Unknown, our nuclear expert. teaches...

New Mexico is just on fire. 400 thousand acres burned: 

https://www.fireweatheravalanche.org/fire/state/new-mexico 

So much nuclear waste and fallout there, from bomb building and testing. I would not be surprised if everyone has cancer in 10 years. Nuke bombs exploded under rivers, in nm project gas buggy. Uranium waste catastrophes.  Nuclear waste dumps in many places. Largest plutonium core operation in the world, at Los Alamos, by Santa fe. Wipp:

https://www.fireweatheravalanche.org/wildfires/dashboard/new-mexico

https://nukewatch.org/ https://nukewatch.org/press-release-item/new-mexico-number-one-in-nuclear-weapons-and-radioactive-wastes-near-last-in-citizen-and-child-well-being-2022/ 

Watch Video released of explosion a on YouTube:

These explosions were caused by parts of the decommisioned, highly radioactive pieces, of the San onofre reactor, buried in Nevada. They later dug them up, after the explosions and, moved them to utah. Steppenwolf just stick yur head into the sand pretend that all is grand and everything will be ok This will start happening at white mesa nuke waste operation, by blanding, utah. There will wildfires at dark canyon, white mesa,  and bears ears. There was a truck fire of nuke waste at energy fuels other site, by salt lake city. The white mesa, energy fuel operation is trucking in nuke waste, from all over the world. That includes Japan. This shows the wildfires still going on in New mexico https://data.thespectrum.com/fires/ Go to New mexico

When all is consumed in a great fire, my land is peaceful and secure

"When living beings witness the end of a kalpa

and all is consumed in a great fire,

this, my land, remains safe and tranquil,

constantly filled with heavenly and human beings.

The halls and pavilions in its gardens and groves

are adorned with various kinds of gems.

Jeweled trees abound in flowers and fruit

where living beings enjoy themselves at ease.

The gods strike heavenly drums,

constantly making many kinds of music.

Mandarava blossoms rain down,

scattering over the Buddha and the great assembly.

My pure land is not destroyed,

yet the multitude sees it as consumed in fire,

with anxiety, fear, and other sufferings

filling it everywhere.

These living beings with their various offenses,

through causes arising from their evil actions,

spend asamkhya kalpas

without hearing the name of the three treasures.

But those who practice meritorious ways,

who are gentle, peaceful, honest, and upright,

all of them will see me

here in person, preaching the Law.: - Lotus Sutra Chapter 16

If you wish an 18 megabyte copy of the Nichiren Gohonzon for the Transmission of the Dharma to print on fine parchment or fine acid free paper...,

comment with your email. I won't approve the comment, so no one else will see your email address. Also, I have a perfectly beautifully framed Gohonzon for the Transmission of the Dharma 5" x 10" (central area), a wooden Gohonzon 7" x 11" with characters burned into the wood from Fukushima, a small beautiful bordered 2.5"x 4.5" (central area) scroll Gohonzon, and a very large 2.5' x 4.5' (central area) Koan Era scroll Gohonzon. Please tell me something about your faith and practice and which Gohonzon you might want. To receive the large Gohonzon, it will require a powerful faith and practice based on the Succession Through the Scrolls of the Sutra and the authentic writings of Nichiren.

Transcendent Life Condition Buddhism

 Excellent explanation of our beads!

https://transcendentlifeconditionbuddhism.com/learn_buddhism/meditation_beads.aspx

Someone asked me, what do I do for society and my community?

Another person asked me to post my testimonial on Stand Together Nichiren Buddhists. I repost it here with a few additions.

My life is tenuous but wonderful. I've been on dialysis for seven years, have generalized atherosclerosis, had kidney cancer and have a chronic infrarenal dissecting aortic aneurysm. I take 5 blood pressure meds. I have been married to my wife for 33 years. We chant together and she takes care of me. Fortunately I found a traditional wife. I tell nearly everyone I meet about Namu Myoho renge kyo and invite them to my house to meet the Gohonzon and talk about the Lotus Sutra Buddhism of Nichiren. I am an antinuclear activist. I have two successful children, one of whom chants the Daimoku when she has a problem or feels down and I have three grandchildren. My daughter had an easy delivery of a fortune baby several days ago (she had to push only two times). I was a physician for 35 years but the internal revenue, treasury dept, and medical bills have rendered us broke. We desire little. I have two of the most gentle very high content grey wolves, Fluffy is 5 years old and his daughter, Namu White Wolf is 14 months old. We also have Myoho the Great Pyrenees who is a big girl at 170 pounds, and Twinkle, a Springer Spaniel. My animals are also our children. We live in a rural area on top of a mountain, lots of deer, coyotes, eagles, and we even saw two pumas. I should have died at least five times in my life, two times by avoiding unavoidable accidents and three times with peritonitis. During one bout of peritonitis, I had a mild heart attack and during another, I had a major bleed in one kidney. 2 years ago, they took out this same kidney because of stage 2 kidney cancer. I am vital despite my illnesses and worked nearly full until last May. Several of my patients continue to see me and those without insurance, I charge them $35.00 unless they request disability determinations. I also continue to see patients for medical marijuana licenses and counseling about the known indications for the various strains of marijuana. I myself smoke, perhaps, 5 times per year.  I consider myself a lay priest. I guess you could say, I tonsured myself. Namu Myoho renge kyo and Gohonzon are the reason I'm still here. Life is the greatest benefit of all.

For Boston SGI members...our friend Katie once wrote

"In 2011 Tariq Hassan visited Boston SGI. He lead a meeting by popular request of SGI Boston members who were seeking an explanation for their inability to receive benefits that compared to those they received when beginning their practice--as long as 20 years ago. Tariq gave a lecture in the spirit of motivational speaker, Tony Robbins, encouraging members to create specific goals for themselves and follow through taking action until they were achieved. The following year, a YWD hanged herself within 48 hours of attending a discussion meeting and receiving guidance from her WD district leader. Another prominent YWD leader struck a pedestrian on the highway, returning from a SGI activity. The man was left paralyzed for life, identified as a homeless person, wandering without purpose. AND, still the leaders here in Boston demean and oust any member who questions the doctrines and guidance of SGI USA leaders. All SGI members should be made aware of the behavior of their degenerate leaders, who refuse to examine and defend their beliefs, which is tantamount to demeaning Nichiren, who devoted his life to clarifying the stature of Shakyamuni and the Lotus Sutra. Nichiren continued at great personal risk, SGI leaders won't even attempt what Nichiren did, despite their comfortable circumstances!"

