Ikeda worship and financial secrecy

The two most cited reasons for leaving the Soka Gakkai?

THE DAY THE CLEAR MIRROR CRACKED

http://markrogow.blogspot.com/2014/12/the-most-important-american-sgi.html

"Thank you Ivan for posting my favorite daily guidance of Sensei." -- Helen Chinberg SGI leader

"Buddhism is a battle against devils and obstacles. You can defeat them only with the power of strong daimoku. Having an accident shows that you have been defeated by devils. So, when you meet with an accident, you should take a strict look at yourself." -- Daisaku Ikeda

Helen Chinberg SGI Area leader says, "Thank you Ivan for posting my favorite daily guidance of Sensei." 

Reading this guidance by Daisaku Ikeda, I couldn't help thinking about one of the top SGI senior leaders in New York whose car was run over by a snow plow in the 80's. He died after many agonizing hours in the hospital. Surely, he was defeated by devils by Ikeda's reasoning. I wonder if at the last moment he took Ikeda's guidance to heart, "I must have really slandered, I've been defeated by devils." 

"Does it matter if a particular Gosho is authentic? Surely the criteria should be wisdom." -- SGI member

Teachings in question from the True Aspect of All Phenomena:

"The common mortal is the entity of the three properties, or the True Buddha, while the Buddha is the function of the three properties or a provisional Buddha."

and

"Therefore, the two Buddhas, Shakyamuni and Many Treasures, are Buddhas who are functions [of Myoho-renge-kyo]. It is Myoho-renge-kyo that is the true Buddha."

Can wisdom be separated from honesty? It is wise to be honest. If one is not honest, one is not wise. Courage too is a part of wisdom. Cowards can never be wise. Let me give you a couple of scenarios. 

The author of the teaching in question believed this teaching to be more profound than the Daishonin's teachings but was neither honest enough nor courageous enough to argue the merits of his teachings. What is a dishonest and/or cowardly person to do when he wishes to assert his viewpoint? Attribute it to the founder. 

The author of the teaching in question may even have thought that he was being compassionate but he had no documentary proof to make the case for his assertions. He felt that he had grasped the essence of the Daishonin's teachings and his insight would greatly benefit the masses of beings. There were three problems however: He was a junior monk at some temple and knew that no one would listen to him; the Daishonin never taught that which he perceived; and the montei (reading between the lines) argument was not an accepted standard for evaluating the Daishonin's teaching. What is a sincere, compassionate [but deluded man] to do "to benefit the people" when he knows he will not be headed? Attribute it to the author. This is known as a "pious" forgery.

The reason that these teachings are fallacious [though very attractive to the conceited people of Mappo], are several-fold: There is no concept of True Buddha versus false Buddha in Buddhism; Shakyamuni Buddha possesed the three properties as do we all. Now, if he was referring to Amida or Dainichi Buddha, a more powerful argument could be made regarding the lack of possession of the three properties but since the author is referring to Shakayamuni, this argument is without merit; these teachings contradict those found in such emminent writings as the 16th Chapter of the Lotus Sutra and the Kaimoku Sho, not to mention the entire body of the Lotus Sutra and authenticated Gosho. There is no Buddha known by the name of Namu Myoho renge kyo nor Myoho renge kyo and Namu Myoho renge kyo and Myoho renge kyo are known as the Treasure of the Law, not the Treasure of the Buddha.

Misprint in SGI Gosho

From Repaying Debts of Gratitude (Hoon-jo) SGI translation:

"Answer: First, in Japan and all the other countries throughout the world, the object of worship should in all cases be the Lord Shakyamuni of true Buddhism."

It should have read, to be consistent with the ever changing SGI teachings: 

"Answer: First, in Japan and all the other countries throughout the world, the object of worship should in all cases be the Nam Myoho renge kyo of true Buddhism" 

or 

"Answer: First, in Japan and all the other countries throughout the world, the object of worship should in all cases be the Lord Nichiren of true Buddhism" 

or 

"Answer: First, in Japan and all the other countries throughout the world, the object of worship should in all cases be the DaiGohonzon of true Buddhism" 

or 

"Answer: First, in Japan and all the other countries throughout the world, the object of worship should in all cases be Daisaku Ikeda of true Buddhism". 

Answering Alex's questions

"Hey there! I found out that you are an expert in Buddhism religion, so I am just curious if you can help me out with my project...

I got several books and doing my ISP on them, but still didn't get or got a little information for such questions as:

1) What are the basic beliefs, concepts?

2) How do they worship / celebrate?

3) Importnat feasts. Why?

4) Important Sites or Locations?

5) Hierarchy

6) Morals, etc.

7) What's your view on gays, abortion, etc.

8) Divisions...

9) WorldViews.

10) Prayers? Symbols? Rituals?

I would be very glad if you could help me to answer those...

Thanks in advance,

Alex.

I am far from an expert on Buddhism although I know a bit about Nichiren Lotus Sutra Buddhism. You have been led astray about my abilities. I am not interested in doing your paper for you but I will answer the questions above for your sake.

1) What are the basic beliefs, concepts?

The basic belief of Buddhism is that the through the Buddhist faith, practice and study one can overcome the Four Sufferings: Birth, Old Age, Illness and Death and transform them into the four virtues of true self, purity, eternity, and joy. My faith, practice, and study centers around the Law of Namu Myoho renge kyo or Adoration to the Wonderful Law of the Lotus Flower Sutra) and the Master of Teachings Lord Shaky [Shakyamuni] of the Original Doctrine which are both found within the Lotus Sutra.

