No one was more literal than Nichiren

Dave Cole, Martin Bradley, and especially SGI teach, "I" in the verse section of Chapter 16 of the Lotus Sutra means every single believer. 

Nichiren teaches:

"This excellent good medicine I now leave here. You should take it and drink it and not fear that you will not be cured. In the final dharma age, it means Namu Myoho Renge Kyo, "I" means Sakyamuni..." (STN 3:2666) 

"Bodhisattva Superior Practices received the water of the wisdom of the Mystic Law from the Thus Come One Shakyamuni and causes it to flow into the wasteland of the people’s lives in the evil world of the latter age. This is the function of wisdom. Shakyamuni Buddha transferred this teaching to Bodhisattva Superior Practices, and now Nichiren propagates it in Japan. With regard to the transfer of teachings, it is divided into two categories: general and specific. If you confuse the general with the specific even in the slightest, you will never be able to attain Buddhahood and will wander in suffering through endless transmigrations of births and deaths."

They then accuse us of being literal. If that is so, there was no one more literal than Nichiren. He read every passage, every sentence, and every word of the Lotus Sutra with his very body. He taught a literal interpretation of the Sutra. The Ongi Kuden is not in Nichiren's hand. It is not the teachings of Nichiren. I am looking forward to eventually reading Nichiren's Chu Hokkeyo, his annotated copy of the Lotus Sutra, Then you will see what Nichiren actually taught about the sentences and phrases of the Lotus Sutra. Do you know why neither SGI, the Nichiren Shoshu, nor the Nichiren Shu ever translated the Chu Hokkekyo nor made its contents widely known? Were they to have disseminated it, no one would join their evil sects and cults.

Worshiping a disembodied Buddha-nature is the same as the Shingon worship of Dainichi Buddha:

Namu means to worship ["In worshiping all the deities and Buddhas, the word Namu is put ahead of their names." -- Nichiren]. We worship Myoho renge kyo and the Gohonzon. Then let us ask ourselves, what is the nature and reality of the Gohonzon? Nichiren Daishonin teaches the Gohonzon in terms of the Person and in terms of the Law. We know the Law is Myoho renge kyo or Namu Myoho renge kyo [5 or 7 characters]. Who is the “Person” of the Gohonzon? Nichiren specifically teaches that it is Shakyamuni Buddha of the Juryo Chapter of the Lotus Sutra, the Three Bodied Tathagata, one of whose bodies is Shakyamuni Buddha of India. Generally Nichiren Daishonin teaches that the person of the Gohonzon is each one of us who chants Namu Myoho renge kyo and has faith in the Lotus Sutra and Shakyamuni Buddha. Never once have I heard the expression, Namu Buddha-nature nor Namu Buddha-wisdom from either Shakyamuni Buddha nor Nichiren Daishonin. Neither nature nor mind is the entirety of Buddha nor of man. Worshiping a disembodied Buddha-nature is the same as Shingon worship of Dainichi Buddha: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dharmak%C4%81ya  

Stupid SGI senior leader Eric Toro. There are more than 900 references to "doctrine" in the writings of Nichiren

Eric Toro writes:

"True happiness is true happiness. Because of this fact I find your doctrinality and motive outlandish and mostly irrelevant. True Buddhism has nothing to do with doctrinality and courses of distinction. 

True Buddhism is simply faith and practice in calling forth the Buddha nature in ones own life, hearing it, listening with intent, taking to mind, reciting, contemplating, recalling and declaring to others. 

This practice is simply wondrous beyond compare. With this practice the mind and body come to know their true form. This is because the mind / body / environment is the actual form of the Universal Law. And this universal law is Nam Myoho Renge Kyo. 

You would appear to want to usurp this and take this truth from us in the SGI. A foolish and ridiculous quest indeed. In fact it is very strange, very strange. 

