"One who has not conceived a desire for the way can never free oneself from the sufferings of birth and death. Shakyamuni Buddha, the lord of teachings, was cursed by all the followers of non-Buddhist teachings and labeled as a man of great evil. The Great Teacher T’ien-t’ai was regarded with intense enmity by the three schools of the south and seven schools of the north, and Tokuitsu of Japan criticized him for using his three-inch tongue to try to destroy the five-foot body of the Buddha. The Great Teacher Dengyō was disparaged by the priests of Nara, who said, “Saichō has never been to the capital of T’ang China!” But all of these abuses were incurred because of the Lotus Sutra, and they are therefore no shame to the men who suffered them. To be praised by fools—that is the greatest shame. Now that I, Nichiren, have incurred the wrath of the authorities, the priests of the Tendai and True Word schools are no doubt delighted. They are strange and shameless men."
Tuesday, July 31, 2018
From Manly P. Hall: The Lotus Sutra and Its Mandala (New Post)
The most important of the religious writings of Northern Buddhism is the Saddharma-Pundarika-Sutra (Japanese: Hokkekyo) or the Lotus of the True Law. Generally referred to in the Orient as the Lotus sutra, it has been described as the most precious jewel among all Buddhist sacred writings.
The Lotus Sutra has influenced all the Buddhist sects of Japan and has been especially venerated by the followers of the Tendai and Nichiren schools. The principle mandara devised by the Nichiren sect glorifies the Lotus sutra. The design composed of written characters is called the Daimoku. The sacred words "Namu Myo-ho-ren-ge-kyo" (Hail to the Sutra of the Good Law) are placed vertically in the center and dominate the design. At the four corners are written the names of the guardian kings who preside over the four directions of space. On either side of the central inscription are the names of two Buddhas described in the apocalyptical vision the Lotus Sutra. The Daimoku is the Lotus Sutra, the ten regions of the world, and the body of moral precepts.
Like many apocalyptical writings, the Lotus Sutra, is strongly theatrical in the presentation of its pageantry. The curtain rises to reveal the Buddhist universe reminiscent of the elaborate ritualism of the Greek Mystery dramas. Guatama Buddha (Shakyamuni) is presented as an ideal - a personification of cosmic truth.
The Buddha of this Sutra is passionless, revealing no evidence of human emotions. As the personification of the immutability of Universal Law, this detachment is perfectly consistent with Buddhist Teachings; but what the non-Buddhist does not realize is that to the devotees of the Lotus sutra, Law itself is the perfect expression not only of truth but of divine love.
The Lotus sutra begins with the simple statement, "Thus I have heard." The great discourse took place in India at Vulture Peak, located in Rajagriha. The scene is so magnificent that it transcends imagination, and it takes the first ten chapters to describe this pageantry to the reader. Gautama Buddha is seated upon the throne of teaching. Suddenly, a ray of light streams from the white curl on his forehead and illumines all the innumerable cosmic systems which make up the Buddha Worlds. After the Buddha declares his intention by permitting the luminous rays to shine from his forehead, all the Buddhas and bodhisattvas from the myriads of Buddha Worlds assemble at Vulture's Peak. They fly with the speed of light, each with hosts of followers, until myriads upon myriads seem to fill all the parts of the universe. Each of the Buddhas is seated on a lion throne and shaded by a tree of jewels.
The Buddhas of the Ten Regions of Space have assembled to hear the perfect revelation of the Eternal Law. The great bodhisattvas in their splendid garments wait breathlessly for the words of the Perfectly Awakened One. The arhats have gathered from all the countries, continents, and abodes where they dwell, each bringing with him a retinue of saints. The monks and nuns of the monastic orders, including the wife of Buddha and the aunt who raised him after his mother's death, are present. In addition to these are creatures of the invisible worlds. The gods of India are in attendance, with the great rajas who guard the four corners of the world. There are multitudes of the pious, extending to the very limits of space. The universe is breathless with expectation.
Manjusri tells Maitreya that Gautama is about to preach the Great Discourse, the final revelation of all revelations; and the name of this discourse is "The Lotus of the True Law."
In the midst of this celestial assembly the earth seems to open, and there rises up from the ground a stupa (pagoda or relic tower) of stupendous size, decorated with garlands, and fashioned from precious stones. The stupa is suspended in the midst of the sky, and from the innermost part of this sanctuary a voice as mighty as the rumble of thunder exclaims: "Excellent! Excellent! World-Honored Shakyamuni!" The assembly is filled with great wonder and delight, for the voice is that of Prabhutaratna (Taho Buddha), a famous Buddha of long ago.
Prabhutaratna invites Gautama to enter the stupa and share his throne. The scene is so splendid that the Buddhas appear like meteors in a star-strewn sky. At this point, Gautama, by his perfect insight and absolute power of consciousness, draws the entire assembly up into the sky with him and then delivers his discourse.
The presence of the "Extinct Buddha" seems to suggest that the wisdom of past ages supports and sponsors the revelation. All that still exists and all that has ceased in the mystery of time gone by is invoked to bear witness to the eternality of the Law. Vast periods of time are dissolved in the vision, as are all dimensions of space. The cosmos is suspended for one dramatic instant, which may properly be termed the "eternal now."
In the Lotus Sutra Buddha is caused to unfold the deepest mysteries of the heart doctrine. He does this most skillfully with the aid of parables and persuasive discourse. In this Sutra Buddha is presented as a concrete manifestation of the Infinite Mind. He embraces within his own nature all the mental phenomena of existence and transcends them. There is a strange undercurrent that seems to imply that this magnificent spectacle is curiously, even divinely, unsubstantial. It is the production of a cosmic dreaming, but it is a dreaming as near to truth as dreams can ever come. It is the ultimate expansion of the power to think, to know, or to reason. The spectacle is suspended in the midst of "no mind," for beyond it there is only that which transcends and defies even the highest conceivable aspects of the human consciousness.
Buddha as the personification of the Eternal Mind is an eternal being. The author of the Lotus sutra causes him to declare that he has existed for countless eternities and that he will continue for the duration of infinity. His original enlightenment was not under the bo tree at Buddh
Gaya but occurred in a remote time beyond the power of man to calculate.
The Lotus Sutra projects the moral philosophy of Buddha into all the dimensions and regions of space. Creation itself is an inconceivable ethical mechanism, splendid with the beauties of wisdom. Throughout space the Buddhas and bodhisattvas fulfill the eternal mystery of redemption. It is no longer assumed that they will retire into Parinirvana and vanish utterly from the world of suffering. The great teachers, although ever appearing to be born, are never born in the cycle of mortality. Although they may appear to suffer, they only voluntarily assume suffering as part of the labor of salvation; and, though in the end they seem to vanish into the mystery of the void, in reality they never cease to exist.
A new dimension is added to the teaching of the older Buddhist schools. The Buddhas, bodhisattvas, and arhats are fulfilling vows they made before the beginning of mortal history. The vows always include labors of salvation, for the Great Ones can never rest until the tiniest molecule floating in a sunbeam has attained the true enlightenment.
If we assume that this apparently extravagant pageantry refers to the infinite manifestation of the unfolding universal consciousness, it is comprehensible at least in theory. If each of the Buddhas, bodhisattvas, and arhats personifies an aspect of Infinite Mind, the Sutra becomes more meaningful.
Buddhist philosophy does not admit the existence of a principle of evil or of any power or being seeking to frustrate man's search for truth. The only hindrance is the weakness of human nature, which man must overcome by self-discipline.
The real message of the Lotus Sutra is not conveyed by the words of the speaker, for it is obvious that its deeper meaning cannot be verbalized. The real message was the impact of the total scene, which takes on the dimensions of the ultimate mandala. The words of Buddha merely state the essential structure of the concept. The rest must be experienced. The whole scene suggests a cosmic version of Buddha's own enlightenment under the bo tree. There is an incredible burst of light, as though a psychic atom had been split. The cosmos is revealed, like the unfolding lotus, forever evolving, forever maturing, and forever fruitful. Lives are bound together in an infinite pattern of mutual benevolence. The cosmos is revealed as the eternal teacher of all that lives.
The vision scene as unfolded in the Lotus sutra sets forth the physical world as revealed to the perfectly enlightened seer or sage. Physical forms disappear, boundaries of time and space fade away, and all that is seen is the radiance of causation on its various levels of manifestation. Every flower in the field becomes a radiant light. Even the physical earth is vibrant with an eternal energy. Instead of a star-lit heaven, there is a star-lit earth. As in a lantern, every existing creature in all kingdoms is a form enclosing a light. The power that administers the clouded world seen by the limited sensory perceptions suddenly reveals the mystery of itself. Many unseen and unknown types of beings shepherd the several kingdoms of physical nature. No living thing is without protector and enlightener. A hierarchy lies behind every veil, and in the Lotus Sutra the psychic mechanism is revealed in its fullest splendor. It is true indeed that even the fall of a sparrow is noted, and the little soul finds its eternal refuge in the heart of a loving and protecting friend and teacher. We see only shadows, and space seems empty except for a few sidereal bodies. Actually, we are in the midst of a life which surrounds and penetrates every physical unit of eternal energy.
As the psychological aspects of the Lotus Sutra are examined sympathetically, it becomes evident that it is one of the most extraordinary revelations of Will-Consciousness-Mind to be found in the religious literature of the world.
