I rebut this ignorant fellow with the entire canon of Nichiren, highlighting the Five Major Works:
Nichiren's One Original Eternal Buddha Doctrine
Nichiren's Comprehensive Teachings on Shakyamuni Buddha in Three Parts
Wednesday, May 25, 2022
Me thinks, they protest too much.
Why aren't they protesting the ENTIRE Soka Gakkai leadership and Soka Spirit for ravaging the Nichiren Shoshu and the Nichiren Shu? Why aren't they protesting the ENTIRE Nichiren Shoshu priesthood and many of their members for ravaging the Soka Gakkai? These groups care nothing for the neophyte bodhisattvas of the other groups, let alone their leaders or priests while I tell all beginners in the practice, from whatever sect, of the benefits of Namu Myoho renge kyo, the Lotus Sutra and the writings of Nichiren. Yet, they attack one man who supports his views with the Scripture of the Sublime Lotus and the writings of Nichiren. Remember, "faith is first and foremost" and not just any faith or the mechanical chanting of Daimoku, faith in the "eternal" mentor, High Priest, or Nichiren as True Original Eternal Buddha, a CORRECT faith:
"Be resolved to summon forth the great power of faith, and chant Namu-myoho-renge-kyo with the prayer that your faith will be steadfast and CORRECT at the moment of death...Even embracing the Lotus Sutra (Myoho renge kyo) would be useless without the heritage of faith."
I think that they are barking dogs. What do you think?
All the Unknowns and Anonymouses are having a field day today
Every single one of their comments are approved for you perusal. Agree or disagree, I won't rebut them because as Nichiren, I have too many critics to address them all. I'm sure that they would counter, "he CAN'T rebut them." Be it as it may, I go on till the last moment of my life, Namu Myoho renge kyo.
For the victims of the Texas massacre
Namu Myoho renge kyo
Namu Myoho renge kyo
Namu Myoho renge kyo
Monday, May 23, 2022
From Refutation of Ryokan-bo
"...in my original prayer I made a vow that: I should not have a prejudice in favor of any sect; I should adopt whichever sect shows evidence of being the teaching of the Buddha and is reasonable; I should be guided solely by the sutras, not by the commentators of India, translators and minister-masters in China; regarding the doctrines of Buddhism, I should not be afraid of even being punished by a king, not to talk of persecutions by the people below him; I should not follow instructions against the Buddha's teachings even if they are given by my parents, teacher and elder brother; and I should speak up honestly as expounded in sutras regardless whether or not people believe in me." - Refutation of Ryokan-bo
The Eagle Peak blog and Katie's defense of the indefensible
There has been one diamond rule of the Eagle Peak blog since its inception. There will be no comment in support of or advocacy of the Soka Gakkai cult allowed. I have broken this rule with my friend Katie (in the sense of Nichiren calling his most fervent enemy, Hei-no-seimon, his good friend) in order to rebut her but she has been so rabid in the defense of this cult that I will no longer permit her defense of the cult. Likewise, for those who come here defending the Nichiren Shoshu or even the Nichiren Shu. This is an American Kempon Hokke and independent Nichiren blog which differs significantly from the Japanese Kempon Hokke. We promote the teachings of Nichiren, Nichiju, Nikkyo the Martyr, those teachings of the Six Senior Priests that mirror the teachings of Nichiren, the actions of Nisshin the Pot Headed Monk, and the example of the Atsuhara martyrs. All these men desired little unlike the pig Ikeda and strove to follow Nichiren to the best of their ability. I consider such men as Gregorio, Anthony Elmore, Steven Shonin Paine, Sinyou Tsuchia, and Sifu Sylvain Chamberlain among others to also be striving to follow the Lotus sutra, Eternal Buddha Shakyamuni, and Nichiren to the best of their ability. Despite our minor differences regarding doctrine, I consider these men to be Bodhisattvas of the Earth. You, my readers would do well to associate yourselves as good friends with all of these men should you aspire to the same faith and practice as our beloved leader, Nichiren Daishonin, the teacher for this muddied age.
Sunday, May 22, 2022
Katie asked me to post the following to clarify her position regarding published post "Another Anonymous comment":(and my response)
https://markrogow.blogspot.com/2022/05/another-anonymous-comment.html
"Good to know the wolves are well fed. Interrupting meetings? Oh dear! I know this commenter BTW-- they are good humored and resistant to conspiracy theories, preferring to mock them-- a Gen Z'er who loves the "birds are not real" response to lunatic right winged extremists. Personal and cultural references are necessary to appreciate context and to avoid snap judgements of others. The same, by way of genuine study, can be said for the purpose of developing a deeper, more clear understanding of Nichiren's "letters to followers" IMO ~Katie-- please post to clarify my position. Thanks!
