Why they hate Nichiren

"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). 

"Although I try to point out that this country is full of people who would like to do away with the Lotus Sutra, no one understands me, and so they merely go on committing errors of stupidity. And now, in addition, a votary of the Lotus Sutra has made his appearance, so that the people of Japan, on top of their stupidity, give way to anger, favoring erroneous teachings and viewing the correct teaching with hatred. In a country where the three poisons [of greed, anger and stupidity] prevail to such a degree, how can there be peace and stability?" (The Bodies and Minds of Ordinary Beings). 

"And yet, the people of today, both the distinguished and the lowly, look with contempt upon Shakyamuni Buddha, their father in the present world, and instead revere Amida or Dainichi, who are strangers to them, persons with whom they have no connection at all. In doing so, are they not lacking in filial piety? Are they not slanderers of the Law? When I say this, however, all the people of Japan join together in reviling me. 

And it is quite natural that they should, for the crooked piece of wood hates the straightness of the carpenter’s string, and the dishonest man is not pleased with the honest administration of government." (The Teaching In Accordance with the Buddha's Mind) 

"However, because there was no one who understood this situation, it has been impossible to remedy it. I am generally aware of these matters, and therefore try to repay the debt of gratitude I owe my country [by speaking the truth], but people only hate me for it." (White Horses and White Swans).

Why they fabricate teachings

Soka Gakkai and Nichiren Shoshu leaders and priests are they who "fabricate their own scriptures to delude the people of the world. Because they hope to gain fame and renown, they thereby make distinctions when preaching this sutra.’" (LS Ch.13)

Will they ever apologize for slandering us for our correct view?

No. They will claim they believed all along.

To Buddhistnichiren90

It’s good that you left the Ikeda cult! However, you are mistaken that you can be considered to be a Nichiren Buddhist without proclaiming the Lotus Sutra superior to all other teachings. When you are hated by others for proclaiming the Lotus Sutra superior to all other teachings, you will come to understand the Lotus Sutra. Since the faith and practice of the Lotus Sutra is superior, why would you dilute it through the practices of inferior religions? Why would you even support other religions or pray along with them when only shakubuku will do?                                                     I accidentally deleted your comment on The Definitive Analysis Why SGI is a Cult.. Could you re-post it here?

The most important practice is the practice of faith.

"The meaning of this passage is that, although you may not hold in your hand the eight scrolls that make up the Lotus Sutra, if you are a person who has faith in the sutra, then all twenty-four hours of the day you are one who “upholds the sutra.” Though your mouth may not utter the sounds of one who is reciting the sutra, if you have faith in the Lotus Sutra, then every day, every hour, every instant you are one who reads all the sutras." -- Nichiren

"The Lotus Sutra, wherein the Buddha honestly discarded expedient means, says that one can 'gain entrance through faith alone.' And the Nirvana Sutra, which the Buddha preached in the grove of sal trees on the last day of his life, states, 'Although there are innumerable practices that lead to enlightenment, if one teaches faith, then that includes all those practices.'

"Thus faith is the basic requirement for entering the way of the Buddha. In the fifty-two stages of bodhisattva practice, the first ten stages, dealing with faith, are basic, and the first of these ten stages is that of arousing pure faith. Though lacking in knowledge of Buddhism, a person of faith, even if dull-witted, is to be reckoned as a person of correct views. But even though one has some knowledge of Buddhism, if one is without faith, then one is to be considered a slanderer and an icchantika, or person of incorrigible disbelief." -- Nichiren

"What is most important is that, by chanting Namu-myoho-renge-kyo alone, you can attain Buddhahood. It will no doubt depend on the strength of your faith. To have faith is the basis of Buddhism. Thus the fourth volume of Great Concentration and Insight states, “Buddhism is like an ocean that one can only enter with faith.” The fourth volume of The Annotations on “Great Concentration and Insight” explains this: “With regard to the phrase ‘Buddhism is like an ocean that one can only enter with faith,’ even Confucius taught that faith is first and foremost. How much more so is this true of the profound doctrines of Buddhism! Without faith, how could one possibly enter? That is why the Flower Garland Sutra defines faith as the basis of the way and the mother of blessings.” The first volume of Great Concentration and Insight says, “How does one hear, believe in, and practice the perfect teaching to attain perfect enlightenment?” The first volume of On “Great Concentration and Insight” says, “To ‘believe in the perfect teaching’ means to awaken faith through doctrine and to make faith the basis of practice.” -- Nichiren

"...In describing the first, second, and third of the five stages of practice, the Buddha restricts those at these stages from practicing precepts and meditation, and places all emphasis upon the single factor of wisdom. And because our wisdom is inadequate, he teaches us to substitute faith for wisdom, making this single word “faith” the foundation. Disbelief is the cause for becoming an icchantika and for slander of the Law, while faith is the cause for wisdom and corresponds to the stage of hearing the name and words of the truth."

"Both practice and study arise from faith." -- Nichiren

The blessings gained by arousing even a single moment of faith in and understanding of the Lotus Sutra surpass those of practicing the five prāmitās;..." -- Nichiren

"In this passage of commentary, “subordinate concerns” refers to the five pāramitās. If the beginner tries to practice the five pāramitās at the same time that he embraces the Lotus Sutra, that may work to obstruct his primary practice, which is faith...." -- Nichiren

The reward of the Great Vow

"I, Nichiren, too, by reciting these compilations of texts and making prayers and vows to the Buddha and the devas (gods) every day since the day I began to believe, though I have encountered all sorts of great hardships, yet because the meritorious power of the Lotus Sutra and the Golden Words of Lord Shakya are profound and serious, up to now I have been saved. With regard to that, if the Practicers of the Lotus Sutra have no backsliding in the mind of faith or false affection in their person, but leave themselves to the Lotus Sutra in all things and practice in accordance with the Golden Words, they will for certain even in this life, not to speak of the afterlife, end disasters and extend the lifespan, obtain the reward of the Superior, Sublime Great Effect and accomplish the Great Vow of 'widely proclaiming and diffusing.'[kosen rufu]" -- Kitokyo sojo (Cover Letter to On Prayer)

More evidence that Soka Gakkai is corrupt

"The Soka Gakkai has again been caught with their pants down in yet another banking scandal. The Long Term Credit Bank of Japan was one of the strongest and most relied upon bank for financing huge mega-ventures such as the Rockefeller Center purchase. But now, due to political meddling of the Clean Government party (Soka Gakkai's new party), the JDP and LDP of Japan, it is now going fast down the tubes. 

Soka Gakkai has been reported to have invested as much as $7.5 Billion in the LTCB, hoping to rake in huge profits from the bank's many large loans which were due to mature this year. However, because of the Asian economic problems, over $150 Billion scheduled to be paid back has been in default. Including the loan which was made to purchase the Rockefeller Center in NY. All three political parties have invested very heavily in the LTCB. As a result, the scandal that would be uncovered by the complete default of LTCB would devastate all of the political parties involved. 

On September 22, a summit meeting was held, and executives of the ruling Democratic Party (LDP), the Ministry of Finance and the Depository Insurance Organization (DIO) decided the final policy about what to do with LTCB. Their conclusion was: In an amendment bill of the Financial Recovery Act, the proposals by the opposition parties – Japan Democratic Party and Clean Government Party – will be incorporated. 

Their intention was to use taxpayer money before finishing the amendment bill to prevent the dissolution of the huge financial scheme. 