Soka University of America is "very diverse"?
Lets compare the "very diverse" [lying SUA recruiter] Soka University of
America to the Lehman College of the City of New York
Soka University of America:
60% asian or mixed asian
15% caucasian
10% hispanic
4% african american
11% others or unknown
90+% Soka Gakkai religion
Please compare to Lehman College of the CCNY
25% caucasian
25% hispanic
25% black
15% asian
10% others or unknown
25% Catholic
20% Protestant
15% Jewish
15% Muslim
7% Hindu
5% Buddhist
13% other or none
America to the Lehman College of the City of New York
Soka University of America:
60% asian or mixed asian
15% caucasian
10% hispanic
4% african american
11% others or unknown
90+% Soka Gakkai religion
Please compare to Lehman College of the CCNY
25% caucasian
25% hispanic
25% black
15% asian
10% others or unknown
25% Catholic
20% Protestant
15% Jewish
15% Muslim
7% Hindu
5% Buddhist
13% other or none
SGI tells you what it thinks you want to hear
"In an article, Greg Martin recalls being asked on a TV show what Buddhists think about the resurrection of Jesus. He said that when first asked the question, his first thought was that we don't think about it much at all. That would have been the correct and honest answer. But, believing in interfaith dialog, of course, he decided to make up an answer that they would like. So he instead replied, "The key point is that as we walk through this life we should strive to emulate his behavior, to be Jesus ourselves, not to worship his power. Therefore, we would regard Jesus as a teacher." The Christian interviewer said, "That's absolutely correct. How did you do that?" I'll tell you how he did it. Rather than explaining Buddhism correctly and with honesty, he instead told you what he thought you wanted to hear. Duh. And the thing is that Greg Martin was so proud of himself for lying about his beliefs to win accolades from a non-Buddhist that he actually wrote a story about it later to let everyone know how ingenious his response was. This is SGI." -- Shannon Heimburg
Why I don't abide together with Soka Gakkai members
"If there are bhikshus, bhikshunis, upasikas, upasikas, who put forth coarse, evil words and blaspheme the True Dharma, and creating this grave karma, never repent and have no penitence in their minds.... in that True Dharma they never have the mind to guard, spare, erect or establish but disparage, attack, slight and belittle and have many errors and faults in their words.... these also one names, 'heading towards the way of the icchantikas.' Only excluding classes of icchantikas such as these, if one donates to the remaining ones, it is to be praised" (Great Parinirvana Sutra 10: T.12.425a-b).
"If they are blasphemers, one ought not to abide together with them and likewise not approach and be intimate with them; if one approaches and is intimate and abides together with them, at once one heads toward the Avici Hell" (Jurinkyo (Sutra of Ten Wheels), "Chapter of the Multitude of Good Appearances" (T.13.704b, cited at Nambu Rokuro dono gosho, STN, v. 1, 487; Chu Hokekyo, v. jo, 2-79).
Has the Lotus Sutra lost its effectiveness in this Age as taught by the Soka Gakkai?
"I have accordingly quoted the passages from the Lotus Sutra that read, 'In the evil age of the Latter Day of the Law if there is someone who can uphold this sutra . . . ,' 'in the latter age hereafter, when the Law is about to perish . . . ,' and 'they [the Buddhas] make certain that the Law will long endure' in order to demonstrate the error [of believing that the Lotus Sutra has lost its effectiveness]. " -- Nichiren
But in order to assert that the Lotus Sutra has lost its effectiveness, the SGI often cites the following passage from Reply to Lord Ueno:
"Now, in the Latter Day of the Law, neither the Lotus Sutra nor the other sutras lead to enlightenment. Only Nam-myoho-renge-kyo can do so. This is not my own judgment. Shakyamuni, Many Treasures, the Buddhas of the ten directions, and the bodhisattvas who emerged from the earth as numerous as the dust particles of a thousand worlds have so determined it. To mix other practices with this Namu-myoho-renge-kyo is a grave error. A lantern is useless when the sun rises. How can dewdrops be beneficial when the rain falls? Should one feed a newborn baby anything other than its mother's milk? No addition of other medicines is needed with a good medicine. Somehow this woman remained true to this principle, and continued to uphold her faith until the last moment of her life. How admirable, how worthy!
With my deep respect,
Nichiren
The first day of the fourth month in the first year of Koan (1278)
The Soka Gakkai takes the Gosho out of context in order to debase the Lotus Sutra. What this does to their believers, their minds of faith, and to the teachings, is unpardonable.
The One Great Secret Law is Namu Myoho renge kyo. This is the teachings of Soka Gakkai, the Nichiren Shu, and the Kempon Hokke. The Nichiren Shoshu teaches that the One Great Secret Law is the DaiGohonzon. I will leave aside for the moment who is correct about the One Great Secret Law. Every last Nichiren Buddhist, from the newest member to the most experienced knows that there is no practice in the Latter Day other than chanting Namu Myoho renge kyo. SGI's oft repeated argument implying that the Nichiren Shu, the Honmon Butsuryu Shu, and the other Nichiren practitioners, neither practice nor understand the import of Namu myoho renge, is nothing but a straw man argument. It is a logical fallacy.
Lord Ueno is none other the young samurai, Nanjo Tokimitsu. This writing is from 1278 in response to offerings he received from Lord Ueno and in memorium for the death of Lord Ueno's niece. Here the Daishonin is stating that Namu Myoho renge kyo is the practice for the Latter Day. We read in an earlier part of this letter [which SGI members never cite] :
"After Many Treasures Buddha had closed the door of the treasure tower and the other Buddhas had returned to their original lands, not even Shakyamuni Buddha himself could have denied the Lotus Sutra, whatever other sutras he might have expounded in an effort to do so, because the other Buddhas had all joined in affirming its truth. That is why in the Universal Worthy and Nirvana sutras, which follow the Lotus Sutra, the Lotus Sutra is praised but never disparaged. Nonetheless, priests like Shan-wu- wei of the True Word school and the founders of the Zen school have repudiated the Lotus Sutra, and the entire Japanese nation has now taken faith in their teachings, just like those who were deceived by the rebels Masakado and Sadato. Japan is now on the brink of ruin because it has for many years been the archenemy of Shakyamuni, Many Treasures, and the Buddhas of the ten directions, and in addition, the person who denounces these errors is persecuted. Because such offenses thus accumulate one atop another, our nation will soon incur the wrath of heaven."
On the one hand we see that repudiating the Lotus Sutra is a cause for falling into hell and on the other hand we read that, "neither the Lotus Sutra nor the other sutras lead to enlightenment". How does one resolve this seeming paradox? Nichiren Daishonin writes in the True Object of Worship (Kanjin No Honzon Sho):
"Answer: This is a matter that is difficult to believe and difficult to understand. T’ien-t’ai defined two points that are “difficult to believe and difficult to understand.” One lies in the realm of doctrinal teachings and the other in the realm of meditative practice. With regard to the former, in the sutras preached before the Lotus Sutra we read that persons of the two vehicles and icchantikas, or persons of incorrigible disbelief, are forever barred from attaining Buddhahood, and that Shakyamuni Buddha, the lord of teachings, attained enlightenment for the first time in this world. Nevertheless, we find that the theoretical and the essential teachings of the Lotus Sutra repudiate both these statements. One Buddha who says two things as opposite as fire and water— who could believe him? This is the point that is “difficult to believe and difficult to understand” in the realm of doctrinal teachings.
The point that is “difficult to believe and difficult to understand” in the realm of meditative practice, concerns the principle of the hundred worlds and thousand factors and that of three thousand realms in a single moment of life, which explains that even insentient beings are endowed with the ten factors of life, and that they are endowed with both material and spiritual aspects.":
Thus we see that Nanjo Tokimitsu was confused by the Tientai practice of the Lotus Sutra that was prevalent in Nichiren Daishonin's day. The Lotus Sutra is practiced differently according to the time. Here Nichiren is talking about Tientai's Lotus Sutra teachings and practice. The Lotus Sutra itself must never be disparaged, contrary to the slanderous Soka Gakkai teachings. Disparaging the Lotus Sutra is why their members suffer in the Great Citadel of Hell, why Japan is on the verge of ruin, and why their teachings lead people into the Lower Three Worlds.
One can not read the entirety of the writings, especially the Five Major Writings, and perceive that Nichiren Daishonin disparaged the Lotus Sutra. Soka Gakkai practitioners are evil people, according to Nichiren Daishonin.
Spreading the Law protects the people
The Fukushima disaster is proof that what the SGI is spreading is not the Law. Were it the Law, in no way would it have arisen and in no way would the people of Japan have been abandoned.
Soka Gakkai lecture on the Lotus Sutra Chapters 23 - 28
http://www.sgi-usa.org/memberresources/video/iwa_video.php?iwa=January_2017_2
Conclusion...repaying debt of gratitude to the mentor is the prime point of the six chapters of the Lotus Sutra, chapters 23 - 28 (particularly Chapter 23 the Medicine King Chapter) according to SGI
Nichiren's teaching on repaying debts of gratitude is found in his major writing, On Repaying Debts of Gratitude. Ironically, he wrote this and taught that acting contrary to the mistaken master (mentor), in his case, the slanderer Dozen-bo, is the best way we can repay our debt of gratitude.
