"When, based on the sutras, I speak in general terms of such matters, only I, of all the 4,994,828 men and women in Japan, am thought strange, and the other 4,994,827 persons all regard me as their enemy. Strangely enough, they do not follow Shakyamuni, who is their sovereign, teacher, and parent. What is more, they curse and strike me, drive me away, and, by resorting to slander, cause me to be sentenced to exile or execution. It is the way of the world that the poor fawn upon the rich, the lowly revere the noble, and the few follow the many. So even those persons who chanced to put their faith in the Lotus Sutra are intimidated by society and fear others, and many of them fall into hell. This is most pitiful.
But, perhaps because of Nichiren’s ignorant outlook or some past karma, when I read the statements that “the Lotus is the foremost,” that “among the sutras I have preached, now preach, and will preach, this Lotus Sutra is the most difficult to believe and the most difficult to understand,” and that “I am the only person who can rescue and protect others,” I take them to be the golden words of the Thus Come One himself. They are not my own words at all.
The people of today, however, believe the pronouncements of their own teachers to be the golden words of the Thus Come One. Thus they place such pronouncements on the same level as the Lotus Sutra, considering the two to be of equal authority; or they regard these teachings as superior to the Lotus Sutra; or they reason that though their teacher’s pronouncements are inferior they are well suited to the capacity of the people."
great post!
ReplyDelete"it is the way of the world that the poor fawn upon the rich, the lowly revere the noble, and the few follow the many". it kinda reminds me of my country right about now, and for sure describes the entire sgi/nst. indeed, it is most pitiful.
"The people of today, however, believe the pronouncements of their own teachers to be the golden words of the Thus Come One. Thus they place such pronouncements on the same level as the Lotus Sutra, considering the two to be of equal authority; or they regard these teachings as superior to the Lotus Sutra; or they reason that though their teacher’s pronouncements are inferior they are well suited to the capacity of the people."
ReplyDeleteAnd even more troubling is the way Chas, Richard, Noel and Julian disregard Nichiren's reason for making it perfectly clear that arbitrary opinions and personal re-interpretation of the Buddha's teachings have disastrous consequences--. And so they argue their positions from pure ego and care more about appearing "wise" than they show concern for the effects of their being in error.
In any case, the few who approach deep suffering with recognition that it is their error and not the Lotus Sutra that is the *cause*, will be labeled as *guilt tripping zealots*-- though in actuality, it is really humility and gratitude for having encountered the means for transforming all negative karma that results from realistically assuming full responsibility for one's own life. --- Myoho-renge-kyo is the wonderful medicine that transforms painful suffering to joy.
If you want to see an example of the effects of the platitudes and warped teachings of SGIkeda-- look at Guy McCloskey after losing his eldest son-- seeking and claiming to find comfort in the company of those who commiserate with him. Pitiful!(his experience was published in Living Buddhism summer of 2010)
How can one who claims to have faith in Myoho-renge-kyo look towards common mortals for explanations and pity when he suffers a personal tragedy ? When my 8 day old newborn son passed away in my arms as I chanted, I could not imagine gaining insight much less comfort from anyone but Nichiren-- and I still recall how SGI WD leaders in Baltimore considered my grieving *alone* to be unhealthy.
"..the few follow the many"-- misery loves company...??
~Katie