The Hoon Jo, On Recompensing Indebtedness translated by Taikyo Yajima and several other Japanese scholars and scholar priests. Part 1

After 25 years while doing spring cleaning, the Hoon Jo fell to the floor along with the Senji Sho (The Selection of the time), the Mahayana Nirvana Sutra, and a complete Essential Services of the Kempon Hokke. If you remember the entire Opening of the Eyes by Kyotsu Hori that I posted, I will now post the entire Hoon Jo with brief commentary. Taikyo Yajima's translation is from the Showa Tehon collection of original Chinese and medieval Japanese Goshos while SGI's translation is from Nichiren Shoshu's modern sectarian Gosho Zenshu collection. Several of the most important passages, particularly those regarding the Three Great Secret Laws, differ greatly from SGI's modern sectarian translation and I will highlight these. I expect that this endeavor will take two weeks.

The Hoon Jo is one of Nichiren's Five Major Works It was written in July of the second year of the Kenji Era when Nichiren was 54 years old on Mount Minobu. He joined the priesthood age 12 and his Master, Dozenbo ordained Nichiren at the age of fifteen at Seichoji Temple. Nichiren went from temple to temple to study and practice the various Sutras, teachings and commentaries under the guidance of Dozenbo. Nichiren realized that the true teaching of Buddhism lay in the Sutra of the Lotus Flower of the Fine Dharma (The Lotus Sutra). He also realized that the so-called Bodhisattvas of the Earth of Chapter 15 of the Lotus Sutra, were entrusted and ordered by the Buddha to propagate the Lotus Sutra in this Latter Age of the decadent Dharma. Nichiren determined to be one of these Bodhisattvas. He understood that he had such a mstic and noble awakening thanks to the divine help of Kokuzo Bodhisattva whom he prayed to, to become the wisest man in Japan together with the guidance of Master Dozenbo. It was to express his gratitude to his Master that he wrote On Recompensing Indebtedness. At noon on the 28th of April, 1253, Nichiren declared for the first time during his lecture at Seichoji Temple that the Lotus Sutra was Supreme of all the teachings of the buddha and the practice of the Lotus Sutra in this Latter Day is chanting Namu Myoho renge kyo or Devotion to the Lotus Sutra. 

During Nichiren's early practice under Dozenbo, he noted that those who practiced the Pure Land teachings, chanting Namu Amida Butsu (Devotion to Amida Buddha), often suffered agonizing deaths and in 1257 there was a great earthquake that caused the suffering of hundreds of thousands of people. Nichiren endeavored to find out the cause of both personal and societal disasters. As a result of Nichiren's contemplation of the cause of the disasters, he wrote the Rissho Ankoku Ron (Establishing the Correct Law for the Peace of the Land) in 1261. He determined that the cause of calamities was the Nembutsu and failing to reverence Shakamuni Buddha. In this treatise, Nichiren also predicted both internicine strife (civil war) as well as foreign invasion thanks to the establishment of the incorrect Law of the Nembutsu. He made 11 copies of the Rissho Ankoku Ron and gave several to the Shogunal government. The Shogun and the  priests of other sects were not pleased and they exiled Nichiren to Izu.

He suffered several even more severe exiles, was nearly beheaded at Tatsunokuchi in 1271 and exiled to Sado Island where he wrote The Kaimoku Sho (The Opening of the Eyes) in which he elucidated the True Object of Worship in terms of the Buddha and The Honzon Sho (The True Object of Devotion) in which he elucidated the True Object of Worship in terms of the Law. Nichiren was pardoned in 1274 and he retired to Mount Minobu where he wrote The Selection of the Time in 1275 and On Recompensing Indebtedness (Hoon Jo) in 1276. How the Daishonin managed to write these treatises under the harshest circumstances imaginable, often having to remember the hundreds of sutras by heart without access to a sutra library, emaciated, and freezing, is a feat unrealized in human history. 

The Hoon Jo was sent with a short letter, in which Nichiren's motivation and reason for writing this essay was stated. Shortl before the writing of this treaty, Master Dozenbo had died. He entrusted this letter to the priest Niko and had him read it before the grave of Dozenbo with two of other of Dozenbo's disciples, Joken and Gijo listening. Nichiren was always thinking of others. Joken and Gijo had not yet converted to the Lotus Sutra. After hearing Niko recite this letter over and over, Nichiren had hoped it would clear up their misunderstandings.

The Hoon Sho teaches the way human beings should follow, the correct ethic in which society should be based. Attaining Buddhahood through faith and practice of the The Three Great Secret Laws is the means to create a just and peaceful society (by suppressing the Three Poisons of Anger, Avarice and Stupidity). In other words, worldly and spiritual ideals are ultimately one and the same. According to Nichiren, the attainment of Buddhahood is the complete repayment of gratitude to ones family, friends, and society in general.

Some thoughts on Nichiren's Lotus Sutra teachings of Beauty, Goodness, and Truth

The great irony of the Soka philosophy is that those who promote it, the supposed avatars of Beauty, Goodness, and Gain, are ugly and bad and therefore experience loss [in the spiritual realm]. We must ask ourselves why they chose Makiguchi's philosophy of Beauty, Goodness, and Gain over Kant's philosophy of Beauty, Goodness, and Truth in the first place and why they chose Nichiren Shoshu over the teachings of the Buddha in the Lotus Sutra and the teachings of Nichiren Daishonin in his authenticated writings.

1. Makiguchi and the Soka Gakkai replace truth for gain because of greed [Hunger], ego [Anger], and ignorance [Animality] and, precisely because they have replaced truth with gain, their claims of beauty and goodness is beauty and goodness in name only. Similarly, because they have abandoned truth for gain, they have abandoned cause and effect for gain. By adopting gain at the expense of truth [or gain at the expense of cause and effect], it is easy to see why their devotees have become liars and smiling backstabbers: Their philosophy is one of ends justifying the means. They have detached [or fooled themselves into believing that they have detached] effects from their causes. This is why both SGI leaders and members, instead of reaping the beauty and good from the Lotus of the Supreme Truth, reap the retribution of Hell, Hunger, and Animality in this and every future existence until, of course, they have paid off their heavy karmic debt, again encountered the Lotus Sutra and become its votaries.. The great irony of the Soka philosophy is that those who promote it, the supposed avatars of Beauty, Goodness, and Gain, are ugly and bad and therefore experience loss [in the spiritual realm]. We must ask ourselves why they chose Makiguchi's philosophy of Beauty, Goodness, and Gain over Kant's philosophy of Beauty, Goodness, and Truth in the first place and why they chose Nichiren Shoshu over the teachings of the Buddha in the Lotus Sutra and the teachings of Nichiren Daishonin in his authentic writings.
   