Likewise, the Soka Gakkai members can best repay their gratitude to the their slanderous mentor by practicing with the same faith as Nichiren and with great reverence for Shakyamuni Buddha.
Nichiren summarizes Lotus Sutra Buddhism faith and practice
"Next, the teaching of the “Life Span” chapter is what I, Nichiren, personally depend on. Although T’ien-t’ai and Dengyō also understood it in a general way, they never put it into words or proclaimed it. The same is true of Nāgārjuna and Vasubandhu. The verse section of the chapter states, “... single-mindedly desiring to see the Buddha, not hesitating even if it costs them their lives.” As a result of this passage, I have revealed the Buddhahood in my own life. The reason is that it is this sutra passage that has enabled me to embody the Three Great Secret Laws, or the reality of three thousand realms in a single moment of life, that is found in the “Life Span” chapter. But keep this secret, keep it secret.
The Great Teacher of Mount Hiei [Dengyō] journeyed to China and received instruction on the point of this passage. “Single” of “single-mindedly” means the one pure way, and “mind” means all phenomena. That is why the Great Teacher T’ien-t’ai, explaining the Chinese character for “mind,” said that its four brush strokes represent the moon and three stars, and that this implies that the mind of the effect [of Buddhahood] is pure and clean. I, Nichiren, say that “single” stands for myō, or mystic, “mind” for hō, or law, “desiring” for ren, or lotus, “see” for ge, or flower, and “Buddha” for kyō, or sutra. In propagating these five characters, practitioners should “not hesitate even if it costs them their lives.”
“Single-mindedly desiring to see the Buddha” may be read as follows: single-mindedly observing the Buddha, concentrating one’s mind on seeing the Buddha, and when looking at one’s own mind, perceiving that it is the Buddha. Having attained the fruit of Buddhahood, the eternally inherent three bodies, I may surpass even T’ien-t’ai and Dengyō, and excel even Nāgārjuna and Mahākāshyapa. The Buddha wrote that one should become the master of one’s mind rather than let one’s mind master oneself. This is what I mean when I emphatically urge you to give up even your body, and never begrudge even your life for the sake of the Lotus Sutra. Namu-myoho-renge-kyo, Namu-myoho-renge-kyo. -- Nichiren
"They cannot possibly win the debate." - Nichiren
"When proponents of the True Word [Soka Gakkai or Nichiren Shoshu] school engage in rival controversy with the non-Buddhists or with the votaries of the Hinayana or the provisional Mahayana sutras, it is difficult to predict which side will be victorious. But when they engage in controversy with the votary(ies) of the Lotus Sutra, it is like a tiger fighting with a dragon, or a rabbit with a lion—they cannot possibly win the debate."
Proof is, SGI members come here and employ the cult tactic of Bull-baiting. They can not intelligently discuss the teachings.
should we assume all people are true practitioners of the Lotus Sutra?
"Some may say they have read it, copied it, and preached it. But does this mean then that the sutra passages referred to above are false? Should we assume that such persons of our time are all true practitioners of the Lotus Sutra? One should ponder this matter very carefully."
Soka Gakkai brainwashing
When contemplating the disorganized thinking and disordered thought in SGI, several things come to mind: A nervous breakdown or an acute psychosis. This can be likened to a shortcircuit of the electrical system of a computer or even a toaster oven (because likening the SGI collective and individual leadership to a computer is too flattering). At first, mostly the brain works then mostly it no longer works, and finally it fails completely. Brain functions become disorganized and disordered.
Certain ingested drugs too can bring on similar acute or even chronic psychotic reactions. LSD, STP, and other hallucinogens fall into one such class and PCP (Phencyclidine) falls into another (hypnotics) . An overdose of PCP makes one's brain and mind so ill that one can not think whatsoever, a process that can be likened to catatonia, the most severe mental aberration..
From their posts, we can see that SGI leaders are having a nervous breakdown of faith. They might as well be walking back and forth picking mushrooms off the floor [that aren't there]. They are forming meaningless thoughts and thus bizarre and inconsequential actions. This is reflected in their meetings that are centered around Ikeda and the mentor-disciple relationship rather than Buddhism, the Lotus Sutra, Shakyamuni Buddha, and Nichiren Daishonin.
Brainwashing can cause an acute and even chronic psychotic condition leading to disordered thinking and disorganized thought. According to the DSM 5 guidelines of the American Psychiatric Association under "post traumatic stress disorders'', subheading, ''brainwashing and mental health'', it is stated that brainwashing may lead to acute psychotic reactions mimicking both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. P.E.T. and MRI brain scans have revealed subtle adverse molecular changes in the brains of brainwashed individuals. Brainwashing has thus been proven to alter brain structure and function. However, I am not advocating thst SGI leaders and members have a brain scan because reality, as it is, obviates the need for expensive testing.
Brainwashing can cause an acute and even chronic psychotic condition leading to disordered thinking and disorganized thought. According to the DSM 5 guidelines of the American Psychiatric Association under "post traumatic stress disorders'', subheading, ''brainwashing and mental health'', it is stated that brainwashing may lead to acute psychotic reactions mimicking both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. P.E.T. and MRI brain scans have revealed subtle adverse molecular changes in the brains of brainwashed individuals. Brainwashing has thus been proven to alter brain structure and function. However, I am not advocating thst SGI leaders and members have a brain scan because reality, as it is, obviates the need for expensive testing.
Words, waves, particles, and strings
There are two types of words: Written and spoken. There are two types of general structural entities of all phenomena: waves [which correspond to spoken words] and particles such as atoms which correspond to the ink on written words. Of course, written and spoken words are inextricably interrelated and codependent as are waves and particles. What binds the spoken and the written words, waves and particles, are "strings" or vibrational entities. The vibrational rythm, resonance, and frequency of strings [which science has not yet characterized] has been characterized by Buddhism as Namu Myoho renge kyo which may be written (Gohonzon) or spoken (mantra).
The very same waves, particles and strings that comprise words, written or spoken, comprise brain and mind.
Someone wrote: "Words can cause *real* confusion but are not themselves real."
I responded: Words are very real. They can hurt more than a stick or knife or ennoble more than the receipt of treasure or a comrade's embrace. People have died over words: Broken hearts, wounded egos, suicide, and war. Conversely, words can stir us to greatness, to soldier on when we can barely crawl, powerful enough to bring us to blissful joy or even to heal very real ailments. Namu Myoho renge kyo can change a man into a Buddha. For this reason we must not take the Gohonzon or the Lotus Sutra lightly or the mantra, Namu Myoho renge kyo. The words themselves are Enlightenment and Buddhahood, They are the words of the Original Eternal Buddha. They are the Lotus Sutra.
SGI top leader's expression of loyalty
"Please become the kind of person who sticks by their friends with unchanging loyalty through thick and thin." -- Daisaku Ikeda
Danny Nagashima stepping on Mr. William's face after Mr. Williams played a moving rendition of Danny Boy in his honor. Do you think you are immune from top SGI senior leaders' "expression of loyalty"? Think again.
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Nichiren corrected Tientai believers. We correct Soka Gakkai, Nichiren Shoshu, and Nichiren Shu believers
"Shakyamuni is the Buddha of perfect enlightenment and complete reward. T’ien-t’ai gained a stage of enlightenment that did not reach to the first of the ten stages of security; he did not advance beyond the stage of hearing the name and words of the truth, the stage of perception and action, and the stage of resemblance to enlightenment. In terms of the fifty-two stages of bodhisattva practice, he was forty-two stages lower than Shakyamuni..."
Nichiren on those who turn their backs on Shakyamuni Buddha
"Next, they have abandoned their father, Shakyamuni Buddha, and hence stand accused of the five cardinal sins. How can they escape falling into the hell of incessant suffering? And finally, they have turned their backs on their teacher, Shakyamuni Buddha, and thus are to be numbered among those who commit the seven cardinal sins. How could they fail to sink into the evil paths of existence?" -- Nichiren
Why respond to SGI slander and slanderers
We teach the truth of Nichiren Lotus Sutra Buddhism while SGI distorts the teachings with lies. Perhaps they are not even worthy of a response. Yet, if we don't respond to them, they might form the idea that they are correct and they will sink ever deeper into slander.
"Vesak Day, whats dat?" - SGI member
"Moreover, now when everyone else in Japan has abandoned Shakyamuni Buddha, what roots of goodness from the past, I wonder, account for your believing in the Lotus Sutra and Shakyamuni Buddha, and for all of you not only gathering on the eighth day* and making offerings, but sending flowers and incense to Nichiren deep in the mountains? How truly praiseworthy!" -- Nichiren
*This is known as Vesak day and in Japan, during the time of Nichiren, it was celebrated on the eighth day of the fourth month of the Chinese lunar calendar. Even today, it is widely celebrated by the Nichiren sects and the disciples and believers of Nichiren, SGI and Nichiren Shoshu excepted.
According to Nichiren, even Soka Gakkai and Nichiren Shoshu should pay reverence to Shakyamuni Buddha.
"...but in all cases one honors Shakyamuni Buddha as the source of the teachings and the other Buddhas as merely testifying to their worth. And in the same way, although there are various different schools of Buddhism, they all ought to pay reverence to Shakyamuni."
