"If I add my own interpretation it will be as if I had profaned these passages, but in essence they mean that Shakyamuni’s practices and the virtues he consequently attained are all contained within the five characters of Myoho-renge-kyo. If we believe in these five characters, we will naturally be granted the same benefits as he." [True Object of Worship]
Monday, August 22, 2016
"Shakyamuni Buddha is the father, sovereign, and teacher of all the other Buddhas and all the gods, of the whole assembly of human and heavenly beings, and of all living beings." -- Nichiiren
"Shakyamuni Buddha is the father, sovereign, and teacher of all the other Buddhas and all the gods, of the whole assembly of human and heavenly beings, and of all living beings. How could the heavenly gods and benevolent deities rejoice if the Buddha were killed? Today all the people of our country have proved to be enemies of Shakyamuni Buddha, but more than laymen or laywomen, it is the priests with perverse wisdom and hearts who are the Buddha’s worst enemies. There are two kinds of wisdom, correct and perverse. No matter how wise a person may appear, if his assertions are warped you should not listen to him. Nor should you follow priests merely because they are venerable or of high rank. But if a person has the wisdom to know the true meaning of the Lotus Sutra, no matter how lowly he may appear, pay respect to him and make offerings to him as though he were a living Thus Come One. Thus it is written in the sutra..."
Nichiren on accepting and offering contributions to slanderers
"Neither Buddhas nor gods would ever accept contributions from those who slander the correct teaching. Then how can we human beings accept them? The deity of Kasuga Shrine proclaimed through an oracle that he would accept nothing from those with impure hearts, though he should have to eat the flames of burning copper; that he would refuse to set foot in their homes, though he should have to sit on red-hot copper. He would rather come down to a miserable hut with weeds choking the passageway, or to a poor thatched house. He declared that he would never visit persons lacking in faith, even if they hung sacred festoons for a thousand days to welcome him, but that he would go to a house where the people have a mind of faith, even though they might be in mourning for a parent. Lamenting that slanderers have overrun this country, the benevolent gods have abandoned it and ascended to heaven. “Those with impure hearts” means those who refuse to embrace the Lotus Sutra, as is stated in the fifth volume of the sutra. If the gods themselves regard alms from slanderers as more abominable than the flames of burning copper, how could we human beings possibly accept them? If someone were to kill our parents and then try to offer us some gift, could we possibly accept it? Not even wise persons or sages can avoid the hell of incessant suffering if they accept offerings from slanderers. Nor should you associate with slanderers, for if you do, you will share the same guilt as they. This you should fear above all."
And I decided that I would not heed the claims of the Soka Gakkai, Nichiren Shoshu, Nichiren Shu, Kempon Hokke, Honmon Butsuryu Shu...
"....I decided that I would not heed the claims of these eight or ten schools, but would do as the Great Teacher T’ien-t’ai did and let the sutras themselves be my sole teacher, in this way determining which of the various teachings of the Buddha’s lifetime are superior and which are inferior..." -- Repaying Debts Gratitude
Modern interpretation of a short Gosho passage
“Thus they place such pronouncements ("Value Creation, Human Revolution, peace proposals") on the same level as the Lotus Sutra, considering the two to be of equal authority; or they regard these teachings as superior to the Lotus Sutra; or they reason that though their teacher’s pronouncements are inferior they are well suited to the capacity of the people.” (The Teaching that Accords with the Buddha’s Mind)
Where does one find the true Nichiren sect?
"Finally, our faith, the faith of the true Dharma, is upheld not by the possession of a given temple nor by a secret transmission, succession or line of priests, but only through the "Succession through the Scrolls of the Sutra" (kyogan sojo). The Sutra contains the Truth and Nichiren Daishonin is its true expounder: wherever his authentic teaching based on the Lotus Sutra is practiced as it was preached, there we find the true sect. No person, however virtuous, has authority to overturn these essential teachings." -- Reverend Tetsujo Kubota
Think Atheist blog borrows from the Eagle Peak blog
7). Destructive cults teach that the end justifies the means. How they misuse upaya (expedient means) is a travesty. Flirtatious shakabuku by young women’s division, telling people they can get new cars and even drugs if the chant, teaching people that they will immediately become Buddhas if they join the SGI, and the list goes on and on how they utilize the ends justify the means philosophy of Machiavelli, the antithesis of the Buddha’s teachings.
