Yesterday:
"Implicit in the March 16 ceremony was his [President Toda's] profound instruction that kosen-rufu must be carried out based solely on the Head Temple -- guidance which we must take deeply to heart. In this connection, the sixty-sixth high priest, Nittatsu Shonin, gave us guidance to the effect that the ceremony in which we common mortals come to the Head Temple and chant daimoku to the Dai-Gohonzon, which embodies the life of the Buddha of beginningless time, is the most fundamental one. I want you to understand that our March 16 Kosen-rufu Day may be considered one form of "kosen-rufu ceremony," which we carry out under the mercy of the high priest, who, as the great leader of kosen-rufu, directs us toward the Dai-Gohonzon." Daisaku Ikeda, Seikyo Times, March 1986, p. 10
"The concept of manifesting the Buddha nature inherent in an insentient image through the "eye opening ceremony," thus making it an object of worship, also applies to the Gohonzon..." Soka Gakkai MWND, Vol 4, 1994 revised edition.
"...the Gohonzons that we recieve are also the living flesh of the Original Buddha whose eyes have been opened according to the principles of the actual Ichinen Sanzen in the passages hidden in depths of the Juryo Chapter and the true attainment of Buddhahood by plants and trees. Why would this very Gohonzon not be the true aspect of the eye opening of wooden and painted images? This is absolutely not found in the heretical sects outside of Nichiren Shoshu, and is a profoundly secret doctrine which only Nichiren Shoshu possesses." Daisaku Ikeda Soka Gakkai Daibyaku Renge
"... the ceremony in which we common mortals come to the head temple and daimoku to the Dai-Gohonzon, which embodies the life of he Buddha of beginningless time, is the most fundamental one." Daisaku Ikeda, Seikyo Times, March 1986, p. 10
"From the time our predecessor Makiguchi sensei, the Gakkai has progressed according to the great spirit of not concerning ourselves in any way concerning the position of the High Priest. In the future as well, we will be consistent with this spirit. Those who violate this, even if they
are top leaders, are to be immediately expelled. This has to be the spirit of believers." Daisaku Ikeda, Seikyo Shimbun, 1/29/56
Today:
Each and every one of Shakyamuini's words tells us that it was right for SGI to separate itself from the ruinous [High Priest] Nikken sect. The SGI is advancing straight along the "path to glory." The Nikken sect is sliding irrevocably down the "path to ruin." I want to make this perfectly clear to you all." Daisaku Ikeda, World Tribune, September 13, 1993
Yesterday:
"It's no good unless these three, an excellent Law, an excellent master and an excellent lay believer, are all present. Nam Myoho Renge Kyo is of course the excellent Law. Furthermore, the High Priests are the only ones who have recieved the Daishonin's teachings, and as our masters, have transmitted to us the Daishonin's innermost enlightenment exactly as it is with nothing lacking during 64 transmissions. Therefore, when we worship the Dai-Gohonzon through the High Priest, benefits will definitely come our way." The Complete Writings Of Josei Toda, Vol. 4, p. 399
"We, ourselves, cannot produce the Gohonzon. Since it's the enlightened entity of Nichiren Daishonin, no one has the authority other than the successive high priests who have been the sole heirs to the heritage of the True Law. We take no part in this. Therefore, the objects of worship inscribed by those in the Butsuryu and Minobu factions [of the Nichiren Shu sect] are absolutely powerless. They are worthless because they are fake. In fact, they contain the power of evil spirits. That is why they are dangerous." Former SGI president, Josei Toda, Daibyaku Renge, 98, p. 98.