Sensei's guidance is the 'prime point'"!??? -- Dave the Dementored
Sensei's guidance is the 'prime point'"!??? -- Dave the Dementored
A post from SGIUnofficial Yahoo groups several years ago...
A post from SGIUnofficial Yahoo groups several years ago...
"We are embarking on a campaign to increase our membership fivefold in six years? (we have about 100,000 members nationwide now) That's 80,000 new members a year...just under 7,000 a month.. every month....for the next six years! Obviously, such an undertaking will require an ultra intense rhythm...And, of course, the first thing that comes up is Kansai...
The April 2 World Tribune has a full page panel discussion among six men who had just taken a four day training session in Kansai... The one page article had 18 references to President Ikeda and one reference to the Gohonzon... In a nutshell, the gist of these men's experience in Kansai is "Turn off your brain. Trust Sensei completely. Just do it!"
Read it yourself and you'll see that's a very fair encapsulation of the message...
"...total confidence and trust in President Ikeda...";
"...If they practice President Ikeda's guidance exactly they will win...";
"...The Kansai members seemed to do very little if any analytical thinking about what President Ikeda says...they just take action..." ;
"I feel I have to...imbue my life with this Kansai Spirit: to take President Ikeda's guidance not just as encouragement but as the absolute prime point..."
What's wrong with this picture?
Sensei's guidance is the "prime point"?? Does that make Daimoku to the Gohonzon chopped liver? Are these men really going to inspire the American organization by discouraging "analytical thinking"...and promoting blind trust for President Ikeda? Is that the message that will revitalize the SGI-USA?... "Don't talk,,,don't think...just follow exactly!"?
I'm already sick of the constant, incessant perpetual force-feeding of "Ikeda,Ikeda, Ikeda Ikeda, Ikeda"...day and night...night and day... 20 to thirty times in a single meeting...up to 20 times per page of publication...
I respect Daisaku Ikeda...but sometimes I just feel if anyone says that name again I'm just gonna go POSTAL!
The thought of an onslaught of Ikeda force feeding is enough to send me running from the SGI until this is all over...I can take any obstacle...but one more mouthful of pasteurized Ikeda and I just might explode!
HeeellP! Helllp! I'm melting....what a world...what a world!!
Dave the Dementored...
They are all provisional manifestations of Shakyamuni Buddha of the Lifespan chapter
"In the “Life Span” chapter of the Lotus Sutra, the Buddha says, “Sometimes I speak of myself, sometimes of others.” The Buddha Good Virtue of the eastern region, the Thus Come One Mahāvairochana of the center, the Buddhas of the ten directions, the seven Buddhas of the past, the Buddhas of the three existences, Bodhisattva Superior Practices and the other bodhisattvas, Manjushrī, Shāriputra and the others, the great heavenly king Brahmā, the devil king of the sixth heaven, the heavenly king Shakra Devānām Indra, the sun god, the moon god, the morning star god, the seven stars of the Big Dipper, the twenty-eight constellations, the five planets, the seven stars, the countless eighty-four thousand other stars, the asura kings, the heavenly gods, earthly gods, gods of the mountains, gods of the seas, household gods, village gods, and the rulers of all the various countries of the world—not one of these is other than [a provisional manifestation of] Shakyamuni Buddha, the lord of teachings! The Sun Goddess, Great Bodhisattva Hachiman—both these in their original form are Shakyamuni Buddha, the lord of teachings.
"Shakyamuni Buddha is like the one moon in the sky, and the various other Buddhas, bodhisattvas, and beings are like the reflections floating on ten thousand different bodies of water. Thus a person who fashions a single image of Shakyamuni Buddha is in effect making images of all the Buddhas of the worlds in the ten directions." [Concerning The Buddha Statue Fashioned by Nichigen-nyo]
Soka Gakkai members are patrons of the Devedatta of the modern age
"All these teachers and their supporters who forget Shakyamuni [of the “Life Span” chapter] and choose some other Buddha instead are like Prince Ajātashatru, who killed his father, King Bimbisāra, and, turning against Shakyamuni became a patron of Devadatta." -- Nichiren
Meritorious is upholding Nichiren's view
"Once again you are not correct to say their are few differing divergent views in SGI. Of course you will find many different, diverging views in sgi, it's the reality of such a diverse grassroots movement. This is another striking example of your selective and dishonest way of arguing. My quote was also from Soka spirit even an earlier there are plenty of later issues that support my claims regarding the Gohonzon. as Nichiren stated the gohonzon is also expressed in the two characters of faith alone. You mentioned forceful propagation! Don't flatter yourself, your biased prejudice and arrogant self conceit. I realize this is a wasteland, I will leave this barren soil. It's not right of me to provide fuel to for internet trolls obsession. All I can declare is a remonstration and leave this wasteland forever... Desolate!" -- Mikael Kjellman
Reply:
You are kidding yourself Mikael. Diverse views? Place a copy of a Nichiren inscribed Gohonzon in your butsudan and see how long before you are excommunicated. As far as the Gohonzon being found in faith alone, here too, it is you, not I, who take things out of context. In this same Gosho, Nichiren teaches that we awaken faith through doctrine. If the doctrine is incorrect, one's faith will be warped. Since Nichikan/SGI doctrine is warped, the faith of those who embrace their doctrines is warped and the Gohonzon within is obscured. One last point, meritorious is not upholding "diverging views" but rather the view of Nichiren Daishonin. My hope is that before you retire to the SGI phantom city, you read and discuss what I propose.
Dave Baldschun SGI-USA Study Chief is correct. "Not all Gohonzon are equal...."
According to another SGI member,
"All Gohonzon are equal" -- SGI member Sweden......
"Hey doc, first of all I it's incredibly childish to claim that any Gohonzon would be superior and it reveals a misconception that the Gohonzon would be a talisman or charm. (Im sure you will deny this by reflex, because this is something Im sure you would like to accuse s.g.i members so please use the Gohonzon as a mirror and hopefully you will) "The power of any Gohonzon, including the Dai-Gohonzon, can be tapped only through the power of faith. In other words, we should be clear that it is wrong to think that the Dai-Gohonzon alone has some kind of unique mystic power that no other Gohonzon possesses. The Dai-Gohonzon and our own Gohonzon are equal."-- Mikael Kjellman proud member SGI Sweden
"All Gohonzon are not equal" -- SGI Vice Study Chief Dave Baldschun......
"All Gohonzon are equal" -- SGI member Sweden......
"Hey doc, first of all I it's incredibly childish to claim that any Gohonzon would be superior and it reveals a misconception that the Gohonzon would be a talisman or charm. (Im sure you will deny this by reflex, because this is something Im sure you would like to accuse s.g.i members so please use the Gohonzon as a mirror and hopefully you will) "The power of any Gohonzon, including the Dai-Gohonzon, can be tapped only through the power of faith. In other words, we should be clear that it is wrong to think that the Dai-Gohonzon alone has some kind of unique mystic power that no other Gohonzon possesses. The Dai-Gohonzon and our own Gohonzon are equal."-- Mikael Kjellman proud member SGI Sweden
"All Gohonzon are not equal" -- SGI Vice Study Chief Dave Baldschun......
BUT “Soka Spirit,” has a “featured article of the month” by Dave Baldschun (SGI-USA Study Dept Vice Chief) entitled: “Are All Gohonzons the same?” In that official SGI article, Baldschun arrogantly asserts, “At a time when copies of Gohonzon, some inscribed in Nichiren Daishonin’s own hand, are available over the counter or from the Internet, these examples offer a valuable lesson. Even though a Gohonzon is a Gohonzon, the source is important. We should be aware of those offering Gohonzon and teachings under the guise of Nichiren Buddhism but who are, in fact, propagating views that distort Daishonin’s teachings. In Letter to the Lay Priest Ichinosawa, the Daishonin states, If [sic!] the source is muddy, the stream will not flow clear…”
Nichiren Daishonin as source is muddy? Are they mad? Nichikan and his Gohonzon is pure dirt that causes the SGI believer to cultivate the Three Poisons of Anger, Avarice and Stupidity. Look at those like Top Senior Leader and Etoro. If you want to be like Top Senior Leader, Etoro, or Danny “DONT YOU THINK SO” Nagashima, continue to chant to a Nichikan no-Honzon
In an April 30th 2001 memo, “Distribution of Gohonzons” the SGI teaches that distribution of Gohonzon by any means outside of SGI [for example, via the internet, the Nichiren Shu, or the Kempon Hokke] is detrimental to the true spirit of Nichiren’s teachings which is only propagated within the SGI. Dave Baldshun, drunk with the arrogance of SGI, asserts that receiving, revering, or chanting to such a Gohonzon “would only create confusion and disharmony within SGI’s community of believers and thus may serve to undermine one’s own faith and that of other’s.” He then reafirms the policy of “the conferral of Gohonzon only as within the SGI, “the correct body of believers upholding the Daishonin’s teaching today. We do not support or condone the distribution, receipt, or reproduction of any Gohonzon in any other manner.”
Dave Baldschun is correct. Not all Gohonzon are equal.....
