it is better to be an evangelical Christian who doesn’t slander the Lotus Sutra than an SGI member who does

“If it wasn’t for us you ungrateful pig.”, “SGI is the only correct body of believers upholding the Daishonin’s teachings.”, “Only Soka Gakkai can be considered fully correct in its doctrines.”, “SGI is the only united body of true believers”...

“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)

The SGI and Daisaku Ikeda teach that the Lotus Sutra is a provisional Sutra and Shakyamuni a provisional Buddha. They fail to accurately reflect the mind of Nichiren. Their grasp of the teachings is narrow and shallow and they haven’t spoken the truth about the teachings since their inauspicious inception some eighty years ago.

Nichiren writes:

“There is no true happiness other than upholding faith in the Lotus Sutra. This is what is meant by 'peace and security in their present existence and good circumstances in future existences.”'

He further states in Embracing the Lotus Sutra:

“Now, if you wish to attain Buddhahood, you have only to lower the banner of your arrogance, cast aside the staff of your anger, and devote yourself exclusively to the one vehicle of the Lotus Sutra. Worldly fame and profit are mere baubles of your present existence, and arrogance and prejudice are ties that will fetter you in the next one. Ah, you should be ashamed of them! And you should fear them, too!”

Since Daisaku Ikeda and the SGI reject the Lotus Sutra and Buddha Shakyamuni of the Juryo Chapter of the Lotus Sutra, their happiness must be an an ephemeral happiness based on worldly fame and profit.

The SGI says, "thanks to Daisaku Ikeda, the SGI 'achieved'”, but what did they really achieve? Nichiren states, quoting the Nirvana Sutra:

“Kashyapa, because [in the past] I devoted myself to the correct teaching, I have been able to achieve this diamond-like body that abides forever and is never destroyed.”

In the USA there are pehaps twenty or thirty million new evangelical believers in the last ten years. They espouse great happiness but Nichiren states, “because [in the past] I devoted myself to the correct teaching…”

We must ask ourselves, are the Soka Gakkai teachings the correct teachings? Is it correct to abandon Shakyamuni Buddha and the Lotus Sutra?

The ten million Soka Gakkai members faith and practice is based on a dream, not the reality of the Lotus Sutra and Shakyamuni Buddha of the Juryo Chapter of the Lotus Sutra (Gohonzon). Their faith and practice is based on the dream of the Taisekaji priests and Toda’s dream (hallucination) in jail, not the reality of the Buddha’s mind that is the Lotus Sutra or the life and teachings of the True Votary of the Lotus Sutra, Nichiren Daishonin.

Daisaku Ikeda writes:

“…the Gohonzons that we recieve are also the living flesh of the Original Buddha whose eyes have been opened according to the principles of the actual Ichinen Sanzen in the passages depths of the Juryo Chapter and the true attainment of Buddhahood by plants and trees. Why would this very Gohonzon not be the true aspect of the eye opening of wooden and painted images? This is absolutely not found in the heretical sects outside of Nichiren Shoshu, and is a profoundly secret doctrine which only Nichiren Shoshu possesses.”– Daisaku Ikeda Soka Gakkai Daibyaku Renge

“….He knew all too well that the age of the Latter Day of the Law had already come, when prophecy foretold a decline in the power of Shakyamuni’s Buddhism; he knew it would have been entirely inappropriate to bring back Shakyamuni’s Buddhism as a new set of beliefs. He was able to bring the people a totally new kind of Buddhism because he was convinced of his identity and missions to save all people fo the Latter Day of the Law.” Daisaku Ikeda (pg. 212 Selected Lectures on the Gosho)”

The Lotus Sutra admonishes him:

“… shame on such monks! — they will preach their own fictions.”

