Terry Ruby and his silly wife or Ikeda refutes the Rubys or when was Ikeda lying, then or now? Take your pick

> The Eternal Buddha Shakyamuni Bit
> The more you familiarize yourself with the teachings of the Lotus Sutra and
> Nichiren Daishonin, the less likely you are to fall for the misinformation
> spewed by Mark, Petry and similar ilk. -- SGI leader Terry Ruby

John Petry writes:

Ah the old terryfool routine. Can't refute it then spew a lot and
attack the messenger. Here terryfool refute this:

"A Buddha is in its simplest interpretation, means a person who is
incomparably wise and fully enlightened. Sakyamuni was portrayed as a
real human being who reached a state of enlightenment and eventually
entered Nirvana. He was a royal prince born to a society torn with
strife - poverty, caste and race discrimination were everywhere. His
own early life was one of absolute luxury. He renounced this life to
seek enlightenment. The fruit of his untiring efforts over the years
was the realization of the true nature of things and the discovery of a
path that could lead to freedom from suffering. The Buddha held that
the cause of suffering is the result of wrong attitudes; it is our
craving or desire that makes us suffer. Although Sakyamuni Buddha set
out the Eightfold path that could free us from suffering, he often
exhorted his monks to discover the way for themselves as for instance in
his last words to his disciple Ananda in the Mahaparinirvana Sutra.

"Self is the lord of self, for who else could lord be? Be ye lamps unto
yourselves. Look not for refuge to any beside yourself."

In response to Ananda’s entreaty to preach one last time, Sakyamuni
speaks about being a beacon of self and of being a beacon of the Law.
Sakyamuni taught that it is none other than one’s self and the Law that
are the guiding lights that illuminate the darkness of life and death.
And the true self referred to by Sakyamuni is the self realized in the
course of one’s actions in accordance with the Law of the Universe and
of life.

Sakyamuni also said, in a statement made just before his death, that
since all phenomena are transient, one should diligently apply oneself
to the perfection of one’s practice. His leaving behind such a
statement perfectly demonstrates the special character of Buddhism,
which points to the path of endeavour and diligence to perfect oneself
as a human being and to achieve self-realization.

One calls one who has awakened to the truth of life and the universe a
"Buddha". It is thought that many Buddhas have appeared in this
universe, expounded the Law and saved human lives.

Mahayana Buddhism teaches that many Buddhas have made their advent.
Here I would like to follow the currents of Buddhist history from the
death of Sakyamuni Buddha to the rise of Mahayana Buddhism. Buddhist
records indicate that following Sakyamuni’s death, people’s respect and
admiration for him deepened and questions arose about the meaning of his
death, and from this developed the theory of the Buddha’s three bodies.
At first it was said that the Buddha , as the eternal and indestructible
"body of the law" who is one with the law of life and the universe
appeared in this world to save people in the physical form of Sakyamuni
- in other words, as the "manifested" body. Later when the Buddha who
jointly possessed the two kinds of body - "the body of the Law" and the
"manifested body" - became widely revered, the idea of the "bliss body"
or spiritual strength to perceive the truth, developed.

And along with the theory of the bodies, or aspects of Buddhas, a theory
evolved concerning the appearance of Buddhas. First the concept of past
Buddhas developed, in which it was held that Sakyamuni and various other
Buddhas also appeared in the past. Then the concept of future Buddhas
developed, in which it is said that Bodhisattva Maitreya will be reborn
in this world as a Buddha in the future. The concepts of Buddhas in
other worlds and of becoming a Buddha in the next life also arose. For
instance, Amitabha Buddha is said to dwell in the western region of the
universe. Akshobya Buddha, in the eastern region of the universe, and
bodhisattvas, to be reborn in the Tushita heaven before attaining
Buddhahood. Finally a concept of present lifetime Buddhas took shape in
which it is taught that Buddhas exist throughout the ten directions of
the universe.

The Lotus Sutra is the scripture that incorporates and unites the
theories of the three bodies of the Buddha and of the appearance of the
Buddhas. This scripture is respected as a pivotal text in Japanese
Buddhism and has many followers.

In the 16th and most important chapter, entitled "The Life Span of the
Thus Come One", Sakyamuni reveals that he has been a Buddha since the
infinite past, that he has all along been preaching in this mundane
world and leading people to enlightenment, and that he has appeared as
various Buddhas in order to save all living beings and preached the Law
in accord with his listener’s capacity. He states that the reason he is
now about to leave this world is that, although the life span he has
attained by practicing the bodhisattva way is of infinite duration,
through the means of his death he can teach and instruct people.
Here, principally in the 16th chapter, the concept of the original
Buddha of the remotest past is revealed. In connection with this
concept, Tien-tai of China commented that because it is shown in the
"Life Span" chapter that Sakyamuni has appeared as various Buddhas in
response to the capacity of the people he will teach and enlighten, all
the Buddhas who appear in Mahayana Buddhism are united in the one
Buddha, Sakyamuni.