The Clean Government Party of Soka Gakkai had its own reason not to let LTCB go bankrupt. It was that Sokagakkai, the largest religious group in Japan, that owns $7.5 billion worth of LTCB bonds. One LDP executive said, "Soka Gakkai has been investing in bonds without specific designations by the investors. Today, their amount of investment in LTCB bonds has reached $7.5 billion while Mr. Sugiura was the Chairman of LTCB" 

Finance Minister Miyazawa was the one who introduced Mr. Sugiura to Sokagakkai. The MOF decided to protect the investors, but when they pay back the bonds, Sokagakkai will have difficulty in receiving it because their investment has no specific names of investors. If this happens, Soka Gakkai's investment in LTCB bonds will be revealed. The Peace Party which is based on Soka Gakkai will be in the same position as LDP and JDP which are afraid of revelation of scandal. 

Soka Gakkai is expected to come through looking quite clean since they are accustomed to involvement in such financial/political corruption. The technique they use is simple: make sure you have plenty of other people/groups invloved in case something blows up, and remind them that if Soka Gakkai goes down as a result of the scandal, then they will all suffer. 

As expected, the political parties will all stick together in mutual protection. In this way, Soka Gakkai and their Clean Government Party will have their way, along with the LDP and JDP, and taxpayer money will be used again to pay for the damage they have caused. The Sokagakkai again walks away unscathed as usual, with the LDP and JPD (not to mention a huge wad of cash) in their hip-pockets.

Like the rich investors in the U.S. in 2008, the SGI is bailed out at the expense of the middle class and poor. The SGI will always proclaim loudly, "We are the defenders of the oppressed" but it will be business as usual." --- Source unknown

Still not refuted

Is Safwan and the Soka Gakkai evil?

Safwan: Fighting Fanaticism

Why do people become fanatics? 

On this subject Ikeda states: “…the belief that people should serve religion leads to fanaticism” (My Dear Friends in America, page 152). In a further explanation Ikeda describes the fanatics as having “unstable and unconfident state of mind… Fanatic people are characterised by their refusal to enter into dialogue. Discussion is impossible for fanatics. If they were to earnestly discuss contested issues, their repression of their own questions would become untenable”.

The Difference between Faith and Fanaticism

Faith is revealed in behavior. Correct faith would increase one’s maturity and capacity to embrace others :“In Buddhism, faith means a pure heart, a flexible spirit and an open mind". Obviously, an attitude of arrogance and self-righteousness would disable openhearted dialogue, while “Correct faith, however, can be cultivated only in the kind of atmosphere where anything at all may be openly discussed.” (My Dear Friends, p.153)

M.Rogow: Who are they kidding? No one is more adverse to dialogue where anything at all may be openly discussed than SGI members. Unless there is a unanimity of thought and a consensus rapidly achieved, the dialogue is quickly terminated.

Safwan: Is SGI philosophy “the only correct teaching” among all others?

In his letters, Nichiren mentioned various non-Buddhist sages and philosophers whose humanistic views were based on the happiness and security of ordinary people: “...the wisdom of such men contained at heart the wisdom of Buddhism” WND 1122

M. Rogow: Safwan fails to take Nichiren's guidance to heart:

"Now in this latter, evil age, great evil arises less from secular wrongdoing than in connection with the doctrines of the religious world. When people today, who are unaware of this, endeavor to cultivate roots of good, events that lead to the ruin of the world occur all the more. Although superficially it may seem to be an act of good to provide support to the priests of the Tendai, True Word, and other schools of the present age, in reality it is a great evil surpassing even the five cardinal sins and the ten evil acts.

For this reason, in order that peace reign in the age, if a wise man existed in the world with wisdom like that of the World-Honored One of Great Enlightenment, and if he met with a worthy ruler like King Sen’yo; and if together they devoted themselves to putting an end to these acts of good and committed the great evil of censuring, banishing, cutting off alms to, or even beheading those persons of the eight schools who are thought to be men of wisdom, then the age may be pacified to some extent." -- The Kalpa of Decrease 

Josei Toda proclaimed that anyone who would use nuclear weapons should be put to death.

Does Safwan and SGI believe that Nichiren would have changed his thinking in the twenty-first century? He could not be corrupted then and would not be corrupted now.

Safwan: On this subject, P Ikeda comments:

“Nichiren Daishonin writes that some people come to a correct view of life through systems of thoughts and philosophies other than Buddhism. 

M. Rogow: According to the time. Before, in the Former Day, there were only the Vedas in India and ostensibly only Taoism and Confucianism in China. The people could reach Enlightenment by practicing these teachings. In the Former and Middle Days, before the time of the widespread propagation of the Lotus Sutra, the people could attain Enlightenment through the provisional Buddhist teachings. Nichiren explains that they could only do so thanks to practicing the Lotus Sutra in previous lifetimes. Today, in the Latter Age Age, people can only attain Enlightenment through the Lotus Sutra.

Safwan: One who encounters the Lotus Sutra but is prejudiced and does not try to comprehend its true greatness is inferior, he asserts, to the wise men and saints of non-Buddhist teachings. He also writes “When one knows the Lotus Sutra, one understands the meaning of all worldly affairs”. The Wisdom of the Lotus Sutra Vol 1. p 55

M. Rogow: Those who encounter the Lotus Sutra but who reject it or who fail to comprehend its greatness are still superior to the wise men and saints of the non-Buddhist teachings because they form a relationship with the Sutra and are sure to attain Buddhahood.

"The heart (meaning) of the text is: For those who originally had good [karmic] roots and who should obtain understanding within the present lifetime one should directly preach the Hokekyo. However, if among them there are still capacities who hear yet are likely to slander, one should temporarily prepare them with the Provisional Sutras and afterwards preach the Hokekyo. Those who originally have not had the good [karmic] roots of the Great [Vehicle], even now they are not going to believe the Hokekyo and for whatever reason are going to fall to the Evil Ways [of Rebirth] so just forcibly preach the Hokekyo and cause them to slander and also make them form a rebellious condition. According to this commentary, in the Latter Age those without good [karmic roots] are many; those having good [karmic roots] are few. Therefore there is no doubt they will fall to the Evil Ways [of Rebirth]. We should all the same forcibly preach and cause them to hear the Hokekyo and they should form the condition of the poison drum, should they not? So there are none who contest that this is the season for preaching the Hokekyo that they may form the condition of blasphemy, is it not?” (STN, v. 1, 204-205)

"If the sutra that one embraces is superior to all other sutras, then the person who can uphold its teachings must likewise surpass other people. That is why the Lotus Sutra states, “A person who can accept and uphold this sutra is likewise foremost among all living beings.” There is no question about these golden words of the great sage. And yet people fail to understand this principle or to examine the matter, but instead seek worldly reputation or give way to suspicion and prejudice, thus forming the basis for falling into hell."

Safwan: Nichiren’s impartiality and broadmindedness is clear in his statement that:

“Even before the advent of the Buddha, some Brahmans in India realized the correct view of life through the four Vedas. In China before the arrival of Buddhism, some realized the correct view through Taoism and Confucianism.

M. Rogow:    See above, "according to the time". Not in this Latter Age. Nichiren teaches:

"Question: As I understand it, a teacher is someone who has grasped the central meaning of the sutras and treatises and who writes commentaries explaining them. If that is so, then it is only natural that the teachers of the various schools should each formulate doctrines according to their own understanding, and on that basis write their commentaries, establish principles, and dedicate themselves to the attainment of enlightenment. How could such efforts be in vain? To insist that the Lotus Sutra alone holds the position of absolute superiority is to adopt too narrow a view, I believe.

Answer: If you think that to proclaim the absolute superiority of the Lotus Sutra is to take too narrow a view, then one would have to conclude that no one in the world was more narrow-minded than Shakyamuni Buddha. I am afraid you are greatly mistaken in this matter..."

