Some writings of Nichiren on debate, especially regarding the True Word Teachings and SGI's adoption of the True Word principle of Yuiga (Guru) Yoga and their reliance on the person rather than the Law.

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"Thus in the reign of a worthy ruler, if there is a sincere desire to strengthen the Buddhist teachings, then the ruler will give heed to both sides of a debate and will take as his teachers those wise men who put forth the most compelling arguments. In this way the nation will be assured of peace and security. So we see that the rulers of the Ch’en and Sui dynasties in China summoned the Great Teacher T’ien-t’ai Chih-che and set him to debating with the leaders of the various schools of northern and southern Buddhism, and Emperors Kammu and Saga in Japan arranged for the Reverend Saichō to debate with fourteen Buddhist leaders of Nara, the southern capital. Depending upon who was the winner in such debates, the rulers then established temples and set about propagating the correct teaching."

Likewise, the various Nichiren schools utilized this standard when debating among themselves in order to obtain temples either by donations from the people or by the powers that be.

In Letter of Instruction on Debating the Doctrine , Nichiren commented on a debate between Shijo Kingo and a Tientai priest who, despite embracing the Lotus Sutra, misunderstood the passage of the “the true aspect of all phenomena". He goes on to say:

"But these days when the members of the Tendai school conduct their interpretations of doctrine, in which they “open up and merge” [the provisional teachings with the true teaching]*, they understand this passage of the sutra wrongly, and this leads them into opinions that are erroneous."

The proper understanding of the “opening up and merging” effected by this phrase, “the true aspect of all phenomena,” is simply to uphold the Lotus Sutra, chant Namu-myoho-renge-kyo, and have faith in the words “honestly discarding expedient means, I will preach only the unsurpassed way.”** This is because Shakyamuni Buddha, the Thus Come One Many Treasures, and the Buddhas of the ten directions and the three existences have all testified to the truth of these words.

* The absolute Myo

** The comparative Myo

The Soka Gakkai is far worse. While opening up and merging the Shingon (True Word) Teachings of Yuiga Yoga (Guru Ikeda Yoga) with the Lotus Sutra, they don't instruct on the teachings found in On Repaying Debts of Gratitude to "rely on the Law and not on the person other than the BUDDHA" (and by extension Nichiren Daishonin). By all means, Nichiren utilizes the absolute myo, citing passages of various sutras to praise and edify an understanding of the Lotus Sutra but never the faith and practice of the other Sutras. On the other hand, Soka Gakkai's faith and practice revolves around the Shingon teachings of Yuiga (Guru) Yoga. In other words, they have a faith and practice of the absolute Myo without forcefully acknowledging the comparative Myo (how inferior is the faith and practice of Guru Ikeda Yoga to the Lotus Sutra and Lord Shakya of the Original Doctrine. Let us not forget the many dozens of writings by Nichiren on debating with the True Word. No doubt had any of his disciples adopted a major principle of the True Word teachings as Soka Gakkai, he would wish to debate with them as I.. Even the SGI in the Background of Questions and Answers on the Various Schools delves into this matter of the Absolute and Comparative Myo but, because they fail to see themselves, they say nothing at all about their slander of faith and practice of the Truen Word Teachings. Nichiren writes about those who recite the Lotus Sutra (Myoho renge kyo) but destroys its intent in several Goshos. SGI, NST, NS, HBS are examples Here however, I only discuss the example of the Soka Gakkai.

In Establishing the Correct Method of Contemplation, Nichiren writes:

"But when debating these matters with followers of other schools, one should confine the discussion to matters dealing with general principles. Thus, for example, one should point out that if T’ien-t’ai’s Great Concentration and Insight were not based on the Lotus Sutra, then it should be summarily discarded. Why? Because the Great Teacher T’ien-t’ai himself stated emphatically, “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 said, “Depend upon the preachings of the Buddha, and do not put faith in traditions handed down orally.” The Treatise on the Great Perfection of Wisdom of Nāgārjuna says that one should rely on treatises that are faithful to the sutras, but not rely on those that distort the sutras. And Shakyamuni, the lord of teachings, said, “Rely on the Law and not upon persons.”

Lastly, SGI embraces with their whole hearts The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, a blatant forgery. Therefore. this is another example of the SGI relying on the person rather than the Law.