Based upon this Tien-tai called the Sakyamuni revealed in the "Life
Span" chapter, the Original Buddha and stated that he simultaneously
embodies the Law Body, the manifested body and the bliss body, and that
he is the Buddha whose true nature lies in the bliss body aspect. In
other words, the "Life Span" chapter identifies the historical personage
of Sakyamuni as the Original Buddha, presenting him as the manifestation
in historical reality of the suprahistorical or Original Buddha.
Accordingly it {the 16th chapter] teaches that the Buddha’s life span is
infinite. This is the concept of the Original Buddha of the remotest
past. The distinguishing characteristic of the Lotus is the fact that
it unites all Buddhas in the Original Buddha and perceives eternal life
or an infinite life span, in the person of the historical figure
Sakyamuni.

In this way, the concept of the original Buddha of the remotest past
revealed in the "Life Span" chapter incorporates and unifies the
Mahayana concepts of the three bodies and of the appearance of Buddhas;
this new concept clearly reveals the outstanding personality of
Sakyamuni, who is endowed with both eternity and reality, and filled
with great compassion to save the people. Nichiren agreed fundamentally
with this interpretation of Tien-tai, but he also pointed out that the
basis of the Eternal Original Buddha is the ultimate Law that caused all
Buddhas to become Buddhas. -- Daisaku Ikeda

Now you can claim as your silly wife has done that this is only the
chantmeister making nice with an astronomer and giving an historical
overview but it does point out the lie of your statement above as Ikeda
acknowledges, at the bare minimum by your spin of the facts, that the
Buddhists of the world undertand Sakyamuni of the 16th Chapter to be the
Eternal Original Buddha. So if you are now claiming that your Sensei
says no, then when was he lying, then or now?

SGI is not Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism. Of this there is no doubt!

Soren, SGI Senior Leader says: Recognizing that other faiths exist and that adherents of other faiths not only possess in full measure the same fundamental humanity as followers of Nichiren Daishonin, but have valuable contributions to make towards a peaceful and healthy world, has been characterized by some of this ng's more clueless individuals as a move (on the part of the SGI) to create a catch-all "humanist" psuedo-Buddhist religion which masquerades as Nichiren Buddhism.

Nichiren says:

*BACKROUND: The Kenchoji Temple, A Rinzai Zen temple in Kamakura, was founded by Tokiyori Hojo, with the Chinese Zen monk, Doryu, as it's first abbot.

KENCHOJI DORYU NI ATAURU SHO: A Letter to Doryu of the Kenchoji Temple

Buddhist Temples stand in a row, and Buddhist doctrines are discussed in every

house today in this country. Buddhism prospers in Japan more than in India or

China, and the manners and behavior of Buddhist monks are like those of arhats

who have mastered the six divine powers. However, these monks are as ignorant

as birds and beasts. They do not know which sutra is superior in doctrine among the

sutras preached by Sakyamuni Buddha during His lifetime. Discarding Sakyamuni

Buddha, who is our master, teacher, and parent in this world, these monks seek

refuge in Buddhas and bodhisattvas of other worlds. How can you say that they are

not against their own teacher?

Therefore, I say: "Pure Land Buddhism is a way leading to the Hell of 

Incessant Suffering; Zen Buddhism is the act of heavenly devils, who 

hinder the Buddhist way; True Words (Shingon) Buddhism is an evil 

teaching leading to destruction of our nation; and Discipline (Ritsu) 

Buddhism is a false teaching by traitors." 

Contemplating on this, I, Nichiren, wrote a treatise in the first year of the

Bunno Era (1260) or thereabout, entitling it Rissho ankoku-ron, and submitted

it to the late Lord Saimyoji, Shogunal Regent Tokiyori Hojo, through Lay Priest

Yadoya. The gist of the writing is that because the people in the country put

faith in such evil teachings as Pure Land, True Words, Zen, and Discipline,

calamities and disasters continue to plague this land, which will eventually be

attacked by foreign troops. This is what I predicted in my Rissho ankoku-ron.

As a matter of fact, a letter of state arrived from the Mongol Empire on the

eighteenth of this past first month just as I had predicted. Is this because

devotional services performed by various temples lost the power to invoke

divine protection? Or, is it because false teachings spread over this land?

Everybody in Kamakura, military rulers, as well as the ruled, looks up to

Abbot Doryu of the Kenchoji Temple as if he were a Buddha, and reveres

Abbot Ryokan of the Gokurakuji Temple as if he were an arhat. Besides, head

monks of such temples as Jufukuji, Jokomyoji, Chorakuji, and Daibutsuden are

highly respected.

In my opinion, however, they are self-conceited, evil monks who believe them-

selves to have understood the true intent of the Buddha while actually they have

not. How can these monks chastise great Mongol troops by means of prayer?

Besides, all the people in Japan, rulers and subjects, will be captured by the

Mongols. Thus they will destroy their country in their present life, and will fall

into the Hell of Incessant Suffering in a future life. You will surely regret it if you

don't listen to me now.

