"The learned authorities in the world today suppose that there is no harm in mixing extraneous practices with the practice of the Lotus Sutra, and I, Nichiren, was once of that opinion myself. But the passage from the sutra [that I have just quoted] does not permit such a view. Suppose that a woman who had been the consort of a great king and had become pregnant with his seed should then turn round and marry a man of common stature. In such a case, the seed of the king and the seed of the commoner would become mixed together, and as a result, the aid and assistance of heaven and the protection of the patron deities2 would be withdrawn, and the kingdom would face ruin. The child born from two such fathers would be neither a king nor a commoner, but someone who belongs not to the human realm.
This is one of the most important points in the Lotus Sutra. The doctrine of the sowing of the seed and its maturing and harvesting is the very heart and core of the Lotus Sutra. All the Buddhas of the three existences and the ten directions have invariably attained Buddhahood through the seeds represented by the five characters of Myoho-renge-kyo. The words Namu Amida Butsu are not the seeds of Buddhahood, nor can the mantras or the five precepts act as such seeds. One must be perfectly clear about this point, because this is the fault referred to as being mixed."
I'm laughing and crying at the same time.
I'm laughing and crying at the same time.
If ones primary practice is reciting Lotus Sutra and Daimoku with Genuine Gohonzon, reads the Lotus Sutra, Gosho and believes.
ReplyDeleteThen why is it said to be wrong and labelled as mixing practices if one sits still and quiet while focusing on the breath so that one can eventually go back to sleep in the middle of the night or early hours of the morning. Didn't Nichiren say that everything is Buddhism!
I could understand if one makes it their primary practice as Zen has done but if a Nichiren Buddhist uses it to support their practice as one would through exercise and nutrition then it shouldn't be a problem
"Ri-no-ichinen sanzen means that in principle if we sit still and quiet the mind we will perceive the Three Thousand Worlds in a Single Thought-Moment.
Ji-no-ichinen sanzen, however, means
that in actuality the Three Thousand Worlds in a Single Thought-Moment are manifest – in particular Buddhahood expresses itself in the here and now"
I understand that the feel good chemicals that the body releases could be said to be the passive state of Ji-no-ichinen sanzen that is Ri-no-ichinen sanzen that Tien Tai experienced during what I believe is quiet sitting breath focused meditation
"...Therefore, the persons of superior faculties and superior capacity should naturally devote themselves to contemplation and to meditating on the Law..." [Early writing].
ReplyDeleteLate writings???
DeleteShakyamuni and Nichiren were both meditators. Do you really think Nichiren would of stopped meditating after he made his first Gohonzon
DeleteI don't think so, he was too wise for that, he had a broad understanding of scripture and practice that very few non meditating Nichiren Buddhist's could comprehend
He was also a person of superior faculties and superior capacity. Lets reread On the Four Stages of Faith and the Five Stages of Practice and we can continue to discuss it.
Deletehttp://www.nichirenlibrary.org/en/wnd-1/Content/94
DeleteOk after I've read it
Is any knowledge or skill attained for the purpose of alleviating suffering *contrary to the True Reality*?
ReplyDeleteI struggle with resolving matters of *mixing practices* in the context of my being a nurse, who has sought professional training in alternative and complimentary medicine, with clear beneficial results.
Single mindedly invoking the daimoku of the Lotus Sutra, seeking the Buddha, I have not yet resolved this matter--- though I believe that always considering it to be a *matter to resolve* is a matter of seeking correct faith.
I have seen clear examples within SGI of subordinating the practice of True Buddhism to yoga, expressed as delusional thinking.
~Katie
Please notice that Nichiren doesn't write "religious matters" [or other religions] are the entirety of Buddhism, only all "secular" or "worldly" matters. To Nichiren, Buddhism meant Myoho renge kyo not any other teaching or practice.
ReplyDelete"When the Great Teacher Miao-lo compared these passages with the one from the sixth volume of the Lotus Sutra that reads, “No worldly affairs of life or work are ever contrary to the true reality,” he revealed their meaning and pointed out that although the first two sutras are profound, since their meaning is still shallow and fails to approach that of the Lotus Sutra, they relate secular matters in terms of Buddhism, whereas the Lotus Sutra explains that in the end secular matters are the entirety of Buddhism."
My source of conflict involves my having received *attunement to Reiki*- level I & II. I was encouraged to advance to Reiki Master level training, but declined many times because I couldn't make the time commitment. Then, after learning more about the actual Reiki Master level training, I began to have doubts based on the philosophical foundations appearing similar to a religion. However, my own limited practice of Reiki has never felt different than my practice of CranioSacral Therapy, in that the application is strictly a *healing art* that respects the potential for healing we each inherently possess.
ReplyDeleteMy primary health care provider is a Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner. I rely on acupuncture and Chinese herbs, and strictly avoid western bio medicine! Nichiren's writings on illness and his own use of medicines supplied by Shijo Kingo are in accord with my own understanding and experience as a nurse and a patient. In this vein, Reiki and yoga *can be* employed as treatment of physical maladies or enhancement of wellness.
The promotion of yoga shown in the link on the post here, is concerning for the appearance of it being incorporated into the SGI activities barrel. In this context it looks like a Nichiren Shu add- on practice, presumptively indicating their Buddhist practice is not based on the Lotus Sutra; is lacking a vital element. ??
~Katie
everything the buddha taught is true. not until he taught the lotus sutra did he teach the complete truth as it really is. final!
ReplyDeleteHi Greg,
ReplyDeleteI was just reading about *mixing practices* on ABRN google groups-- . I am even more confused.
First off, I am no expert on yoga. I have very little experience there, mainly because I never liked yoga. But I have studied the History of Chinese Medicine and worked with my own acupuncturist who is Chinese. I know, for example, that practicing Tai Chi and Qi gong opens meridians , as does acupuncture--.
I can't quite correlate the concepts of health/fitness alternative, complimentary practices with the concept of diluting or polluting one's practice of the Lotus Sutra. Activities of daily living ARE the Lotus Sutra. Faith and practice based on seeking the Buddha is the foundation. With this mind and these beliefs is there a need to doubt my choices ?
~Katie
I don't think you need doubt your choices because you are firmly grounded in the Lotus Sutra and the Nichiren faith but some people will become confused.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mark :)
Delete~Katie