This view of SGI on Think Atheist is not their view, it's mine.
Saturday, August 20, 2016
Friday, August 19, 2016
Nichiren was a scriptural Buddhist
Mack: So, perhaps I should hold my tongue on this, but perhaps not. I'm not, after all a Kempon Hokke member, but I would like to explain why that is, why I choose to comment here and now, and why I think Shamon (Rev. Tsuchiya) has a point in his criticisms.
I came to the Kempon Hokke after a disruptive event in my life looking to address the concerns I had always had about the doctrines SGI has inherited from Nichiren Shoshu. This conversion was not easy for me, and in my opinion there are two fundamental reasons for this.
First of all, this blog spends more time condemning SGI as hellbound heretics than it does expounding on the teachings of Nichiren and Shakyamuni. Mark, you claim that simply reading the texts gives one a straightforward understanding, but the reality is that 1) not everyone draws the same conclusions that you, personally draw from the texts. This is an issue of hermeneutics. What's more there are often times where you seem to contradict yourself within one or two blog posts (though I give the benefit of the doubt and assume you have simply not expressed yourself clearly,) thereby making the points you wish to make with the texts you cite all that much more difficult to accept. It seems, at times, as if you are simply honoring your own opinion, you own interpretations of the texts, as the ultimate truth.
Mark: I follow the guidelines in Establishing the Correct Teachings for the Peace of the Land and not your's or any other's [regarding SGI]. This blog is one man's preaching which you are free to accept or reject. That which accords with the teachings should be accepted and that which is contrary to the teachings should be rejected. The texts that have been authenticated do indeed reveal both a straightforward path and lead to a straightforward understanding. The difficulty lies in following the texts. It is more a soteriological issue [issue of salvation] than a hermeneutical issue [issue of interpretation]. Why would it matter that I contradict myself? Are you following the Law or the person? If you care about my salvation and I am making a serious error or committing a serious slander, then you should correct me but you had better have some clear passages of proof to back up your assertions. As far as getting it right, I have outlined the criteria:
The Nichiren Shoshu/SGI doctrine of Nichiren as True, Eternal, Original Buddha, is nothing more than "ornate rhetoric and meaningless talk". The moment Nichiren revealed the Three Great Secret Laws, nothing else remained hidden in the depths, either within the Lotus Sutra or the teachings of Nichiren. Faith or lack of faith in the teachings of Nichiren Daishonin is the issue.
Accurately following the teachings is different than originalism or seeking out what the Daishonin had in mind, the interpretation of others, or hearsay. Nichiren was a scriptural Buddhist. What Nichiren actually wrote is that which should be believed and embraced. It is not easy to cull what the Daishonin actually wrote because there are many forgeries in his name. But it is not impossible, as proven by the efforts of various scholars and scholar-priests. By utilizing their methods, we can come to know the truth of the teachings. One method is textual parsimony. What this means is that the writings are weighted. Those actually found in Nichiren's hand are weighted more heavily. Those considered more profound by the majority of priests and scholars, for example, the Five Major Works, are weighted more heavily. Those principles found in the majority of the authenticated works too, are weighted more heavily. The principles in the unauthenticated works are accepted or rejected in light of the Five Major Works and in light of the entire body of authenticated works. Utilizing this method, one can forge strong faith and therefore understanding [because Nichiren's teachings are fundamentally consistent and non-contradictory].
Mack: You also seem overly focused with making the point that SGI members are hellbound without making provision for their conversion.
Mark: This assertion is baseless. Shakubuku [the forceful practices] is the provision for their conversion.
Mack: This behavior is more characteristic of Abrahamic religions like Islam, Christianity, and Judaism than it is of Buddhism.
Mark: I am truly surprised at your statement. Read the Lotus Sutra [Chapters 3 and 20] and read Nichiren. He makes hundreds of references to hell. if you don't like all of Nichiren's teachings, if you accept only that which you like and reject the rest, you are no different than SGI and you are not a Nichiren Buddhist.
Mack: In focusing on Nichiren's writing that says that Mappo will have as few good friends as dirt under a fingernail when compared to the grains that comprise the world, you ignore Nichiren's larger goal of converting all of humanity to the teaching and transforming this whole Saha world into a Pure Land.
