can understand this, it is called secret. The Buddha consistently possesses the three bodies throughout the three existences. But in the various teachings [other than the Lotus Sutra], he kept this secret and did not transmit it.”
And in Jackie Stone's " Original Enlightenment and the Transformation of Medieval Japanese Buddhism " p. 91:
ReplyDelete"Nichiren's ' Shakyamuni of wonderous awakening' is no mere abstract, all pervasive Dharma-body but also encompasses the virtues of the reward-body Buddha who has traversed practice and attainment, as well as the concretenrss of the manifested body, the historical Buddha who appeared in this world ."
There is much to be appreciated in the efforts Mark has employed and in the scholarly works whose focus is translating Nichiren's own writings. Though secret and understood only by Buddhas, this "teaching " can be accepted, believed and by living beings who chant Namu-myoho-renge-kyo- or rather we can arouse faith and gain the wisdom to uphold the Lotus Sutra with our very lives !!
Expressing reverence and deep gratitude for Shakyamuni Buddha was the foundation of Nichiren's Teachings - it is what set him apart from all who believed in the Lotus Sutra before and after he propagated Myoho-renge-kyo-- imho .
~Katie
hi - ho !
Deletewhat we see in the world today is the slander of shakyamuni and his lotus sutra. as it teachers...in the latter age the lesser teachings only lead to delusion and chaos ! namu myoho renge kyo !
Thanks Katie for sharing and you too Greg.
ReplyDeleteNichiren is clear. The SGI and Nichiren Shoshu folks are clouded.
ReplyDelete