The “Shuso Gosenge Kiroku” (Record of the Founder’s Demise), listed as No. 000141 in the listing of important cultural properties in the Shizuoka area as of 20th Jan 1993 Heisei 5 (N.B. Both the SGI and NST are in denial regarding this important historical document), wrote the following regarding “Na” and “Mu”:
“因此，关于时间，天(南) 是 無量(永恒) 的. However, since the formation of the present physical universe, there has passed “hundreds, thousands, ten thousands, hundred millions of nayutas of aeons”. (Hyaku sen man oku nayuta ko). 然而, 目前物理宇宙 的 形成 已来 已经过了 百千万億 那由他劫。 That is why, the duration of the syllable “Na” (南) is very long. 这就是为什么，音节的 “Na”（南）的持续时间很长。 It represents a very, very, very, long time. 这 代表 一个 非常长 的 时间。 The word “Mu” (無) = void; space (空). 無 = 空 Without space, there is nowhere anything can exist. 如果 空(=無) 不存在， 所有的事物 都不可能存在。 Therefore, “Mu” (無) represent all things; everything, without exclusion.
This suggests that the SGI/NST Axis understanding of ‘Nam” being an extension of Namaste or devotion or the many other acronyms is somewhat misleading and totally misses the point to put it mildly, if not bluntly. It also suggests that the timing of the Honmon O’daimoku is correct. In other words, “Na” and “Mu” represent Space and Time. If there was no space or time nothing would exist. Space/Time is part and parcel of the same thing, without Space/Time there’s nothing, not even the five characters of Myoho-Renge-Kyo! It is the medium within which everything exists. And since Space/Time are fundamentally an aspect of each other, one cannot exist without the other. The same applies to “Na” and “Mu”. Therefore, to omit “Mu” or change it to just “Nam” is a gross misrepresentation of “Na” and “Mu”.
However, the SGI/NST Axis have finally recognized this important document, but have edited the important revelation regarding the above!*?!
Find me a Gohonzon that says only Nam. Ha ha , can't be done.
ReplyDeleteThen how do you explain the experiences of those of us who have chanted both Nam and Namu - with no variation - choosing based on what we preferred ?
ReplyDeleteI think the emphasis on Myoho renge kyo is the crux of this issue - and faith as opposed to knowledge . ~Katie
Love this practice so much . Everything depends on my faith and practice no matter the problem or others ideas and solutions .Evety single time without a single exception, when I focus on faith and chant with my whole being , everything begins to move toward benefit for me and others .
ReplyDeleteSo, I ask - with all due respect, since life is so full of tasks and challenges , isn’t this teaching totally perfect all by itself ? So why do some get so hung up on anything else or look for something to complain about ?
Chant more, live and love fully and share the joy of Myoho Renge Kyo to the best of your ability . Thank you 🙏🏻
No. Nichiren teaches that those who embrace a differing Three Treasures than he will fail to attain Buddhahood. Since you embrace a differing Three Treasures than the votaries of the Lotus Sutra, especially Nichiren, your benefits are miniscule compared to ours. Nichiren also teaches "to rely on the Law and not the person other than the Buddha (Shakamuni) and you and your cult depreciates and deprecates Shakamuni Buddha. Therefore , you confuse Rapture for Buddhahood and will surel fall into hell,
DeleteDavid Sevens
ReplyDeleteMy practice and its effects have transformed since stopping the NAM and correcting with NaMu + the Hon Mon O Daimoku
5d
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The daimoku is perfect, complete. The daimoku is the essential teaching and reciting it, the essential practice for our time.
ReplyDeleteIn medieval Japan, Nichiren was faced with refuting the 8 schools of heretical Buddhism in a country that was unique in being 100% Buddhist.
In 21st century non Buddhist America, we are faced with propagating Nichiren's teachings via our living examples, our very lives- and doing so with the goal of securing peace and happiness for all of us. The greatest obstacle and threat to accomplishing this is the infighting and personal grievances against persons who chant the daimoku. The fracturing of unity based on faith in the daimoku has created tremendous suffering for all who partake of the poisonous sectarian wars, such as Mark has led here for over a decade.
Coercion and force are not "means of propagating the perfect teaching"; intimidation, defamation and censorship are the tools of tyrants !
