Sunday, November 10, 2013
Our daily offering to Nichiren Daishonin
Keeping his teachings pure and maintaining absolute equality among ourselves, his disciples.
The Zen Buddhism of the Soka Gakkai
“The fifth volume of Great Concentration and Insight states, “There is
a type called Zen men, but their masters and disciples are blind [to
the truth] and lame [in practice], and both masters and disciples will
fall into hell.” In the seventh volume we read: “[There are ten ways
necessary for understanding and practicing Buddhism correctly. Of
these, except one], the nine ways have nothing in common with the
ordinary priests of the world who concentrate on the written word, nor
do they have anything in common with the Zen masters who concentrate
on practice. Some Zen masters give all their attention to meditation
alone. But their meditation is shallow and false, totally lacking in
the nine ways. This is no empty assertion. Worthy persons of later
ages who have eyes to see will understand the truth of what I say.”
The seventh volume of On “Great Concentration and Insight” states: “
‘Priests who concentrate on the written word’ refers to men who gain
no inner insight or understanding through meditation, but concern
themselves only with characteristics of the doctrine. ‘Zen masters who
concentrate on practice’ refers to men who do not learn how to attain
the truth and the corresponding wisdom, but fix their minds on the
mere techniques of breath control. Theirs is the kind of [non-
Buddhist] meditation that fundamentally still retains outflows. ‘Some
Zen masters give all their attention to meditation alone’ means that,
for the sake of discussion, T’ien-t’ai gives them a certain degree of
recognition, but from a stricter viewpoint they lack both insight and
understanding. The Zen men in the world today value only meditation
[as the way to realize the truth] and have no familiarity with
doctrinal teachings. In relying upon meditation alone, they interpret
the sutras in their own way. They put together the eight errors and
the eight winds, and talk about the Buddha as being sixteen feet in
height. They lump together the five components and the three poisons,
and call them the eight errors. They equate the six sense organs with
the six transcendental powers, and the four elements with the four
noble truths. To interpret the sutras in such an arbitrary manner is
to be guilty of the greatest falsehood. Such nonsense is not even
worth discussing.” — The Opening of the Eyes
SGI members go to toso after toso, chanting one million Daimoku after
another, yet they sometimes assert that the prime point of the Lotus
Sutra is the M/D relationship or that the Lotus Sutra teaches
interfaith and other times they assert that the prime point of the
Lotus Sutra is the Buddha-nature possessed by all beings. They know
nothing of the doctrines contained in the 16th Chapter of the Lotus
Sutra and the Opening of the Eyes. They lack both insight and
understanding. In the end, they are guilty of the greatest falsehoods.
There are several reasons for the slanders and distortions which
characterize SGI’s teachings:
1). Except for Makiguchi, the SGI members have not experienced
martyrdom. They have had a relatively easy go with propagation and
have, on occassion, resorted to bullying tactics themselves, something
a Buddhist who has experienced severe persecutions first hand would
never resort to.
2). The way of the Samurai and Bushido [way of the warrior], remnants
of the retainer/lord relationship, the principle of saving face, and
the Zen Buddhist model of master/disciple relationship characterizes
the Soka Gakkai
3). Possibly the greatest digression from the Way of Buddha and
Nichiren Daishonin is the zennification of the SGI. The Buddha stated:
“be a lamp unto yourself” and the Buddha as well as the Daishonin
taught that we should follow the Law not persons. It should be obvious
that the SGI admonishment to seek guidance, going so far as having a
Guidance Division, is actual proof of this distortion. Those who
embrace the highest Law and the Supreme Object of Worship, need never
be exhorted to seek guidance and develop what is virtually a master/
disciple relationship with anyone, even one deemed a senior in faith.
In Zen Buddhism, whatever the master says is followed without
hesitation or question. In SGI, one often hears, “Follow no matter
what.” I have heard such arbitrary non-Buddhist opinions as, “‘If you
sincerely follow the guidance of your leaders, even if they are wrong,
you will gain tremendous benefit.” Such teachings are endemic in the
Soka Gakkai and in Zen. This is not the Lotus Sutra Buddhism of
Shakyamuni Buddha and Nichiren Daishonin.
Even if the SGI were to adopt the Object of Worship of the Original
Doctrine and admit that the identity of the Original Eternal Buddha
was Lord Shakya, it will take many generations to purge the SGI of the
Way of the Samurai, Bushido values, the way of lords and retainers,
and the insidious master/disciple teachings of Zen.
The Lotus Sutra and the writings of Nichiren Daishonin trump the
worldly ephemeral successes of the two mentors. The ten million Soka
Gakkai converts by virtue of their false mistaken faith and practice,
based on the Taisekaji teachings mixed with value creationism, Yui
Yoga, and Bushido, have become demons who will destroy true Buddhism
in no time. Nichiren states in Happiness in This World:
“There is no true happiness other than upholding faith in the Lotus
Sutra. This is what is meant by “peace and security in their present
existence and good circumstances in future existences.””
He further states in Embracing the Lotus Sutra:
“Now, if you wish to attain Buddhahood, you have only to lower the
banner of your arrogance, cast aside the staff of your anger, and
devote yourself exclusively to the one vehicle of the Lotus Sutra.
Worldly fame and profit are mere baubles of your present existence,
and arrogance and prejudice are ties that will fetter you in the next
one. Ah, you should be ashamed of them! And you should fear them,
too!”
One million times zero equals zero. Since the Soka Gakkai rejects the
Lotus Sutra and Buddha Shakyamuni of the Juryo Chapter of the Lotus
Sutra, how can SGI member’s happiness be anything but an ephemeral
happiness? SGI members’ happiness is based on worldly fame and profit,
not unlike the zenmen you rail against. We hear over and over, “they
achieved” but what did they really achieve? Nichiren states, quoting
the Nirvana Sutra:
“Kashyapa, because [in the past] I devoted myself to the correct
teaching, I have been able to achieve this diamond-like body that
abides forever and is never destroyed.”
In the USA there are pehaps twenty or thirty million new evangelical
believers in the last ten years. They espouse great happiness but
Nichiren states, “because [in the past] I devoted myself to the
correct teaching…”
We must ask ourselves, are the Soka Gakkai teachings the correct
teachings? Is it correct to abandon Shakyamuni Buddha and the Lotus
Sutra? The ten million Soka Gakkai adepts faith and practice is based
on a dream, or should I say, a nightmare, the nightmare of the
Taisaekaji teachings expounded by Toda and Ikeda:
“…the Gohonzons that we recieve are also the living flesh
of the Original Buddha whose eyes have been opened according
to the principles of the actual Ichinen Sanzen in the passages
depths of the Juryo Chapter and the true attainment of Buddhahood
by plants and trees. Why would this very Gohonzon not be
the true aspect of the eye opening of wooden and painted images?
This is absolutely not found in the heretical sects outside of
Nichiren Shoshu, and is a profoundly secret doctrine which only
Nichiren Shoshu possesses.”– Daisaku Ikeda Soka Gakkai Daibyaku Renge
“….He knew all too well that the age of the Latter Day of the Law
had already come, when prophecy foretold a decline in the power of
Shakyamuni’s Buddhism; he knew it would have been entirely inappropriate
to bring back Shakyamuni’s Buddhism as a new set of beliefs. He was able
to bring the people a totally new kind of Buddhism because he was convinced
of his identity and missions to save all people fo the Latter Day of the
Law.” — Daisaku Ikeda (pg. 212 Selected Lectures on the Gosho)
The Lotus Sutra admonishes him:
“Shame on such monks! — they will preach their own fictions.”
And Nichiren states:
“I had gone to many centers of the religion during those twenty years,
in the quest of Buddhist truths. The final conclusion I arrived at was
that the truth of Buddhism must be one in essence. Many people lose
themselves in the labyrinth of learning and studies, through thinking
that every one of the diverse branches might help to the attainment of
Buddhist ideals.” — Works pp 1770-71
And again in Myoho Bikuni Go-henji:
“According to the Zen Sect, the true teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha
are not transmitted through sutras. They say that sutras including the Lotus
Sutra are like a finger to point at the moon or a ferry to cross a river;
and that it is no use after seeing the moon or crossing the river. Zen
Buddhists say such a thing as they learned, without thinking what they
say. But they are actually slandering Shakyamuni Buddha and preventing
propagation of the Lotus Sutra. Thus, the people in this country are
all committing a grave sin, more serious than the Five Evils, without
realizing it.”
In Those Initially Aspiring to the Way, he writes:
“…As for other types of people, it would appear that, even if they
do not understand the meaning of the Lotus Sutra and are ignorant but
have earnest faith, then they will invariably be reborn in a pure
land. For it says in the Lotus Sutra, “They will be born in the
presence of the Buddhas of the ten directions,” and “She will
immediately go to the World of Peace and Delight.” These passages give
clear proof that one who has faith in the Lotus Sutra will be reborn
in a pure land.