To this effect, I have written to such persons as the Lord of Kamakura, the Lay

Priest Yadoya, and Saemon-no-jo Taira, so you should get together for consultation.

I, Nichiren, do not speak for selfish purposes. I speak only what is said in sutras and

discourses. I cannot write in detail in a letter, but I expect to meet you in a public

discussion. One finds it difficult to write what one wants to say, and to say what one

has in mind.

Respectfully yours,

Nichiren

11th of the 10th month in the 5th year of the BunÆei Era (1268)

To Abbot Doryu of the Kenchoji Temple

SHOCKING!!! [not really]

Rev. Sato has been famous with his opinion that Minobu Nichirenshu should

affiliate Nichiren Shoshu Taisekiji under its umbrella. He contributed an article to 
"FUKYOSHI-KAIHO" (Newsletter for Preaching Instructors) on March 31, 1997

as the Chief Preaching Instructor of Yamanashi Prefecture #1 region. He wrote: 

"Since Nichiren Shoshu is suffering from the lack of Danto believers, we should

invite them to join our believer’s unions." "When I was in charge of Kuonji worshipping 
division, about 50 students of Rissho University (they are from Taisekiji) had visited

Kuonji and received the GOKAIHI (worshipping the main Gohonzon). We should take

this as a sign for the future movement." 

Rev. Sato’s article in GENDAI BUKKYO (Modern Buddhism; July 1995) was titled,

"Stubborn Taisekiji which had never opened its door to other sects is now showing 
flexibility." (see illustration below) 

Rev. Sato proposed, "Up todate, Taisekiji was stubborn and never opened to other

sects. Now, Taisekiji invited us to visit inside and outside of various temple buildings.

We have to catch this change and evaluate highly their new attitude. I believe this is the 
best opportunity to create the atmosphere and unity that we are all disciples of Nichiren

Shonin, and invite Taisekiji to join us." 

In essence, Minobu Nichirenshu wants to bring Taisekiji under its umbrella. Yamazaki,

who has no faith and is only interested in money and power, is acting as the envoy 
for High Priest Nikken. Interestingly enough, Nikken has also no faith and is interested

in only money and power. The combination of Nikken and Yamazaki is surely destroying

Nichiren Shoshu. Source: Soka Shimpo November 17, 1997 

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

No surprise. Several billion dollars goes a long way to buying respectability. Look at the vendors at Minobu who sell t-shirts with printed Gohonzons for thirty dollars a pop. For several billion dollars, Nichiren Shu will surely accept the selling of a wooden plank with a Gohonzon scratched on it.

The whole truth and nothing but the truth so help me God [Ikeda].

Rush Limbaugh, Michael Savage and  Wongkc [Soka Gakkai leader], are three peas in a pod. What binds these bastions of freedom together? Their hatred of the media. 

Wong writes >>>>"">>>>: 

>>>>It is good that Terry didn't qoute any non-Gakkai sources. Why? Because you can't tell from those publications whether they are telling the truth or not.>>>>> 

The mainstream media can not be trusted. The Seikyo Shimbun, on the other hand, the voice of the SGI autocracy, is beyond reproach!!!  It is the impartial and unbiased vessel of the Law. 

>>>>Especially western medias like Times, Newsweek, Asiaweek, etc, which had been giving false impression of the East to the West.>>>> 

You mean like doctored photos of Nichiren Shoshu prelates with geishas in the Seikyo Shimbun? 

>>>> Even BBC and CNN are no exception.>>>>> 

Only the unbiased Snakyo Shimbun and World Tribune can be trusted.

>>>> Do you know that the current Senior Minister of Singapore, Mr Lee Kwan Yew, being a lawyer himself, had won many libel suits against these medias.>>>> 

Then why didn't the $GI with all their billions win even more suits than Mr. Yew?

>>>>Do you know that these magazines had been frequently subject to restricted circulation in Singapore for printing untrue allegation about Singapore. (Singapore was quoted here as Mr Lee, during his days as the Prime Minister of Singapore had been very vocal, and speaks of unjustice and double standard practiced in the West).>>>>> 

The SGI would outlaw Newsweek, Time, and Asiaweek as well as CNN and the BBC. What's next, Animal Planet?

>>>>What about Japanese media? Not many creditable ones, especially those in league with Nikken and Isao Dan and those which just  want to boost up sales.They couldn't be bothered about any libel suits as the profit they rake will be much more than any fine they would be paying.>>>> 

They should be outlawed for criticizing the SGI. We too should be driven underground like the evil Fujufuse sect. 

>>>>Gakkai had been relying on internal media to communicate with the members, and since external media do not want to publish our view, why waste money to buy their media space to put up our stories.>>>>> 

Internal media as a source of unbiased news? Ever hear of the Jewish press criticicizing the Israelis while lauding the arabs? Wong, wake up!!! 

