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Saturday, January 28, 2023

Buddhist parodoxes...hope you enjoy!

 Buddhist parodoxes...hope you enjoy!

"Some mis-teach the principle of the equality of the Buddha and the common mortal because they misunderstand the principle of the general and the specific. They sometimes teach that the common mortal is equal to the Buddha and sometimes that the common mortal is superior. It is different, the Buddha proclaiming that the common mortal is equal to the Buddha, since this realty is a Buddhist paradox. Understanding [living] the paradox with gratitude for Shakyamuni Buddha is a necessary part of the subjugation of ego vital for awakening. Nichiren scolded the Zenmen for this same transgression as the some Nichiren sects. I can support this view with the authenticated writings of Nichiren and the Lotus Sutra. They who mis-teach the equality of the Buddha and the common mortal can not. 

"Two but not two, one but not one".

Gratitude for Shakyamuni Buddha specifically and people generally is necessary for the subjugation of ego vital for awakening.

Another Nichiren school paradox is the following from Nikko's Twenty-six articles:

In one article, Nikko teaches that those who claim Gosho are forged are evil and in another article he teaches that those who forge Gosho are parasites. If the 26 Articles itself is forged [as asserted by many], there is no paradox. If they are true there is a paradox. However, it is a paradox easily resolved. One who criticizes false Gosho is upholding the Dharma while one who cites false Gosho is a parasite. It is equally true that one who criticizes authentic Gosho is evil and one who cites authentic Gosho is a disciple of Nichiren Daishonin.

Harder parodoxes to understand, Nichiren asserts that not only the Dharma Body of the Buddha has no beginning and no end but also the Reward Body and the Manifestation Body.

Still another paradox:

"I have accordingly quoted the passages from the Lotus Sutra that read, 'In the evil age of the Latter Day of the Law if there is someone who can uphold this sutra . . . ,' 'in the latter age hereafter, when the Law is about to perish . . . ,' and 'they [the Buddhas] make certain that the Law will long endure' in order to demonstrate the error [of believing that the Lotus Sutra has lost its effectiveness]. " -- Nichiren

But in order to assert that the Lotus Sutra has lost its effectiveness, the SGI often cites the following passage from Reply to Lord Ueno:

"Now, in the Latter Day of the Law, neither the Lotus Sutra nor the other sutras lead to enlightenment. Only Nam-myoho-renge-kyo can do so. This is not my own judgment. Shakyamuni, Many Treasures, the Buddhas of the ten directions, and the bodhisattvas who emerged from the earth as numerous as the dust particles of a thousand worlds have so determined it. To mix other practices with this Namu-myoho-renge-kyo is a grave error. A lantern is useless when the sun rises. How can dewdrops be beneficial when the rain falls? Should one feed a newborn baby anything other than its mother's milk? No addition of other medicines is needed with a good medicine. Somehow this woman remained true to this principle, and continued to uphold her faith until the last moment of her life. How admirable, how worthy!

With my deep respect,
Nichiren

The first day of the fourth month in the first year of Koan (1278)

The Soka Gakkai takes the Gosho out of context in order to debase the Lotus Sutra. What this does to their believers, their minds of faith, and to the teachings, is unpardonable. 

The One Great Secret Law is Namu Myoho renge kyo. This is the teachings of Soka Gakkai, the Nichiren Shu, and the Kempon Hokke. The Nichiren Shoshu teaches that the One Great Secret Law is the DaiGohonzon. I will leave aside for the moment who is correct about the One Great Secret Law. Every last Nichiren Buddhist, from the newest member to the most experienced knows that there is no practice in the Latter Day other than chanting Namu Myoho renge kyo. SGI's oft repeated argument implying that the Nichiren Shu, the Honmon Butsuryu Shu, and the other Nichiren practitioners, neither practice nor understand the import of Namu myoho renge, is nothing but a straw man argument. It is a logical fallacy.

Lord Ueno is none other the young samurai, Nanjo Tokimitsu. This writing is from 1278 in response to offerings he received from Lord Ueno and in memorium for the death of Lord Ueno's niece. Here the Daishonin is stating that Namu Myoho renge kyo is the practice for the Latter Day. We read in an earlier part of this letter [which SGI members never cite] :

"After Many Treasures Buddha had closed the door of the treasure tower and the other Buddhas had returned to their original lands, not even Shakyamuni Buddha himself could have denied the Lotus Sutra, whatever other sutras he might have expounded in an effort to do so, because the other Buddhas had all joined in affirming its truth. That is why in the Universal Worthy and Nirvana sutras, which follow the Lotus Sutra, the Lotus Sutra is praised but never disparaged. Nonetheless, priests like Shan-wu- wei of the True Word school and the founders of the Zen school have repudiated the Lotus Sutra, and the entire Japanese nation has now taken faith in their teachings, just like those who were deceived by the rebels Masakado and Sadato. Japan is now on the brink of ruin because it has for many years been the archenemy of Shakyamuni, Many Treasures, and the Buddhas of the ten directions, and in addition, the person who denounces these errors is persecuted. Because such offenses thus accumulate one atop another, our nation will soon incur the wrath of heaven."