Chapter 3 of the Lotus Sutra states:
“Whether during the Buddha’s lifetime
Or after his extinction
If there be any who slander
Such a sutra as this,
Who, seeing those who read and recite,
Write or hold this sutra, scorn and despise, hate and envy them
And bear them a tenacious grudge.
Concerning the recompense of such people’s sin,
After their lifetimes end
They will enter into the Avici hell.”
Although neither the evangelicals nor the SGI members have faith in
the Lotus Sutra, it is better to be an evangelical who doesn’t slander
the Lotus Sutra than an SGI member who slanders both the Lotus Sutra
and the true believers of the Kempon Hokke. Your holier than thou
pronouncements based on the heretical SGI teachings are a castle built
on sand.
As far as SGI’s assertions that the SGI teachings frees one from birth
and death, that is not possible if one is to believe Nichiren Daishonin
that the Lotus Sutra is the means:
“What I call the Heritage of the Great Thing Concerning Life and Death
is nothing else than the Scripture, the Lotus of the Perfect Truth. For
the Sacred Title of the Lotus was handed down from the two Buddhas, Sakya-
muni and Prabhuta-ratna (Taho or “Many Treasures”), to the Boddhisattva
Visista-caritra (Jogyo or “Emminent Conduct”), when the Buddhas appeared
in the Heavenly Shrine, and from eternity the heritage has been kept
without interruption.”
In another writing, we read,
“Then to utter the Sacred Title of the Lotus with the conviction that
the three are one — the three, that is, Sakyamuni, the Buddha who from
eternity has realized Buddhahood; the Lotus Sutra, which leads all
beings without exception to Buddhahood; and we, beings in all the realms
of existence.”
How can you be one with Buddha Shakyamuni who from eternity has
realized Buddhahood if you reject Him? Chanting mechanical daimoku
with no so conviction in Shakyamuni is not the way to free oneself
from the fetters of birth and death.
On Establishing the Correct Teaching states;
“The host said: There are numerous passages that could be cited and a
wide variety of proofs. For example, in the Golden Light Sutra we
read: “[The four heavenly kings said to the Buddha], ‘Though this
sutra exists in the nation, its ruler has never allowed it to be
propagated. In his heart he turns away from it, and he takes no
pleasure in hearing its teachings. He neither makes offerings to
it, honors it, nor praises it. Nor is he willing to honor or make
offerings to the four kinds of Buddhists who embrace the sutra. In the
end, he makes it impossible for us and the other countless heavenly
beings who are our followers to hear this profound and wonderful
teaching. He deprives us of the sweet dew of its words and cuts us off
from the flow of the correct teaching, so that our majesty and
strength are drained away. Thus the number of beings who occupy the
evil paths increases, and the number who dwell in the human and
heavenly realms decreases. People fall into the river of the
sufferings of birth and death and turn their backs on the road to
nirvana.”
The Selection of the Time states:
“The Buddha says determining the future, “Depend upon the teaching,
not upon the people. Bodhisattva Nagarjuna says, “If one depends upon
the scripture it is a correct argument; if one does not depend upon
the scripture it is an incorrect argument.” T’ien-t’ai says, “Again,
if it conforms to the scripture, quote and use it. If there is no
corresponding sentence or corresponding meaning, then one should not
believe and accept. ” Dengyo says, “Depend upon what the Buddha
taught, not upon the oral tradition.” If one follows these scriptures,
treatises and commentaries, then one should not base oneself on
dreams. Once should only treasure the passages in the scriptures and
treatises…”
Since the SGI abandons the scriptures, treatises and commentaries,
what is it that you have faith in anyway? The words and the oral
teachings of Toda and Ikeda? I don’t see anything here about mentor
Toda and Ikeda being necessary for Buddhahood or that new car or
raise.
Nichiren writes:
“The essential key to Nichiren’s disciples and followers is, namely,
adherence to the Lotus Sutra.”
The Lotus Sutra states:
“But if one, after the Buddha’s extinction,
In the midst of an evil world
is able to preach this sutra, this is indeed hard…..(LS Ch.11)
What the Soka Gakkai teaches is not “this Sutra”. 10,000,000
million SGI believers or 1,500,000,000 Muslims, are not equal to
one Kempon Hokke believer that has faith in the golden words of the
Sutra. Most SGI members haven’t even read the Lotus Sutra, they go by
the hearsay of the mentor, the Human Revolution, or the World Tribune.
The SGI teachings on the Master-disciple relationship, value creation,
receiving and giving guidance, no worth or role for the solitary Bodhi-
sattva, the practice of shoju in this degenerate evil age, are all
hearsay, oral teachings, which Nichiren completely rejected. How sad
for you. How sad that you [SGI] confuse Anger or Rapture for Buddhahood.
Nichiren states:
“Then what teaching should the country of Japan learn if its people
are to free themselves from the sufferings of birth and death? As for
this question, the Lotus Sutra states, “After the Thus Come One has
entered extinction, I will cause it [the Lotus Sutra] to be widely
propagated throughout Jambudvipa and will see that it never comes to
an end.”
Note, it doesn’t say ‘Value Creationism”, “Human Revolution”, or
“Taisekaji Mysticism”.
In the Opening of the Eyes, we also read:
“It is also laid down that one should “rely on sutras that are
complete and final and not on those that are not complete and final.”
We must therefore look carefully among the sutras to determine which
are complete and final and which are not, and put our faith in the
former. Bodhisattva Nagarjuna in his Commentary on the Ten Stages
Sutra states, “Do not rely on treatises that distort the sutras; rely
on those that are faithful to the sutras.” The Great Teacher T’ien-
t’ai says, “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 Dengyo says, “Depend upon
the preachings of the Buddha, and do not put faith in traditions
handed down orally.” Enchin, also known as the Great Teacher Chisho,
says, ‘In transmitting the teachings, rely on the written words [of
scriptures]. ‘”
SGI's relies on the inferior teaching of the Human Revolution;
those Nichiren Shoshu teachings that distort the Sutra and the
teachings of Nichiren Daishonin; they depend more on the preaching
of Daisaku Ikeda than they do on those of the Buddha and Nichiren
Daishonin; and they rarely rely on the written words of the Sutra and
Nichiren Daishonn. They are far more evil than the Zen men who make
no pretense of practicing what the Buddha taught.
a type called Zen men, but their masters and disciples are blind [to
the truth] and lame [in practice], and both masters and disciples will
fall into hell.” In the seventh volume we read: “[There are ten ways
necessary for understanding and practicing Buddhism correctly. Of
these, except one], the nine ways have nothing in common with the
ordinary priests of the world who concentrate on the written word, nor
do they have anything in common with the Zen masters who concentrate
on practice. Some Zen masters give all their attention to meditation
alone. But their meditation is shallow and false, totally lacking in
the nine ways. This is no empty assertion. Worthy persons of later
ages who have eyes to see will understand the truth of what I say.”
The seventh volume of On “Great Concentration and Insight” states: “
‘Priests who concentrate on the written word’ refers to men who gain
no inner insight or understanding through meditation, but concern
themselves only with characteristics of the doctrine. ‘Zen masters who
concentrate on practice’ refers to men who do not learn how to attain
the truth and the corresponding wisdom, but fix their minds on the
mere techniques of breath control. Theirs is the kind of [non-
Buddhist] meditation that fundamentally still retains outflows. ‘Some
Zen masters give all their attention to meditation alone’ means that,
for the sake of discussion, T’ien-t’ai gives them a certain degree of
recognition, but from a stricter viewpoint they lack both insight and
understanding. The Zen men in the world today value only meditation
[as the way to realize the truth] and have no familiarity with
doctrinal teachings. In relying upon meditation alone, they interpret
the sutras in their own way. They put together the eight errors and
the eight winds, and talk about the Buddha as being sixteen feet in
height. They lump together the five components and the three poisons,
and call them the eight errors. They equate the six sense organs with
the six transcendental powers, and the four elements with the four
noble truths. To interpret the sutras in such an arbitrary manner is
to be guilty of the greatest falsehood. Such nonsense is not even
worth discussing.” — The Opening of the Eyes
SGI members go to toso after toso, chanting one million Daimoku after
another, yet they sometimes assert that the prime point of the Lotus
Sutra is the M/D relationship or that the Lotus Sutra teaches
interfaith and other times they assert that the prime point of the
Lotus Sutra is the Buddha-nature possessed by all beings. They know
nothing of the doctrines contained in the 16th Chapter of the Lotus
Sutra and the Opening of the Eyes. They lack both insight and
understanding. In the end, they are guilty of the greatest falsehoods.