2) How do they worship/celebrate?

That depends on the sect of Buddhism. Most Buddhist sects advocate at least twice daily religeous practice in the morning and the evening, either meditational [contemplational], devotional or both. Most Buddhist sects celebrate the birth, enlightenment (Nirvana), and the passing away of Shakyamuni Buddha on December 8th. This is known as Wesak day. They also celebrate New Years Day. We of the Kempon Hokke and most Japanese Nichiren sects also celebrate the days of the birth [Feb 16th], passing [Oct 13th], and enlightenment [Sept. 12th] of Nichiren Daishonin, the messenger of the Buddha.

We chant Namu Myoho renge kyo with faith in the the Great Object of Worship or Gohonzon which is the life and land of the eternal Buddha at the moment of transmission of Namu Myoho renge kyo to the masses of beings.We also chant the second and sixteenth chapters of the Lotus Sutra in the morning and the evening in a service called Gongyo which means assiduous practice. We chant these chapters in ancient Chinese with a Japanese pronunciation. I presently chant one half to one hour of Namu Myoho renge kyo a day and Gongyo which takes around five to fifteen minutes. I have done this for more than 30 years. Sometimes I chant a lot more and occassionally a lot less. We also celebrate the 28th of every month and many in our Sangha (group)  chant one hour together on this day. This is in memory of the first day that our founder Nichiren Daishonin chanted Namu Myoho renge kyo on April 28th 1253. Our daily worship of the Law and Eternal Buddha is really a celebration, so in a sense, we celebrate every day.

3) Important feasts. Why?

Anytime my wife or I cook a sumptuous meal for others or we go out to a good restaurant.

4) Important Sites or Locations?

Their are four "holy places" in India for most Buddhists: Bodh-gaya, where the historical Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree; Lumbini Gardens: The birthplace of the Buddha; Deer Park: The site of the Buddha's first sermon after attaining enlightenment; Kusinara: Where the Buddha passed away.

Our sect also considers Ryojusen (Eagle or Vulture Mountain) in India and Mount Minobu in Japan to be sacred places: Ryojusen is where the Buddha preached the Lotus Sutra and Minobu is where Nichiren Daishonin is buried. In a sense, wherever one chants Namu Myoho renge kyo is a holy or sacred place so our homes are most holy and sacred places.

5) Hierarchy

This really depends on the sect of Buddhism. In our Buddhism there is no hierarchy because every one who chants Namu Myoho renge kyo with faith in the Gohonzon, Lotus Sutra, and the Eternal Shakyamuni Buddha is a Bodhisattva of the Earth, an exalted being in his or her's own right. The leader of the Bodhisattvas of the Earth is Bodhisattva Jogyo who was born as Nichiren Daishonin in 13th century Japan. Our teachers are Shakyamuni Buddha and Nichiren Daishonin because of their deep faith and understanding of the Lotus Sutra and their behavior as human beings.

6) Morals, etc.

There are two major schools of Buddhism, Hinayana (lesser vehicle) and Mahayana (greater vehicle). The Hinayanists (or Theravadins) stress morals or behavioral rules and regulations. For Hinayana monks there are 250 rules, and for nuns there are 500. For laymen there are less rules but still many. Rule in Buddhism are known as precepts. For example, do not eat after 12 noon, do not drink alcoholic beverages, do not commit adultery, do not kill, do not steal, do not sleep on a raised platform, etc. Most Mayahanists, especially the monks, follow ten precepts:

1. Not to kill or encourage others to kill.
2. Not to steal or encourage others to steal.
3. Not to engage in licentious acts or encourage others to do so. A monk is expected to abstain from sexual conduct entirely.
4. Not to use false words and speech, or encourage others to do so.
5. Not to trade or sell alcoholic beverages or encourage others to do so.
6. Not to broadcast the misdeeds or faults of the Buddhist assembly, nor encourage others to do so.
7. Not to praise oneself and speak ill of others, or encourage others to do so.
8. Not to be stingy, or encourage others to do so.
9. Not to harbor anger or encourage others to be angry.
10. Not to speak ill of the Buddha, the Dharma or the Sangha (lit. the Triple Jewel)) or encourage others to do so.

A corollary to the precepts are the Four Bodhisattva [those who delay their attainment of Supreme Enlightenment for the sake of others] vows:

1. However innumerable are sentient beings, I vow to save them all. 
2. However inexhaustible are defilements [sins], I vow to extinguish them all 
3. However immeasurable are the dharmas, I vow to master them all. 
4. However unattainable is the Way, I vow to attain it.

In Nichiren Daishonin's Lotus Sutra Buddhism, there is only one precept which is known as the diamond precept: Chant Namu Myoho renge kyo with faith in the Three Treasures [The Law, Buddha and Sangha] and Three Great Secret Laws [Namu Myoho renge kyo, the Gohonzon, and the place where the Lotus Sutra is practiced]. We only practice this precept because those on the path to Supreme and Perfect Enlightenment always function to benefit oneself and others.

7) What's your view on gays, abortion, etc.?

There are no teachings which specifically address the issue of homosexuality or heterosexuality in the Mahayana, except in the monastic setting. The Buddha taught that abortion was wrong. Common sense and the Middle Way should prevail in all matters. Therefore, safe contraception is a far more preferable practice than abortion.

8) Divisions...

