"Shakyamuni is dead." -- unenlightened SGI member

"To the deluded and unenlightened I say that 
I have entered nirvana, 
Although, in fact, I am really here." -- Lotus Sutra Chapter 16 

"I am on the verge of dismantling my altar and burning my Gohonzon but before I do could you please answer some questions:"

Question: Nichiren said that other forms of Buddhism had lost their power to help/save/enlighten the people. What did he base this on? 

Answer: He based this on three things: Scriptures such as the Daijuku Sutra (Sutra of the Great Assembly), Shugo Sutra (Sutra of Protection), Maya Sutra, Lotus Sutra and Nirvana Sutra; theoretical considerations, such as the relative profundity of the various teachings; and most importantly, an observation and correct appreciation of the actual events of the time and insight into the past and future.

Question: What separates *your* branch of Nichiren Buddhism from the others? (Please, no name calling here. What are the *doctrinal* or *practical* differences?) 

Answer: "Our founder, the orthodox teacher Nichiju, took the Sutra text and Nichiren's Letters as absolute and proclaimed the Succession Through the Scrolls of the Sutra (kyogan sojo), spreading the teaching with the cry, "I adhere directly to Nichiren Daishonin'. The Lotus Sutra and writings of Nichiren are our doctrine. 

Other lineages have manufactured forgeries and called them "Letters" of Nichiren Shonin, Minobu which put together the Letter to Lord Hakii (Hakii done gosho) and the Taisekiji faction which forged the Two Successions (Nika sojo), the Selection on the Sublimity of the Original Cause (Hon'in myo sho), and the Selection of the Hundred and Six (Hyaku rokka sho) and others should die of shame before the Patriarch Nichiren Shonin. 

It is assertive propagation while undergoing persecution and beatings for the sake of thr Dharma by the Nichiju lineage since the founder, the Orthodox Teacher Nichiju, such as: The Onin Persecution when the Third Abbot of the Head Temple Myomanji, Nichinin, Nichijitsu and others spread the teaching unfazed by the torture of boiling water; the assertive transmission of the Way by the tenth Abbot Nichijun; the heroic deeds of Nittai in establishing the seven Hokke villages despite various persecutions; Nichigen, the twenty-sixth Abbot's persecution at Azuchi castle; and especially the twenty-seventh Abbot Nikkyo who continued to perform the forceful practices of the Lotus Sutra despite the amputation of his ears and nose and the killing of his young disciples, having incurred the animosity of the Tokugawa Shogunate; and the successive generations of Nikkyo, who day and night suffered persecution after persecution, oppression after oppression for the sake of the Dharma. They were beheaded, imprisoned, burned, and sent into distant exile on foreboding islands for twenty or thirty years and their martyrs' blood flowed as their noble lives were extinguished. Those of Nikkyo's lineage were contemptuously named the "New Disciples" by the general public but they themselves named themselves, "The Congregation of the Orthodoxy of the Original Doctrine" and "Those of the Right Old Doctrine of Nichiju". They [as we] boast[ed] that "we are in the direct lineage of Nichiren Daishonin but unfortunately, unlike us, they were forced underground in order to keep the fire of the faith going.

The people of the Right Old Doctrine in order to continue the Right Faith (sho shin) secretly founded the Daimoku Confraternity (called the Confraternity of the Daimoku of Inner Realization: Naisho Daimoku ko) and expounded the doctrine centered on the biographical traditions of the Three Teachers (Lord Shakya, Nichiren Daishonin, and Nichiju). 

It is this very fact that through the storms of religious persecution and suppression lasting three hundred tempestuous years they endured without falling into local folk religion but kept the doctrine that is a living example of the Succession Through the Scrolls of Sutra. It is something we boast of to other lineages and religions." -- Above answer taken from [and slightly edited] The Tradition and Doctrine of the Kempon Hokke sect by Tetsuju Kobota

Question: In *your personal view*, is there room for other Buddhist beliefs and practices? I'm curious here about personal insights, not the official party line. 