Someone utilized a passage from an early writing of Nichiren (On the Protection of the Nation) to admonish me for asserting that the Soka Gakkai has abandoned Shakyamuni Buddha

I rebut this ignorant fellow with the entire canon of Nichiren, highlighting the Five Major Works:

Nichiren's One Original Eternal Buddha Doctrine

https://markrogow.blogspot.com/2018/06/nichirens-one-original-eternal-buddha.html

Nichiren's Comprehensive Teachings on Shakyamuni Buddha in Three Parts

https://markrogow.blogspot.com/2018/07/nichirens-comprehensive-teachings-on.html

https://markrogow.blogspot.com/2018/07/nichirens-comprehensive-teachings-on_22.html

https://markrogow.blogspot.com/2018/07/nichirens-comprehensive-teachings-on_65.html

Me thinks, they protest too much.

Why aren't they protesting the ENTIRE Soka Gakkai leadership and Soka Spirit for ravaging the Nichiren Shoshu and the Nichiren Shu? Why aren't they protesting the ENTIRE Nichiren Shoshu priesthood and many of their members for ravaging the Soka Gakkai? These groups care nothing for the neophyte bodhisattvas of the other groups, let alone their leaders or priests while I tell all beginners in the practice, from whatever sect, of the benefits of Namu Myoho renge kyo, the Lotus Sutra and the writings of Nichiren. Yet, they attack one man who supports his views with the Scripture of the Sublime Lotus and the writings of Nichiren. Remember, "faith is first and foremost" and not just any faith or the mechanical chanting of Daimoku, faith in the "eternal" mentor, High Priest, or Nichiren as True Original Eternal Buddha, a CORRECT faith:

"Be resolved to summon forth the great power of faith, and chant Namu-myoho-renge-kyo with the prayer that your faith will be steadfast and CORRECT at the moment of death...Even embracing the Lotus Sutra (Myoho renge kyo) would be useless without the heritage of faith." 

I think that they are barking dogs. What do you think?

All the Unknowns and Anonymouses are having a field day today

Every single one of their comments are approved for you perusal. Agree or disagree, I won't rebut them because as Nichiren, I have too many critics to address them all. I'm sure that they would counter, "he CAN'T rebut them." Be it as it may, I go on till the last moment of my life, Namu Myoho renge kyo.

For the victims of the Texas massacre

 Namu Myoho renge kyo

 Namu Myoho renge kyo

 Namu Myoho renge kyo

From Refutation of Ryokan-bo

 "...in my original prayer I made a vow that: I should not have a prejudice in favor of any sect; I should adopt whichever sect shows evidence of being the teaching of the Buddha and is reasonable; I should be guided solely by the sutras, not by the commentators of India, translators and minister-masters in China; regarding the doctrines of Buddhism, I should not be afraid of even being punished by a king, not to talk of persecutions by the people below him; I should not follow instructions against the Buddha's teachings even if they are given by my parents, teacher and elder brother; and I should speak up honestly as expounded in sutras regardless whether or not people believe in me." - Refutation of Ryokan-bo

The Eagle Peak blog and Katie's defense of the indefensible

There has been one diamond rule of the Eagle Peak blog since its inception. There will be no comment in support of or advocacy of the Soka Gakkai cult allowed. I have broken this rule with my friend Katie (in the sense of Nichiren calling his most fervent enemy, Hei-no-seimon, his good friend) in order to rebut her but she has been so rabid in the defense of this cult that I will no longer permit her defense of the cult. Likewise, for those who come here defending the Nichiren Shoshu or even the Nichiren Shu. This is an American Kempon Hokke and independent Nichiren blog which differs significantly from the Japanese Kempon Hokke. We promote the teachings of Nichiren, Nichiju, Nikkyo the Martyr, those teachings of the Six Senior Priests that mirror the teachings of Nichiren, the actions of Nisshin the Pot Headed Monk, and the example of the Atsuhara martyrs. All these men desired little unlike the pig Ikeda and strove to follow Nichiren to the best of their ability. I consider such men as Gregorio, Anthony Elmore, Steven Shonin Paine, Sinyou Tsuchia, and Sifu Sylvain Chamberlain among others to also be striving to follow the Lotus sutra, Eternal Buddha Shakyamuni, and Nichiren to the best of their ability. Despite our minor differences regarding doctrine, I consider these men to be Bodhisattvas of the Earth. You, my readers would do well to associate yourselves as good friends with all of these men should you aspire to the same faith and practice as our beloved leader, Nichiren Daishonin, the teacher for this muddied age.

When will the poor and middle class rise up?

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/opinion/america-s-billionaire-class-is-funding-anti-democratic-forces/ar-AAXBZqr?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=c1769ec524e14c01adc8294d28c57495 

Southern Baptist Leaders Mishandled Sex Abuse Crisis, Report Alleges...New York Times

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/22/us/southern-baptist-sex-abuse.html 

Powerful and Beautiful chanting by Stephen Shonin Paine

https://rumble.com/v1419ok-invoking-the-mandate-of-heaven-in-seattle-washington-pike-place-market-for-.html?fbclid=IwAR2jdkUVH6DDdQAhjJJr2NpPTzIF24lXViCDcWdYD-SdmQzvTIuR2gDzIds 

Katie asked me to post the following to clarify her position regarding published post "Another Anonymous comment":(and my response)

https://markrogow.blogspot.com/2022/05/another-anonymous-comment.html

"Good to know the wolves are well fed. Interrupting meetings? Oh dear! I know this commenter BTW-- they are good humored and resistant to conspiracy theories, preferring to mock them-- a Gen Z'er who loves the "birds are not real" response to lunatic right winged extremists. Personal and cultural references are necessary to appreciate context and to avoid snap judgements of others. The same, by way of genuine study, can be said for the purpose of developing a deeper, more clear understanding of Nichiren's "letters to followers" IMO ~Katie-- please post to clarify my position. Thanks!

Perhaps Katie could clarify "interrupting meetings" and "a Gen Z'er who loves the "birds are not real" response to lunatic right winged extremists." 