The irony is that Dave Baldshun is correct, not all Gohonzons are the same. The Nichikan Gohonzon is flotsum on the Great Ocean of Life and Death. Chanting to it is an offering of offal to the Buddha and the Great Direct Way to the Hell of Incessant Suffering. Being a brainwashed Ikedabot and unthinking member of SGI, is the least of their problems.
Nichiren Daishonin as source is muddy? Are they mad? Nichikan and his Gohonzon is pure dirt that causes the SGI believer to cultivate the Three Poisons of Anger, Avarice and Stupidity. Look at those like Top Senior Leader and Etoro. If you want to be like Top Senior Leader, Etoro, or Danny “DONT YOU THINK SO” Nagashima, continue to chant to a Nichikan no-Honzon
In an April 30th 2001 memo, “Distribution of Gohonzons” the SGI teaches that distribution of Gohonzon by any means outside of SGI [for example, via the internet, the Nichiren Shu, or the Kempon Hokke] is detrimental to the true spirit of Nichiren’s teachings which is only propagated within the SGI. Dave Baldshun, drunk with the arrogance of SGI, asserts that receiving, revering, or chanting to such a Gohonzon “would only create confusion and disharmony within SGI’s community of believers and thus may serve to undermine one’s own faith and that of other’s.” He then reafirms the policy of “the conferral of Gohonzon only as within the SGI, “the correct body of believers upholding the Daishonin’s teaching today. We do not support or condone the distribution, receipt, or reproduction of any Gohonzon in any other manner.”
Dave Baldschun is correct. Not all Gohonzon are equal.....
The irony is that Dave Baldshun is correct, not all Gohonzons are the same. The Nichikan Gohonzon is flotsum on the Great Ocean of Life and Death. Chanting to it is an offering of offal to the Buddha and the Great Direct Way to the Hell of Incessant Suffering. Being a brainwashed Ikedabot and unthinking member of SGI, is the least of their problems.
The disorder in the Nichiren community
Nichiren writes in Repaying Debts of Gratitude:
“Miao-lo wrote commentaries on T’ien-t’ai’s works in thirty volumes, the writings known as The Annotations on “Great Concentration and Insight,” The Annotations on “The Profound Meaning of the Lotus Sutra,” and The Annotations on “The Words and Phrases of the Lotus Sutra.” Not only did these thirty volumes of commentary serve to eliminate passages of repetition in T’ien-t’ai’s works and to elucidate points that were unclear, but at the same time, in one stroke, they refuted the Dharma Characteristics, Flower Garland, and True Word schools, which had escaped T’ien-t’ai’s censures because they did not exist in China during his lifetime.”
This happened towards the end of the former half of the Middle Day of the Law. Then, in the latter half of the Middle Day, Nichiren writes about Saicho:
“Immediately he vowed to do something about the situation, saying, ‘Because the people of Japan are all patrons of those who are slandering the correct teaching, the nation will surely fall into chaos.’ He thereupon expressed his criticisms of the six schools, but when he did so, the great scholars of the six schools and the seven major temples of Nara rose up in anger and flocked to the capital, until the nation was in an uproar. These men of the six schools and seven major temples were filled with the most intense animosity toward Saicho. But as it happened, on the nineteenth day of the first month in the twenty-first year of the Enryaku era (802), Emperor Kammu paid a visit to the temple called Takao-dera, and he summoned fourteen eminent priests— namely, Zengi, Shoyu, Hoki, Chonin, Kengyoku, Ampuku, Gonso, Shuen, Jiko, Gen’yo, Saiko, Dosho, Kosho, and Kambin— to come to the temple and debate with Saicho.”
After defeating them in debate, thanks to Saicho, Japan united under the provisional teachings of the Lotus Sutra.
Today, the disorder in the Nichiren community, with respect to the essential teachings, is much worse than the disarray during the Daishonin’s day regarding the provisional sects, let alone the situation among the various sects during the Middle Day. What’s more, the former ruling party in Japan supports the Komeito and therefore, the SGI. Nichiren, the Buddhist Prophet wrote, quoting the Nirvana Sutra in the Opening of the Eyes:
“At that time, this sutra will be widely propagated throughout Jambudvipa. In that age there will be evil monks who will steal this sutra and divide it into many parts, losing the color, scent and flavor of the correct teaching that it contains. These evil men will read and recite this sutra, but they will ignore and put aside the profound and vital principles that the Thus Come One has expounded in it and replace them with ornate rhetoric and meaningless talk. They will tear off the first part of the sutra and stick it on at the end, tear off the end and put it at the beginning, put the end and the beginning in the middle and the middle at the beginning or the end. You must understand that these evil monks are the companions of the devil.”
This is the reality of the world today. The SGI has widely propagated the Lotus Sutra throughout the world but the teachings have lost the color, scent and flavor of the correct teaching that it contains. The SGI leaders and members read and recite this Sutra but they ignore and put aside the vital principles that the Thus Come One has expounded in it. They have replaced the vital principles with ornate rhetoric such as: “We chant the Lotus Sutra to refute the Lotus Sutra”; “Nichiren is the Original Eternal Buddha”; “Myoho renge kyo is the Original Eternal Buddha.”; “Nichiren said this but he meant that.”; and “The SGI is the only group of true believers”.
Is not the reality laid out in the Rissho Ankoku Ron, the reality of warfare, famine, fires, floods, drought, etc. upon us to an even greater degree than during the time of Nichiren, despite the widespread propagation of the Sutra throughout Jambudvipa? The reasons are, the Law has been changed and the Gohonzon has been altered, the vital principles of the Lotus Sutra have been forgotten, and there is no unity in the Nichiren Sangha.
And yet, there is not one person who says, “perhaps this man has reason for saying these things.” (A paraphrasing of a passage in Repaying Debts of Gratitude).
The SGI will continue to spread Nam(u) myoho renge kyo but will it spread the vital principles contained therein? Most importantly, will it spread the Great Secret Law of the Object of Worship?:
“Answer: ‘One: Japan and so on to the whole of Jambudvipa should uniformly take the Master of Teachings Lord Shakya of the Original Doctrine as the Object of Worship.”
The Great Teacher Miao-lo states:
“Even people whose minds deviate from truth will gain great blessings if they form a relationship with an object of truth. But if a person forms a bond with an object that deviates from truth, even if that bond is free from the hindrances of doubt, he will be unable to foster the seed of Buddhahood.”The SGI must return to the Gohonzon based on the Lord of Teachings, Shakyamuni Buddha of the Sixteenth Chapter of the Lotus Sutra for Kosen Rufu to be realized. It must repudiate the Nichiren as True Buddha Gohonzon of the Great Destroyer of Buddhism, Nichikan. This would help to unify the Nichiren Sangha and SGI would then be embraced by other Nichiren believers [except the Nichiren Shoshu]. We would respect your peccadillos and you ours. If you fundamentally changed this one doctrine of the SGI faith, we would be overjoyed. We would bestow upon SGI members a Gohonzon based on Lord Shakya of the Original Doctrine.
Soka Gakkai, please burn this Gosho passage in your heart
"The Thus Come One Shakyamuni is the true Buddha who gained enlightenment in the inconceivably remote past." -- On the Protection of the Nation
Soka Gakkai is a peace movement?
http://www.tricycle.com/blog/peace-and-politics
SGI's credibility as a peace movement has been undermined by these developments.
Why don't they follow the Master Nichiren
“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…” -- The Selection of the Time
"Answer: Are those who have received the teachings directly from their teacher invariably free from error, while those who appear in later ages and examine and clarify these teachings are to be regarded as worthless? If so, then should we throw away the sutras and instead rely upon the four ranks of bodhisattvas? Should a person throw away the deed of transfer received from his father and mother and instead depend upon oral transmissions? Are the written commentaries of the Great Teacher Dengyo so much trash, and the oral traditions handed down from the Great Teacher Jikaku the only guide to truth?" -- On Attaining Buddhhood in One's Present Form.
"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 arecomplete and final and which are not and put our faith in the former Bodhisattva Nāgārjuna 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 Dengyō 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 Chishō, says, “In transmitting the teachings, rely on the written words [of scriptures].” -- Opening the Eyes
SGI Phillipines honors Christian theologian Jose Rizal
– "We are entirely in accord in admitting the existence of God. How can I doubt his when I am convinced of mine. Who so recognizes the effect recognizes the cause. To doubt God is to doubt one's own conscience, and in consequence, it would be to doubt everything; and then what is life for? Now then, my faith in God, if the result of a ratiocination may be called faith, is blind, blind in the sense of knowing nothing. I neither believe nor disbelieve the qualities which many attribute to him; before theologians' and philosophers' definitions and lucubrations of this ineffable and inscrutable being I find myself smiling. Faced with the conviction of seeing myself confronting the supreme Problem, which confused voices seek to explain to me, I cannot but reply: 'It could be; but the God that I foreknow is far more grand, far more good: Plus Supra!...I believe in (revelation); but not in revelation or revelations which each religion or religions claim to possess. Examining them impartially, comparing them and scrutinizing them, one cannot avoid discerning the human 'fingernail' and the stamp of the time in which they were written... No, let us not make God in our image, poor inhabitants that we are of a distant planet lost in infinite space. However, brilliant and sublime our intelligence may be, it is scarcely more than a small spark which shines and in an instant is extinguished, and it alone can give us no idea of that blaze, that conflagration, that ocean of light. I believe in revelation, but in that living revelation which surrounds us on every side, in that voice, mighty, eternal, unceasing, incorruptible, clear, distinct, universal as is the being from whom it proceeds, in that revelation which speaks to us and penetrates us from the moment we are born until we die. What books can better reveal to us the goodness of God, his love, his providence, his eternity, his glory, his wisdom? 'The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament showeth his handiwork'." -- Jose Rizal
Our offering to Nichiren Daishonin
Keeping his teachings pure and promoting absolute equality among his disciples is our offering to Nichiren Daishonin.