   They chose the Nichiren Shoshu because only the Nichiren Shoshu [for the sake of worldly riches] was willing to overlook replacing  the truth of the Lotus Sutra with gain. They themselves had already done so more than six hundred years ago with the advent of Nichiu the leper. It is not an accident that like met like to form their unholy union. There is a profound karmic bond between the Soka Gakkai and the Nichiren Shoshu. There is also a profound karmic significance to their appearance in the Latter Day... as a stark contrast to the beauty and goodness of the true votaries of the Lotus Sutra.
2. “The Nembutsu school goes against the Lotus Sutra and follows the three Pure Land sutras, so they look upon Amida Buddha as their premier object of devotion and look down on Shakyamuni Buddha. The True Word priests regard Mahavairochana as the supreme Buddha, so they look down on Shakyamuni Buddha. As for precepts, Mahayana and Hinayana are different but both regard the Thus Come One Shakyamuni as the most important. Other Buddhas only give testimony to his words. Various schools have differences but they should look upon Shakyamuni. Only worms born of the lion’s body feed on the lion. Non-Buddhist teachings cannot defeat Buddhist teachings, but disputes from within will destroy Buddhism. This is the dying words of the Buddha. In Buddhism they believe in Hinayana and lose Mahayana, and they believe in provisional Mahayana teachings and lose true Mahayana teachings.”
3. The worms of the Fuji School (SGI and NST) feed on the Bodhisattvas of the Earth and Nichiren Daishonin. They bore into the Gohonzon, Lotus Sutra and Gosho, eradicating Buddha Shakyamuni of the Original Doctrine and destroying the principles within. They further confuse the people by asserting their superiority over the Hokke sects and deprecating the sincere disciples and believers of Nichiren.
   
   The very worst offender is the Soka Gakkai. As Nichiren states in the Pure and Far reaching Voice, “What is superior it takes to be inferior, and what is inferior it takes to be superior. That is the reason why now, when its prayers are being used in an attempt to ward off the Mongol invaders, such prayers are on the contrary about to bring the invaders down upon us.” The SGI is the very reason the world is in such dire straights. Just as the vibrations from a slanderous mind will cause the head to split into seven pieces, the vibrations of slanderous minds of the Ten Million Soka Gakkai members is causing the world to be disordered and to split into seven pieces.
   
   Instead of adorning the superior teachings with value creationism and human revolution, they replace the Lotus Sutra with these inferior teachings and replace Shakyamuni Buddha with Daisaku Ikeda.
   
   Nichiren states,
   
   “But, leaving aside for the moment the question of which is superior and which inferior, I can say that, far from bringing you deliverance, the practice of these teachings will lead to rebirth in the evil paths. (A Sage and an Unenlightened Man).
   
   As far as the slanderous Nichikan Gohonzon, the most perverted doctrine in the history of Buddhism, 
   
   Nichiren states:
   
   “Nevertheless, the schools of Buddhism other than Tendai have gone astray concerning the true object of devotion. The Dharma Analysis Treasury, Establishment of Truth, and Precepts schools take as their object of devotion the Shakyamuni Buddha who eliminated illusions and attained the way by practicing thirty-four kinds of spiritual purification. This is comparable to a situation in which the heir apparent of the supreme ruler of a state mistakenly believes himself to be the son of a commoner. The four schools of Flower Garland, True Word, Three Treatises, and Dharma Characteristics are all Mahayana schools of Buddhism. Among them the Dharma Characteristics and Three Treatises schools honor a Buddha who is comparable to the Buddha of the superior manifested body. This is like the heir of the supreme ruler supposing that his father was a member of the warrior class. The Flower Garland and True Word schools look down upon Shakyamuni Buddha and declare the Buddha Vairochana and the Buddha Mahavairochana to be their respective objects of devotion. This is like the heir looking down upon his own father, the supreme ruler, and paying honor to one who is of obscure origin simply because that person pretends to be the sovereign who abides by the principles of righteousness. The Pure Land school considers itself to be most closely related to the Buddha Amida, who is an emanation of Shakyamuni, and abandons Shakyamuni himself who is the lord of teachings. The Zen school behaves like a person of low birth who makes much of his small achievements and despises his father and mother. Thus the Zen school looks down upon both the Buddha and the sutras. All of these schools are misled concerning the true object of devotion. They are like the people who lived in the age before the Three Sovereigns of ancient China and did not know who their own fathers were. In that respect, the people of that time were no different from birds and beasts.” (Opening of the Eyes)
   
   Nichiren Buddhist ceremonies in the SGI, those of the founding fathers, Shakyamuni Buddha and Nichiren Daishonin, are all but completely ignored while on May 3rd, for example, all praise is given to the Three Presidents of the Soka Gakkai. At their large meetings instead of singing songs in praise of the Lotus Sutra and Shakyamuni Buddha they sing songs in praise of Daisaku Ikeda. To make matters worse, the SGI political party Komeito is supported by the LDP rulers of Japan. 
   
   Nichiren states:
   
   “The great evil doctrine of these ceremonies over the years steadily made its way to the Kanto region, where it was embodied in the superintendents or attendant priests of various temples who repeatedly performed these ceremonies. The performers of these ceremonies from the beginning could not distinguish between correct and erroneous teachings, between superior and inferior doctrines, but assumed that it was sufficient merely to revere the three treasures. So, without a thought, they employed these ceremonies. And now not only the provinces of Kanto but the chief priests and superintendents of Mount Hiei, To-ji, and Onjo- ji have all come under the jurisdiction of the Kanto authorities, so that, as a result, the latter are in the position of supporting these ceremonies.”
   
   Hasn’t the great evil of these ceremonies spread to all corners of the world, every district meeting singing Forever Sensei and Sensei For You? Is there any wonder why their prayers for peace are unanswered. to the contrary, war, conflict, and disasters rage ever more intensely in every corner of the world.
   
   The SGI which embraces the expedient teachings whereby the ends of lying and withholding justify the means, make a mockery of the essential teachings, the Great Direct Way to Buddhahood. Daisaku Ikeda, for example, never once mentions in his peace proposals, Namu Myoho renge kyo or Buddha Shakyamuni. Another example are the many meetings and SGI ceremonies where Nichiren, the Lotus Sutra or Shakyamuni Buddha aren’t even mentioned once while “SGI” and “Daisaku Ikeda” are proclaimed dozens of times. Nichiren states in the Entity of the Mystic Law:
   
   “T’ien-t’ai says, “Even successors of the Buddha of the provisional teachings do not know people who have received instruction from the Buddha of the theoretical teaching, and people taught by that Buddha do not know people who have received instruction from the Buddha of the essential teaching. ”The Great Teacher Dengyo explains, “This is a direct way but it is not the great direct way. “He also says, “Because they have not yet understood the great direct way to enlightenment.” The point being made in these passages is clear.
   
   Thus, although it is said that the bodhisattvas had already gained entrance [to enlightenment] through the various sutras, the term “gained entrance” is simply applied here in a temporary manner as a means of disparaging the achievement of the people of the two vehicles. Therefore, even the great bodhisattvas of the pre-Lotus Sutra teachings and the theoretical teaching arrive at the realization of the lotus of the Buddha only when they are exposed to the essential teaching, and achieve a true cutting off of delusion only when they hear the teachings of the “Life Span” chapter.”
   