Regarding Nichiren's writings and criticism of me for publishing various passages of the writings without citing background and cultural context, she writes, 

"Personal and cultural references are necessary to appreciate context and to avoid snap judgements of others. The same, by way of genuine study, can be said for the purpose of developing a deeper, more clear understanding of Nichiren's "letters to followers" 

There are letters Nichiren meant for individuals and others, like the Five Major Works, dedicated to all his followers. One can easily research the background and cultural context of any passage. just as the Lotus Sutra was preached primarily for the people of this Latter Degenerate Age which will last for "ten thousand years and more", likewise Nichiren's teachings. The OVERWHELMING context of Nichiren's teachings is the Latter Day of the Law, the "time". This is explained in his writing, The Teaching, Capacity, Time, and Country.

Dave Cole criticizes me for publishing something the Nichiren hater, Blanche Fromage, wrote on SGIwhistlblowers.

No one has been more critical of Blanche Fromage, her anti-Lotus Sutra and anti-Nichiren stance, than me. For defending the Lotus Sutra and Nichiren, I was banned from SGIwhistleblowers. Not only that but in many private messages to her, I have handily criticized her. Regarding Blanche, I told her:

"So do you really think I will be dissuaded by an icchantika? Really? Do you think that an icchantika could shake my belief? You, to me, are a useful idiot who serves the very great mission of destroying the Soka Gakkai which has bastardized Buddhism to the point that it created one as you."

Nichiren, on occasion would quote Shan-wu-wei, despite Shan-wu-wei being an inveterate slanderer of the Lotus Sutra. One can not deny Fromage's well researched assessment of the Soka Gakkai and her intimate knowledge of SGI as a former YWD Headquarters Chief. 

What have you done to correct Blanche Fromage, Dave?

Unknown wrote and my response

"I believe that being "protected" from acting with hostility and animus towards a fellow believer is vital-- for what can one hope to gain from slandering the core teaching of the Lotus Sutra?"

The most important of the 2 core teachings of the Lotus Sutra according to Nichiren (read the Opening of the Eyes), is the Eternal Lifespan of the Buddha, Lord Shakya of the Original Doctrine. It is "more important" then all sentient beings are endowed with the Buddha nature, the second most important "core" teaching. Since, according to Nagarjuna, even a dung beetle has the Buddha nature and those who commit the five cardinal sins have the Buddha nature. There is no doubt that SGI members too have the Buddha nature. Even Putin has the Buddha nature. However,  abandoning Shakyamuni Buddha for either Nichiren as True Original Eternal Buddha, Daisaku Ikeda as eternal mentor, or even SGI-Buddha (whatever that means), SGI members cannot be considered "fellow believers" though they have the Buddha nature. They are to be admonished for altering the teachings. They are no different than provisional Buddhists who chant Namu Myoho renge kyo. That you Unknown, can't see this, reflects on your stalled development as a Nichiren Lotus Sutra Buddhist, lack of study, or lack of knowledge of what SGI actually teaches. Or maybe you don't care that SGI has altered the teachings?

Gregorio's passage of the day

"All the other sutras are examples of preaching in accordance with the minds of others, because, when expounding them, the buddha adjusted himself to the minds of all other living beings. But the Lotus Sutra is an example of preaching in accordance with the Buddha's own mind, because in it the Buddha had all living beings comply with his own mind." WND969.

The Devastating Effect of Nuclear War by Dr. Benjamin Wissler and You can actually do something to prevent it by Frida Berrigan

https://thereader.mitpress.mit.edu/devastating-effects-of-nuclear-weapons-war/ 

https://wagingnonviolence.org/2022/03/worried-about-nuclear-war-you-can-prevent-it/

Deceased Medic Taira documents Ukrainian children dying from their wounds

 

Mostly agree...Why and When SGI members (95%) leave the Soka Gakkai by Blanche Fromage

 About SGI members' weird "explanations" for why other SGI members quit - the elephant in the room : sgiwhistleblowers (reddit.com)

Some of Nichiren's writings on the Eternal Buddha, a passage from Chapter 16, the Lifespan of the Tathagata, and a very brief commentary.

 Thus it was revealed that Shakyamuni had long been the Buddha since the eternal past and it became clear that various Buddhas in other worlds were all manifestations of Shakyamuni Buddha. Now, however, as Shakyamuni was proved to be the Eternal Buddha, those Buddhas in the Flower Garland Sutra, or Buddhas in the Hodo, Hannya, or Great Sun Buddha sutras all became subordinates of Shakyamuni Buddha.” (Kaimoku Sho, p. 174, translated by Kyotsu Hori, 1987)

BTW, here’s the same quote, as translated by NSIC. Please note the subtle differences:

“When Shakyamuni Buddha revealed that he had gained enlightenment in the far distant past and had since then been constantly in the world, it became apparent that all the other Buddhas were emanations of Shakyamuni… now it becomes apparent that Vairocana Buddha of the Kegon Sutra and various Buddhas of the Hodo, Hannya and Dainichi sutras are in fact all followers of Shakyamuni Buddha.” (MW V.2, p.149)

And again, Nichiren says:

“Since Shakyamuni Buddha is eternal and all other Buddhas in the universe are His manifestations…” (Kaimoku Sho, translated by Kyotsu Hori, p.176).

NSIC translates this as :

“Since the Buddha of the Juryo chapter is revealed as the eternal Buddha…” (the part about the manifestation Buddhas is left out altogether!) [MW V. 2, p.150]

Once again, from the Kaimoku Sho, translated by Kyotsu Hori, p.180:

“But now since it has been revealed that Shakyamuni is the Eternal Buddha…”

“But now that it has become apparent that Shakyamuni Buddha attained enlightenment countless aeons ago,…etc. (MW V.2, p. 151)

“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.” -- The Opening of the Eyes Kyotsu Hori translation.

In the Kanjin Honzon Sho, (translated by Kyotsu Hori) there is not a single sentence where Nichiren even suggests that he is somehow this Eternal Buddha that is found in the Juryo Chapter. Instead, Nichiren says:

“…Shakyamuni Buddha, within our minds, is an ancient Buddha without beginning, manifesting Himself in three bodies and attained Buddhahood in the eternal past.. (ibid. P.94)

Notice, nowhere in the Soka Gakkai (or Nichiren Shoshu) translations do we find, Shakyamuni, "ETERNAL BUDDHA" but in the Nichiren Shu/Kempon Hokke translations from the original Showa Tehon Collection of Goshos, the Gosho translations are replete with "Shakyamuni Buddha of the Juryo Chapter of the Lotus Sutra" or "Shakyamuni is the Eternal Buddha." Were we to read the Ongi Kuden or The True Aspect of All Phenomena, both forged Gosho, this passage would have to be read, "We within the mind of Shakyamuni Buddha are ancient Buddhas without beginning."