>>>>However, in my country where the press are more responsible, they asked for our view and printed them accordingly alongside with those sensation stories. At least our readers have the opportunity to judge for themselves.>>>>> 

The BBC documentary quoted Ikeda and Abergate. They don't represent your view? 

>>>>If Hokkeko wants to rely on those unreliable and uncreditable reports we will not stop you. (Maybe to Hokkeko, they are "reliable" in publishing those sensational stories for them).>>>>> 

Man, I'm with you Wong. I just canceled my subcriptions to the New York Times, Newsweek and Time magazine, and bought a ten year subcription to the World Tribune and the Seikyo Times. Now, I will get the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help me God [Ikeda].

Execution attempt on Nichiren and the honors and awards bestowed on Ikeda

[Still more verifiable history] Marc S refutes SGI/NST's lies

From the NST Dictionary of Terms and Concepts: "Five senior priests" 

"Five of the six senior priests, excluding Nikko Shonin, designated by Nichiren Daishonin as his principle disciples shortly before his death" 

Marc's comments: They have to grudgingly acknowledge their appointment because the transfer document  referring to the Six Priests still exists and is fully corroborated by historical events. The Six Priests did in fact lead the Sangha after Nichiren's death. 

"They are Nissho, Nichiro, Niko, Nitcho and Nichiji. While the Daishonin was alive, they devoted themselves earnestly to the propagation of his teachings, but after his death, they refused tofollow Nikko Shonin even though the Daishonin had formally appointed him as his successor" 

Marc's comment: 

This is Big Lie Number 1. Nikko was junior in rank within the group. The documents Taisekiji depends on are a "no sale." They are not existent in anything close to an original, and more important, have not the slightest bit of corroboration. Nikko would have showed up in the records and accounts of the time as taking a leading role if they were authentic but he never once did. He didn't even lead Nichiren's funeral but rather marched in the JUNIOR rank. He never once mentioned himself as some sort of spurned leader even though he was off Minobu for 36 years and had every opportunity to do so. Not a single person mentions him as leader nor mentions what would have amounted to a coup de tat in not following him. The claim that Nikko was heir has no standing among historians who know all the details of the matter. 

"They gradually departed from the  orthodoxy if the Daishonin's teachings, compromising with sects which he had considered heretical and neglecting the strict spirit of shakabuku" 

Marc's comments: 

These are lies number 2 and 3 

Here we find the slander that they went over to other sects. In the individual bio's, this NST Dictionary names the Tendai Shu. This is untrue and hypocritical. Nissho, the leader of the group as it's most senior Priest, reissued the Rissho Ankoku Ron which excoriates the other sects in direct uncompromising terms, at great peril to his life. Hardly the act of a compromiser. It was Taisekiji who in later years sent their priests to Mt. Hiei, the home base of the Tendai, for instruction and to get magical Tendai transmissions. 

As far as "neglecting Shakabuku" goes, Taisekiji failed to thrive and remained for centuries an extremely small clan temple. The Temples of the remaining Senior Priests grew at rates 10,000 times greater than Taisekiji, putting the lie to the NST slander that they other priests "neglected Shakabuku." 

"The primary reason for this was that they apparently did not revere the 

Daishonin as the Buddha of the Latter Day of the law" 

Marc's comments: 

And neither did Nikko. The "Nichiren as Eternal  Buddha" heresy crept into Taisekiji dogma centuries later and is a backslide into common Japanese Founder Worship. 

"....and simply regarded him as a follower of Tendai Buddhism." 

Marc's comments: 

And here we see the "Gone over to the Tendai Shu" slander repeated:

"Consequently they did not appreciate the significance of the Gohonzon which he had inscribed as the object of worship, discarding it ni favor of images of Shakyamuni" 

Marc's comments; 

Lie number four. 

The preference by this or that group for the Paper Gohonzon or the Statue arrangement Gohonzon developed later mostly as a response to persecution (you can run out the back door with the Paper Gohonzon much easier than with a heavy statue). Nichiren himself used a statue as his personal Gohonzon. Nikko complained bitterly when he did not get it after Nichiren's death. This is just a sloppy backhanded insult tossed out by NST, secure in the knowledge that their members are neither inquisitive nor able to get good information about complicated issues. 

A million Daimoku is a million Daimoku [Edited from Maltz]

"Mounting this jeweled vehicle, they directly arrive at the place of enlightenment." 