"Members of the Minobu school of the Nichiren sect chant daimoku. They have the Gosho Their recitation of the sutra also includes the Hoben and Juryo chapters. And, in the Shoshinkai, which consists of ex-priests of Nichiren Shoshu , and the portions of the sutra they recite and the daimoku that they chant are identical to the practice we observe. Though their religion may seem the same as ours, they lack the single, unbroken heritage of the law received directly from Nichiren Daishonin. If one's faith is not based on this line of inheritance, it is worthless to embrace any Gohonzon, for no benefit will be forthcoming. That is to say, "Without the lifeblood of faith, it would be useless to embrace the Lotus Sutra." " Daisaku Ikeda, Buddhism in Action, vol 3, p 254
"What we must keep in mind here is that concerning the Lifeblood there is the specific Lifeblood of the entity of the Law, and the general lifeblood of faith. We must clearly differentiate between the two. In short, the Lifeblood of the Entity of the Law, the very life of Nichiren Daishonin, who is the reincarnation of the Buddha of Absolute Freedom, is the ultimate Lifeblood, the most important matter concerning life and death. The entity of the law which reveals the life of the Daishonin in it's exact state, is the Dai-Gohonzon of Nam Myoho Renge Kyo. That Lifeblood which is passed on and protected by the successive High Priests of the conferral of the Lifeblood of the Law recieved by only a single person." Daisaku Ikeda, Lectures on Nichiren Daishonin's Gosho, Vol. 30, p. 58
Today:
"... we must deeply understand that the heritage of the universal Law of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo can only be transmitted through organizations [SGI] joined in unity, based on faith in Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism and the principle of the oneness of master and disciple." November 9, 1992 World Tribune
"Today the only true inheritor of the Daishonin's way of master and disciple is the Soka Gakkai. I declare this unequivocally. That's why the Soka Gakkai is so important. Without our organization, the True Law would be utterly lost. There would be no way to save humanity. That is why supporting and defending the Soka Gakkai are the same as defending and advancing the Daishonin's Buddhism." Daisaku Ikeda, World Tribune, September 14, 1992
Yesterday:
"The Dai-Gohonzon of the high sanctuary of true Buddhism at the Nichiren Shoshu head temple, Taiseki-ji, is the basis of all Gohonzons. The Gohonzon, which we are allowed to recieve so that we can pray in our own homes, can be inscribed only by one of the successive high priests who inherit the true lineage of Nichiren Shoshu." Daisaku Ikeda, Buddhism in Action, vol. 1, pg. 21
"It goes without saying that our Soka Gakkai is an organization of Nichiren Shoshu believers. Therefore, worshipping the Dai-Gohonzon and serving the high priest is the fundamental spirit
of the Gakkai." Daisaku Ikeda, Inaugural address of president Ikeda, 1960
"The basis of Nichiren Shoshu is the Lifeblood recieved only by a single person. To faithfully follow the High Priest of the bequethal of the Lifeblood is the correct way for priests and laybelievers. If one is mistaken about this single point, then everything will become insane." Daisaku Ikeda, Discussing Kosen-rufu and Human Life, Vol. 3, p. 32
Today:
"Thus, Nichiren Daishonin teaches us to treat the SGI members who work for Kosenrufu with greater respect than anyone else, and we must seat them high above esteemed priests." Daisaku Ikeda, World Tribune, March 14, 1994
"The [High Priest] Nikken sect, claiming that the High Priest's inner enlightenment and the Gohonzon are "the two indivisible entities of the Object of Worship," is using the Gohonzon and estabishing the "High Priest creed." ibid.
Yesterday:
"Needless to say, the Dai-Gohonzon of the high sanctuary inscribed for all mankind is the most fundamental basis of the movement for the Nichiren Shoshu Soka Gakkai [they have since changed the name to SGI]. The Dai-Gohonzon has been preserved and handed down within Nichiren Shoshu from the founder, Nichiren Daishonin, to his successor, Nikko Shonin, and then to the third high priest, Nichimoku Shonin, up to the present 67th high priest, Nikken Shonin. I hope, therefore, that we will courageously dedicate ourselves to studying Nichiren Daishonin's teachings in order to deepen our faith and to propagation true Buddhism in each country or community, as we follow the high priest's guidance, and respect the traditions and doctrines of Nichiren Shoshu." Daisaku Ikeda, Buddhism in Action,' vol 1, p 33