“…the Bodhisattvas (who sprang from underneath the ground), as described in the 15th chapter, are followers of the Original Buddha Shakyamuni who resides within our minds.” (p.94)

“Shakyamuni 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.” (P.100)

“The “honzon” at the scene of this transmission of “Namu Myo Ho Renge Kyo” from the Eternal Buddha to His Original Disciples is… suspended in the sky above the Eternal Buddha Shakyamuni’s Saha-world is a stupa of treasures, in which Shakyamuni Buddha and Taho sit to the left and right of “Myo Ho Renge Kyo”. (P.102)

“Many wooden statues and portraits were made of Shakyamuni Buddha as He preached Hinayana and quasi-Mahayana sutras, but statues and portraits of the Eternal Shakyamuni Buddha revealed in the Juryo Chapter of the Lotus Sutra were never made. Now, in the beginning of Mappo, is it not the time that such statues and portraits are made?” (P.104)

And, from the Ho’on Jo (translated by Taikyo Yajima):

“All the people in Japan as well as the rest of the whole world should revere the Lord Buddha Shakyamuni (Original and Eternal Buddha) revealed in the essential section (honmon) of the Lotus Sutra as the object of worship (honzon).” [P. 198]

Kanjin Honzon-Sho (NOPPA) page 56:

“In fact Sakyamuni began to preach, planting the seed of Buddhahood in the eternal past… Sakyamuni Buddha continued to guide His disciples until they were all sure to attain Buddhahood during the preaching of the Lotus Sutra in His present life, completing the series of His preaching which began in the eternal past.”

Kanjin Honzon-Sho (NOPPA) page 86:

“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 in their steps and inherit all the merits of those Buddhas.”

and somewhat further along:

“In the same chapter, another passage reads: ‘The duration of My Life, which I obtained through the practice of the bodhisattva way, 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 Under- ground,’ 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.”

“How lucky I am to be able to go to the Pure Land of Mt. Sacred Eagle and extinguish within one life my sin of slandering the true dharma ever since the eternal past! How glad I feel to be able to go to the Pure Land of Mt. Sacred Eagle and wait on Lord Sakyamuni Buddha, whom I have never seen yet! May I guide first of all those rulers of this land who have persecuted me. May I tell Sakyamuni Buddha about my disciples who have assisted me. may I present this great merit to my parents, who gave birth to me, before I die.”

Many SGI passages are not mistranslated, for example:

“Present within our lives is the Lord Shalyamuni who obtained the three enlightened properties of life before gohyaku-jintengo, the Original Buddha since time without begining.” (MW vol 1, The True Object of Worship, pg 65)

“Demonstrating ten great mystic powers the Buddha (Shakyamuni) transferred Namu Myoho renge Kyo to the four great bodhisattvas” (Ibid pg 77)

Since I attained buddhahood
the number of kalpas that have passed
is an immeasurable hundreds, thousands,
ten thousands, millions, trillions, asamkhyas.
Constantly I have preached the Law, teaching,
converting countless millions of living beings,
causing them to enter the buddha way,
all this for immeasurable kalpas.
In order to save living beings,
as an expedient means I appear
to enter nirvana but in truth 

I do not pass into extinction.
I am always here, preaching the Law. - LS Chapter 16, The Lifespan of the Tathagata

"The sutra states, “Those persons who had heard the Law dwelled here and there in various Buddha lands, constantly reborn in company with their teachers,” and “If one stays close to the teachers of the Law, one will speedily gain the bodhisattva way. By following and learning from these teachers one will see Buddhas as numerous as Ganges sands.” A commentary says, “Originally one followed this Buddha and for the first time conceived the desire to seek the way. And by following this Buddha again, one will reach the stage where there is no retrogression.” Another commentary says, “In the beginning one followed this Buddha or bodhisattva and formed a bond with him, and so it will be through this Buddha or bodhisattva that one will attain one’s goal.” Above all, be sure to follow your original teacher so that you are able to attain Buddhahood. Shakyamuni Buddha is the original teacher for all people, and moreover, he is endowed with the virtues of sovereign and parent. Because I have expounded this teaching, I have been exiled and almost killed. As the saying goes, “Good advice grates on the ear.” But still I am not discouraged. The Lotus Sutra is like the seed, the Buddha like the sower, and the people like the field. If you deviate from these principles, not even I can save you in your next life." - Nichiren, The Essential for Attaining Buddhahood.

"In the sixteenth chapter, "Duration of the Life of the Buddha," the sutra also declares: ‘As I said before, it is immeasurably long since I, Sakyamuni Buddha, obtained Buddhahood. My life spans an innumerable and incalculably long period of time. Nevertheless, I am always here and I shall never pass away.’" - Kanjin Honzon-Sho, Nichiren Shu Overseas Propagation Promotion Association (NOPPA) page 36

"Finally in the sixteenth chapter, the Buddha sometimes appears as a Buddha in the realm of Buddha but other times appears as some of the others who reside in the other nine realms. This indicates that the ten realms are included in the realm of Buddha’s." - Kanjin Honzon-Sho (NOPPA) page 36

This reference is included to refute the argument saying that Sakyamuni’s enlightenment occurred at a fixed point in the past by his reference to practicing the way of the bodhisattva.

"Born to the human world, Prince Siddhartha, young Sakyamuni, became the Buddha. This evidence should be enough to convince you to believe that the realm of Buddhas exists in the realm of men." - Kanjin Honzon-Sho (NOPPA) page 56

"In fact Sakyamuni began to preach, planting the seed of Buddhahood in the eternal past... Sakyamuni Buddha continued to guide His disciples until they were all sure to attain Buddhahood during the preaching of the Lotus Sutra in His present life, completing the series of His preaching which began in the eternal past." - Kanjin Honzon-Sho (NOPPA) page 86

"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 in their steps and inherit all the merits of those Buddhas."

"It means that Sakyamuni Buddha, within our minds, is an ancient Buddha without beginning, manifesting Himself in three bodies, and attaining 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." - Kanjin Honzon-Sho (NOPPA) page 94

Here Nichiren explains the meaning of the oft mis-quoted reference to Sakyamuni’s practice of the bodhisattva way.