On the one hand we see that repudiating the Lotus Sutra is a cause for falling into hell and on the other hand we read that, "neither the Lotus Sutra nor the other sutras lead to enlightenment". How does one resolve this seeming paradox? Nichiren Daishonin writes in the True Object of Worship (Kanjin No Honzon Sho):

"Answer: This is a matter that is difficult to believe and difficult to understand. T’ien-t’ai defined two points that are “difficult to believe and difficult to understand.” One lies in the realm of doctrinal teachings and the other in the realm of meditative practice. With regard to the former, in the sutras preached before the Lotus Sutra we read that persons of the two vehicles and icchantikas, or persons of incorrigible disbelief, are forever barred from attaining Buddhahood, and that Shakyamuni Buddha, the lord of teachings, attained enlightenment for the first time in this world. Nevertheless, we find that the theoretical and the essential teachings of the Lotus Sutra repudiate both these statements. One Buddha who says two things as opposite as fire and water— who could believe him? This is the point that is “difficult to believe and difficult to understand” in the realm of doctrinal teachings.

The point that is “difficult to believe and difficult to understand” in the realm of meditative practice, concerns the principle of the hundred worlds and thousand factors and that of three thousand realms in a single moment of life, which explains that even insentient beings are endowed with the ten factors of life, and that they are endowed with both material and spiritual aspects.":

Thus we see that Nanjo Tokimitsu was confused by the Tientai practice of the Lotus Sutra that was prevalent in Nichiren Daishonin's day. The Lotus Sutra is practiced differently according to the time. Here Nichiren is talking about Tientai's Lotus Sutra teachings and practice. The Lotus Sutra itself must never be disparaged, contrary to the slanderous Soka Gakkai teachings. Disparaging the Lotus Sutra is why their members suffer in the Great Citadel of Hell, why Japan is on the verge of ruin, and why their teachings lead people into the Lower Three Worlds.

One can not read the entirety of the writings, especially the Five Major Writings, and perceive that Nichiren Daishonin disparaged the Lotus Sutra. Soka Gakkai practitioners are evil people, according to Nichiren Daishonin.

Here's one to solve:

Kanjin Honzon Sho ("True Object of Worship")

"It does not mean, however, that any of the Buddhas gives the seed of Buddhahood to the keeper of this sutra. The giver of the seed, the Lotus Sutra affirms, is none other the Original Buddha who reveals himself only in this sutra. It is the perfect Mahayana sutra that reveals the Buddha's accomplishment of a threefold procedure of teaching: To give the seed of Buddhahood to his sons; to grow it; and to let it bear fruit. 

The Lotus Sutra is the most perfect of sutras, because it completes the three-fold procedure of teaching. The keeper of this sutra is endowed with the three causes of Buddhahood: the immanence of Buddha-nature, the wisdom for the realization of Buddha-nature, and the qualifications required for the development of Buddha-nature." 

How does one develop that which is immanent? (I have worked out the answer if anyone is interested).

Another:

"All Gohonzons are the same but only the SGI Nichikan Gohonzon is valid."

Hope you enjoy!

Mark

7 comments:

  1. Your intellectual musings are worthless — it’s the heart that matters most. How far are you from realizing the debt of gratitude you owe to all living beings ? Hint : to date you cannot even respect anyone whose perceptions and opinions differ from yours 😉
    ~ Katie

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  2. A teaching called, “ perfect” cannot be riddled with complexities that you claim to have “figured out”.;
    Really, Mark ? You think Shakyamuni and Nichiren failed to convey the sumpremacy of the complete and perfect teaching?
    Only you have it together ? Hmmm , yet , here you are displaying nothing but antithetical to true Buddhism behavior toward fellow believers and a plethora of shortsighted secular debaucles. ~ Katie

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  3. Mark, I am reposting what I wrote to you a couple weeks ago, hoping you might realize,
    I understand that you do not see how your approach to Buddhism is essentially like Chas. Perpetually focusing on sect wars.

