"All these beings are disciples of Shakyamuni Buddha. Since the various Buddhas themselves are emanations of Shakyamuni Buddha, it goes without saying that their disciples must be disciples of Shakyamuni. And of course the various deities of the sun, moon and stars, who have dwelt in the world from countless ages in the past must likewise be disciples of Shakyamuni Buddha." "(MW vol 2, Ibid, pg 152)
Easy to say but hard to understand if one knows no better than to take what is said litterally
ReplyDeleteNoel,
DeleteIn the Gosho, "The Real Aspect of the Gohonzon", Nichiren writes:
" The first volume of the Great Concentration and Insight says, 'How does one hear, believe in, and practice the perfect teaching to attain perfect enlightenment?' The first volume On "Great concentration and Insight' says, ' To believe in the perfect teaching means to awaken faith through doctrine and to make faith the basis for practice." and in the same Gosho:
"The commentaries of T'ien-t'ai and Miao-lo make it perfectly clear that faith is the cornerstone."
There is no other way to approach the profound teachings of the Lotus Sutra; the difficult to believe and difficult to understand teachings of the Eternal Buddha Shakyamuni; no other way to accept and believe these teachings,-- only FAITH opens the gate to thewisdom of the Buddha !!
~Katie
indeed!
DeleteIf our body is distorted so is our shadow...our mind is distorted so is our environment...our faith in the doctrine of the eternal Shakyamuni Buddha is distorted so will be our identification of who or what we are
DeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Deletebetter to admit ignorance than to cling to wrong thought/ideas.
ReplyDeleteadmitting one does not understand a teaching is part of the journey. yes?
I do not believe that I'm wrong on this one greg .. if i was I'd admit it.
ReplyDeleteBut in this case the ignorance lies on the behalf of others because they have not yet the capacity to percive the true entity of the mystic law..true aspect of all phenomena
not sayin i think for sure you are wrong noel. saying better to err on the cautious side. for anyone, not just you. cheers.
Deletefor me; if i am not sure about a teaching, i go with what nichiren said and leave it at that. so later, i have no regets. just sayin'.
Shoshu on emanations
DeleteBecause ken, “to emerge” or “to be seen,” [of the Japanese chapter title Ken-hōtō] is that of Myoho-renge, the living beings of the Ten Worlds, the various different species of the three thousand realms, all see the stupas in their own bodily forms. Although the Ten Worlds differ from one another, when one looks at one’s own body, one can see that that body is a stupa endowed with the three thousand realms. And when one looks at one’s mind, one can see that it is a Buddha endowed with the three thousand realms.
As to the “emanation bodies” [mentioned in this chapter], the term means a body that emanates from the father and mother. p.230While one is in a state of delusion, it is a body that undergoes rebirth in various different realms. But when one gains enlightenment, it is a body that enjoys the fruit of attainment. To understand how such “emanation bodies” [that enjoy the fruit of attainment] can come about, one should understand that they originate in the realm of hell [or any of the other realms that make up the Ten Worlds].
Thus we see that these treasure towers are nothing other than the five characters Myoho-renge-kyo. If we examine the nature of Myoho-renge-kyo, we see that the treasure towers are none other than all living beings, and all living beings are none other than the complete entities of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.- The Emergence of the Treasure Tower
The ignorance of from wrong thought s nd idea
ReplyDeletelies on the behalf of others because they have not yet the capacity to percive the true entity of the mystic law..and the true aspect of all phenomena
If i believed that i was wrong on this one I'd admit to it. I welcocome correction if its valid
The ignorance that comes from wrong thoughts and ideas
ReplyDeletelies on the behalf of others because they have not yet the capacity to percive the true entity of the mystic law..and the true aspect of all phenomena because There is something fundamentally wrong about their interpretation in how they understand the teachings of Nichiren and Shakyamuni
If i believed that i was wrong on this one I'd admit to it. I welcocome correction if its valid but so far this has not happened but only delusions as numerous as grains of dust formed from the grounding down of infinite uiverses
This is how you Mark myself and cohorts come across to others. Not nice is it especially if we are misrepresenting Nichiren buddhism
Delete"The ignorance that comes from wrong thoughts and ideas
Deletelies on the behalf of others because they have not yet the capacity to percive the true entity of the mystic law..and the true aspect of all phenomena because There is something fundamentally wrong about their interpretation in how they understand the teachings of Nichiren and Shakyamuni "
Noel,
By what means have you perceived the true entity of the mystic law-- and the true aspect of all phenomena ?
In, "The Correct Method Of Contemplation" (1274- also known as "Determining the Similarities and differences between the Lotus Sutra and the Teaching of Concentration and Insight", [addressed to Sairen-bo, a learned priest formally of the Tendai school.] Nichiren discusses the influence of Zen school on the priests of the Tendai school at Mount Hiei. What you claim as a capacity you have attained bears a striking similarity to the "one Law of Zen"- "By observing his Law, one may see into one's true nature and gain enlightenment"- then Nichiren states :"And it is because persons of our time put faith in such great SLANDERS of the Law as these, the invention of the heavenly devil, that they act as they do."
I would be interested in your interpretation of this Gosho. To me, it is a clear explanation of the errors with regard to T'ien-t'ai's practice of *concentration and insight* committed by the Zen school, that influenced the Tendai priests of Nichiren's time and caused them to commit "great slanders of the Law".
Nichiren points out that T'ien-t'ai's was a practice of personal enlightenment and should be regarded as a *provisional* teaching, intended for people of the Middle Day of the Law who lacked the capacity to directly grasp the wonderful Law of the Lotus Sutra.--The practice for our time is chanting the daimoku, as Nichiren taught NOT contemplation and insight via meditation...
Nichiren says that the doctrines embraced and studied by these Tendai priests "are based upon the distorted views of Bodhidarma and the falsehoods of Shan-wu-wei" AND "If they were to abide by the interpretations and commentaries of T'ien-t'ai and Dengyo, then they would understand that the secret Law, realized within their own minds is that expressed in the one word myoho, or wonderful Law, and nothing else."
IF, you are claiming to have a superior capacity, which I am assuming is the result of some type of meditation that you practice; that you are directly perceiving what those of us who *only* chant the daimoku have not attained, then are you not, in effect, claiming that a Zen doctrine is superior to the Lotus Sutra. ?
By also claiming that yours is the correct, or again, *superior* interpretation of the writings of Nichiren and Shakyamuni's Lotus Sutra, or rather that there is something fundamentally wrong about how we understand these teachings, aren't you expressing a *revelation of your own mind* and claiming it surpasses the very clear, consistent and detailed teachings of Nichiren?
You may believe you are right making these bold and somewhat provocative assertions of your superior capacity, but after studying this 12 page Gosho , I believe the explanation for your *behavior* is related to errors Nichiren identified as the cause for slandering the wonderful Law.
Yikes!!!
~Katie
Yikes!!!
Delete"Monks who study only the writings refer to those who are concerned only with the scholastic aspects without understanding the true meaning of the scriptures through wisdom;"
Yikes!!!
Noel, with regards to this statement of yours:
Delete"If i believed that i was wrong on this one I'd admit to it. I welcocome correction if its valid but so far this has not happened but only delusions as numerous as grains of dust formed from the grounding down of infinite universes"
But, Noel, your so-called *enlightened revelations of the mind* have been corrected, using the standard Nichiren taught and lived by--That's not good enough for you??
Nichiren's own writings , the Gosho I referenced is the basis and the standard for my correcting your claim to having" the capacity to perceive the True Entity of the Mystic Law and the True Aspect of all phenomena".
Here it is again :
"In, "The Correct Method Of Contemplation" (1274- also known as "Determining the Similarities and differences between the Lotus Sutra and the Teaching of Concentration and Insight", [addressed to Sairen-bo, a learned priest formally of the Tendai school.] Nichiren discusses the influence of Zen school on the priests of the Tendai school at Mount Hiei. What you claim as a capacity you have attained bears a striking similarity to the "one Law of Zen"- "By observing his Law, one may see into one's true nature and gain enlightenment"- then Nichiren states :"And it is because persons of our time put faith in such great SLANDERS of the Law as these, the invention of the heavenly devil, that they act as they do."
Are you calling Nichiren's writings "scholastic aspects"??
Are you saying that explicit admonitions from Nichiren himself, against what you are claiming aren't valid?
I urge you to consider that Nichiren addressed "observing the Law through contemplation"-- calling this *practice*, "the invention of the heavenly devil"; and "great slander of the Law"
YOU are calling it a superior capacity - "understanding the true meaning of the scriptures through wisdom"--
Disbelief is not wisdom, it's slander....
Nichiren studied the Lotus Sutra, and through believing every word, his strong faith and consistent devotion to upholding the Buddha's golden words, demonstrated the Truth- fulfilling the teachings and predictions made by Shakyamuni-- You might say he embarked on his path concerned only with scholastic aspects, a rigorous and thorough study of all the sutras, treatises and commentaries
Furthermore, Nichiren never claimed to have superior wisdom. He believed the words of Shakyamuni's recorded teachings, calling them the mind of the Eternal Buddha. Shakyamuni's words, not Nichiren's enlightened wisdom, were the cornerstone of Nichiren's practice.
Your mirror is tarnished, Noel.
How should you polish it?
ONLY by chanting namu-myoho-renge-kyo, with faith in the Lotus Sutra and Nichiren's exact words!!
Holy moly !!
Wake up!
~Katie
I have some information for you regarding the pronunciation from Japanese sound pronunciation experts
DeleteHistorical kana usage: How to read
Spellings in Historical kana usage have been unchanged all the time in spite of changes of pronunciation.
Now we are reading those spellings with modern pronunciation.
●In case of Ancient writings, the next rule is added.
む (mu) of an auxiliary verb is to be read with
ん N or M depending on what sound comes after
E.g. Na m Myoho lips are together when we pronounce M
Ko n ni chi wa lips open when we pronounce N
逢はむ→あわん awamu - awan(m)
～せむ→～せん semu - sen(m)
ありけむ→ありけん arikemu - ariken(m)
取りてむ→とりてん toritemu - toriten(m)
給ひなむ→たまいなん tamainamu - tamainan(m)
吹かむとす→ふかんとす fukamutosu - fukan(m)tosu
まかりなむずる→まかりなんずる makarinamuzuru - makarina
n(m)zuru
By the way since we are on the topic of Daimoku pronunciation the Japanese pronunciation of Renge is in between R and L but closer to L. We can say Lenge instead of Renge. It is as the Japanese do when they touch the palate with the tongue when they pronounce La Li Lu Le Lo not Ra Ri Ru RE Ro this is a mistake as is Namu Myoho Renge Kyo which should be Nam Myoho Lenge Kyo from what I have so far been able to ascertain from a non bias standpoint with information presented.
It is easier to pronounce Lenge than Renge as it rolls off the tongue and is easier to pronounce Nam Myoho Lenge Kyo than it is to pronounce Namu Myoho Renge Kyo. Why labour under unnecessary burden if it isn't necessary, isn't life already tough enough
DeleteSo, Noel, you are lazy and neglectful regarding the recitation of the *one essential phrase*-- hmmmm-- now your hokey practice is making sense, or rather the foundation of your faith is your own preferences and your own comfort-- good luck with that !!!
"It is easier to pronounce Lenge than Renge as it rolls off the tongue and is easier to pronounce Nam Myoho Lenge Kyo than it is to pronounce Namu Myoho Renge Kyo. Why labour under unnecessary burden if it isn't necessary, isn't life already tough enough"
Actually, Noel, my life itself is a reflection of the effort I apply to my faith, practice and study= when the going gets rough, I knuckle down WITH my practice. I enhance, improve and adorn my life WITH my practice.