Perhaps Katie could clarify "interrupting meetings" and "a Gen Z'er who loves the "birds are not real" response to lunatic right winged extremists."
Regarding Nichiren's writings and criticism of me for publishing various passages of the writings without citing background and cultural context, she writes,
"Personal and cultural references are necessary to appreciate context and to avoid snap judgements of others. The same, by way of genuine study, can be said for the purpose of developing a deeper, more clear understanding of Nichiren's "letters to followers"
There are letters Nichiren meant for individuals and others, like the Five Major Works, dedicated to all his followers. One can easily research the background and cultural context of any passage. just as the Lotus Sutra was preached primarily for the people of this Latter Degenerate Age which will last for "ten thousand years and more", likewise Nichiren's teachings. The OVERWHELMING context of Nichiren's teachings is the Latter Day of the Law, the "time". This is explained in his writing, The Teaching, Capacity, Time, and Country.
Dave Cole criticizes me for publishing something the Nichiren hater, Blanche Fromage, wrote on SGIwhistlblowers.
No one has been more critical of Blanche Fromage, her anti-Lotus Sutra and anti-Nichiren stance, than me. For defending the Lotus Sutra and Nichiren, I was banned from SGIwhistleblowers. Not only that but in many private messages to her, I have handily criticized her. Regarding Blanche, I told her:
"So do you really think I will be dissuaded by an icchantika? Really? Do you think that an icchantika could shake my belief? You, to me, are a useful idiot who serves the very great mission of destroying the Soka Gakkai which has bastardized Buddhism to the point that it created one as you."
Nichiren, on occasion would quote Shan-wu-wei, despite Shan-wu-wei being an inveterate slanderer of the Lotus Sutra. One can not deny Fromage's well researched assessment of the Soka Gakkai and her intimate knowledge of SGI as a former YWD Headquarters Chief.
What have you done to correct Blanche Fromage, Dave?
Unknown wrote and my response
"I believe that being "protected" from acting with hostility and animus towards a fellow believer is vital-- for what can one hope to gain from slandering the core teaching of the Lotus Sutra?"
The most important of the 2 core teachings of the Lotus Sutra according to Nichiren (read the Opening of the Eyes), is the Eternal Lifespan of the Buddha, Lord Shakya of the Original Doctrine. It is "more important" then all sentient beings are endowed with the Buddha nature, the second most important "core" teaching. Since, according to Nagarjuna, even a dung beetle has the Buddha nature and those who commit the five cardinal sins have the Buddha nature. There is no doubt that SGI members too have the Buddha nature. Even Putin has the Buddha nature. However, abandoning Shakyamuni Buddha for either Nichiren as True Original Eternal Buddha, Daisaku Ikeda as eternal mentor, or even SGI-Buddha (whatever that means), SGI members cannot be considered "fellow believers" though they have the Buddha nature. They are to be admonished for altering the teachings. They are no different than provisional Buddhists who chant Namu Myoho renge kyo. That you Unknown, can't see this, reflects on your stalled development as a Nichiren Lotus Sutra Buddhist, lack of study, or lack of knowledge of what SGI actually teaches. Or maybe you don't care that SGI has altered the teachings?
Gregorio's passage of the day
"All the other sutras are examples of preaching in accordance with the minds of others, because, when expounding them, the buddha adjusted himself to the minds of all other living beings. But the Lotus Sutra is an example of preaching in accordance with the Buddha's own mind, because in it the Buddha had all living beings comply with his own mind." WND969.
Saturday, May 21, 2022
Friday, May 20, 2022
Some of Nichiren's writings on the Eternal Buddha, a passage from Chapter 16, the Lifespan of the Tathagata, and a very brief commentary.
Thus it was revealed that Shakyamuni had long been the Buddha since the eternal past and it became clear that various Buddhas in other worlds were all manifestations of Shakyamuni Buddha. Now, however, as Shakyamuni was proved to be the Eternal Buddha, those Buddhas in the Flower Garland Sutra, or Buddhas in the Hodo, Hannya, or Great Sun Buddha sutras all became subordinates of Shakyamuni Buddha.” (Kaimoku Sho, p. 174, translated by Kyotsu Hori, 1987)
BTW, here’s the same quote, as translated by NSIC. Please note the subtle differences:
“When Shakyamuni Buddha revealed that he had gained enlightenment in the far distant past and had since then been constantly in the world, it became apparent that all the other Buddhas were emanations of Shakyamuni… now it becomes apparent that Vairocana Buddha of the Kegon Sutra and various Buddhas of the Hodo, Hannya and Dainichi sutras are in fact all followers of Shakyamuni Buddha.” (MW V.2, p.149)
And again, Nichiren says:
“Since Shakyamuni Buddha is eternal and all other Buddhas in the universe are His manifestations…” (Kaimoku Sho, translated by Kyotsu Hori, p.176).