Safwan: SGI philosophy acknowledges the humanistic values of various teachings. In fact, all beliefs emerge as people’s perceptions of the ultimate reality of life, Myohorengekyo, each viewing its essence through particular perspective. Nichiren quotes from the Nirvana Sutra: “All of the non-Buddhist scriptures and writings in society are themselves Buddhist teachings, not non-Buddhist teachings” WND 222 and “All phenomena are manifestations of the Law” WND 403.

M.Rogow. Of course Safwan fails to place the Opening of the Eyes teaching of Confucianism, Taoism, and Brahmanism in context. Perhaps I can help him: http://markrogow.blogspot.com/2016/05/the-opening-of-eyes-confucianism.html

In Conversations Between a Sage and an Unenlightened Man we read:

“These various sutras expound partial truths such as ‘the mind itself is the Buddha, and the Buddha is none other than the mind.’ The Zen followers have allowed themselves to be led astray by one or two such sentences and phrases, failing to inquire whether they represent the Mahayana or the Hinayana, the provisional teachings or the true teaching, the doctrines that reveal the truth or the doctrines that conceal it. They merely advance the principle of nonduality without understanding the principle of duality, and commit an act of great arrogance, claiming that they themselves are equal to the Buddha. They are following in the tracks of the Great Arrogant Brahman of India and imitating the old ways of the Meditation Master San-chieh of China. But we should recall that the Great Arrogant Brahman, while still alive, fell into the hell of incessant suffering, and that San-chieh, after he died, turned into a huge snake. How frightful, how frightful indeed!"

Safwan: It is quiet common to find references in SGI literature to the work or statements of non-Buddhist scholars. Many successful individuals in the field of culture or science, did not follow Nichiren Buddhism and did not chant the daimoku in order to arrive at their achievements. They did, however, devote their efforts in the correct direction, obviously making the proper causes which led to their beneficial results. In practical sense, successful individuals world wide did follow the Law of Cause and Effect – in terms of their causes and efforts - without specifically practicing Buddhism. The essence of this truth is poetically explained in Nichiren’s remarkable statement: 

“Just as flowers open up and bear fruit…

just as a lamp becomes brighter when oil is added, 

and just as plants and trees flourish with rain, 

so will human beings never fail to prosper when they make good causes”. 

This statement clearly shows Nichiren’s open-mindedness: he did not exclusively mention “my disciples…will prosper” but all “human beings…will prosper”, expressing the impartial character of the Law of Cause and Effect, encompassing all humanity and the environment. It is also remarkable that Nichiren takes examples from the natural environment such as “plants and trees flourish with rain” to indicate that it is natural for any person - regardless of religion - to prosper if the correct causes are made.

M. Rogow: You and SGI will destroy Nichiren's Lotus Sutra teachings in no time. You are worse than disingenuous. He was writing to one of his staunchest disciples, Nanjo Tokimitsu whose "good cause" was offerings to the Votary of the Sutra and chanting Namu Myoho renge kyo. There is one great reason the Buddhas make their advent,

"The sutras expounded prior to the Lotus Sutra cannot lead to Buddhahood because they are provisional and expedient teachings that separate reality and wisdom. The Lotus Sutra, however, unites the two as a single entity. The sutra says that the Buddhas open the door of Buddha wisdom to all living beings, show it, cause them to awaken to it, and induce them to enter its path. By realizing this Buddha wisdom, one attains Buddhahood."

It is Mappo, the time of strife, when and where Anger, Avarice, and Stupidity abound. No Buddha no Buddhahood, no Myoho renge kyo no Buddhahood. Certainly Ikeda's sycophantic pals do not a gaggle of Buddhas make. 

Safwan: In order to remove the barriers of religious exclusiveness, Ikeda suggests a focus on the aspect of “humanity” in relations - shared by all people:

“Being based on the people is the same as being based on humanity. This focus on the welfare of humanity shines with a brilliance that transcends sectarianism and distinction of priesthood and laity. What can I - an ordinary human being - do for others, for society? This is the spirit of the Lotus Sutra.” The Wisdom of the Lotus Sutra P.56

M. Rogow: Safwan and SGI change the very nature of Nichiren's teachings, regarding the exclusive faith and practice of the Lotus Sutra. Is Safwan not an extremely evil man? Is SGI not an extremely evil organization?

Diamond precept or SGI Code of Conduct for Leaders?

https://web.archive.org/web/20190813162239/https://www.sgi-usa.org/memberresources/leaders/docs/manual/SGI-USA_Leadership_Manual-ch-5.pdf

They talk out of both sides of their mouth. Out of one side of their mouth: "There are no precepts in True Buddhism save for the Diamond precept....Chant Namu Myoho renge kyo and you will naturally develop a moral and ethical life."; out of the other side of their mouths, "you must follow the Code of Conduct for Leaders in order to realize your human revolution. Truth of the matter is that Soka Gakkai faith and practice does not lead to Bodhyisattvahood, let alone Buddhahood, so they must create an artificial construct of a Code of Conduct for Leaders in order to, at least, try and protect the members from the leaders Three Poisons of Anger, Animality and Avarice. It doesn't work. similarly, the Ten Commandments have failed to stop Christians from killing, adultery, thievery, greed and all the rest.

Cecilia, la denunciante del reverendo Daisuke Nakayama de la Nichiren Shoshu por abuso sexual.

Nichiren on dwelling in the Land of Eternally Tranquil Light

"Our teacher said: 'Differing thoughts" indicates disbelief. When thoughts of disbelief arise in our mind, we should at once dwell in the mind of faith.' The point is that one should not make the mind of disbelief one's teacher, but rather, take the mind of faith as one's teacher. With a pure mind and believing reverence, one should cultivate the practice of the Lotus Sutra. Thus in the phrase 'is able to uphold this sutra' or "is able to preach this sutra,' the Buddha stressed the words: 'is able to.' Herein lies Eagle Peak. That is the meaning of the passage, 'The four kinds of lands exist in the single thought-moment; all are [the Land of] Eternally Tranquil Light.'". -- Niko Shonin

"[They will be] secure and peaceful in their present life and will later be born in a good place." (33) [STN 3:2566-67]

Soka Gakkai's public proclamations ring false

> >TOKYO JOURNAL 

> >THE OLDEST ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER IN TOKYO 

> >August 1993 

> >Daisaku Ikeda -- statesman, billionaire, god 

> >Daisaku Ikeda's followers believe he is the earthly incarnation 

> >of a saint; those who believe otherwise suffer his 

> >god-like wrath. 

SGI senior leader Jim Celer: I'm one of his followers. I don't believe he is an earthly incarnation of a saint, and I've never suffered wrath,  god-like or otherwise. 

George: So says Celer in this newsgroup. However, when you read his writings in the World Tribune, one finds an avid Ikeda worshipper who is well qualified to receive the brown nose of the month award. Another instance of the SGI proclaiming publicly a view that is at variance with its actual beliefs. 

In the August 15, 1997, World Tribune on p. 2, Celer states: "SGI President Ikeda has always gone first in showing us how to apply the Daishonin's Buddhism to ourselves and society. If 'I am the SGI- USA,' I must absorb his guidance and do my part to make this the model organization for the world, to look for responsibility and be successful in fulfilling it." 

In an article from the World Tribune of April 4, 1997, Celer states (paragraph breaks omitted): "Reflecting on my own practice, I see I have not quite managed to build a 'diamond-like body.' [as advocated by Ikeda] Why not? President Ikeda gives me an answer: 'For half a century, except for a 10-day period when I was ill, I [Ikeda, not Celer] have not rested for a single day. I have worked unceasingly, solely for kosen-rufu and the happiness of the members. I have exerted myself tirelessly in action and deed. And I have written prodigiously' (p. 11). After 25 years of practice, of course, things have changed immensely, and I [Celer, not Ikeda] live in what might be called 'comfortable' conditions: money, a nice house, a loving wife, and my child doing well in school. Many members are beginning to look for and take responsibility. So by focusing my eyes a certain way, I can believe that 'there's nothing for me to do today.' Yet President Ikeda never feels this way." 