There are several reasons for the slanders and distortions which
characterize SGI’s teachings:
1). Except for Makiguchi, the SGI members have not experienced
martyrdom. They have had a relatively easy go with propagation and
have, on occassion, resorted to bullying tactics themselves, something
a Buddhist who has experienced severe persecutions first hand would
never resort to.
2). The way of the Samurai and Bushido [way of the warrior], remnants
of the retainer/lord relationship, the principle of saving face, and
the Zen Buddhist model of master/disciple relationship characterizes
the Soka Gakkai
3). Possibly the greatest digression from the Way of Buddha and
Nichiren Daishonin is the zennification of the SGI. The Buddha stated:
“be a lamp unto yourself” and the Buddha as well as the Daishonin
taught that we should follow the Law not persons. It should be obvious
that the SGI admonishment to seek guidance, going so far as having a
Guidance Division, is actual proof of this distortion. Those who
embrace the highest Law and the Supreme Object of Worship, need never
be exhorted to seek guidance and develop what is virtually a master/
disciple relationship with anyone, even one deemed a senior in faith.
In Zen Buddhism, whatever the master says is followed without
hesitation or question. In SGI, one often hears, “Follow no matter
what.” I have heard such arbitrary non-Buddhist opinions as, “‘If you
sincerely follow the guidance of your leaders, even if they are wrong,
you will gain tremendous benefit.” Such teachings are endemic in the
Soka Gakkai and in Zen. This is not the Lotus Sutra Buddhism of
Shakyamuni Buddha and Nichiren Daishonin.
Even if the SGI were to adopt the Object of Worship of the Original
Doctrine and admit that the identity of the Original Eternal Buddha
was Lord Shakya, it will take many generations to purge the SGI of the
Way of the Samurai, Bushido values, the way of lords and retainers,
and the insidious master/disciple teachings of Zen.
The Lotus Sutra and the writings of Nichiren Daishonin trump the
worldly ephemeral successes of the two mentors. The ten million Soka
Gakkai converts by virtue of their false mistaken faith and practice,
based on the Taisekaji teachings mixed with value creationism, Yui
Yoga, and Bushido, have become demons who will destroy true Buddhism
in no time. Nichiren states in Happiness in This World:
“There is no true happiness other than upholding faith in the Lotus
Sutra. This is what is meant by “peace and security in their present
existence and good circumstances in future existences.””
He further states in Embracing the Lotus Sutra:
“Now, if you wish to attain Buddhahood, you have only to lower the
banner of your arrogance, cast aside the staff of your anger, and
devote yourself exclusively to the one vehicle of the Lotus Sutra.
Worldly fame and profit are mere baubles of your present existence,
and arrogance and prejudice are ties that will fetter you in the next
one. Ah, you should be ashamed of them! And you should fear them,
too!”
One million times zero equals zero. Since the Soka Gakkai rejects the
Lotus Sutra and Buddha Shakyamuni of the Juryo Chapter of the Lotus
Sutra, how can SGI member’s happiness be anything but an ephemeral
happiness? SGI members’ happiness is based on worldly fame and profit,
not unlike the zenmen you rail against. We hear over and over, “they
achieved” but what did they really achieve? Nichiren states, quoting
the Nirvana Sutra:
“Kashyapa, because [in the past] I devoted myself to the correct
teaching, I have been able to achieve this diamond-like body that
abides forever and is never destroyed.”
In the USA there are pehaps twenty or thirty million new evangelical
believers in the last ten years. They espouse great happiness but
Nichiren states, “because [in the past] I devoted myself to the
correct teaching…”
We must ask ourselves, are the Soka Gakkai teachings the correct
teachings? Is it correct to abandon Shakyamuni Buddha and the Lotus
Sutra? The ten million Soka Gakkai adepts faith and practice is based
on a dream, or should I say, a nightmare, the nightmare of the
Taisaekaji teachings expounded by Toda and Ikeda:
“…the Gohonzons that we recieve are also the living flesh
of the Original Buddha whose eyes have been opened according
to the principles of the actual Ichinen Sanzen in the passages
depths of the Juryo Chapter and the true attainment of Buddhahood
by plants and trees. Why would this very Gohonzon not be
the true aspect of the eye opening of wooden and painted images?
This is absolutely not found in the heretical sects outside of
Nichiren Shoshu, and is a profoundly secret doctrine which only
Nichiren Shoshu possesses.”– Daisaku Ikeda Soka Gakkai Daibyaku Renge
“….He knew all too well that the age of the Latter Day of the Law
had already come, when prophecy foretold a decline in the power of
Shakyamuni’s Buddhism; he knew it would have been entirely inappropriate
to bring back Shakyamuni’s Buddhism as a new set of beliefs. He was able
to bring the people a totally new kind of Buddhism because he was convinced
of his identity and missions to save all people fo the Latter Day of the
Law.” — Daisaku Ikeda (pg. 212 Selected Lectures on the Gosho)
The Lotus Sutra admonishes him:
“Shame on such monks! — they will preach their own fictions.”
And Nichiren states:
“I had gone to many centers of the religion during those twenty years,
in the quest of Buddhist truths. The final conclusion I arrived at was
that the truth of Buddhism must be one in essence. Many people lose
themselves in the labyrinth of learning and studies, through thinking
that every one of the diverse branches might help to the attainment of
Buddhist ideals.” — Works pp 1770-71
And again in Myoho Bikuni Go-henji:
“According to the Zen Sect, the true teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha
are not transmitted through sutras. They say that sutras including the Lotus
Sutra are like a finger to point at the moon or a ferry to cross a river;
and that it is no use after seeing the moon or crossing the river. Zen
Buddhists say such a thing as they learned, without thinking what they
say. But they are actually slandering Shakyamuni Buddha and preventing
propagation of the Lotus Sutra. Thus, the people in this country are
all committing a grave sin, more serious than the Five Evils, without
realizing it.”
In Those Initially Aspiring to the Way, he writes:
“…As for other types of people, it would appear that, even if they
do not understand the meaning of the Lotus Sutra and are ignorant but
have earnest faith, then they will invariably be reborn in a pure
land. For it says in the Lotus Sutra, “They will be born in the
presence of the Buddhas of the ten directions,” and “She will
immediately go to the World of Peace and Delight.” These passages give
clear proof that one who has faith in the Lotus Sutra will be reborn
in a pure land.
Chapter 3 of the Lotus Sutra states:
“Whether during the Buddha’s lifetime
Or after his extinction
If there be any who slander
Such a sutra as this,
Who, seeing those who read and recite,
Write or hold this sutra, scorn and despise, hate and envy them
And bear them a tenacious grudge.
Concerning the recompense of such people’s sin,
After their lifetimes end
They will enter into the Avici hell.”
Although neither the evangelicals nor the SGI members have faith in
the Lotus Sutra, it is better to be an evangelical who doesn’t slander
the Lotus Sutra than an SGI member who slanders both the Lotus Sutra
and the true believers of the Kempon Hokke. Your holier than thou
pronouncements based on the heretical SGI teachings are a castle built
on sand.
As far as SGI’s assertions that the SGI teachings frees one from birth
and death, that is not possible if one is to believe Nichiren Daishonin
that the Lotus Sutra is the means:
“What I call the Heritage of the Great Thing Concerning Life and Death
is nothing else than the Scripture, the Lotus of the Perfect Truth. For
the Sacred Title of the Lotus was handed down from the two Buddhas, Sakya-
muni and Prabhuta-ratna (Taho or “Many Treasures”), to the Boddhisattva
Visista-caritra (Jogyo or “Emminent Conduct”), when the Buddhas appeared
in the Heavenly Shrine, and from eternity the heritage has been kept
without interruption.”
In another writing, we read,
“Then to utter the Sacred Title of the Lotus with the conviction that
the three are one — the three, that is, Sakyamuni, the Buddha who from
eternity has realized Buddhahood; the Lotus Sutra, which leads all
beings without exception to Buddhahood; and we, beings in all the realms
of existence.”
How can you be one with Buddha Shakyamuni who from eternity has
realized Buddhahood if you reject Him? Chanting mechanical daimoku
with no so conviction in Shakyamuni is not the way to free oneself
from the fetters of birth and death.