NSIC translates this as :
“Since the Buddha of the Juryo chapter is revealed as the eternal Buddha…” (the part about the manifestation Buddhas is left out altogether!) [MW V. 2, p.150]
Once again, from the Kaimoku Sho, translated by Kyotsu Hori, p.180:
“But now since it has been revealed that Shakyamuni is the Eternal Buddha…”
“But now that it has become apparent that Shakyamuni Buddha attained enlightenment countless aeons ago,…etc. (MW V.2, p. 151)
“Since Sakyamuni Buddha is eternal and all other Buddhas in the universe are His manifestations, then those great bodhisattvas converted by manifested Buddhas are also disciples of Lord Sakyamuni Buddha. If the 'Life Span of the Buddha' chapter had not been expounded, it would be like the sky without the sun and moon, a country without a king, mountains and rivers without gems, or a man without a soul.” -- The Opening of the Eyes Kyotsu Hori translation.
In the Kanjin Honzon Sho, (translated by Kyotsu Hori) there is not a single sentence where Nichiren even suggests that he is somehow this Eternal Buddha that is found in the Juryo Chapter. Instead, Nichiren says:
“…Shakyamuni Buddha, within our minds, is an ancient Buddha without beginning, manifesting Himself in three bodies and attained Buddhahood in the eternal past.. (ibid. P.94)
Notice, nowhere in the Soka Gakkai (or Nichiren Shoshu) translations do we find, Shakyamuni, "ETERNAL BUDDHA" but in the Nichiren Shu/Kempon Hokke translations from the original Showa Tehon Collection of Goshos, the Gosho translations are replete with "Shakyamuni Buddha of the Juryo Chapter of the Lotus Sutra" or "Shakyamuni is the Eternal Buddha." Were we to read the Ongi Kuden or The True Aspect of All Phenomena, both forged Gosho, this passage would have to be read, "We within the mind of Shakyamuni Buddha are ancient Buddhas without beginning."
“…the Bodhisattvas (who sprang from underneath the ground), as described in the 15th chapter, are followers of the Original Buddha Shakyamuni who resides within our minds.” (p.94)
“Shakyamuni Buddha, the Lord-preacher of this pure land, has never died in the past, nor will he be born in the future. He exists forever, throughout the past, present and future.” (P.100)
“The “honzon” at the scene of this transmission of “Namu Myo Ho Renge Kyo” from the Eternal Buddha to His Original Disciples is… suspended in the sky above the Eternal Buddha Shakyamuni’s Saha-world is a stupa of treasures, in which Shakyamuni Buddha and Taho sit to the left and right of “Myo Ho Renge Kyo”. (P.102)
“Many wooden statues and portraits were made of Shakyamuni Buddha as He preached Hinayana and quasi-Mahayana sutras, but statues and portraits of the Eternal Shakyamuni Buddha revealed in the Juryo Chapter of the Lotus Sutra were never made. Now, in the beginning of Mappo, is it not the time that such statues and portraits are made?” (P.104)
And, from the Ho’on Jo (translated by Taikyo Yajima):
“All the people in Japan as well as the rest of the whole world should revere the Lord Buddha Shakyamuni (Original and Eternal Buddha) revealed in the essential section (honmon) of the Lotus Sutra as the object of worship (honzon).” [P. 198]
Kanjin Honzon-Sho (NOPPA) page 56:
“In fact Sakyamuni began to preach, planting the seed of Buddhahood in the eternal past… Sakyamuni Buddha continued to guide His disciples until they were all sure to attain Buddhahood during the preaching of the Lotus Sutra in His present life, completing the series of His preaching which began in the eternal past.”