"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." - Kanjin Honzon-Sho (NOPPA) page 100

"How lucky I am to be able to go to the Pure Land of Mt. Sacred Eagle and extinguish within one life my sin of slandering the true dharma ever since eternal past! How glad I feel to be able to go to the Pure Land of Mt. Sacred Eagle and wait on Lord Sakyamuni Buddha, whom I have never seen yet! May I guide first of all those rulers of this land who have persecuted me. May I tell Sakyamuni Buddha about my disciples who have assisted me. May I present this great merit to my parents, who gave birth to me, before I die." - Kembutsu Mirai-Ki, NOPPA, page 262

"I, Nichiren, of Awa Province graciously received the teaching of the Lotus Sutra from three masters (Sakyamuni, T’ien-t’ai, and Dengyo) and spread it in the Latter Age of the Decadent Dharma. - Kembutsu Mirai-Ki, NOPPA, page 264

After reading these excerpts, how can one support the idea that Nichiren is the Treasure of the Buddha?

Dear Dear Katie:

"Just as you manipulate this forum, you ignore the hearts and minds of the people making decisions about how they want to live and what they will sacrifice to remain free. You don’t speak for “ the dead”, though your arrogance knows no limits. By the same token , you don’t seem to believe in the eternity of life- or the significance of how one lives and dies in terms of their future lives. Ultimately, your reputation has excluded you from serious consideration. You revel in this ! But then you fail to consider how your rhetoric proves you are not motivated by genuine concern for others, and communicates that, unlike Nichiren, you are out of touch with the struggles of ordinary people and woefully ignorant of history. But you do have a tiny fan club and pass your time out of the mainstream of our society. Ergo, you are hardly a threat and much less a voice for and example of Nichiren’s Lotus Sutra Buddhism. ~ Katie

Could you please back up your assertions with examples of who I've hurt. Then please further back up your assertions with passages of the Lotus Sutra and Nichiren. Thank you very much.

Katie, then why are you reading my blog?

"The kids I work with are infinitely more interesting than you and “ gregorio “ — Youth are the future ! You are destined for the dust bin- irrelevant, grumpy and boring 🥹 Ciao! ~Katie

Are you well protected? Gregorio commented with a passage from Nichiren Daishonin

 "That is why the great teacher miao-lo stated, "the stronger one' faith, the greater the protection of the gods." So long as one maintains firm faith, one is certain to receive the great protection of the gods. I say this for your sake. I know your faith has always been admirable, but now you must strengthen it more than ever. Only then will the ten demon daughters lend you even greater protection. You need not seek far for an example. everyone in Japan, from the sovereign on down to the common people, without exception has tried to do me harm, but I have survived until this day. You should realize that this is because, although I am alone, I have firm faith". wnd 614. gregorio

Me personally, we have Shoten Zenjin (Buddhist gods) all around me, protecting us.

Message to Katie and all the readers of the Eagle Peak Blog

Katie wrote, hopefully before she knew that I removed a post that I falsely attributed to her:

Just curious- why so many posts using my name in the subject? When all you’re doing is removing comments from where they appear , rather than responding on the original thread ? You have gone to great lengths to conceal and control the “ discussion”- mostly now focused on demeaning me by name daily ! A friend referred to your style as “ F-F games”, explained the reference before you attributed that comment to me! I asked you to remove it and you have not. Please reference your tactics with evidence that your behavior accords with “ the mind of Nichiren”. If you cannot or will not address these matters with sutra in hand, I will not comment on, or even read your blog again. My word is my bond. ~ Katie

Are you saying that you signed each and every post of yours? If so, the best that I can do is please list anything you didn't write that I attributed to you and I will change it. I wish that everyone would sign their "Anonymous" or "Uknown posts", even if it is a false name, just so I know who wrote what. I can not address every comment, there are too many and I have a life. If by all means you wish me to post it, I will. Please sign it and ask me to post it to be sure it is placed in the comments or the wished it to be posted.

Katie did not write the following comment...This comment is the level of discourse of one of my Anonymous critics

"eww - the autocratic bitch is at it again - pity the fool and pray he gets a clue no one with an IQ above room temperature buys into mark’s fu**\ f*ck games !!"

Katie and I

 Ukraine’s President Zelensky was elected by 70% of voters and currently has full support of the people he serves. The majority of Americans are engaged in preserving our democracy and preventing a corrupt minority from destroying our precious rights and freedoms, literally, from a fascist movement. Elections matter, truth matters , right matters. As this is an autocratic site , moderated by someone who is proud to say he doesn’t vote and publishes scandalous attacks and conspiracy theories, exercising his first amendment rights while denying others that right, we can observe the sheer hypocrisy of his claims to be a follower of Nichiren, as well as his disdain for democracy. ~ Katie

Dead people no longer support anyone. There are terrible leaders around the world elected by 80% of the populace and lets not forget many elections are corrupt. Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. My view is that one live Ukrainian is far more valuable than 500 dead Ukrainians, regardless of the nature of their leaders. All people in Mappo are stained with the Three Poisons and few are supremely and Perfectly Enlightened. Nichiren teaches about the majority:

"The truth of Buddhism has nothing to do with the opinion of the majority. All that is important is whether a belief is in accord with the scriptures. And, further, the golden words of the Buddha have already informed us that in the age of the Latter Day of the Law those who uphold the Right Dharma would be few in number. Thus the Nirvana Sutra says that "those who uphold the Right Dharma are as few as the grains of earth on a fingernail, and those that slander the Dharma are as numerous as the earth in of all the ten directions".

Do you think the Lotus Sutra supports war of any kind? Please support your view with any relevant passages.

Do you think the Lotus Sutra supports war f e

Do you think Nichiren

Another anonymous comment

Reiteration: not a threat 😉 👀 your blog for educational reasons🤓 be glad you don’t live in medieval Japan and aren’t as famous and powerful as Elon musk 😏 your biggest worry should be keeping your wolves well fed 🤭

They are very well fed. My wife cooks for them daily since Fluffy prefers cooked meals. I have a evidence how common people can be targeted by various entities. Many members of the War Resistance League are elderly common folk. They have been targeted by the FBI who have been known to interrupt their meetings, many? some? of which are held in participants' apartments. 

Believe what you will.

Hehe..Ikeda is alive and well

Taking a break from preaching with the internet at your fingertips to speak ill of “ the presumed dead”? ask your buddy, Bill Aiken how Ikeda is doing in his 94th year😉

Bill Aiken is a reliable source? Ikeda hasn't been seen in public for 11 years. I suggest you check the well researched SGIwhistleblowers regarding the fate of Ikeda. SGI leader "eyewitness accounts" are as unreliable as Russian TV, CNN, or Fox News. One thing is sure, Ikeda's SGI ghostwriters are busy bees.