On Establishing the Correct Teaching states;
“The host said: There are numerous passages that could be cited and a
wide variety of proofs. For example, in the Golden Light Sutra we
read: “[The four heavenly kings said to the Buddha], ‘Though this
sutra exists in the nation, its ruler has never allowed it to be
propagated. In his heart he turns away from it, and he takes no
pleasure in hearing its teachings. He neither makes offerings to
it, honors it, nor praises it. Nor is he willing to honor or make
offerings to the four kinds of Buddhists who embrace the sutra. In the
end, he makes it impossible for us and the other countless heavenly
beings who are our followers to hear this profound and wonderful
teaching. He deprives us of the sweet dew of its words and cuts us off
from the flow of the correct teaching, so that our majesty and
strength are drained away. Thus the number of beings who occupy the
evil paths increases, and the number who dwell in the human and
heavenly realms decreases. People fall into the river of the
sufferings of birth and death and turn their backs on the road to
nirvana.”
The Selection of the Time states:
“The Buddha says determining the future, “Depend upon the teaching,
not upon the people. Bodhisattva Nagarjuna says, “If one depends upon
the scripture it is a correct argument; if one does not depend upon
the scripture it is an incorrect argument.” T’ien-t’ai says, “Again,
if it conforms to the scripture, quote and use it. If there is no
corresponding sentence or corresponding meaning, then one should not
believe and accept. ” Dengyo says, “Depend upon what the Buddha
taught, not upon the oral tradition.” If one follows these scriptures,
treatises and commentaries, then one should not base oneself on
dreams. Once should only treasure the passages in the scriptures and
treatises…”
Since the SGI abandons the scriptures, treatises and commentaries,
what is it that you have faith in anyway? The words and the oral
teachings of Toda and Ikeda? I don’t see anything here about mentor
Toda and Ikeda being necessary for Buddhahood or that new car or
raise.
Nichiren writes:
“The essential key to Nichiren’s disciples and followers is, namely,
adherence to the Lotus Sutra.”
The Lotus Sutra states:
“But if one, after the Buddha’s extinction,
In the midst of an evil world
is able to preach this sutra, this is indeed hard…..(LS Ch.11)
What the Soka Gakkai teaches is not “this Sutra”. 10,000,000
million SGI believers or 1,500,000,000 Muslims, are not equal to
one Kempon Hokke believer that has faith in the golden words of the
Sutra. Most SGI members haven’t even read the Lotus Sutra, they go by
the hearsay of the mentor, the Human Revolution, or the World Tribune.
The SGI teachings on the Master-disciple relationship, value creation,
receiving and giving guidance, no worth or role for the solitary Bodhi-
sattva, the practice of shoju in this degenerate evil age, are all
hearsay, oral teachings, which Nichiren completely rejected. How sad
for you. How sad that you [SGI] confuse Anger or Rapture for Buddhahood.
Nichiren states:
“Then what teaching should the country of Japan learn if its people
are to free themselves from the sufferings of birth and death? As for
this question, the Lotus Sutra states, “After the Thus Come One has
entered extinction, I will cause it [the Lotus Sutra] to be widely
propagated throughout Jambudvipa and will see that it never comes to
an end.”
Note, it doesn’t say ‘Value Creationism”, “Human Revolution”, or
“Taisekaji Mysticism”.
In the Opening of the Eyes, we also read:
“It is also laid down that one should “rely on sutras that are
complete and final and not on those that are not complete and final.”
We must therefore look carefully among the sutras to determine which
are complete and final and which are not, and put our faith in the
former. Bodhisattva Nagarjuna in his Commentary on the Ten Stages
Sutra states, “Do not rely on treatises that distort the sutras; rely
on those that are faithful to the sutras.” The Great Teacher T’ien-
t’ai says, “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 Dengyo says, “Depend upon
the preachings of the Buddha, and do not put faith in traditions
handed down orally.” Enchin, also known as the Great Teacher Chisho,
says, ‘In transmitting the teachings, rely on the written words [of
scriptures]. ‘”
SGI's relies on the inferior teaching of the Human Revolution;
those Nichiren Shoshu teachings that distort the Sutra and the
teachings of Nichiren Daishonin; they depend more on the preaching
of Daisaku Ikeda than they do on those of the Buddha and Nichiren
Daishonin; and they rarely rely on the written words of the Sutra and
Nichiren Daishonn. They are far more evil than the Zen men who make
no pretense of practicing what the Buddha taught.
Saturday, November 9, 2013
Are not the top Soka Gakkai leaders the very worst evil monks of this age?
"....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.” -- The Opening of the Eyes
Freedom
We talk about South Africa and we say it's a shame
Apartheid is wrong and we all share the blame
But people let me tell you, everywhere you go it's the same,
people are being mistreated, when will it change?
Let's talk about the future and learn from the past
We must love one another if this world is going to last
We fought for self-respect, we fought for equal rights
We've known a long, long time that discrimination ain't right
Talking about freedom, freedom, freedom
Talking about freedom, freedom, freedom
A ghetto is no place for children to grow
But you can find a ghetto everywhere you go
I heard Dr. King say: "I have a dream"
All he wanted was to let the freedom ring
Why do we have to fight in wars to save our land
If we get back alive, there's still no dignity
Do I have to die before I can be free?
I want freedom in my life, that's the way it's got to be
Talking about freedom, freedom, freedom
Talking about freedom, freedom, freedom
I'm tired of discrimination, this has to stop
We must learn to live together before the bombs drop
So if you love your children too this is what you should do
Teach them to love one another, live by the Golden Rule
Freedom of choice, freedom of speech, my freedom is up to you
We were promised this freedom, but we have a long way to go
The love of freedom, can't you tell, is the same for you and me
All I need is someone to help me ring the Freedom Bell
Talking about freedom, freedom, freedom
Talking about freedom, freedom, freedom
But people let me tell you, everywhere you go it's the same,
people are being mistreated, when will it change?
Let's talk about the future and learn from the past
We must love one another if this world is going to last
We fought for self-respect, we fought for equal rights
We've known a long, long time that discrimination ain't right
Talking about freedom, freedom, freedom
Talking about freedom, freedom, freedom
A ghetto is no place for children to grow
But you can find a ghetto everywhere you go
I heard Dr. King say: "I have a dream"
All he wanted was to let the freedom ring
Why do we have to fight in wars to save our land
If we get back alive, there's still no dignity
Do I have to die before I can be free?
I want freedom in my life, that's the way it's got to be
Talking about freedom, freedom, freedom
Talking about freedom, freedom, freedom
I'm tired of discrimination, this has to stop
We must learn to live together before the bombs drop
So if you love your children too this is what you should do
Teach them to love one another, live by the Golden Rule
Freedom of choice, freedom of speech, my freedom is up to you
We were promised this freedom, but we have a long way to go
The love of freedom, can't you tell, is the same for you and me
All I need is someone to help me ring the Freedom Bell
Talking about freedom, freedom, freedom
Talking about freedom, freedom, freedom
"Money can't buy you love" -- The Beatles
Certainly, money can't buy you happiness or Enlightenment. Neither can the $400,000,000,000.00 Soka empire. The Middle Day of the Law was the era of widespread temple building and land acquisition. Soka should be donating their ill-gotten gains to radiation research and the current and future victims of radiation induced cancer rather than acquiring wealth for their top senior leech leaders.
About the criticisms leveled against Soka Gakkai and Daisaku Ikeda: "Envy and jealousy of that which and he who is exceptional" -- SGI teaching
Here, SGI intends to confound the Soka Gakkai and Daisaku Ikeda with Nichiren Daishonin's Lotus Sutra Buddhism, Shakyamuni Buddha, and Nichiren Daishonin. The only thing exceptional about the Soka Gakkai and Daisaku Ikeda is the exceptional wool they have woven to cover the eyes of the people.
Sunday, November 3, 2013
Judging Relative Merits or The Soka Gakkai, Nichiren Shoshu, and Nichiren Shu Teachings are Inferior
"We should use the sutras as our eyes and give precedence to the wisdom of the Buddha. Surely, however, if this standard is made clear, people will become enraged and be filled with resentment. Let them do as they will. What matters most is that we honor the Buddha’s words. As a rule, people in the world value what is distant and despise what is near, but this is the conduct of the ignorant. Even the distant should be repudiated if it is wrong, while what is near should not be discarded if it accords with the truth. Even though people may revere [their predecessors’ doctrines], if those doctrines are in error, how can we employ them today?"
Monday, October 28, 2013
Why stupid persons hate Nichiren and his followers
"And so, when I, neither hesitating to speak out nor fearing others, tell them frankly that they are stupid persons who have misunderstood the true meaning of the Buddhist teachings, and that they are slanderers of the Law; when I deliver a sharp rebuke to them, mindful of the Buddha’s golden words "then that monk is betraying Buddhism" and trusting in the passage of scripture that reads, "We will be envoys of the World Honored One, facing the assembly without fear"; when I do this, censuring those who "suppose they have attained what they have not attained, being proud and boastful in heart," then how can they fail to turn upon me with hatred and jealousy?"(The Teachings in Accordance With the buddha's Mind).