After recounting two instances in which Celer alleges that he was motivated by Ikeda's guidance, he concludes: "So now, owing so much to this man, knowing that he is tireless in his efforts and knowing that there are still so many people who do not know of or understand the greatness of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism AND [emphasis added] the organization that propagates it, how can I feel comfortable? After all, I have a lifelong mentor who every second demonstrates that the way to build a 'diamond-like body' is to 'refute that which is erroneous and spread the True Law'"

It appears to me that even an obviously diligent SGI member like Jim is expected to feel like the lowest of lowlives in comparison to the peerless, self-proclaimed perfection of the 20th Century Buddha. In other words, the member is merely a nothing who can only be redeemed by the magnificence of Daisaku Ikeda. Perhaps this fills Jim with "hope and determination," as he later states in his article. I always found this type of thinking oppressive, and am glad to be away from it.ompared to Daisaku Ikeda's perrless

So the battle goes on even today.

Still, I can't quite get over the slander I've experienced at the hands of SGI members for asserting for 20 years what they are beginning to assert now: That the DaiGohonzon is fake and the Eternal Original True Buddha is Shakyamuni Buddha. I think that I wouldn't even accept their apology were it offered. Then, there are the matters of: The blasphemy of Ikedacentrism; interfaith; and the inordinate and unconscionable alms accepted by the top SGI leaders to perform the work of the Buddha and The Supreme Votary that Shakyamuni and Nichiren did for food, clothing, and shelter. 

These aberrant SGI principles would be abhorrent to the Master of Teachings Lord Shakya and the Supreme Votary of Lotus Sutra. They certainly are abhorrent to the disciples and believer's of Nichiren.

"I've never once been asked for money" -- highly indignant [or lying] SGI cult member

SGI Woman's Division Guidance

Sept-Oct 1989

Special Zaimu Campaign

Think Twice Campaign (or reward yourself Campaign)

This means you think twice before buying any item and ask yourself, "Do I really need this now?" If you don't, you can reward yourself by putting this money into Special Zaimu (Money Collection)

Treasure Hunt Campaign 

To hunt for valuable possessions that may be "hiding" in your house. These things can be sold through garage sales, pawn shops ads in papers, etc. Prime the pump Campaign 

Especially in cases of financial difficulty, when a member is encouraged to contribute immediately, this cause will give the member an immediate surge of excitement and the confidence to continue fighting to contribute. 

The Day by Day Campaign (Turtle Race Campaign) 

This means to determine to save a certain amount every day and to reach this goal by cutting back on regular spending habits. One member broke down her total goal into daily increments, determining to save $12 a day for a year. In this way she was able to attain her goal of $4000. 

Warm Dialogue Campaign 

By opening our own hearts and sharing our experience, we can warmly encourage members who are hesitant to contribute. 

As an example, one WD Chapter Chief had a member who decided to run away from all her problems. She  bought a one-way ticket to San Francisco. Based on her WD chief's warm and confident guidance to take this opportunity to fight to change her fortune by contributing to the Special Zaimu [money collection], she cashed in her bus ticket and gave all the money to Special Zaimu [money collection]. Within 24 hours, she was offered a job which came with a new apartment. 

One member's husband surprised her with a gift that amounted to many times her goal of contributing. he told her he had been saving the money for many months after hearing her say how much she wanted to go to France. Of course, she gave **all** the money to special Zaimu! 

You can tell from these experiences how much everyone enjoyed [sic] this special Zaimu Campaign. 

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ 

I'll bet! Getting people to give $4000 in one lump sum x how many members? Sounds very enjoyable [for the high salaried top leech leaders].. 

But let's see what the SGI New Human Revolution has to say about this... 

"Sensei...," she began hesitantly, as if wondering how to broach a difficult subject. "Actually, Yukiko Gilmore and some of the others have collected a dollar from each member because they want to treat us to dinner....Shin'ichi's face clouded when he heard Kiyohara's words. "That won't do" he said. He sent for Yukiko Gilmore and proceeded to give her careful and detailed instruction on this point. 

"By announcing that you have decided to collect money to buy me dinner, you end up creating an atmosphere where everyone will feel they should comply even if they don't want to. Therefore, you may say it's everyone's wish, in effect it will be half compulsory. This may actually cause some people to harbor mistrust toward the Soka Gakkai. 

"Even thought the original intent may have been sincere, it could quite easily throw the member's faith into confusion. Therefore, leaders must take great care never to collect money from members. In the Soka Gakkai, we are very strict about money matters, if anything, tending towards over-cautiousness.

"Although it may seem like I am being very harsh, I want you to take the money and respectfully return it to each person, carefully explaining to each the reason why." Shin'ichi was fully aware that her actions had been well intentioned. Thus the thought of having her apologize and return the money to each member pained him. However, if she was to lead the organization, she had to learn the Soka Gakkai's strict attitude towards money matters. Otherwise, there was a possible danger that some major problem over money might erupt in the future. 

Source: World Tribune, Feb 21, 1994 

SGI is a duplicitous evil organization headed by a conman who would take every last penny of your hard earned dollars if he could..

The SGI convicts itself

If the transgressions now alleged by the SGI against the Nichiren Shoshu are true [and there is no reason to doubt it], we have to conclude that the SGI too is guilty of covering it up through lies and misrepresentations for fifty years. Thus, if the SGI's present attacks on the Nichiren Shoshu are true, the SGI convicts itself of fifty years of slander by complicity.

SGI members' common delusion

SGI member Kitt: If your faith is pure...it wouldn't matter what the piece of paper is inside the Butsudan. As long as you continue to chant with a heart that is pure and a seeking spirit, you will continue to enlighten your life.

Mark: This is a common delusion of those who do not have a correct object of worship. However, for arguments sake, let's say this is true, at least until the practitioner becomes aware of the truth. At the stage of practice (not yet aware of the truth) your faith may remain pure regardless of the object of worship, even believing that Nichiren Daishonin is the Original Eternal Buddha. The moment that you are made aware of the truth through the Lotus Sutra, the writings of Nichiren Daishonin, through a friend, or through one's own awakening [the moment that you learn the truth that the object of worship is not a representation of Nichiren but rather a representation of the Master of Teachings Lord Shakyamuni of the Original Doctrine], should you persist in your mistaken belief, it then becomes impossible to maintain a pure faith by the principle of "two differing thoughts".

So yes, until you know the truth, you may continue to accrue merit and virtue (benefit) even with a mistaken belief or a mistaken object of worship but once you know the truth, if you persist in embracing a lie, your merits and virtue will wither and die.

SGI's Earth Charter hypocrisy

If SGI members were true environmentalists, why didn't they rebuke SGI for destroying the old growth forest above Malibu or SGI's partner Mitsubishi for destroying Amazon rain forest? Even worse, they talk "peace, peace, peace" but actually partner with Mitsubishi and are heavily invested in Mitsubishi Heavy Industrials, Japan's biggest defense contractor.

On Shoju (dialogue) and Shakubuku (refutation

"If dialogue or exchanges of views among religions can help to stymie that attitude [of intolerance], wonderful." -- SGI member

If dialogue [shoju] rather than refutation [shakubuku] could help to eradicate intolerance, Nichiren would have employed dialogue rather than refutation.