Very, very difficult to believe and understand that it is precisely the mutual possession of all 10 realms - the Buddha's golden words, calling ALL living beings His children and proclaiming it is the LAW not the person that one must follow. VERY, very hard to believe--- just look how many have immediately proclaimed themselves authorities and superior in understanding and seek to divide and dissuade believers from continuing to have FAITH in what it is so hard to believe.
I am completely confident in saying that Nichiren did not teach or encourage what we see here and elsewhere in the arena of arrogant false sages making pronouncements and predictions. No way, did Nichiren inspire the his followers , even his most loyal disciples, like Shijo, to cast off their secular responsibilities and become "priestly" in their practice of Myoho Renge Kyo.
There is no reason to pontificate on any aspect of Buddhist scholarship-- depth and commitment to study is a personal matter after all! All that required is faith in and practice of the perfect teaching ---- to attain Buddhahood.
Its beyond sad that Mark and his small following tout their loneliness, illnesses, close calls with disaster and being "hated" , as the "actual proof" they are following Nichiren. Think hard about the victories documented by Nichiren's followers and the joyful propagation activities that surrounded them. One of these things is not like the other!
~Katie
I have to remind the slanderers of the Lotus Sutra (and my slanderers), again and again, what Nichiren says about those who chant the Daimoku yet slander the Lotus Sutra and its votaries
Delete"How great is the difference between the blessings received when a sage chants the daimoku and the blessings received when we chant it" to reply, one is in no way superior to the other. the gold that a fool possesses is no different from the gold that a wise man possesses; a fire made by a fool is the same as a fire made by a wise man. HOWEVER, THERE IS A DIFFERENCE if one chants the daimoku while acting against the intent of this sutra".
"And today among my disciples there are those who seem to have faith, to give allegiance, and to willingly follow my teachings. But they do so in name only. If among them there are those whose hearts are not fully committed but who harbor only shallow faith, then they will without doubt fall into the hell of incessant suffering, where they will be confined for one kalpa, two kalpas, ten kalpas, or a hundred kalpas, if not for a thousand kalpas." - Meaning of Establishing the Correct Teachings
"In the same way, the renegade disciples say, “Though the priest Nichiren is our teacher, he is too forceful. We will spread the Lotus Sutra in a more peaceful way.” In so asserting, they are being as ridiculous as fireflies laughing at the sun and moon, an anthill belittling Mount Hua, wells and brooks despising the river and the ocean, or a magpie mocking a phoenix. Namu-myoho-renge-kyo." -Letter from Sado
Soka Gakkai leaders and Nichiren Shoshu priests and believers are slanderers and renegade disciples: Practice of interfaith; mixing of practices, ie: Yuiga Yoga or Guru Yoga as advocated by Josei Toda and put into practice by Daisaku Ikeda (SGI mentor/disciple); a Zen derived Patriarchal Transmission practiced in Nichiren Shoshu and SGI (Three Presidents doctrine) instead of a transmission through Namu Myoho renge kyo, Gohonzon, and Lotus Sutra; Reliance on the Presidents and the High Priests instead of absolute reliance on the Law; doctrines most often derived from Goshos NOT in Nichiren's hand (both SGI and NST); depreciating the 28 Chapter Lotus Sutra, its Prologue and Epilogue Sutras, claiming that Daisaku Ikeda's Human Revolution novels are "The Lotus Sutra of the modern age"; depreciating Shakyamuni Buddha, thus having a different Three Treasures than Nichiren (both Soka Gakkai and Nichiren Shoshu); and SGI slandering the Nichiren Shoshu and the Nichiren Shoshu slandering the SGI, despite both being Fuji schools having virtually the same doctrines AND Both SGI and NST slandering the "Orthodox" sects, for example, the Nichiren Shu and the Kempon Hokke.
DeleteProof of my assertion that there are slanderers and renegade disciples who chant Namu Myoho renge kyo:
"The Jikaku and Chishō factions war with each other incessantly; the latter-day followers of Kōbō in the head temple on Mount Kōya and those of Shōgaku-bō in Dembō-in [on Mount Negoro], Mount Hiei and Onjō-ji temple, wrangle back and forth like asura demons, fight like so many monkeys and dogs."
Part 3
Delete“They entirely look up to groups of icchantikas and rely on them as leaders and, reverencing slanderers against the Dharma, make them national teachers (ie: Ikeda). Taking up the Classic Filial Piety of Confucius, they beat their parents’ heads and, WHILE CHANTING THE LOTUS SUTRA of Lord Shakya with their mouths, THEY GO AGAINST the MASTER OF TEACHINGS.”