But rather, let me offer Peace and Blessings to You and Your family and hoping the New Year allows you to accumulate that much more blessings of the Lotus Sutra. "  

NMRK[/QUOTE] 

Response:

I have a few comments Mr. Etoro. Nothing is more important to Nichiren than a correct doctrine. I suggest you plug in "doctrine", "doctrines", "doctrinal", etc. in the SGI Library major works search engine and read the more than NINE HUNDRED references to doctrine. Here are some examples:

"They are persons who have abandoned a great doctrine and instead chosen lesser doctrines. If we judge from examples in the past, they will probably suffer for countless kalpas in the three evil paths. It is persons such as these that T’ient’ai meant when he said, “If they encounter an evil friend, they will lose their true mind.” (On the Four Stages of Faith). 

"They cling to incomplete doctrines and are attached to receiving alms and being treated with deference; they recognize only false doctrines, distance themselves from good friends, approach with familiarity such slanderers who delight in attachment to the teachings of the lesser vehicle, and do not believe in the great vehicle. Therefore they slander the Law of the Buddhas." 

A person of wisdom should not fear enemy households, snakes, the poison of fire, the god Indra, the roll of thunder, attacks by swords and staves, or wild beasts such as tigers, wolves, and lions. For these can only destroy one’s life, but cannot cause one to fall into the Avichi hell, which is truly terrifying. What one should fear is slander of the profound teaching as well as companions who are slanderers, for these will surely cause one to fall into the frightful Avichi hell. Even if one befriends evil companions and with evil intent spills the Buddha’s blood, kills one’s own father and mother, takes the lives of many sages, disrupts the unity of the Buddhist Order, and destroys all one’s roots of goodness, if one fixes one’s mind on the correct teaching, one can free oneself from that place. But if there is someone who slanders the inconceivably profound teaching, that person will for immeasurable kalpas be unable to obtain emancipation. However, if there is one who can cause others to awaken to and take faith in a teaching such as this, then that person is their father and mother, and also their good friend. This is a person of wisdom. After the Thus Come One’s passing, that person corrects false views and perverse thoughts, and causes people to enter the true way. For that reason, he has pure faith in the three treasures, and his virtuous actions lead others to enlightenment.” (The Problem to be Pondered Night and Day) 

"It is a rare thing to be born as a human being. And if, having been born as such, you do not do your best to distinguish between the correct doctrine and the incorrect so that in the future you may attain Buddhahood, then you are certainly not fulfilling your true worth as a human being." (On Prayer) 

Not sharing Nichiren's doctrines on the Lotus Sutra and Eternal Buddha, the SGI member's happiness, which is based on provisional teachings, can only be considered an ephemeral happiness. 

Nichiren quotes Tientai: "To liberate oneself from the [three-fold] world by means of the provisional [teachings] is called an ephemeral liberation." (Third Doctrine)

and 

"...T’ien-t’ai and Miao-lo are commenting on this passage. In this passage of the sutra, all the teachings, from the Flower Garland Sutra, which was expounded immediately after the Buddha’s enlightenment and which combines both specific and perfect teachings, to the fourteen chapters that comprise the theoretical teaching of the Lotus Sutra, are termed “inferior teachings.” Those who delight in them are called people “meager in virtue and heavy with defilement,” and the liberation achieved through them is shown to be an ephemeral liberation." (ibid. Third Doctrine) 

The peaceful practices of the Soka Gakkai, engaging the provisional Buddhists, the Christians and the Muslims, in "warm and constructive dialogue" are those practices of the first fourteen chapters of the Lotus Sutra. 

"There is no true happiness other than upholding faith in the Lotus Sutra. This is what is meant by “peace and security in their present existence and good circumstances in future existences.”" (Happiness in this World) 

"Now, if you wish to attain Buddhahood, you have only to lower the banner of your arrogance, cast aside the staff of your anger, and devote yourself exclusively to the one vehicle of the Lotus Sutra. Worldly fame and profit are mere baubles of your present existence, and arrogance and prejudice are ties that will fetter you in the next one. Ah, you should be ashamed of them! And you should fear them, too!" (Embracing the Lotus Sutra) 

Teaching childen the mere baubles of how to become Trillionaires through chanting the Daimoku, is hardly the faith and practice of the Lotus Sutra. Other examples of SGI mistaken Buddhist teachings are too numerous to count. 