   In Teaching Practice and Proof, Nichiren teaches us,
   
   “How naive are those who cling only to the stump of one sutra without knowing which are superior and which inferior among all the sutras! Even if one cannot [read all the sutras and] discern this for oneself, there can be no mistaking that the Lotus Sutra is the only sutra whose truth was attested to by Shakyamuni Buddha, Many Treasures, and the Buddhas who are Shakyamuni’s emanations.
   
   Should one nonetheless view the Lotus Sutra as false and misread the Buddha’s words “I have not yet revealed the truth” as “I have already revealed the truth,” one’s distorted vision would be inferior even to that of cattle or sheep. Exactly what is meant by the passage in the “Teacher of the Law” chapter: “Among the sutras I have preached, now preach, and will preach, this Lotus Sutra is the most difficult to believe and the most difficult to understand” ? Does the Immeasurable Meanings Sutra not make it clear that Shakyamuni taught the practice of Buddhist austerities spanning myriads of kalpas before declaring, “In these more than forty years, I have not yet revealed the truth” ? These passages are nothing less than the Buddha’s own statements of the relative superiority of the various sutras he expounded during his some fifty years of teaching. The relative superiority of the sutras corresponds to whether or not they lead to Buddhahood.”
   
   The teachings of Value Creationism and Human Revolution do not lead to Buddhahood yet the SGI teaches these instead of the Lotus Sutra. They base their assertions on treatises and not the Lotus Sutra, not even the treatises of the Daishonin but rather those of Nichikan, Toda and Ikeda. They disgard the Lotus Sutra as too profund to be understood or not applicable to the people of the Latter day. They disgard the Lotus Sutra which leads to Buddhahood in one thousand out of one thousand instances while embracing the teachings of the Three Presidents that never once in seventy five years as practiced by millions and millions of SGI members has led to Buddahood, even once. 
   
   Nichiren states in Those Initially Aspiring to the Way:
   
   “Therefore, when people declare that their own sutra surpasses the Lotus Sutra, or that their own school is superior to the Lotus school, they are like persons of inferior rank calling someone of high rank a commoner, or retainers whose families have for generations been in the service of a certain lord turning against him and declaring him to be their servant. How can they escape grave retribution?”
   
   Daisaku Ikeda’s wisdom is as brilliant as the sun and moon, and his virtue is extolled far and wide, yet he is confused as to which teachings are shallow or deep, inferior or superior, and has led millions of people astray. This is the reason that he has suffered personal and specific retribution.
   
   Not reflecting nor learning a thing, he flaunts his knowledge and acts as if he were wise, though he is an ordinary person, who regards the superior teachings as inferior and the inferior teachings as superior. He regards the powerless teachings of the Soka Gakkai as those leading to enlightenment, and declares teachings inappropriate for the people’s capacity to be appropriate for them. Thus he believes that the teaching of Value Creation and Human Revolution is superior and the Lotus Sutra is inferior and that the former suits the people’s capacity but the latter teachings do not. (excerpted and paraphrased from the One Eyed Turtle and the Floating Log)
   
   Nichiren states:
   
   “Thus they place such pronouncements (Value Creation, Human revolution, peace proposals) on the same level as the Lotus Sutra, considering the two to be of equal authority; or they regard these teachings as superior to the Lotus Sutra; or they reason that though their teacher’s pronouncements are inferior they are well suited to the capacity of the people.” (The Teaching that Accords with the Buddha’s Mind)
   
   “Remember this about the theoretical and essential teachings of the Lotus Sutra: Which is shallow and which profound, which superior and which inferior, which lenient and which severe, and which subordinate and which primary must be judged in accordance with the time and the people’s capacity.” (On Establishing the Four Bodhisattvas as the Object of Worship.
   
   The SGI teachings are based on the gentle methods of the Theoretical teachings rather than the strict and superior Essential teachings. It has brought confusion to the Buddhist order.
   
   Since the wealthy, influential and powerful SGI hates the disciples and believers of Nichiren, the ignorant people choose SGI which is and detest the disciples and believers of Nichiren who are superior. As Nichiren says, “It is as though one were to assert that a dog is braver than lion, or that the stars appear brighter than the sun.”(One Eyed Turtle) We are considered men of erroneous views although we practice according to the teachings and they are considered men of correct views though they distort the teachings. Despite all this, we feel as Nichiren, “tears spring to my (our) eyes and joy fills my (our) entire body.” (ibid. One Eyed Turtle)
   
   Nichiren states:
   
   “As more Buddhist sutras were brought to China, it became apparent that some were superior in content or more profound than others. They belonged to different categories such as Hinayana and Mahayana, exoteric and esoteric, provisional and true. To illustrate, all stones are invariably inferior to gold, but gold itself is divided into several grades. No gold found in the human world can match the gold mined from the Jambu River.1 But the gold from the Jambu River is in turn far less valuable than the gold stored in the Brahma heaven. In the same way, all the Buddhist sutras are like gold, but some are finer and more profound than others.” (The Supremacy of the Law)
   
   Toda was confused, believing the fools gold of the Taisekaji teachings were superior to the twenty-four carat gold of the Lotus Sutra and teachings of Nichiren. Spreading such vile teachings, the SGI members and leaders accumulate slander upon slander which, by now, has now grown into a Mount Sumeru of slander. Is there any doubt that the world, far from being a better place for the spread of the SGI teachings, has become a boiling cauldron of death and despair? There is no doubt!
   
   How can this most distressing of situations be remedied?
   
   Nichiren states:
   
   “I decided that I would not heed the claims of these eight or ten schools, but would do as the Great Teacher T’ien-t’ai did and let the sutras themselves be my sole teacher, in this way determining which of the various teachings of the Buddha’s lifetime are superior and which are inferior.”
   
   To remedy this situation and repay our debts of gratitude to Shakyamuni Buddha, the Lotus Sutra, our parents, brothers, wives, and children and to all the people of Jambudvipa, we can do exactly as Nichiren did. We can investigate thoroughly the teachings of the various Nichiren sects matching them with the Lotus Sutra and the teachings of Nichiren Daishonin:
   
   “Among the various sutras, there must be one that is the monarch of all. Yet the ten schools and seven schools I have mentioned all argue with one another over which of the sutras it is and can reach no consensus. It is as though seven men or ten men were all trying to be the monarch of a single nation, thus keeping the populace in constant turmoil.
   
   Wondering how to resolve this dilemma, I made a vow. I decided that I would not heed the claims of these eight or ten schools, but would do as the Great Teacher T’ien-t’ai did and let the sutras themselves be my sole teacher, in this way determining which of the various teachings of the Buddha’s lifetime are superior and which are inferior. With this in mind, I began to read through all the sutras.
   
