“There are two ways of contemplating the three thousand realms in a single moment of life. One is theoretical, and the other, actual. What T’ien-t’ai and Dengyo practiced was theoretical, but what I practice now is actual. The doctrine of T’ien-t’ai and Dengyo was the three thousand realms in a single moment of life of the theoretical teaching, while mine is that of the essential teaching. These two are as different as heaven is from earth. You should grasp this deeply when the time comes to face death.”
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
Real Buddhism
Even if you have Stage IV cancer, if you have the same faith and practice as Nichiren Daishonin, you reside in the Buddha's land.
Lotus Sutra Society Manifesto
Statement of Spiritual Separation from the Kempon Hokke-shu of Japan by the American believers
By Stephen Paine on Monday, January 27, 2014 at 12:28am
The Lotus Sutra Society
Restoring the Kempon Hokke of Nichiju Shonin
- An American Nichiren Restoration Project-
Statement of Spiritual Separation from the Kempon Hokke-shu of Japan by the American believers:
We the American believers of the Lotus Sutra Society hereby separate ourselves spiritually from the Kempon Hokke shu of Japan.; that which springs from the Momanji temple now ruled by evil priest that have lost the orthodox tradition and the spirit to go back to Nichiren as once founded by Nichiju Shonin.
The facts are that they have been consumed by Minobu and thus have joined evil spiritual friends. We therefore have no choice but to separate ourselves spiritually, and by name; however, since Buddhism states it will in this time period of Mappo spread from the West, and not East we are NOT taken back by these events and the current condition of Japan; as Nichiren’s Rissho Ankoku Ron predicted everything as it has unfolded.
Thus, Nichiren’s warning to the Japanese people during his time that we read now in the Rissho Ankoku Ron states by their blaspheme they would bring ruin to their nation by turning their back on Shakyamuni Buddha. Thus, it is clear the Kempon Hokke priest in Japan have lost the pure and faithful tradition it once enjoyed.
But we do not let the spirit of Nichiren die in their lost school, but instead we "return" to Nichiju on the principle he founded originally that is to say, “Go back to Nichiren.”
Thus, because of the Kempon Hokke Japan’s Hobo action and other blasphemes against the Dharma with great pause we pondered our dilemma, and thus have been left with no choice as the Sutra states, but to depart from evil spiritual friends.
So based on the admonitions of Nichiren with great sadness we must depart from such evil spiritual friends that say one thing about doctrine as it should be, but their action are completely opposed to the Lotus Sutra and Fuju-fuse. As Nichiren stated, “One does as he speaks and speaks as he does.”
One example is the reason most left the Fuju-ha’s (SGI) master disciple slavery doctrine; which Rev.Tsuchia practices by distorting these principle to gain power, voiding out “Kyogan Sojo” by claiming only through their heretical priesthood can one obtain enlightenment.
Thus, the Kempon Hokke Japan has become unitarian like Minobu, and they do not even uphold the most basic aspect of the Lotus Sutra; it has become poisoned to the extreme and has caused great harm to American believers and the Kempon Hokke at large.
Thus, we, The Lotus Sutra Society from this point on are not connected to any part of the Kempon Hokke-shu of Japan as it is no longer spiritually connected to Nichiju’s original founded sect, but as stated above we “go back to Nichiren” as Nichiju originally founded and vow to keep it and propagate to those means as accords with The Lotus Sutra.
The Lotus Sutra Society
Namu Myoho renge kyo!