Hinayana (Theravadin) and Mahayana have been briefly discussed above. I would also like to add that today, most people in South East Asia practice Hinayana and most people in Japan, China, Korea and the rest of the world practice Mahayana. There is also a division called Vajrayana which is practiced in Northern India, Tibet, and Japan which involves magical practices. Vajrayana incorporates yoga, indigenous nature religions, and the teachings of the great Buddhist teacher Nagarjuna. I am partial to the Mahayana as it is universally accessible to all people and a correct practice definitely leads to Enlightenment.

The other division that you should know is the division of the Hinayana teachings called the Tripitaka (three baskets): 1). Sutra-pitaka = the discourses of the Buddha; 2). Vinaya-pitaka = the origins of the sangha (group of believers) and the rules of discipline regulating monks and nuns; 3). Abhidharma-pitaka = the discourses on the Buddha's teachings by the latter day saints and sages.

9) WorldViews.

That depends on the sect and the individual. We believe, in our sect, that all people have the potential to attain Buddhahood so all people are equal no matter what sins they may have committed. Through the redemptive power of the Buddhist faith and practice, all people can attain Enlightenment and become Buddhas, even in this lifetime. Our sect also believes that the major cause of the people's suffering is misleading religions and philosophies, so we have a duty to establish the Right Law (Namu Myoho renge kyo).

10) Prayers? Symbols? Rituals?

This too depends on the sect of Buddhism. There are basically four categories of "prayers". Three are meditations or contemplations: Vipasaana or meditation on the so-called three marks of existenc: Impermanence; suffering; and egolessness of all phenomena both mental and physical. This leads to the insight of "emptiness". Such insight is said to lead to the prevention of arising of passions; Shamatha is meditation for calming the mind and the technique is described as single pointedness. The Lotus Sutra meditation is known as will power consciousness (desiring to see the Buddha we do not begrudge our life). The last category is conventional prayer for the health and happiness of oneself and others both alive and deceased. Repentance, is a subcategory of conventional Buddhist prayer. Chanting Namu Myoho renge kyo encompasses all the various types of meditation and prayers and even surpasses the meditation of Great Concentration and Insight taught by Tientai the Great of China

Symbols: Many sects of Buddhism, even many Zen practitioners have various objects of worship, including Buddhas, Bodhisattvas (other compassionate beings), Deities etc. Our sect has the great object of worship known as the Gohonzon which is the actuality of the Master of Teachings Lord Shakyamuni of the Original Doctrine or the Original Eternal Buddha at the moment of transmission of Namu Myoho renge kyo to the Bodhisattvas of the Earth [us].

The Tibetian Buddhists have hundreds of rituals. We have the rituals of making offerings to the Gohonzon such as water, flowers or evergreens, fruit and incense and the ringing of a bell (offering of divine music). We also have prayer beads not unlike rosaries.

**************************************************************************

Also, "Do you believe in afterlife, hell, heaven?" and "What kind of music you are listening to?" , btw do you have some kind of miracles as we do in catholic religion? 

Hi Alex. Yes I believe in an afterlife. This is a very complex topic to explain and ultimately it is a matter of faith. Let us begin with the Three Buddha Bodies or the Three bodies of the eternal Buddha: The Historical Buddha, Shakyamuni of India, was the earthly manifestation of the Eternal Buddha and represents self. We too have a temporary existence that represents self. This is the Manifestation-body of the Buddha or generally our manifest existence. The other Buddhas of the universe manifest here and in other quarters and represent not-self. Generally, other people are not we ourselves so, utilizing ourselves as a reference point, all other people represent not-self. This is the Reward-body (all the "branch" body Buddhas who make up the Reward Body of the Buddha) or generally, all other beings besides our selves. These two, both self (Shakyamuni as a manifest historical personage or we as a temporary existences) and not-self (all the other Buddhas in the universe, those beings rewarded for their efforts in the Buddhist practice, and more generally, everyone other than we ourselves),  make up the teaching of duality: The Buddha Shakyamuni is different from the other Buddhas of the universe and is the Original Teacher of all Buddhas since the infinite past. He is also different than we and we are different than he (self versus not-self). No-self is the Law Body of the Eternal Buddha Shakyamuni and is omnipresent, exists eternally and is one with the Law of Myoho renge kyo. It represents no-self or the void and is the body that integrates the manifest Buddha and the other Buddhas of the universe [or ourselves and others].The Law-body of the Buddha is the teaching of non-duality. This is the teaching that there is no fundamental difference between Buddha Shakyamuni, the other Buddhas of the universe, us, atoms, specks of dust, plants, and animals, etc. it is the fundamental reality that underlies all phenomena both material and physical, something akin to string theory in physics. Restated: All phenomena or beings are in essence Buddha Shakyamuni, are eternal, omnipresent and one with the Law of Myoho renge kyo. The dual (self and not self) and the non-dual (no-self) are sometimes referred to as two but not two and one but not one. Actually (no longer as potential),  those who chant Namu Myoho renge kyo with absolute faith in the Law and Eternal Buddha are one with the Eternal Buddha, his life and land, behavior and function.

Now, as far as an afterlife, "our" karma or that which and whom we are as a temporary existence, was created, through "our" thoughts words and deeds since the infinite past. It has manifested as Mark and Alex (selves or temporary existences). Upon death, karma, being like energy, is neither created nor destroyed and is transformed via the process of death. We will never again manifest exactly as Mark or Alex but as other selves or temporary existences. Therefore, there is no ever abiding soul or manifest self save on the level of the . At the moment of death we again return to the original state of no-self, become one with the, Eternal Buddha Shakyamuni and Law, yet, we still have created the karma to effect suchness or being when the time and conditions are ripe. If we made bad causes through our thoughts, words, and deeds, beings such as centipedes, people born without eyes or ears, or other unfortunate births will ensue.