Soka Gakkai exceptionalism?
Speaking of the criticisms leveled against Soka Gakkai and Daisaku Ikeda, SGI leaders and members say, "it is envy and jealousy of the exceptional." They conflate the Soka Gakkai and Daisaku Ikeda with the Lotus Sutra, Shakyamuni Buddha, and Nichiren Daishonin. The only thing exceptional about the Soka Gakkai and Daisaku Ikeda is the exceptional wool they weave to cover the eyes of the members.
Ian McCilraith associating with slanderers
"Be that as it may, one should understand that, at present, when it comes to teachers, there is a difference between correct teachers and erroneous teachers, between good teachers and bad teachers. One should shun those who are erroneous or evil, and associate with those who are correct and good. Even if their virtue is known throughout the country and their wisdom is as bright as the sun and moon, one should recognize that teachers who slander the Lotus Sutra are evil teachers and erroneous teachers, and refrain from approaching them. A sutra warns us on this point, “If there are slanderers of the Law, one should not dwell with them. If one draws near them and dwells with them, one will be bound for the Avīchi hell.”
No matter how honest and upright you may be, or how you may strive to be known as a worthy person in the secular or the religious world, if you associate with evil persons, then as a natural result you will find that in two or three instances out of ten you are following their teachings, and in the end you, too, will become an evil person. Thus the commentary says, “Though one may not be evil to begin with, if one associates with and is friendly with evil persons, one is bound in time tobecome an evil person oneself, and one’s evil reputation will spread throughout the world.” -- Reply to Sairen-bo
"...Therefore, you should take every care to ward off slanderers of the Law in the same way that you would never wish a courtesan even to come near your home. This is the meaning of “Thrust aside evil friends and associate with good companions.” -- The Real Aspect of the Gohonzon
"Neither Buddhas nor gods would ever accept contributions from those who slander the correct teaching. Then how can we human beings accept them? The deity of Kasuga Shrine proclaimed through an oracle that he would accept nothing from those with impure hearts, though he should have to eat the flames of burning copper; that he would refuse toset foot in their homes, though he should have to sit on red-hot copper. He would rather come down to a miserable hut with weeds choking the passageway, or to a poor thatched house. He declared that he would never visit persons lacking in faith, even if they hung sacred festoons for a thousand days to welcome him, but that he would go to a house where the people have a mind of faith, even though they might be in mourning for a parent. Lamenting that slanderers have overrun this country, the benevolent gods have abandoned it and ascended to heaven. “Those with impure hearts” means those who refuse to embrace the Lotus Sutra, as is stated in the fifth volume of the sutra. If the gods themselves regard alms from slanderers as more abominable than the flames of burning copper, how could we human beings possibly accept them? If someone were tokill our parents and then try to offer us some gift, could we possibly accept it? Not even wise persons or sages can avoid the hell of incessant suffering if they accept offerings from slanderers. Nor should you associate with slanderers, for if you do, you will share the same guilt as they. This you should fear above all." -- Letter to Niike
Nichiren on the standard for judging a Buddhist argument
"We should use the sutras as our eyes and give precedence to the wisdom of the Buddha. Surely, however, if this standard is made clear, people will become enraged and be filled with resentment. Let them do as they will. What matters most is that we honor the Buddha’s words. As a rule, people in the world value what is distant and despise what is near, but this is the conduct of the ignorant. Even the distant should be repudiated if it is wrong, while what is near should not be discarded if it accords with the truth. Even though people may revere [their predecessors’ doctrines], if those doctrines are in error, how can we employ them today?"
Why they turn on Nichiren (and us)
"And so, when I, neither hesitating to speak out nor fearing others, tell them frankly that they are stupid persons who have misunderstood the true meaning of the Buddhist teachings, and that they are slanderers of the Law; when I deliver a sharp rebuke to them, mindful of the Buddha’s golden words "then that monk is betraying Buddhism" and trusting in the passage of scripture that reads, "We will be envoys of the World Honored One, facing the assembly without fear"; when I do this, censuring those who 'suppose they have attained what they have not attained, being proud and boastful in heart,' then how can they fail to turn upon me with hatred and jealousy?"(The Teachings in Accordance With the Buddha's Mind).
SGI Haiku
Paddling on denial [da Nile]
Aboard rickety boat,
With sordid captain,
They drown in the murky waters.
Aboard rickety boat,
With sordid captain,
They drown in the murky waters.
"When You Lose You Actually Win." -- Daisaku Ikeda
The Following is a summary of the October 2009 SGI USA national leader's meeting:
"When You Lose You Actually Win." -- Daisaku Ikeda
"When You Lose You Actually Win." -- Daisaku Ikeda
HOW FORTUNATE I AM TO HAVE A MENTOR LIKE HIM.
Tariq Hassan:
We just got back from Japan receiving guidance and meeting Sensei. Though it was a hard time with the loss of the LDP and Komeito, Sensei was in high spirits. He gave us tremendous guidance, "When you lose you actually win!". So very important, the unity of mentor and disciple as we walk along side our mentor. Sensei said to his Japanese leaders, "please learn from America the spirit of oneness of mentor and disciple". We met Hiromasa Ikeda and Vice President Hasagawa who said: "facing times of change, how much greater the mission of America. With ever deeper faith in the oneness of mentor and disciple we will protect sensei." Again, as disciples of President Ikeda let us joyfully advance. We make the mentor proud when we unite wholeheartedly with him. With the Mentor we will always win (does that mean lose? HA HA). Sensei's guidance was on the importance of statistics and statistics department. I am the head of the statistics department though I didn't volunteer for this job (joke). There will be monthly statistics meetings for the districts. New form to remove someone from the SGI statistics roll. I will be happy to assist the SGI in doing statistics. In Japan, it takes six months before someone is removed from statistical rolls, signature of district and chapter chief required.
Linda Johnson:
Chant to live up to the mentor. Learn from President Ikeda. He gets this Buddhism. He has never lost (then he has never won?? HA HA sorry to interrupt). Linda J. continues, To manifest your capacity...vital to study Sensei. Send out only Sensei's encouragment on the internet not your own. Lets learn from the best. Home visit every member. It is the time to teach them about Sensei and how to win (which is really losing???). "Bless her" (Kitty Shapiro who helped her when she was a new member) hallelujah. Chant to let me win. (shouldn't she have said, chant to let me lose which is actually to win?). Then she spoke about the attitude one should have when we chant. Maybe she mentioned the Gohonzon one or two times. Determine that your members will win today. Challenge ourselves to care about the members winning. Never leave a home visit without impressing on that person the oneness of mentor of disciple. This is the eternal formula we must get and teach. To insure through our care that every single member always tap unlimited potential and win we must practice with the spirit of mentor and disciple. Change our lives, the lives of our family, and this country.
Next young mens's division leader Nathan (Abraham Lincoln) Gauer:
Who will uphold Sensei's legacy? 50th anniversary of his visit to America in July. Culture festivals. Sensei determined to spend the remaining part of his life in America, the country he loves best. Culture Festival for Sensei. REALLY REALLY GREAT (Must be spending too much time with Danny Nagashima.) Real short speech.
Vanissa Shaw national YWD leader, Crest toothpaste girl, actress, and Ikeda disciple extroadinaire:
ARE YOU READY TO ROCK THE ERA. ROCK THE ERA MEETINGS AND FESTIVALS IN JULY. AMERICA CAPITAL OF MENTOR AND DISCIPLE. "Entire focus, the mentor". duh. As Sensei has said always sing a gakkai song during our Rock The Era meetings. Sensei we will create the capital of mentor disciple.
Keith Beeber student division leader: National direction... shakabuku on college campuses. Since July, 15 universities 200 guests and 35 shakabuku. Carry on the spirit of the oneness of mentor and disciple based on the mentors guidance form student groups. Bring joy to Sensei by warmly embracing our leaders.