Unknown on the Soka Gakkai

SGI's are not Bodhisatvas they are materialist new age cult devils who promote greed and slander the law. They are pseudo-hindus and materialists that worship devils and a fake Hindu law of attraction that will only lead to dysfunction and bad karma for all...

Bodhisattva by Steely Dan sent by Unknown

 

One of my critics wrote that to his/her knowledge, no one but Nichiren declared himself to be a votary of the Lotus Sutra

Nichiren wrote:

“Now, no matter what, strive in faith and be known as a votary of the Lotus Sutra, and remain my disciple for the rest of your life. If you are of the same mind as Nichiren, you must be a Bodhisattva of the Earth. And if you are a Bodhisattva of the Earth, there is not the slightest doubt that you have been a disciple of Shakyamuni Buddha from the remote past.” (WND-1, 385)

This person is obviously unaware of what Nichiren teaches. Even the Soka Gakkai members and leaders claim for themselves to be votaries of the Lotus Sutra though they fail to follow Nichiren.

More unknown on the Latter Day

These are the latter days. Sgi build walls around themselves and TEPCO in Japan. The politicians in merica have to build bigger walls for themselves, because of their blood sucking ways in the USA. The elite are complicit with the corrupt political crooks. The followers lie to themselves. Which is why they are letting Republicans destroy the country. It’s preferable to acknowledging that their leaders are killing them. Biden builds walls around Russia trying to start WW III

                         US/NATO nuclear weapon sites surround Russia

https://nuclear-news.net/2022/05/19/up-to-100-u-s-nuclear-weapons-surround-russias-border/

What it means to be "woke" for a Nichiren Lotus Sutra Buddhist

All sentient beings have the buddha nature and are endowed with the Mutual Possession of the Ten Worlds. This, of course, includes men, women, children, and animals.

More signs of the Latter day by unknown

 More signs of the latter days Watch for major wildfires by the White mesa nuclear processing and nuclear waste site, by bears ears this summer. Humans are very stupid creatures. https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1612039/Chernobyl-nuclear-warning-forest-fire-Exclusion-Zone-emergency-Ukraine-latest CHERNOBYL nuclear fears have surged after a forest near the Exclusion Zone erupted in flames as emergency services battled to extinguish the huge blaze. By PAUL WITHERS, May 18, 2022 The State Emergency Service of Ukraine reported that litter in the forest near the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone had caught fire. More than a dozen firefighters and four units of equipment were involved in battling to put out the massive fire. At 2.10am local time, the fire had been localised to an area of 45 hectares. By PAUL WITHERS, May 18, 2022 Video footage shared on Twitter shows the forest next to the Exclusion Zone engulfed in flames that are several metres high. Rescue workers wearing protective face masks are also seen leading a local resident to safety. The State Emergency Service of Ukraine shared footage of the fire on its Telegram channel. The service also wrote alongside this: “May 17 near the village. “In the forest of Vyshhorod district, forest litter caught fire. “During the fire, our firefighters rescued a local resident. “At 02:10 on May 18, the fire was localized on an area of 45 hectares. “As of 09:00 there is decay of dry grass and stumps. “Sixteen rescuers and four units were involved in the firefighting techniques. The Chernobyl Exclusion Zone is an officially designated 1,000 square mile area in Ukraine around the site of the Chernobyl nuclear reactor disaster. It covers an area where radioactive contamination is highest and public access and habitation are restricted. The Exclusion Zone aims to restrict access to hazardous areas, reduce the spread of radiological contamination, and conduct radiological and ecological monitoring activities. It remains one of the most radioactively contaminated areas in the world, attracting widespread interest over the high levels of radiation exposure in the environment. The Exclusion Zone had been established by the Soviet Armed Forces soon after the nuclear power plant disaster in 1986. This initially existed as an area with a radius of 30 miles from the structure, designated for evacuation and placed under military control. Over the years, its borders have been widened to cover a much larger area of Ukraine.

Some people are just as hateful as SGI members

Various SGI members over the years: "He is a misogynist", 'He seethes with hatred," "You are a hater", "foaming-at-the- mouth, exclusivist, seemingly hate-filled", "You are a serious hatemonger and it is shameful that you would ever consider yourself a "buddhist.", "I'm not sure if he is a hater." "I will respond to hate-speech, the posting of burning Gohonzons. the generalizations, racism, and distortions by M. R.", "You are embittered and hate filled", "You are a hateful Buddhist.", "If you need a straight male priest to tell you what to do, that's fine, be ok with it and end the slander of that which you hate (in your own heart). There is no corruption outside of you, only in your heart.", "What a sad life condition", "This isn't "free speech", "moderators, this is hate speech.", "You are filled with hate.". "The most dangerous thing to a bigot is to know the object of his hate and fear.", "With your ever present hate, you slander the good SGI members", "Your hate rants are tiresome", "You are a racist", "You are a fascist", "He calls for violence against the SGI", "bitter", psychotic", "He must be "drinking", "smoking","cowardly", "ignorant", "doing drugs", how evil he is beyond words. I hope to meet some of you some day. I will make you sorry you were ever born.", "fool", "foolish", "deluded", "devil", "evil", "hateful lying xxx", "counterfeit Buddhist", "conceited", "egotistical", "xenophobic", "pathetic fascist, a--hole", "perpetrator of medicare fraud", "offensive", "no knowledge", "no wisdom", "lacking faith", "nutty", "Bodhisattva Fukyu." (I have left out more than dozens of other curses and threats heaped upon me).

It is to be expected. Compared to Nichiren and Shakyamuni Buddha, I am loved by everyone. Nichiren writes in the Opening of the Eyes:

"One who has not conceived a desire for the way can never free oneself from the sufferings of birth and death. Shakyamuni Buddha, the lord of teachings, was cursed by all the followers of non-Buddhist teachings and labeled as a man of great evil. The Great Teacher T’ien-t’ai was regarded with intense enmity by the three schools of the south and seven schools of the north, and Tokuitsu of Japan criticized him for using his three-inch tongue to try to destroy the five-foot body of the Buddha. The Great Teacher Dengyō was disparaged by the priests of Nara, who said, “Saichō has never been to the capital of T’ang China!” But all of these abuses were incurred because of the Lotus Sutra, and they are therefore no shame to the men who suffered them. To be praised by fools—that is the greatest shame. Now that I, Nichiren, have incurred the wrath of the authorities, the priests of the Tendai and True Word schools are no doubt delighted. They are strange and shameless men."{

A leaked secret internal document of Citi bank executives states"

"dark? or dirty? peasants" (as seen and noted in Michael Moore's video, Capitalism a Love Story).