Mark: I try and focus on accuracy and quality so the teachings will long endure. SGI and others will destroy the teachings in no time. I think your view is both shortsighted and lacks historical perspective. We live in a relatively peaceful time. People, in general, are complacent and satisfied with the little they have, thinking it a lot. When the next hydrogen bomb explodes over or within a populous area, or when the coastal cities are swallowed up by the ocean, or when great winds and drought leave the land littered with corpses, millions will take up the faith as they did immediately after World War II. This time however, thanks to the efforts of those who really care about the faith, they will take up the correct faith that actually leads to Buddhahood and the Buddha's land.
Mack: Your stance makes Buddhism a practice for an exclusive elite rather than a mission for sowing the seeds of Buddhahood for all living beings.
Mark: I believe you only see what you want to see and hear what you want to hear:
"But for your person, as a householder, the essence is for you to chant 'Namu Myôhô renge kyô' with no other thought and also to make offering to the monks. And also, if it is according to the Sutra text, one should also 'expound it according to their strength', shouldn't one? When the world is sorrowful, though you think, 'Even the sufferings of the present life are painful, how much more the sufferings of the world to come,' chant 'Namu Myôhô renge kyô', and when it joyful also, think, 'The joy of the present life is a dream within a dream; it is the joy of the Pure Land of Spiritual Mountain (Ryôzen jôdo) that is the true joy' and with this chant 'Namu Myôhô renge kyô', and, practicing without backsliding, wait for the time approaching the very end and see! If you run and climb the Mountain of Sublime Enlightenment and take a good look at the four directions, how fantastic! The Realm of Dharmas is the Land of Tranquil Light with lapis lazuli as its earth and the eight ways bounded with ropes of gold, and from the heavens the four types of flowers rain down, in the void music is heard, the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas caressed by the winds of Eternity, Bliss, Self and Purity, indeed rejoice and are happy. And is it nearing the time when we too shall be ranked in that number, disporting and playing and taking pleasure. When the mind of faith is weak, one cannot go to such an auspicious place; one cannot go!" (The ninth day of the twelfth month of the Second Year of Kenji (1276): KHS, p.581) -- Reply to Lord Matsuno
Mack: You seem to view martyrdom - actually a means to an end - as the highest calling in Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism. This is completely illogical, perhaps even fanatical. You seem to view extreme persecution and the suffering that comes along with it as an end to itself rather than a means to spread the teaching during extreme circumstances. I don't think getting ourselves killed for the Dharma is the highest calling of Buddhism, nor does anything that Nichiren or Shakyamuni have left us indicate to me that we should measure our spiritual progress exclusively by how much we are reviled and abused.
Mark: Actually, I follow the Lotus Sutra Chapter 13 in particular and Nichiren Daishonin on such matters:
Mack: The tradition describes votaries as being abused for standing up for the teaching against persecution, not individuals seeking out conflict. As far as I can tell, you seem to interpret the scriptures of our tradition as calling for the latter.
Mark: Nichiren wasn't seeking out conflict when he gave his first sermon on the evils of Nembutsu but he knew it was coming: "But once a person of forceful character has come forward to make this sutra passage known in a bold and uncompromising fashion, then grave matters are certain to occur." Likewise, I am not seeking conflict but fully expect that it will occur.
One exception to the rule
"Rely on the Law and not upon persons OTHER THAN THE BUDDHA." -- Nichiren
"In a scripture called the Nirvana Sutra, the Buddha says, “Rely on the Law and not upon persons.” Relying on the Law here means relying on the various sutras. Not relying upon persons means not relying on persons other than the Buddha, such as the bodhisattvas Universal Worthy and Manjushri or the various Buddhist teachers I have enumerated earlier.” (Repaying Debts of Gratitude)"
"In a scripture called the Nirvana Sutra, the Buddha says, “Rely on the Law and not upon persons.” Relying on the Law here means relying on the various sutras. Not relying upon persons means not relying on persons other than the Buddha, such as the bodhisattvas Universal Worthy and Manjushri or the various Buddhist teachers I have enumerated earlier.” (Repaying Debts of Gratitude)"
That means it is worse than futile to rely on Daisaku Ikeda.
