"Although in the end I found it hard to accept the structures of any organisation and ever since the mid 90s my practice has largely been solitary." -- John
The current Nichiren Buddhist organizations are based on ego, power, and the World of Anger. This is similar to most governments. Nichiren, on the other hand, advocated a type of "theocracy". Yet, paradoxically, he taught us to follow any and all with even slightly more wisdom than ourselves. However, there are no Wheel Turning Kings* at present and we are all steeped in the Three Poisons. Therefore, it is difficult to ascertain who possesses more wisdom than we ourselves. Equally, the Lotus Sutra and Nichiren speak of good friends in the Dharma all being equal and a necessary condition for us to attain Buddhahood.
The bottom line is, we can only be certain that Shakyamuni Buddha and Nichiren Daishonin have more wisdom than us. Therefore, it is only safe taking them as teachers. It is best to look at all others who practice the Sublime Dharma of the Lotus Flower Sutra as good friends. This obviates both a restrictive faith and allows for a loosely structured organization of equals.
*An ideal Buddhist ruler capable of spreading and protecting the Buddha's teachings.
>>""The Daishonin states in the Hoon Sho:
ReplyDelete"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)
In The Supremacy of the Law he states:
"When I was about to be beheaded, the Lord Buddha Shakyamuni took my place." (MW vol 3, The Supremacy of the Law, pg 199).
These passages are not inconsistent with the passage you posted. When we practice correctly, the Buddha enters into our mind. The Eternal Shakyamuni entered into the minds of the Great Saints and Sages of Buddhism such as Buddhamitra, Nagarjuna, Kumarujiva, Nan Yueh, Tientai, Chang-an, Miao-le, and Saicho in order to correctly expound the Lotus Sutra. The Daishonin states in the Kanjin Honzon Sho:
"The Causal Practices and the Virtues of the Effect of Buddhahood of Lord Shakya are fully possesed in the Five characters "Myoho renge kyo." When we receive and keep these Five Characters, he spontaneously yields and cedes to us the merit of those causes and effects."(Kempon Hokke Seiten).<<"
I am just beginning to understand the significance of "single mindedly desiring to see the Buddha"--as a mindset for my practice. I think I had a sense of the Buddha being central to Nichiren's approach to teaching the correct practice of the Lotus Sutra for this evil age, BUT I was not incorporating the Buddha in a literal sense until I encountered true followers of Nichiren here on Eagle Peak. I wonder if the process of peeling off the layers of Gakkai falsehoods is fundamentally about awakening to what Nichiren actually taught about the Buddha, because it is precisely this fundamental teaching that the Gakkai and Shoshu have stripped from their doctrines. In other words it is a challenge to develop the correct attitude toward that which was considered unnecessary--even taboo in the two elite orgs claiming widespread propagation---etc. etc.
I have already had deeply profound experiences adopting the literal understanding of the Buddha's golden words in the Lotus Sutra re: Shakyamuni is always here in this Saha world-- and who sees him and how that happens-- (ALL details are in the Lotus Sutra- which Nichiren took literally ) . Also "seeing the Buddha" is the very REAL and joyful experience of the sense of the presence of the Buddha in ones own mind-- indeed in one's very life! BUT-- would that happen if one did not seek to "see the Buddha"? or had no "desire to SEE the Buddha? or thought he/she, themselves WAS already Buddha?
I can only share openly about these new experiences with the few people I now know who also follow Nichiren and embrace his teachings on Shakyamuni Buddha-- but I will say with great confidence and abiding joy, that there is so much more to Nichiren's Lotus Sutra Buddhism -- always more to learn and experience -- For me, the deeper experiences began when I chanted correct daimoku and began to rejoice at having encountered Mark and Greg on Eagle Peak-- Opening my eyes to all that the SGI/NST have abandoned closed and even prohibited members from discovering about Nichiren and the Lotus Sutra. I pray that those reading here will arouse the desire to SEE the Buddha, and experience the boundless power and joy from Myoho-renge-kyo.
Gassho- Mark, Greg and Shinkei !!!
~Katie
this comment above by katie....deserves its own post ! it should be titled "another opening of the eyes".
Delete"When I was about to be beheaded, the Lord Buddha Shakyamuni took my place." (MW vol 3, The Supremacy of the Law, pg 199).
These passages are not inconsistent with the passage you posted. When we practice correctly, the Buddha enters into our mind. The Eternal Shakyamuni entered into the minds of the Great Saints and Sages of Buddhism such as Buddhamitra, Nagarjuna, Kumarujiva, Nan Yueh, Tientai, Chang-an, Miao-le, and Saicho in order to correctly expound the Lotus Sutra. The Daishonin states in the Kanjin Honzon Sho:
"The Causal Practices and the Virtues of the Effect of Buddhahood of Lord Shakya are fully possesed in the Five characters "Myoho renge kyo." When we receive and keep these Five Characters, he spontaneously yields and cedes to us the merit of those causes and effects."(Kempon Hokke Seiten).<<"
these two quotes from nichiren(above) i have personally experienced more than once. at crucial moments the buddhas reality will manifest for those who strive for a correct faith. in many ways...this is the essence of the lotus sutra. wonderful !