The moon is obscured by clouds. The Soka Gakkai are clouds that obscure the Dharma of Supreme Enlightenment. We, following in the footsteps of Nichiren Daishonin and our founder Nichiju, develop the mind of the Buddha while the “theology” of the Soka Gakkai leads to a defiled mind with perverted ideas and the members to remain in delusion. The delusion of greed and jealousy leads them to criticize us because we expose them for being clouds that obscure the Dharma.
Because there is the Daimoku Only doctrine in the Soka Gakkai, the believers in this cult pay special attention to the Honzon Mondo Sho Gosho which explains the object of worship in terms of Law. They neglect the teachings in the Five Major writings of Nichiren that explain the Gohonzon in terms of the Buddha. Leaving aside for a moment that this may be a forged Gosho, the Five Major Writings are the most important writings. Since they are Nichiren's most important works, worshipping the Original Eternal Buddha Shakyamuni, as advocated in these works, is a fundamental and core teaching of Nichiren. The same principle is used when the Lotus Sutra Chapter 11 states, “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].” No matter how many letters Nichiren wrote before, during and after writing his Five Major Works, the principles therein are the most difficult to believe and the most difficult to understand. They can never be overturned by his other writings, those written before, during, or after the Five Major Writings. This is the first point.
The second point is that we teach the Lotus Sutra exactly as Nichiren Daishonin. The Object of Worship is both the Daimoku and the Eternal Buddha, the fusion of the two. The Honzon Mondo Sho teaches this principle of devotion from the standpoint of the Daimoku and the Kaimoku Sho from the standpoint of the Eternal Buddha Shakyamuni, for example.
The SGI’s assertions that Nichiren only taught the Object of Worship in terms of the Daimoku at Minobu, is a blatant falsehood:
“Rejecting Shakyamuni Buddha, who is the sovereign, teacher, and parent of our present world, they pray to escape to another world that is located a hundred thousand million worlds away and that belongs to Amida Buddha, a complete stranger.” –The Teaching that Accords With the Buddha’s Mind (1979)
“We will be envoys of the World-Honored One, facing the assembly without fear.” — (ibid)
“Those who, in the latter age, worship the image of the sage of the west, Shakyamuni Buddha, will forestall calamities and receive benefits.” — The Hero of the World (1277)
“….However, they are alike in that they all abandoned Shakyamuni Buddha. There is no doubt, therefore, that our country will be ruined. This is a teaching that has never yet been revealed. Keep it strictly to yourself.
If there are any among my followers who are weak in faith and go against what I, Nichiren, say, they will meet the same fate as did the Soga family…” (ibid)
“I have been ceaselessly praying for your sake to the Lotus Sutra, Shakyamuni Buddha, and the god of the sun, for I am convinced that you are a person who can inherit the soul of the Lotus Sutra.”(ibid).
“However, later seeking and entering the deep cave, you see a single hermitage. The voices of the reading and reciting of the Hokekyo echo against blue heaven and the words of discussing the doctrine of the One Vehicle are heard in the midst of the mountains. Informing [them, of your presence and requesting] admittance, you enter the chamber, place your mother’s bones before the Master of Teachings Lord Shakya, cast your five limbs to the ground, press your palms together, and opening your two eyes, look up to the Holy Face: Joy overflows your body and the pain of your heart suddenly ceases.” — On Forgetting Ones Copy OfThe Lotus Sutra (1280)
“But he reveres Shakyamuni Buddha and puts his faith in the teaching of the Lotus Sutra. Hence he is like a snake that grips a jewel in its mouth, or a dragon that bears sacred relics on its head. A wisteria vine by Twining around a pine, may climb a thousand meters into the air and a crane, because it has wings to rely upon, can travel ten thousand miles. It is not their own strength that allows them to do these things.” — On The Urobon 1280.
“In the entire land of Jambuduipa, there has never before been a hall or pagoda that produced the image of Shakyamuni Buddha of the Juryo Chapter of the Lotus Sutra. How could such an image fail to appear now.” — The Unmatched Fortune of the Law (1279)
“Although I live in such a forsaken place, deep in this mortal flesh I preserve the ultimate secret Law inherited from Shakyamuni Buddha, the lord of teachings, at Eagle Peak.” The Person and the Law (1281)
“The character myo changes and becomes Shakyamuni Buddha seated on a lotus pedestal.” –Reply to Onichinyo (1280)
“Shakyamuni Buddha and the Lotus Sutra are like one’s wife and parents.” — Letter to Jakunichibo (1279)
“Had an object of devotion of Shakyamuni Buddha, the lord of teachings, who attained enlightenment in the remote past and his attendants ever been made during the Former and Middle Days, it would have been like the sun appearing at night or the moon shining during the day. — On Establishing the Four Bodhisattvas as the Object of Devotion (1277)
In Conclusion, this Gosho written in 1278 is a personal letter to the successor of Dozenbo at Seichoji temple, Jyokenbo. It explains the Object of Worship in terms of the Law (Namu Myoho renge kyo). Another Gosho that explains the Object of Worship in terms of the Law is the more important Gosho, the True Object of Worship which is a treatise rather than a personal letter.
Other more important Gosho than the Honzon Mondo Sho such as Repaying Debts of Gratitude and the Opening of the Eyes, explain the Object of Worship in terms of the Buddha.
The SGI’s latest assault on the Gohonzon and the teachings of Nichiren Daishonin, is citing this Gosho in their attempt to diminish the stature of Shakyamuni Buddha. They are an evil cult who has absolutely no interest in the truth of Buddhism. Discover the truths of Buddhism for yourself. Read the Lotus Sutra and the Gosho and read all the various translations. We must reject the SGI teachings which, in contrast to Nichiren Daishonin’s teachings, slander Shakyamuni Buddha and the Lotus Sutra.
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