Buddha's and Nichiren's lives were extremely hard but the SGI and others talk about enjoying a relatively easy life devoid of the privations experienced by the Buddha and Nichiren. They are mistaken. In order to attain Buddhahood, thanks to the workings of the Law and the compassion and mercy of the Buddha, we are assailed with difficulties from day one so we can challenge and overcome them through the power of faith, practice, the power of the Law, and the power of the Buddha. Have you ever been really ill at night, a high fever or severe pain. The night seems to last forever but really it is only eight or ten hours and when the sun comes up, we usually feel much better and regain a sense of hope. Think of travelers to the New World caught in a monster storm that seems to never end. As long as they stay focused, protect the ship and protect their comrades and captain, eventually the storm abates and calm seas prevail [until the next storm].
The storms of the Buddha are called the Nine Great Persecutions and the storms of Nichiren are called the Five Great Persecutions. Besides these great persecutions, they experienced "minor difficulties" too numerous to count, for example: Eating snow; eating putrid rice gruel; grass; roots and bracken (in order to survive); being spit upon by men, women, and children; calumniated over and over again; having to run for their lives on many occasions; and being attacked by crazed warriors. Do not be sorry you don't lead an easy life, it is the path to Buddhahood.
The ones that stick w sgi in japan, have a financial stake in it. Sgi has its tentacles, in some of the largest japanese corps. Like mitsubishi. That is changing though. People who have been screwed by the politics of komeito, are quitting komeito and sgi.
ReplyDeleteFukushima has also seriously affected, all of Japan. Many Tepco executives are sgi