True equality

"The sutra states, “Those persons who had heard the Law dwelled here and there in various Buddha lands, constantly reborn in company with their teachers,” and “If one stays close to the teachers of the Law, one will speedily gain the bodhisattva way. By following and learning from these teachers one will see Buddhas as numerous as Ganges sands.” A commentary says, “Originally one followed this Buddha and for the first time conceived the desire to seek the way. And by following this Buddha again, one will reach the stage where there is no retrogression.” Another commentary says, “In the beginning one followed this Buddha or bodhisattva and formed a bond with him, and so it will be through this Buddha or bodhisattva that one will attain one’s goal.” Above all, be sure to follow your original teacher so that you are able to attain Buddhahood. Shakyamuni Buddha is the original teacher for all people, and moreover, he is endowed with the virtues of sovereign and parent. Because I have expounded this teaching, I have been exiled and almost killed. As the saying goes, “Good advice grates on the ear.” But still I am not discouraged. The Lotus Sutra is like the seed, the Buddha like the sower, and the people like the field. If you deviate from these principles, not even I can save you in your next life."

With my deep respect,

Nichiren

The third day of the eighth month in the second year of Kenji (1276), cyclical sign hinoe-ne

To Soya

"Above all, be sure to follow your original teacher so that you are able to attain Buddhahood. Shakyamuni Buddha is the original teacher for all people, and moreover, he is endowed with the virtues of sovereign and parent. Because I have expounded this teaching, I have been exiled and almost killed. As the saying goes, “Good advice grates on the ear.”

What does this mean for Daisaku Ikeda, the SGI Vice Presidents and senior leaders, High Priest Nichinyo, and the Nichiren Shu Priests? Why do these men hate us, we who assert, "Above all, follow your Original Teacher Shakyamuni as did Nichiren?"

This is true equality. This is the true Wheel of the Law with the Original Buddha as the axle. Everyone else, including Daisaku Ikeda and his high paid Vice Presidents, the High Priests of the Nichiren Shoshu, and the Nichiren Shu Priests in their flowing robes, are but the spokes of the wheel [as are we]. The wheel will continue to roll without one or several spokes and no one is indispensible in rolling the Wheel of the Law except the Original Teacher without whom the wheel would cease to roll. These people will either have to get real jobs because inscribing and distributing Gohonzon, officiating at weddings and funerals, and ideally, confronting the authorities, doesn't pay much or they will have to move into cottages and huts as did Nichiren. They are not happy with the men, women, and teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha, Nichiren Daishonin, and the Bodhisattvas of the Earth..

These Rev. Ikes of Nichiren Buddhism, "Don't you want your preacher lookin' fine.", couldn't live for a day like Shakyamuni Buddha or Nichiren Daishonin.