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Thursday, May 19, 2022

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. 

1 comment:

  1. Hold the sutra in your own hands and with faith in what it says, ignore arrogant false sages telling you how to judge others 🧐

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