Making the causes to follow the path of Buddha and helping others to do the same, ensures a fortunate birth. Chanting Namu Myoho renge kyo with faith in the Gohonzon is the highest cause we can make to ensure "our" birth as a Bodhisattva or Buddha.

Hell and Heaven are realms of being whether referring to self, not-self or no-self. They are eternally abiding realms within all beings both sentient and insentient. The pain is Hell and pleasure is Heaven. Actually there are ten eternally abiding realms: Hell, Hunger, Animality, Anger, Tranquility (or Humanity), Rapture, Learning, Self Realization, Bodhisattva and Buddha. These are the ten realms that exist both in ourselves and our surroundings. Yet, there are one or several realms that we gravitate to depending on our karma. For example, though a person resides principally in the realm of Humanity, if he is accidently bumped on the street and punches the person who bumped him, he is at that moment in the realm of animality. A cat and dog, on the other hand, though predominantly in the realm of Animality can manifest Bodhisattva or the realm of compassion by acting selflessly to save its babies from a fire, for example. The more selfless one's actions, the more one becomes one with the no-self or Eternal Buddha which is one with the Law. The most selfless action we can take is to teach other to chant Namu Myoho renge kyo and take faith in the Master of Teachings Lord Shakyamuni of the Original Doctrine which is the Gohonzon as mentioned in our previos correspondence.

The greatest miracle in Buddhism is that a common mortal can become a Buddha. Benefits do occur however and may be inconspicuous or conspicuous and depend on the merits both ceded to us by the Law and the Buddha and created by us through our fath and practice. It is is proportional to the depths of our faith and practice.

I listen to Rock & Roll and Blues mostly. 

Hope you are well.

I would be happy to help anyone out who desires to know anything about Buddhism, even a word or a phrase

"For the past several decades many people have been deceived." -- Nichiren

"There are also those who appeared to believe in Nichiren but began doubting when they saw him persecuted. They have not only forsaken the Lotus Sutra but actually think themselves wise enough to instruct Nichiren. The pitiful thing is that these perverse people must suffer in the depths of hell even longer than the Nembutsu believers. Ashura contended that the Buddha had only eighteen sensory functions but that he himself had nineteen. Brahmans claimed that the Buddha offered only one way to enlightenment but that they had ninety-five. In the same way, the renegade disciples say that although Priest Nichiren is their master, he is too strict, and they will spread the Lotus Sutra in a more tender way. In so asserting, they are being as ridiculous as fireflies laughing at the sun and moon, an anthill belittling Mount Hua, small inlets despising the boundless sea, or a magpie mocking the Chinese phoenix."(Reply to Nichigon the Nun)

"Now when I, Nichiren, consider the matter, I find that in addition to the above passage of the Lotus Sutra, the Nirvana Sutra states, "If there are those who conceive differing ideas concerning the three treasures, then truly you should know that these people can no longer hope to take refuge in or rely upon these three pure treasures. They will be unable to uphold any of the precepts, and, in the end, they will be unable to obtain the fruits of the voice-hearer, the cause-awakened one or the bodhisattva. This passage is clearly referring to [the essential point of the Juryo chapter of the Lotus Sutra. It subsequently likens the Juryo chapter to a tree, and the pre-Lotus Sutra teachings and the theoretical teaching, to its shade.' Other sutra passages also employ this metaphor. They teach that the benefits of the five periods and eight teachings, of the teachings that are still in a certain dimension and that extend beyond,' and of the Mahayana and Hinayana, are all like shade, while the doctrine of the essential teaching is like a tree. They also teach that the benefits gained from the teachings expounded before the Juryo chapter by those who lived during the Buddha's lifetime are like a tree's shade in the darkness, for such benefits were obtainable only by those who had already heard the Juryo chapter in prior existences!

As for your contention that disbelief does not in itself constitute slander, or your claim that those who disbelieve will not necessarily fall into hell, the fifth volume of the Lotus Sutra states, "If with regard to this sutra, if one should harbor doubt and fail to believe, he will fall at once into the evil paths."'(The Third Doctrine Gosho).

"For the past several decades many people have been deceived. They have misunderstood the teaching of Shakyamuni Buddha. They have forgotten the Right Law, and preferred the teaching which is by no means orthodox." (Rissho Ankoku Ron, Page 20, Translated by Senchu Murano) 

Gohonzon as compass

Take two travelers starting from the same location and heading for the same destination. Each one has a compass but one of the compass needles is manufactured poorly and is one degree off. Initially, after traveling a short distance, it appears that the two travelers are heading in the same direction. After having traveled a long distance, however, the deviations of their two paths and their different final destinations become obvious. The Lotus Sutra Buddhism of Nichiren Daishonin too is like this. Even a small error in one's faith and practice [ability to follow the compass direction] and more importantly, the nature of the object of worship [compass intact or damaged] determines the final destination of the traveler. The mistaken object of worship of the Soka Gakkai and Nichiren Shoshu leads the believer to a destination other than Buddhahood. The mistaken gentle practices in this latter age [the practices of the theoretical section of the Lotus Sutra and of Tientai] of the Nichiren Shu and Soka Gakkai also lead to a destination other than Buddhahood. The correct faith, practice, and most importantly, the correct object of worship always lead directly to Buddhahood.

Has the spirit and nature of the human being evolved? Have the times really changed since the advent of Nichiren [as asserted by SGI]?