Answer: For better or worse, there will be other Buddhist beliefs and practices far into the foreseeable future but eventually, all the people will chant Namu Myoho renge kyo and worship the Eternal Buddha (Gohonzon). The Buddha's disciples will spread the Law in the manner most appropriate to the time. We refute the provisional teachings while praising the true teachings. 

Question: For the warring factions: is there any way to sincerely pray for the benefit of "the other side and is it possible to accept your differences and pray for peace at the same time? I ask these last questions because I am on the verge of dismantling my altar and burning my Gohonzon. The pure hatred I read here has me searching for another branch of Buddhism that's a little more, ya know, Buddhist. 

Answer: We pray for others constantly but if erroneous beliefs are permitted and are allowed to spread, Buddhism will be lost and the people will suffer. 

If it is a Nichiren Shoshu or an SGI Gohonzon that you intend to burn, as long as it is done respectfully and from a faith and understanding centered around the world of Buddha rather than the worlds of anger (hatred) and stupidity (ignorance), you will benefit from your decision. Then you can request a valid object of worship from us, as long as you continue to chant Namu Myoho renge kyo, have faith in the Eternal Buddha, and in the Sangha of the Bodhisattvas of the Earth. I would maintain my altar and remove any objects associated with Taisekeji/SGI, cranes, pictures of Ikeda, High Priest memorabilia, etc. 

Question:Any suggestion for another branch of Buddhism that's a little more, ya know, Buddhist? 

Answer: Only the Nichiren Lotus Sutra faith leads to Buddhahood. 

Question: Will Buddhism survive in America given the loud in-fighting between and among the various Nichiren sects? (Here again, an explanation.  Many Americans are seeking a spiritual path, and Buddhism seems to be a trendy place to be these days (thanks largely to Hollywood). The Nichiren sects seem most interested in gaining converts. Therefore, I fear that many Americans will have their first quest for inner peace answered by a call to war. While I recognize (and sincerely appreciate) the many benefits of this practice, I have been driven away by the constant fighting and name-calling.  These petty squabbles will be forgotten in a very few years' time; what will the people then say of Nichiren Buddhism's power to help/save/enlighten?)
Answer: This Saha World is the Eternal Buddha Realm. It is forever. What matters is how many people you yourself teach to chant Namu Myoho renge kyo with the same faith as Nichiren.

A common delusion of Soka Gakkai members

SGI member Kitt: If your faith is pure...it wouldn't matter what the piece of paper is inside the Butsudan. As long as you continue to chant with a heart that is pure and a seeking spirit, you will continue to enlighten your life.

Mark: This is a common delusion of those who do not have a correct object of worship. However, for arguments sake, let's say this is true, at least until the practitioner becomes aware of the truth. At the stage of practice (not yet aware of the truth) your faith may remain pure regardless of the object of worship, even believing that Nichiren Daishonin is the Original Eternal Buddha. The moment that you are made aware of the truth through the Lotus Sutra, the writings of Nichiren Daishonin, through a friend, or through one's own awakening [the moment that you learn the truth that the object of worship is not a representation of Nichiren but rather the Master of Teachings Lord Shakyamuni of the Original Doctrine], should you persist in your mistaken belief, it then becomes impossible to maintain a pure faith by the principle of "two differing thoughts".

So yes, until you know the truth, you may continue to accrue merit and virtue (benefit) even with a mistaken belief or a mistaken object of worship but once you know the truth, if you persist in embracing a lie, your merits and virtue will wither and die.

Soka Gakkai members are not Bodhisattvas of the Earth

"The purpose and goal of 'groups' and 'leaders' in the Soka Gakkai is to produce in the adherents a psychological dependence on the group and especially the leaders. 'Members' are taught to put all their faith, hope and trust in the groups' leaders which is idolatry. It grants opportunity and permission for invasion by all manner of heresy, not the least of which is the spirit of fear. As a result, the members are terrified by the prospect of punitive action which they have been taught would be emanating ultimately from Buddha Himself, if they are not completely submissive to every dictate and whim of their leaders, they are laden with overwhelming burdens of guilt, isolated from other sources of 'truth and fellowship', and their entire life is totally immersed in the internal involvements of the Organization. The outcome is heresy against the law of Buddhism both non-scriptural and insidious and an all-encompassing spiritual and psychological dependency on the group and the leaders. Because of their adherence to the these heretical tenets, SGI is not able to'dip from the stream of the original converts of the Buddha'". -- author unknown

What did Nichikan Shonin mean?