Tuesday, August 16, 2016
Why Nichiren and no one else, esspecially not Daisaku Ikeda, is our teacher
"As for myself, I, Nichiren, having been born in Japan in the first five hundred years of the Latter Day of the Law, have encountered the three powerful enemies and met with various types of calamity and trouble, just as the Thus Come One predicted would happen. But, without any thought for my person or my life, I chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. I ask you to consider with the utmost care whether I deserve to be called a correct teacher or an erroneous teacher.
Each of the proponents of the various schools I have mentioned above declares that he beyond all others has grasped the meaning of and is practicing the Lotus Sutra. But none of them have been exiled to the province of Izu as I was in the Kōchō era, or exiled to the island of Sado as I was in the Bun’ei era, or been led to the place of decapitation at Tatsunokuchi or faced the countless other difficulties that I have. If the sutra passages [that predict such difficulties] are true, then you should realize that I am the correct teacher, the good teacher, and that the scholars of the other schools are all erroneous teachers and evil teachers.
In addition to these, there are a great many other passages in the sutras and treatises that make clear the distinction between these two types of teachers, the good and the bad. But I am sure you are already familiar with them, so I will not go into them here.
How wondrous that in your letter you say that from now on you will reject the erroneous teachers of our time and will rely entirely upon me as the correct teacher! When the Thus Come One Shakyamuni, our original teacher, appeared in the world in order to expound the Lotus Sutra, the Buddhas and bodhisattvas of the other worlds, like shadows and echoes, came forth and assisted him in his efforts to spread the teachings. Now it seems that they have appeared here in Japan as envoys of Shakyamuni, Many Treasures, and the Buddhas of the ten directionsto help me in my efforts to spread the teachings!
Monday, August 15, 2016
The Lotus Sutra states, "He will be banished again and again."
I have been banished from reddit SGIWHISTLEBLOWERS; E-Sangha; Fraught With Peril; Kempon Hokke Facebook; The Kempon Hokke Community I began on Beliefnet; several Yahoo Groups such as SGIunofficial, Nichirenindependent Sangha, and the Nichiren Shu Yahoo Group; and all Nichiren Shoshu temples and SGI "Buddhist" Centers in the world. I have also once been fired for my beliefs. Nichiren teaches:
"One who has not conceived a desire for the way can never free oneself from the sufferings of birth and death. Shakyamuni Buddha, the lord of teachings, was cursed by all the followers of non-Buddhist teachings and labeled as a man of great evil. The Great Teacher T’ien-t’ai was regarded with intense enmity by the three schools of the south and seven schools of the north, and Tokuitsu of Japan criticized him for using his three-inch tongue to try to destroy the five-foot body of the Buddha. The Great Teacher Dengyō was disparaged by the priests of Nara, who said, “Saichō has never been to the capital of T’ang China!” But all of these abuses were incurred because of the Lotus Sutra, and they are therefore no shame to the men who suffered them. To be praised by fools—that is the greatest shame. Now that I, Nichiren, have incurred the wrath of the authorities, the priests of the Tendai and True Word schools are no doubt delighted. They are strange and shameless men."
They drink poison for their mentor
"NSA members were absolutely certain that Williams would become Ikeda's successor to the presidency in some near future scenario. Williams and Ikeda were tight! They were the only lay leaders allowed to lead the procession when the Dai-gohonzon was transfered into the Shohohdo in '72. The very next year, Williams and Ikeda stood shoulder to shoulder, sharing the podium at the shohondo convention in '73. Time after time, members saw how close Williams was to Ikeda, and they believed that Ikeda trusted and loved Williams just as much as Williams loved and trusted Ikeda. And yet, the members meekly accepted Williams getting thrown under the bus by Ikeda. I think that if Ikeda ever pulled a Jim Jones move and told his devotees to drink poison, they would willing and unquestioningly obey their mentor master." -- cultalert
The reason for disasters befalling Japan in ever growing magnitude
"The Nirvana Sutra declares, “If troubles are inflicted upon a sage, then the country where he dwells will be attacked by other countries.” And the Benevolent Kings Sutra states essentially the same thing. If I, Nichiren, am attacked, then from heaven and earth and the four directions, great calamities will pour down like rain, jet up like fountains, or come surging forward like waves. If the many priests, those hordes of locusts who afflict the nation, and the ministers in power in the government persist in their ever-increasing slanders and accusations against me, then great disasters will occur in growing magnitude.