"If there is anyone among my followers who is weak in faith and goes against what I, Nichiren, say, he will meet the same fate as did the Soga family." (The Supreme Leader of This World).

"Now, the same could be said of disciples of Nichiren. If they believe in, respect, follow, and obey me in name only without heart, they will no doubt suffer in the Hell of Incessant Suffering for the period of one, two, ten, or one hundred, if not one thousand, kalpa. If you wish to be saved from this, you should each practice just as the Medicine-King Bodhisattva did; he set his arm afire to offer it as a light to the Buddha; or Gyobo Bonji, who skinned himself to write the dharma on his own skin. Just as Sessen Doji and Suzu Danno did, you should sacrifice your own life or serve your masters from the bottom of your heart in search of the dharma. Otherwise, you should beseech the Buddha for help, bowing to Him with your four limbs and face touching the ground, dripping with sweat. Otherwise, you should pile up rare treasures in front of the Buddha as an offering to Him. If that is not possible, you must become servants to the upholders of the dharma. Or you should practice some other ways according to the principle of the four ways of teaching. Among my disciples those whose faith is shallow will show at the moment of death the sign of falling into the Hell of Incessant Suffering. Do not blame me for it then! (A Tract Revealing the Gist of the Rissho Ankoru-ron)

Again, speaking to his disciples, Nichiren states:

"The doctrine concerning the theoretical and essential teachings is not my own [but was expounded by the Buddha] Those who would distort it can only be possessed by devils, and will topple others as well as themselves into the great citadel of the hell of incessant suffering. How foolish thaey are! Teach others clearly as I have taught you these many years. Those who call themselves my disciples and practice the Lotus Sutra should all practice as I do. If they do so, Shakyamuni, Taho and all the buddhas of the ten directionsas well as the Ten Goddesses will protect them. Yet for all that [some people around Ota Jomyo distort the teaching]. I can not fathom their minds. Priest Nichigyo's (Sammi-bo) death was indeed pitiful....." (Establishing the Four Bodhisattva's as the Object of Worship).

The third chapter of the Lotus Sutra states,

"They dwell in hell so long that they come to think it as natural as playing in a garden, and the other evil paths seem like their own home."

Those who execute the ten evil acts fall into the hell of Tokatsu or Kokujo and there must spend five hundred lifetimes or one thousand hell-years. Those who execute the five cardinal sins fall into the hell of continuous suffering and after staying there for one medium aeon, are born again in this world.

Why is it, then, that those who forsake the Lotus Sutra collapse into the hell of persistent despair and have to stay there for such an unimaginably great number of aeons? The sin of abandoning one's faith in the sutra must at the time seem nowhere near as horrible as killing one's parents. However, even if one killed his parents in one, two, ten, one hundred, one thousand, ten thousand, one hundred thousand, one million or even one billion lifetimes, he would not have to tarry in hell for a period as long as sanzen-jintengo.

Even if one were to kill one, two, ten, one hundred, one thousand, ten thousand, or as many as one billion Buddhas, would he have to dwell in abyss for as long as gohyaku-jintengo?

The three groups of men of Understanding, however, had to agonize through the period of sanzen-jintengo, and the great boddhisattvas, through that of gohyaku-jintengo, because of the sin they practiced by discarding the Lotus Sutra. This shows what an unimaginably beastly sin it is.

To put this directly, if one strikes at the air, his fist will not hurt, but when he hits a rock, he feels pain. The sin of killing an evil person is slight, parallelled to the sin of killing a good person, which is consequential. If one kills someone who is not his kin, it is like striking mud with his fist, but if he kills his own parents, it is like hitting a rock. A dog may bark at a deer and not have its skull broken, but if it barks at a lion, its intestines will rot. Ashura tried to ingest the sun and the moon and had his head split into seven pieces. Because Devadatta harmed the Buddha, the earth split open and absorbed him alive. The seriousness of a sin depends on whom one harms.

The Lotus Sutra is the eye of every Buddha. It is the ageless master of Shakyamuni. If one disposes of one character or even a single dot, his sin is weightier than that of one who kills his parents ten million times over, or even of one sheds the blood of Buddhas everywhere in the cosmos. This is why those who cast the Lotus Sutra had to suffer for as long as sanzen-jintengo or gohyaku-jintengo.

Moreover, it is extremely hard to meet a person who teaches this sutra exactly as it reads. It is even more difficult than for a one-eyed turtle to find a piece of floating sandalwood or for someone to dangle Mount Sumeru from the sky with a fiber from a lotus stem.

Great Teacher Tz'u-en was the pupil of Priest Hsuan-chuang and the instructor of Emperor T'ai-tsung. He was a saint who was not only well-versed in the Sanskrit and Chinese scriptures but had memorized all of the Buddha's sutras. It is said of him that the Buddha's ashes fell from the tip of his writing brush and that light gleamed forth from his teeth. His contemporaries regarded him as though he were the sun and the moon, and men in later ages enthusiastically sought out his teachings as guides for living. Even so, the Great Teacher Dengyo condemned him, writing, "Even though he applauds the Lotus Sutra, he demolishes its heart."

The quotation means that even though he intended to honor the Lotus Sutra, in the end, he annihilated it. Priest Shan-wu-wei was once the king of Udyana in India. He renounced the throne, became a priest, and in the course of his Buddhist practice journeyed through more than fifty countries in India, finally mastering all the esoteric and exoteric teachings of Buddhism. Later he went to China and became the teacher of Emperor Hsuan-tsung. Every Shingon priest in both China and Japan has since become his disciple. Though he was such a respectable person, he died abruptly, tortured by Enma, the king of hell, although no one knows why.