   In a scripture called the Nirvana Sutra, the Buddha says, “Rely on the Law and not upon persons.” Relying on the Law here means relying on the various sutras. Not relying upon persons means not relying on persons other than the Buddha, such as the bodhisattvas Universal Worthy and Manjushri or the various Buddhist teachers I have enumerated earlier.” (Repaying Debts of Gratitude)
   
   and
   
   Lastly, coming to the just and correct conclusion that the Hokke sect is superior and the teachings of the Lotus Sutra alone leads to Buddhahood, we can spread these teachings far and wide, repudiating the wrongs of the Soka Gakkai, Nichiren Shoshu, provisional Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism. The world will become peaceful, calm, and secure. When,“The Buddha is looked upon as the sovereign and the gods as his ministers; the relations between superior and inferior are correctly ordered in accordance with the rules of propriety, and therefore the nation should be well governed.” (King Rinda) Then, we will experience a new world, a land of Eternal Quiescent Light.
4. The bodhisattvas of the teachings preached before the Lotus Sutra or of the theoretical teaching have, in a certain sense, eradicated delusion and gained understanding of truth. Nevertheless, in the light of the essential teaching, they have gained only a temporary cutting off of delusion, not the kind that extends beyond a certain dimension. Therefore, it is said that they have in fact not yet cut off delusion.

A passage from Chapter 15 of the Lotus Sutra

"Ajita! Know thou! All these Bodhisattvas,
From numberless kalpas,
Have studied the Buddha-wisdom.
All of them are my converts,
Whom I have caused to desire the Great Way.
These are my sons Who dwell in this [Buddha-] world,
Ever practicing the dhuta deeds,
Joyfully devoted to quiet places,
Shunning the clamor of the crowds,
With no pleasure in much talk.
Such sons as these
Are learning the Law of my Way,
Always zealous day and night
For the sake of seeking the Buddha-way;
They dwell in space Beneath the saha-world.
Firm in their power of will and memory,
Ever diligently seeking after wisdom,
They preach all kinds of wonderful laws,
Having no fear in their minds.
I, [near] the city of Gaya,
Sitting beneath the Bodhi tree,
Accomplished Perfect Enlightment;
And rolling the supreme Law-wheel,
I have then taught and converted them
And caused them first to aspire to the Way.
Now all abide in the never-relapsing [state]
And all will become buddhas.
What I now speak is the truth;
Believe me with single minds!
I from a long distant past

Have instructed all this host." 

Same or another half crazed anonymous commentor.

Your friend, he not only went out on his wives several times and blamed them for the troubles, he took H, tried to get his drummer's son on cocaine, raped a 14 year old, and was not watching his drummer when he died and it ended his career, but he still goes around harassing women.

Rogow you and your STUPID friend, both need to PISS OFF, not bother other people. Get off the internet or let the SGI eventually deal with you and hack you as they do others. It was NOT ME who harmed Mark Porter, it was YOUR POSTS that made the SGI HATE you back. Like they did Mark Porter because of YOU. Sol it's YOU who caused it, not me.. It sure wasn't me. I don't know how to hack, let alone put up with the likes of you and JP! STAY far away from me from now on or else., I am moving. So you won't any longer see me.

Quit PISSING on PEOPLE

Anonymous

Who the heck is this half crazy anonymous person who I may have known 30 years ago? I don't know an Edwin except my long deceased father. Haven't spoken to Fred for 25+ years. Of course, many people dislike me. I tell the truth. Romero also tells the truth about this Buddhism.

 Unknown commented on "Nichiren view of fame and profit differs from the Soka Gakkai's (Ikeda Shu or teachings)"

Feb 14, 2024

Speaking of profit, why does Nichiren Shu and KHK sell Gohonzon? Yes, they do, and that's not like Nichiren. The cost of printing and services only would be the only thing appropriate. You know SGI overcharges because you know about Tozan and how much they charged for everything. That's not like NST at all. So stop slandering MY priests if you cannot own up to your own responsiibilities.

Your problem is, you side with people like Judy Scobee, who kissed up to Margie Hall in SGI. Margie wanted to give her a district leader's position. She bought and sold people's Gohonzon's and Butsudons, and Margie knew it, but she wanted a gold star on her report card for getting an NST member to rejoin SGI. Do you agree that is not the proper thing to do, or what?

People told lies to get what they wanted there and that's a fact, yet you people believe it was me in the archives. I don't tell people in SGI or NST to F off or involved police except for when my ex HIT ME. That was not only slander but a criminal offense. I did make comments on the lies that were told about me, because they covered up the truth.

Also, about your friend, Fred. I know because your friend, Fred had to harass me once again, and he blames the fact that I caught him in a lie and didn't like him shortly after saying I did. He did that to get off the hook. He was seeing his ex wife before, when I had problems with him lying to me, and he was meeting her at her restaurant. Be careful who you call a slanderer, lying to women, and placing false blame on innocent people is slander, and I did not kill Mark P. EVER and that is a complete INSULT., nor did I post half the posts in that archive. Some guy was following me around (Cody) and trying to hack me jon the ARBN and was posting fake posts about me. I have no idea who he was.

However, I do appreciate the post about Edwin. Your post fit hm to a T. He really was a liar too, I caught him in a whopper while outside by the window, and he did a lot of negative things to people in SGI and around him. He also yelled at waitresses, people helping out SGI, when he was Toban and when they delivered things to help the SGI, including trash men and waitresses and said they did a bad job. He didn't have to walk in their shoes at all. I have been a waitress and Edwin is a very rude and incorrect person.

The point is not slander here, because SGI was excommunicated, the point is hatred type slander towards people that actually were doing good things for people and may have time constraints.

You and your friend lost me as a friend. You need to stop being involved with people like Romero, that go out on their dates with their roommates and go out on their wives, etc, just because you don't trust women. Thats the kind of ethics SGI teaches.

Fred, Romero and others you deem as good, are not good people, and I don't agree your a good person, either. Your ego rules you. Your friend Fred is not a good person because he lies about and harasses people over his weaknesses, because he wants a woman in his life, but won't get married. He caused the situation quite by himself with me. First by lying about who he was and who you were. I caught him on that.. Secondly, because he took no responsibility for what he did to others. Neither have you.

Think twice before siding with such things. Your headed for a fall. I don't practice in LA NST anymore. I moved. So, I think that you should be careful, your headed for many people disliking you, when you know NST was honest. I will not help you ever again. Just a word of caution, you cause more problems and confusion than you do aid people.

Update

Finished my home hemodialysis course last week. Three week accelerated course. So fortunate to have the best nurse in the world, Nancy Rogow. Already, she has memorized all 100 steps and she perfectly places the needles. I better not piss her off😉 Feel so much better, more energetic, continue to work and chant with various friends and study every day.