Danny Nagashima shouting as usual:
HELLO EVERYONE ARE YOU HAPPY? THANK YOU THANK YOU VERY MUCH. We did 1984 shakabuku in the month of august, the most in twenty years. We have been waiting for this moment for twenty years. (somewhat surprisingly, muted cheering and clapping). The time has come. We have to create AMERICA WITH YOUTH DIVISION. I'M THIRTY YEARS OLD. EVERYONE IS YOUTH DIVISION. AS LONG AS WE SEEK SENSEI WE CAN REMAIN YOUNG. THE KEY TO VICTORY IS STATISTICS. 70 % increase in membership (I have a bridge to sell you). As a disciple of Daisaku Ikeda,the oneness of mentor and disciple IS THE KEY. We will make exhibits of mentor and disciple. Fifty years since Sensie's first visit to United States. We are experiencing in America, the great character of Daisaku Ikeda, we are fusing with him. Something genuine is the oneness of mentor and disciple. What is the Genuine meaning of oneness of mentor and disciple? SEEKING SENSEI (Im getting a freaking migraine). Genuine disciple of sensei is never defeated. Ever victorious. Always winning. KANSAI NEVER LOST SINCE 1957. With your bond with sensei you will be ever victorius, EVER VICTORIOS WITH SENSEI (flailing his arms and coming back to his chest), with sensei. SCREAMING AGAIN. YOU BODHISATTVAS TO CREATE EVER VICTORIOUS AMERICA. HOW MUCH CAN WE CREATE THIS KANSAI. KANSAI NEVER LOST SINCE 1957. Orlando Cepeda joke and then 7 points of victory for Kansai. Oneness of mentor and disciple, repeating it again several times. SHOUTING AGAIN: READING GOSHO AND SENSEI'S GUIDANCE; UNITY; FIGHT AGAINST INJUSTICE; LIGHTENING SPEED IN COMMUNICATIONS AND GUIDANCE; ACTION ACTION ACTION; ALWAYS WIN (which means lose?); Last one I didn't get(BECOME A LION?) BASED ON ONENESS OF MENTOR AND DISCIPLE.
Platitudes and banality.
6 mentions of Nichiren Daishonin. > 100 mentions of Ikeda. No mention of Shakyamuni. One or, at most, two mentions of the Gohonzon, No mention of the Lotus Sutra.
Are they winning? That must mean losing HA HA.
Protect Sensei? The guy's already got dozens of body guards who will take a bullet for his old self but they want you to protect him all the way from New Jersey.
On October 13, 1282, surrounded by his disciples and followers, and reciting with them the "Stanzas of Eternity" (Ji Ga Ge) from the 16th Chapter of the Lotus Sutra, Nichiren expired at the age of sixty one. The cherry trees bloomed out of season and the earth quaked. Our tears flow unceasingly.
Two translations of a passage from On Rebuking Slander of the Law and Eradicating Sins".
Two translations of the same difficult passage from On Rebuking Slander of the Law and Eradicating Sins"...
"We see from the sutra that only these four bodhisattvas had been the disciples of Shakyamuni, the lord of teachings, since numberless major world system dust particle kalpas in the past; from the time he had first aroused the aspiration for and attained enlightenment, they had never followed any other Buddha, nor had they required the instruction of the theoretical and essential teachings.
"We see from the sutra that only these four bodhisattvas had been the disciples of Shakyamuni, the lord of teachings, since numberless major world system dust particle kalpas in the past; from the time he had first aroused the aspiration for and attained enlightenment, they had never followed any other Buddha, nor had they required the instruction of the theoretical and essential teachings.
Thus T’ien-t’ai says, 'The great assembly witnessed the Bodhisattvas of the Earth alone making this pledge.' He also states, “[The Buddha said of the Bodhisattvas of the Earth,] ‘These are my disciples, destined to propagate my Law.’ Miao-lo says, 'The children propagate the Law of the father.' And Tao-hsien states, “The Law embodied therein [in the Lotus Sutra] is the Law that was realized countless kalpas in the past, and therefore it was entrusted to persons who had been the Buddha’s disciples from countless kalpas in the past.' Thus these five characters of Myoho-renge-kyo were entrusted to these four bodhisattvas." (WND)
“It appears that these Four Bodhisattvas are the people who are the disciples of the Master of Teachings Lord Shakya since kalpas as many as the worlds touched or not by the dust particles of five hundred of tens of trillions of nayutas of assamkheyas of great trichiliocosms (gohyaku jinden go) and who also, from their first arising of the Bodhi Mind, have not adhered to other Buddhas and who have not yet made an appearance in the Two Doctrines [of the Manifestations and the Original]. Tendai says, “He only sees the issuing of vows from the direction below [the Earth]”. He also says, “These are My disciples; they should spread My Dharma” and so on. Myoraku says, “The child spreads the father's Dharma." Tao‑hsien says, “Since the Dharma is the Dharma of the One Who Attained Long Ago, therefore He assigns it to the people of the One Who Attained Long Ago." It is the Five Characters Myo Ho Ren Ge Kyo that He yields to these Four People.” (STN, v. 1, 783‑784 -- Lamont)
Incredible article by Guna never overturned by the Soka Gakkai
Article by Guna
"In 1941, Soka Kyoiku Gakkai issued their first monthly periodical, Kachi Sozo. The Japanese nation, unable to extricate herself from the prolonged Sino-Japanese conflict, was on the verge of entering another new war against the joint forces of the USA & England. It was a period of mounting tension, for in December of that same year, the Pacific War was to begin. The prewar Japanese society under the militaristic government brought unwanted pressure upon the lives of the Japanese people all the more. A thought-control policy was rigidly imposed; even religions and ideologies were increasingly subjected to strict control. The philosophical thoughts of Soka Kyoiku Gakkai were of no exception; they, too, were rapidly turning into those of extremely militaristic outlook, reflecting the social background of this age.
Today Soka Gakkai & SGI are desperately trying to conceal their wartime record, doing their utmost best and expending every means available to distort their past militaristic attitude. They attempt to project the image of the eternal peace-loving humanitarian group, and on every occasion everywhere, they loudly publicized their 'anti-war, culture, education, and humanisrri stance as if they have always been staunchly in favor of them. Yet the reality indicates differently. The historical and documented facts can not be easily expunged nor erased from the records.
Mr. Tsunesaburo Makiguchi's remarks, carefully documented in the 'Corrobo- rate Records of Life based on the Philosophy of Value of the Supreme Goodness published on August l0th,1942, under the heading, "The Instruction Manual Summarizing the Experiments and Testimonials of Life based on the Philosophy of Value of the Supreme Goodness," substantiate their militaristic viewpoint:
"'Sacrifice your own skin to slash the opponent's flesh. Surrender your own flesh to saw off the opponent's bone.' With their faithful implementation of this well-known Japanese fencing (kendo) strategy into actual practice during the war, the Japanese military is able to achieve her glorious, ever-victorious invincibility in the Sino-Japan conflict and in the Pacific war, and thus, easing the minds of the Japa- nese people. This [strategy of sacrifice] should be held as an ideal lifestyle for those remaining on the home front and should be applied in every aspect of our daily life.
The same manual also contains a report on the agenda for the 4th Soka Kyoiku Gakkai General Meeting held on May l7th,1942 at Hitotsubashi Kyoiku Kaikan in Kanda, Tokyo as follows:
"... (Omission)... Approximately four hundred members were present. At 10 o'clock a.m., facing toward the Imperial Palace,.a silent prayer for the war casualties was offered. The meeting proceeded according to the agenda. In another room, the Sobi Kado Kai, the Flower Arrangement Society, whose principle guidelines for instructions are based on the theory of Value-Creation, held a flower arrangement ex- hibition. There was also a display of various prizes awarded to children educated under the same guiding pedagogical method. This greatly impressed all those in attendance, further increasing their appreciation of their own life based on the mer its of the doctrine of'faith equals daily life.' Immediately after concluding the General Meeting proceedings, Director Toda was nominated to chair the discussion meet- ing which followed with all the participants attending. Personal testimonials were given on the topic of "How to Establish Faith in One's Daily Life." After this, there was a very serious, intense question and answer session. Director Iwasaki spoke next with his closing speech, and lastly, President Makiguchi led three cheers of "Banzai" ("Long Live the Emperor") for His Majesty the Emperor. The meeting ended shortly after 4 p.m."
Today Soka Gakkai & SGI are desperately trying to conceal their wartime record, doing their utmost best and expending every means available to distort their past militaristic attitude. They attempt to project the image of the eternal peace-loving humanitarian group, and on every occasion everywhere, they loudly publicized their 'anti-war, culture, education, and humanisrri stance as if they have always been staunchly in favor of them. Yet the reality indicates differently. The historical and documented facts can not be easily expunged nor erased from the records.
Mr. Tsunesaburo Makiguchi's remarks, carefully documented in the 'Corrobo- rate Records of Life based on the Philosophy of Value of the Supreme Goodness published on August l0th,1942, under the heading, "The Instruction Manual Summarizing the Experiments and Testimonials of Life based on the Philosophy of Value of the Supreme Goodness," substantiate their militaristic viewpoint:
"'Sacrifice your own skin to slash the opponent's flesh. Surrender your own flesh to saw off the opponent's bone.' With their faithful implementation of this well-known Japanese fencing (kendo) strategy into actual practice during the war, the Japanese military is able to achieve her glorious, ever-victorious invincibility in the Sino-Japan conflict and in the Pacific war, and thus, easing the minds of the Japa- nese people. This [strategy of sacrifice] should be held as an ideal lifestyle for those remaining on the home front and should be applied in every aspect of our daily life.