Mentor madness

http://www.sgi-usa.org/memberresources/video/iwa_video.php?iwa=April_2016_1

Ri-Butsu [very real Buddha]

Chris: Note he is referring to Shakyamuni Buddha, the Lord of Teachings. This is not the same as his "transient status". You could say that this "Lord of Teachings" is the Well of Wisdom from which each of us draws our water. Nichiren calls him Shakyamuni, but the members of the Fuji School were not totally remise to call the "Buddha of this well" Nichiren. Where they were remis was in calling each other names over the nomenclature rather than seeking to understand the point of the teaching -- which is that the Buddha Wisdom is available to all. 

Response: Nomenclature? Nichiren was talking about Ri-Butsu or a very real Buddha, the Father, Teacher, and Parent of all Buddhas in the universe. His name is not Nichiren nor is his name Myoho renge kyo. His name is Shakyamuni.

Nichiren had faith in this reality and taught it extensively, second only to his teachings on the Daimoku. But the SGI and the Nichiren Shoshu would change these teachings. 

Nichiren said that because of the severe times [as predicted in the Daijuku Sutra and others] in which we live, self power is not enough to attain the fruits of Buddhist practice. By necessity, we need to take refuge in the Law of Namu Myoho renge kyo [the Law to which the Eternal Buddha has been eternally Enlightened] by chanting it repeatedly and belief in the Original Eternal Buddha known as Shakyamuni. Our lack of concentration, memory, volition, fortitude and compassion is so attenuated [by merely having been born in this age], we may not by our powers alone, attain the same unsurpassed Enlightenment as the Original Buddha. 

Therefore, the Buddha by virtue of his limitless compassion leaves for us, the people of this Latter Age, the Great Medicine of his Supreme and Perfect Enlightenmentin order to gain the very same inconceivable field of cognition as he. All we have to do is take (chant and believe in) the medicine [Namu Myoho renge kyo] and by virtue of the vast merit power of the Law and Eternal Buddha, the power to perceive Supreme and Perfect Enlightenment is transfered to us. 

Another way to put it is, thus augmented by the Buddha's limitless Enlightenment, mercy, and teaching (Namu Myoho renge kyo), we become more powerful even than the Great Bodhisattva Mahasattvas in the Former and Middle Days 

To attempt to separate The Eternal Buddha Shakyamuni's Enlightenment from the Eternal Buddha Shakyamuni is as futile as attempting to separate carbon from diamond. Namu Myoho renge kyo is the essential element of the Eternal Buddha as carbon is the essential element of the diamond. Without Namu Myoho renge kyo there is no Eternal Buddha Shakyamuni and without carbon there is no diamond. 

Similarly, just as there would be no proof of the unsurpassed utility and magnificent beauty possible with elemental carbon were it not for the diamond, there would be no proof of the supreme benefits of Namu Myoho renge kyo without the Eternal Buddha Shakyamuni. Certainly this newsgroup is not absolute proof of the supreme benefits of Namu Myoho renge kyo and not even Nichiren affords such absolute proof. 

Nichiren wrote in the True Object of Worship in the section, The Pure Land of the Eternal Buddha: 

"Now, when the Eternal Buddha was revealed in the essential section of the Lotus Sutra, this world of endurance (Saha-World) became the Eternal Pure Land, indestructible even by the three calamities of conflagration, flooding, and strong winds which are said to destroy the world. It transcends the four periods of cosmic change: the kalpa of construction, continuance, destruction, and emptiness. Sakyamuni Buddha, the Lord-preacher of this pure land, has never died in the past, nor will He be born in the future. He exists forever throughout the past, present, and future. All those who receive His guidance are one with this Eternal Buddha...." 

And in the section, The Form of the true Object of Worship, he writes: 

"The object of worship (honzon) at the scene of this transmission of "Namu Myo-ho-ren-ge-kyo" from the Eternal Buddha to his original disciples is: Suspended in the sky above the Eternal Buddha Sakyamuni's Saha-world is a stupa of treasures, in which Buddhas Sakyamuni and Taho sit to the left and right of "Myo-ho-ren-ge-kyo". They are waited on by four bodhisattvas such as Jogyo (Superior Practice)representing the original disciples of the Eternal Buddha called out from underground. Four more bodhisattvas including Manjusri and Maitreya, take lower seats as followers, other great and minor bodhisattvas---those converted by the Buddha in the theoretical section and those who came from other lands---resemble numerous people sitting on the ground and looking up at court nobles. also lined up on the ground are Buddhas in manifestation (funjin Buddhas) who gathered together from all the worlds in the universe in praise of the Buddha's preaching, representing provisional Buddhas in their respective lands. 

The true object of worship (honzon) such as this was not revealed anywhere else by Sakyamuni Buddha during more than fifty years of His preaching in this life. Though He spent eight years preaching the Lotus Sutra, the scene was limited to the preaching in the sky above Mt. Sacred Eagle recounted in eight chapters, from the fifteenth to the twenty-second chapters.. During two milleniums after the death of Sakyamuni Buddha, the Ages of the True Dharma and the Imitative Dharma, some worshipped Sakyamuni Buddha accompanied by Kasyapa and Ananda as described in the Hinayana sutras; others worshipped Him accompanied by such bodhisattvas as Manjusri and Samantabhadra as he appeared in quasi-Mahayana sutras. the Nirvana Sutra, or the theoretical section of the Lotus Sutra.. Many wooden statues and portraits were made of Sakyamuni as He preached Hinayana or quasi-Mahayana sutras, but statues and portraits of the Eternal Shakyamuni Buddha revealed in the Duration of Life of the buddha" chapter of the lotus sutra were never made. Now in the beginning of the Latter Age of the Decadent Dharma, is it not the time that such statues and portraits are made?"

Warning from a former Indian SGI member

"I was a member of sgi for many many years. I have gone to hundreds of meetings. I have read their newspaper for many many years and worked to apply it to my life. I am telling you this so that when I tell you my opinion of the sgi I want you to understand that I am speaking from very first hand long time experience and I want you to know that I not just speaking off the top of my head without really understanding the organization. In a nutshell I want to inform anyone who reads this that the sgi organization is not something I would recommend to get involved with and I wish that I didn't stay with it as long as I did. It really stunted my growth and brainwashed me. This organization is not healthy although from the outside it seems to be. I would even say it is very harmful. Its like thinking you are eating a healthy carrot but inside the carrot have been put poison that you can't see or taste. that you cant really see. They are purposely hidden from you. I can write for hours about why I have this opinion but I don't want to waste my time and it is also too painful for me to see how my precious life was contaminated by believing that I was just eating a carrot. I wish that I never ever came in contact with the sgi. I am so glad that I can see now and that I am wise enough to have nothing to do with the sgi or the arrogant brainwashed people who I, at one time, believed were my friends. Any one going to meetings please don't be as gullible as me. I learned the painful hard way and lost years of my life. I am not writing this to be mean or send hate. I am writing this out of the goodness of my heart in order so save people from falling in the trap that I did and if I can save even one person from the mistake that I made of staying with the organization for so long then it would be worth the small effort it has taken me to write this."

On forged and authentic writings of Nichiren

The 26 Articles of Nikko are a seeming parodox. In one article, Nikko teaches that those who claim Gosho (writings of Nichiren) are forged are evil and in another article he teaches that those who forge Gosho are parasites. This is a paradox paradox easily resolved: One who criticizes false Gosho is upholding the Dharma while one who cites false Gosho is a parasite. It is equally true that one who criticizes authentic Gosho is evil and one who cites authentic Gosho is a disciple of Nichiren Daishonin.