You say that I want to usurp and take this truth (the wondrous reality of the Mystic Law) away from you. I seek only to take away your mistaken beliefs as a strong wind blows away the clouds to reveal the crystal clear moon. 

I refuse to drink Ikeda's poisoned kool-aid

"However, people all turn their backs on these sutra passages, and the world as a whole is completely confused with regard to the principles of Buddhism. Why do you persist in following the teachings of evil friends? T’ien-t’ai said that to accept and put faith in the doctrines of evil teachers is the same as drinking poison. You should deeply consider this and beware!"

SGI members too are men of overbearing arrogance

"But the Zen school, revering the Buddha, which is the essential nature of phenomena, supposes that the self and [Shakyamuni] Buddha are equal, which is to fall into the error of overbearing arrogance. Surely a person who does so will be condemned to the Avīchi hell. Hence the Lotus Sutra says, “The monks who are overbearingly arrogant will fall into a great pit.”

On Buddha seeds and Buddha-nature

The Lotus Sutra states:

“If a person fails to have faith but instead slanders this sutra, immediately he will destroy all the seeds for becoming a Buddha in this world." -- LS Chapter 3

Many Sutras talk about scorched seeds. Some even teach that the Buddha seeds of women are scorched. The Lotus Sutra [through faith in the Sutra] can instantaneously revive the scorched seeds of Men of the Two Vehicles, of those who kill their father, of those who kill their mother, of those who cause disunity within the Sangha*, of those who kill an Arhat, and of those who injure a Buddha and cause him to bleed [these latter five circumstances are known as the Five Cardinal Sins]. However, the Lotus Sutra can not immediately revive the seeds of those who slander the true Dharma or the votaries of the Lotus Sutra. For example, despite repenting of their sins, submitting to, and following Neverdespise Bodhisattva, those who reviled him, for two hundred kotis of eons, neither encountered a Buddha nor the Dharma and they passed one thousand eons in the avici Hell. How much worse the fate of those who slander and revile Myoho renge kyo and its votaries?

*This does not apply at this time because there is no unity in the Sangha and therefore, there is no unity to break. 

I'd like to talk a little about the concept of Buddha seeds [not to be confused with Buddha-nature] as explicated by Nichiren Daishonin:

On Buddha Seeds and Buddha-Nature 

“The Lotus Sutra is like the seed, the Buddha like the sower, and the people like the field.” — The Essentials for Attaining Buddhahood.

“Now in the two thousand years of the True and Counterfeit [Dharmas] when they kept and relied upon the Lesser Vehicle and Provisional Great Vehicle, and practices putting one’s merit [effort] into them, in general there was benefit. Even so, although everyone who practiced those various sutras thought that they obtained the benefit by the various sutras upon which they relied, when we inquire on the meaning by the Hokekyo, they had not one bit of benefit. What is the reason why? It being when the Buddha was in the world they formed a connecting condition with the Hokekyo but it depended upon whether or not there was maturation or not in their capacities. Those whose capacities of the Perfect Teaching are pure and matured in the time [when the Buddha] was in the world attained Buddhahood. Those whose faculties and capacities were faint and inferior [or not yet mature] backslid to the True Dharma [era] and took their realization from the Jomyo [Vimalakirti], Shiyaku, Kan[muryoju]kyo, Ninno hannya kyo and so on, just as when [the Buddha] was in the world. And so in the True Dharma [era] was jointly possessed together of the three, teaching, practice and realization.