Kanjin Honzon-Sho (NOPPA) page 86:
“This means that Sakyamuni Buddha, Taho Buddha, and all the Buddhas in manifestation are in our minds, and that we, upholders of the Lotus Sutra, will follow in their steps and inherit all the merits of those Buddhas.”
and somewhat further along:
“In the same chapter, another passage reads: ‘The duration of My Life, which I obtained through the practice of the bodhisattva way, has not yet expired. It is twice as long as the length of time stated above: 500 dust-particle kalpa.’ This reveals the bodhisattva-realm within our minds. The bodhisattvas described in the fifteenth chapter, ‘Appearance of Bodhisattvas from Under- ground,’ who have sprung out of the great earth, as numerous as the number of dust-particles of 1,000 worlds, are followers of the Original Buddha Sakyamuni who resides within our minds.”
“How lucky I am to be able to go to the Pure Land of Mt. Sacred Eagle and extinguish within one life my sin of slandering the true dharma ever since the eternal past! How glad I feel to be able to go to the Pure Land of Mt. Sacred Eagle and wait on Lord Sakyamuni Buddha, whom I have never seen yet! May I guide first of all those rulers of this land who have persecuted me. May I tell Sakyamuni Buddha about my disciples who have assisted me. may I present this great merit to my parents, who gave birth to me, before I die.”
Many SGI passages are not mistranslated, for example:
“Present within our lives is the Lord Shalyamuni who obtained the three enlightened properties of life before gohyaku-jintengo, the Original Buddha since time without begining.” (MW vol 1, The True Object of Worship, pg 65)
“Demonstrating ten great mystic powers the Buddha (Shakyamuni) transferred Namu Myoho renge Kyo to the four great bodhisattvas” (Ibid pg 77)
the number of kalpas that have passed
is an immeasurable hundreds, thousands,
ten thousands, millions, trillions, asamkhyas.
Constantly I have preached the Law, teaching,
converting countless millions of living beings,
causing them to enter the buddha way,
all this for immeasurable kalpas.
In order to save living beings,
as an expedient means I appear
to enter nirvana but in truth
I do not pass into extinction.
I am always here, preaching the Law. - LS Chapter 16, The Lifespan of the Tathagata
I am always here, preaching the Law. - LS Chapter 16, The Lifespan of the Tathagata
"The sutra states, “Those persons who had heard the Law dwelled here and there in various Buddha lands, constantly reborn in company with their teachers,” and “If one stays close to the teachers of the Law, one will speedily gain the bodhisattva way. By following and learning from these teachers one will see Buddhas as numerous as Ganges sands.” A commentary says, “Originally one followed this Buddha and for the first time conceived the desire to seek the way. And by following this Buddha again, one will reach the stage where there is no retrogression.” Another commentary says, “In the beginning one followed this Buddha or bodhisattva and formed a bond with him, and so it will be through this Buddha or bodhisattva that one will attain one’s goal.” Above all, be sure to follow your original teacher so that you are able to attain Buddhahood. Shakyamuni Buddha is the original teacher for all people, and moreover, he is endowed with the virtues of sovereign and parent. Because I have expounded this teaching, I have been exiled and almost killed. As the saying goes, “Good advice grates on the ear.” But still I am not discouraged. The Lotus Sutra is like the seed, the Buddha like the sower, and the people like the field. If you deviate from these principles, not even I can save you in your next life." - Nichiren, The Essential for Attaining Buddhahood.
"In the sixteenth chapter, "Duration of the Life of the Buddha," the sutra also declares: ‘As I said before, it is immeasurably long since I, Sakyamuni Buddha, obtained Buddhahood. My life spans an innumerable and incalculably long period of time. Nevertheless, I am always here and I shall never pass away.’" - Kanjin Honzon-Sho, Nichiren Shu Overseas Propagation Promotion Association (NOPPA) page 36
"Finally in the sixteenth chapter, the Buddha sometimes appears as a Buddha in the realm of Buddha but other times appears as some of the others who reside in the other nine realms. This indicates that the ten realms are included in the realm of Buddha’s." - Kanjin Honzon-Sho (NOPPA) page 36
This reference is included to refute the argument saying that Sakyamuni’s enlightenment occurred at a fixed point in the past by his reference to practicing the way of the bodhisattva.
"Born to the human world, Prince Siddhartha, young Sakyamuni, became the Buddha. This evidence should be enough to convince you to believe that the realm of Buddhas exists in the realm of men." - Kanjin Honzon-Sho (NOPPA) page 56
"In fact Sakyamuni began to preach, planting the seed of Buddhahood in the eternal past... Sakyamuni Buddha continued to guide His disciples until they were all sure to attain Buddhahood during the preaching of the Lotus Sutra in His present life, completing the series of His preaching which began in the eternal past." - Kanjin Honzon-Sho (NOPPA) page 86
"This means that Sakyamuni Buddha, Taho Buddha, and all the Buddhas in manifestation are in our minds, and that we, upholders of the Lotus Sutra, will follow in their steps and inherit all the merits of those Buddhas."