"So Jim, what did Nichikan Shonin mean by "Namu each Successive High Priest" -- Nichiren Shoshu member Paul

SGI leader Jim: [No response]

Me: He meant that Nichiren Lotus Sutra Buddhism is not practiced in Taisekeji.

The Lotus Sutra envelops and expands the Hinayana [Lesser Vehicle]

The Buddha, in a Hinayana Sutra, states:

'Thus I remembered my various past lives -
the first life, the second life, the third life,
the fourth life, the tenth life, the twentieth
life, the thirtieth life, the fortieth life, the
fiftieth life, the hundredth life, the thousandth
life, the hundred thousandth life, the countless
formations of the universe, the countless destructions
of the universe, the formations and destructions of
the universe. I remembered what my given names had
been, what my surnames were, what my tribal names
were, what I ate, what pleasures and sorrows I experienced."

And in the culmination of the Buddhas lifetime teachings:

THE TATHAGATA ANNOUNCES THAT HE HAS ENTERED NIRVANA -- 'Saddharmapundarika,' [Lotus Sutra] Chapter XVI

"But the time since I really attained Buddhahood
is as long ago and distant as that.
It is just in converting the mass of beings by expedients
and causing them to enter the Buddha Way
that I create such a preaching as this. You good sons.
The Sutra Canons which the Tathagata expounds
are all for saving and liberating the mass of beings
I either preach my own body
or preach the body of another or show my own body
or show the body of another or show my own matter
or show the matter of another. The various words I preach
are all true and not empty. What is the reason?
The Tathagata knows and sees the appearance
of the Three Worlds in accordance with reality:
there is no Birth-and-Death,
whether backsliding or emerging;
likewise there is neither existence in the world
nor extinction; they are not real; they are not void,
they are not thus; they are not different.
It is not as the Three Worlds
see the Three Worlds. In such a matter as this
the Tathagata sees clearly
and is without error. Because the various beings
have distinctions of various types of natures
and various types of recollections, I, desiring
to cause various good karmic roots to be produced
by means of considerable causalities,
parables, and words, preach various kinds of dharmas:
The work of the Buddha which I perform
I have never once abandoned even for a brief time.
Thus the time since I attained buddhahood
is very great, long and distant. My life is immeasurable
asemkheyas of kalpas
and I abide forever and am not extinguished.
You good sons. The life which I
achieved by originally practicing the bodhisattva way
is not yet extinguished
and it is twice the above number.
However, though it is not now real extinction,
yet I thereupon proclaim, I am going to take extinction.'
the Tathagata thus converts
the masses of beings by expedients. What is the reason?
If the Buddha were to abide for a long time in the world,
people of poor virtue would not plant good karmic roots
Being poor and lowly
and greedily attached to the five desires
they would fall into the midst of the net of thought
and wrong views. If they saw the Tathagata
ever present and not extinguished
they would then give rise to arrogant licentiousness
and nourish a disdainful idleness and could not produce
the thought that I am difficult to encounter
nor the mind of reverence. For this reason the Tathagata
preaches by expedience. The Bhikshus should know:
it is difficult to encounter
the Buddhas' coming forth in the world."
What is the reason? Of the various people poor in virtue,
having passed through immeasurable hundreds of
thousands of tens of thousands of tens of millions of
kalpasthere are those who see the Buddha
and those who do not see. Because of this fact
I say these words: Bhikshus!.
It is difficult to be able to see the Tathagata."
These beings having heard such words
will necessarily produce
the thought that I am difficult to encounter
and nourish affectionate longing in their hearts
and adoring the Buddha, will then plant good karmic roots.
For this reason although the Tathagata is not extinct
yet He says that He is extinct. Furthermore, good sons,
with the various Buddhas, the Tathagatas,
the Dharmas all are thus.
Because they are for saving the masses of beings
they are all true and not empty."

