Maltz on visions and visionaries circa 1995 [slightly edited]

Bill Vogel, a member of the Nichiren Shoshu, used to point to a personal 
epiphany he had that eliminated all doubts for him regarding the claims 
of Taisekeji. Dave Cole made similar claims before abandoning Taisekeji

I don't mean to minimize their experiences, though I trust them as much 
as I trust the sell of used car salesman.The truth is that many people have a 
need to validate their beliefs and they will conjure up or "force" all kinds of 

visions and hallucinations. These moments of "illumination", with bells 
and whistles, are really a dime a dozen. If you don't personally have them, 
consider yourself lucky. They are not to be trusted. 

Nichiren actually spoke out against such "personal occult experiences"as 
the worst aspect of Shingon magical spells and Zen "satori" experiences. 
The practitioner wants to be "illuminated" so badly that they trigger all 
kinds  of visions. It is born out of their desire to be considered an "arhat" 
with the six supernatural powers...it engenders jealousy and longing in the 

people who hear about such experiences. "Why doesn't this happen to me?"

is the natural reaction. 

For Nichiren, evil teachers as Shan-wu-wei, Shan-tao, and Kobo Daishi all 
had such experiences.  They were all wrong. I've had several such experiences.  
They all proved to me that Taisekeji is a hoax. So who's "epiphany" do you 
trust? 

Asahara Shoko, leader of the Aum Shinri Kyo, had many occult experiences

and "astral travels".  He also took a lot of LSD.  Toda had his "illumination" 
in prison. He was also suffering from malnutrition and isolation. Christians 
are ‘touched by God" every day. How much of this is real and how much is 
it a need to testify or  validate a belief? 

Nichiren too had visions (remember Kokuzo?), yet he did not base his belief 
system on these experiences. He based his faith on the text of the Lotus Sutra. 
What good is it to have  have visions if they steer you wrong? In California, I 
know psychics, faith healers and channelers, some of whom are uncanny but
they could not find their way out of the burning house based on their occult 
talents. 

I'm not making fun of deep personal experiences. I think they are inspiring but
they aren't a substitute for a correct Object of Worship and a bodily reading of
the Lotus Sutra.