"It means that Sakyamuni Buddha, within our minds, is an ancient Buddha without beginning, manifesting Himself in three bodies, and attaining Buddhahood in the eternal past described as 500 dust-particle kalpa ago.
"In the same chapter, another passage reads: ‘The duration of My Life, which I obtained through the practice of the way of bodhisattvas, has not yet expired. It is twice as long as the length of time stated above: 500 dust-particle kalpa.’ This reveals the bodhisattva-realm within our minds. The bodhisattvas described in the fifteenth chapter, ‘Appearance of Bodhisattvas from Underground,’ who have sprung out of the great earth, as numerous as the number of dust-particles of 1,000 worlds, are followers of the Original Buddha Sakyamuni who resides within our minds." - Kanjin Honzon-Sho (NOPPA) page 94
Here Nichiren explains the meaning of the oft mis-quoted reference to Sakyamuni’s practice of the bodhisattva way.
"Now , when the Eternal Buddha was revealed in the essential section of the Lotus Sutra, this world of endurance (Saha-world) became the Eternal Pure Land, indestructible even by the three calamities of conflagration, flooding, and strong winds, which are said to destroy the world. It transcends the four periods of cosmic change: the kalpa of construction, continuance, destruction and emptiness. Sakyamuni Buddha, the Lord-preacher of this pure land, has never died in the past, nor will He be born in the future. He exists forever throughout the past present and future. All those who receive His guidance are one with this Eternal Buddha." - Kanjin Honzon-Sho (NOPPA) page 100
"How lucky I am to be able to go to the Pure Land of Mt. Sacred Eagle and extinguish within one life my sin of slandering the true dharma ever since eternal past! How glad I feel to be able to go to the Pure Land of Mt. Sacred Eagle and wait on Lord Sakyamuni Buddha, whom I have never seen yet! May I guide first of all those rulers of this land who have persecuted me. May I tell Sakyamuni Buddha about my disciples who have assisted me. May I present this great merit to my parents, who gave birth to me, before I die." - Kembutsu Mirai-Ki, NOPPA, page 262
"I, Nichiren, of Awa Province graciously received the teaching of the Lotus Sutra from three masters (Sakyamuni, T’ien-t’ai, and Dengyo) and spread it in the Latter Age of the Decadent Dharma. - Kembutsu Mirai-Ki, NOPPA, page 264
After reading these excerpts, how can one support the idea that Nichiren is the Treasure of the Buddha?
Dear Dear Katie:
"Just as you manipulate this forum, you ignore the hearts and minds of the people making decisions about how they want to live and what they will sacrifice to remain free. You don’t speak for “ the dead”, though your arrogance knows no limits. By the same token , you don’t seem to believe in the eternity of life- or the significance of how one lives and dies in terms of their future lives. Ultimately, your reputation has excluded you from serious consideration. You revel in this ! But then you fail to consider how your rhetoric proves you are not motivated by genuine concern for others, and communicates that, unlike Nichiren, you are out of touch with the struggles of ordinary people and woefully ignorant of history. But you do have a tiny fan club and pass your time out of the mainstream of our society. Ergo, you are hardly a threat and much less a voice for and example of Nichiren’s Lotus Sutra Buddhism. ~ Katie
Could you please back up your assertions with examples of who I've hurt. Then please further back up your assertions with passages of the Lotus Sutra and Nichiren. Thank you very much.
Katie, then why are you reading my blog?
"The kids I work with are infinitely more interesting than you and “ gregorio “ — Youth are the future ! You are destined for the dust bin- irrelevant, grumpy and boring 🥹 Ciao! ~Katie
Are you well protected? Gregorio commented with a passage from Nichiren Daishonin
"That is why the great teacher miao-lo stated, "the stronger one' faith, the greater the protection of the gods." So long as one maintains firm faith, one is certain to receive the great protection of the gods. I say this for your sake. I know your faith has always been admirable, but now you must strengthen it more than ever. Only then will the ten demon daughters lend you even greater protection. You need not seek far for an example. everyone in Japan, from the sovereign on down to the common people, without exception has tried to do me harm, but I have survived until this day. You should realize that this is because, although I am alone, I have firm faith". wnd 614. gregorio
Me personally, we have Shoten Zenjin (Buddhist gods) all around me, protecting us.
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