SGI's rhetoric and exhibitions of peace ring hollow

In the SGI Quarterly, there is an article on a woman fighting to eradicate landmines in Africa. Many African landmines are manufactured by SGI's partner Mitsubishi. SGI's rhetoric of preserving Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution and their exhibitions of peace ring hollow because they support Shinzo Abe and partner with Mitsubishi.

SGI-Malaysia's head is split into seven pieces...mass resignations of Soka Gakkai leaders

https://daylight.my/

Even if the General Director is corrupt?

"We must put our total trust in the General Director because he was appointed, and most trusted by, Mr Ikeda, to lead kosen-rufu in Malaysia. No one else is more capable and suitable." -- SGI Malaysian leader

Soka Gakkai fascist propaganda

"The evil forces employed various social media like WhatsApp, Facebook, blogs and video clips to create confusion and anger. None of it is true. In fact, it is slander to even read them. Stick to only official SGI and SGM publication and news. If you read them, your faith will be shaken because they are very good and can confuse you. Stay away from it." -- SGI leader

Would Nichiren salute a Shingon prelate?

http://www.messinaora.it/notizia/2017/09/17/dalai-lama-messina-la-cronaca-giornata-storica-video-foto/96004

"Corpses pile up in mounds like observation platforms, and dead bodies lie side by side like planks on a bridge."

"All the while some put their whole faith in the “sharp sword” of the Buddha Amida (or Jesus) and intone the name of this lord of the Western Land; others believe that hearing the name of the Buddha Medicine Master will “heal all ills” and recite the sutra that describes this Thus Come One of the Eastern Region. Some, putting their trust in the passage in the Lotus Sutra that says, “His illness will be wiped out and he will know neither old age nor death,” pay homage to the wonderful words of that sutra; others, relying upon the sutra passage that reads, “The seven disasters will instantly vanish, and the seven blessings will instantly appear,” conduct ceremonies at which a hundred priests expound the sutra at a hundred preaching platforms. There are those who follow the esoteric teachings of the True Word school and conduct rituals in which they fill five jars with water, and others who devote themselves entirely to seated meditation and try to perceive the emptiness of all phenomena as clearly as the moon. Some write out the names of the seven guardian spirits and paste them on a thousand gates, others paint pictures of the five mighty bodhisattvas and hang them over ten thousand thresholds, and still others pray to the heavenly gods and earthly deities in ceremonies conducted at the four corners of the capital and on the four boundaries of the nation. Taking pity on the plight of the common people, the rulers carry out government on the national and local levels in a benevolent manner.

But despite all these efforts, they merely exhaust themselves in vain. Famine and epidemics rage more fiercely than ever, beggars are everywhere in sight, and scenes of death fill our eyes. Corpses pile up in mounds like observation platforms, and dead bodies lie side by side like planks on a bridge.

If we look about, we find that the sun and moon continue to move in their accustomed orbits, and the five planets follow the proper course. The three treasures of Buddhism continue to exist, and the period of a p.7hundred reigns has not yet expired. Then why is it that the world has already fallen into decline and that the laws of the state have come to an end? What is wrong? What error has been committed?" -- Nichiren

Soka Gakkai's rhetoric and exhibitions of peace ring hollow

In the SGI Quarterly, there is an article on a woman fighting to eradicate landmines in Africa. Many African landmines are manufactured by SGI's partner Mitsubishi. SGI's rhetoric and exhibitions of peace and preserving Article 9 at all costs ring hollow for supporting Shinzo Abe and partnering with Mitsubishi.

Soka Gakkai pseudo-Buddhism is not Nichiren's Lotus Sutra Buddhism.

All the professional photographs and videos of smiling SGI members in the world doesn't change the fact that SGI pseudo-Buddhism is not Nichiren's Lotus Sutra Buddhism.

"You may pile up dung and call it sandalwood, but when you burn it, it will give off only the odor of dung. You may pile up a lot of great lies and call them the teachings of the Buddha, but they will never be anything but a gateway to the great citadel of the hell of incessant suffering. 