You talk a lot about "oneness"-- but not in the way that Nichiren and Shakyamuni did. In fact, in my humble opinion your oneness concepts are Zen, not the Lotus Sutra--
Guess that's what you come up with for going deep into your OWN common mortal mind-- that you have presumed became enlightened fully with your very first truncated daimoku.
Shari hotsu?? Even YOU can attain Buddhahood-- hardest thing for you is having faith in the Buddha's mind= his words-- and stop admiring your own!!
Ay yi yi !!
~Katie
“To restate the meaning of this passage: if one objects that we are hampering ourselves with doctrinal writings and tying ourselves down with verbal explanations, and recommends a type of religious practice that is apart from the teachings of the sutras, then by what means are we to carry on the Buddha’s work and make good causes in this saha world of ours? Even the followers of Zen, who advocate these views, themselves make use of words when instructing others. In addition, when one is trying to convey an understanding of the Buddha way, one cannot communicate the meaning if one sets aside words and phrases. Bodhidharma came to China from the west, p.118pointed directly to people’s minds, and declared that those minds were Buddha. But this principle is enunciated in various places even in the provisional Mahayana sutras that preceded the Lotus Sutra, such as the Flower Garland, Great Collection, and Great Wisdom sutras. To treat it as such a rare and wonderful thing is too ridiculous for words. Alas, how can the people of our time be so distorted in their thinking! They should put their faith in the words of truth spoken by the Thus Come One of perfect enlightenment and complete reward, who embodies the principle of the Middle Way that is the true aspect of all things.
Delete“In addition, the Great Teacher Miao-lo in the first volume of his Annotations on ‘Great Concentration and Insight’ comments on this situation by saying, ‘The people of today look with contempt on the sutra teachings and emphasize only the contemplation of truth, but they are making a great mistake, a great mistake indeed!’
“This passage applies to the people in the world today who put meditation on the mind and various other things first, and do not delve into or study the teachings of the sutras. On the contrary, they despise the teachings and make light of the sutras. This passage is saying that this is a mistake."
"They should put their faith in the words of truth spoken by the Thus Come One of perfect enlightenment and complete reward, who embodies the principle of the Middle Way that is the true aspect of all things"
DeleteThis cannot happen if one cannot tell the difference from the General and specific or the historical Shakyamuni Buddha from the Thus Come One of perfect enlightenment and complete reward, who embodies the principle of the Middle Way that is known as Eternal Shakyamuni Buddah Thus come one
"They should put their faith in the words of truth spoken by the Thus Come One of perfect enlightenment and complete reward, who embodies the principle of the Middle Way that is the true aspect of all things"
DeleteThis is Nichiren's teaching /practice. The words of truth one should put faith in are Shakyamuni's words, the Lotus Sutra.
This is perfectly clear-- why then do you say:
"This cannot happen if one cannot tell the difference from the General and specific or the historical Shakyamuni Buddha from the Thus Come One of perfect enlightenment and complete reward, who embodies the principle of the Middle Way that is known as Eternal Shakyamuni Buddah Thus come on"
Unless, you are saying there is something other than the Lotus Sutra and Nichiren's writings/ teachings upon which to rely ??
Something that identifies another entity?? another Buddha??
The product of meditating on the Zen doctrine of "oneness"?
~Katie
https://www.youtube.com/watch?hl=en-GB&v=1HF22rzF2zk
DeleteNamu Myoho Renge Kyo with 6 beats, 南無 (Namu) gets one beat.
Namu is a phonetic rendering of the Sanskrit Namah written with kanji, pronounced using the 音 (On) reading.
As in the case of In case of Ancient writings, their is the rule;
む (mu) of an auxiliary verb is to be read with
ん N or M depending on what sound comes after
E.g. Na m Myoho lips are together when we pronounce M
It is unnecessary to pronounce Mu but if it makes you feel better by all means go for it their is no Law against it as far as I know
I don't think it bothers those who chant Nam Myoho Lenge Kyo how much you like to MOO
We just can never harmoniously chant together if you chant Nam Myoho renge kyo and I chant Namu Myoho renge kyo. Do you think that's what Nichiren desired?
DeleteDon't worry about the pronunciation Mark the beat is more important. Chant Namu in one beat not Na-mu with 2 beats. If I chanted Nam Myoho Lenge Kyo and you chant Namu Myoho Renge Kyo continuously in unison at the same time there will be not discord but rather an air of tranquillity and harmony to your surprise
DeleteJust try it with someone like I already have and you should also be pleasantly astonished and amazed, I hope
If we stretch out Daimoku it becomes 7 beats as in the longer slower silent prayers which is the same for Shoshu and other sects.
DeleteThe 7 characters 6 beat format that I believe Nichiren chanted with the 7 characters 7 beats at different times is more of a likelihood rather than just one or the other.
Unless we have a Time machine and tape recorder we could never really know for sure and be able to prove exactly how Nichiren chanted.
Hey but isn't it great that if we chant 7 characters 6 beat with different sects and the 7 characters 7 beats with different sects the the differences melt into one through Nam/u Myoho R/Lenge Kyo as long as we use the same beats at the same time. Now you cant beat that
Chiming in - with all due respects- Chanting NamU myoho renge kyo- is 7 beats- "nam-u/myo is a 3 *triplet*--
DeleteThere is a youtube video that is perfect for practice-- can speed up chanting but always 7 beats. It was posted on this site --
~Katie
I
I base what i believe on the lotus sutra and Nichirens teachings just as you do but we have a different perspective on it. Thanks for your sincerity anyway Mrs Katie Higgins
ReplyDeleteI base what i believe on the lotus sutra and Nichirens teachings just as you do but we have a different perspective on it. Thanks for your sincerity anyway Mrs Katie Higgins
ReplyDeleteYou blatantly disregard specific , clearly articulated teachings AND admonitions!!
DeleteThat is not an*interpretation*, it is slander!
And you, sir are a liar as well!!
Those who believe in and uphold the teachings of Nichiren know that it is not within the capacity of anyone born in the Latter Day of the Law to have attained what you claim to have attained .
~Katie
It is a grave offence to slander a votary of the Lotus Sutra Mrs Higgins
DeleteThat is precisely why I am correcting your error, Noel-- you have slandered "me" for upholding the teachings of Nichiren-- EXACTLY as he taught; EXACTLY as they are written.
DeleteBy now, I would have thought you would drop the condescending attacks and simply either prove your *revelations of the mind* are well grounded in scripture or admit that you are disregarding the Buddha's admonishments and winging it--
Actually it is rather disconcerting that you call yourself a votary of the Lotus Sutra when, in fact, you do not uphold what the sutra teaches, disregarding Nichiren's example entirely.
Brazen in your arrogance, aren't you?
~Katie
You remind me of a fundamentalist Christian that believes that the world was created in 7 days because they read it in the Bible and what ever is written in the Bible is true because its God's word
DeleteNoel, are you really totally ignorant regarding the significance of following the Buddha;s teaching as they are recorded? and not according to your own , and in your case, *novel* ideas?
DeleteThe Gosho bears no similarities to the Bible, and the Buddha's teachings recorded by Nichiren support my literal interpretation-- they also support my saying that you remind me of a howling jackal--
Maybe that's why you hate the Buddha and ignore the significance of His words over your *revelations*-- because he would call you a gadfly??
~Katie
You can only take Nichirens teachings at face value in the the same way that a fundamentalist Christian believes in Genesis rather than percieving the deep meanings that these stories reveal. Please control your rudeness and anger you are supposed to reveal the Buddha's behaviour as a votary of the lotus sutra but from what i have so far seen from your disgraceful behavior you still have a long way to go
DeleteI can take Nichiren's words as they are written and I can believe his many writings about the crucial aspect of adhering to the words=mind of the Buddha. He set the example, Noel. I follow it.
DeleteI have no experience with fundamentalist Christianity-- I grew up attending the Episcopal Church with my family. I ALWAYS had problems with the surreal stories and the many interpretations of them. I never had Faith in God or Christ-- but I know the *story* so to speak-- and it has nothing in common with Nichiren's teachings. Nichiren says what he means. I believe what he says-- his words = his mind. And while it is not always easy to apply his teachings to my own life, I have discovered over the past 28 years that eventually I can see the relevance. You, on the other hand, revise and add on whatever comes to your mind when reading his words, or so it seems....
If you believe what you are reading, trusting the source, the content of the writing stays with you. Best way to describe my approach to reading the Gosho. I have a great deal of content that was not revised or reprocessed by my own mind-- that's my data bank.
"Please control your rudeness and anger you are supposed to reveal the Buddha's behaviour as a votary of the lotus sutra but from what i have so far seen from your disgraceful behavior you still have a long way to go"
I am inclined to view your perceptions regarding the Buddha's behavior and that of a votary of the Lotus Sutra to be consistent with your underdeveloped faith and practice-- Sounds like you are now composing your own tablet of *Commandments*-- from enlightened *superior* mind to ultimate judge ??
Thing is, Noel what you are doing and doing over again with alacrity is displaying exactly what is NOT attainable-- Your mind is not superior to Nichiren's ; *your *judgment is impaired,--ALL based on your belief that you have superior capacity for your interpretations --.
You disregard the literal meaning as written clearly, you claim you have attained a superior capacity-- through a means that Nichiren actually called defiling the Lotus Sutra.-- you add practices, and your own ideas and , well-- you are exhibiting the effects--.
~Katie
Sorry Noel. There is no other way to take Nichiren's teachings and the Lotus Sutra for that matter but literally, as in a bodily reading.
DeleteYes Noel, we are fundamentalists and your Nichiren Shoshu heterodoxy [Montei Nichiren] has no place in the Lotus Sutra Buddhism of Nichiren.
Thanks for making it clear Mark. Some of the Shoshu doctrines make bucket loads more sense than what i have so far seen presented here of the interpretations of Nichiren Buddhism especially on the etrnal Shakyamuni buddha thus come one. As you know their different interpretations within Nikko and Fuji school on this
Delete""In the 'Simile and Parable chapter of the Lotus sutra, the Buddha declares, 'Even you Shariputra in the case of this sutra were able to gain entrance through faith alone. How much more so then, the other voice hearers!'
Delete"This passage is saying that even Shariputra, who was known for his great wisdom, was, with respect to the Lotus sutra, able to gain entrance through faith and not through the power of his wisdom,"
"Thus, with the preaching of the Lotus sutra, Shariputra, because he had faith, was able to rid himself of the name of one who could never attain Buddhahood and was told that he would in time become the Thus Come One Flower Glow."
"It is the same with the practitioners of the Lotus sutra. Though they may not understand the principles of Buddhism and may not know that they are suffering from delusion, if only they have faith, then without a doubt, they will be able to free themselves simultaneously from the illness of the three categories of illusion---illusions of thought and desire, illusions innumerable as particles of dust and sand, and illusions about the true nature of existence. They will reach the lands of Actual Reward and Tranquil Light, and cause the three bodies of a Thus Come One that they inherently possess to shine."
("Conversation Between a Sage and an Unenlightened Man" II )
~Katie
this scripture equally applies to us all
DeleteFaith is the question. We have the Lotus Sutra and Nichiren's teachings but believe in it in a different way and believe that what we have our faith in is correct which causes conflict with others that see it differently it is fair to say.
I don't care which Nichiren sect or NB independent practitioners reveals the truth of Nichiren Buddhism. If it stands to reason I can put my faith/trust in it if I believe that it is in line with the teachings
Wisdom is not the enemy of faith but rather a guide to what we should be putting our faith in
Their is nothing wrong with being a fundamentalist providing that the fundamentals that we are using are not based on delusions that spring forth the fundamental darkness of life.