Monday, May 26, 2014
Nichiren on disbelieving one who relays doctrines that are free of error
"Nowadays there are few people who are guilty of the five cardinal sins, but a great many who commit the ten evil acts. Sometimes you may find a person who, concerned about his next existence, is careful not to commit any of the ten evil acts and to act as a good person. But because of some quite natural error of ignorance, the person, though good in word and deed, in his heart believes in an evil teacher. Not only does that person himself put faith in the erroneous doctrines expounded by such a teacher, but he incites the rulers of the nation and the common people to embrace these same doctrines, or he persuades his wife and children, his followers, and members of his household to carry out the same religious practices that he does. Thus he prevents them from forming any ties with persons who would instruct them in the correct teaching, and keeps the common people and those related to him from experiencing a mind that responds with joy to that teaching. As a result, both he himself and others become slanderers of the Law, and those who would appear to be practicing good and putting aside evil in fact quite naturally end by committing deeds that lead to rebirth in the Avīchi hell. Cases of this kind are rife in this Latter Day of the Law.
The Venerable Ānanda was a nephew of King Shuddhodana and the son and prince of King Dronodana. He was a younger brother ofDevadatta and a cousin of the Thus Come One Shakyamuni. He served the Thus Come One for twenty years, attained the mind-perceiving meditation, and understood all the sacred teachings of the Buddha’s lifetime. After the Buddha entered extinction, King Ajātashatru became a convert to Buddhism under Ānanda’s direction.
Forty years after the Buddha’s entry into extinction, the Venerable Ānanda waspassing through a bamboo grove when he came upon a monk who was reciting a verse of the teaching that went, “Though one be born a human being and live a hundred years, if one has not observed how the waters overflow and dry up, one cannot compare to a person who has lived only one day but has seen these things.”
When Ānanda heard this verse, he said to the monk, “This is not the Buddha’s teaching. You should not be practicing this.”
The monk then asked Ānanda, “What is the Buddha’s teaching?”
Ānanda replied, “‘Though one be born a human being and live a hundred years, if one has not understood the Law of birth and extinction, one cannot compare to a person who has lived only one day but has fully understood that Law.’ This is the Buddha’s teaching. The verse that you were reciting is mistaken in its wording.”
At that time the monk took the verse he had learned from Ānanda to the monk who had taught him originally. But the monk who had been his teacher said, “The verse I taught you is the true teaching of the Buddha. The verse that Ānanda recited is not the Buddha’s teaching. Ānanda is old and senile and says many things that are in error. You should not believe him.”
The monk then discarded Ānanda’s verse and went back to reciting the erroneous one he had recited before. When Ānanda passed through the bamboo grove again and heard him doing so, he realized it was not the verse he had taught the monk and spoke to him about it once more, but the monk refused to heed him.
If errors such as this had already appeared a mere forty years after the Buddha’s passing, how much worse must things be now that over two thousand years have gone by!
The Buddha’s teaching was transmitted from India to China, and then from China to Japan. The scholars, the Tripitaka masters, the teachers who passed it down from one to another hardly relayed one doctrine in ten thousand in a condition that was free from error. And how much worse is the situation now when scholars of Buddhism put biased views above all else, are swayed by arrogance contend with one another like fire against water, and never reach a conclusion. Even when a scholar appears who happens to relay the teachings as the Buddha proclaimed them, no one will believe or heed him. Hence hardly one person in ten thousand can avoid committing slander against the Law."
I almost missed the boat
Life goes by in a moment. Before I knew it, I had spent 20 years in the SGI and was missing out on the faith, practice and study of Nichiren Lotus Sutra Buddhism. If you limit yourself to the faith, practice, and study of SGI pseudo-Buddhism, you will have missed the boat. You will have lost the opportunity to escape from life and death at once.*
*Having realized Bodhi, everywhere, and throughout the Three Existences of past, present, and future, we come to manifest the enlightened life of the Eternal Buddha."
Nichiren Shu priest Reverend Ryuei once accused me of being an "F...ing moron"
Why? Because I criticized him for having a statue of Jesus on his altar.
More "SGI wants it both ways"
SGI support freedom of religion and the curtailing of free speech. Through its NGO, SGI is pushing for the UN resolution that bans criticism of Islam. What's next, a ban on criticizing the Soka Gakkai? They want it both ways: Freedom to practice a twisted perverse version of the Daishonin's Buddhism and freedom from anyone pointing out their errors.