Nichiren considers that this happened because Shan-wu-wei was at first a votary of the Lotus Sutra, but when he read the Dainichi Sutra, he declared it superior to the Lotus Sutra. Similarly, Shariputra, Maudgalyayana and the others were not doomed to wander through the evil paths for the period of sanzen-jintengo or gohyaku-jintengo because they had committed the ten evils or five cardinal sins. Nor was it because they had committed any of the eight rebellious acts. It was because they met someone who was an evil influence, and discarded the Lotus Sutra to take faith in the provisional teachings.

According to the Great Teacher T'ien-t'ai, "If one befriends an evil person, he will lose his mind." "Mind"means the heart which believes in the Lotus Sutra, while "lose"means to betray one's faith in the Lotus Sutra and follow some other sutras. The Lotus Sutra reads, "... but when they are given the medicine, they refuse to take it."

The Great Teacher T'ien-t'ai stated, "Those who had lost their minds would not take the excellent medicine, even though it was given them. Lost in suffering, they fled to other countries."

Since this is so, the believers of the Lotus Sutra should fear those who plague their faith more than they fear bandits, burglars, midnight killers, tigers, wolves or lions -- even more than invasion by the Mongols. This world is the province of the Devil of the Sixth Heaven (Letter to the Brothers)

"On the surface, it appears that the teachings of Buddhism flourish throughout Japan today. There is something strange about these teachings, but the people do not seem to sense it. For instance, just as an insect flies into a flame or birds fly into the mouths of snakes, the masters of Shingon, and the followers of the Kegon, Hosso, Sanron, Zen, Jodo and Ritsu sects presume that they have obtained the true teachings of Buddhism; they think that they have freed themselves from the cycle of suffering of birth and death. However, without comprehending the sutras’ significance, the founders who established these schools merely followed their own personal concepts of Buddhism while appearing to give patronage to the sutras. With this superficial approach, the founders of each of the various schools propagated their doctrines without realizing that in turning their back on the Lotus Sutra, the true intent of the Buddha would not be realized. The sovereign and many people throughout the nation completely and blindly placed their beliefs in these teachings.

It has now been many years since these doctrines were transmitted to our country. Later scholars not realizing the errors of the founders of these schools, regarded those who mastered and then spread these mistaken teachings as sages. If the source of a stream is muddy, that stream will not run clear. If a body is bent, its shadow will not be straight. Shan Wu Wei and the founders of the other schools must have already fallen into hell. Perhaps, however, there were some amongst them who modified their beliefs and practices, repented and thus escaped the suffering of falling into hell. There may have been some that merely propagated their own sutras without either praising nor criticizing the Lotus Sutra, and even though they not able to liberate themselves from the cycle of life and death, they avoided falling into the evil paths. Even so, there are people in this later age who are not aware of this, they all continue to believe in the misguided teachings of the followers of these schools. This is as dangerous as boarding a wrecked ship and sailing out onto the open seas or a drunken person who lies down and falls asleep in a burning house.

I, Nichiren, saw how these mistaken forms of Buddhism were spread and was at once awakened with aspiration for enlightenment [to save the people]. I therefore began preaching the true doctrines of the Lotus Sutra. I was fully aware from the very start that no matter how I explained this situation to the people, they would not believe me and I would instead be faced with exile and execution. Today, since the nation of Japan has turned its back on the Lotus Sutra and abandoned Sakyamuni Buddha, its people will certainly fall into Avichi Hell in their next life. Not only that, they will without fail also be faced with great suffering in this lifetime too. That is to say, foreign military forces will invade our country and every single individual will lament as they encounter great adversity, from the Emperor all the way down to the common person. If, for example, one thousand brothers were to kill a parent, the sin from that act would not be divided into one thousand separate parts, each one would have to fall into the Hell of Incessant Suffering and endure its torment for the long period of an entire kalpa. The country of Japan is also like this in which every single human being must be subjected to their offenses against Buddhism.

Since the infinite past of Gohyaku Jintengo, this Saha World has been the domain of the Revered One, Sakyamuni Buddha, founder of the teachings of the Lotus Sutra. The immense land, air, mountains and oceans, plants and trees belong to no other Buddha than him. Furthermore, all living beings are the children of Sakyamuni Buddha. Since this earth first came into being during the Kalpa of Formation, Bonten descended from the heavens and gave birth to the sentiment beings of the six lower worlds. Just as Bonten is the father of all sentient beings, Sakyamuni Buddha is also the parent of all living beings in this Saha World. Furthermore, the Revered One, Sakyamuni Buddha, founder of the teachings of Buddhism, is an enlightened master who accurately guides all living beingsthroughout this country. Being able to recognize who is one’s mother and who is one’s father is a debt of gratitude we owe the Master. The ability to distinguish between good and evil is also debt of gratitude we owe Sakyamuni Buddha."(Ichinosawa Nyudo Gosho)

"I especially warn the priests on Mount Kiyosumi. If they treat me with less respect than they show their own parents or the three treasures, they will become wretched beggars in this life and will fall into the hell of incessant suffereing in the next. I will explain why. The villainous Tojo Saemon Kagenobu once hunted the deer and other animals kept by Seicho-ji and tried to force the priests in the various lodging temples to become Nembutsu believers. At that time I pitted myself against Tojo and supported the lorde of the manor. I composed a fervernt oath and read, "If the two temples at Kiyosumi and Futama should come into Tojo's possession, I will discard the Lotus Sutra!"   Then, I tied it to the hand of the object of worship (23), to which I prayed continuously. Within a year both temples were freed from Tojo's grasp........(Letter to the Priests of Seicho-ji, MajorWritings Volume 2 Page 267) Written January 11, 1276,three years after the Daishonin began to inscribe Gohonzon.