DeleteWe could have the absolute truth before us but because of the pure or impure aspect of phenomena we will either be enlightened by it or create delusion out of it. Through understanding that the entity of the Mystic Law is our identity we will see the equality and oneness of all and the functioning of the aspects are determined through what we focus our desire
"“…Then, as laymen, they work to destroy the teachings of Buddhism. Men of this kind steal and usurp the correct teachings of Buddhism and use them to supplement and bolster the erroneous writings…” — Opening of the Eyes
DeleteWhat you are calling Fundamentalists here, are those who strictly adhere to the writings of Nichiren. The reason to do this is to avoid the errors of one's own deluded mind, as there is no wisdom apart from faith in the actual words= mind of the Buddha.
So, to take your own views or think that your own wisdom is sufficient to make interpretations that lead you to practices that Nichiren warns are defiling the Lotus sutra itself, seems extremely foolish-- as there are not many ways to interpret the effects of this *slander* but literally, and who would choose this?
The point being, there are strongly worded, well placed WARNING LABELS on these teachings. When you say you are ignoring them, I have to wonder-- though am not totally surprised by people who are bent on self destruction, why you would want to proclaim your brazen opposition HERE ??
Seems odd that you choose not to keep your own subversive plan under wraps--
I dunno, Noel-- but maybe your aversion to the word, FAITH is all about attachment to small ego stuff-- ?? Breaking through that requires a focus on an outcome that has nothing to do with you-- like sacrifice for another's happiness, or surrendering your own interests to a larger group of suffering people... or laying down your life for the Lotus Sutra-- metaphorically speaking..
~Katie
Here is what I suspect is the foundation for your argument,Noel, from a comment you posted on "Many thanks .."
Delete>>"Noel; I believe that when one reaches the stage where there is no retrogression means that when we are at the stage of being at one with the Primordial Eternal 3 bodied Tathagatta Thus Come One Musa Sanjin Buddha there will be no retrogression"<<
You believe in a primordial Buddha-- that eventually we all fuse back into, or CAN become ONE with??
That sounds like other religious beliefs of a God, Divine Creator, Allah, Jehovah-- etc. in the sense that our individual, unique existences are but a means to an end. There are many paths to this destination-- back to the primordial perfect entity.
I don't require an admonition from the Buddha to reject this -- it is the antithesis of the first chain of causation, *consciousness*If there were no diversity there, if the unique aspect of out=r consciousness in annihilated, nothingness would be the effect--everything *the same*-- nothing can happen--- Like the state of *ku* that we enter after our death--. I find this a dismal thought, at best, but it also makes ALL that is truly and uniquely beautiful in this threefold world obsolete-- and that cannot be the truth, in my opinion.
I would describe meditating on >>the Primordial Eternal 3 bodied Tathagatta Thus Come One Musa Sanjin Buddha <<, as a means for escaping the suffering of the threefold world via death.
Though the escape may be pleasant, the problems are many and the consequences severe---
The problems:
1) This is not a teaching in the Lotus Sutra.
2) It is not the words of the Shakyamuni Buddha,
3) It is not the Truth.
To devote your life to meditating on *death* is to:
Make causes for these consequences:
1) Slander the Lotus Sutra
2) The punishment for which, you cannot escape--
Your rigid stance on this is a paradox . On the one hand, you claim to be a rugged individualist, on the other hand, you ascribe to a *delusion of thought* that strips you of every unique attribute you possess-- ONENESS, as you describe it is SAMENESS-- and that equals NOTHINGNESS--
~Katie
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteIts not like what you are imagining what I'm saying it is more like this
DeleteThe One That Has Come
(S. Tathagata)
On the Tathagata, Nichiren says in The Oral Transmission of the Meaning (J. Ongi Kuden):
The title of this (16th) Chapter (Measuring the Life of The One That Has Come) of The Lotus Sutra is very important in the life of Nichiren. It was this title of the Sutra that was transferred in the (21st) Chapter (The Spiritual Power of the The One That Has Come). The One That Has Come (S. Tathagata) is the one honored by all the Buddhas of the ten directions and of the past, present and future. More specifically it is the innate triple body of enlightenment.
Now Nichiren and his kind recognize that The One That Has Come is within all living beings. More specifically, it is that which is entrusted to Nichiren’s disciples. It is the innate triple body of enlightenment of the practitioner of the Lotus Sutra in the age of the Dharma’s demise (Mappo). The precious title of the innate triple body of enlightenment is ‘Namu-Myoho Renge Kyo”. These are the three very important points in this (16th) chapter.
There are six identities with enlightenment that are established in this chapter:
1.The One That Has Come is inherent in ordinary people (identity in principle)
2.The they don the crown of ‘Namu-Myoho Renge Kyo’, causing them to first hear the Title (identity in name)
3.Then, upon hearing and believing, they cultivate its practice (identity in practice of observation). This is observation of the object of worship, which is the 3000 spiritual aspects in a single thought (J. Ichinen Sanzen) in actual practice.
4.Confusion and obstacles are subdued (Identity to enlightenment in appearance)
5.Influence on others arises (Identity to enlightenment in increments)
6.The innate triple body of enlightenment is complete (Ultimate identity with enlightenment)
In subduing confusion, The (16th) Chapter on Measuring the Life of The One That Has Come is the ultimate. Only the ordinary common mortal can embody the fundamental essence of this chapter, which is the ultimate truth that can be attained by the mind.
What is the innate triple body of enlightenment? I now tell you that it is ‘Namu-Myoho Renge Kyo’
http://markrogow.blogspot.com.au/2016/04/robin-becks-take-on-buddha-of-musa.htmlhttp://markrogow.blogspot.com.au/2016/04/robin-becks-take-on-buddha-of-musa.html
Unlike Nichiren, not one mention of SHAKYAMUNI Buddha:
DeleteThe Identity of the Original Eternal Buddha
The following passages of proof demonstrate the identity of the Original Buddha as the Eternal Buddha Shakyamuni; Nichiren’s reverence for this Buddha; and by believing in the Three Bodied Tathagata Shakyamuni as the Original Buddha and our original teacher, we become equal to Shakyamuni Buddha.
“Now , when the Eternal Buddha was revealed in the essential section of the Lotus Sutra, this world of endurance (Saha-world) became the Eternal Pure Land, indestructible even by the three calamities of conflagration, flooding, and strong winds, which are said to destroy the world. It transcends the four periods of cosmic change: the kalpa of construction, continuance, destruction and emptiness. Sakyamuni Buddha, the Lord-preacher of this pure land, has never died in the past, nor will He be born in the future. He exists forever throughout the past present and future. All those who receive His GUIDANCE are one with this Eternal Buddha.” -- The True Object of Worship
“Since Sakyamuni Buddha is eternal and all other Buddhas in the universe are his manifestations, then those great bodhisattvas converted by manifested Buddhas are also disciples of Lord Sakyamuni Buddha. If the “Life Span of the Buddha” chapter had not been expounded, it would be like the sky without the sun and moon, a country without a king, mountains and rivers without gems, or a man without a soul. nevertheless, seemingly knowledgeable men of such provisional schools of Buddhism as Ch’eng-kuan of the Hua-yen, Chia-hsiang of the San-lun, Tz’u-en of the Fa-hsiang, and Kobo of the shingon tried to extoltheir own canons by stating: “The Lord of the Flower Garland Sutra represents the reward-body (hojin) of the Buddha wheras that of the Lotus Sutra the accomodative body (ojin);” or “the Buddha in the sixteenth chapter of the Lotus is an Illusion; it is the great Sun Buddha who is enlightened.” clouds cover the moon and slanderers hide wise men. When people slander, ordinary yellow rocks appear to be of gold and slanderers seem to be wise. Scholars in this age of decay, blinded by slanderous words, do not see the value of a gold in the “Lifespan of the Buddha” chapter. Even among men of the Tendai school some are fooled into taking a yellow rock for gold. They should know that if Sakyamuni had not been the Eternal Buddha, there could not have been so many who received GUIDANCE from Him.” -- The Opening of the Eyes
Noel , re: On the Tathagata, Nichiren says in The Oral Transmission of the Meaning (J. Ongi Kuden):
DeleteSATURDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2015
More proof that the Ongi Kuden is a forgery
In the Ongi Kuden we read:
“This Myoho-renge-kyo (Lotus Sutra) is not Shakyamuni’s Mystic Law, because at the time this chapter was preached, he had already entrusted it to Bodhisattva Jogyo.” (Gosho, p. 1783)
In the Kanjin Honzon Sho (The True Object of Worship), the most important writing of Nichiren Daishonin, we read,
“Having thus manifested the ten divine powers, Sakyamuni Buddha transmitted the five charecters of Myo, Ho, Ren, Ge, and Kyo to the original disciples since the eternal past, who had sprung up from under ground.” Kanjin Honzon Sho, pp 122 to 140, NOPPA 1991.
and in the Lotus Sutra we read:
“At that time the Buddha spoke to Superior Practices and the others in the great assembly of bodhisattvas, saying: “The supernatural powers of the Buddhas, as you have seen, are immeasurable, boundless, inconceivable. If in the process of entrusting this sutra (Myoho renge kyo) to others I were to employ these supernatural powers for a measurable, boundless hundreds, thousands, ten thousands, millions of asamkhya kalpas to describe the benefits of the sutra, I could never finish doing so. To put it briefly, all the doctrines possessed by the Thus Come One, the storehouse of all the secret essentials of the Thus Come One – all these are proclaimed, revealed, and clearly expounded in this sutra.”(Myoho renge kyo). (Lotus Sutra Chapter 21)
You can read more about this in: “Some Disputed Writings in the Nichiren Corpus” by Jacqueline Stone. John Petry has summarized some of the salient points [edited]:
1).The Ongi Kuden is not in Nikko’s hand nor is it ever mentioned (“again”) by him. There is no authentic seal of Nichiren (colophon) except for a later legendary accretion referencing a serpent who was to have appeared to Nichiren and Nikko as he was lecturing on the Devedatta Chapter.
2). It is supposed to be based on the Chu Hokkekyo, the authentic Annotated Lotus Sutra of Nichiren, the original copy exists on Mt. Minobu. The problem is it doesn’t conform well to it. Only 23 passages of the 133 passages from the Chu Hokekyo appear in the Ongi Kuden.
3). No mention of the Ongi Kuden or the Ongi Kikagaki occurs before Nitcho’s Keiun Sho in 1503. These were competing texts used by opposing sides in the Nichiren ichi-shoretsu debates (the harmony of the 28 chapters of the Lotus Sutra versus the superiority of the essential teachings debate), held at this time. “Dueling Oral Teachings”
4). The Ongi Kuden mirrors the writings of the Tendai sect. They employ the Tendai sect formulations of Kanjin style interpretations of “progression” and “resemblance and reversal” to represent concepts found commonly in Chuko Tendai (original enlightenment) doctrine. These conflict with the authenticated writings of Nichiren, most notably, the Kanjin Honzon Sho, as seen above.
cont'd..
~Katie
cont..
5). The text contains comments regarding events that did not exist at the time of the supposed lectures:
DeleteA). For example the Ongi Kuden refers to the “six senior disciples” but Nichiren did not designate these six senior disciples until a few days before his death, some years later
B). According to scholars and priests of the orthodox sects, it refers to Nichiren as the “eminent founder,” a term which did not come into usage until well after Nichiren and Nikko died.
C). The text of the Ongi Kuden also refers to a document which was written some 13 years after Nichiren’s death, the “K’o-chu” which is a Yuan-dynasty commentary on the Lotus Sutra by Hsu Hsing-shan dated Yuan-chen 1 (1295).
D). Finally the date it was supposedly approved by Nichiren (who then affixed his seal), is the first month of the first year of Koan but the era changed its name from Kenji to Koan on the 29th day of the second month. There was no first month of Koan.
E). Additionally during the time the lectures supposedly took place and Nikko was supposedly transcribing them, he was not at Minobu where the lectures were held. He was in the Fuji area on a shakabuku campaign.