The stupa built by Nirgrantha Jnātaputra over a period of several years conferred great benefit upon living beings, but when Bodhisattva Ashvaghosha bowed to it, it suddenly collapsed. The Brahman Demon Eloquence taught from behind a curtain and for a number of years succeeded in fooling others, but Bodhisattva Ashvaghosha berated him and exposed his falsehoods. The non-Buddhist teacher Ulūka turned himself into a stone and remained in that form for eight hundred years, but when Bodhisattva Dignāga berated him, he turned into water. The Taoist priests for several hundred years deceived the people of China, but when they were rebuked by the Buddhist monks Kāshyapa Mātanga and Chu Fa-lan, they burned their own scriptures that purported to teach the way of the immortals." [Repaying Debts of Gratitude].

SGi's anti-bullying initiative (Victory Over Violence)...they should begin with themselves

It’s the standard Soka Gakkai/Taisekeji tactic to muddle, confuse and unbalance any logical criticism of their “reading between the lines” approach to Nichiren’s orthodox religion. And if that tactic isn’t working, they resort to character assassination. It amounts to “bullying” any and all opposition.

THE EIGHT-FOLD TEACHINGS, THE FIVE PERIODS, AND THREE ANALOGIES

THE EIGHT-FOLD TEACHINGS

------------------------------------------------------------------

The great teacher T'ien T'ai of China (538-597) was able to penetrate Shakyamuni's full intention in the sutras. Accordingly, T'ien T'ai divided the sutras into categories on the basis of content. These categories are the Eight-Fold Teachings and the Five Periods, and he used the Three Analogies to elucidate them. 

The Eight-Fold Teachings are divided into:

1) the Doctrines of Conversion (including Hinayana, Shared, Distinct, and Perfect Teachings), and 

2) the Methods of Conversion (consisting of Sudden, Gradual, Secret, and Variable teachings). 

If we compare a sutra to medicine, then Doctrines of Conversion list the contents, while Methods of Conversion explain how to use the medicine. . 

-------------------------------------- 

Sudden Teachings are doctrines that a Buddha expounds in a direct, undiluted manner. Directly after his enlightenment, without first assessing who would or would not understand these teachings, Shakyamuni preached the Flower Ornament (Kegon) Sutra as a Sudden Teaching to gauge his audience's capacity. He expounded major aspects of the truth, and accomplished Bodhisattvas might have had the capacity to recognize that truth and gain immediate entry into a form of enlightenment. 

For those unable to comprehend the above-mentioned truth immediately, Shakyamuni employed the Gradual Teachings to prepare them slowly for higher teachings. 

Hearing a Secret Variable or Clear Variable Teaching, each person in an audience learns something according to their capacity. In the case of Secret Variable Teachings, the term "secret" is used because one cannot know what the audience has grasped; "secret" does not indicate that teachings are "hidden". When C!ear Variable Teachings are expounded, each listener can be sure that a Hinayana practitioner will comprehend the teachings from a Hinayana perspective and that a Mahayana practitioner will grasp them from a Mahayana point of view. 

THE FIVE PERIODS AND THREE ANALOGIES 

-------------------------------------------- 

After establishing the Eight-Fold Teachings to categorize Shakyamuni's teachings, T'ien T'ai grouped them into Five Periods based on the time in which the Buddha expounded particular doctrines, which in turn were based on the listeners' capacity, growth, and development. To compare and contrast the Five Periods, he used the Three Analogies: 

1) the Three Illuminations, which show how various positions of the sun from dawn to noon relate to Shakyamuni's teachings; 

2) the Parable (in the Lotus Sutra) of the rich man and his poor errant son, who after many years away from home accidentally comes to his father's house but fails to recognize his father and his home; 

3) the Five Flavours: milk, cream, curdled milk, butter, and ghee, which characterize the progression of Shakyamuni's teachings. 