"Although I try to point out that this country is full of people who would like to do away with the Lotus Sutra, no one understands me, and so they merely go on committing errors of stupidity. And now, in addition, a votary of the Lotus Sutra has made his appearance, so that the people of Japan, on top of their stupidity, give way to anger, favoring erroneous teachings and viewing the correct teaching with hatred. In a country where the three poisons [of greed, anger and stupidity] prevail to such a degree, how can there be peace and stability?" (The Bodies and Minds of Ordinary Beings).
"And yet, the people of today, both the distinguished and the lowly, look with contempt upon Shakyamuni Buddha, their father in the present world, and instead revere Amida or Dainichi, who are strangers to them, persons with whom they have no connection at all. In doing so, are they not lacking in filial piety? Are they not slanderers of the Law? When I say this, however, all the people of Japan join together in reviling me.
And it is quite natural that they should, for the crooked piece of wood hates the straightness of the carpenter’s string, and the dishonest man is not pleased with the honest administration of government." (The Teaching In Accordance with the Buddha's Mind)
"However, because there was no one who understood this situation, it has been impossible to remedy it. I am generally aware of these matters, and therefore try to repay the debt of gratitude I owe my country [by speaking the truth], but people only hate me for it." (White Horses and White Swans).
Makiguchi and Toda were martyred for refusing the Shinto Talisman, not for opposing the war
Article by Guna
In 1941, Soka Kyoiku Gakkai issued their first monthly periodical, Kachi Sozo.
The Japanese nation, unable to extricate herself from the prolonged
Sino-Japanese conflict, was on the verge of entering another new war against the
joint forces of the USA & England. It was a period of mounting tension, for in
December of that same year, the Pacific War was to begin. The prewar Japanese
society under the militaristic government brought unwanted pressure upon the
lives of the Japanese people all the more. A thought-control policy was rigidly
imposed; even religions and ideologies were increasingly subjected to strict
control. The philosophical thoughts of Soka Kyoiku Gakkai were of no exception;
they, too, were rapidly turning into those of extremely militaristic outlook,
reflecting the social background of this age.
In 1941, Soka Kyoiku Gakkai issued their first monthly periodical, Kachi Sozo.
The Japanese nation, unable to extricate herself from the prolonged
Sino-Japanese conflict, was on the verge of entering another new war against the
joint forces of the USA & England. It was a period of mounting tension, for in
December of that same year, the Pacific War was to begin. The prewar Japanese
society under the militaristic government brought unwanted pressure upon the
lives of the Japanese people all the more. A thought-control policy was rigidly
imposed; even religions and ideologies were increasingly subjected to strict
control. The philosophical thoughts of Soka Kyoiku Gakkai were of no exception;
they, too, were rapidly turning into those of extremely militaristic outlook,
reflecting the social background of this age.
Today Soka Gakkai & SGI are desperately trying to conceal their wartime record,
doing their utmost best and expending every means available to distort their
past militaristic attitude. They attempt to project the image of the eternal
peace-loving humanitarian group, and on every occasion everywhere, they loudly
publicized their 'anti-war, culture, education, and humanisrri stance as if they
have always been staunchly in favor of them. Yet the reality indicates
differently. The historical and documented facts can not be easily expunged nor
erased from the records.
doing their utmost best and expending every means available to distort their
past militaristic attitude. They attempt to project the image of the eternal
peace-loving humanitarian group, and on every occasion everywhere, they loudly
publicized their 'anti-war, culture, education, and humanisrri stance as if they
have always been staunchly in favor of them. Yet the reality indicates
differently. The historical and documented facts can not be easily expunged nor
erased from the records.
Mr. Tsunesaburo Maki uchi's remarks, carefully documented in the 'Corrobo- rate
Records of Life based on the Philosophy of Value of the Supreme Goodness
published on August l0th,1942, under the heading, "The Instruction Manual Sum-
marizing the Experiments and Testimonials of Life based on the Philosophy of
Value of the Supreme Goodness," substantiate their militaristic viewpoint:
Records of Life based on the Philosophy of Value of the Supreme Goodness
published on August l0th,1942, under the heading, "The Instruction Manual Sum-
marizing the Experiments and Testimonials of Life based on the Philosophy of
Value of the Supreme Goodness," substantiate their militaristic viewpoint:
"'Sacrifice your own skin to slash the opponent's flesh. Surrender your own
flesh to saw off the opponent's bone.' With their faithful implementation of
this well-known Japanese fencing (kendo) strategy into actual practice during
the war, the Japanese military is able to achieve her glorious, ever-victorious
invincibility in the Sino-Japan conflict and in the Pacific war, and thus,
easing the minds of the Japa- nese people. This [strategy of sacrifice] should
be held as an ideal lifestyle for those remaining on the home front and should
be applied in every aspect of our daily life.
flesh to saw off the opponent's bone.' With their faithful implementation of
this well-known Japanese fencing (kendo) strategy into actual practice during
the war, the Japanese military is able to achieve her glorious, ever-victorious
invincibility in the Sino-Japan conflict and in the Pacific war, and thus,
easing the minds of the Japa- nese people. This [strategy of sacrifice] should
be held as an ideal lifestyle for those remaining on the home front and should
be applied in every aspect of our daily life.
The same manual also contains a report on the agenda for the 4th Soka Kyoiku
Gakkai General Meeting held on May l7th,1942 at Hitotsubashi Kyoiku Kaikan in
Kanda, Tokyo as follows:
Gakkai General Meeting held on May l7th,1942 at Hitotsubashi Kyoiku Kaikan in
Kanda, Tokyo as follows:
"... (Omission)... Approximately four hundred members were present. At 10
o'clock a.m., facing toward the Imperial Palace,.a silent prayer for the war
casualties was offered. The meeting proceeded according to the agenda. In
another room, the Sobi Kado Kai, the Flower Arrangement Society, whose principle
guidelines for in- structions are based on the theory of Value-Creation, held a
flower arrangement ex- hibition. There was also a display of various prizes
awarded to children educated under the same guiding pedagogical method. This
greatly impressed all those in attendance, further increasing their appreciation
of their own life based on the mer its of the doctrine of'faith equals daily
life.' Immediately after concluding the General Meeting proceedings, Director
Toda was nominated to chair the discussion meet- ing which followed with all the
participants attending. Personal testimonials were given on the topic of "How to
Establish Faith in One's Daily Life." After this, there was a very serious,
intense question and answer session. Director Iwasaki spoke next with his
closing speech, and lastly, President Makiguchi led three cheers of "Banzai"
("Long Live the Emperor") for His Majesty the Emperor. The meeting ended shortly
after 4 p.m."
o'clock a.m., facing toward the Imperial Palace,.a silent prayer for the war
casualties was offered. The meeting proceeded according to the agenda. In
another room, the Sobi Kado Kai, the Flower Arrangement Society, whose principle
guidelines for in- structions are based on the theory of Value-Creation, held a
flower arrangement ex- hibition. There was also a display of various prizes
awarded to children educated under the same guiding pedagogical method. This
greatly impressed all those in attendance, further increasing their appreciation
of their own life based on the mer its of the doctrine of'faith equals daily
life.' Immediately after concluding the General Meeting proceedings, Director
Toda was nominated to chair the discussion meet- ing which followed with all the
participants attending. Personal testimonials were given on the topic of "How to
Establish Faith in One's Daily Life." After this, there was a very serious,
intense question and answer session. Director Iwasaki spoke next with his
closing speech, and lastly, President Makiguchi led three cheers of "Banzai"
("Long Live the Emperor") for His Majesty the Emperor. The meeting ended shortly
after 4 p.m."
The Opening Address - by Director Nojima
"Since the start of the Great East Asia Co-Prosperity War, the brilliant
military achievements and glorious war results [of the Japanese military] are
due to the fact that the Lotus Sutra is the guardian spirit of our country.
After listening to the reas- suring news of the string of great victories
broadcasted on the radio last evening, I am overwhelmed with gratitude and ever
more appreciative of being able to open the meeting today." The Closing Speech -
by Director Iwasaki
military achievements and glorious war results [of the Japanese military] are
due to the fact that the Lotus Sutra is the guardian spirit of our country.
After listening to the reas- suring news of the string of great victories
broadcasted on the radio last evening, I am overwhelmed with gratitude and ever
more appreciative of being able to open the meeting today." The Closing Speech -
by Director Iwasaki
"What is the usual state of life in this mundane world? Life itself is a heavy
chain, hopelessly in bondage to individualism, the intrigues, the jealousies,
the re- jections, the illusions and the insecurities. We, however, are not, in
the least, fettered by any of these bonds. When I think about this blessed
state, I believe we have already won the victorious battles in the struggle for
the Great East Asia Co-Prosper- ity War. As one member of the divine Japanese
Empire's civilian front, I am fully aware of our one great mission, which we are
held accountable. It is the most natu- ral duty as patriots to generate
industrialization, to offer our professional skills and abilities, to save our
money and savings, and to lead a life of simplicity and thrifti- ness.