The doctrines of God, DaiGohonzon, Nichiren as True Buddha, Ikeda as Eternal Mentor
I had a patient Rosebud R. In 1977 she was diagnosed with colon cancer Dukes Stage C with 5 of 20 extracolonic lymph nodes sampled positive for metastatic disease. She shook it off like a bad cold. Then, 5 years ago, she was diagnosed with inoperable Stage IV bronchogenic carcinoma. She never missed a beat and hardly ever coughs. In december she was having belly pains and an endoscopy revealed cancer of the stomach. Within a week or two, all her symptoms disappeared. She has an appetite like a horse and is more clear of mind then many of my readers. She attributes all her good fortune to the man upstairs.
Her experience rivals that of any SGI or Kempon Hokke member but that doesn't make her belief in god correct. From a Buddhist standpoint, her good fortune is the result of the good karma she created for herself since the infinite past through her thoughts, words, and deeds. Likewise, we should place the various experiences of Soka Gakkai members in proper perspective. Their belief in the DaiGohonzon, Nichiren as True Buddha, interfaith "based" on the Lotus Sutra, and Ikeda as "eternal mentor" too, are incorrect.
The world according to the Soka Gakkai
Individuals are responsible for their own actions but not organizations.
Why we know that our viewpoint is correct
Because we don't add or subtract a thing from the Perfect Teachings.
Test the truth of Buddhism
"Therefore I say to you, my disciples, try practicing as the Lotus Sutra teaches, exerting yourselves without begrudging your lives! Test the truth of Buddhism! Namu myoho renge, Namu myoho renge kyo!" (MW vol. 3, The Selection Of The Time).
Nichiren on the bridge of the non-Buddhists
"In the third place, Sakyamuni Buddha is the supreme leader and excellent eyes for all people. He is the bridge that enables them to cross the river of evil passions; He is the skipper who guides them over the sea of life and death; and He is the fertile field in which they plant the seed of merits. The so called Four Sages of Confucianism and Three Hermits of Brahmanism, despite their worthy names, are actually unenlightened men unable to rid themselves of the Three Delusions (all delusions and evil passions). Although their names suggest they are wise men, in reality they are as ignorant as infants, who know nothing of cause and effect. How can we cross the sea of life and death aboard a ship steered by such men? How can we pass through the winding street in the Six Realms of delusion and evil passions over to the world of Nirvana by means of a bridge constructed by such men? (Kaimoku Sho, Noppa Translation)."
Don David Scott on the NST/SGI sheep grazing in the barren field
Both the Nichiren Shoshu and the Goka Gakkai suffer from the same
ailment. A mass of true believers have lined up behind one man's
ideology, one man's charisma, one man's vision. This reeks of the U.S.
attitude my country, right or wrong. In this century, we have seen
where this kind of an attitude can be devastating.
Both groups assert that they are in the right, that they have the
special dispensation to devulge the truth handed to them by Nichiren
himself. Yet, if you study the writings of Nichiren, it is obvious
that they have gone astray. When confronted, neither group can quote
just exactly where Nichiren called himself the Buddha and told us not
to chant to Shakyamuni. Neither group can say exactly where Nichiren
said that his teachings are the sole property of the Soka Gakkai or
Nichiren Shoshu.
The council of christian churches makes more sense than these two
warring "Buddhist" factions. Nichiren Dainshonin debated the issues of
the day and won victories through his superior knowledge of Buddhist
sutras. Both NST and the SGI are too busy fitting the Gosho to their
own beliefs to see what it might actually be saying. Anyone who has
read Ikeda's "Lectures on the Sutra" should be able to see that
clearly with regard to the SGI. Where does the High Priest get the
idea that he is the Buddha?
In a reasonable argument, contraditions cause one to think about the
consequences of those contradictions. Even little things such as
Nichiren carrying a statue of Shakyamuni with him should make a
thinking person wonder.