The Japanese Messiah

 

The Song My Mentor and I

Eagle Peak Blog: The Japanese Messiah (markrogow.blogspot.com)

Nichiren view of fame and profit differs from the Soka Gakkai's (Ikeda Shu or teachings)

Nichiren teaches,  "Leave such matters [worldly fame and profit] to the karma formed in your previous existences." -- Questions and Answers about Embracing the Lotus Sutra page 63

SGI, on the other hand, teaches that it is determination [Ichinen] that determines such things. 

Nichiren also teaches:

"How terrible are the slanders Nichiren has committed in his past and present existences! Since you have been born into this evil country and become the disciples of such a man, there is no telling what will happen to you. The Parinirvāna Sutra states: “Good man, because people committed countless offenses and accumulated much evil karma in the past, they must expect to suffer retribution for everything they have done. They may be despised, cursed with an ugly appearance, be poorlyclad and poorly fed, seek wealth in vain, be born to an impoverished and lowly family or one with erroneous views, or be persecuted by their sovereign.” It continues: “They may be subjected to various other sufferings and retributions. It is due to the blessings obtained by protecting the Law that they can diminish in this lifetime their suffering and retribution.” Were it not for Nichiren, these passages from the sutra would virtually make the Buddha a liar. The sutra says, first, “They may be despised”; second, “They may be cursed with an ugly appearance”; third, “They may be poorly clad”; fourth, “They may be poorly fed”; fifth, “They may seek wealth in vain”; sixth, “They may be born to an impoverished and lowly family”; seventh, “They may be born to a family with erroneous views”; and eighth, “They may be persecuted by their sovereign.” These eight phrases apply only to me, Nichiren.

One who climbs a high mountain must eventually descend. One who slights another will in turn be despised. One who deprecates those of handsome appearance will be born ugly. One who robs another of food and clothing is sure to fall into the world of hungry spirits. One who mocks a person who observes the precepts and is worthy of respect will be born to an impoverished and lowly family. One who slanders a family that embraces the correct teaching will be born to a family that holds erroneous views. One who laughs at those who cherish the precepts faithfully will be born a commoner and meet with persecution from one’s sovereign. This is the general law of cause and effect.

My sufferings, however, are not ascribable to this causal law. In the past I despised the votaries of the Lotus Sutra. I also ridiculed the sutra itself, sometimes with exaggerated praise and other times with contempt—that sutra as magnificent as two moons shining side by side, two stars conjoined, one Mount Hua placed atop another, or two jewels combined. This is why I have experienced the aforementioned eight kinds of sufferings. Usually these sufferings appear one at a time, on into the boundless future, but Nichiren has denounced the enemies of theLotus Sutra so severely that all eight have descended at once. This is like the case of a peasant heavily in debt to the steward of his village and toother authorities. As long as he remains in his village or district, rather than mercilessly hounding him, they are likely to defer his debts from one year to the next. But when he tries to leave, they rush over and demand that he repay everything at once. This is what the sutra means when it states, “It is due to the blessings obtained by protecting the Law.” -- Letter from Sado

and

"Answer: A bronze mirror will reflect color and form. The First Emperor of the Ch’in dynasty had a lie-detecting mirror that would reveal offenses committed in this present life. The mirror of the Buddha’sLaw makes clear the causal actions committed in the past. TheParinirvāna Sutra states: “Good man, because people committed countless offenses and accumulated much evil karma in the past, they must expect to suffer retribution for everything they have done. They may be despised, cursed with an ugly appearance, be poorly clad andpoorly fed, seek wealth in vain, be born to an impoverished and lowly family or one with erroneous views, or be persecuted by their sovereign. They may be subjected to various other sufferings and retributions. It is due to the blessings obtained by protecting the Law that they can diminish in this lifetime their suffering and retribution.”

This sutra passage and my own experience tally exactly. By now all the doubts that I have raised earlier should be dispelled, and thousands of difficulties are nothing to me. Let me show you phrase by phrase how the text applies to me. “They may be despised,” or, as the Lotus Sutrasays, people will “despise, hate, envy, or bear grudges against them”—and in exactly that manner I have been treated with contempt and arrogance for over twenty years. “They may be cursed with an ugly appearance,” “They may be poorly clad”—these too apply to me. “They may be poorlyfed”—that applies to me. “They may seek wealth in vain”—that applies tome. “They may be born to an impoverished and lowly family”—that applies to me. “They may be persecuted by their sovereign”—can there be any doubt that the passage applies to me? The Lotus Sutra says, “Again and again we will be banished,” and the passage from theParinirvāna Sutra says, “They may be subjected to various other sufferings and retributions.” [These passages also apply to me.]

The passage also says, “It is due to the blessings obtained by protecting the Law that they can diminish in this lifetime their suffering and retribution.” The fifth volume of Great Concentration and Insight has this to say on the subject: “The feeble merits produced by a mind only half intent on the practice cannot alter [the realm of karma]. But if one carries out the practice of concentration and insight so as to observe ‘health’ and ‘illness,’ then one can alter the cycle of birth and death [in the realm of karma].” It also says, “[As practice progresses and understanding grows], the three obstacles and four devils emerge in confusing form, vying with one another to interfere.”

From the beginningless past I have been born countless times as an evil ruler who deprived the votaries of the Lotus Sutra of their robes and rations, their fields and crops, much as the people of Japan in the present day go about destroying the temples dedicated to the Lotus Sutra. In addition, countless times I cut off the heads of the votaries of the Lotus Sutra. Some of these grave offenses I have already paid for, but there must be some that are not paid for yet. Even if I seem to have paid for them all, there are still ill effects that remain. When the time comes for me to transcend the sufferings of birth and death, it will be only after I have completely freed myself from these grave offenses. My merits are insignificant, but these offenses are grave.

If I practiced the teachings of the provisional sutras, then these retributions for my past grave offenses would not appear. When iron is heated, if it is not strenuously forged, the impurities in it will not become apparent. Only when it is subjected to the tempering process again and again will the flaws appear. When pressing hemp seeds, if one does not press very hard, one will not get much oil from them. Likewise, when I vigorously berate those throughout the country who slander the Law, I meet with great difficulties. It must be that my actions in defending the Law in this present life are calling forth retributions for the grave offenses of my past. If iron does not come into contact with fire, it remains black, but if it contacts fire, it turns red. If you place a log across a swift stream, waves will pile up like hills. If you disturb a sleeping lion, it will roar loudly." -- The Opening of the Eyes

Correcting wrong thought is the compassionate practice for this muddled age

 Compassion and correcting wrong thought

Someone on the Independent Sangha wrote:

"This is a point that is not only in Nichiren Buddhism - the Christians, the Jews, and other religions have broken down into different ways in which to practice. Hence sects in Buddhism. people imho strive to be individuals, unique - I am not sure many wake up and say I want to be part of a group where we all do the exact same thing. Go to a Jehova meeting, white shirts, women in dresses, the main person reading on stage reads from their bible or watchtower. they are carbon copies of each other. they do not have branches, sects or any differences between them. actually I think they are the only whole religion in the world. what you are saying sounds to me like you feel that the only way for Buddhism to be whole is be all the same. I say how boring. no need for conversation, or questions... squash all seeking spirits. Just follow the one in front of you and if you turn around the one behind is doing the same so it does not matter which direction you are going it is all the same. rather than be carbon copies why not just stop fighting? Isn't fighting anti-Buddhist? Respect and metta - compassion and understanding will bring light to Buddhism.' 

