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Thursday, November 24, 2022

If you follow me, you are slandering the Law

I have been practicing a form of the Kempon Hokke teachings since 1995. I follow, above all the Law, Eternal Buddha (Gohonzon), the Lotus Sutra, and Nichiren. However, I also embrace the teachings of the founder of the Kempon Hokke, Nichiju Shonin, the Kempon Hokke Martyr Nikkyo, Nisshin, the Pot Headed monk, the vast majority of Nikko Shonin's and Nichimoku Shonin's teachings, and the Atsuhara martyrs. Nichiju followed Nichiren to the best of his ability. His main teaching that The Succession (or Transmission) is Through the Scrolls of the Sutra (Gohonzon, Lotus Sutra, and authentic writings or Nichiren) is, of course, based on Nichiren's teachings:

“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…” -- The Selection of the Time, One of Nichiren's Five Major Writings

"Answer: Are those who have received the teachings directly from their teacher invariably free from error, while those who appear in later ages and examine and clarify these teachings are to be regarded as worthless? If so, then should we throw away the sutras and instead rely upon the four ranks of bodhisattvas? Should a person throw away the deed of transfer received from his father and mother and instead depend upon oral transmissions? Are the written commentaries of the Great Teacher Dengyo so much trash, and the oral traditions handed down from the Great Teacher Jikaku the only guide to truth?" -- Doctrine On Attaining Buddhhood in One's Present Form.

"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 arecomplete and final and which are not and put our faith in the former Bodhisattva Nāgārjuna 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 Dengyō 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 Chishō, says, “In transmitting the teachings, rely on the written words [of scriptures].” -- Opening the Eyes, another of Nichiren's Five Major Writings

"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.” “Not relying upon persons” means that when persons of the first, second, third, and fourth ranks 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." - Opening of the Eyes

Basically, the core of these teachings is summarized in another of Nichiren's Five Major Writings, On Repaying Debts of Gratitude:

"In a scripture called the Nirvana Sutra, the Buddha says, “Rely on the Law and not upon persons.” Relying on the Law here means relying on the various sutras. Not relying upon persons means not relying on persons other than the Buddha, such as the bodhisattvas Universal Worthy and Manjushrī or the various Buddhist teachers I have enumerated earlier."

5 comments:

  1. I'm glad Dr. ROWGO IS doing OK. I learn more about Buddhism from him, than I have my whole life. The problem with prosperity cults is where the heart is ❤ . Inability to look deeper.

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    1. yes, and truly create great slander. look at the world. gregorio

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  2. Funny but I see the opposite.
    No heart to speak of with this guy
    Lots of warmth and genuine caring elsewhere
    even SGI
    Yet I know no one who would bother to tear down Rogow
    Pity him, yes
    Laugh at him, probably
    It’s like he has “savior complex”
    Sees himself as superior and persecuted for it
    It amazes me that anyone buys his rubbish,,,
    There’s the Trump supporters tho
    Food for thought

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  3. ha ha ha...nichiren - "those who turn their backs on the correct teachings will only have a devil for a parent". sgi responder - elephants have big legs. sometimes the rain comes down and sensei is brown. good job stupid ! too funny !

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    1. cliche much?
      i wonder if you can carry on a normal conversation
      or if sound bytes and zingers are your first language?
      any mouse :-)

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