"Indeed, in modern Japanese Buddhism, the ability to correctly perform ceremonies and chant nicely for an audience (at funerals in particular) is what is valued by the various Buddhist sect$$$ (aka RITUALISM), there seems to be little concern for actual Buddhist practice, understanding sutras or living in accordance with Buddhist teachings in one's everyday life. Because for most average Japanese, Buddhism has become basically irrelevant, the teachings seemingly incomprehensible. And they see the bad behavior of "priests" ("priests with long hair" as the saying goes) whose conduct is worse than many laymen, this is why Buddhism is dying (has been for years in Japan). "Buddhism" has basically become a family business in many cases, a way of making money for various denominational organizations. Many denominations long ago gave up any actual study of Buddhist teachings and turned their "temples" into what basically amount to museums that charge admission fees. This is inevitably part of our current age of declining Dharma. That said, I do believe that the Lotus Sutra has power to save anybody, even a simple person with limited knowledge of Buddhism (such as myself, for example jiji), or even a person who carelessly chants the Lotus Sutra is creating a connection with it and is accruing merit of some kind."
Agreed. I think we can extrapolate to Buddhism throughout the world.
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