Nichiren, quoting Dengyo states, “Although they praise the Hokkekyo, on the contrary, they kill the heart of the Hokke.”
"Many such examples of slander are also found among Nichiren’s disciples and lay believers." - Nichiren
and
Now I, Nichiren, understand these things because of what I myself have undergone. But even if there are those among my disciples who understand them, they fear the accusations of the times; believing that their lives, which are as frail as dew, are in fact to be relied upon, they backslide, keep their beliefs hidden in their hearts, or behave in other such ways.
"For persons of the Tendai Lotus school to chant Namu-myoho-renge-kyo themselves and yet give their approval when others repeat the Nembutsu would be strange enough. Yet not only do they fail to remonstrate with them, but they criticize one who does confront the Nembutsu school, which is strange indeed!"
and
"Therefore, no matter how I explain and try to persuade my own disciples, they still cannot seem to overcome their doubts, but behave like icchantikas, or persons of incorrigible disbelief. Therefore, I have quoted these passages of explanation from T’ien-t’ai, Miao-lo, and others in order to silence their ungrounded criticisms." - The Opening of the Eyes
and
"Now you should make a great vow and pray for your next life. If you are disbelieving or slander the correct teaching even in the slightest, you will certainly fall into the great citadel of the hell of incessant suffering. Suppose there is a ship that sails on the open sea. Though the ship is stoutly built, if it is flooded by a leak, those on the ship are sure to drown together. Though the embankment between rice fields is firm, if there is an ant hole in it, then surely, in the long run, it will not remain full of water. Bail the seawater of slander and disbelief out of the ship of your life, and solidify the embankments of your faith. If a believer’s offense is slight, overlook it, and lead that person to obtain benefits. If it is serious, encourage him to strengthen his faith so that he can expiate the sin."
and
"Therefore, I say to you, my p.584disciples, try practicing as the Lotus Sutra teaches, exerting yourselves without begrudging your lives! Test the truth of Buddhism now! Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, Namu-myoho-renge-kyo."
and
. How lamentable! And what I find even sadder is that I will be unable to save those disciples of mine who have pitied my sufferings.
and
“Is this really true?” Some of my disciples may be asking. “Does Nichiren really have an understanding superior to that of Jikaku and Chishō?” But I am only going by what the Buddha predicted in the sutras."
and
"In the same way, the renegade disciples say, “Though the priest Nichiren is our teacher, he is too forceful. We will spread the Lotus Sutra in a more peaceful way.” In so asserting, they are being as ridiculous as fireflies laughing at the sun and moon, an anthill belittling Mount Hua, wells and brooks despising the river and the ocean, or a magpie mocking a phoenix. Namu-myoho-renge-kyo."
and
"Daigaku and Uemon no Tayū had their prayers answered because they followed my advice. Hakiri seems to believe my teachings, but he ignored my suggestions about his lawsuit, and so I have been concerned about its progress. Some good seems to have come of it, perhaps because I warned him that he would lose unless he followed my advice. But because he did not listen to the extent I had hoped, the outcome has been less fruitful than he expected.
Part 4
DeleteIf lay believers and their teacher pray with differing minds, their prayers will be as futile as trying to kindle a fire on water. Even if they pray with one mind, their prayers will go unanswered if they have long made the error of attacking greater teachings with lesser ones. Eventually, both lay believers and their teacher will be ruined."
and
“If there are those who possess differing ideas concerning the three treasures, then truly you should know that these people can no longer hope to take refuge in, or rely upon, the three pure treasures. They will never gain benefit from any of the precepts, and in the end, they will fail to obtain the fruits of the voice-hearer, the cause-awakened one, or the bodhisattva.”
and
"In that age there will be evil monks who will steal this sutra and divide it into many parts, losing the color, scent, and flavor of the correct teaching that it contains. These evil men will read and recite this sutra, but they will ignore and put aside the profound and vital principles that the Thus Come One has expounded in it and replace them with ornate rhetoric and meaningless talk. They will tear off the first part of the sutra and stick it on at the end, tear off the end and put it at the beginning, put the end and the beginning in the middle and the middle at the beginning or the end. You must understand that these evil monks are the companions of the devil.”
Therefore, it is not difficult to understand that without a correct faith how one may develop a resistance to Nichiren's exemplary practice.