When an asura demon tried to shoot at the god Shakra, his arrow rebounded and pierced him in the eye. And when the garuda birds attempted to attack the dragon king Anavatapta, flames erupted from their own bodies and consumed them. Is the votary who upholds the Lotus Sutra inferior to Shakra or the dragon king Anavatapta?" -- On Rebuking Slander and Eradicating Sins
From this it follows that the disasters befalling Japan are solely because Nichiren Daishonin is held in contempt by the Soka Gakkai, the Nichiren Shu, the Nichiren Shoshu, the modern day Kempon Hokke, the Pure Land sect, and the Japanese government.
I force my viewpoint through tenacity and reason.
"How dare you try to force your viewpoint down the throats of people of the same religious belief." -- SGI member
I would never try to force my viewpoint down the throat of people of the same religious belief. Would I try to force my viewpoint on myself? I try to force my viewpoint on those with a different religious belief, particularly SGI members [for the sake of my own Buddhahood and theirs]. Mind you, like Nichiren, I have never resorted to violence to force my viewpoint down anyone's throat. I force my viewpoint through tenacity and reason.
We [the disciples and believers of Nichren] have been teaching this for 700 years, the SGI for 2years
Allegation: The Theme of "On Persecutions Befalling the Sage" is encouragement of the faithful in the wake of the Atsuhara Persecution. The reference to the "fundamental intention for coming forth in this world" has no connection with the so-called "Ita Mandala [Daigohonzon]," which is not mentioned in this letter at all. Taiseki-ji and SGI has used the date of this letter to back it claims for the date of the Ita Mandala. Nichiren Shonin's "fundamental intention", according to this letter was having fostered his disciples to the point where they gave up their lives for the Lotus Sutra.
Nichiren Shoshu Rebuttal: What enabled the Daishonin to fulfill his fundamental purpose behind his advent in this world? At the expense of their lives, the Atsuhara farmers showed actual proof of their solid faith in the Daishonin's teaching. The establishment of their unshakable faith meant the establishment of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism. In other words, by witnessing their true faith, the Daishonin could decide upon the inscription of the eternal object of worship for all humanity.
My Response: Let us look to the Kaimoku Sho and not the fairy tales of the SGI and Nichiren Shoshu for the answer to what was Nichiren Daishonin's "fundamental intention for coming forth in this world". "
The Great Teacher Chang-an interprets this story from the Nirvana Sutra in terms of the three obstacles. Observe how he does this. The fact that thewoman is called "poor" indicates that the person does not have the treasure of the Law. The fact that she is identified as a woman indicates that the person has a measure of tenderness. The "inn" signifies an impure land. The child shebears is the heart that has faith in the Lotus Sutra, or the wisdom that perceives one’s inherent Buddha nature. Being driven out of the inn by its master signifies that the person is exiled. The fact that the baby has just been born means that very little time has passed since the person began to have faith in the Lotus Sutra. The fierce wind the woman encounters is the imperial decree sentencing the person to exile. The mosquitoes, gadflies and other insects are the "many ignorant people who will curse and speak ill" of the votary of the Lotus Sutra. The fact that both mother and child are drowned indicates that, though in the end the person had his head cut off, he never renounced his faith in the Lotus Sutra. Being reborn in the Brahma heaven means being reborn in the realm of Buddhahood.
The power of karmic rewards extends to all of the Ten Worlds, even to the realm of Buddhahood. Even though one might go around killing people throughout the provinces of Japan and China, if one does not commit any of the five cardinal sins or does not slander the Law, one will not fall into the hell of incessant suffering. Yet one must go through other evil paths for a period of numerous years. Even if one observes ten thousand precepts and performs ten thousand good deeds, if one does so with a mind only half intent, one cannot be reborn in any heaven of the world of form. To be born a king in the Brahma heaven of that world, one must add the spirit of compassion to one’s karma that goes with outflows and leads one in that direction. The poor woman in the sutra passage was reborn in the Brahma heaven because of her concern for her child. Her case is different from the nature of causality that is commonly known. Chang-an offers two interpretations of it, but in the end it is nothing other than the loving kindness with which the woman cares for her child that makes the difference. Her concern concentrates on one thing just like the Buddhist practice of concentration. She thinks of nothing but her child, which is similar to Buddhist compassion. That must be why, although she created no other causes to bring it about, she was reborn in the Brahma heaven.
