Katie Yesterday and Today

Yesterday:

"Recently studying the Gosho "The Blessings of the Lotus Sutra" a particular passage struck me in avery different way than previous readings of this Gosho.Nichiren states :" In the same way, one who chants the daimoku as the Lotus Sutra teaches will never have a twisted mind. for one should know that, unless the mind of the Buddha enters into our bodies, we cannot chant the daimoku."

Pondering this again-- I reflect on a major difference between those who chant "Namu" as Nichiren wrote and those who argue the point and cling to "Nam"-- an easier recitation for them. The difference I refer to is the perception of Shakyamuni as "The Buddha"--Those who chant "Namu" seem to have unwavering resolve regarding the True Buddha. Could it be that IF one is not clear on the treasure of the Buddha," the mind of the Buddha will NOT enter one's body"--- and therefore one cannot chant correct *daimoku*??

I just wanted to share an observation-- because I have found the barrier to propagate correct daimoku amongst SGI members is the same as convincing them that Shakyamuni is the True Buddha-- not Nichiren as they were taught by Nichiren Shoshu.

Very interesting you mention *renge* in this context--. For SGI, the cause is discarding the True Buddha, Shakyamuni-- and the effect is not being able to hear, recite or benefit form the wonderful Law, Myo-ho-renge-kyo.

Who would have thought that something so simple could be so badly distorted??-- and that the correction of such an obvious distortion is one of the *nine difficult acts*??

~Katie

Today:

I have yet to find a single example of Nichiren personally defaming another who chants the daimoku, saying just that they can and do chant after encountering the True teaching, means they are believers...

Nichiren clearly states in Letter to Tonsured Layman Soya (Soya nyudo sho), “They entirely look up to groups of icchantikas and rely on them as leaders and, reverencing slanderers against the Dharma, make them national teachers (ie: Ikeda). Taking up the Classic Filial Piety of Confucius, they beat their parents’ heads and, while chanting the Lotus Sutra of Lord Shakya with their mouths, they go against the Master of teachings.” Nichiren, quoting Dengyo states, “Although they praise the Hokkekyo, on the contrary, they kill the heart of the Hokke.”

"If there are any among my followers who are weak in faith and go against what I, Nichiren, say, they will meet the same fate as did the Soga family..."

"However, there is a difference if one chants the daimoku while acting against the intent of this sutra. There are various stages in the practice of this sutra [and various forms of slander exist accordingly]. Let me sum them up by quoting from volume five of The Annotations on “The Words and Phrases of the Lotus Sutra”: “In defining the types of evil, The Words and Phrases of the Lotus Sutra states briefly, ‘Expound among the wise but not among the foolish.’5 One scholar6 enumerates the types of evil as follows: ‘I will first list the evil causes and then their effects. There are fourteen evil causes: (1) arrogance, (2) negligence, (3) wrong views of the self, (4) shallow understanding, (5) attachment to earthly desires, (6) not understanding, (7) not believing, (8) scowling with knitted brows, (9) harboring doubts, (10) slandering, (11) despising, (12) hating, (13) envying, and (14) bearing grudges.’” Since these fourteen slanders apply equally to priesthood and laity, you must be on guard against them."

"Now I, Nichiren, understand these things because of what I myself have undergone. But even if there are those among my disciples who understand them, they fear the accusations of the times; believing that their lives, which are as frail as dew, are in fact to be relied upon, they backslide, keep their beliefs hidden in their hearts, or behave in other such ways."

"...Some of my disciples may be asking. “Does Nichiren really have an understanding superior to that of Jikaku and Chishō?...”

"Though people may claim to be disciples of Nichiren, if they do not possess some proof of that fact from my hand, you must not trust them."

I maintain that proof is Nichiren's authenticated writings.

"Those who call themselves my disciples and practice the Lotus Sutra should all practice as I do."

"You also mentioned in your letter that the people connected with Ōta Jōmyō are apparently saying that the theoretical teaching of the Lotus Sutra can in no way lead to enlightenment. They are making a serious mistake. Remember this about the theoretical and essential teachings of the Lotus Sutra: Which is shallow and which profound, which superior and which inferior, which lenient and which severe, and which subordinate and which primary must be judged in accordance with the time and the people’s capacity. There are three periods in which the sacred teachings of the Buddha’s lifetime should be propagated; the people’s capacity should be thought of in the same way."

"Shō-bō, Noto-bō, and the lay nun of Nagoe were once Nichiren’s disciples. Greedy, cowardly, and foolish, they nonetheless pass themselves off as wise persons. When persecutions befell me, they took advantage of these to convince many of my followers to drop out. If you allow yourself to be so persuaded, those in Suruga who seem to believe in the Lotus Sutra, as well as the others who are about to take faith in it, will all discard the sutra without exception. There are a few in this province of Kai who have expressed their desire to take faith. Yet I make it a rule not to permit them to join us unless they remain steadfast in their resolve. Some people, despite their shallow understanding, pretend staunch faith and speak contemptuously to their fellow believers, thus often disrupting the faith of others. Leave such people strictly alone. The time will certainly come when, by the workings of Brahmā, Shakra, and other gods, the entire Japanese nation will simultaneously take faith in the Lotus Sutra. At that time, I am convinced, many people will insist that they too have believed since the very beginning."

and for what, a brief support of Donald Trump?

“In the same way, one who chants the daimoku as the Lotus Sutra teaches will never have a twisted mind...” (MW vol 5, Letter to Myomitsu Shonin, pg 196)

"If people should try to weaken your belief in the Lotus Sutra, consider that your faith is being tested. Tell them sardonically, “I deeply appreciate your warning. However, you should save your admonishment for yourselves."

"An asura contended that the Buddha taught only eighteen elements, but that he himself expounded nineteen. The non-Buddhist teachers claimed that the Buddha offered only one way to enlightenment, but that they had ninety-five. In the same way, the renegade disciples say, “Though the priest Nichiren is our teacher, he is too forceful. We will spread the Lotus Sutra in a more peaceful way.” In so asserting, they are being as ridiculous as fireflies laughing at the sun and moon, an anthill belittling Mount Hua, wells and brooks despising the river and the ocean, or a magpie mocking a phoenix. Namu-myoho-renge-kyo."

Katie too has proven to be a renegade disciple of Nichiren