(Lotus Sutra, Chapter 3, verse section) 

"The jewels of this jeweled vehicle are the seven precious substances 
which adorn the great cart. The seven jewels are precisely the seven 
orifices in one's head, and these seven orifices are precisely the 
[seven characters] na-mu-myo-ho-ren-ge-kyo, the essential Dharma for 
the Final Dharma Age. For us, living beings, the five characters of 
the daimoku will become a boat at the river of the three crossings ; 
they will remove the cold in the crimson-lotus hell. In the hell of 
burning heat, they will become a cool breeze, and on the mountains of 
death, they will become lotus blossoms. When we are thirsty, they will 
become water, and when we are hungry, they will become food. When we 
are naked, they will become a robe. They will become a wife, a child, 
retainers, a clan--benefitting all living beings by conferring their 
inexhaustible responsive workings. This is the meaning of "directly 
arriving at the place of enlightenment."  Accordingly, the fact that 
one dwells nowhere else but in the Land of Tranquil Light is called 
"directly arriving at the place of enlightenment."  You should fix 
your mind on the word "directly" and ponder it."      [STN3:2563-64] 
(Excerpt of the "Onko Kikigaki" , transcribed by Niko) 

Nichiren Daishonin, our founder and teacher, says our Daimoku in the 
later age becomes a boat, water, breeze, etc. Let no one tell you that 
chanting Daimoku in the later day has no power to grant our needs. Our
purpose in life is notare not to become martyrs, we are in Kempon Hokke
Kai to spread the dharma and show the blessings of Buddha to the 
entire world! In Eugene, Oregon, Bonnie Bennett asked Rev. Kubota how 
to chant, and he told her to "think of Buddha as your Father, and 
chant with a sincere seeking mind. You can chant for anything you 
like." 

From chapt. 23 of the Lotus Sutra 

"This Sutra is that which can save all the living; this sutra can 
deliver all the living from pains 
and sufferings; this sutra is able greatly to benefit all the living 
and fulfill their desires." 

"It is able to deliver all the living from all sufferings and all 
diseases, and is able to unloose all 
the bonds of mortal life." 

"In the last five hundred years after my extinction, proclaim and 
spread it abroad in Jumbudvipa, 
lest it be lost and Mara the Evil [One], his Mara-people, gods, 
dragons, yakshas, kumbhandas, 
and others gain their opportunity." 

The Lotus Sutra stands alone according to the words of Shakyamuni 
and Nichiren. 

We should pay the greatest of respect for anyone who can sit down and 
chant the daimoku, even if that person must fight restless thoughts, 
impure desires, or an undisciplined mind!  The idea that "one sincere 
daimoku is worth a million insincere daimoku" is another example of 
"beasts wearing the skin of a humans" who try to discourage others 
from chanting.  They use their own viewpoint that the "state of mind" 
is somehow what determines the effectiveness of the chanting.  No
human being is in a position to judge such a thing, it's beyond our 
abilities.  We say that the act of chanting is proof enough of a "mind of 
faith".  For anyone who has chanted abundantly, they know what  a hard 
task it is, and how easily the mind wanders.  It is not possible to maintain 
an ideal condition of unwavering sincerity, with our defiled minds in the 
polluted age of Mappo.  Common people cannot act like saints, nor 
should they feel that their chanting is ineffective, simply because they 
doubt their "state of mind".  As the Nike commercial says, "Just do it!"  
The fact that a person even wants to chant, be it sincere or not, is the 
rarest thing for our time period.  So, for those who say, "A million daimoku, 
chanted mechanically, is not worth anything!", we answer, "A million 
daimoku is a million daimoku!" (Actually, a million daimoku is a very 
difficult thing to accomplish, so the statement about "mechanical 
chanting" does not even make sense!) If anyone claims that they have 
the knowledge to judge whether daimoku is sincere or not, they are 
acting as a demon who "claims to attain something that they haven't 
attained". 

The Soka Gakkai Yesterday and Today or Inconsistency from Beginning to End

Yesterday:

"Implicit in the March 16 ceremony was his [President Toda's]

profound instruction that kosen-rufu must
be carried out based solely on the Head Temple --
 guidance which we must take deeply to heart. In
this connection, the sixty-sixth high priest, Nittatsu
Shonin, gave us guidance to the effect that the
ceremony in which we common mortals come to
 the Head Temple and chant daimoku to the
Dai-Gohonzon, which embodies the life of the
 Buddha of beginningless time, is the most fundamental
one. I want you to understand that our March 16
 Kosen-rufu Day may be considered one form of
"kosen-rufu ceremony," which we carry out under
 the mercy of the high priest, who, as the great
leader of kosen-rufu, directs us toward the Dai-Gohonzon."
Daisaku Ikeda, Seikyo Times, March 1986, p. 10 

"The concept of manifesting the Buddha nature
inherent in an insentient image through the "eye opening
ceremony," thus making it an object of worship, also
applies to the Gohonzon..." Soka Gakkai MWND, Vol 4,
1994 revised edition. 