Response: 

Correcting wrong thought is the practice of the Bodhisattvas of the Earth in the Latter Day. It was the practice of Shakyamuni Buddha and Nichiren Daishonin. Lets take your idea to its logical conclusion...One school or individual decides it's ok to chant the Daimoku and to worship Amida Buddha. This person or sect calls itself Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism or "I am a Nichiren Buddhist" because they chant the Daimoku of the Lotus Sutra. Many people will get the insanely wrong idea that this is correct and some will even be led to believe that Nichiren Daishonin believed that all teachings lead to Buddhahood. Another places a statue of Jesus on the altar and instructs others that individual destiny is shaped by a greater being . This person too, erroneously believes that as long as one chants the Daimoku he is a Nichiren Buddhist. Yet another is a Japanese militarist like Ishiwara who believes and teaches that Japan has a mandate to spread the Daimoku by whatever means. He assembles several divisions of zealousnyouth, arms them to the teeth and indoctrinates them with the Lotus Sutra teachings, "We do not value our own lives, we value only the Supreme Way." He leads them on a crusade against the Chinese heretics to convert them to the Daishonin's teachings. He not only calls himself a Nichiren Buddhist but others maintain that he is a great Wheel Turning King of Japan born to protect the Law by forcibly infusing and diffusing the teachings that have originated in Japan.* If you really study the teachings of Nichiren Daishonin and take the teachings of the Lotus Sutra to heart, you can never come to the interpretations and conclusions of these men. I would argue that they can chant the Daimoku day and night but that still doesn't make them Nichiren Buddhists. Those who continue to argue that all are Nichiren Buddhists who chant the Daimoku, regardless of their beliefs, will quickly destroy the sublime teachings of the Lotus Sutra. Anyone who fails to take the Lotus Sutra, Shakyamuni Buddha of the Juryo Chapter, and Nichiren Daishonin as teachers and who fails to take their teachings to heart, can not be considered a Nichiren Buddhist. We are all individuals by virtue of causes and conditions. This does not change by embracing the same Law, practice, and faith as Nichiren Daishonin. Damson, apple, pear and cherry blossoms are all flowers. They all grow from the earth and they are all nourished by a single shower of rain.

*One may only take up arms in defending the true Law and the believers. Nichiren taught that the way to spread the true Law is through a horizontal transmission [though the people] and vertical transmission [through converting the sovereign]. The vertical transmission too, according to Nichiren, is based on a constitution or decree of the sovereign making the Lotus Sutra the national religion. Both horizontal and vertical transmission is based on compassion, dialogue, and debate.

"Real estate professional", "Grammy award winner"", "honorary doctorate", "YMD Territory Leader", "High Priest", "blah, blah, blah"

Neither Shakyamuni Buddha nor Nichiren Daishonin would be impressed, so why should you?

"Devadatta, however, did not command such respect from others, so he began to consider whether there was not some way he could gain worldly fame that would surpass that of the Buddha." -- Letter to Horen

"They are persons who have abandoned a great doctrine and instead chosen lesser doctrines. If we judge from examples in the past, they will probably suffer for countless kalpas in the three evil paths. It is persons such as these that T’ient’ai meant when he said, “If they encounter an evil friend, they will lose their true mind.” (On the Four Stages of Faith).

"They cling to incomplete doctrines and are attached to receiving alms and being treated with deference; they recognize only false doctrines, distance themselves from good friends, approach with familiarity such slanderers who delight in attachment to the teachings of the lesser vehicle, and do not believe in the great vehicle. Therefore they slander the Law of the Buddhas.

A person of wisdom should not fear enemy households, snakes, the poison of fire, the god Indra, the roll of thunder, attacks by swords and staves, or wild beasts such as tigers, wolves, and lions. For these can only destroy one’s life, but cannot cause one to fall into the Avichi hell, which is truly terrifying. What one should fear is slander of the profound teaching as well as companions who are slanderers, for these will surely cause one to fall into the frightful Avichi hell. Even if one befriends evil companions and with evil intent spills the Buddha’s blood, kills one’s own father and mother, takes the lives of many sages, disrupts the unity of the Buddhist Order, and destroys all one’s roots of goodness, if one fixes one’s mind on the correct teaching, one can free oneself from that place. But if there is someone who slanders the inconceivably profound teaching, that person will for immeasurable kalpas be unable to obtain emancipation. However, if there is one who can cause others to awaken to and take faith in a teaching such as this, then that person is their father and mother, and also their good friend. This is a person of wisdom. After the Thus Come One’s passing, that person corrects false views and perverse thoughts, and causes people to enter the true way. For that reason, he has pure faith in the three treasures, and his virtuous actions lead others to enlightenment.” (The Problem to be Pondered Night and Day)

"It is a rare thing to be born as a human being. And if, having been born as such, you do not do your best to distinguish between the correct doctrine and the incorrect so that in the future you may attain Buddhahood, then you are certainly not fulfilling your true worth as a human being." (On Prayer)

Not sharing Nichiren's doctrines on the Lotus Sutra and Eternal Buddha, the SGI member's happiness. which are based on provisional teachings, can only be considered an ephemeral happiness.

Nichiren quotes Tientai:

"To liberate oneself from the [three-fold] world by means of the provisional [teachings] is called an ephemeral liberation." (Third Doctrine)

and

"...T’ien-t’ai and Miao-lo are commenting on this passage. In this passage of the sutra, all the teachings, from the Flower Garland Sutra, which was expounded immediately after the Buddha’s enlightenment and which combines both specific and perfect teachings, to the fourteen chapters that comprise the theoretical teaching of the Lotus Sutra, are termed “inferior teachings.” Those who delight in them are called people “meager in virtue and heavy with defilement,” and the liberation achieved through them is shown to be an ephemeral liberation." (ibid. Third Doctrine)

The peaceful practices of the Soka Gakkai, engaging the provisional Buddhists, the Christians and the Muslims, in "warm and constructive dialogue" are the practices of the first fourteen chapters of the Lotus Sutra.

"There is no true happiness other than upholding faith in the Lotus Sutra. This is what is meant by “peace and security in their present existence and good circumstances in future existences.”" (Happiness in this World)

"Now, if you wish to attain Buddhahood, you have only to lower the banner of your arrogance, cast aside the staff of your anger, and devote yourself exclusively to the one vehicle of the Lotus Sutra. Worldly fame and profit are mere baubles of your present existence, and arrogance and prejudice are ties that will fetter you in the next one. Ah, you should be ashamed of them! And you should fear them, too!" (Embracing the Lotus Sutra)

Where did we first hear the Daimoku and from whom?

