Hi Mark: to what extent does the validity of Nichiren's teaching depend upon Tientai's analysis of the Mahayana sutras? Should we include Tientai in our list of authoritative teachers?
Hi Neal. Nichiren utilized Tientai's teachings as a scaffold for his teachings but once his teachings were completed he discarded the scaffolding, calling Tientai's teachings, "last years calendar.". For the Middle Day, Tientai's teachings were the means to attain Enlightenment but they became useless in the Latter Day where the Three Poisons are much more pervasive.
Calculus depends on arithmetic and algebra but utilizing arithmetic and algebra to solve complex engineering or physics problems is useless. Utilizing Tientai's teachings to solve the problems confronting mankind in Mappo is equally useless though they form a part of Nichiren's superior teachings. This is my view at this moment.
Namu Tendai Daishi is on the Gohonzon so, of course, Nichiren considered him an authoritative teacher. Newton is considered an authoritative teacher but his physics is dwarfed by Einstein's.
Hi Mark: to what extent does the validity of Nichiren's teaching depend upon Tientai's analysis of the Mahayana sutras? Should we include Tientai in our list of authoritative teachers?
ReplyDeleteHi Neal. Nichiren utilized Tientai's teachings as a scaffold for his teachings but once his teachings were completed he discarded the scaffolding, calling Tientai's teachings, "last years calendar.". For the Middle Day, Tientai's teachings were the means to attain Enlightenment but they became useless in the Latter Day where the Three Poisons are much more pervasive.
ReplyDeleteCalculus depends on arithmetic and algebra but utilizing arithmetic and algebra to solve complex engineering or physics problems is useless. Utilizing Tientai's teachings to solve the problems confronting mankind in Mappo is equally useless though they form a part of Nichiren's superior teachings. This is my view at this moment.
Namu Tendai Daishi is on the Gohonzon so, of course, Nichiren considered him an authoritative teacher. Newton is considered an authoritative teacher but his physics is dwarfed by Einstein's.
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