"We conduct the third prayer to express our deepest appreciation to Nichiren Daishonin, the Buddha of the Latter Day of the Law. In this third silent prayer, we also offer our gratitude to Nikko Shonin, the second high priest and the fouder of Taisekiji. Further, we offer our appreciation to the third high priest, Nichimoku Shonin, and all the successive high priests of Nichiren Shoshu, each of whom transmitted the heritage of the Law to the next. Presently, as you know, the 67th high priest, Nikken Shonin, has inherited the Law. Now he is the master of true Buddhism." Daisaku Ikeda, Buddhism in action, vol 1, p 107
"...we must protect and transmit the essence of the traditions and doctrines that have been continually protected for over 700 years, since the time of the Daishonin. I am concerned that unless we make this our basis, that no matter how much we temporarily increase in power, we would be unable to avoid the criticism of future generations that our Kosen-rufu was a sham." Daisaku Ikeda, Daibyaku Renge, No. 333, p. 13
"That which forms the basis of Nichiren Shoshu is the Lifeblood.With the Dai-Gohonzon as the basis, the successive High Priests alone recieve and inherit this Lifeblood, and preserve it eternally." Daisaku Ikeda, Discussing Kosen-rufu and Human Life, Vol. 3, p. 256
"The Great Pure Law of the Latter day of the Law is transmitted by the successive High Priests of the bequethal of the lifeblood of the Law recieved by only a single person, and they inscribe the Gohonzon for us believers from that standpoint." Daisaku Ikeda, Discussing Kosen-rufu and Human Life, Vol. 4, p. 6
Today:
"Furthermore, in light of the true meaning of the Daishonin's Buddhism, it is a great mistake to think that only the high priest is vested with authority regarding the Gohonzon merely because of his position and title. World Tribune, Sept. 13, 1993
"The faith of "not begruging one's life," life based on the Gohonzon ...such faith exists only in the Soka Gakkai. Only the Soka Gakkai possesses "action" aimed toward the goal of kosen-rufu, and correct "guidance" leading to happiness." Daisaku Ikeda, World Tribune, Jan. 17, 1994
Yesterday:
However, such criticisms [that the practice of Shakubuku is too harsh] were only based on the superficial understanding of common mortals which is incomparably inferior to the understanding of the original Buddha, Nichiren Daishonin. Rather than reprimanding them, Nichiren Daishonin describes the cowardice, timidity and ignorance of those disciples as "pitiful." Today, a similar situation has arisen. Faithless disciples criticized High Priest Nikken, who is the only legitimate inheritor of the Law as the "emissary" of the original Buddha, Nichiren Daishonin. Those who for whatever reasons criticize the high priest are traitors against the orthodox lineage of Nichiren Shoshu. Buddhism in Action, By Daisaku Ikeda, 1984 ed., pages 273-274
Today:
"Today, I would just like to point out that, if the priesthood is earnestly saying that, "to go against the high priest is slander," then they are only going to get caught in their own trap." Daisaku Ikeda, World Tribune, Jan. 17, 1994
Yesterday:
"The Dai-Gohonzon of the high sanctuary of true Buddhism at the Nichiren Shoshu head temple, Taiseki-ji, is the basis of all Gohonzons. The Gohonzon, which we are allowed to recieve so that we can pray in our own homes, can be inscribed only by one of the successive high priests who inherit the true lineage of Nichiren Shoshu." Daisaku Ikeda, Buddhism in Action, vol. 1, pg. 21
"Only the successive High Priests of the conferral of the Lifeblood of the Law inscribe the Gohonzons we recieve based upon the principle that he is an emanation of the Buddha." Daisaku Ikeda, Discussing Kosen-rufu and Human Life, Vol. 1, p. 112
Today:
"At the present time, the Soka Gakkai itself is the one and only group of united priests which receives and inherits the 'lifeblood of faith.'" (Seikyo Shinbun, 9/18/93)
"Lay believers who, among all the people in the world, embrace, believe in and practice the True Law...can also be said to be the treasure of the priest"
"The status of the successive High Priests is lower than that of the treasure of the priest. Lay believers who are disciples of the Daishonin individually represent the treasure of the priest"
"It can be said that the priests and lay believers all individually represent the treasure of the priest" Speech by Soka Gakkai DIkeda World Fibune, Sept. 30, 1991
"Now that we have clearly separated ourselves from Nichiren Shoshu, let us firmly establish a religion for human beings..." Daisaku Ikeda, Sept. 1993 Daibyaku Renge (SGI)
"From the time our predecessor Makiguchi sensei, the Gakkai has progressed according to the great spirit of not concerning ourselves in any way concerning the position of the High Priest. In the future as well, we will be consistent with this spirit. Those who violate this, even if they are top leaders, are to be immediately expelled. This has to be the spirit of believers." Daisaku Ikeda Explains Why He Was Expelled, Seikyo Shimbun, 1/29/56
No comments:
Post a Comment