"No matter how much they chant, everybody who has hatred for Nichiren first must fall to the Unremitting Hell; after immeasurable kalpas, having become the disciples of Nichiren, they shall attain Buddhahood." (Kyoo gozen gosho, Stn, v. 1, 687)

The Great Teacher Nan-yueh in his Shi Anrakugyo states, ‘If there should be a bodhisattva who protects evil persons and fails to chastise them... then when his life comes to an end, he will fall into hell along with those evil persons.'

"The meaning of this passage is that, if a practitioner of Buddhism should fail to chastise evil persons who slander the Law but give himself up entirely to meditation and contemplation, not attempting to distinguish between correct or incorrect doctrines, provisional or true teachings, but rather pretending to be a model of compassion, then such a person will fall into the evil paths along with the other doers of evil. Now a person who fails to correct Shingon, Nembutsu, Zen and Ritsu adherents who are slanderers of the Law and instead pretends to be a model of compassion will meet just such a fate as this." (Gosho name?)

"...when it comes to the True Dharma, they show no inclination to establish it and help protect it over the ages, but rather speak of it with malice and contempt, their words replete with error. Persons of this kind too I would say are following the path of the Icchantika. With the exception of this one group of people called Icchantika, however, you may offer alms to all others and everyone will praise you."(Rissho Ankoku ron)

"They entirely look up to groups of icchantikas and rely on them as leaders and, reverencing blasphemers against the Dharma, make them national teachers. Taking up the Classic Filial Piety of Confucious, they beat their parents' heads and, while chanting the Lotus Sutra of Lord Shakya with their mouths, they go against the Master of teachings." (Letter to Tonsured Layman Soya).

"That person , when life ends, together with the various evil people, shall fall to hell."(STN, v. 2 p.1500).

Nichiren is the most perverse person in Japan. The reason is this: Nichiren proclaims that because the people revere Amida, Dainichi, Yakushi and other Buddhas even more than their own parents and lords, the three calamities and seven disasters are occurring in greater magnitude than in any previous age, and natural disasters are now more terrible than ever. I am forever reminding them that they will not only ruin themselves and destroy the country in this lifetime, but will fall into the depths of hell in the next". (The Swords of Good and Evil).

SGI's Corporate Charter does not apply to members?

3.SGI shall respect and protect the freedom of religion and religious expression. 

7.SGI shall, based on the Buddhist spirit of tolerance, respect other religions... 

SOURCE: SGI.org Website 

"The corporate charter is for the Organization, the entity that was excommunicated NOT the members..." -- SGI leader 

I see. The leaders and members, including the dear leader, may disrespect and attack the freedom of religion and religious expression of others but not the organization.

The wrong honzon cannot give "protection" or "benefit" any more than the claims of all other religions.

"All the talk about "cause and effect through chanting" is really deceptive. The idea that "all you have to do is chant" and ignore whether the doctrine has been altered, is not borne out by experience nor the scriptures. If the "honzon" is an object of deception then all the sincerity in the world doesn't make it correct.

Daisaku Ikeda's second son died suddenly of a perforated ulcer, while a student at a prestigious Japanese college. Ikeda's oldest son has been in an out of mental hospitals with severe mental disorders. He must take high doses of psychoactive drugs to control his condition. Makiguchi (so-called "first president" of Soka Gakkai, even though Makiguchi's organization was an education reform society called the Soka Kyoiku Kai) died of starvation in a Japanese prison during the last days of the war. All nine of Makiguchi's children died during his seventeen years of faith in Taisejiji.

When I first joined back in the late ‘60's, I couldn't convince my friend, Gloria, to join. Her husband, Gary, had been a member for years. One day he didn't show up for Men's Division Bagpipe practice. Another member went over to his house to find out why he missed practice. He found Gary, eyes gouged out, ears cut off, head almost decapitated and grisly mutilations that I won't mention. Gary was murdered by the Manson family, whom he had "shakabukued". Obviously, Gloria did not think that Gary was "protected" by the SGI/NST gohonzon.

Three friends of mine were killed in a horrible car accident (their fault) rushing to "Kotekitai" practice, in preparation for some big parade in San Francisco. My old chapter chief lost two of his children (one was decapitated in a freak accident) and a third child was institutionalized. Over the years, many sincere friends died of diseases that they could not overcome by chanting in the SGI/NST. I could fill pages with "actual proof" horror stories that I personally witnessed. It seems that the wrong honzon cannot give "protection" or "benefit" any more than the claims of all other religions.

Hence, the correct doctrine is pivotal. Yet, SGI/NST people keep saying, "I don't want to get theoretical. I just chant and have actual proof in my life." Nichiren's position was quite different. To him, the correct doctrine was the most important thing. All Buddhist practice was of no avail if it didn't accord with the Lotus Sutra, the correct Gohonzon and the refutation of provisional teachings. Taisekeji's theology is a provisional teaching, based upon a fake honzon, that contradicts the words of Nichiren.