The same manual also contains a report on the agenda for the 4th Soka Kyoiku Gakkai General Meeting held on May l7th,1942 at Hitotsubashi Kyoiku Kaikan in Kanda, Tokyo as follows:
"... (Omission)... Approximately four hundred members were present. At 10 o'clock a.m., facing toward the Imperial Palace,.a silent prayer for the war casualties was offered. The meeting proceeded according to the agenda. In another room, the Sobi Kado Kai, the Flower Arrangement Society, whose principle guidelines for instructions are based on the theory of Value-Creation, held a flower arrangement ex- hibition. There was also a display of various prizes awarded to children educated under the same guiding pedagogical method. This greatly impressed all those in attendance, further increasing their appreciation of their own life based on the mer its of the doctrine of'faith equals daily life.' Immediately after concluding the General Meeting proceedings, Director Toda was nominated to chair the discussion meet- ing which followed with all the participants attending. Personal testimonials were given on the topic of "How to Establish Faith in One's Daily Life." After this, there was a very serious, intense question and answer session. Director Iwasaki spoke next with his closing speech, and lastly, President Makiguchi led three cheers of "Banzai" ("Long Live the Emperor") for His Majesty the Emperor. The meeting ended shortly after 4 p.m."
The Opening Address - by Director Nojima
"Since the start of the Great East Asia Co-Prosperity War, the brilliant military achievements and glorious war results [of the Japanese military] are due to the fact that the Lotus Sutra is the guardian spirit of our country. After listening to the reas- suring news of the string of great victories broadcasted on the radio last evening, I am overwhelmed with gratitude and ever more appreciative of being able to open the meeting today." The Closing Speech - by Director Iwasaki
"What is the usual state of life in this mundane world? Life itself is a heavy chain, hopelessly in bondage to individualism, the intrigues, the jealousies, the re- jections, the illusions and the insecurities. We, however, are not, in the least, fettered by any of these bonds. When I think about this blessed state, I believe we have already won the victorious battles in the struggle for the Great East Asia Co-Prosper- ity War. As one member of the divine Japanese Empire's civilian front, I am fully aware of our one great mission, which we are held accountable. It is the most natu- ral duty as patriots to generate industrialization, to offer our professional skills and abilities, to save our money and savings, and to lead a life of simplicity and thrifti- ness. Nevertheless, if there is one member of Soka Kyoiku Gakkai who thinks he has fulfilled his patriotic duty as a member of the civilian home front by merely carrying out the above sacrifices, then he is gravely mistaken. What then is our true mission? It is, without exception, to conduct shakubuku. Through our shakubuku, we teach others and spread this life of happiness to the general society. When all insecurities, illusions, jealousies, rejections, chains and fetters in this world have dissipated, at that time, an indestructible home front will be constructed. This civilian front will never surrender, fighting till the bitter end to establish the Great East Asia Co-Pros- perity Sphere no matter how long it may take.
These wartime remarks by the members of Soka Kyoiku Gakkai are a far cry from their "anti-war' and "peace-loving" stance the Gakkai so vehemently claim they are and have always been in the past."
"Since the start of the Great East Asia Co-Prosperity War, the brilliant military achievements and glorious war results [of the Japanese military] are due to the fact that the Lotus Sutra is the guardian spirit of our country. After listening to the reas- suring news of the string of great victories broadcasted on the radio last evening, I am overwhelmed with gratitude and ever more appreciative of being able to open the meeting today." The Closing Speech - by Director Iwasaki
"What is the usual state of life in this mundane world? Life itself is a heavy chain, hopelessly in bondage to individualism, the intrigues, the jealousies, the re- jections, the illusions and the insecurities. We, however, are not, in the least, fettered by any of these bonds. When I think about this blessed state, I believe we have already won the victorious battles in the struggle for the Great East Asia Co-Prosper- ity War. As one member of the divine Japanese Empire's civilian front, I am fully aware of our one great mission, which we are held accountable. It is the most natu- ral duty as patriots to generate industrialization, to offer our professional skills and abilities, to save our money and savings, and to lead a life of simplicity and thrifti- ness. Nevertheless, if there is one member of Soka Kyoiku Gakkai who thinks he has fulfilled his patriotic duty as a member of the civilian home front by merely carrying out the above sacrifices, then he is gravely mistaken. What then is our true mission? It is, without exception, to conduct shakubuku. Through our shakubuku, we teach others and spread this life of happiness to the general society. When all insecurities, illusions, jealousies, rejections, chains and fetters in this world have dissipated, at that time, an indestructible home front will be constructed. This civilian front will never surrender, fighting till the bitter end to establish the Great East Asia Co-Pros- perity Sphere no matter how long it may take.
These wartime remarks by the members of Soka Kyoiku Gakkai are a far cry from their "anti-war' and "peace-loving" stance the Gakkai so vehemently claim they are and have always been in the past."
Comment: Only after Hiroshima and Nagasaki did Toda become a pacifist.
SGI teaching prior to 2014
"Think of the example of an electric light. Assuming of course that the light bulb itself is not burned out, no bright light will shine forth from an electric light to which the electricity does not flow because of a blown fuse, no matter how many times one turns on the switch. Even though the light bulb itself works fine, without electricity, the light will not shine. Accordingly, those who do not worship the Dai-Gohonzon of Fuji Taisekiji are slanderers." (Shakubuku Kyoten, [Shakubuku Manual], p. 339)
A strange bunch
Today, the Gakkai repudiates the Nichiren Shoshu doctrine of The Bequeathal to One Sole Individual which was heavily promoted in their Bible of Shakubuku. Now they embrace the Bequethal to the Three Presidents. Six of one, a half a dozen of another. They also continue to embrace the Nichiren Shoshu doctrine of Nichiren as True Buddha, contrary to the teachings of the Nichiren himself. In light of the Lotus Sutra and Nichiren, they are a strange bunch.
Why SGI is are deprived the Manual of Forced Conversion (Bible of Shakubuku)
"The Daishonin's soul would never reside within a Gohonzon he inscribed but which is in the possession of those who commit the slander of turning their backs upon Fuji Taisekiji." -- Soka Gakkai Shakubuku Kyoten, p. 340
Because the Shakubuku Kyoten supports the Nichiren Shoshu and denounces the Soka Gakkai's own actions as heresies, SGI members are deprived the Manual of Forced Conversion.
Nichiren Shoshu mumbo jumbo
62. What is the meaning behind "sanction"?
In general, "sanction" means that the master gives his sanction to a disciple's enlightenment. In Nichiren Shoshu, the object of worship that forms the basis of faith and practise is the Original Buddha's enlightenment and is the entity of the Buddha, so sanction for the Gohonzon itself is absolutely necessary. According to Nichiren Shoshu, the sanctioning of the object of worship by the High Priest, who is the only person to be bequeathed the Daishonin's Buddhism, is what makes the attainment of Buddhahood possible, so an object of worship that does not have the High Priest's sanction is a "counterfeit object of worship" and worshipping it becomes the cause for falling into hell. It is also written in the Soka Gakkai "Shakubuku Kyoten (Shakubuku Manual)":
"In light of passages from 'On the Three Great Secret Laws' and 'TheTrue Object of Worship,' it is clearly understood that it is a tremendous mistake to worship an unsanctioned object of worship." (p. 340)
[c. 1996, Nichiren Shoshu Temple]
Nichiren on ignorant and simple-minded people
"Ignorant and simple-minded people have failed to look to the clear, correct dictates of the sutras and have vainly believed instead in the secret transmissions that have been orally handed down from master to disciple. Though they claim to be practicing the prayer of the 'Secret Law,' there is no real proof of its efficacy." -- Nichiren
Ikeda's stance on whaling
He is pro-whaling, arguing that whale meat is the staple of many Japanese. I wonder if he feels that way about shark fins, rhinocerous horns, and tiger genitalia?
Receiving and keeping (recalling)
"... the Two Dharmas of the Causal Practices and Effect [Virtues] of Lord Shakya are fully possessed in the Five Characters 'Myo ho ren ge kyo'; when we receive and keep these Five Characters He spontaneously yields and assigns [to us] the merits of those Causes and Effect" (Kanjin Honzon sho, STN, v. 1, 711).
"One receives because of faith; one keeps because of recalling." (Hokke mongu (Text Commentary on the Lotus Sutra) T.34.107c).
"The people who hear and receive this Sutra are many; the people who, as they have truly heard and received it, though great persecutions come, keep it in memory and do not forget it are few. To receive it is easy; to keep it is difficult. Therefore, attaining Buddhahood lies in keeping. The persons who would keep this Sutra keep it with the understanding that they shall encounter persecution.There is no doubt that 'They then will quickly obtain The Supreme Buddha Way' ["Chapter of the Jeweled Stupa"11 (T.9.34b)]. To recall 'Namu Myoho renge kyo' which is the Great Matter of the Buddhas of the Three Eras [Past, Present, and Future] we call 'keeping.' In the Sutra it says, '[We] shall guard and keep what the Buddha has entrusted.' ["Chapter of the Practices of Peaceful Joy"(T.9.36c)] Tendai Daishi says, 'One receives because of faith; one keeps because of recalling.' It also says,
"This Sutra is difficult to keep;
If there is one who keeps it even for short while,
I shall at once rejoice
And the Buddhas shall likewise do so' "
["Chapter of the Jeweled Stupa" 11 (T.9.34b)] (Shijo dono gohenji, STN, v. 1, 894).
"Each person of Japan and so on to the Land of Han, the Yuezhi [India], and the whole of Jambudvipa, regardless of whether they have wisdom or have no wisdom, should uniformly abandon other matters and chant 'Namu Myoho renge kyo'" (Hoon sho, STN, v. 2, 1248).