"...the Gohonzons that we recieve are also the living flesh
of the Original Buddha whose eyes have been opened according
to the principles of the actual Ichinen Sanzen in the passages hidden
 in depths of the Juryo Chapter and the true attainment of Buddhahood
by plants and trees. Why would this very Gohonzon not be
the true aspect of the eye opening of wooden and painted images?
This is absolutely not found in the heretical sects outside of
Nichiren Shoshu, and is a profoundly secret doctrine which only
Nichiren Shoshu possesses." Daisaku Ikeda Soka Gakkai Daibyaku Renge 

"... the ceremony in which we common mortals come to the head
temple and  daimoku to the Dai-Gohonzon, which embodies the life of
he Buddha of beginningless time, is the most fundamental one."
Daisaku Ikeda, Seikyo Times, March 1986, p. 10 

"From the time our predecessor Makiguchi sensei, the Gakkai
has progressed according to the great spirit of not concerning ourselves
in any way concerning the position of the High Priest. In the future as well,
we will be consistent with this spirit. Those who violate this,  even if they
are top leaders, are to be immediately expelled. This has to be
the spirit of believers."
Daisaku Ikeda, Seikyo Shimbun, 1/29/56 

Today: 

Each and every one of Shakyamuini's words tells
us that it was right for SGI to separate itself from the
ruinous [High Priest] Nikken sect. The SGI is
advancing straight along the "path to glory." The Nikken
sect is sliding irrevocably down the "path to ruin."
 I want to make this perfectly clear to you all."
Daisaku Ikeda, World Tribune, September 13, 1993 

Yesterday: 

"It's no good unless these three, an excellent Law, an excellent
master and an excellent lay believer, are all present. Nam Myoho
Renge Kyo is of course the excellent Law. Furthermore, the High
Priests are the only ones who have recieved the Daishonin's teachings,
and as our masters, have transmitted to us the Daishonin's innermost
enlightenment exactly as it is with nothing lacking during 64 transmissions.
Therefore, when we worship the Dai-Gohonzon through the High Priest, benefits
will definitely come our way." The Complete Writings Of Josei Toda, Vol. 4, p. 399 

"We, ourselves, cannot produce the Gohonzon. Since it's
 the enlightened entity of Nichiren Daishonin,
no one has the authority other than the successive
high priests who have been the sole heirs to the
heritage of the True Law. We take no part in this.
Therefore, the objects of worship inscribed by those
in the Butsuryu and Minobu factions [of the Nichiren
Shu sect] are absolutely powerless. They are worthless
because they are fake. In fact, they contain the
power of evil spirits. That is why they are dangerous."
 Former SGI president, Josei Toda, Daibyaku Renge, 98, p. 98. 

"Members of the Minobu school of the Nichiren sect
chant daimoku. They have the Gosho Their
recitation of the sutra also includes the Hoben and
Juryo chapters. And, in the Shoshinkai, which consists
of ex-priests of Nichiren Shoshu , and the portions
of the sutra they recite and the daimoku that they
chant are identical to the practice we observe.
Though their religion may seem the same as ours, they
lack the single, unbroken heritage of the law
recieved directly from Nichiren Daishonin. If one's faith is
not based on this line of inheritance, it is worthless
 to embrace any Gohonzon, for no benefit will be
forthcoming. That is to say, "Without the lifeblood of faith,
it would be useless to embrace the Lotus Sutra." "
Daisaku Ikeda, Buddhism in Action, vol 3, p 254 

"What we must keep in mind here is that concerning the Lifeblood
there is the specific Lifeblood of the entity of the Law, and the general
 lifeblood of faith. We must clearly differentiate between the two.
In short, the Lifeblood of the Entity of the Law, the very life of Nichiren
Daishonin, who is the reincarnation of the Buddha of Absolute Freedom,
is the ultimate Lifeblood, the most important matter concerning
life and death. The entity of the law which reveals the life of
the Daishonin in it's exact state, is the Dai-Gohonzon of Nam
Myoho Renge Kyo. That Lifeblood which is passed on and protected
by the successive High Priests of the conferral of the Lifeblood of
the Law recieved by only a single person." Daisaku Ikeda, Lectures on 

Nichiren Daishonin's Gosho, Vol. 30, p. 58 

Today: 

"... we must deeply understand that the heritage of the
universal Law of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo can only
be transmitted through organizations [SGI] joined in
unity, based on faith in Nichiren Daishonin's
Buddhism and the principle of the oneness of master
 and disciple." November 9, 1992 World Tribune 

"Today the only true inheritor of the Daishonin's
way of master and disciple is the Soka Gakkai. I
declare this unequivocally. That's why the Soka
Gakkai is so important. Without our organization, the
True Law would be utterly lost. There would be
no way to save humanity. That is why supporting and
defending the Soka Gakkai are the same as
defending and advancing the Daishonin's Buddhism."
Daisaku Ikeda, World Tribune, September 14, 1992 

Yesterday: 

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

in Action, vol. 1, pg. 21 

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

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

Today:

"Thus, Nichiren Daishonin teaches us to treat the
SGI members who work for Kosenrufu with greater
respect than anyone else, and we must seat them
high above esteemed priests." Daisaku Ikeda, World 

Tribune, March 14, 1994 

"The [High Priest] Nikken sect, claiming that the High
Priest's inner enlightenment and the Gohonzon are
"the two indivisible entities of the Object of Worship,"
 is using the Gohonzon and estabishing the "High
Priest creed." ibid. 