We first heard the Daimoku at a time before Gohyaku Jintengo (the remotest past) from Lord Shakamuni Buddha of the Juryo Chapter of the Lotus Sutra at the Ceremony in the Air.

The Nichiren school has devolved into a hate filled battle among devils yet they criticize me for pointing this out?

Katie, apparently hasn't heard Soka Spirit, Kenshokai, and the Nichiren High Priest accuse the Nichiren Shoshu and the Soka Gakkai, respectively of blasphemy. All she hears is one man's criticisms of the above sects whose members chant Nam Myoho renge kyo. My goal, as was Nichiren's, is for the Nichiren school to return to the pre-sectarian Buddhism of Shakya Buddha. attacking me won't get us to Nichiren's goal. Attacking and awakening the members of these rebellious sects would, on the other hand, go a long way to realizing Nichiren's dream.

Nichiren explains how the few (we) can be superior to the many (SGI)

"The sage said: “How foolish you are! Your attachment to this belief that one should abandon the few in favor of the many towers higher than Mount Sumeru, and your conviction that the narrow should be despised and the broad honored is deeper than the vast ocean. In the course of our discussion, I have already demonstrated that something is not necessarily worthy of honor simply because it is many in number or despicable simply because it is few. Now I would like to go a step farther and explain how the small can actually encompass the great, and the one be superior to the many.

“The seed of the nyagrodha tree, though one-third the size of a mustard seed, can conceal five hundred carts within itself. Is this not a case of the small containing the large? The wish- granting jewel, while only one in number, is able to rain down ten thousand treasures without a single thing lacking. Is this not a case of the few encompassing the many? The popular proverb says that ‘one is the mother of ten thousand.’ Do you not understand the principle behind these matters? The important thing to consider is whether or not a doctrine conforms with the principle of the true aspect of all things. Do not be blindly attached to the question of many or few!" -- A Sage and an Unenlightened Man

Regarding the principles that Nichiren [and I] set down, they may not resonate with you now [while the principles set down by the Soka Gakkai in the Human Revolution do resonate with you] but Nichiren has this to say:

"When ordinary people in this latter age read these various sutras, they suppose that these sutras accord with the mind of the Buddha. But if we ponder the matter closely, we will see that in fact what they are reading is only a reflection of their own minds. And since their own minds are naturally uncultivated, there is little merit to be gained thereby.

The Lotus Sutra, on the other hand, is known as a sutra that was preached in accordance with the Buddha’s own mind. Because the Buddha’s mind is an excellent mind, persons who read this sutra, even though they may not understand its meaning, will gain inestimable benefit."

Some writings of Nichiren on debate, especially regarding the True Word Teachings and SGI's adoption of the True Word principle of Yuiga (Guru) Yoga and their reliance on the person rather than the Law.

Condolences on  Deceased Husband

"Thus in the reign of a worthy ruler, if there is a sincere desire to strengthen the Buddhist teachings, then the ruler will give heed to both sides of a debate and will take as his teachers those wise men who put forth the most compelling arguments. In this way the nation will be assured of peace and security. So we see that the rulers of the Ch’en and Sui dynasties in China summoned the Great Teacher T’ien-t’ai Chih-che and set him to debating with the leaders of the various schools of northern and southern Buddhism, and Emperors Kammu and Saga in Japan arranged for the Reverend Saichō to debate with fourteen Buddhist leaders of Nara, the southern capital. Depending upon who was the winner in such debates, the rulers then established temples and set about propagating the correct teaching."

Likewise, the various Nichiren schools utilized this standard when debating among themselves in order to obtain temples either by donations from the people or by the powers that be.

In Letter of Instruction on Debating the Doctrine , Nichiren commented on a debate between Shijo Kingo and a Tientai priest who, despite embracing the Lotus Sutra, misunderstood the passage of the “the true aspect of all phenomena". He goes on to say:

"But these days when the members of the Tendai school conduct their interpretations of doctrine, in which they “open up and merge” [the provisional teachings with the true teaching]*, they understand this passage of the sutra wrongly, and this leads them into opinions that are erroneous."

The proper understanding of the “opening up and merging” effected by this phrase, “the true aspect of all phenomena,” is simply to uphold the Lotus Sutra, chant Namu-myoho-renge-kyo, and have faith in the words “honestly discarding expedient means, I will preach only the unsurpassed way.”** This is because Shakyamuni Buddha, the Thus Come One Many Treasures, and the Buddhas of the ten directions and the three existences have all testified to the truth of these words.

* The absolute Myo

** The comparative Myo

The Soka Gakkai is far worse. While opening up and merging the Shingon (True Word) Teachings of Yuiga Yoga (Guru Ikeda Yoga) with the Lotus Sutra, they don't instruct on the teachings found in On Repaying Debts of Gratitude to "rely on the Law and not on the person other than the BUDDHA" (and by extension Nichiren Daishonin). By all means, Nichiren utilizes the absolute myo, citing passages of various sutras to praise and edify an understanding of the Lotus Sutra but never the faith and practice of the other Sutras. On the other hand, Soka Gakkai's faith and practice revolves around the Shingon teachings of Yuiga (Guru) Yoga. In other words, they have a faith and practice of the absolute Myo without forcefully acknowledging the comparative Myo (how inferior is the faith and practice of Guru Ikeda Yoga to the Lotus Sutra and Lord Shakya of the Original Doctrine. Let us not forget the many dozens of writings by Nichiren on debating with the True Word. No doubt had any of his disciples adopted a major principle of the True Word teachings as Soka Gakkai, he would wish to debate with them as I.. Even the SGI in the Background of Questions and Answers on the Various Schools delves into this matter of the Absolute and Comparative Myo but, because they fail to see themselves, they say nothing at all about their slander of faith and practice of the Truen Word Teachings. Nichiren writes about those who recite the Lotus Sutra (Myoho renge kyo) but destroys its intent in several Goshos. SGI, NST, NS, HBS are examples Here however, I only discuss the example of the Soka Gakkai.

In Establishing the Correct Method of Contemplation, Nichiren writes:

"But when debating these matters with followers of other schools, one should confine the discussion to matters dealing with general principles. Thus, for example, one should point out that if T’ien-t’ai’s Great Concentration and Insight were not based on the Lotus Sutra, then it should be summarily discarded. Why? Because the Great Teacher T’ien-t’ai himself stated emphatically, “That which accords with the sutras is to be written down and made available. But put no faith in anything that in word or meaning fails to do so.” The Great Teacher Dengyō said, “Depend upon the preachings of the Buddha, and do not put faith in traditions handed down orally.” The Treatise on the Great Perfection of Wisdom of Nāgārjuna says that one should rely on treatises that are faithful to the sutras, but not rely on those that distort the sutras. And Shakyamuni, the lord of teachings, said, “Rely on the Law and not upon persons.”

Lastly, SGI embraces with their whole hearts The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, a blatant forgery. Therefore. this is another example of the SGI relying on the person rather than the Law.