I. In the first sutra he preached, the Flower Ornament (Kegon) Sutra, Shakyamuni employs the Sudden method of teaching, since it reveals major elements of truth suddenly" without prior groundwork for the listeners. The Buddha can then gauge the audience's level of understanding. All people are taught indiscriminately. 

This sutra represents dawn (First Illumination), when the sun's rays first pierce the night, illuminating the highest regions of a mountain. As the sun's first rays can only reach the mountaintop, the Kegon Sutra could only be grasped by Bodhisattvas of the highest level, those "regally attired" who were offered immediate entry to a form of Buddhahood. In the Parable from the LotusSutra, the rich man (Shakyamuni), wanting to welcome his son (the people) into his estate (enlightenment), sends one of his officials to do so. However, the son, intimidated by such an opulent environment, declines this invitation. As the first of the Five Flavours, the Sudden (Kegon) Teaching is likened to milk, which in its raw state is a pure, nourishing substance containing all essential ingredients for growth (protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and water). While it is sometimes called the perfect food, ironically, many cannot digest raw milk. 

II. After 21 days of preaching the Flower Ornament Sutra, Shakyamuni saw that some could not grasp its truth. Travelling to "Deer Park", he preached the Agama Sutras. During this 12 year period of preaching, known as the Period of Deer Park Hinayana doctrine, including gradual, secret, and variable methods, was taught. The Agamas contain such teachings as the Four Noble Truths and The Twelve Links of Causation, which were aimed at those of the two vehicles (learning and realization). 

In the Second Illumination, the sun's rays now reach down into the depths of the valley. In the Parable from the Lotus Sutra, the rich man again tries to invite his son into his estate by sending a humbly dressed worker as messenger, rather than a court official. The second flavour of this teaching is cream, which is more palatable and acceptable to a wide range of people than milk. Those of Learning and Realization might attain a form of enlightenment through these sutras, but since the teaching is Hinayana, they could only reach the level of Arhat, gaining entry for themselves alone. 

III. In the 16 year Period of Expansion (Hoto), Hinayana, Shared, Distinct, and Perfect doctrines were widely taught. Shakyamuni used gradual, secret, and variable methods. Admonishing Hinayana practitioners for maintaining a selfish practice, he emphasized a Mahayana concept of Ku to raise listeners' awareness beyond the realm of Hinayana; this gave rise to many sects, such as Hosso, Jodo, Zen, and Shingon. 

In the first part of the Third Illumination, the sun is now higher in the sky; its rays have begun to illuminate the open fields, indicating an emergent proliferation of Buddhist teachings. In the Parable from the Lotus Sutra, the father assigns the son menial work to raise his awareness (of where and who he is) gradually. The third flavour is likened to curdled milk: though nutritious, it is tart. 

IV. In the Period of Wisdom (prajna), which spanned 14 years, Shakyamuni emphasized pure Mahayana teachings in expounding the six paramitas (almsgiving, keeping the precepts, forbearance, assiduousness, meditation, obtaining the wisdom). He preached shared, distinct, and perfect doctrines, while using gradual, secret, and variable methods of conversion. In the second part of the third illumination, the sun's rays have spread more widely over the fields but remain limited in scope. At this point in the Parable from the Lotus Sutra, the father gradually increases the level of his son's responsibilities to further his awareness. The fourth flavour is butter, which is produced by mechanically transforming cream into a solid mass. Butter is a rich, flavourful, satisfying food. 

V. The fifth and final stage is the Lotus-Nirvana Period, during which the Lotus Sutra was preached for 8 years and the Nirvana, for the day and night before Shakyamuni's passing. Not communicating merely with those of the three vehicles (Learning, Realization, and Bodhisattva), Shakyamuni expounded a Perfect doctrine to open the door of enlightenment to all people, regardless of their capacities. Similarly, in the Parable, the rich man finally opens his estate completely to his son, who then enters without hesitation. The son realizes that he is in a position to inherit and accept his father's domain. In this third part of the third Illumination, the sun is directly overhead (at noon); its rays illuminate and embrace all comers of the mountain, valley, and fields without discrimination. The fifth flavour is ghee, the richest of all. Highly prized in India, ghee is a symbol of purity. To make it, one heats butter slowly until all water content has evaporated (reduction), while milk solids are mechanically removed. What remains is a deep amber coloured oil, termed "clarified butter". This represents the clear, pure teaching of the Law. 