Yesterday: 

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

vol 1, p 33 

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

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

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

"The Great Pure Law of the Latter day of the Law is transmitted
by the successive High Priests of the bequethal of the lifeblood
of the Law recieved by only a single person, and they inscribe
the Gohonzon for us believers from that standpoint." Daisaku 

Ikeda, Discussing Kosen-rufu and Human Life, Vol. 4, p. 6 

Today: 

Furthermore, in light of the true meaning of the Daishonin's
Buddhism, it is a great mistake to think that
only the high priest is vested with authority regarding the
Gohonzon merely because of his position
and title. World Tribune, Sept. 13, 1993 

"The faith of "not begruging one's life," life based on the
Gohonzon ...such faith exists only in the Soka
Gakkai. Only the Soka Gakkai possesses "action"
aimed toward the goal of kosen-rufu, and correct
"guidance" leading to happiness."
Daisaku Ikeda, World Tribune, Jan. 17, 1994 

Yesterday:

However, such criticisms [that the practice of Shakubuku
is too harsh] were only based on the superficial
understanding of common mortals which is incomparably
 inferior to the understanding of the original
Buddha, Nichiren Daishonin. Rather than reprimanding
them, Nichiren Daishonin describes the
cowardice, timidity and ignorance of those disciples as "pitiful."
Today, a similar situation has arisen. Faithless disciples
criticized High Priest Nikken, who is the only
legitimate inheritor of the Law as the "emissary" of the
original Buddha, Nichiren Daishonin. Those who
for whatever reasons criticize the high priest are
 traitors against the orthodox lineage of Nichiren
Shoshu. Buddhism in Action, By Daisaku Ikeda, 

1984 ed., pages 273-274 

Today: 

"Today, I would just like to point out that, if the 

priesthood  is earnestly saying that, "to go against the
high priest is slander," then they are only going to
get caught in their own trap." Daisaku Ikeda, World 

Tribune, Jan. 17, 1994 

Yesterday: 

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

in Action, vol. 1, pg. 21 

"Only the successive High Priests of the conferral of the Lifeblood of the
Law inscribe the Gohonzons we recieve based upon the principle that he is
an emination of the Buddha." Daisaku Ikeda, Discussing Kosen-rufu and 

Human Life, Vol. 1, p. 112 

Today: 

"At the present time, the Soka Gakkai itself is the one and only
group of united priests which receives and inherits the 'lifeblood of
faith.'" (Seikyo Shinbun, 9/18/93) 

"Lay believers who, among all the people in the world,
embrace, believe in and practice the True Law...can also
be said to be the treasure of the priest" 

"The status of the successive High Priests is lower than that 

of the treasure of the priest.Lay believers who are disciples of the

Daishonin individually represent the treasure of the priest" 

"It can be said that the priests and lay believers
all individually represent the treasure of the priest" 

Speech by Soka Gakkai DIkeda
World Fibune,  Sept. 30, 1991 

"Now that we have clearly separated ourselves from Nichiren
Shoshu, let us firmly establish a religion for human beings..."
Daisaku Ikeda, Sept. 1993 Daibyaku Renge (SGI) 

"If even a good priest sees someone slandering the Law and
disregards him, failing to reproach him, to oust him or to punish
him for his offense, then that priest is betraying Buddhism. But if he takes
the slanderer severely to task, drives him off or punishes him,
then he is my dsciple and one who truly understands my
teachings." -- The Nirvana Sutra Explainig Why SGI/Ikeda was 

Taken to Task and Driven off 

"From the time our predecessor Makiguchi sensei, the Gakkai
has progressed according to the great spirit of not concerning ourselves
in any way concerning the position of the High Priest. In the future as well,
we will be consistent with this spirit. Those who violate this,  even if they
are top leaders, are to be immediately expelled. This has to be
the spirit of believers." Daisaku Ikeda Explains Why He Was Expelled, 

Seikyo Shimbun, 1/29/56 

Real mentor's protect, they do not ask for protection

The organizational structure of the Lotus Sutra

The Eternal Buddha Shakyamuni 

The Leader of the Bodhisattvas of the Earth (Jogyo Nichiren) 
The Bodhisattvas of the Earth 

Fusing with the object of worship of the sleazy conman Nichiu, of the bizarre slanderous priest Nichikan, or of the Enlightened Supreme Votary of the Lotus Sutra Nichiren?

Realizing that one takes on the characteristics of their respective object of worship, this is a no brainer.

The Gohonzon is much more than meets the eye by Bruce Maltz

Lest we get too clever in tossing about words like "gohonzon" or "buddha", let's keep in mind the essential reality that NO ONE (not any high priest or scholar, or the people who read this blog) has a clue what a "gohonzon" or a "buddha" really is. We have Nichiren's word that the "gohonzon" is the ongoing "ceremony in the air" and we have Shakyamuni's word that "only a buddha and a buddha" can know the ultimate reality that the gohonzon embodies. It is a mystery. The absolute mystery.  A plant follows the course of the sun daily. Animals follow the biological clocks of the movement of stars. Neither plants nor animals "understand" why they follow these "laws" or what the stars and the sun mean.  Likewise, we "follow" the Law and we respond to inherent Buddhahood, but we haven't a clue about this ultimate reality. 