Why does the temple resist verification of the so-called Dai-Gohonzon?
Why not settle the issue once and for all? It begs the question, is it
a fake? Just exactly who claims that their is a Dai-Gohonzon at all?
The SGI now makes a prospective Buddhist wait 6 months to receive
Gohonzon. They are very strict. You must attend meetings, study, and
follow Ikeda's guidance. This is how Buddhism should be taught, now.
Now that THEY foot the bill for the Gohonzon's, now that THEY have the
responsiblity for the new believer.
When I was young in the NSA, before the split up, I watched them shove
Gohonzons on street people like flyers. Often, these Gohonzons were
tossed in the trash on the way out of the community center. "Don't let
the priest know, he will be angry," was the guidance we received. Is
this how we protect the Gohonzon?
The priests should have kept better watch over the laymen. Cause and
effect, both are at fault. But the money kept rolling in and it kept
SOMEBODY happy. The numbers kept getting higher and it kept SOMEBODY
happy. Most of the membership was not happy, they were too busy to be
able to think, with the constant meeting schedule.
It was quite a time, the early days in the US. Everything was moving
fast. I was told not to worry about my pronouciation of Gongyo, that
would come later. Hurry up, follow the beat, and rush along with the
rest of us. The peaceful river of the Lotus Sutra became a ride
through the rapids then. Study today is like the gongyo of yesterday,
listen to the beat, follow the drummer...
The meetings were not about the sutra or the gosho they were about
BENEFIT. Buddhism works because I got the car I wanted, or my marraige
is off the rocks, or I have a new job. Since the focus was on benefit,
since you were ASKED to tell about your benefits, you saw them around
every corner. If ND's buddhism could have been reduced to one
principle at that time it would be: BENEFIT. I do not believe this
attitude was beneficial to Buddhism.
The NSA Buddhist of that time carried the World Tribune, talked to
anyone about the practice, rushed through Gongyo, and chanted for that
house on the hill until his throat was raw. Now, somewhat older, they
have put away childish things and are on the straight-and-narrow path
to Enlightenment. So they would have us believe.
Yet, I have difficulty forgetting their past. They have no love for
study, they ask few questions, and they accept doctrine as given.
Sheep grazing in the field have more freedom than NST and SGI
Buddhists. If only they would begin to graze on the Lotus Sutra and
the words of Nichiren. Have you ever played the game where you pass a
message around a small circle of friends in secret? When the message
comes full circle, it is something completely different than the
original. If only they would turn from the so-called orally
transmitted teachings of the Daishonin and turn to the verifiable
writings instead.
The trouble is that in a field where there is little grass, the sheep become
easily led. By this standard, both the NST and the SGI are full of Baa'd
doctrine.
Don David Scott
ailment. A mass of true believers have lined up behind one man's
ideology, one man's charisma, one man's vision. This reeks of the U.S.
attitude my country, right or wrong. In this century, we have seen
where this kind of an attitude can be devastating.
Both groups assert that they are in the right, that they have the
special dispensation to devulge the truth handed to them by Nichiren
himself. Yet, if you study the writings of Nichiren, it is obvious
that they have gone astray. When confronted, neither group can quote
just exactly where Nichiren called himself the Buddha and told us not
to chant to Shakyamuni. Neither group can say exactly where Nichiren
said that his teachings are the sole property of the Soka Gakkai or
Nichiren Shoshu.
The council of christian churches makes more sense than these two
warring "Buddhist" factions. Nichiren Dainshonin debated the issues of
the day and won victories through his superior knowledge of Buddhist
sutras. Both NST and the SGI are too busy fitting the Gosho to their
own beliefs to see what it might actually be saying. Anyone who has
read Ikeda's "Lectures on the Sutra" should be able to see that
clearly with regard to the SGI. Where does the High Priest get the
idea that he is the Buddha?