Nevertheless, if there is one member of Soka Kyoiku Gakkai who thinks he has
fulfilled his patriotic duty as a member of the civilian home front by merely
carrying out the above sacrifices, then he is gravely mistaken. What then is our
true mission? It is, without exception, to conduct shakubuku. Through our
shakubuku, we teach others and spread this life of happiness to the general
society. When all insecurities, illusions, jealousies, rejections, chains and
fetters in this world have dissipated, at that time, an indestructible home
front will be constructed. This civilian front will never surrender, fighting
till the bitter end to establish the Great East Asia Co-Pros- perity Sphere no
matter how long it may take."
chain, hopelessly in bondage to individualism, the intrigues, the jealousies,
the re- jections, the illusions and the insecurities. We, however, are not, in
the least, fettered by any of these bonds. When I think about this blessed
state, I believe we have already won the victorious battles in the struggle for
the Great East Asia Co-Prosper- ity War. As one member of the divine Japanese
Empire's civilian front, I am fully aware of our one great mission, which we are
held accountable. It is the most natu- ral duty as patriots to generate
industrialization, to offer our professional skills and abilities, to save our
money and savings, and to lead a life of simplicity and thrifti- ness.
Nevertheless, if there is one member of Soka Kyoiku Gakkai who thinks he has
fulfilled his patriotic duty as a member of the civilian home front by merely
carrying out the above sacrifices, then he is gravely mistaken. What then is our
true mission? It is, without exception, to conduct shakubuku. Through our
shakubuku, we teach others and spread this life of happiness to the general
society. When all insecurities, illusions, jealousies, rejections, chains and
fetters in this world have dissipated, at that time, an indestructible home
front will be constructed. This civilian front will never surrender, fighting
till the bitter end to establish the Great East Asia Co-Pros- perity Sphere no
matter how long it may take."
These wartime remarks by the members of Soka Kyoiku Gakkai are a far cry from
their "anti-war' and "peace-loving" stance the Gakkai so vehemently claim they
are and have always been in the past."
their "anti-war' and "peace-loving" stance the Gakkai so vehemently claim they
are and have always been in the past."
Comment:
Only after the Hiroshima and Nagasaki did Toda become a pacifist.
Sunday, October 27, 2013
DaiGohonzon hoax and Nichiren Shoshu hucksters
"Establishing the Dai-Gohonzon of the High Sanctuary of the Essential Teachings was the purpose for the Buddha's advent, as he stated in Hokke Shoshin Jobutsu Sho [On Persecutions Befalling the Buddha]" -- Lying Nichiren Shoshu adept
The DaiGohonzon as Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant [according to the Bible of Shakubuku]
"Think of the example of an electric light. Assuming of course that
the light bulb itself is not burned out, no bright light will shine
forth from an electric light to which the electricity does not flow
because of a blown fuse, no matter how many times one turns on the
switch. Even though the light bulb itself works fine, without
electricity, the light will not shine. Accordingly, those who do not
worship the Dai-Gohonzon of Fuji Taisekiji are slanderers." (Shakubuku
Kyoten, [Shakubuku Manual], p. 339)
the light bulb itself is not burned out, no bright light will shine
forth from an electric light to which the electricity does not flow
because of a blown fuse, no matter how many times one turns on the
switch. Even though the light bulb itself works fine, without
electricity, the light will not shine. Accordingly, those who do not
worship the Dai-Gohonzon of Fuji Taisekiji are slanderers." (Shakubuku
Kyoten, [Shakubuku Manual], p. 339)
More on the Shakubuku Kyoten [The SGI Bible of Shakubuku]
Today, the Gakkai repudiates the Nichiren Shoshu doctrine of The Bequeathal to One Sole Individual which was heavily promoted in their Bible of Shakubuku, yet they still embrace the Nichiren Shoshu doctrine of Shakyamuni as provisional Buddha contrary to the teachings of the Daishonin. A strange bunch are they.
Why SGI members are deprived of the Shakubuku Kyoten [Bible of Shakubuku]
"The Daishonin's soul would never reside within a Gohonzon he inscribed but which is in the possession of those who commit the slander of turning their backs upon Fuji Taisekiji." Soka Gakkai Shakubuku Kyoten, p. 340
Because the Shakubuku Kyoten both supports the Nichiren Shoshu and denounces the Soka Gakkai's own actions as heresies.
More Nichiren Shoshu/SGI mumbo jumbo
62. What is the meaning behind "sanction"?
In general, "sanction" means that the master gives his sanction to a
disciple's enlightenment. In Nichiren Shoshu, the object of worship
that forms the basis of faith and practise is the Original Buddha's
enlightenment and is the entity of the Buddha, so sanction for the
Gohonzon itself is absolutely necessary. According to Nichiren Shoshu,
the sanctioning of the object of worship by the High Priest, who is the
only person to be bequeathed the Daishonin's Buddhism, is what makes
the attainment of Buddhahood possible, so an object of worship that
does not have the High Priest's sanction is a "counterfeit object of
worship" and worshipping it becomes the cause for falling into hell.
It is also written in the Soka Gakkai "Shakubuku Kyoten (Shakubuku
Manual)":
disciple's enlightenment. In Nichiren Shoshu, the object of worship
that forms the basis of faith and practise is the Original Buddha's
enlightenment and is the entity of the Buddha, so sanction for the
Gohonzon itself is absolutely necessary. According to Nichiren Shoshu,
the sanctioning of the object of worship by the High Priest, who is the
only person to be bequeathed the Daishonin's Buddhism, is what makes
the attainment of Buddhahood possible, so an object of worship that
does not have the High Priest's sanction is a "counterfeit object of
worship" and worshipping it becomes the cause for falling into hell.
It is also written in the Soka Gakkai "Shakubuku Kyoten (Shakubuku
Manual)":
"In light of passages from 'On the Three Great Secret Laws' and 'The
True Object of Worship,' it is clearly understood that it is a
tremendous mistake to worship an unsanctioned object of worship." (p.
340)
True Object of Worship,' it is clearly understood that it is a
tremendous mistake to worship an unsanctioned object of worship." (p.
340)
[c. 1996, Nichiren Shoshu Temple]
--
Josei Toda on our "worthless" Gohonzons
"We, ourselves, cannot produce the Gohonzon. Since it's the
> >> enlightened entity of Nichiren Daishonin **no one** has the
> >> authority other than the successive high priests who have
> >> been the sole heirs to the heritage of the True Law. We
> >> take no part in this. Therefore, the objects of worship
> >> inscribed by those in the Butsuryu and Minobu factions
> >> [of the Nichiren sect] are absolutely powerless. They are
> >> worthless because they are fake. In fact, they contain the
> >> power of evil spirits. That is why they are dangerous."
> >> Josei Toda, Daibyaku Renge, 98, p. 98.
> >> enlightened entity of Nichiren Daishonin **no one** has the
> >> authority other than the successive high priests who have
> >> been the sole heirs to the heritage of the True Law. We
> >> take no part in this. Therefore, the objects of worship
> >> inscribed by those in the Butsuryu and Minobu factions
> >> [of the Nichiren sect] are absolutely powerless. They are
> >> worthless because they are fake. In fact, they contain the
> >> power of evil spirits. That is why they are dangerous."
> >> Josei Toda, Daibyaku Renge, 98, p. 98.
From the Kitano memo
"Somebody goes over to Danto and starts a point, but we do nothing. A line or Danto group starts and we do nothing. It then increases- regional, registered by law - and if we still do nothing then a Temple will be built.
Sensei says: "If you challenge evil, then you must decide the time and the place to destroy evil". Basically: Choose the 'place' while it is still relatively small, and this applies equally to the 'time', ie the time to attack is Now."
"In order to destroy the overseas strategies of the Nikken sect, I want to make a suggestion to all the representatives that we start a special SGI campaign against the Nikkensect starting today to last until the end of the Tozan of 100,000 people."-- Kitano memo
Kinder gentler Sensei: "We must resolutely crush them"
"On the other hand, it is the members of the priesthood today that have become "devils" and "those in league with devils" who seek to halt the flow of kosen-rufu and who are destroying Buddhism. They are enemies of kosen-rufuand enemies of Buddhism who seek to render the Buddha's words meaningless.