6). John Petry wrote: “The Nichiren Shoshu has pointed to a reference in another writing in a text by a Fuji school priest in the 1600′s referencing the existence of a transcript of lectures given by Nichiren in his life time but there is nothing in that reference to indicate what document he is referring to or even whether it was simply a copy of the Ongi Kuden or the Onko Kikigaki which were known to exist at right around 1500.”
7). Nichiren disparaged oral teachings. Since the core Taisekaji doctrines can not be found in the authentic Gosho, the Oral Teachings as well as many forged Gosho were invented by them. [above 7 points paraphrased by John Petry]
Here are the words of Nichiren, from Repaying Debts of Gratitude, on the Secret Dharma of the Object of Worship:
“The first is the object of worship (honzon). All the people in Japan as well as the rest of the whole world should revere the Lord Buddha Shayamuni (Original and eternal Buddha) revealed in the essential section (honmon) of the Lotus Sutra as the object of worship (honzon)…”
Then again in the True Object of Worship, we read:
“Shakyamuni Buddha, the Lord-preacher of this pure land, has never died in the past, nor will He be born in the future. He exists forever throughout the past present and future.”
In the “Senji Sho”, Nichiren says, regarding his ability to have made his predicition about the Mongol invasion:
“It was not I, Nichiren, who made these three important predicitions. I believe it was solely the spirit of Shakyamuni Buddha, entering my body, who made them.”Here are the words of Nichiren, from Repaying Debts of Gratitude, on the Secret Dharma of the Object of Worship:
“The first is the object of worship (honzon). All the people in Japan as well as the rest of the whole world should revere the Lord Buddha Shayamuni (Original and eternal Buddha) revealed in the essential section (honmon) of the Lotus Sutra as the object of worship (honzon)…”
Then again in the True Object of Worship, we read:
“Shakyamuni Buddha, the Lord-preacher of this pure land, has never died in the past, nor will He be born in the future. He exists forever throughout the past present and future.”
In the “Senji Sho”, Nichiren says, regarding his ability to have made his predicition about the Mongol invasion:
“It was not I, Nichiren, who made these three important predicitions. I believe it was solely the spirit of Shakyamuni Buddha, entering my body, who made them.”
re-[posted here, by Mark on 6/29]
~Katie
I have the Onji Kuden- translated by Burton Watson- thee are many confusing passages, but what strikes me , as one who had read all translated Gosho prior to obtaining the Onji Kuden, is that I had never believed that we common mortals ARE Buddha- or rather inherently Buddhas- EQUAL to Shakyamuni Buddha.
DeleteAnd I have never met a senior SGI leader who could substantiate the *I am Buddha* claim-- Greg Martin did not see to know about the spouse-- he would rely on the one *rogue* quote in "The True Aspect of All Phenomena" (which turns out is not authentic!)-- but even there the preceding and following passages around the quote about our being True Buddhas and Shakyamuni a provisional Buddha-- are very confusing---
It has always seemed to me that the attitude that permeates Greg Martin's books, "The Buddha in Your Mirror & The Buddha Next Door"for example is extremely arrogant -- and also irreverent.
Experiencing *connection* to the Buddha is not actually *being* the Buddha. If we were ,in fact, already fully endowed Buddhas our lives would make be a making a statement that makes a mockery of Shakyamuni's life--. And the actual proof of that resides in ALL who believe they are Buddhas now, as they (SGI/NST), beyond a shadow of a doubt have trampled on, discarded & abandoned Shakyamuni Buddha.
Shakyamuni's example of ideal filial devotion is no small matter-- arousing the desire to rescue and protect all living beings in this saha world our true father, Shakyamuni consistently transmigrated to our threefold world and shared all of the sufferings of this *prison*; this lowest of all dwelling places in the universe. How can any common mortal in the Latter Day claim to be the *same* as this Buddha, much less superior to him-- as in taking up their own views and forgetting their debt of gratitude to him??
I am studying and struggling to understand the teachings that support what I intuitively believe-. I think it is important to become capable of refuting the Onji Kuden - . I also realize it is as difficult to challenge the beliefs one develops from their study as it is for me to reconsider what I believe based on my faith.
So long as we cherish the same vow as Nichiren, and maintain the determination to practice as he did, we will definitely resolve all of our differences with regard to correct doctrines, faith and practice.
~Katie
correction: "Greg Martin did not seem to know about the Ogni Kuden"
Deleteand
"If we were, in fact, already fully endowed Buddhas, our lives would make a statement that makes a mockery of Shakyamuni's life. "
~Katie
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteLook what the Onji Kuden says about about the historical Shakyamuni. It describes the worship of Shakyamuni as a sickness of attachment to the Buddha who first attained enlightenment under the bodhi tree
Delete"Point Ten, regarding the passage “I will leave this good medicine here. You should take it and not worry that it will not cure you.”
The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings says: “This good medicine” refers to the sutra teachings or to the relics of the Buddha. But in the Latter Day of the Law it refers to Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.
“Good” indicates something that is favored by all the Buddhas of the three existences, namely, the five characters of the daimoku. “I will leave this” indicates that it is for the Latter Day of the Law. “Here” means the country of Japan in the continent of Jambudvīpa. “You” means all the living beings in the Latter Day of the Law.
“Take it,” or more literally, “take and swallow it,” refers to the ceremony we perform when we accept and uphold the Lotus Sutra. “Swallow” refers to the chanting of the daimoku. From the time we swallow it, we become eternally endowed with the three bodies. Thus we are cured of the sickness of attachment to the Buddha who first attained enlightenment under the bodhi tree.
Now this is what Nichiren and his followers are doing when they chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.
"I dunno, Noel-- but maybe your aversion to the word, FAITH is all about attachment to small ego stuff-- ??" Katie
Delete"Beyond the sixth sense is the seventh consciousness or mano-consciousness. At this level, we react to the information captured by the sixth consciousness and unconsciously send directives to the six sense organs, based on our self-centered thoughts (ga-i), self-centered desires (ga-yoku), and self-attachment (ga-shū). Such are the functions of our ego.
Thus, we can say that the mano-consciousness controls our activities at every juncture and functions like a command center.
However, our earthly desires and the three poisons of greed, anger, and stupidity, give rise to self-centered thoughts (ga-i), self-centered desires (ga-yoku), and self-attachment (ga-shū)." - Shoshu's take on ego
But their is a way to transform the ego/mind
"This means that earthly desires can remain as earthly desires in our lives, since they will be transformed into enlightenment through the chanting of Myoho-Renge-Kyo.
Furthermore, the sufferings of the cycle of birth and death can also be changed into the peaceful tranquility of nirvana and enlightenment when we embrace and practice the mystic Law Myoho-Renge-Kyo. - Hokkeko
Excellent, Noel-- Thanks!
DeleteI have already explained my position. you need to go over my posts again and again until it sinks in but i wont hold my breath
ReplyDeleteBuzzzzzzzz, buzzzzzzzzzz bzzzzzzzz
DeleteGoes Noel ~~
LOL
And the source who throws out the character Mu? Over, over, and over again, Nichiren states, "seven characters" and not once, six characters.
ReplyDeleteIs this also one of the reasons why my posts are been deleting. You told me from the start that you sometimes do this.
DeleteAnd thats fine. Its your blog your rules and since you have made it clear that their is no room for me here in your Lotus Sutra Buddhism of Nichiren. I dont see any purposes in being involved anylongerwith those that i have inconsolable differences in faith with
Thanks anyway in sharing the journey and for helping others like myself in knowing that they are not alone in the sufferings they endure from being under the control of the SGI.
It comes at a price when those that we trust in, to babysit our minds put their interests before ours.
We all have to work it out for ourselves the best way we can with whats available and hope that some peace of mind comes out of it while it may last NMRK
Yes there are seven Chinese characters with 6 beats. Nichiren Shoshu uses seven Chinese characters with 6 beats the same as Shu KH and you.
DeleteWhy create division where there isn't any in the first place or is this another Nichiren Shu, Kempon Hokke creation to separate themselves from the Nikko and Fuji schools teachings. Are you not just making a mountain out of a mole hill over this one!!!
AGAIN
●In case of Ancient writings, the next rule is added.
む (mu) of an auxiliary verb is to be read with
ん N or M depending on what sound comes after
E.g. Na m Myoho lips are together when we pronounce M
Ko n ni chi wa lips open when we pronounce N
逢はむ→あわん awamu - awan(m)
～せむ→～せん semu - sen(m)
ありけむ→ありけん arikemu - ariken(m)
取りてむ→とりてん toritemu - toriten(m)
給ひなむ→たまいなん tamainamu - tamainan(m)
吹かむとす→ふかんとす fukamutosu - fukan(m)tosu
まかりなむずる→まかりなんずる makarinamuzuru - makarina
n(m)zuru
I began chanting "Namu" instead of Nam this past April-- It was Mudpie who helped me get the new rhythm- and there is a posted link that is also helpful.
DeleteI have to interject my experience here, chanting 7 beats, not 6-- because it is not simply a linguistic issue.
If I recall correctly Mudpie explained a quick beat for Myo-- which makes it sort of a *triplet* with Na-Mu-- but it is discernible both audibly and in the ability to focus on devotion to the Lotus Sutra-- I was astounded by the difference.
I know many members who chant like daimoku is on auto pilot --focusing on their desires, etc.. have heard daimoku that sounds like a buzz saw!! and always felt irritable when chanting with others who speed chant== and apparently speed read the Gosho, too (tongue in cheek)
I am not claiming to be the end all authority on this-- but I have to say that since I approached this as a test, and applied myself to developing a correct rhythm to get the best result, I can say that I could never have imagined how much difference t makes-- 7 beats-- not 6-- 7 characters, not 6--
Really powerful
~Katie
Not one of your posts has been deleted. If the Nichiren Shoshu hidden in the depths teachings makes more sense to you than Nichiren's teachings, I suggest you reflect on yourself rather than on Nichiren and his disciples and believers.
ReplyDeleteIf that is my mistake I'm sorry for thinking it was you as I believe that you are a man of your word
DeleteI think that we all need to reflect on ourselves and on Nichiren's teachings, and those that say they are his disciples, and believers, from whatever persuasion they are from in the warring Ununited Kingdom of Nichiren Buddhism
Noel, as I am new here and not as polished in on-line debating as all of the rest who post here, I want to offer what has been the most revealing for me, and the best *teacher*.
DeleteIt is true that each person will have their own approach or rather, their own capacity for approaching these teachings is so varied that , yes, it is important to keep individual differences in mind and be respectful--. Yet, it is also important to remember that:
1) The teachings, writings of Nichiren are primary; the foundation for this Buddhism and
2) Taking the teachings literally IS also the teaching. -- .
Therefore, it is a matter of finding the passages and the context to match the concern, issue or even argument. Nichiren will have addressed it-- period. No doubting that!!
What remains is whether we adjust our thinking to accord with the scriptural reference or whether we remain attached to our own views. In my experience, here-- not only is it helpful to have many references provided, but a strong stance towards the primacy of the writings over personal opinion is sometimes needed.
Should we, believers in the Lotus Sutra who choose to follow Nichiren, be at war with each other? I think not--
The battle is FOR the primacy of the Law-- The reason to debate is to continue to establish and propagate the LAW- It is not, at least for me, a matter of *who* is right and *who* got it wrong -- but that WE found the teaching that re-aligns our faith and practice to the LAW-- not persons-- does not matter WHO posts the teaching, the passage we need to ponder.
I can relate to this :"Thanks anyway in sharing the journey and for helping others like myself in knowing that they are not alone in the sufferings they endure from being under the control of the SGI."
I am still discovering the effects of drinking SGI poison-- and Noel, I actually did appreciate your pointing that out awhile back-- because I had believed I was totally free from those nasty effects.