-------------------------------------- 

The Lotus Sutra is the teaching that enables all to gain entry to the condition of enlightenment, regardless of the listeners' respective capacities. This great harvest" gathers all people in one great lesson. Pointing again to the Lotus Sutra's Truth, the Nirvana Sutra acts as Shakyamuni's "net" to gather the last of those who need to be directed to the highest teaching. 

Nichiren Daishonin considered T'ien T'ai's organization of sutras crucial, because it enables people to focus on what is profound in Buddhist doctrine and to avoid the error of embracing partial truths derived from lesser teachings.

Floods too...

"At times perhaps a wise man may appear who understands the Buddha’s teaching, but the people of the country cast him aside, and the benevolent deities who guard and protect the land, because they can no longer taste the flavor of the Law, lose their power and brilliance and cease to benefit living beings. They abandon this country and go off to other lands. Then evil demons, seizing this opportunity, come in their place to fill the country, causing the earth to shake and ill winds to blow, bringing grief to the whole realm, and inflicting damage on the five kinds of grain. As a result, famine and drought arise, and demons take possession of the people’s five sense organs, so that their vital spirits are snatched away—this is how epidemics break out. All the inhabitants lose their good minds and many fall into the evil paths. All of this comes about because people put faith in the teachings of evil friends.

The Benevolent Kings Sutra states: “Evil monks, hoping to gain fame and profit, will in many cases appear before the ruler, the crown prince, or the other princes, and take it upon themselves to preach doctrines that lead to the violation of the Buddhist Law and the destruction of the nation. The ruler, failing to perceive the truth of the situation, will listen to and put faith in such doctrines, and proceed to create regulations that are perverse in nature and that do not accord with the rules of Buddhist discipline. In this way he will bring about the destruction of Buddhism and of the nation.”

This passage indicates that the evil monks of the latter age will come before the ruler and the high ministers and appear to advise them on how to insure the peace and safety of the nation, but in the end they will in fact bring ruin to the nation. They will seem to be propagating the Buddha’s teaching, but on the contrary will destroy it. The ruler and the high ministers, lacking any deep understanding of the situation, will put faith in the words of the evil monks and thereby bring ruin to the nation and destroy the Buddha’s teaching.

At such a time, the sun and moon will depart from their regular course, the seasons will become confused, summer will be cold, winter warm, and in autumn evil winds will blow. The sun and moon will take on a red color, and though it is not the first or the fifteenth day of the month, there will be eclipses of the sun or moon, or two or three suns will appear at the same time. Huge fires, great winds, and comets will appear, and famine and epidemics will break out. In bringing about the ruin of the nation and causing others to fall into the evil paths, there is nothing to surpass the harm done by evil friends."

Nichiren's teachings "unacceptable" to the Soka Gakkai

http://www.iop.or.jp/Documents/1525/Michael%20von%20Br%C3%BCck_%5B001-153%5DJournal25-9.pdf

"I would like to conclude with a phrase that I formulated only as a question, namely, the problematic of both. Luther ends, as already stated, with this attitude toward the Jews not only completely unacceptable to us, but also to his contemporaries. Nichiren ends with an exclusivity over other Buddhist schools, which was unacceptable not only to us from today’s perspective, but already many of his contemporaries: so exclusivism and absolutism. Maybe that is the danger in times of tyranny, when the discourse of peaceful confrontation becomes impossible."

Why is there so much suffering despite millions of Soka Gakkai, Nichiren Shu, Honmon Butsuryu Shu and Nichiren Shoshu members?

Because to a man, they do not practice the Lotus Sutra Buddhism of Nichiren.

Worst SGI lecture on the Lotus Sutra yet (with comments)?

Worst SGI lecture on the Lotus Sutra yet?

http://www.sgi-usa.org/memberresources/video/iwa_video.php?iwa=March_2016_1