    Seriously you doubt the power of the Daimoku.

    In General, all these points of differences, arise from and are based in the past schisms and arguing sects.
    I am stating very matter of fact, that the differences and arguing of Nichiren sects and hair-splitting ideation, is what NICHIREN himself calls “Worldly Matters.” It is breaking the unity of the Sangha to be involved in arguing over “worldly matters” rather then adhering to the power of the Daimoku itself. Nichiren writes, “Disciples (of Nichiren, True Buddhism) should be the last to abuse each other.”

    Nichiren makes it very clear that the practice of reciting the Daimoku (Sacred Title) is far more powerful then the possible Worldly Matters that became points of contention. He specifically states:

    “Those who believe in the Lotus Sutra, however except for abandoning their faith in the Lotus Sutra and following the teacher of expedient teachings, will never fall into the three evil realms for committing sins in world matters.

    “It is because the sins are not grave enough to upset the merits of the Lotus Sutra.” (from the Shugo Kokka-ron (1259)



    The term, “Lotus Sutra” in Nichiren’s Lotus Sutra Buddhism, is not only the 27 or 28 or (more) chapters of the Lotus Sutra and Threefold Lotus Sutra and Nirvana Sutra (as amplifying the Lotus Sutra) –it is the Daimoku itself. Nichiren explains this in all his pre- and post-Sado writings over and over again. The Daimoku is the core of the Juryo Chapter. Gohonzon is the “Scripture” that embodies the Daimoku. It is the two of the Three Great Secret Laws. The place of practice and living itself, is the third of the Three Great Secret Laws. All of these three Laws are inseparable and every person shares this One Great Secret Law. Unity of the congregation who practice Faith, is essential. Holding different sects who each practice the Three Great Secret Laws and the One Great Secret Law, but differ in shallow ways as sinners and violators of the True law, is merely shallow criticism of the “Worldly Matters,” type. It is only when the Sutra itself is slandered that the “sin” of slander applies.

    Nichiren explains repeatedly that in the Latter Day:

    “He who believes in this sutra in this life must have seen the Buddha,
    shown respect to Him, given offering and listened to him preach this
    sutra” (Hobenpon Chapter)

    Do not dispute that Nichiren is in fact the “True Buddha” anymore than you yourself are.

    Your distinctions over all these years stemmed from a incident in your life that injected a doubt in
    your mind.

    Stop slandering Bodhisattva’s and Buddha’s just because of the worldly organization they belong to or
    he worldly PROTOCOLS that sect adheres to.

    Every one of them have heard the preaching of this sutra over a endless period.

    Criticizing INDIVIDUALS for slandering, such as specifically criticizing Daisaku Ikeda, or Nikken Shonin,
    based on their actual slander of other Great Bodhisattvas i.e., George M. Williams, or Sokagakkai, or
    other Nichiren sects, composed of believers who recite the Daimoku en masse as Nikken
    did, or as the schismatic sects slandering each other, as Chas does as you Mark does, violates the
    real purpose of the Lotus Sutra. This applies to the idiotic SECT WARS. At the same time, this comes
    from “Worldly Affairs,” and does not mean they are not true Buddhas themselves---just by the Virtue
    of their millions of years of faith and practice.

    Whatever doctrinal and hair-splitting arguments exist, are all delusion when looking at people who
    chant the Daimoku regardless of whatever small sins.

    Bodhisattva Universal Virtue of the Lotus Sutra and closing Sutra ensures that Buddhism will spread.
    Recognize this. Have faith and stop the constant SECT WAR.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. " KelpszoidFebruary 2, 2023 at 3:35 PM
      Mark, I am reposting what I wrote to you a couple weeks ago, hoping you might realize,
      I understand that you do not see how your approach to Buddhism is essentially like Chas. Perpetually focusing on sect wars.

      Seriously you doubt the power of the Daimoku. "

      yea. what katie has been saying. it's so clear that mark worships his own mind. glad to see this so eloquently articulated. have shared widely and want to say thank you,kelpzoid!

      Delete
  4. Crickets … Mark cannot respond to direct refutation if “his teachings” - speaks volumes !
    ~Katie

    ReplyDelete
  5. wow! how did mark let this one slip through?-- klepzoid nailed it. mark allowing for the posting of truth-- like this and katie's comments are the only good causes i see him making.;-)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Katie, you lie almost as much as the Soka Gakkai and the Nichiren Shoshu. Yes I doubt the power of Daimoku in the hajnds of the SGI and NST slanderers, just exactly as would my master Nichiren. End of discussion.

    ReplyDelete