I hope you are sticking around-- and I also hope you will take to heart what I have tried to share about faith vs. intellect. I just wish you would reflect with daimoku-- seeking the Buddha's mind--. I am not trying to be an authority or the spokeswoman for Nichiren's Buddhism--
I just want to be a good friend in the Dharma -- as good as I get from all of you here on Eagle Peak.
Best,
~Katie
Wow Katie beautifully said you have touched my heart with your kind heart felt words.
DeleteEven though I may participate less I'll be listening to what is being shared Thanks
cont [unlike Nichiren, not one mention of SHAKYAMUNI Buddhha:
ReplyDelete“Thus it was revealed that Shakyamuni had long been the Buddha since the eternal past and it became clear that various Buddhas in other worlds were all manifestations of Shakyamuni Buddha. Now, however, as Shakyamuni was proved to be the Eternal Buddha, those Buddhas in the Flower Garland Sutra, or Buddhas in the Hodo, Hannya, or Great Sun Buddha sutras all became subordinates of Shakyamuni Buddha.” (Kaimoku Sho, p. 174, translated byKyotsu Hori, 1987)
BTW, here’s the same quote, as translated by NSIC. Please note the subtle differences:
“When Shakyamuni Buddha revealed that he had gained enlightenment in the far distant past and had since then been constantly in the world, it became apparent that all the other Buddhas were emanations of Shakyamuni… now it becomes apparent that Vairocana Buddha of the Kegon Sutra and various Buddhas of the Hodo, Hannya and Dainichi sutras are in fact all followers of Shakyamuni Buddha.” (MW V.2, p.149)
And again, Nichiren says:
“Since Shakyamuni Buddha is eternal and all other Buddhas in the universe are His manifestations…” (Kaimoku Sho, translated by Kyotsu Hori, p.176).
NSIC translates this as :
“Since the Buddha of the Juryo chapter is revealed as the eternal Buddha…” (the part about the manifestation Buddhas is left out altogether!) [MW V. 2, p.150]
Once again, from the Kaimoku Sho, translated by Kyotsu Hori, p.180:
“But now since it has been revealed that Shakyamuni is the Eternal Buddha…”
“But now that it has become apparent that Shakyamuni Buddha attained enlightenment countless aeons ago,…etc. (MW V.2, p. 151)
“Since Sakyamuni Buddha is eternal and all other Buddhas in the universe are His manifestations, then those great bodhisattvas converted by manifested Buddhas are also disciples of Lord Sakyamuni Buddha. If the 'Life Span of the Buddha' chapter had not been expounded, it would be like the sky without the sun and moon, a country without a king, mountains and rivers without gems, or a man without a soul.” -- The Opening of the Eyes
In the Kanjin Honzon Sho, (translated by Kyotsu Hori) there is not a single sentence where Nichiren even suggests that he is somehow this Eternal Buddha that is found in the Juryo Chapter. Instead, Nichiren says:
“…Shakyamuni Buddha, within our minds, is an ancient Buddha without beginning, manifesting Himself in three bodies and attained Buddhahood in the eternal past.. (ibid. P.94)
“…the Bodhisattvas (who sprang from underneath the ground), as described in the 15th chapter, are followers of the Original Buddha Shakaymuni who resides within our minds.” (p.94)
“Shakyamuni Buddha, the Lord-preacher of this pure land, has never died in the past, nor will he be born in the future. He exists forever, throughout the past, present and future.” (P.100)
“The “honzon” at the scene of this transmission of “Namu Myo Ho Renge Kyo” from the Eternal Buddha to His Original Disciples is… suspended in the sky above the Eternal Buddha Shakyamuni’s Saha-world is a stupa of treasures, in which Shakyamuni Buddha and Taho sit to the left and right of “Myo Ho Renge Kyo”. (P.102)
cont...
"[unlike Nichiren, not one mention of SHAKYAMUNI Buddhha:"
Delete"The One That Has Come
(S. Tathagata)"
S./Shakyamuni Tathagata - The One That Has Come (S. Tathagata) is the one honoured by all the Buddha's of the ten directions and of the past, present and future.
What else does S. stand for Mark if not Shakyamuni
More specifically it is the innate triple body of enlightenment that Shakyamuni and Nichiren manifested in their lives.
And generally it is that which is inherent in all life in the universe that is equally common to all
How interesting that it is precisely those unique qualities displayed by Shakyamuni Buddha that are also uniquely suited to our needs-- as living beings in the saha world.
Delete"
“There are three reasons why Shakyamuni Buddha rather than any of the other Buddhas has a relationship with all the people of the world of the saha world. First of all, he is the World Honored One, the soverign of all the people of this saha world…
The second reason is that Shakyamuni Buddha is the father and mother of all the persons in the saha world. It is proper that we should first of all pay filial respect to our own father and mother…
The third reason is that Shakyamuni is the original teacher of all persons in the saha world.” (Ibid, pgs 65-66)
"“These, then, are the special qualities possesed by Shakyamuni Buddha, qualities that the other Buddhas lack,” (Ibid, pg 68)
How many times did Shakyamuni demonstrate that laying down one's life for the sake of the Law- was like trading rocks for gold? Does this not distinguish his teaching/practices from all other Buddhas? Didn't ALL other Buddhas show him the highest respect with their presence and praise when Shakyamuni preached the Lotus Sutra ? IF all Buddhas, including Shakyamuni were emanations of some "other" primordial, divine entity, their testimony to Shakyamuni's eminence would have been inappropriate - false, and slander of this *other entity*--
It is this one Buddha, Shakyamuni who used the Wonderful Law that he became enlightened to, for the specific purpose of rescuing and protecting ALL living beings in the saha world-- having made this world his domain and adopting us all as his children.
In my humble opinion if we miss, discount the significance of the One Buddha, the Eternal Buddha Shakyamuni , we cannot attain Buddhahood. I think Mark has once again demonstrated that Nichiren spared no effort to teach this "second most important Doctrine" -- We have Nichiren's writings and the full account of his life- his * bodily reading of the Lotus sutra".
Only if we practice as Nichiren did can we become fully enlightened to this wonderful Law-- the true entity of all phenomena-- Until then, all discussions absent Myoho-renge-Kyo-- are idle chatter.
In my humble opinion,
~Katie
"
Delete"More specifically it is the innate triple body of enlightenment that Shakyamuni and Nichiren manifested in their lives. "
So, since Shakyamuni didn't teach this, and Nichiren's main body of writings don't teach this-- WHO is teaching it and where does the concept come from ??
~Katie
ReplyDelete“Many wooden statues and portraits were made of Shakyamuni Buddha as He preached Hinayana and quasi-Mahayana sutras, but statues and portraits of the Eternal Shakyamuni Buddha revealed in the Juryo Chapter of the Lotus Sutra were never made. Now, in the beginning of Mappo, is it not the time that such statues and portraits are made?” (P.104)
And, from the Ho’on Jo (translated by Taikyo Yajima):
“All the people in Japan as well as the rest of the whole world should revere the Lord Buddha Shakyamuni (Original and Eternal Buddha) revealed in the essential section (honmon) of the Lotus Sutra as the object of worship (honzon).” [P. 198]
Kanjin Honzon-Sho (NOPPA) page 56:
“In fact Sakyamuni began to preach, planting the seed of Buddhahood in the eternal past… Sakyamuni Buddha continued to guide His disciples until they were all sure to attain Buddhahood during the preaching of the Lotus Sutra in His present life, completing the series of His preaching which began in the eternal past.”
Kanjin Honzon-Sho (NOPPA) page 86:
“This means that Sakyamuni Buddha, Taho Buddha, and all the Buddhas in manifestation are in our minds, and that we, upholders of the Lotus Sutra, will follow in their steps and inherit all the merits of those Buddhas.”
and somewhat further along:
“In the same chapter, another passage reads: ‘The duration of My Life, which I obtained through the practice of the bodhisattva way, has not yet expired. It is twice as long as the length of time stated above: 500 dust-particle kalpa.’ This reveals the bodhisattva-realm within our minds. The bodhisattvas described in the fifteenth chapter, ‘Appearance of Bodhisattvas from Under- ground,’ who have sprung out of the great earth, as numerous as the number of dust-particles of 1,000 worlds, are followers of the Original Buddha Sakyamuni who resides within our minds.”
“How lucky I am to be able to go to the Pure Land of Mt. Sacred Eagle and extinguish within one life my sin of slandering the true dharma ever since the eternal past! How glad I feel to be able to go to the Pure Land of Mt. Sacred Eagle and wait on Lord Sakyamuni Buddha, whom I have never seen yet! May I guide first of all those rulers of this land who have persecuted me. May I tell Sakyamuni Buddha about my disciples who have assisted me. may I present this great merit to my parents, who gave birth to me, before I die.”
“Present within our lives is the Lord Shalyamuni who obtained the three enlightened properties of life before gohyaku-jintengo, the Original Buddha since time without begining.” (MW vol 1, The True Object of Worship, pg 65)
“Demonstrating ten great mystic powers the Buddha (Shakyamuni) transferred Namu Myoho renge Kyo to the four great bodhisattvas” (Ibid pg 77)
cont...
I recently read Niwano's commentary on the 3 bodies of the Buddha that's in the life span chapter.
DeleteIt makes no difference if Shakyamuni was first enlightened thousands of years ago or kalpas ago because he would still be in the category of historical. It would be a mistake to think this historical Buddha is the eternal Shakyamuni Buddha and not the Buddha that is the existence of non-beginning and non-end is the point that Niwano makes;
THE THREEFOLD BODY OF THE BUDDHA
Since ancient times, the Buddha has been said to have a threefold body (tri-kaya, sanjin): the Law-body (dharma-kaya, hosshin), the reward-body (sambhoga-kaya, hojin), and the manifest-body (nirmana-kaya, ojin).
The Buddha as tathata itself is called the Law-body, which is the entity of the Buddha. When his entity appears in a form that is comprehensible, this is known as his reward-body.
"Reward-body" means a buddha who has become endowed with perfect wisdom in reward for his religious practices over a long period of time. The Buddha who appeared as a man in this world for the purpose of instructing and leading all living beings is called the manifestbody.
The Buddha in this body manifests himself for the purpose of saving all living beings.
Shakyamuni Buddha, who preaches the Law to the host of bodhisattvas, is the manifest-body.
The Tathagata mentioned by Shakyamuni indicates his Law-body, and his reward-body is its representation.
Then the World-honored One preached as follows: "All the worlds of heavenly beings, men,and asuras consider: 'Now has Shakyamuni Buddha come forth from the palace of the Shakya clan, and seated at the training place of enlightenment, not far from the city of Gaya, has attained Perfect Enlightenment.'
But, my good sons, since I veritably became Buddha there have passed infinite, boundless hundreds of thousands of myriads of kotis of nayutas of kalpas."
Here the entity of the Buddha is revealed at last. An ordinary person believes the existence of what is visible to his eyes. He considers the Shakyamuni before his eyes as the Buddha and depends upon him in his mind and his religious discipline.
He makes a great mistake in thinking so, however, because the Buddha is the existence of non-beginning and non-end, as is clearly declared here. Nikkyo Niwano
"It makes no difference if Shakyamuni was first enlightened thousands of years ago or kalpas ago because he would still be in the category of historical. It would be a mistake to think this historical Buddha is the eternal Shakyamuni Buddha and not the It makes no difference if Shakyamuni was first enlightened thousands of years ago or kalpas ago because he would still be in the category of historical. It would be a mistake to think this historical Buddha is the eternal Shakyamuni Buddha and not the Buddha that is the existence of non-beginning and non-end is the point that Niwano makes; is the point that Niwano makes; "
DeleteThere is no mention of "the BUDDHA that is the existence of non-beginning and non- end " in the Lotus Sutra-
The Buddha Shakyamuni s enlightenment to "wonderful Law" is the explanation for his inexhaustible life span...AND his teaching in the Lotus Sutra.-- and the reason he is called, the Eternal Buddha.