“In the Counterfeit Dharma [era] there was teaching and practice but no realization. Now on entering the Latter Dharma there are the teachings, but there is no practice or realization. There is not one person of those who formed the connecting condition when the Buddha was in the world. The two capacities of the Provisional and Real [Teachings] are all gone. At this time for the two [types] of people who are of the rebellious [sins] and blasphemy of the present era for the first time one takes Namu Myoho renge kyo of the ‘Chapter of the Measure of Life’, the Essence of the Hommon as the laying down of the seed (or, as the Buddha Seed). “‘This good, excellent medicine now I leave here. You should take and swallow it. Do not worry that you will not be cured’” refers to this.

It is as when long ago in the Counterfeit Dharma [era] of the past Buddha Ionno when there was not one person who knew the Great Vehicle, the Bodhisattva Fukyo came forth and chanted the Twenty-four Characters which the Master of Teachings had preached. Those who heard those Twenty-four Characters not lacking one person also [later] encountered the Great Being (Mahasattva) Fukyo and obtained benefit. This then was because they made the previous hearing of the Dharma the laying down of the seed (geshu).

Now it is also like this. That was the Counterfeit Dharma; this is the polluted evil Latter Dharma. That was a practicer of the First (Elementary) Following Joy [level]; this is a worldling of the Name {Identity]. That was the laying down of seed of the Twenty-four Characters; this is only the Five Characters [of the Daimoku]. Although the times of obtaining the Way (tokudo: Buddhahood) are different, their ultimate meaning of Attaining Buddhahood would be completely the same.” (STN, v. 2, 1479-1480) Kyogyosho Gosho

“Though the people who say the Nembutsu, keep the precepts and so on are many, the persons who rely upon the Hokekyo are few. The stars are many but they do not illuminate the great sea. Grasses are many but they do not form the pillars of the Imperial Palace. Though Nembutsus are many, they are not the Way to become a Buddha. Though one keeps the precepts they do not form the seed for going to the Pure Land. It is only the Seven Characters ‘Namu Myoho renge kyo’ that are the seed for becoming a Buddha. Though, when I said this, people were jealous and did not adopt it, the late Lord Ueno by his believing it has become a Buddha.” (STN, v. 2, 1603) — Gosho unknown by me

There are two processes and two general types of people, according to Nichiren Daishonin: Those who received the seeds of Buddhahood in the past, those in the Higher Six Worlds; and those who never received the seeds, those in the Lower Four Worlds. For those who have already received the seeds, the Daimoku functions to water the seeds. For those who never received the seeds, hearing the Daimoku [Law] is the seed and practicing the Daimoku is the water. He states, “But many who neither received the seeds of Buddhahood nor formed ties with the Buddha in past existences…” and further along, “The sutra explains that all bodhisattvas, persons of the two vehicles, and human and heavenly beings received the seeds of Buddhahood numberless major world system dust particle kalpas ago.” Therefore, when he asserts, “If people do not possess innate Buddha wisdom, how could the Buddha say he wanted to open it? One must understand that Buddha wisdom is inherent in all human beings.” [Even in those in the Four Lower Worlds who do not possess the Buddha seeds]. How do we reconcile these seemingly diverse teachings? Buddha-nature is the FIELD of good fortune synonymous with Buddha wisdom in all beings but without the Buddha seeds and water of Myoho renge kyo, the field will lie fallow and Buddhahood will never open [manifest].

The biggest slander of the Lotus Sutra, at this time and in this place, is the Soka Gakkai's claim that only through one's relationship with Daisaku ikeda can one become enlightened, thus causing the believers to doubt the beneficense and efficacy of the Law of Myoho renge kyo. This is what I mean, referring to "destroying the seeds of Buddhahood." As a corrolary, because of the behavior and false teachings of the Gakkai, in the US for example, many hundreds of thousands of people have come to doubt the Lotus Sutra and they will never again chant the Daimoku in this very life

Our "Eternal Mentor" is mentioned hundreds of times in the Lotus Sutra and writings of Nichiren. How about yours?