And Nichiren states:

“I had gone to many centers of the religion during those twenty years, in the quest of Buddhist truths. The final conclusion I arrived at was that the truth of Buddhism must be one in essence. Many people lose themselves in the labyrinth of learning and studies, through thinking that every one of the diverse branches might help to the attainment of Buddhist ideals.” (Works pp 1770-71)

And again in Myoho Bikuni Go-henji:

“According to the Zen Sect, the true teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha are not transmitted through sutras. They say that sutras including the Lotus Sutra are like a finger to point at the moon or a ferry to cross a river; and that it is no use after seeing the moon or crossing the river. Zen Buddhists say such a thing as they learned, without thinking what they say. But they are actually slandering Shakyamuni Buddha and preventing propagation of the Lotus Sutra. Thus, the people in this country are all committing a grave sin, more serious than the Five Evils, without realizing it.”

In Those Initially Aspiring to the Way, he writes:

“…As for other types of people, it would appear that, even if they do not understand the meaning of the Lotus Sutra and are ignorant but have earnest faith, then they will invariably be reborn in a pure land. For it says in the Lotus Sutra, “They will be born in the presence of the Buddhas of the ten directions,” and “She will immediately go to the World of Peace and Delight.” These passages give clear proof that one who has faith in the Lotus Sutra will be reborn in a pure land.”

Chapter 3 of the Lotus Sutra states:

“Whether during the Buddha’s lifetime

Or after his extinction

If there be any who slander

Such a sutra as this,

Who, seeing those who read and recite,

Write or hold this sutra, scorn and despise, hate and envy them

And bear them a tenacious grudge.

Concerning the recompense of such people’s sin,

After their lifetimes end

They will enter into the Avici hell.”

Although neither the evangelicals nor the SGI members have faith in the Lotus Sutra, it is better to be an evangelical who doesn’t slander the Lotus Sutra than an SGI member who slanders the Lotus Sutra and the true disciples and believers of Nichiren. Their holier than thou pronouncements, based on the heretical SGI teachings are less than dust in the wind. 

Hearing them speak, one might come to the erroneous conclusion that, in the history of Nichiren Lotus Sutra Buddhism, it was only the SGI who had martyrs. The fact is that in the history of Nichiren Lotus Sutra Buddhism there were thousands of Martyrs. The fact is, the SGI “martyrs” are martyrs in name only because they embraced the slanderous teachings of Taisekaji and Nichikan, not the Lotus Sutra and the teachings of the Supreme Votary. Hearing them speak, one might come to the erroneous conclusion that, in the history of Nichiren Lotus Sutra Buddhism, it was only SGI who devoted their lives to preserve and spread the teachings. It was in fact the Nichiren Shu who first brought Namu Myoho renge kyo to America and the world. It was the old Kempon Hokke, Fuju-fuse and various other Hokke sects who gave their lives to preserve and spread the true teachings. Nichiren taught that it was Shakyamuni Buddha who gave us the water of the Law. How arrogant to think that it was Daisaku Ikeda. How shortsighted to think that the Bodhisattvas of the Earth wouldn’t have encountered the Law without Daisaku Ikeda.

Actually, those who encountered the SGI teachings through Daisaku Ikeda are not Bodhisattvas of the Earth since their minds differ from Nichiren’s. 

The Lotus Sutra states, “We were once men of false views." and Nichiren writes, “If you are of the same mind as Nichiren, you must be a Bodhisattva of the Earth”. He also teaches, “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) and “They entirely look up to groups of icchantikas and rely on them as leaders and, reverencing blasphemers against the Dharma, make them national teachers. Taking up the Classic Filial Piety of Confucious, they beat their parents’ heads and, while chanting the Lotus Sutra of Lord Shakya with their mouths, they go against the Master of teachings.”

It is not merely the mechanical chanting of Daimoku that leads to Buddhahood.

The SGI and NST priests and members do not chant the Daimoku as the Lotus Sutra preaches. They therefore can not be considered Bodhisattvas of the Earth. Nichiren also says that unfilial children can never succeed their parents. Denying their own father, Shakyamuni Buddha and their mother, the Lotus Sutra, they are unfilial children, indeed! “Those who practice Buddhism but adhere to distorted views destroy this loftiest of Sutras.” (MW vol 5, Reply to Soya Nyudo, pg 164).

