"Buddhism is a teaching that is conveyed through the mentor-disciple relationship. The oneness, our shared commitment, of mentor and disciple forms the essence of Buddhist practice. If we forget the mentor-disciple relationship, we cannot attain Buddhahood" -- Soka Gakkai teaching
This SGI teaching, introduced in 2009, could easily and more accurately be re written thus:
ReplyDelete"SGI Religion is a teaching that is created by people who are paid by the SGI and who control it's money, decision making and wealth. It is conveyed to people who are not paid by the SGI, who do not have any say in it's decision making, teachings and who do not control its money or wealth - SGI members. SGI members are the people, despite having no control or say, who contribute their money to fund the SGI and who work for free to recuit or staff its daynto-day functions. SGI Religion is conveyed through the mentor-disciple relationship, which SGI has made into a religion. This religion of mentor = paid and disciple = unpaid is what keeps the SGI, although in serious decline, alive. The oneness, the shared commitment, of mentor and disciple forms the essence of practice keeps disciples working for free, donating their precious lifetime and their money and the mentor writing doctine and guidance that encourages diciples to do just, that this is "buddhism". The disciples are told, by the people who get paid by the SGI and write its teaching, that if they forget the mentor-disciple relationship, they cannot attain Buddhahood." -- Soka Gakkai Religion.
SGI Religion stands in contrast to Lotus Sutra, which it tries to borrow from and use to prop itself up.
Lotus Sutra Buddhism: "Entry is through faith alone", not one person who encounters the Lotus Sutra will fail to benefit from it or attain Buddhahood.
Nichiren's Lotus Sutra Buddhism - Faith expressed through devotion - Namu, to the Lotus Sutra - Myoho Renge-kyo.
Namu Myoho Renge-kyo
Nichiren's Lotus Sutra Buddhism - Venerating the Law and following it, Namu Myoho Renge-kyo and it's teacher Shakyamuni Buddha and applying it naturally to the affairs of daily life. The people's religion, there to benefit all, regardless of circumstances, understanding or capacity.
Simple, effective, perfect, free.
Nichiren's Lotus Sutra Buddhism grows people and benefits them, benefitting also their families, societies, countries and world - naturally.
SGI Religion just grew an organisation and is now destroying it, it materially benefits the people SGI pays through the effort and money of many people it doesn't pay.
SGI Religion as a means for spiritual benefit is complex, confusing, inconsistent, ineffective and costly (time, money and effort).
Is there any contest? Nope.
Nichiren's Lotus Sutra Buddhism is superior in every respect. But it doesn't benefit people who want to feed off it by riding on the backs of others because it is simple, direct, practical and effective. It breeds self reliance, personal responsibility, greater awareness and equality.
The Lotus Sutra and its teacher, Shakyamuni Buddha are superior in every respect. They bring joy and benefit, even in the midst of difficult and evil karma.
"Entry is through faith alone".
Simple and perfect.
Namu Myoho Renge-kyo
Simply perfect!