"For this reason, we must resolutely crush [Bokumetsu] them. Between the Buddha and devilish functions, there is no middle ground. If we fail to fight, or if our effortsare only half-hearted, then we will become allies of these devilish functions." May 23, 1993 speech by Daisaku Ikeda, Kyushu Ikeda Auditorium, Fukuoka City, Japan World Tribune, June 28, 1993 (p.4)
Soka Gakkai's more conciliatory demeanor
Source unknown...
The following incidents have been reported in the news in
recent years:
recent years:
Feb.10, 1962, Asahi Shinbun: Sixty-eight Soka Gakkal youth
with saws and pliers entered a Buddhist cemetery at midnight
on February 10, broke down barricades set up by the Buddhist
Association of the village, and routed the policemen in
order to conduct a burial for the father of one Wakameda
Kushiro (age 45) in Karasuyama, Tochigi Prefecture. Priest
Iso of the Jchijum Temple of the Shingon Denomination told
the police that Kushiro had been refused burial rights at
the oemetery since his lease on the family plot had expired
and since seven years before he had joined Soka Gakkai and
withdrawn from the denomination which owned the burial
ground.
with saws and pliers entered a Buddhist cemetery at midnight
on February 10, broke down barricades set up by the Buddhist
Association of the village, and routed the policemen in
order to conduct a burial for the father of one Wakameda
Kushiro (age 45) in Karasuyama, Tochigi Prefecture. Priest
Iso of the Jchijum Temple of the Shingon Denomination told
the police that Kushiro had been refused burial rights at
the oemetery since his lease on the family plot had expired
and since seven years before he had joined Soka Gakkai and
withdrawn from the denomination which owned the burial
ground.
April 23, 1962, Asahi Shinbun: Mrs. Sui Tamura (age 56) was
beaten over the head and bruised about the face by her son
in the latter's fanatic effort to destroy the family
Buddhist altar 'and convert his mother to faith in Soka
Gakkai. Fleeing her son and daughter-in-law the mother
sought asylum at the local police station at 11:00 pm., on
April 21. The incident took place in a village called Seiro
in Nligata Prefecture.
beaten over the head and bruised about the face by her son
in the latter's fanatic effort to destroy the family
Buddhist altar 'and convert his mother to faith in Soka
Gakkai. Fleeing her son and daughter-in-law the mother
sought asylum at the local police station at 11:00 pm., on
April 21. The incident took place in a village called Seiro
in Nligata Prefecture.
October 27, 1964, Asahi Shinbun: Tadashi Fujiwara (age 33)
was arrested on a murder charge after being apprehended at
an inn in Okayama where he had been staying for several
days. Himself a Soka Gakkai member, it is reported that he
became angry at the incessant noise created by two Soka
Gakkai men in an adjoining room and attacked them with a
butcher knife. Another Soka Gakkai man entered the fight,
and Fujiwara injured all three of them seriously, one of
them dying later in the hospital.
was arrested on a murder charge after being apprehended at
an inn in Okayama where he had been staying for several
days. Himself a Soka Gakkai member, it is reported that he
became angry at the incessant noise created by two Soka
Gakkai men in an adjoining room and attacked them with a
butcher knife. Another Soka Gakkai man entered the fight,
and Fujiwara injured all three of them seriously, one of
them dying later in the hospital.
December 11, 1964, Nagasaki Shinbun: Momosuke Maeda, of
Sasebo, registered a complaint against Soka Gakkai members
of the 99th District for their excessive intimidation of his
daugter (age 19) who had just got o'it of the sickbed. It
appears that first she had been persuaded by two school
friends to attend a meeting where she was the target of
browbeating by eleven members at once and told that if she
did not convert she would never find happiness, but if she
converted she was certain to pass the examination at the
beautician school for a national license. When she refused,
her signature stamp was affixed to an application for
membership against her will.
Sasebo, registered a complaint against Soka Gakkai members
of the 99th District for their excessive intimidation of his
daugter (age 19) who had just got o'it of the sickbed. It
appears that first she had been persuaded by two school
friends to attend a meeting where she was the target of
browbeating by eleven members at once and told that if she
did not convert she would never find happiness, but if she
converted she was certain to pass the examination at the
beautician school for a national license. When she refused,
her signature stamp was affixed to an application for
membership against her will.
March 19, 1965, Osaka Shin Yukan: In Tottori an injunction
was issued against a nurse in the local hospital on the
charge that in her fanatical attempt to convert a patient
she had neglected to report his physical condition to the
doctor in time to save him from dying.
was issued against a nurse in the local hospital on the
charge that in her fanatical attempt to convert a patient
she had neglected to report his physical condition to the
doctor in time to save him from dying.
March 30, 1965, Hokkaido Shinbun: A youth, Teruo Suzuki (age
23), who was employed in a factory for the manufacture of
automobile interiors, in Obihiro, was arrested by the police
on the charge of arson. Upon his own confession it appears
that he had set fire to the house of a party whom he had
tried to convert to Soka Gakkai but had failed. In his
effort to convert the prospect he is said to have
threatened, "If you don't convert your house will catch
fire."
23), who was employed in a factory for the manufacture of
automobile interiors, in Obihiro, was arrested by the police
on the charge of arson. Upon his own confession it appears
that he had set fire to the house of a party whom he had
tried to convert to Soka Gakkai but had failed. In his
effort to convert the prospect he is said to have
threatened, "If you don't convert your house will catch
fire."
It is interesting to see that effort is being made to
mitigate the effect of such publicity on would-be converts.
For foreign readers of Soka Gakkai English publications, the
term shakubuku itself is redefined to help the image:
mitigate the effect of such publicity on would-be converts.
For foreign readers of Soka Gakkai English publications, the
term shakubuku itself is redefined to help the image:
Shakubuku means to introduce the teachings of Nichiren
Daishonin to non-believers by relating the divine benefits
of faith. It aims at achieving people's happiness, a
prosperous society and world peace. . . . Disregarding its
different shades of meaning, people have interpreted
Shakubuku as something like "break and subdue." Thus, they
have misjudged the Sokagakkai's propagation activities as
coercive or even violent. Such a misunderstanding is quite
ridiculous.
Daishonin to non-believers by relating the divine benefits
of faith. It aims at achieving people's happiness, a
prosperous society and world peace. . . . Disregarding its
different shades of meaning, people have interpreted
Shakubuku as something like "break and subdue." Thus, they
have misjudged the Sokagakkai's propagation activities as
coercive or even violent. Such a misunderstanding is quite
ridiculous.
However, conversion through these high-pressure methods
oftentimes is extremely superficial. Though an individual
sometimes joins to put a stop to the nagging of a friend, he
may try to withdraw the commitment when the pressure is off.
But superstition and fear of divine punishment are employed
to keep a new member from falling away.
oftentimes is extremely superficial. Though an individual
sometimes joins to put a stop to the nagging of a friend, he
may try to withdraw the commitment when the pressure is off.
But superstition and fear of divine punishment are employed
to keep a new member from falling away.
Hobobarai means, literally, "sweeping out all the slanderers
of the Dharma." To "slander the Dharma" is to commit the
unpardonable sin of Buddhism. Specfically hobobarai means
to remove, forcibly or otherwise, the talisman and amulets
connected with the worship of Shinto kami and to destroy
statues and icons of any alien faith.
of the Dharma." To "slander the Dharma" is to commit the
unpardonable sin of Buddhism. Specfically hobobarai means
to remove, forcibly or otherwise, the talisman and amulets
connected with the worship of Shinto kami and to destroy
statues and icons of any alien faith.
In Fukushima Prefecture, Ishikami Mura, a group of seven
Soka Gakkai men tore down a Kannon temple building and
burned the image. Several men entered a Christian church in
Aomori Prefecture, and, when the minister would not convert,
took his Bible and beat it on the floor. A man came home one
day to his house on the island of Mukaishirna to discover
that his wife had thrown into the ocean a Buddhist altar
which had been in his family for several generations. He
left her immediately and instituted divorce proceedings. In
November, 1964, three young men approached a housewife in
her home when her husband was away on a business trip. The
woman responded that she might perhaps be interested but
that she wanted to talk it over with her husband. This
encouraged the young men to press their advantage, and they
made their way into the interior of the home, seized the
Shinto and Buddhist worship objects which they found in the
altar, and burned them.
Soka Gakkai men tore down a Kannon temple building and
burned the image. Several men entered a Christian church in
Aomori Prefecture, and, when the minister would not convert,
took his Bible and beat it on the floor. A man came home one
day to his house on the island of Mukaishirna to discover
that his wife had thrown into the ocean a Buddhist altar
which had been in his family for several generations. He
left her immediately and instituted divorce proceedings. In
November, 1964, three young men approached a housewife in
her home when her husband was away on a business trip. The
woman responded that she might perhaps be interested but
that she wanted to talk it over with her husband. This
encouraged the young men to press their advantage, and they
made their way into the interior of the home, seized the
Shinto and Buddhist worship objects which they found in the
altar, and burned them.