In a reasonable argument, contraditions cause one to think about the
consequences of those contradictions. Even little things such as
Nichiren carrying a statue of Shakyamuni with him should make a
thinking person wonder.
Why does the temple resist verification of the so-called Dai-Gohonzon?
Why not settle the issue once and for all? It begs the question, is it
a fake? Just exactly who claims that their is a Dai-Gohonzon at all?
The SGI now makes a prospective Buddhist wait 6 months to receive
Gohonzon. They are very strict. You must attend meetings, study, and
follow Ikeda's guidance. This is how Buddhism should be taught, now.
Now that THEY foot the bill for the Gohonzon's, now that THEY have the
responsiblity for the new believer.
When I was young in the NSA, before the split up, I watched them shove
Gohonzons on street people like flyers. Often, these Gohonzons were
tossed in the trash on the way out of the community center. "Don't let
the priest know, he will be angry," was the guidance we received. Is
this how we protect the Gohonzon?
The priests should have kept better watch over the laymen. Cause and
effect, both are at fault. But the money kept rolling in and it kept
SOMEBODY happy. The numbers kept getting higher and it kept SOMEBODY
happy. Most of the membership was not happy, they were too busy to be
able to think, with the constant meeting schedule.
It was quite a time, the early days in the US. Everything was moving
fast. I was told not to worry about my pronouciation of Gongyo, that
would come later. Hurry up, follow the beat, and rush along with the
rest of us. The peaceful river of the Lotus Sutra became a ride
through the rapids then. Study today is like the gongyo of yesterday,
listen to the beat, follow the drummer...
The meetings were not about the sutra or the gosho they were about
BENEFIT. Buddhism works because I got the car I wanted, or my marraige
is off the rocks, or I have a new job. Since the focus was on benefit,
since you were ASKED to tell about your benefits, you saw them around
every corner. If ND's buddhism could have been reduced to one
principle at that time it would be: BENEFIT. I do not believe this
attitude was beneficial to Buddhism.
The NSA Buddhist of that time carried the World Tribune, talked to
anyone about the practice, rushed through Gongyo, and chanted for that
house on the hill until his throat was raw. Now, somewhat older, they
have put away childish things and are on the straight-and-narrow path
to Enlightenment. So they would have us believe.
Yet, I have difficulty forgetting their past. They have no love for
study, they ask few questions, and they accept doctrine as given.
Sheep grazing in the field have more freedom than NST and SGI
Buddhists. If only they would begin to graze on the Lotus Sutra and
the words of Nichiren. Have you ever played the game where you pass a
message around a small circle of friends in secret? When the message
comes full circle, it is something completely different than the
original. If only they would turn from the so-called orally
transmitted teachings of the Daishonin and turn to the verifiable
writings instead.
The trouble is that in a field where there is little grass, the sheep become
easily led. By this standard, both the NST and the SGI are full of Baa'd
doctrine.
Don David Scott
"You are suspicious and hostile" -- SGI leader
SGI senior leader: The suspicion and hostility in your message speaks volumes about where your life has gone, and I'm deeply sorry to see it.
"If someone is about to kill your father and mother, shouldn't you try to warn them? If an evil son who is insane with drink is threatening to kill his father and mother, shouldn't you try to stop him?" (Opening Of The Eyes, pg 212)
"Then at times there are others who fail to observe the precepts and, as soon as they finish listening to the priest, are enraged to the point where they are about to attack him. Someone who preaches the Dharma in this way, though he may in the end lose his life, is still worthy of being called a person who observes the precepts and brings merit to both himself and others."(ibid pg. 209)
What a lie-detector technician should ask SGI leaders
Q: Did SGI alter Gosho translations?
Q: Does Ikeda himself write all of his books and guidances?
Q: Have you ever paid ghostwriters and asked them to sign non-disclosure agreements?
Q: Have you ever submitted a copyright application for Nam Myoho renge kyo?
Q: Do all the members donations go towards the purposes to which they are requested?
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