The existence and significance of this other "primordial *Buddha*" you have referred to is not expounded by Shakyamuni-- so once again, I will ask, isn't this a *revelation of the mind* outside of the scriptures and based on the practice of concentration and insight?
Should we believe a revelation of the mind over the golden words of the Buddha and the writings in the main body of Nichiren's teachings? - To do so, would be to ignore the Buddh'as strong admonition . "Rely on the Law and not upon persons" - persons, meaning ourselves -included; meaning our minds are unreliable.
Please don't insist that our minds are enlightened and pure because we chant-- or that chanting daimoku means we can *wing it* based on our own enlightened minds.
Attaining Buddhahood cannot be simply an "add water and stir" recipe - can it??
If it were so easy, why did Nichiren document 30 years of adversity, struggle and forbearance?? Stating over and over THIS is the way it will be for my followers now and those in the future---
One thing is certain, the SGI brass and NST priests are making *attaining Buddhahood* it look like a cake walk-- Their lives couldn't e any further removed from Nichiren's-- I'm wary of that now more than ever.
~Katie
It's worth gong over the Onji Kuden so as we don't misjudge what it is saying like anything
DeleteChapter Sixteen: The Life Span of the Thus Come One
Twenty-seven important points
Point One, concerning Chapter Sixteen, The Life Span of the Thus Come One Nam-myoho-renge-kyo
The Words and Phrases of the Lotus Sutra, volume nine, says: “Thus Come One is a general designation for the Buddhas of the ten directions and the three existences, for the two Buddhas, the three Buddhas,1 the Buddha of the essential teaching, and the Buddha of the theoretical teaching. Specifically, it is a special designation for the three Buddhas of the original state. Juryō, or Life Span, refers to an overall reckoning. It indicates an overall reckoning of the benefits of the two Buddhas, the three Buddhas, and all the Buddhas of the ten directions and the three existences. Therefore the chapter is called the Juryō-hon, or [Reckoning of] the Life Span chapter.”
The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings says: The title of this chapter deals with an important matter that concerns Nichiren himself. This is the transmission described in the “Supernatural Powers” chapter. The Thus Come One is Shakyamuni Buddha or, more generally speaking, all the Buddhas of the ten directions and the three existences. Or, more specifically, it refers p.124to the Buddha of the original state who is eternally endowed with the three bodies.
Now it is the understanding of Nichiren and his followers that, generally speaking, the term “Thus Come One” refers to all living beings. More specifically, it refers to the disciples and lay supporters of Nichiren.
This being the case, the term “eternally endowed with the three bodies” refers to the votaries of the Lotus Sutra in the Latter Day of the Law.
The title of honor for one who is eternally endowed with the three bodies is Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. This is what the three great concerns of actuality2 of the “Life Span” chapter refer to.
Speaking in terms of the six stages of practice, the Thus Come One in this chapter is an ordinary mortal who is in the first stage, that of being a Buddha in theory. When one reverently accepts Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, one is in the next stage, that of hearing the name and words of the truth. That is, one has for the first time heard the daimoku. When, having heard the daimoku, one proceeds to put it into practice, this is the third stage, that of perception and action. In this stage one perceives the object of devotion that embodies the three thousand realms in a single moment of life. When one succeeds in overcoming various obstacles of illusions, this is the fourth stage, that of resemblance to enlightenment. When one sets out to convert others, this is the fifth stage, that of progressive awakening. And when one comes at last to the realization that one is a Buddha eternally endowed with the three bodies, then one is a Buddha of the sixth and highest stage, that of ultimate enlightenment.
Speaking of the chapter as a whole, the idea of gradually overcoming illusions is not the ultimate meaning of the “Life Span” chapter. You should understand that the ultimate meaning of this chapter is that ordinary mortals, just as they are in their original states of being, are Buddhas.
p.125And if you ask what is the action or practice carried out by the Buddha eternally endowed with the three bodies, it is Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.
"Now it is the understanding of Nichiren and his followers that, generally speaking, the term “Thus Come One” refers to all living beings. More specifically, it refers to the disciples and lay supporters of Nichiren."
DeleteDoest this passage say: treasure of the "Buddha" is Nichiren & his disciples and lay supporters- NOT Shakyamuni Buddha -as Nichiren taught his own writings. How can that be?
And there are plenty of *glitches* to be found in Nchiren's main body of writings that refute this drastic turn around--
consider this from "The Entity of the Mystic Law":
"Though there are a great many people in the world today, they all fall until two categories-- those who believe in the provisional teachings and those who believe in the true teaching. Those who believe in the provisional and expedient teachings , such as Nembutsu, cannot be entities of Myoho renge kyo. "
Entities of the Mystic Law , are believers in the True teaching, are partitioners of the Lotus Sutra NOT Buddhas= how do we know this?
. -- consider this, from "On Prayer" (1272- on Sado)
"But prayer that is based upon the Lotus Sutra is a prayer that is certain top e fulfilled.
Question:What is the reason for that?
Answer: The persons of the two vehicles, though they spent kalpas numerous as the dust particles of the land practicing the sutras that correspond to the four flavors, could never attain Buddhaood. but, by listening to the Lotus Sutra for just an instant, they became Buddhas. For this reason, Shariputra, Mahakashyapa and the others who make up the twelve hundred [arhars] and the twelve thousand [arhats] and the twelve thousand [arhats], and all the others of the two vehicles who attained Buddhahood, will certainly respond to the prayers of those who practice the Lotus Sutra, And they will take upon themselves the pains of such practitioners".
Look at what the voice hearers do when they attain Buddhahood-> they respond to the prayers of the partitioners of the Lotus Sutra-<- the same teaching that upon hearing it, themselves, caused them to attain Buddhaood. Would they vow to protect the votaries of the Lotus Sutra IF these *disciples and lay supporters" of Nichiren were already Buddhas? Do Budhas require the protection of other Buddhas??
also from "On Prayer"
" ...he [Shakyamuni] had revealed his enlightenment in the form of the Lotus Sutra. therefore, the words of the sutra are indeed the soul of Shakyamuni Thus Come One. And since every single word constitutes the soul of Shakyamuni Buddha Thus Come One will protect this who practice this sutra as though he were protecting his very own eyes. he will accompany them just as a shadow accompanies a body. How then could the prayers of such persons not be answered?"
Practitioners of the Lotus Sutra would be believers of the true teaching and therefore, entities of Myoh-renge-kyo--, but once again, clearly they are NOT Buddhas.
!Katie
"This being the case, the term “eternally endowed with the three bodies” refers to the votaries of the Lotus Sutra in the Latter Day of the Law. "
DeleteAgain, this is inconsistent with the main body of Nichiren's writings/teachings- keeping in mind that Nichiren himself is a votary of the Lotus Sutra-- the foremost votary,who revealed the Law inscribed the true object of worship-- the Gohonzon, "an image of Shakyamuni of the "Life Span" chapter of the Lotus Sutra.
Nichiren's actions as a Votary of the Lotus Sutra which he describes in detail, are: faith, practice, study and propagation of the Lotus Sutra- myoho-renge-kyo AND refuting erroneous teachings, rebuking slander of the Law. These actions correspond to the *mission* of Bodhisattva Superior Practices, and the *identiy* Nichiren designates as his own-- NOT and NEVER claiming to be a Buddha.
"The title of honor for one who is eternally endowed with the three bodies is Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. This is what the three great concerns of actuality2 of the “Life Span” chapter refer to. "
Huh? Myoho renge kyo is the heart of the Lotus Sutra, the true teaching , the mystic Law-- it is the means by which all Buddhas attain perfect enlightenment -- the means, the way, the practice, the teaching NOT the actual Buddha.
What happens to the actions or practices of *votaries of the Lotus Sutra* when Nichiren/votary of the Lotus sutra/Original Buddha becomes the first treasure of Buddhism, The Buddha ? - the daimoku of the Lotus Sutra & the Gohonzon become the second treasure--- Shakyamuni and the Lotus Sutra are *expelled* ~~ The third treasure becomes : The High Priest /priesthood/lay supporters --
Now-- The practice of the votary of the Lotus Sutra is; chanting and propagating the daimoku and the Gohonzon- period. The actions of the lay supporters are primarily to follow and support the priests/ alms giving/financial donations, & sharing the teaching/daimoku,/ gohonzon.
By definition: This practice is SHOJU, peaceful practices.
The practice of SHAKUBU forceful propagation, refuting erroneous teachings, rebuking slander of the Lotus Sutra , which is Shakyamuni's teaching in *his* Lotus Sutra,-- DISAPPEARS
I think the best way to judge the validity of the ogni kudon is to first note how it functions in support of the doctrines of NST and SGI; secondly to note how these doctrines are not consistent with Nichiren's life long teachings and practice, and third- to note that by expelling Shakyamuni and the Lotus Sutra, the crucial practice for the Latter Day, Shakubuku, disappears.
Essentially, we have evidence that the ogni kudon is a forgery (Crime); that the specific changes it supports are advantageous to the alleged perpetrators of the *crime*-- therefore we have a clear *motive *. The *means and opportunity* belong to the secret order of High Priests , who also forged secret transmission documents granting them ultimate authority over Nichiren's teachings.
The confusion caused by the ogni kudon because of its close resemblance to the Lotus Sutra-- makes it very difficult to expose it as great evil -- however, when considering the effects of the slanderous doctrines it created , that are practiced by NST/SGI -I think refuting it based on Nichiren's writings makes more sense than simply proving it is a forgery.
~Katie
“Shakyamuni is the original teacher for all people as well as their sovereign and their parent” (MW vol 1, Admonitions Against Slander, pg 166)
ReplyDelete“It is the object of worship which perfectly depicts Lord Shakyamuni in the Treasure Tower” (MW vol 1, The Real Aspect of the Gohonzon, pg 212)
“Shakyamuni is the father, sovereign and teacher of all other Buddhas and all gods, of the whole assembly of men and heavenly beings and of all sentient beings.” (MW vol 1, Letter to Nikke, pg 257)
“But because of this book by Honen, this Senchaku Shu, the Lord Buddha Shakyamuni is forgotten.” (MW vol 2, Rissho Ankoku Ron, pg 23)
“The Lord Shakyamuni who declared ‘I alone can save them,’ at a time even more distant than gohyaku-jintengo, is none other than each of us.” (MW vol 2, I2U Exile, pg 55)
“One should know that the Enlightened One, the Buddha, is a Great Teacher for all living beings, a Great Eye for them, a Great Pillar, a Great Helmsman, a Great Field of Plenty.” (MW vol 2, Opening of the Eyes, pg 77)
“The doctrines that the Buddha taught over a period of fifty years number eighty thousand…The eight years during which he preached the Lotus Sutra he called the time when he ‘now must reveal the truth’. Thus Taho Buddha came forth from the earth to testify that ‘All that you have expounded is the truth,’ and the Buddhas that are emanations of the Original Buddha gathered together and extended their tongues up to the Brahma-heaven in testimony.” (MW vol 2, Ibid, pg 79)
“The Buddhas of the ten directionss gathered in assembly, Shakyamuni Buddha announced that ‘all of these are emanations of my being.” (MW vol 2, Ibid, pg 141)
“When Shakyamuni Buddha revealed that he had gained enlightenment in the far distant past and had since then been constantly in the world, it became apparent that all the other Buddhas were emanations of Shakyamuni.” (MW vol 2, Ibid, pg 149)
“Since the Buddha of the Juryo chapter is revealed as the eternal Buddha, it follows that the great bodisattvas such as Monju and Miroku and the great bodisattvas from other realms are in fact disciples of Shakyamuni Buddha.” (MW vol 2, Ibid, pg 150)
“All these beings are discples of Shakyamuni Buddha. Since the various Buddhas themselves are emanations of Shakyamuni Buddha, it goes without saying that their disciples must be disciples of Shakyamuni. And of course the various decties of the sun, moon and stars, who have dwelt in the world from countless ages in the past must likewise be disciples of Shakyamuni Buddha.” (MW vol 2, Ibid, pg 152)
“The Lotus Sutra is nothing other than a scripture that reveals that Shakyamuni Buddha attained enlightenment at a time even more distant than gohyaku-jintengo.” (MW vol 2, Letter to the Priests of Seicho-ji, pg 268)
cont...
