Buddhism is not a Fear Based Doctrine like the Dogma found in Monotheism (The Right Mind of Faith)
Buddhism is not a dogma, but the principles of nature and the universe as they already are; although some may claim it sounds like dogma confusing it with the multitude of man made teachings; however, when one looks closer at the Lotus Sutra one can clearly discern the confusion caused by the “poison drugs” that is among the ocean of the pure law that is everything: Myoho renge kyo!
Buddhism states that the Eternal Buddha in his Lotus Sutra has left us the good medicine that cures us of our human afflictions, i.e. the karma we have accumulated for eternity.
(Only the Hokekyo is the Truth, the Real Teaching; all other sutra's are expedientand provisional) 'I know that the various multitudes of beings' natures and desiresare not the same; their natures and desires not being the same, I variously preach the Dharma; variously preaching the Dharma by the power of expedience, for more than forty years I have never yet revealed the Truth; for this reason beings' attainment of the Way has been varied: they have not yet been able to rapidly attain Supreme Bodhi.' (Muryogikyo "Chapter of the Preaching the Dharma"2:T.9.386a-b) [Trans. H. G. Lamont].
Thus, this Buddhism enables a person to an awakening, that is to say, the proper state of mind needed for a person trapped in this saha world to escape the cycle of birth and death they have endured for eternity.
"One receives because of faith; one keeps because of recalling"(Hokke mongu (Text Commentary on the Lotus Sutra) T.34.107c) [trans. H.G.Lamont].
And as Buddha states we are of the same essence!
So ponder this, our faith in the eternal Buddha is saying that we also realize our lives are eternal. Buddha is saying [paraphrase], ‘can you believe I really did obtain enlightenment from a time without beginning? If you do, are you not realizing your life is also eternal;
'By faith you are able to enter.' (Hokekyo, "Chapter of the Parable" 3 (T.9.15b))
'It is not by the portion of their own wisdom' (Hokekyo, "Chapter of the Parable"
3 (T.9.15b)) [trans. H.G. lamont].
. . . . and with that understanding are we not beginning to see the world as it really is?
Thus, practicing the principles of Hoon-jo (Debt of Gratitude) we then with the good cause of respecting the person that brought you the greatest gift any person could bestow upon us (Filial piety); - this vehicle of the Lotus Sutra is the portal to escape the cycle of birth and death into the lower six realms of existence and we thus obtain Buddhahood.
So by walking the karmas and applying the profound principles found in the sutra, while upholding it (read, recite and copy) we are making the cause to be a Buddha. What does the sutra say Buddha’s do? They watch over and protect this sutra and extol Buddha, and Buddhas throughout the universe. So if one wants to become a Buddha, should we not just do as Buddhas do?
So how can any Buddhist sect throw out the eternal Buddha and ever expect to obtain enlightenment with such a disrespectful nature? It is impossible by cause and effect and the common sense of the sutra in its entirety.
So is not Buddha and thus Nichiren through their strict doctrine working to bring us to the right mind of faith which is amazingly exactly the state of mind a person must have as recent findings in quantum mechanics state to reach a higher state of awareness.
It appears to me that all man made religion is based on fear; whereas, Buddhism in its most sacred and original form, as taught by Shakymauni Buddha in his Lotus Sutra is based on respect for parent, teacher, and sovereign, (Filial piety) and the right mind of faith.
"... the Two Dharmas of the Causal Practices and Effect Virtues of Lord Shakya are fully possessed in the Five Characters 'Myoho ren ge kyo'; when we receive and keep these Five Characters He spontaneously yields and assigns [to us] the merits of those Causes and Effect" (Kanjin honson sho, STN, v. 1, 711).
Namu Myoho renge kyo!
Always,
Stephen Paine
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