"Among my disciples, those who think themselves well versed in Buddhism are the ones who make errors. Namu-myoho-renge-kyo is the heart of the Lotus Sutra. It is like the soul of a person. To revere another teaching as its equal is to be like a consort who is married to two emperors, or who secretly commits adultery with a minister or a humble subject. It can only be a cause for disaster
and
The second volume of the Benevolent Kings Sutra states: “Great King, after I have passed into extinction, the four types of Buddhist disciples36 in the ages to come, the rulers, crown princes, and other princes of the various small countries, those persons who should uphold and guard the three treasures of Buddhism, will on the contrary become the destroyers of the three treasures, just as it is the worms that are born from the body of a dead lion that will feed on the lion’s flesh. It will not be the non-Buddhists but in most cases the Buddha’s own disciples who will destroy this Buddhist Law of mine and thereby commit a very grave offense.”
and
"Now I, Nichiren, understand these things because of what I myself have undergone. But even if there are those among my disciples who understand them, they fear the accusations of the times; believing that their lives, which are as frail as dew, are in fact to be relied upon, they backslide, keep their beliefs hidden in their hearts, or behave in other such ways."
and
"But if any of Nichiren’s disciples disrupt the unity of many in body but one in mind, they would be like warriors who destroy their own castle from within."
Part 5
Deleteand
"However, there is a difference if one chants the daimoku while acting against the intent of this sutra."
and
"Take these teachings to heart, and always remember that believers in the Lotus Sutra should absolutely be the last to abuse one another. All those who keep faith in the Lotus Sutra are most certainly Buddhas, and one who slanders a Buddha commits a grave offense."
and
"Among my disciples there are some who, apparently still intent on slandering the correct teaching, accuse me, saying, “This priest is acting as an enemy of Great Bodhisattva Hachiman.” It seems they fail to realize that, when it is only reasonable to expect prayers to be answered and yet they are not, one may rightly reproach the object of worship..." - On Reprimanding Hachiman
and
The second volume of the Benevolent Kings Sutra states: “Great King, after I have passed into extinction, the four types of Buddhist disciples36 in the ages to come, the rulers, crown princes, and other princes of the various small countries, those persons who should uphold and guard the three treasures of Buddhism, will on the contrary become the destroyers of the three treasures, just as it is the worms that are born from the body of a dead lion that will feed on the lion’s flesh. It will not be the non-Buddhists but in most cases the Buddha’s own disciples who will destroy this Buddhist Law of mine and thereby commit a very grave offense.” - On Dealing with Disaster
and
doctrine of Nichiren’s true intention. Theirs is a
"In the first five hundred years of the Former Day of the Law following the Buddha’s passing, only Hinayana teachings spread, while in the next five hundred years, provisional Mahayana teachings spread. The thousand years of the Middle Day of the Law saw the rise of the theoretical teaching. In the beginning of the Latter Day of the Law, only the essential teaching spreads, but even so, the theoretical teaching should not be discarded. Nowhere in the entire Lotus Sutra do we find a passage suggesting that we should discard the first fourteen chapters, which comprise the theoretical teaching. When we distinguish between the theoretical and the essential teachings on the basis of the threefold classification of the entire body of the Buddha’s teachings, the pre-Lotus Sutra teachings were to be spread in the Former Day, and the theoretical teaching, in the Middle Day, but the Latter Day is the time to propagate the essential teaching. In the present period the essential teaching is primary, while the theoretical teaching is subordinate. But those who therefore discard the latter, saying it is not the way to enlightenment, and believe only in the former, have not yet understood the completely distorted view.
This doctrine concerning the theoretical and essential teachings is not my own [but was expounded by the Buddha]. Those who would distort it can only be possessed by the heavenly devil, or Pāpīyas, and will topple others along with themselves into the great citadel of the hell of incessant suffering. How foolish they are! Teach this doctrine to others clearly as I have taught you these many years. Those who call themselves my disciples and practice the Lotus Sutra should all practice as I do. If they do, Shakyamuni, Many Treasures, Shakyamuni’s emanations throughout the ten directions, and the ten demon daughters will protect them. Yet, for all that, [some people associated with Ōta Jōmyō distort the teaching]. I cannot fathom what could be in their minds." On Establishing the Four Bodhisattvas as the Object of Devotion
could be the benefit of focusing a part of your mind on the daimoku — maybe for the first time , you actually had a few thoughts about daimoku
ReplyDeleteFoolish person. Have you nothing to add to the discussion on internicine strife or do you only have thoughts of criticism and slander of me.?
ReplyDelete