The SGI, NST, HBS, and Nichiren Shu practice Buddhism but adhere to distorted views. Once again, I ask, "can they be considered Bodhisattvas of the Earth?"

Again and again, Nichiren cites those who praise the Lotus Sutra but destroy it’s intent. Surely he is not speaking about the Bodhisattvas of the Earth. He then must be speaking about the SGI and NST members and priests. They destroy the Sutra’s intent by asserting the Transmission of the Lotus Sutra is through one sole individual, either a High Priest or the successive presidents of the SGI. They destroy the Sutra’s intent by chanting Namu Myoho renge kyo [Namu Lotus Sutra], while disgarding the Lotus Sutra. They chant Namu Myoho renge kyo to the Gohonzon, the Life and Land of Shakyamuni Buddha of the Juryo Chapter of the Lotus Sutra while abandoning Shakyamuni Buddha. They chant Namu Myoho renge kyo while deprecating the sincere and true Bodhisattvas of the Earth. What a strange group they are.

In Chapter 15 of the Lotus Sutra Maitreya states,

“All come and Worship the Buddha

and guard and keep this sutra.”

He doesn’t say, 

“All come and worship Daisaku Ikeda 
and guard and keep the Human Revolution” [while throwing out Shakyamuni Buddha and discarding the Lotus Sutra].

Nichiren states,

“And though people may claim to be disciples of Nichiren, if they do not possess some proof of that fact from my hand, you must not trust them.”

Proof is following his example and his writings, not the capricious arbitrary views of others. As long as you continue to be associated with the bad friends of the soka Gakkai and Nichiren Shoshu, you will remain an unenlightened worldling. Nichiren never met Shakyamuni Buddha yet he stated in the Selection of Time, “Nichiren disciple of Shakyamuni Buddha.”

As far as their assertion that the SGI teachings frees one from birth and death, that is not possible if one is to believe Nichiren Daishonin that the Lotus Sutra is the means:

“What I call the Heritage of the Great Thing Concerning Life and Death is

nothing else than the Scripture, the Lotus of the Perfect Truth. For the Sacred Title of the Lotus was handed down from the two Buddhas, Sakya-muni and Prabhuta-ratna (Taho or “Many Treasures”), to the Boddhisattva Visista-caritra (Jogyo or “Eminent Conduct”), when the Buddhas appeared in the Heavenly Shrine, and from eternity the heritage has been kept without interruption.”

In another writing, we read,

“Then to utter the Sacred Title of the Lotus with the conviction that the three are one — the three, that is, Sakyamuni, the Buddha who from eternity has realized Buddhahood; the Lotus Sutra, which leads all beings without exception to Buddhahood; and we, beings in all the realms of

existence.”

How can you be one with Buddha Shakyamuni who from eternity has realized Buddhahood if you reject Him? Chanting mechanical daimoku with no conviction in Shakyamuni Buddha is not the way to free oneself from the fetters of birth and death.

On Establishing the Correct Teaching states:

“The host said: There are numerous passages that could be cited and a wide variety of proofs. For example, in the Golden Light Sutra we read: “[The four heavenly kings said to the Buddha], ‘Though this sutra exists in the nation, its ruler has never allowed it to be propagated. In his heart he turns away from it, and he takes no pleasure in hearing its teachings. He neither makes offerings to it, honors it, nor praises it. Nor is he willing to honor or make offerings to the four kinds of Buddhists who embrace the sutra. In the end, he makes it impossible for us and the other countless heavenly beings who are our followers to hear this profound and wonderful teaching. He deprives us of the sweet dew of its words and cuts us off from the flow of the correct teaching, so that our majesty and strength are drained away. Thus the number of beings who occupy the evil paths increases, and the number who dwell in the human and heavenly realms decreases. People fall into the river of the sufferings of birth and death and turn their backs on the road to nirvana.”