So, it's superficial speculation to say that the gohonzon is only a representation of the Eternal Buddha but is not the Eternal Buddha in actuality. If Nichiren says that a gohonzon which has had its "eyes opened" to the Lotus Sutra is imbued with the "soul" (tamashii) of the Eternal Buddha, then it is foolish to determine that the gohonzon is merely a "representation" and  piece of paper. That's relying on our human senses to imply "value" or "reality". Our human senses cannot gauge reality at all, according to the LotusSutra, because human senses are composed of "attachments" and "illusions". What looks like paper and ink to our senses is only what we "think" we see. We also see the birth and death of all things, whereas the Buddha says that this is an illusion. We see "self and others". The Buddha says this is an illusion. There is no "self" to "attain enlightenment". That's just how we perceive the flow of things.

A gohonzon whose eyes are "opened" to the Lotus Sutra is inherently different from a gohonzon whose eyes are "opened" to the "offshoot" teachings of SGI/NST.  In neither case is the gohonzon merely a "piece of paper", waiting to be "activated" by the chanting of practitioner.  Such a prejudice would mean that the "flesh and blood" of a human being is somehow "superior" to the "paper and ink" of the gohonzon. This presupposes that the "matter" or material that constitutes the "outer wrapping" is the "true reality". A similar argument in the secular realm is the deep significance of the Constitution of the United States which transcends the paper and ink of which it is made.The Lotus Sutra teaches that there is only a partial "truth" to material reality. Material reality is an impermanent, constantly changing series of phenomenon.Life which is a synthesis of mind and body is both substantial and non-substantial.   "Buddha-reality" too is neither "substantial" nor "non-substantial", but a "middle way" called "Chu".

"Middle way" has two meanings in Buddhism.  It refers to the superficial concept of "neither extreme" but it also means the deeper concept of  "neither substantial or non-substantial". It is the ninth consciousness that cannot be perceived by the six senses or usual human reasonings.  WE cannot put faith in any conclusions that are drawn by prejudices about material objects, be they made of flesh, crystal, paper or electrons.  The "reality" is not confined or defined  by the "material" we see. 

So, when making sweeping statements about the "gohonzon", the bottom line is, no one alive today can hazard a guess about what it is actually is. "Representation" is a rationalization, but it doesn't reflect the understanding of Nichiren Daishonin.. 

When we chant to a "Nichiren" gohonzon, we really don't know anything about what we're doing, just like the plant which follows the sun doesn't have any conscious understanding about what it's doing.  When we chant to an SGI/NST gohonzon, we don't know what the "difference" is (given our unreliable "senses"). Why take a chance?  Since it is all based on faith, why not take faith as Nichiren "recollected" it when he transcribed the gohonzon, exactly as he received it at the ceremony in the air.  He explains, without equivocation, that he didn't "invent" the gohonzon but "received" from the Eternal Shakyamuni Buddha.

Even in arguments about the "True Buddha", the glaring question is bypassed....What is a "Buddha" in the first place? IF that cannot be defined within the limitations of human senses, then what sense is there in saying that Nichiren is the "true" buddha and the Eternal Buddha Shakyamuni is a "cast-off" buddha (Taisekiji's theological term). It's a conclusion of profound ignorance, imputed by "interpretation". It's not based on Nichiren's own statements. It's the doctrine based on cryptic translations and interpretations by later priests of questionable intentions.

We take Nichiren at his word, having faith that his Buddhism is "transmitted" directly from the Lotus Sutra, and that his "gohonzon" is not simply some "representation" but a "reality' that transcends the human senses and understanding. One does not "see" the ceremony in the air like one "sees" the skyline of New York nor should one dismiss the gohonzon as a mere "representation" of abstract Buddhist theory.  Otherwise, why would Nichiren say that a "soul" inhabits the gohonzon, and that the orientation of an "object of worship" is the most important thing of all?  It obviously is much more that it seems.  It's not just ink on rice paper.  There are 128 extant Nichiren gohonzons. They aren't just paper "manifestation" mandalas.

Likewise, the so-called "dai-gonzon" is not just a "hunk of wood". It's much more sinister.  It's a fake, so what "soul" imbues it?  How could it be "the living Nichiren" when it renders "worthless" all authentic Nichiren gohonzons? Nichiren said that ALL of the troubles of Japan stemmed from worshiping the wrong "gohonzon" and replacing the correct "gohonzon" with provisional teachings and their attendant "manifestations" (Buddhas, who are "emanations" of the Original Eternal Shakyamuni).  These are statements that transcend the reach of human intelligence. Nichiren is telling us that there is MUCH more here than meets the eye. In fact, it transcends the eyes, ears, nose and mind.