https://www.worldtribune.org/2017/01/personal-guidance-faith-basis-soka-gakkai/
“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.” — The True Object of Devotion for Observing the Mind
“Since Sakyamuni Buddha is eternal and all other Buddhas in the universe are his manifestations, then those great bodhisattvas converted by manifested Buddhas are also disciples of Lord Sakyamuni Buddha. If the “Life Span of the Buddha” chapter had not been expounded, it would be like the sky without the sun and moon, a country without a king, mountains and rivers without gems, or a man without a soul. nevertheless, seemingly knowledgeable men of such provisional schools of Buddhism as Ch’eng-kuan of the Hua-yen, Chia-hsiang of the San-lun, Tz’u-en of the Fa-hsiang, and Kobo of the shingon tried to extol their own canons by stating: “The Lord of the Flower Garland Sutra represents the reward-body (hojin) of the Buddha whereas that of the Lotus Sutra the accomodative body (ojin);” or “the Buddha in the sixteenth chapter of the Lotus is an Illusion; it is the great Sun Buddha who is enlightened.” clouds cover the moon and slanderers hide wise men. When people slander, ordinary yellow rocks appear to be of gold and slanderers seem to be wise. Scholars in this age of decay, blinded by slanderous words, do not see the value of a gold in the “Lifespan of the Buddha” chapter. Even among men of the Tendai school some are fooled into taking a yellow rock for gold. They should know that if Sakyamuni had not been the Eternal Buddha, there could not have been so many who received GUIDANCE from Him. ” — The Opening of the Eyes
In Soka Gakkai, the unenlightened person gives guidance. In Nichiren Lotus Sutra Buddhism, the Gohonzon, a manifestation of the Eternal Buddha gives guidance. Asking the Gohonzon for guidance is the surest way to receive the most perfect answer to your queries.
I like not being criticized or feared because I got attached to a couple of Nichiren sects throughout my life.
ReplyDeleteI'm happy for you. Who did you think would ostracize you and what relationship do you have with the various sects?
ReplyDeleteThere is a lot of fear of heresy and dai hobo or divine punishment indoctrinated into some Nichiren sects, of course like all religions, they try to justify it with scriptual quotations from the lotus sutra or questionable letters from Saint Nichiren himself. A lot of superstitions about the do's and dont's about the Gohonzon that seem based on sheer conjecture sometimes. I feel the Dai Gohonzon is really inside of each of us, and a Gohonzon, preferable one enscribed by Nichiren himself, is a good stimulus for chanting the mystic law of the universe and trying to tap the power of You.
ReplyDeleteI agree with most everything in your comment. "Divine punishmment", is nothing other than the reality of the Law of Cause and Effect. It is taught in Chapter 3 of the Lotus Sutra, Exhortation to Hold Firm, Chapter 20, The Bodhisattva Never Despise, and the authenticated teachings of Nichiren, especially the Five Major Works.
ReplyDeleteI believe dai hobo is slander, no? Just as there is killing and there is killing, for example, accidently killing an ant and intentionally killing one's parent... There is slander and there is slander, for example, slandering an evil person and slandering the Lotus Sutra and its Supreme Votary, Nichiren (and his disciples and believers).
I really appreciate you having this discussion with me. I need to grasp your perspective on all this.
DeleteYes all that is slander and most any religion will tell you that, however what they also do is tell that someone practicing your religion or a similar one and when doing something they don't like with their religion, is even more of a heinous crime or sin then murder, hurting people with your violent words, not controlling your lower life conditions but let them control you, those are real sins, and we need to first even be conscious in the moment to know we have a choice. Yes of course respect someone's religion if you can, but don't kill someone over it. My God Man! because now we talking more then just one lifetime. It a headfuck game all religions play. (sorry, just being a little dramatic). Sorry about the language.
Yes I think maybe its the Devil Christian karma, we grew up in our culture and a lot of families, it still effects us I bet and Buddhism and comes along and we mesh our Christian fears into the doctrine of whatever, fear they promoting that year. Yes Nichiren believed ignorance of the true nature of Buddhism could lead to bad things, but some people take that down some pretty bizzare rabbit holes sometimes. The High Priest of NST and the President of the SGI are two different animals and people should stop comparing them. Reverend Kubota was a skilled priest and would have made a great HP of NST or any of the six original transmissions that still exist in so many forms today.