Are all the democratically elected serving the people?

 Hell no!

Someone asked why I promote myself as an authority

First of all I don't promote myself as an authority. Nichiren is the authority of the Lotus Sutra. He teaches that one should preach with Sutra in hand In the Opening of the Eyes:

I must observe sadly that, although it would be simple enough to point out the error of the views propounded by these men, if I did so, the people of today would not even look in my direction. They would go on in their erroneous ways and, in the end, would slander me to the ruler of the country and put my life in jeopardy. Nevertheless, our merciful father Shakyamuni Buddha, when he faced his end in the grove of sal trees, stated as his dying instructions that we are to “rely on the Law and not upon persons.”167 “Not relying upon persons” means that when persons of the first, second, third, and fourth ranks168 preach, even though they are bodhisattvas such as Universal Worthy and Manjushrī who have attained the stage of near-perfect enlightenment, if they do not preach with the sutra in hand, then they are not to be accepted.

And

“It is also laid down that one should “rely on sutras that are complete and final and not on those that are not complete and final.” We must therefore look carefully among the sutras to determine which are complete and final and which are not, and put our faith in the former. Bodhisattva Nagarjuna in his Commentary on the Ten Stages Sutra states, “Do not rely on treatises that distort the sutras; rely on those that are faithful to the sutras.” The Great Teacher T’ien-t’ai says, “That which accords with the sutras is to be written down and made available. But put no faith in anything that in word or meaning fails to do so.” The Great Teacher Dengyo says, “Depend upon the preachings of the Buddha, and do not put faith in traditions handed down orally.” Enchin, also known as the Great Teacher Chisho, says, ‘In transmitting the teachings, rely on the written words [ofscriptures]. ‘”

In The Selection of the Time, he writes:

“The Buddha says determining the future, “Depend upon the teaching, not upon the people. Bodhisattva Nagarjuna says, “If one depends upon the scripture it is a correct argument; if one does not depend upon the scripture it is an incorrect argument.” T’ien-t’ai says, “Again, if it conforms to the scripture, quote and use it. If there is no corresponding sentence or corresponding meaning, then one should not believe and accept. ” Dengyo says, “Depend upon what the Buddha taught, not upon the oral tradition.” If one follows these scriptures, treatises and commentaries, then one should not base oneself on dreams. Once should only treasure the passages in the scriptures and treatises…”

Think to yourself, is one preaching with Sutra and Gosho in hand? Whether its me or someone else preaching, one should accept what is in accord with the scriptures and reject what is not. One can be assured that the person is preaching with sutra in hand if the person is Nichiren. Anyone else, including me, may or may not be preaching  with Sutra in hand. 

Ahem

 Someone wrote:

😎chill - no threat intended, just learning and realizing 🤓 didn’t know Elon was buddhist🤔 btw, dying doesn’t make you a martyr for the lotus sutra. as I recall, nichiren himself passed peacefully amongst dear friends. 😇 the martyr thing with violence and hatred is a christian parable. 😏

Tell that to the Atsuhara martyrs, Aryasimha, Nikkyo the Martyr and his two disciples, Nisshin the Potheaded monk, and the many thousands of Nichiren disciples murdered by the Tientai warrior monks.

Nichiren writes in the concluding paragraph of On Practicing the Buddha's Teachings:

"Life flashes by in but a moment. No matter how many terrible enemies we may encounter, banish all fears and never think of backsliding. Even if someone were to cut off our heads with a saw, impale us with lances, or shackle our feet and bore them through with a gimlet, as long as we are alive, we must keep chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. Then, if we chant until the very moment of death, Shakyamuni, Taho and all other Buddhas in the universe will come to us instantly, exactly as they promised during the ceremony at Eagle Peak. Taking our hands and bearing us upon their shoulders, they will carry us to Eagle Peak. The two saints, the two heavenly gods, and the Ten Goddesses will guard us, while all the Buddhist gods raise a canopy over our heads and unfurl banners on high. They will escort us under their protection to the Buddha land. How can such joy possibly be described! Namu-myoho-renge-kyo, Namu-myoho-renge-kyo.

Nichiren performing the forceful practices in Establishing the Correct Law for the Peace of the Land

"The Benevolent Kings Sutra states: “If persons destroy the teachings of the Buddha, they will have no filial sons, no harmony with their six kinds of relatives,54 and no aid from the heavenly deities and dragons. Disease and evil demons will come day after day to torment them, disasters will descend on them incessantly, and misfortunes will dog them wherever they go. And when they die, they will fall into the realms of hell, hungry spirits, and animals. Even if they should be reborn as human beings, they will be destined to become soldiers or slaves. Retribution will follow as an echo follows a sound, or a shadow follows a form. Someone writing at night may put out the lamp, but the words he has written will still remain. It is the same with the effect of the deeds we perform in the threefold world.”

The second volume of the Lotus Sutra says, “If a person fails to have faith but instead slanders this sutra . . . When his life comes to an end he will enter the Avīchi hell.” And in the “Never Disparaging” chapter in the seventh volume, it says, “For a thousand kalpas they underwent great suffering in the Avīchi hell.”

In the Nirvana Sutra, we read: “If a person separates himself from good friends, refuses to listen to the correct teaching, and instead embraces evil teachings, then as a result he will sink down into the Avīchi hell, where the size of his body will become eighty-four thousand yojanas in total length and breadth.”

When we examine this wide variety of sutras, we find that they all stress how grave a matter it is to slander the correct teaching. How pitiful that people should all go out of the gate of the correct teaching and enter so deep into the prison of these distorted doctrines! How stupid that they should fall one after another into the snares of these evil doctrines and remain for so long entangled in this net of slanderous teachings! They lose their way in these mists and miasmas, and sink down amid the raging flames of hell. How could one not grieve? How could one not suffer?

Therefore, you must quickly reform the tenets that you hold in your heart and embrace the one true vehicle, the single good doctrine [of the Lotus Sutra]. If you do so, then the threefold world will become the Buddha land, and how could a Buddha land ever decline? The regions in the ten directions will all become treasure realms, and how could a treasure realm ever suffer harm? If you live in a country that knows no decline or diminution, in a land that suffers no harm or disruption, then your body will find peace and security, and your mind will be calm and untroubled. You must believe my words; heed what I say!"