Medieval Original Enlightenment thought versus the Lotus Sutra's and Nichiren's Three Bodied Buddha thought

"Here is a passage from the "Ongi Kuden" upheld by Josei Toda as equivalent to the "Final Teachings" a term usually reserved for the Lotus Sutra itself. Here is a passage that preaches Medieval Tendai Hongaku [Original Enlightenment]: "Twenty Three: "The Remotest past" [STN 3:2671]"

"The Ongi Kuden states: The meaning of this (Fathoming the Lifespan") chapter lies in the Buddha’s actual attainment of enlightenment in the remotest past (kuon jitsujo). "Remotest past" has the meaning of "not setting in motion," "unadorned," and "being just as it is originally." Because this is the Buddha endowed with the uncreated three bodies, he does not attain enlightenment for the first time; this is "not setting in motion." He is not endowed with the thirty-two marks or eighty character characteristics; thus he is "unadorned." Because he is the originally inherent Buddha who constantly abides, this is "being just as it is originally." This is the meaning of the "remotest past." "Remotest past" (kuon) indicates Namu-myoho-renge-kyo. "Actual attainment" (jitsujo) means "truly opened," that is, opened [and revealed] as being uncreated." -- from "Some Disputed Writings in the Nichiren Corpus.. by J. Stone Ph.D., pages 526-527 }

Toda interprets this passage:

"In this passage, the text interprets the Buddha’s attainment of enlightenment in the remotest past, described in the "Fathoming the Lifespan" chapter, not as a past occurrence at some finite point in time, but as the revelation that Buddhahood is inherent originally. Hence the characters ‘jitsujo’—"actual attainment"—are accompanied by ‘furigana’ indicating that they are to be read ‘makoto ni hiraketari’ or "truly opened." 

This is a reasonably good example of Medieval Hongaku Thought being falsely represented as the idea of Nichiren Shonin. In it, the Buddha is no longer a real Buddha, sharing his limitless and timeless enlightenment by his compassion but is rather seen as the substance of the universe itself which is originally pure and enlightened and nothing past that. The Buddha is seen as an "originally inherent Buddha" who constantly abides and therefore has no beginning, explaining the limitless Lifespan of the Buddha. 

In Original Enlightenment thought, the Universal Body of the Buddha, sometimes called the "Dharma Body" becomes central. The Buddha is "things just as they are", inherent in the fabric of the Universe and all things and beings contained in it. So we can understand how, by this view, proponents of this theology eventually have declared the common person as the ‘real’ Buddha, or ‘all life’ as the Buddha. We have all seen SGI members say things like "I am the Buddha" or "The Buddha is me !"

So this is very a popular idea in the SGI because they understand that a philosophy that absolutely affirms ‘the self’ is attractive to people who are looking to feel better about themselves personally and who, at the same time, have rejected any sort of transcendent spiritual religious belief system, often due to a poor experience with the religion of their birth, (Christianity or Judaism) and who are now working that poor experience out on Buddhism. 

The question is whether or not this is "Koshogi", "the right old teachings of Nichiren Shonin" or something different and at odds with it. It is clear to me and many other people who are careful students of what Nichiren wrote, that Nichiren Shonin’s original teachings did not employ this formulation of Original Enlightenment as its basic premise.

An Eternal Universal Buddha (often called the Buddha’s "Dharma Body") is found in many of the Sutras and is nothing at all special. This Universal Buddha is the aspect of the Buddha that is identical with all things and beings in the Universe, perfect and inherently enlightened simply ‘as they are’, manifesting only an ‘unadorned’ (pure) existence. If this was all the Lotus Sutra preached, as it would have to for Original Enlightenment to be valid, it would just be more of the same, equal to other Sutras. But the Lotus Sutra stands apart from all of the prior teachings precisely because in it we find a Buddha whose wisdom and compassion is also eternal, an Eternal Reward Body (enlightened wisdom and conduct is the ‘reward’ of practice) which is really the central principle of Buddha, according Nichiren. The Manifest Body of Shakyamuni Buddha too is eternal according to the Lotus Sutra and Nichiren Daishonin

This Three Bodied Buddha is found in only one place, the Honmon section of the Lotus Sutra, which is the ‘Original Gate’ to enlightenment from which all enlightenment arises and whose merits and insight are squeezed down into the Object of Worship, for us to ‘receive and keep’ . It is this ‘Honmon Buddha’ (Essential Buddha, Central Buddha, or Original Buddha), that Nichiren Shonin believed in, not this "Kanjin Buddha" of Original Enlightenment theology, a metaphorical Buddha that is a reflection of your own life. The Original Enlightenment ‘Kanjin Buddha’ is "Ji-Butsu", an idealized conception of a Buddha, not actually real but only a bag of meritorious conceptions that people shoot for as a goal . Substituting this "Kanjin |Buddha" for the Original and Eternal Buddha of the Honmon (R--Butsu) is "Hobo", a serious blasphemy, according to Nichiren Daishonin.. 

Nichiren rarely describes this Buddha in his authentic writings as "uncreate triple body" as we see in the above passage but instead constantly describes the Buddha as "Lord, Teacher, and Parent" , and the "Good Physician" who is ever watchful and dispensing the cure for our spiritual illness .

Nichiren is not simply using flowery language when he repeats over and over that the Buddha is ‘Lord, Teacher and Parent’ but rather it is indicative of a religious principle that upholds a real Buddha .."Ri-Butsu", an Actual Buddha, who lifts all beings to their enlightenment by inconceivable powers and via the grace of faith. 

When Nichiren writes that "it is hard to believe that the world of Buddha can exist in the world of Humans" in the Kanjin Honzon Sho, it does not indicate the sort of Dharma Body oriented inherency of Medieval Hongaku thought. 

The Buddha and Humans share the same reality but the human does not fathom the entirety of the universe and cannot attain enlightenment by his own meager powers in the age of Mappo. That is why true Nichiren Buddhists do not rely on meditation or undergo hard Tendai/Shingon like esoteric rituals to attempt to gain enlightenment by their own personal insight. Instead, the seed of Buddhahood must be planted within us. 

This occurs when we hear ‘Namu Myoho renge kyo.’ The enlightenment of the Buddha is thereby ‘taken in’ and then exists in our own mind , as hard as that is to believe. So we receive the Daimoku when we hear it, which plants the seed of enlightenment and then we keep it via strong faith which provides a fertile field for the seed of enlightenment to grow. 

The universe does not simply just exist, it is also simultaneously cognized perfectly. It is what Myoraku Daishi called an "Inconceivable Field of Cognition" that the faithful can enter (as we all have a Buddha Nature) and which enters us (as the Buddha has full Enlightenment) both coming together bringing the ordinary person to enlightenment. That is something different than Hongaku idea’s of the common person being the Buddha inherently." --MS

****Slightly edited

Why Nittatsu Shonin, former Nichiren Shoshu High Priest, has fallen into hell

Actual statement by former High Priest of the Nichiren Shoshu, Nittatsu Shonin: "So if one believes the Daishonin meant exactly what he said, one will fall into hell."

uh-huh

"This organization is really special because it's for the members and not the other way around!" 

"I already talked in another thread about this, so will keep it brief. My sister is a sometimes member and has anxiety and depression and was so upset that our Region Leader bullied her about 50k that she attempted suicide and wound up in a psych ward for a week. I told my Chapter team and they did nothing. Chapter WD Leader is now mad at me for never wanting to talk to the Region YWD leader ever again. As I am the YWD Chapter Leader, this is bad for the organization, especially with 50k coming up. So yeah, never mind my sister's and my feelings of betrayal. I need to put that all aside for the sake of the organization. I wonder what would have happened if she actually died. I'd like to think the best of people, but I do kind of wonder if they would still pressure me to go to 50k." -- Anonymous

Monism is the reality. Relative monism is the practice to comprehend reality.

Sitting in Gassho with deep gratitude for Shakyamuni Buddha and Nichiren Daishonin, we chant Namu Myoho renge kyo to the Gohonzon realizing that we ourselves are the Three Bodied Tathagata of the 16th Chapter of the Lotus Sutra.