More than my perspective, what would be Shakyamuni Buddha's and Nichiren Daishonin's perspective? Do you know the parable of the Excellent Physician in Chapter 16 of the Lotus Sutra? When the excellent physician's children accidently took poison and they were completely out of their mind and they refused to take their father's excellent medicine which would cure them, their father came up with a device. He sent a messenger to his children that he had died. In their profound grief they awoke and took the excellent medicine. Sometimes, we too have to use hurtful words to awken the evil and delusional.
ReplyDeleteYes, Rev. Kubota, in my opinion was a great man and should have been the high priest of the Kempon Hokke. Had you ever met him?
The heart is what is important and not everyone is inclined to perform the forceful practices. Even in performing the forceful practices, it is important to keep one's mind and heart in the Realm of Buddha and Bodhisattva. The Mutual Possession of the Ten Worlds, when we have strong faith in the Three Treasures and Three Great Secret Laws, assures the votaries remain in the Worlds of Buddha and Bodhisattva, even should we anger. This is my opinion.
ReplyDeleteYes I met Rev Kubota in Denver back in mid 1990's and received Gohonzon from him. I had never met a Buddha, a real one, before. His life condition was truly compassionate beyond anything I had experienced, and I met him again a year later at your house in New York. I been on my own every since. I miss the Fellowship you know?
ReplyDeleteMy life condition is most important to me. The Gohonzon he bestowed upon me is truly powerful. I noticed I would chant 10 minutes to it and feel like I had chanted 1 hour to my previous Gohonzon. That was my actual proof and Shoshu's admonition that chanting to a Nichiren Gohonzon is slander, is really not true. I waited for punishment, but only benefit came to me more then ever. Its the fear that is indoctrinated into Shoshu members of slandering the Law, should you hop over to another Lineage of Nichiren, instead of their Fuji School. I had to challenge my fears back then, I trusted Rev. Kubota because of his life condition. Took a chance, and I never looked back since then, and my life flourished since I have had this Gohonzon. I truly mean it sincerely. I have had obvious benefits directly from relying on the Transmission of the Mystic Law from just the Scrolls of the Lotus Sutra. This concept from Nichiju, founder of Myomanji, has sustained me all these years. I believe it, based on my experiences now. Once when I was visiting you, I got sick, and it just so happened you are an MD. You come visit me in New Mexico if you ever get out West! The High Desert is a very spiritual place, I think you enjoy it. We even have UFO phenomena here!
Wonderful. You made my day!!! We are not alone. Are you near Dulce? What a wonderful place is high desert New Mexico. You are fortunate indeed. I am going to post your experience. I am sure you will encourage and motivate many people. I am not sure who you are but I thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI rarely get a chance to travel as the hassle of arranging a dialysis clinic is a pain in the butt. But of course, you are welcome to visit me in Oklahoma any time. I live on a mountain (not compared to NM) in a rural area which I consider the most beautiful area of of East Central Ok. Roland lake is beautiful and my friends and neighbors are beautiful people, some of whom chant Namu Myoho renge kyo. You must one day meet my wife and Fluffy, the most gentle wolf dog in the world. My wife is a great cook. Did you go out for lox and bagels with Rev. Kubota? I really want to know all about you.
ReplyDeleteWe had a meeting at the Hotel in one of their conference rooms. Then the next day we had another meeting at a private party's home. I do not remember much about the second meeting except receiving Gohonzon and protective amulet from Rev. Kubota.
ReplyDeleteAt your house in Long Island, it was, I believe. We stayed the night I remember and my friend Navin Patel, from India came with me as well as my wife Jessica, maybe we also brought John Cuddy. We were coming down from Bangor Maine at the time. I remember meeting your wife, but I forgot her name. Then you came up to Bangor for a vacation and met you again.
If you must know I am also a Mussar Man. I try to cultivate the soul traits taught in Mussar as a daily conscious thought or intention. Mussar is like these Rabbis for thousands of years have observed these human traits and their explaination border into the realms of the 3000 Worlds in a single moment, in my humble opinion. John Watt
Any new puppies? Please give your wife our best.
ReplyDeleteYou know what Nichiren taught about mixing practices. I can't agree with that.
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