Some things for the English speaker to know what Nichiren actually taught

Knowing the truth of what Nichiren actually said is complicated by translations with a certain sects bent; whether or not they use the Gosho Zenshu, or gosho collection written in the modern Japanese and translations as the SGI or a Nichiren Shoshu, or whether they utilize the original collections of the writings, the Showa Tehon collection which all scholars and scholar priests utilize. Even here, the English translations may have a Nichiren Shu bent (therefore, one would do well to read all the available translations, if possible and especially, the five Major Writings); and lastly, the problem with apochrypha or pious forgeries. The very best article in English was Dr. Jacqueline Stone of Princeton PHD dissertation, Some disputed writings in the Nichiren corpus: Textual, hermeneutical and historical problems." University of California, Los Angeles, 1990. Dr stone also was the principle translator for the SGI Writings of Nichiren Daishonin. She admitted later that her SGI translation was not equal to academic standards, ie: They were based in the modern Gosho Zenshu and not the Showa Tehon. 

The Showa Tehon has several parts: the Gosho definitely in Nichiren's hand and colophon; those probably in Nichiren's hand (in complete agreement with the corpus in Nichiren's hand, appropriate for the time period in which Nichiren wrote, and Nichiren's sentence structure and syntax, as determined by computer analysis, matched Nichiren's writings and were discovered early; Gosho probably not authentic, those having different structure and syntax and the teachings/principles are not in accord with the evolution of Nichiren's thought, and they were discovered late; and those definitely not authentic writings, like the Ongi Kuden and The True Aspect of all Phenomena (some parts added to the Shoho Jisso Sho), Conversations Between a Sage and an Unenlightened Man and dozens of others. Those definitely not authentic writings may have incidents that Nichiren reported that occurred after he died and all the other anomalies sighted above.

There are several lists of the authentic/inauthentic writings. The one I use principally is http://www.kempon.net/authentic%20writings.html

Jacqueline Stone's dissertation: https://www.princeton.edu/~jstone/dissertation.html

A lot to digest, I know. but to know what Nichiren actually taught, these principles are important to accurately ascertain what really are The Three Great Secret Laws and the Three Treasures of Nichiren Lotus Sutra Buddhism. Of course, the illiterate Atsuhara martyrs knew nothing of the above, they only chanted the Daimoku. However, todays disciples and believers are almost all literate.

In a nutshell, what is wrong with the Soka Gakkai and the Nichiren Shoshu?

"Namu Myoho renge kyo is insufficient for attaining Buddhahood without the mentor or high priest".

Is SGI a cult? Does it matter?

(On) geschreven  teksten: Soka Gakkai (nu BUN-lid etc) BIJLAGEN (archive.org)

BIJLAGE  5

Uit :  sokagakkailies.wordpress.com

Is SGI a cult? Does it matter?   --   Cult Warning Signs in SGI

1. Authority without accountability. Soka Gakkai claims to have absolute authority with regard to Nichiren Buddhism; Nichiren Buddhism can only be correctly practiced if one is a member of SGI. Daisaku Ikeda is promoted by SGI to be the foremost authority on Nichiren Buddhism for the modern age. But SGI provides no accountability — members have no control over their leaders and have no mechanism by which to affect the policies and procedures of their organization.

2. No tolerance for questions or critical inquiry. There are no opportunities to publicly question or critique the teachings of SGI in organizational publications. Critiquing SGI at small discussion meetings may be tolerated to a degree, but this behavior is called “negativity” and is discouraged.

3. No meaningful financial disclosure and no independently audited financial statement. Media reports and property tax records confirm that Soka Gakkai is a multi-billion dollar religious corporation. SGI refuses to disclose its finances even to members and donors who request this information. SGI has publicly maligned members who have pressed for financial disclosure.

4. Unreasonable fear about evil conspiracies and persecutions. Ikeda and his followers have denounced as “evil” a rival group called Nichiren Shoshu, and urged SGI members to fight this so-called devilish influence. SGI has sponsored prayer vigils focused on the destruction of Nichiren Shoshu and the demise of its leader, Nikken. SGI has also assigned at least one paid staff member to follow and spy on Nichiren Shoshu priests. Why? SGI claims that Nichiren Shoshu is out to destroy SGI.

5. The belief that former members are always wrong in leaving SGI. Former members often relate similar stories of being pressured to embrace certain beliefs, to say only positive things about SGI and to participate in fund raising, recruitment and public relations campaigns. Former members have a similar grievances regarding SGI: too much emphasis on the “evil” of Nichiren Shoshu, too much adulation of Daisaku Ikeda and too little emphasis on the teachings of Nichiren Buddhism. SGI leaders tell members that former members are deluded, cannot be trusted and should be avoided.

6. Dependence upon SGI guidance and activities for problem solving, solutions, and definitions without meaningful reflective thought. When SGI members are confronted with a problem, they are urged to seek “guidance” from local SGI leaders or to read guidance from Ikeda. Members are urged to recruit more members and participate in more SGI activities in order to have a “breakthrough” and solve their problems. If the problem is resolved, leaders are quick to claim that participation in SGI activities provides mystical benefits. If the problem is not resolved the member is often advised to make a greater commitment to SGI and “connect” with Ikeda’s heart.

7. Anything that SGI does can be justified, no matter how questionable or harmful. SGI members are good at making excuses for the shortcomings of their organization. “We’re still in our infancy — we’ve only been in America for a little over 30 years — mistakes are to be expected,” they say. “We are only human. Of course we make mistakes.” “We are fulfilling an important mission, so even if people are hurt by our activities, it will all work out for the best in the end.” “If people are hurt by our organization it is due to their karma, not ours.” “People are afraid of SGI not because we are deceptive and manipulative, but because we represent a real challenge to the status quo. People can’t handle the truth and justice we represent.” The list of excuses for bad behavior goes on and on.

8. SGI members are afraid. SGI members have been indoctrinated with a litany of fears: fear of visiting temples or investigating other forms of Buddhism, fear of not chanting enough or skipping gongyo, fear of contradicting the SGI, fear of listening to or entertaining criticism of the SGI, fear of chanting to the “wrong” Gohonzon, fear of leaving the SGI. SGI members fear that these things will invite severe “mystical” punishment such as financial hardship, illness, family strife, loss of a romantic relationship, getting fired from a job or a horrible, agonizing death.