Why so much emphasis on personal guidance in the Ikeda cult?

One reason for the emphasis on personal guidance is that SGI members do not have a valid Gohonzon. Another reason is that they have an incorrect faith. Therefore, they have no way to tap into the guidance and encouragement of the Original Buddha Shakyamuni, Nichiren Daishonin, and the Law. Another reason is in order for SGI to create uniformity in thinking and behavior. Still another reason is that the SGI needs to reinforce the SGI way since not ALL their teachings are found in the authenticated writings, let alone the Lotus Sutra and Five Major Writings of Nichiren. Lastly, it is the honey for the unpaid senior leader bees to feel important [power] since they aren't paid for their hard work.

From one cult to another

In 1986, the Church Universal and Triumphant sold their ranch Camelot, in Calabesis Ca., to the Soka Gakkai, for nearly $16 million. It is the site of Soka University of America.

The True Object of Worship by Nichiren Daishonin Chapter 4 (Upholding the Lotus Sutra and Attaining Buddhahood), translated by Kyotsu Hori

Question (20): You have not responded to the serious question raise earlier regarding the Buddha residing in our minds, have you? 

Answer: It is said in the Sutra of Infinite Meaning (Muryogi-kyo), an introductory teaching to the Lotus Sutra: "though unable to perform the six kinds of practice leading to Buddhahood: charity, observing precepts, perseverance, effort, meditation and wisdom, upholders of this sutra will inevitably receive the same merits as if they had practiced them." The second chapter of the Lotus Sutra states: "We wish to hear the way to perfection;" and in the Nirvana Sutra it is said: "'Sad' in the Saddharmapundarika (Lotus Sutra) means 'perfection'." 

Bodhisattva Nagarjuna says in his great Wisdom Discourse (Daichido-ron) that "sad" means "six" while the Annotations on the Four Mahayana Treatises (Wu-i wu-te ta-cheng ssu-lun hsuan-i chi) by Hui-chun of T'ang China means "perfection" in India. The Annotations on the Meaning of the Lotus Sutra (Fa-hua i-su) by Chi-tsang states that "sad" is translated as "perfection"; while Grand Master T'ien-t'ai states in his Profound Meaning of the Lotus Sutra (Fa-hua hsuan-i) that "sad" is a Sanskrit term which is translated as "miao" (wonderful) in China. 

I fear that I may debase these passages if I try to interpret them, but I dare do so in order to answer your question. The gist of these passages is that Sakyamuni Buddha's merit of practicing the bodhisattva way leading to Buddhahood, as well as that of preaching and saving all living beings since His attainment of Buddhahood are altogether contained in the five words of myo, ho, ren, ge, and kyo (Lotus Sutra of the Wonderful Dharma) and that consequently, when we uphold the five words, the merits which He accumulated before and after His attainment of Buddhahood are naturally transferred to us. Thus, it is stated in the Lotus Sutra (chapter four, "Understanding by Faith) that the four great sravaka such as Kasyapa rejoiced in their understanding of the teaching of the Lotus Sutra enabling sravaka to attain Buddhahood, and reported to the Buddha that they had been given invaluable jewels without asking for them. This represents the attainment of Buddhahood by the sravaka realm contained in our minds. 

Not only the sravaka but also Sakyamuni Buddha is within us. For we encounter such a statement like this in the second chapter of the Lotus Sutra: "It was My (Sakyamuni's) original vow to let all beings become like Myself. My vow has now been fulfilled. I have helped them all enter the way of the Buddha." Does this not mean, that Sakyamuni Buddha, who has attained Perfect Enlightenment, is our flesh and blood, and all the merits He has accumulated before and after attaining Buddhahood are our bones? 

Moreover, the eleventh chapter of the Lotus Sutra "Appearance of the Stupa of Treasures", states: "Those who uphold the teaching of this sutra are deemed to serve Me, Sakyamuni, and Taho Buddha. They also serve Buddhas in manifestation here who adorn and glorify their respective worlds." This means that Sakyamuni Buddha, Taho Buddha, and all the Buddhas in manifestation are in our minds, and that we, upholders of the Lotus Sutra, will follow their steps and inherit all the merits of those Buddhas. 

This is the meaning of the passage in the tenth chapter of the Lotus Sutra, "The Teacher of the Dharma", which reads: "Those who hear of this Lotus Sutra even for a moment, will instantly attain Perfect Enlightenment." A passage in the sixteenth chapter of the Lotus Sutra, "Duration of the Life of the Buddha", contends: "It has been many hundreds of thousands of billions of nayuta of kalpa (an incalculably long period of time) since I have attained Buddhahood." It means that Sakyamuni buddha, within our minds, is an ancient Buddha without beginning, manifesting Himself in three bodies, and attained buddhahood in the eternal past described as 500 dust-particle kalpa ago. 

In the same chapter, another passage reads: "The duration of My life, which I obtained through the practice of the way of bodhisattvas, has not yet expired. It is twice as long as the length of time stated above: 500 dust-particle kalpa." This reveals the bodhisattva-realm within our minds. The bodhisattvas described in the fifteenth chapter, "Appearance of Bodhisattvas from Underground", who have sprung out of the great earth, as numerous as the number of dust-particles of 1,000 worlds, are followers of the Original Buddha Sakyamuni who resides within our minds. 

They are like T'ai-kung-wang and Duke of Chou, retainers of King Wu of the Chou dynasty in ancient China, who at the same time served the King's young son, King Ch'eng; or Takeuchi-no Sukune of ancient Japan, a leading minister to Empress Jingu, who concurrently served her son, Prince Nintoku. Just like them Bodhisattvas Jogyo, Muhengyo, Jogyo and Anryugyo, the four leaders of those bodhisattvas sprung up from the earth, are simultaneously followers of the Original Buddha and Bodhisattvas who reside in the minds of us, ordinary people. 

Therefore, Grand Master Miao-le has declared in his Annotation on the Mo-ho chih-kuan (Mo-ho chih-kuan fu-hsing-chuan hung-chueh): "You should know that both our bodies and the land on which we live are a part of the 3,000 modes of existence which exist in our minds. Consequently, upon our attainment of Buddhahood, we are in complete agreement with the truth of '3,000 existences contained in one thought', and our single body and single thought permeate through all the worlds in the universe."

Born Taisaku [Fat Building], Ikeda changed his name to Daisaku [Great Building] with commentary

"In your letter you mentioned the great honor you had to give lecture at the family temple of a court noble. But to me it seems very strange for you to say so. You are a priest who renounced the secular world and, what is more, you embrace the most precious teaching in the world. Even if you should meet a Bodhisattva of the highest rank, why should you think it anything special? Much less should you stand in awe of even Bonten or Taishaku. They are the servants of our father, Shakyamuni Buddha, who have been sent by him to govern his domain and support the priests who embrace the true law. Bishamon and the other heavenly kings rule over the four quarters as guards appointed by Bonten and Taishaku. The rulers of the four continents are all retainers of the four heavenly kings. But the ruler of this little island country of Japan would not even qualify as a retainer of the Wheel Rolling Kings who reign over the four continents. He is nothing but an island chieftain. By calling the retainer of this chieftain "his excellency," exulting over "his gracious invitation" and, what is more, by speaking of the "great honor" you had, are you not in essence expressing your low opinion of me, Nichiren? On the whole it seems that when my disciples go to the capitol city, Kyoto, they first heed my warnings but later become crazed by the devil of the sixth heaven. That is exactly what happened to Sho'ubo. Don't become like him and incur heaven's wrath."Born Taisaku [Fat Building], Ikeda changed his name to Daisaku [Great Building] with commentary 

"It is crazy that you have already changed your name after spending such a short time in the capitol. I suppose you are even mimicking the Kyoto accent and dialect. If a mouse becomes a bat, it isneither a mouse nor a bird. You are neither a country priest nor a Kyoto priest, and I think you are going the way of Sho'ubo. Use your own country dialect; it is terrible to use a mixture of the two. Is not Sonjo, the name you signed your letter with, the same as the given name of Emperor Gotoba? What a strange choice you have made!" -- On Debating Other Sects

Born Taisaku [Fat Building], Ikeda changed his name to Daisaku [Great Building]. Attached to honors and awards, he sucks up to such men as Zhou Enlai, Gorbachev, Ceasceau, Castro, and Dr. Rahman (Indonesia President), to name a few, never once correcting them as would have Nichiren Daishonin. He lacks the mercy to correct them. Again, this is proof of Ikeda’s and SGI’s duplicity. They will suck up to every Tom Dick, and Harry dictator, tyrant, and intellectual but will slander the powerless members of the other Nichiren sects. SGI is the World of Animality and Ikeda is nothing but a beast.