"This secret Law of Shakyamuni Buddha, the lord of teachings, was not entrusted to Universal Worthy or Manjushrī, bodhisattvas who are widely known in the three existences of past, present, and future, much less to any being of lesser importance. It follows, then, that the ceremony in which the Buddha expounded this secret Law differs from those in which he preached the four flavors and three teachings, and the first fourteen chapters of the Lotus Sutra, which embody the theoretical teaching.

The place where the ceremony occurred was the eternally existing Land of Tranquil Light. The lord of teachings who abided in this land was the Buddha eternally endowed with the three bodies, and those whom he converted had to be of equal status. This being the case, from the depths of the Land of Tranquil Light he summoned up Superior Practices and the others who make up the four bodhisattvas, original followers of the Buddha who since the remote past had praised [the Buddha and the original Law], and entrusted this doctrine to them. As the Discipline Master Tao-hsien says, “The Law embodied therein [in the Lotus Sutra] is the Law that was realized countless kalpas in the past, and therefore it was entrusted to persons who had been the Buddha’s disciples from countless kalpas in the past.”

Why is Pinocchio dressed in the SGI flag?

Soka Gakkai slanders both the Law and the Buddha

Soka Gakkai slanders both the Law and the Buddha by paying all respect to the shadow [Buddha-nature] while having contempt for the form [Shakyamuni Buddha].

Daisaku Ikeda can fool the unlearned but not those who know

Wouldn't it be better to become one who knows?

Who will win?

"SGI has hundreds of billions of dollars and millions of members You have a handful of members and much debt."

True, but we have the writings of Nichiren that will last for ten thousand years and more and we are 100% faithful to them. SGI will be unable to remember their many lies. We can go to the writings to substantiate our claims.

The SGI's Institute of Oriental Philosophy is a slanderous organization

Many lectures on Islam. Not one lecture on the superiority of the Lotus Sutra to the Q'uran. Does this not constitute slander of the Law?

"The object of devotion as set forth in the 'Life Span' chapter is Shakyamuni Buddha" -- Nichiren

"Answer: This is a matter of the utmost importance that I keep in my mind. But since you have an unmatched aspiration, I will explain it in brief.

The object of devotion as set forth in the 'Life Span' chapter is Shakyamuni Buddha, the lord of teachings, eternally endowed with the three bodies, who since the beginning of numberless major world system dust particle kalpas in the past has had deep and abiding affinities with this land of ours.

The “Life Span” chapter speaks of “the Thus Come One’s secret and his transcendental powers.”Volume nine of the commentary [by T’ien-t’ai] says: “The single body is none other than the three bodies, a statement that is secret. The three bodies are none other than the single body, a statement that is secret. Also, because from ancient times this has never been expounded, it is called secret. And because only the Buddha can understand this, it is called secret. The Buddha consistently possesses the three bodies throughout the three existences. But in the various teachings [other than the Lotus Sutra], he kept this secret and did not transmit it.”

SGI cult speak: "Life condition"

"Life condition", expression used by the SGI cult. It is nowhere to be found in the Lotus Sutra or Gosho. "Life condition" may be either "high" or "low". When referring to critics of SGI, it is always "low". When talking to other members, it may be either high or low. Low is always a pejorative. Anyone who complains is said to have a "low" life condition. Nichiren Daishonin sometimes complained about the cold, lack of food, lack of clothing, and loneliness. Were he an SGI member, they would be whispering behind his back that "he has a low life condition." One day, after having chanted several hours of Daimoku, "wide awake" [in the Buddhist sense] and very joyful, I came upon several former SGI friends and leaders. After a tepid greeting from them, the first thing they said to me was, "since leaving the SGI you have a low life condition." I broke out in a hearty laugh and went on my way.

Heartfelt experience by Mj Zanoni

"I'd like to share my experience and understanding, gleaned from my involvement with various Buddhist groups.