In Nemuro, Hokkaido, on Christmas day, 1964, a man and his
wife and two other adults, all members of Soka Gakkai,
called on a friend whose husband was in the hospital.
According to the report the wife, after four hours of
browbeating, finally signed her name to the roll. No sooner
had she registered than the four callers began to rip out
all the paraphernalia from the altar and god shelf,
and burned it in the stove. The wife protested, saying that
these things belonged to her mother, but her visitors
insisted that the burning of the icons of false religions
was her flrst act in her new faith.
wife and two other adults, all members of Soka Gakkai,
called on a friend whose husband was in the hospital.
According to the report the wife, after four hours of
browbeating, finally signed her name to the roll. No sooner
had she registered than the four callers began to rip out
all the paraphernalia from the altar and god shelf,
and burned it in the stove. The wife protested, saying that
these things belonged to her mother, but her visitors
insisted that the burning of the icons of false religions
was her flrst act in her new faith.
Such is the fervor of Soka Gakkai's iconoclasm.
The truth of the matter is that Soka Gakkai leaders have
never been happy about the public image that fanatical
members especially young member have created, and they have
consciously sought to change this image and gain as much
respectability as possible for their organization. One way
to achieve this, of course, is to persuade the press not to
publish unfavorable reports, and it is understood that this
has been done. The general director of a leading literary
journal told this author in an interview that Soka Gakkai was
"quite noisy" about unsolicited news coverage in the secular
press. It is easy to understand how a newspaper with a
national circulation would be wary of offending a potential
reading public of several million! Perhaps this may account
for the "silent press . . . created during the last eight
years," about which Kiyoaki Murata wrote in the Japan Times
(June 11, 1964).
never been happy about the public image that fanatical
members especially young member have created, and they have
consciously sought to change this image and gain as much
respectability as possible for their organization. One way
to achieve this, of course, is to persuade the press not to
publish unfavorable reports, and it is understood that this
has been done. The general director of a leading literary
journal told this author in an interview that Soka Gakkai was
"quite noisy" about unsolicited news coverage in the secular
press. It is easy to understand how a newspaper with a
national circulation would be wary of offending a potential
reading public of several million! Perhaps this may account
for the "silent press . . . created during the last eight
years," about which Kiyoaki Murata wrote in the Japan Times
(June 11, 1964).
However, in spite of recent indications of a more
conciliatory attitude, Soka Gakkai continues to be
intolerant of all other religions. On this point there is no
evidence of any change of heart.
The Shakubuku Kyoten (Manual on Forced Conversions) is Sokaconciliatory attitude, Soka Gakkai continues to be
intolerant of all other religions. On this point there is no
evidence of any change of heart.
Gakkai's indispensable guide for conversion activity. In
this one volume the member is given all that is considered
necessary concerning the teachings of his own faith, as well
as the essential characteristics of all other religions (in
the area of interest of the Japanese). The points most
vulnerable to attack in other religions are listed, and the
faithful member has them all on the tip of his tongue. It is
interesting for members of other faiths to talk to a number
of members in entirely different situations and listen to
them voicing the same criticisms. If the conversation
advances one step beyond what they have been taught from the
manual they are lost. It is a most sobering experience for a
Christian, such as the writer, to discover that apparently
the sum total of all that these people know about
Christianity is what is presented in their Shakubuku Kyoten.
Probablyy the followers of other religious faiths feel the
same way.
Testimony of Ms. Tomiko Terada
Testimony of Ms. Tomiko Terada
The following is the personal account of Ms. Tomiko Terada.
She testified against Daisaku Ikeda May 23, 1984. Her
testimony was published in the Weekly Shincho, July 12,
1984. Ms. Terada was a senior leader of Soka Gakkai from early
on and witnessed numerous incidents involving Daisaku Ikeda.
The following is the personal account of Ms. Tomiko Terada.
She testified against Daisaku Ikeda May 23, 1984. Her
testimony was published in the Weekly Shincho, July 12,
1984. Ms. Terada was a senior leader of Soka Gakkai from early
on and witnessed numerous incidents involving Daisaku Ikeda.
Ms. Terada:
I entered the faith of Nichiren Shoshu in 1953. My mother was
a member of Daijoji Temple. One day when we went to the
temple a person suggested to her and me that we join a group
started by Josei Toda. My mother joined the Gakkai first, then
my family and I joined. In Shikoku Island we were the first group
of Gakkai members. In 1959, I became the women's
division leader of Kochi (city) Chapter. That was exactly one
year before Daisaku Ikeda became president of the Soka
Gakkai. We were crazily doing shakubuku and promoting election
campaigns for members of the L.D.P. (Liberal Democratic
Party). (Ikeda's guidance was that Soka Gakkai and the L.D.P.
would work together for their future.)
a member of Daijoji Temple. One day when we went to the
temple a person suggested to her and me that we join a group
started by Josei Toda. My mother joined the Gakkai first, then
my family and I joined. In Shikoku Island we were the first group
of Gakkai members. In 1959, I became the women's
division leader of Kochi (city) Chapter. That was exactly one
year before Daisaku Ikeda became president of the Soka
Gakkai. We were crazily doing shakubuku and promoting election
campaigns for members of the L.D.P. (Liberal Democratic
Party). (Ikeda's guidance was that Soka Gakkai and the L.D.P.
would work together for their future.)
Impoverished Members
On average, members of the Gakkai were from the lower
classes of society and didn't have any money to speak of. After
they joined the Gakkai, they were promised material "benefits."
The Gakkai then took advantage of them and tried to sell
them all sorts of things. Of course, multiple copies of the
newspaper were forced on them, but then books such as
"Shakubuku Bible" and "Human Revolution" -- five or ten
copies each!
classes of society and didn't have any money to speak of. After
they joined the Gakkai, they were promised material "benefits."
The Gakkai then took advantage of them and tried to sell
them all sorts of things. Of course, multiple copies of the
newspaper were forced on them, but then books such as
"Shakubuku Bible" and "Human Revolution" -- five or ten
copies each!
The Gakkai coerced them to buy more than was reasonable.
Expenditures of five or six hundred dollars were not uncommon.
These were people with no money to begin with. My family
was a little better off as we operated a publishing business so we
could pay for others when they didn't have the money. Members
were reduced to cutting their diet and expenditures in half to
get the money needed for buying all the books and things. It was
truly a case of "one person one candle" at night. But, how
do you think the Gakkai would explain these "fund drives"?
They would say it was for the "Toda Memorial Community
Center" or a "community center for the headquarters." We were
told "President Ikeda was building these by himself and we
had the opportunity to request that we be allowed to make an
offering." I thought these explanations were a bit peculiar.
Expenditures of five or six hundred dollars were not uncommon.
These were people with no money to begin with. My family
was a little better off as we operated a publishing business so we
could pay for others when they didn't have the money. Members
were reduced to cutting their diet and expenditures in half to
get the money needed for buying all the books and things. It was
truly a case of "one person one candle" at night. But, how
do you think the Gakkai would explain these "fund drives"?
They would say it was for the "Toda Memorial Community
Center" or a "community center for the headquarters." We were
told "President Ikeda was building these by himself and we
had the opportunity to request that we be allowed to make an
offering." I thought these explanations were a bit peculiar.
Jump-in-Shakubuku
Here, I would like to talk a little about the activities of women
in the Gakkai. On average, the women's division chief in each
chapter handles the accounting of money collected. In the
Gakkai, the women do just about everything from shakubuku to
activities. There is one activity called "jump-in shakubuku"
where we suddenly push our way into someone's home and
attempt to convert the person. We often do this to an acquaintance
of someone. The individual is caught off guard and
surprised. We continue to visit the individual for three or four
days. Meanwhile, a member of our group who took off work to
participate ends up getting fired. There are many people like this.
Then, someone from the headquarters comes and tells the
person that "because of her weak faith she got fired," or some
such nonsense.
in the Gakkai. On average, the women's division chief in each
chapter handles the accounting of money collected. In the
Gakkai, the women do just about everything from shakubuku to
activities. There is one activity called "jump-in shakubuku"
where we suddenly push our way into someone's home and
attempt to convert the person. We often do this to an acquaintance
of someone. The individual is caught off guard and
surprised. We continue to visit the individual for three or four
days. Meanwhile, a member of our group who took off work to
participate ends up getting fired. There are many people like this.
Then, someone from the headquarters comes and tells the
person that "because of her weak faith she got fired," or some
such nonsense.
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