"It is the nature of common mortals not to know what awaits them in the future. Those who know it well are called worthies or sages. Passing over examples from the past, I will cite one from the present. Lord Hojo Yoshimasa relinquished both his domains and became a lay priest. I hear that, in the end, he abandoned all his many estates, forsook his sons and daughters as well as his wife and secluded himself from the world. You have neither sons nor brothers upon whom you can rely. All that you have is your two fiefs. This life is like a dream. One cannot know if he will live until tomorrow. Even if you should become the most wretched of beggars, never disgrace the Lotus Sutra. Since life is so short in any event, you should not weep over your fate. As you yourself wrote in your letter, you must act and speak without the least servility. Fawning or flattery will only do you more harm. Even if your fiefs should be confiscated or you yourself driven out, think that it is due to the workings of the Ten Goddesses, and wholeheartedly entrust yourself to them." -- A Warning Against Begrudging One's Fief

And further down we read,

"You must in no way behave in a servile fashion toward the magistrate. Tell him, "This fief of mine is not one which my lord bestowed upon me for any ordinary reason. He awarded it to me because I saved his life with the medicine of the Lotus Sutra when he fell seriously ill. If he takes it from me, his illness will surely return. At that time, even if he should apologize to me, Yorimoto, I will not accept it." Having had your say, take your leave in an abrupt manner."

Fawning and flattery is the World of Animality. There is more fawning and flattery in the SGI from top to bottom than the in the federal government or in any major corporation. It is particularly offensive the way Daisaku Ikeda fawns over the intellectuals and men of power in this Latter Age of ours. He takes fawning and flattery to new heights, failing to teach them the Lotus Sutra, Nirvana Sutra, and the correct and sublime teachings of Nichiren Daishonin for fear of alienating these insignificant and dastardly men.

The Buddha gives rise to great compassion

"For those who do not understand 'one thought is three thousand [realms]' the Buddha gives rise to Great Compassion, wrapping this jewel within the Five Characters*, and has him [Nichiren] to hang it around the necks of the young children of the Latter Age..."

*Myo Ho Ren Ge Kyo

Faith [Nichiren] or contemplative insight [Tientai]?

'Believing in the perfect teaching means to 'awaken faith through doctrine and make faith the basis of one’s practice.'”  -- Nichiren 

Dave Cole: "In True Buddhsim we read the Sutra with Kanjin [contemplative insight'] not Kyoso [doctrinal study]. You are stuck in the Kyoso interpretation." -- Dave Cole

Mark: Tientai's method is based on contemplative insight. Kanjin in Nichiren's Lotus Sutra Buddhism is observing the mind through chanting Namu Myoho renge kyo to the Gohonzon. The Nichiren mandala is the written words of the Buddha. We read the Sutra through the eyes of faith in the words of the Buddha and Nichiren Daishonin, not through the words and conceptions that derive from our mind.

“How does one hear, believe in and practice the perfect teaching to attain perfect enlightenment? 'Believing in the perfect teaching means to 'awaken faith through doctrine and make faith the basis of one’s practice.'”  -- Nichiren 

If the doctrine is flawed, faith will be flawed. SGI's and Nichiren Shoshu's doctrines are flawed. Therefore, the members' faith is flawed. Believing that a living mentor or High Priest is required to attain Buddhahood is the most noxious poison for one's faith. Myoho renge kyo is the perfect doctrine. Shakyamuni Buddha and Nichiren Daishonin are the perfect teachers. We maintains perfect doctrine through the Sutra scrolls and writings of Nichiren Daishonin.

Identifying Nichiren as Original Eternal Buddha is the conception that derives from the mind of a common mortal. The Lotus Sutra and Nichiren identify Shakyamuni as the Original Eternal Buddha, the conception that derives from supremely and perfectly enlightened minds. Your rationale for altering, distorting, and misrepresenting the teaching too derives from the mind of a common mortal. 

“The Sea of all Karmic Hindrences all arise from wrong thought: If you desire to repent of them, then sitting upright, think upon reality.” — The True Object of Worship

“They are persons who have abandoned a great doctrine and instead chose lesser doctrines. If we judge from examples in the past, they will probably suffer for countless kalpas in the three evil paths. It is persons such as these that T’ient’ai meant when he said, “If they encounter an evil friend, they will lose their true mind.” — On the Four Stages of Faith

“They cling to incomplete doctrines and are attached to receiving alms and being treated with deference; they recognize only false doctrines, distance themselves from good friends, approach with familiarity such slanderers who delight in attachment to the teachings of the lesser vehicle, and do not believe in the great vehicle. Therefore they slander the Law of the Buddhas.

A person of wisdom should not fear enemy households, snakes, the poison of fire, the god Indra, the roll of thunder, attacks by swords and staves, or wild beasts such as tigers, wolves, and lions. For these can only destroy one’s life, but cannot cause one to fall into the Avichi hell, which is truly terrifying. What one should fear is slander of the profound teaching as well as companions who are slanderers, for these will surely cause one to fall into the frightful Avichi hell. Even if one befriends evil companions and with evil intent spills the Buddha’s blood, kills one’s own father and mother, takes the lives of many sages, disrupts the unity of the Buddhist Order, and destroys all one’s roots of goodness, if one fixes one’s mind on the correct teaching, one can free oneself from that place. But if there is someone who slanders the inconceivably profound teaching, that person will for immeasurable kalpas be unable to obtain emancipation. However, if there is one who can cause others to awaken to and take faith in a teaching such as this, then that person is their father and mother, and also their good friend. This is a person of wisdom. After the Thus Come One’s passing, that person corrects false views and perverse thoughts, and causes people to enter the true way. For that reason, he has pure faith in the three treasures, and his virtuous actions lead others to enlightenment.” — The Problem to be Pondered Night and Day

“It is a rare thing to be born as a human being. And if, having been born as such, you do not do your best to distinguish between the correct doctrine and the incorrect so that in the future you may attain Buddhahood, then you are certainly not fulfilling your true worth as a human being.” — On Prayer

Nichiren quotes Tientai:

“To liberate oneself from the [three-fold] world by means of the provisional [teachings] is called an ephemeral liberation.” — The Third Doctrine

and

“…T’ien-t’ai and Miao-lo are commenting on this passage. In this passage of the sutra, all the teachings, from the Flower Garland Sutra, which was expounded immediately after the Buddha’s enlightenment and which combines both specific and perfect teachings, to the fourteen chapters that comprise the theoretical teaching of the Lotus Sutra, are termed “inferior teachings.” Those who delight in them are called people “meager in virtue and heavy with defilement,” and the liberation achieved through them is shown to be an ephemeral liberation.” — ibid. Third Doctrine

“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.”” –Happiness In This World

“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!” — Embracing the Lotus Sutra