The path to Buddhahood is not to be found in the Kegon doctrine of the phenomenal world as created by the mind alone, in the eight negations of the Sanron sect, in the Consciousness-Only doctrine of the Hosso sect, or in the Shingon type of meditation on the five elements of the universe. Only the T’ien-t’ai doctrine of the three thousand realms in a single moment of life is the path to Buddhahood. Even in the case of this doctrine of the three thousand realms in a single moment of life, we do not possess the kind of wisdom and understanding to comprehend it fully. Nevertheless, among all the sutras preached by the Buddha during his lifetime, the Lotus Sutra alonecontains this jewel which is the doctrine of the three thousand realms in a single moment of life. The doctrines of the other sutras are merely yellow stones that appear to be jewels. They are like sand, from which you can extract no oil no matter how hard you squeeze it, or a barren woman who can never bear a child. Even a wise man cannot become a Buddha through the other sutras, but with the Lotus Sutra, even fools can plant the seeds that lead to Buddhahood. As the sutra passage I have quoted earlier puts it, "Although they do not seek emancipation, emancipation will come of itself."
Although I and my disciples may encounter various difficulties, if we do not harbor doubts in our hearts, we will as a matter of course attain Buddhahood. Do not have doubts simply because heaven does not lend you protection. Do not be discouraged because you do not enjoy an easy and secure existence in this life. This is what I have taught my disciples morning and evening, and yet they begin to harbor doubts and abandon their faith.
Foolish men are likely to forget the promises they have made when the crucial moment comes. Some of them feel pity for their wives and children and grieve at the thought of parting from them in this life. In countless births throughout many long kalpas they have had wives and children but parted from them in every existence. They have done so unwillingly and not because of their desire to pursue the way of the Buddha. Since they must part with them in any case, they should remain faithful to their belief in the Lotus Sutra and make their way to Eagle Peak, so that they may lead their wives and children there as well. "
It is clear that the Gosho, the Persecutions Befalling the Sage, is teaching that the fundamental intention laid down in the Kaimoku Sho was finally realized through the Atsuhara martyrs. Nichiren had already been inscribing Gohonzon by this time [1279] and, as he teaches in the Real Aspect of the Gohonzon, the Gohonzon was Shakyamuni Buddha's intention, not Nichiren's. By examining the body of teachings such as those found in the Kaimoku Sho, we naturally come to an understanding of the Daishonin's teachings and intent without having to rely on the myths and fairy tales of the NST and SGI.
Nichiren on reality and wisdom
"Is not the meaning of the sutra and the commentary that the way to Buddhahood lies within the two elements of reality and wisdom? Reality means the true nature of all phenomena, and wisdom means the illuminating and manifesting of this true nature. Thus when the riverbed of reality is infinitely broad and deep, the water of wisdom will flow ceaselessly When this reality and wisdom are fused, one attains Buddhahood in one’s present form.
The sutras expounded prior to the Lotus Sutra cannot lead to Buddhahood because they are provisional and expedient teachings that separate reality and wisdom. The Lotus Sutra, however, unites the two as a single entity. The sutra says that the Buddhas open the door of Buddha wisdom to all living beings, show it, cause them to awaken to it, and induce them to enter its path. By realizing this Buddha wisdom, one attains Buddhahood.
This inner enlightenment of the Buddha is far beyond the understanding of voice-hearers and pratyekabuddhas. This is why the “Expedient Means” chapter goes on to say, “Not one of the voice-hearers or pratyekabuddhas is able to comprehend it.” What then are these two elements of reality and wisdom? They are simply the five characters of Namu-myoho-renge-kyo. Shakyamuni Buddha called forth the Bodhisattvas of the Earth and entrusted to them these five characters that constitute the essence of the sutra. This is the teaching that was transferred to the bodhisattvas who had been the disciples of the Buddha since the remote past."
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