It seems that the honzon and the practice of SGI/NST needs to be examined very carefully.  For every "benefit" there are dozens of bad stories.  Otherwise, why have 95% of all members quit? If Ikeda himself could not be assured of the protection of the Buddha, then the statements of universal SGI "actual proof" are untrue. If "actual proof" were the only criteria, then the events of the last four years between the SGI and the Nichiren Shoshu speak volumes about "punishment". -- Maltz

They have turned on each other like the dogs in the burning house.

Is it actual proof? Might it be cause and effect? 

"No its our mission to achieve world peace and do our human revolution. The lifeblood is flowing through our veins. We are cutting our karma because it is coming out. If we follow our leader, even if he is wrong, we will still get benefit. Ikeda is the living Buddha and Nikken has inherited the lifeblood to transmit the law to us stupid Americans who believe anything these Japanese cult leaders tell us!!"

Duplicity is one of the fourteen slanders and greed is one of the Three Poisons.

Helen Chinberg SGI leader: But the spirit of zaimu, of gokuyo, of offerings made to the Buddha is completely different. We do not encourage members to make these offerings because the organization needs them but rather because the act of making offerings to the Buddha itself brings great benefit.

Me: You threw the Buddha out of his own religion years ago but when it suits you, collecting donations for example, you invoke the Buddha. Duplicity is one of the fourteen slanders and greed is one of the Three Poisons.

You should be happy to know that Soka University has outlawed suicide:

"Direct and indirect forms of verbal and written abuse, threats, physical harassment, intimidation, or violence against another person or their property, as well as conduct that threatens the health and safety of self (including threats of or attempts at suicide), will not be tolerated on the campus**." Soka University Academic Catalog

SGI tribalism

You have never seen a more gentile soft spoken woman as Helen Chinberg SGI leader......when speaking to even the most rabid fanatical SGI member spewing the absolute most vile comments at anyone who does not see eye to eye with SGI and Sensei:

"Fantastic experience Mr. Hyde"; "Such incredible encouragement Adolph."; "You are an inspiration to us all Joe [Stalin]."; "Mao, what an absolutely brilliant rendering of your deepest and most heartfelt feelings!; "Dracula, your faith is so pure!"; "President Ikeda couldn't have said it better himself Mr. Dahmer."

But when talking to any SGI critic, no matter how well documented and reasoned their argument, she herself turns into Hyde, Hitler, Stalin, Mao, Dracula and Dahmer. 

"To simply view this observation as "negativity" will not address the problem." -- SGI member

The following is an experience and observation by a two year Soka Gakkai member writing on Soka Gakkai Unofficial yahoo group:

"While I do agree that President Ikeda deserves respect for making Nichiren Buddhism known in the West, why do you suppose you have had to explain "a million times" that the SGI does not worship President Ikeda?

Would you agree that there is at least a perception that this is happening?

One of the dictionary definitions of worship is: "To regard with great, even extravagant respect, honor, or devotion."

I once brought a friend to a cultural center to introduce her to the practice. This particular meeting started off with an experience in which the speaker lauded President Ikeda as his mentor. (Well, that's okay, if it helped him..Great!) This was followed by a film about Ikeda's youth. (Okay, interesting experience). This was followed by a Gojakai film explainig the requirements to join, one of which was to have read The New Human Revolution, by President Ikeda (not the Lotus Sutra, not the writings of Nichiren).The meeting concluded with "Forever Sensei." I think this fits the definition above.

At this point my friend wanted to leave as her "cult-meter" started going off. She though we were like the Moonies with all the Ikeda stuff.

Please understand that I am not trying to be disrespectful of President Ikeda, or to minimize the value of those that have been helped by his mentorship. I value the SGI as a great organization that is trying to bring peace and happiness to the world.

But it is a fact that this continued focus on Ikeda turns a lot of people off, and has lead many to stop coming to meetings, or to leave the organization. I don't want that. You don't want that. To simply view this as "negativity" will not address the problem. In order to fix a problem, one must first admit there is a problem."

Not only are they not Buddhas but they are not even bodhisattvas

"Since the Buddha of the Juryo chapter is revealed as the eternal Buddha, it follows that the great bodisattvas such as Monju and Miroku and the great bodisattvas from other realms are in fact disciples of Shakyamuni Buddha."

Take Jamie Silver of the Chanting for Happiness blog, for instance.

Everyone on the outside believes her courageous, caring, prescient, and, oh so cheerful but at home with the shades drawn, she beats her father Shakyamuni Buddha over the head with Ikeda's Human Revolution and thinks nothing of it. Then she goes out with a big smile on her face, proclaiming how great is the Soka Gakkai, her mentor, and she herself. It puts chills down my spine but not in a good way.

They are ungrateful children. They are unfilial children.

Nichiren states:

"All these beings are disciples of Shakyamuni Buddha. Since the various Buddhas themselves are emanations of Shakyamuni Buddha, it goes without saying that their disciples must be disciples of Shakyamuni. And of course the various decties of the sun, moon and stars, who have dwelt in the world from countless ages in the past must likewise be disciples of Shakyamuni Buddha." "(MW vol 2, Ibid, pg 152)

SGI members, on the other hand, are not disciples of Shakyamuni Buddha. They are disciples of Daisaku Ikeda. It is we alone who proudly declare that we are disciples of Shakyamuni Buddha. They, on the other hand, coopt their father's Law, steal their father's treasure, and then refuse to even recognize their father. 

Bodhisattva will travel

Should a Nichiren Buddhist like to chant in a group and has no one to chant with, I may be able to travel one or several weekends a month and during the four day labor day holiday. Willing to drive ~ 400 miles. I live in Oklahoma near Fort Smith Arkansas. Let me know.