“…but Shakyamuni [by bestowing upon us the character myo] has granted us as many benefits as if we ourselves had fulfilled all the practices of the six paramitas. This precisely accords with his statement, “Now this threefold world is all my domain, the living beings in it are all my children.” (MW vol 3, Letter to Nichimyo Shonin, pg 48-49)
ReplyDelete“Now the votaries of the Lotus Sutra are the children of Shakyamuni Buddha.” (MW vol 3, Ibid, pg 49)
“All that you (Shakyamuni Buddha) have expounded is the truth.” (MW vol 3, Ibid pg 51)
“The Lord Shakyamuni assembled Taho Buddha as well as the other Buddhas, who were his own emanations, from throughout ten directions and left one great medicine, the five characters of Myoho renge Kyo-for the people of the Latter Day.” (MW vol 3, The Munadala of the Mystic Law, pg 58)
“Lord Shakyamuni treasured this Gohonzon in mind… He revealed it in the Juryo chapter…” (MW vol 3, Reply to Nii-Ama, pgs 64-65)
In the Selection of the Time, directly under the title, it is written:
“Nichiren, disciple of Shakyamuni Buddha”.
“Yet it was not I, Nichiren who made these important pronouncements. Rather it was in all cases the spirit of Shakyamuni Buddha that had entered into my body. And at having personally experienced this I am beside myself with joy.” (MW vol 3, Ibid, pg 171)
“Shakyamuni Buddha, the World Honored One, declared, ‘I am the foremost throughout the threefold world.’” (MW vol 3, Ibid, pg 176)
“When I was about to be beheaded, the Lord Buddha Shakyamuni took my place.” (MW vol 3, The Supremacy of the Law, pg 199).
“However, they are alike in that they all abandoned Shakyamuni Buddha,” and in the next paragraph it states, “If there is anyone among my followers who is weak in faith and goes against what I, Nichiren, say, he will meet the same fate as did the Soga family.” (MW vol 3, The Supreme Leader of the World, pg 237)
“I have been ceaselessly praying for your sake to the Lotus Sutra, Shakyamuni Buddha and the gods of the sun and moon.” (MW vol 3, Ibid)
“Our teacher, Shakyamuni Buddha.” (MW vol 4, The Learned Shan-wu-wei, pg 64)
“They are monks and nuns by virtue of the Lord Shakyamuni.” (Ibid, pg 65)
“There are three reasons why Shakyamuni Buddha rather than any of the other Buddhas has a relationship with all the people of the world of the saha world. First of all, he is the World Honored One, the soverign of all the people of this saha world…
The second reason is that Shakyamuni Buddha is the father and mother of all the persons in the saha world. It is proper that we should first of all pay filial respect to our own father and mother…
The third reason is that Shakyamuni is the original teacher of all persons in the saha world.” (Ibid, pgs 65-66)
cont...
“Yet Shakyamuni Buddha entered this saha world of ours with the title Nonin, ‘He Who Can Forbear.’ He is so called because he does not berate its people for the slanders they all commit but shows forbearance toward them.
ReplyDelete“These, then, are the special qualities possesed by Shakyamuni Buddha, qualities that the other Buddhas lack,” (Ibid, pg 68)
“I [Shakyamuni] alone can save them.” (Ibid, pg 69)
“For this reason, all the persons in this saha world of ours, if they detest the sufferings of birth and death and wish to have an object of veneration to which they can pay respect, should first of all fashion images of Shakyamuni Buddha… and make these their object of worship.” (Ibid, pg 69)
“Shakyamuni Buddha our father and mother, who is endowed with the three virtues of soverign, teacher and parent, is the very one who encourages us, the people driven out by all the other Buddhas, saying, ‘I alone can save them’. The debt of gratitude we owe him is deeper than the ocean, weightier than the earth, vaster than the sky. Though we were to pluck out our two eyes and place them before him as an offering until there were more eyes there than stars in the sky, though we were to strip off our skins and spread them out by the hundreds of ten thousands until they blanketed the ceiling of heaven, though we were to give him our tears as offerings of water and present him with flowers for the space of a hundred billion kalpas, though we were to offer him our flesh and blood for innumerable kalpas, until our flesh piled up like mountains and our blood overflowed like vast seas, we could never repay a fraction of the debt we owe to this Buddha!” (Ibid, pg 71-72)
“I, Nichiren have indeed written it by letting my soul (tamashii) dipped in ink flow forth. The very intention (heart) of the Buddha is the Lotus Sutra; the soul of Nichiren is nothing other than Namu Myoho renge kyo. Chan-jan explains, ‘It takes [the Buddha] of Far-reaching Lifespan revealed as the Original Buddha to be its life’ For Lady kyoo, misfortunes will into fortune. By all meansput forth your mind of faith and pray to and think on this Gohonzon. What can not be accomplished? There can be no doubt that ‘fulfilling those vows will be like a clear, cool pond satisfying the thirsty’ and there will be ‘peace and security in the present world and a good place in the next.” — Reply to Kyoo [KHK Translation]
“All that you [Shakyamuni Buddha] have expounded is the truth.” (MW vol 4, Teaching, Practice and Proof, pg 120)
“Answer: One: Japan and so on to the whole of Jambudvipa should uniformly take the Master of Teachings Lord Shakya of the Original Doctrine as the Object of Worship.” — Repaying Debts of Gratitude [KHK Translation]
“Our merciful father, Lord Shakyamuni, said ‘Rely on the Law and not upon persons.” (MW vol 5, A Sage and an Unenlightened Man, pg 65)
cont...
ReplyDelete“In the same volume in the Lotus Sutra, the Buddha says, ‘for the sake of the Buddha way I have in countless different lands from the begining until now widely preached various sutras, but among them this Sutra is foremost.’ This passage means that Shakyamuni Buddha has appeared in countless lands, taking different names and assuming varying life spans.” (Ibid, pg 77)
“I have dedicated my life to Shakyamuni Buddha and the Lotus Sutra, extending compassion to all living beings and rebuking slanders of the Law.” (MW vol 5, A Sage and an Unenlightened Man, pg 107)
“When Shakyamuni Buddha in the clouds above the Sacred Mountain, in the mists of Eagle peak, summed up the essence of the doctrine and entrusted it to the bodhisattvas of the earth, what do you suppose that teaching was? It was nothing other than these five characters, the essential law;” (Ibid, pg 110)
“I Nichiren, humble person though I am, have recieved Lord Shakyamuni’s royal command and come to this country of Japan.” (MW vol 5, The Pure and Far Reaching Voice, pg 143)
“Shakyamuni Buddha is the lord of all buddhist teachings, the leader and teacher of all human beings.” (Ibid, pg 143)
“And among the Sutras, the Lotus Sutra is a manifestation in writing of Shakyamuni Buddha’s intent; it is his voice set down in written word.” (Ibid, pg 147)
“Shakyamuni Buddha and the written words of the Lotus Sutra are two different things but their heart is one. Therefore, when you cast your eyes upon the words of the Lotus Sutra you should consider that you are beholding the living body of the Buddha Shakyamuni.” (Ibid, pg 147)
“However the Buddha recognizes each character as a golden Lord Shakyamuni. This is the meaning of the statement that ‘[one who is able to hold this Sutra] thereby holds the Buddha’s body’. Those who practice Buddhism but adhere to distorted views destroy this loftiest of Sutras.” (MW vol 5, Reply to Soya Nyudo, pg 164)
“‘The Son of Heaven utters not a single word in vain’ and ‘the words of the Dharma King contain no falsehood’. A wise ruler will never lie, even if it should bring about his ruin. How much less would Shakyamuni Buddha ever speak falsely!” (MW vol 5, Good Fortune in This Life, pg 185)
“Only the Lotus Sutra represents the wonderful teaching preached directly from the golden mouth of Shakyamuni Buddha, who is perfectly endowed with the three bodies.” (MW vol 5, Letter to Myomitsu Shonin, pg 196)
“Shakyamuni, the Lord of Teachings, is the foremost sage in the saha world.” (Ibid, pg 199)
“As we see from these passages of scripture, Shakyamuni, with his Buddha eye, observed the situation that would prevail at the begining of the Latter Day of the Law. If, when the age has arrived, there were to be no persons of the type the Buddha describes then the World-Honored One would be guilty of false and baseless talk. [And if that were to be the case, then] who would put faith in the theoretical and essential teaching of the Lotus Sutra, and in the doctrine of the eternally inherent Buddha Nature.” (MW vol 6, Reply to Lord Hakiri Saburo, pg 40)
cont...
“In this way, Shakyamuni Buddha cited his own practice in the past to encourage and hearten (The Votary of the Lotus Sutra).” [Ibid pg 42]
ReplyDelete“Shakyamuni summoned the four bodhisattvas and entrusted them with the five characters of Myoho renge Kyo.” (MW vol 6, Rebuking Slander of the Law, pg 60)
“We see from the Sutra that only these four bodhisattvas had been the disciples of Shakyamuni, the Lord of Teachings, since the remote past.” (Ibid, pg 62)
Nichiren quotes Miao-lo, referring to the relationship of the bodhisattvas of the Earth to Shakyamuni as follows;
“The sons will disseminate the Law of the Father.” (Ibid, pg 62)
“The Shakyamuni of the Juryo Chapter has never been depicted in any mountain temple or monastery anywhere.” (Ibid, pg 63)
“The nation of Japan today has turned its back on the Lotus Sutra and cast aside Shakyamuni Buddha.”
(MW vol 6, Letter To Ichinosana Nyudo, pg 99)
“Shakyamuni Buddha is the Parent of all living beings in this world.” (Ibid, pg 100)
“The Lord Buddha Shakyamuni is the enlightened teacher for all living beings in the country of ours. It is thanks to our teacher that we can understand who our parents are. It is owing to Shayamuni that we can distinguish black from white.” (Ibid, pg 100)
“It will be hard indeed to find anyone who can preach the Lotus Sutra just as it teaches in the Latter Day of the Law of Shakyamuni Buddha.” (MW vol 6, Three Tripitaka Masters, pg 118)
“The Tathagata Shakyamuni, seated in the tower adorned with seven kinds of precious gems, entrusted the five characters of Myoho renge Kyo to Takahashi Nyudo.” (MW vol 6, Reply to Takashi Nyudo, pg 124)
“Were it not for Shakyamuni, the lord of teachings, how could such blessings as these be bestowed.”
“The Hokke [Lotus] sect is the sect founded by Shakyamuni.” (MW vol 6, How Those Initially Aspiring to the Way Can Attain Buddhahood, pg 175)
“Therefore [the sect based on] the Lotus Sutra is known as the Buddha-founded sect and is also called the Hokke Sect.” (Ibid, pg 175)
“The various other sects were founded by bodhisattvas or teachers in the period after the Buddha had entered Nirvana. Should we now turn our backs upon the Buddha’s decree and follow the sects established by the bodhisattvas and teachers? Or should we ignore the words of the bodhisattvas and teachers and follow the sect established by the Buddha.” (Ibid, pg 176)
cont...
ReplyDelete“Now the Latter Day of the Law, is the time when the seven characters of Namu Myoho renge kyo-the heart of the twenty-eight chapters of the Lotus Sutra that Shakyamuni Buddha who had achieved enlightenment in the remote past, along with the bodhisattvas Jogyo, Muhengyo and the others is to propogate-will alone spread throughout the country.” (Ibid, pg 187-188)
“The messenger of the Lord Buddha Shakyamuni has twice been paraded through the street.” (MW vol 6, A Father Takes Faith, pg 242).