The Selection of Time states:

“The Buddha says determining the future, “Depend upon the teaching, not upon the people. Bodhisattva Nagarjuna says, “If one depends upon the scripture it is a correct argument; if one does not depend upon the scripture it is an incorrect argument.” T’ien-t’ai says, “Again, if it conforms to the scripture, quote and use it. If there is no corresponding sentence or corresponding meaning, then one should not believe and accept. ” Dengyo says, “Depend upon what the Buddha taught, not upon the oral tradition.” If one follows these scriptures, treatises and commentaries, then one should not base oneself on dreams. Once should only treasure the passages in the scriptures and treatises…”

Since the SGI abandons the scriptures, treatises and commentaries, what is it that they have faith in anyway? The words and oral teachings of Toda and Ikeda? I don’t see anything here about mentor Toda and Ikeda being necessary for Buddhahood or that new car or raise.

Nichiren writes: 

“The essential key to Nichiren’s disciples and followers is, namely, adherence to the Lotus Sutra.” 

The Lotus Sutra states:

“But if one, after the Buddha’s extinction,

In the midst of an evil world

is able to preach this sutra, this is indeed hard…..(LS Ch.11)

What the Soka Gakkai teaches is not “this Sutra”. Neither 10,000,000 million SGI believers nor 1,500,000,000.00 Muslims, are equal to one believer who has faith in and teaches the golden words of the Sutra and Nichiren. Most SGI members haven’t even read the Lotus Sutra, they go by the hearsay of the mentor or the Human Revolution, or the World Tribune. The SGI teachings on the Master-disciple relationship, value creation, receiving and giving guidance, no worth or role for the solitary Bodhisattva, the practice of shoju in this degenerate evil age, are all hearsay, oral teachings, which Nichiren completely rejected. How sad for you. How sad that you confuse our Buddhahood for anger or rapture. How sad that you confuse your anger and rapture for Buddhahood.

Nichiren states:

“Then what teaching should the country of Japan learn if its people are to free themselves from the sufferings of birth and death? As for this question, the Lotus Sutra states, “After the Thus Come One has entered extinction, I will cause it [the Lotus Sutra] to be widely propagated throughout Jambudvipa and will see that it never comes to an end.”

Note, it doesn’t say ‘Value Creationism”, “Human Revolution”, or “Taisekaji Mysticism”.

In the Opening of the eyes, we read:

“It is also laid down that one should “rely on sutras that are complete and final and not on those that are not complete and final.” We must therefore look carefully among the sutras to determine which are complete and final and which are not, and put our faith in the former. Bodhisattva Nagarjuna in his Commentary on the Ten Stages Sutra states, “Do not rely on treatises that distort the sutras; rely on those that are faithful to the sutras.” The Great Teacher T’ien- t’ai says, “That which accords with the sutras is to be written down and made available. But put no faith in anything that in word or meaning fails to do so.” The Great Teacher Dengyo says, “Depend upon the preachings of the Buddha, and do not put faith in traditions handed down orally.” Enchin, also known as the Great Teacher Chisho, says, ‘In transmitting the teachings, rely on the written words [of scriptures]. '”

Now, referring to the SGI’s outlandish slander of we who embrace the Daimoku but are not SGI members, for example, that we believers and critics of the SGI, are deluded and unhappy, the truth is, no one could be happier nor more aware than we. We uphold the sacred teachings of the Sutra and Nichiren Daishonin. Already, hundreds, if not thousands, have abandoned the SGI and embraced that which is orthodox, and not a few thanks to our sincere efforts. In the United States, over the last thirty years, the SGI gave out 600,000 Gohonzons and if we are to believe the World Tribune circulation, less than 40,000 SGI believers remain. What happened to the other 560,000 people who received the slanderous SGI Gohonzon? Do Bodhisattvas of the Earth give out sacred Gohonzon like candy? Do Bodhisattvas of the Earth fail to protect their precious comrades? One day those who left the SGI will return to the Daimoku of the Lotus Sutra. At that time they will return as Bodhisattvas of the Earth.