Two translated passages with commentary

"In suffering, awake to the nature of suffering; in joy rejoice. Realizing both suffering and joy as they really are [tathata], chant the Namu Myoho renge kyo of the Lotus." -- Inagaki

"Suffer what there is to suffer. Enjoy what there is to enjoy. Regard both suffering and joy as facts of life and continue to chant Namu Myoho renge kyo." -- WND of SGI

Please notice, the first translated passage instructs us to awaken to the nature of both suffering and joy, to come to comprehend suffering and joy as they really are while in the second passage, we are exhorted not to examine but to merely accept. This reflects the Modus Operandi of the Soka Gakkai cult, to follow SGI/Ikeda no matter what. It does not reflect the teaching of Nichiren Daishonin

Nichiren regarding the Japanese people with comment

 Question: Among living beings there are two types of persons, evil persons and good persons. And among the various realms into which one may be born there must be good paths and evil paths. Why then should all the people in this country of Japan uniformly be destined to “enter the Avīchi hell”?

Answer: Although the number of people is very great, the karma that they create is the same in nature. Therefore they are all alike destined for the Avīchi hell. - Nichiren

1. Too many Japanese distorted the teachings. Actual Proof is the most important of the Three Proofs. Were what they are propagating, the Lotus Sutra, we would expect them to be lessening their karmic retribution. However, the opposite is the reality of the Japanese reality. They are destroying their castle from within, killing off their own children and the entire world with their irradiated food, killing off the ocean, dumping millions, if not billions, of tons of highly radioactive water, and incinerating who knows how much contaminated garbage... These three melted down reactors and their fuel pools, many millions of pounds more than Chernobyl should have been placed in a sarcophagus and the evacuation zones should have exteneded out to include tokyo. The lies from the Japanese Government are enormous and these so callled nichiren Lotus sura Buddhists are living in the midst of this debacle. You will see, the entire Japanese nation will collapse because of their slander of the Law and the destruction of rthe dignity of human life. It is not an accident what has befallen the epicenter Japan.

   ReplyDelete
2. 
   Mark RogowFebruary 17, 2022 at 9:14 AM

   Response to Katie in several parts.
   
   Katie states in a comment that I fail to acknowledge the actual proof of SGI/NST transmitting the Daimoku to the West. The religion of Nichiren is more than the mechanical chanting of the daimoku. For Nichiren, doctrine is of utmost importance:
   
   I suggest Katie plugs in "doctrine", "doctrines", "doctrinal", etc. in the SGI Library major works search engine and read the more than NINE HUNDRED references to doctrine. Here are some examples:
   
   "They are persons who have abandoned a great doctrine and instead chosen lesser doctrines. If we judge from examples in the past, they will probably suffer for countless kalpas in the three evil paths. It is persons such as these that T’ient’ai meant when he said, “If they encounter an evil friend, they will lose their true mind.” (On the Four Stages of Faith).
   

   ReplyDelete
3. 
   Mark RogowFebruary 17, 2022 at 9:16 AM

   Part 2
   
   "They cling to incomplete doctrines and are attached to receiving ALMS and being treated with deference; they recognize only false doctrines, distance themselves from good friends, approach with familiarity such slanderers who delight in attachment to the teachings of the lesser vehicle, and do not believe in the great vehicle. Therefore, they slander the Law of the Buddhas."
   
   A person of wisdom should not fear enemy households, snakes, the poison of fire, the god Indra, the roll of thunder, attacks by swords and staves, or wild beasts such as tigers, wolves, and lions. For these can only destroy one’s life, but cannot cause one to fall into the Avichi hell, which is truly terrifying. What one should fear is slander of the profound teaching as well as companions who are slanderers, for these will surely cause one to fall into the frightful Avichi hell. Even if one befriends evil companions and with evil intent spills the Buddha’s blood, kills one’s own father and mother, takes the lives of many sages, disrupts the unity of the Buddhist Order, and destroys all one’s roots of goodness, if one fixes one’s mind on the correct teaching, one can free oneself from that place. But if there is someone who slanders the inconceivably profound teaching, that person will for immeasurable kalpas be unable to obtain emancipation. However, if there is one who can cause others to awaken to and take faith in a teaching such as this, then that person is their father and mother, and also their good friend. This is a person of wisdom. After the Thus Come One’s passing, that person corrects false views and perverse thoughts, and causes people to enter the true way. For that reason, he has pure faith in the three treasures, and his virtuous actions lead others to enlightenment.” (The Problem to be Pondered Night and Day)
   
   "It is a rare thing to be born as a human being. And if, having been born as such, you do not do your best to distinguish between the correct doctrine and the incorrect so that in the future you may attain Buddhahood, then you are certainly not fulfilling your true worth as a human being." (On Prayer)
   
   Not sharing Nichiren's doctrines on the Lotus Sutra and Eternal Buddha, the SGI/NST member's happiness, which is based on provisional teachings, can only be considered an ephemeral happiness.
   
   Continued.......
   

   ReplyDelete
4. 
   Mark RogowFebruary 17, 2022 at 9:19 AM

   Part 3
   
   Nichiren quotes Tientai: "To liberate oneself from the [three-fold] world by means of the provisional [teachings] is called an ephemeral liberation." (Third Doctrine)
   
   and
   
   "...T’ien-t’ai and Miao-lo are commenting on this passage. In this passage of the sutra, all the teachings, from the Flower Garland Sutra, which was expounded immediately after the Buddha’s enlightenment and which combines both specific and perfect teachings, to the fourteen chapters that comprise the theoretical teaching of the Lotus Sutra, are termed “inferior teachings.” Those who delight in them are called people “meager in virtue and heavy with defilement,” and the liberation achieved through them is shown to be an ephemeral liberation." (ibid. Third Doctrine)
   
   The peaceful practices of the Soka Gakkai, engaging the provisional Buddhists, the Christians and the Muslims, in "warm and constructive dialogue" are those practices of the first fourteen chapters of the Lotus Sutra.
   
   "There is no true happiness other than upholding faith in the Lotus Sutra. This is what is meant by “peace and security in their present existence and good circumstances in future existences.”" (Happiness in this World)
   
   "Now, if you wish to attain Buddhahood, you have only to lower the banner of your arrogance, cast aside the staff of your anger, and devote yourself exclusively to the one vehicle of the Lotus Sutra. Worldly fame and profit are mere baubles of your present existence, and arrogance and prejudice are ties that will fetter you in the next one. Ah, you should be ashamed of them! And you should fear them, too!" (Embracing the Lotus Sutra)
   
   Teaching childen the mere baubles of how to become Trillionaires through chanting the Daimoku or that everyone is a Buddha, is hardly the faith and practice of the Lotus Sutra. Other examples of SGI mistaken Buddhist teachings are too numerous to count.
   
   As an aside, Nichiren Shoshu's doctrine of High Priest, going so far as to permit the High Priest to create or to altar Gosho and call it "Nichiren's Gosho", is even more perverse.