“Because Shakyamuni expounded the Lotus Sutra in order to repay the debt of gratitude he owed to his father and mother, Taho Buddha, who had come from the land of treasure purity, praised him as a Buddha of true filial piety. And the Buddhas of the ten directions assembled and declared him to be the most filial among all the Buddhas.” (MW vol 6, On Filial and Unfilial Conduct, pg 290)
“Therefore, the words of this Sutra are indeed the very soul of Shakyamuni Buddha. And since every single word constitutes the soul of the Buddha, Shakyamuni Buddha will protect persons who practice this Sutra as though he were protecting his very own eyes. He will accompany such persons just as a shadow accompanies a body. How then could the prayers of such persons not be answered.” (MW vol 7, On Prayer, pg 34)
“The various Buddhas [other than Shakyamuni], since they are known as World Honored One, may be regarded as Sovereigns. But since they do not make their appearance in this saha world, they are not teachers. Nor do they declare that ‘…the living beings in it (this threefold world) are all my children’. Thus, Shakyamuni Buddha alone fulfills the three functions of sovereign, teacher and parent.” (Ibid, pg 43)
“Answer: Shakyamuni Buddha became enlightened to this lotus that is the entity of the Mystic Law numberless major world system dust particle kalpas in the past, and in age after age and lifetime after lifetime, declared that he had attained the way and revealed the fundamental principle he had realized with his enlightened wisdom.” (MW vol 7, The Entity of the Mystic Law)
“In this passage, Shakyamuni Buddha explains that he is entrusting to the Bodhisattvas of the Earth, his original disciples, the five characters of Myoho renge Kyo which is the essence of the Lotus Sutra. Shakyamuni, who attained enlightenment countless Kalpas in the past, says elsewhere, ‘By now the original vows that I made have already been fulfilled. I have converted all living beings and caused them to enter the Buddha way’…This passage represents the ultimate purpose for which Shakyamuni appeared in the world, the secret Law that he attained in the place of meditation.” (Ibid, pg 70)
“In the Latter Day of the Law, other than the envoy of the Thus Come One, there can be no one who understands and produces this passage as proof of the Lotus of the Entity.” (Ibid, pg 70)
“The way in which the Lotus emerges from the muddy water is used as a metaphor to explain that when the Thus Come One joins the multitude of listeners, seats himself on a lotus in the same manner as the various bodhisattvas and expounds on the unsurpassed wisdom of the Thus Come One and on the enlightened state of purity, the various voice heavens, hearing this, are able to obtain the secret storehouse of the Thus Come One. Second, the words Myoho renge signify the lotus opening up. (This is a metaphor explaining that) ordinary beings, though exposed to the Mahayana teachings, are timid and fearful in mind and incapable of taking faith in them. Therefore the Thus Come One ‘opens’ or reveals his Dharma body in its purity and wonder, awakening in them the mind of faith.” (Ibid, pg 71-72)
cont...
“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.” (MW vol 7, The Unmatched Fortune of the Law, pg 160)
ReplyDelete“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 Of The Lotus Sutra, NOPPA Translation)
“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.” (MW vol 7, On The Urobon, pg 172-173)
"With regard to the statue of Shakyamuni Buddha you have made, in fact you have made and revealed the Buddha of three thousand realms in a single moment of life, which since time without beginning had never been revealed! I am eager to go at once and face it. This is what is meant by the words “The Buddhas wish to open the door of Buddha wisdom to all living beings,” and “In truth the time since I attained Buddhahood [is extremely long].”(Concerning the Statue of Shakyamuni Buddha Made by Toki)
"And yet there are some teachers who deprecate Shakyamuni and pay reverence to the Thus Come One Mahāvairochana, or some teachers who declare that one cannot establish a connection leading to Buddhahood with Shakyamuni, but can establish such a connection with Amida. Other teachers support the Shakyamuni of the Hinayanateachings, the Shakyamuni of the Flower Garland Sutra, or theShakyamuni of the theoretical teaching of the Lotus Sutra. All these teachers and their supporters who forget [the] Shakyamuni [of the “Life Span” chapter] and choose some other Buddha instead are like PrinceAjātashatru, who killed his father, King Bimbisāra, and, turning against Shakyamuni, became a patron of Devadatta." (Choosing the Heart of the Lotus Sutra)
"...and all the beings of the threefold world, following their example, acknowledged themselves as followers of Shakyamuni.
Moreover, when I examined how long the various Buddhas had spent accomplishing the practice needed to become a Buddha and how long Shakyamuni had done so, I found that some of the other Buddhas had spent three asamkhya kalpas or five kalpas, but that ShakyamuniBuddha had been in the sahā world since major world system dust particle kalpas in the past, a great leader who made it possible for all people to establish the connections needed to attain Buddhahood...." (
Therefore we owe a great debt of gratitude to this Shakyamuni Buddha, a debt more weighty than the great earth, broader than the sky, and higher than the heavens. When it comes to such a Buddha as this, both sovereigns, ministers, and common people should honor him more highly than they do their own fathers or mothers, should pay him greater reverence than they pay to the gods. And if they do that much, then even if they should commit some grave offense, heaven will protect them and will not cast them aside, and the earth will not display anger toward them." (ibid)
cont...
"Shakyamuni Buddha is like the one moon in the sky, and the various other Buddhas, bodhisattvas, and beings are like the reflections floating on ten thousand different bodies of water. Thus a person who fashions a single image of Shakyamuni Buddha is in effect making images of all the Buddhas of the worlds in the ten directions." ("The Buddha Statue Fashioned by Nichigen-nyo)
ReplyDelete"Shakyamuni Buddha has declared, “Now this threefold world is all my domain, and the living beings in it are all my children. Now this place is beset by many pains and trials. I am the only person who can rescue and protect others.” For this reason, Shakyamuni acts as the sovereign for all the living beings in this country of Japan, as their teacher, and as their parent.
The seven reigns of the heavenly deities, the five reigns of the earthly deities, and the ninety reigns of human rulers of Japan—all these deities and rulers have been followers of Shakyamuni Buddha, to say nothing of the retainers of these deities and rulers. All the land of this present-day country of Japan, its mountains and rivers, its oceans, its plants and trees are all the treasures of Shakyamuni Buddha. There is not a single jot of them that belongs to the Buddhas of other worlds such as Medicine Master or Amida. Moreover, the heavenly deities, the earthly deities, and the ninety reigns of human sovereigns of Japan, along with the common people, the cows and horses, and in fact every living being that is born, is a child of Shakyamuni Buddha, the lord of teachings. In addition, the fact that the heavenly and earthly deities, human rulers, and the common people of Japan can make the proper distinctions regarding heaven and earth, water and fire, parents, sovereign, men and women, wives and children, black and white, is due entirely to the fact that Shakyamuni Buddha, the lord of teachings, has been their teacher. It is in no way due to the teachings of any of the other Buddhas such as Medicine Master or Amida." (Condolences on a Deceased Husband)
"Moreover, now when everyone else in Japan has abandoned Shakyamuni Buddha, what roots of goodness from the past, I wonder, account for your believing in the Lotus Sutra and Shakyamuni Buddha,..." (The Eighth Day)
"The oral tradition says that the Buddha can become grass and trees. This means that the Shakyamuni Buddha of the “Life Span” chapter can manifest himself in grass and trees. The Lotus Sutra speaks of “the Thus Come One’s secret and his transcendental powers.” There is nothing in the entire realm of phenomena that is not the manifestation of the Thus Come One Shakyamuni." (The Enlightenment of Plants)
These passages from the Gosho are crystal clear. Eternal Shakyamuni Buddha is our original teacher to whom Nichiren’s reverence knows no bounds. Why do the Taisekaji sects fail to embrace the Lotus Sutra and Nichiren’s words? Could it be that the Devil of the Sixth Heaven has replaced Shakyamuni Buddha in their minds? This delusion, in the minds of these men, can be demonstrated by their behaviors:
cont...
DeleteJust as the sunlight or the moonlight dispels the darkness, this person will practice [Myoho-Renge-Kyo] in the world and eliminate [the fundamental] darkness of all living being
twenty-first chapter of the Lotus Sutra
Nichiren Daishonin in the Latter Day of the Law already had been prophesized in the Lotus Sutra by Shakyamuni Buddha 3000 years earlier.
ReplyDelete“They will tear off the first part of the Sutra and stick it on the end, tear off the end and put it at the begining, put the end and the begining in the middle and the begining at the middle or end. You must understand that these evil monks are the companions of the devil.” (MW vol 2, Opening Of The Eyes, pg 1 180)
Their causes are revealed:
“There is a difference if one chants the daimoku while acting against the intent of this Sutra.” (MW vol 3, The Fourteen Slanders, pg 207)
“Those who practice Buddhism but adhere to distorted views destroy this loftiest of Sutras.” (MW vol 5, Reply to Soya Nyudo, pg 164).
and their effects:
“Unfilial children however are not allowed to succeed their parents.” (MW vol 3, Letter to Nichinyo, pg 49);
How can this be remedied?:
“In the same way, one who chants the daimoku as the Lotus Sutra teaches will never have a twisted mind.” (MW vol 5, Letter to Myomitsu Shonin, pg 196)
“Those who seek the truth of Buddhism, however, should reject one sided views whether they are of their own sects or other sects and should not treat others with contempt.” (MW vol 2, Opening Of The Eyes, pg 167)
“One should use the Sutras as his eyes and give precedence to the wisdom of the Buddha. Surely however, if this standard is made clear people will become enraged and harbor indignation in their minds. Let them do as they will. What matters most is that we honor the Buddha’s command. As a rule people in the world value what is distant and despise what is near, but this is the conduct of the ignorant. Even the distant should be repudiated if it is wrong, while that which is near should not be discarded if it accords with the truth. Even though people may revere (their predecessors doctrines), if those doctrines are in error, how can we employ them today”. (MW vol 4, Reply to Hoshina Goro Taro, pg 42-43)
These passages constitute a Buddhist doctrine, the second most important Buddhist doctrine of Nichiren Lotus Sutra Buddhism.
There are ~ 200 additional passages that support MY assertions.
cont...
ReplyDeleteThe sutra states, “Just as the sunlight or the moonlight dispels the darkness, this person will practice [Myoho-Renge-Kyo] in the world and eliminate [the fundamental] darkness of all living beings.” Carefully ponder on the meaning of these words. “This person will practice [Myoho-Renge-Kyo] in the world” means that Bodhisattva Jōgyō makes his advent in the first five hundred years of the Latter Day of the Law, reveals the light of the five characters of Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo, and illuminates the fundamental darkness and the darkness of earthly desires. The efforts of Nichiren and his followers to have all the people in the country of Japan embrace the Lotus Sutra are the work of the envoy of Bodhisattva Jōgyō.
- Letter to Jakunichi-bō
In the Latter Day of the Law, however, the Hinayana sutras entrusted to Mahakashyapa, Ananda, and others; as well as the Mahayana sutras entrusted to Bodhisattvas Manjushri, Maitreya, and others; as well as the Lotus Sutra entrusted to Bodhisattva Medicine King, Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, and others—all these teachings can no longer work as medicine to treat the people’s illnesses. Only the words of these sutras are still in existence. The illnesses of the people will be too serious while these medicines are too ineffective. At that time, Bodhisattva Jōgyō will make his advent, in order to bestow upon all people in the entire world the five characters of Myo-Ho-Ren-Ge-Kyo.
Reply to Priest Takahashi
Now, in the age of the Latter Day of the Law, neither the Lotus Sutra nor the other sutras have the power to save the people. Only Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo can lead all people to Buddhahood.
Reply to Ueno