Regarding the so called pure lineages from the Nichiren Daishonin's priesthood, I think of the story of an old man who treasures his boyhood penknife with all the memories of the many tree-houses it helped build in his youth. He relishes the fact that his knife had been through everything with him for many years, hence his emotional attachment to it. But on closer examination, the penknife's handle had been replaced three times and the blade itself had been replaced twice and even the binding had been updated in recent years. So you see, the old penknife that he is so attached to isn't even old and certainly had no part in building his tree-houses!

Maintaining purity and keeping the true flame of the buddha's teachings from being extinguished in this world is even more difficult, more so because of the constant battle between two forces in life in order to maintain the equilibrium. We can see this happening down to the tiniest atom reaching to the macrocosm of the movements of the planets and I'm guessing higher into the universes beyond.The purer the teaching and the closer to the source it is, the more inevitable will be the obstruction and the sly infiltration and contamination of it.

I compare the priesthood to vessels, over the years attempting to carry the pure source of the buddha down through the decades. So we quite rightfully wonder about the corruption and disease of those vessels and also if indeed they are still carrying the pure source water at all! I know this because I have been fortunate from a young age to have quite honourable motives, yet I have seen too clearly my battle and struggle with my lower motives.

Regarding Gohonzons, for me, the biggest challenge is finding a priest who I can trust has a strong faith. Sorry, but I'm not going to take people's word for it that someone has deep faith! Whether they wear silk robes or not! Over many years I chanted to three gohonzons in total ( a mix of a Nichiren Shoshu and SGI ones) and I ignored my gut feelings about the atmosphere and energy on these objects to my detriment.

Personally, until I'm sure I will not commit to a Gohonzon, although I am testing ones out that are prints of Nichiren's. I am grateful to this group that supports my slow yet thorough pace as regards to this. Although, at the moment I chant to the sky, knowing my most powerful experience ever was chanting without a Gohonzon.

We can never ignore how incredible an effect an object of our focus influences our emotion and echoes into our environment.

What we focus on we give energy to, take energy from and we also mirror that energy around us. If not, then why are we even chanting to it? I handed over my energy to a control structure, while ignoring my own Buddha wisdom's efforts to warn me and I paid the price. We people do hand our power to people dressed in clean robes, mainly because we are lazy and can't be bothered to research the true teachings ourselves and/or we are denying our Buddha nature within. And then in dumping the responsibility on a priest or leader we can blame them when things go wrong!

I know the horrible depths I've hit in the struggle of life and still tried desperately to see the Buddha and I'm sorry as regards to a stranger doing an eye opening ceremony, No! I cannot take anyone's word for it that their faith has been tested like I know mine has been tested. Something I've noticed through my journey is that often the people who have had the worst horrors and traumas, suffer and battle silently and none one can judge another's faith.

So, trust the law not the person is the only way. The way around this, is to chant 'Namu myo ho renge kyo' to reveal our own courage, compassion and wisdom under the many layers of delusion. And in so doing, like attracts like, (as it surely does) allowing us to spot the truth.

I was in a couple of Buddhist organisations and I will never be part of one again. Most organisations are contaminated and infiltrated by the ego of individuals and often organised groups with motives for control (which boils down to ego too)

It's not just organisations, I have witnessed individuals who are in the habit of vamping energy and destroying (in the most underhanded way) the lives of people who try to align themselves with the Law. These destructive individuals appear to work alone but they are equally lethal because through their jealousy (and low vibrations ) they are aligned with a malignant force that seems to have a foothold in this world. When dealing with these people I am trying to learn true COMPASSION, not the patronising pity of looking down on someone, not the condoning of destructive actions and turning a blind eye, which really is based on cowardliness of not wanting to rock the boat. Compassion is NOT succumbing to the strong willed and becoming a doormat just to keep an air of tranquility in the situation.

TRUE compassion can be hard, strict and zero tolerance. I've seen the most eloquent people, hiding behind kind words (and through private communications ) deliver the most underhanded destructive attacks on honourable motivated people. And I have seen people who speak hard and in a direct manner who are doing the most kindest and compassionate acts.

I look at mine and people's motives and actions always, not what we say or what we say we do, BUT what we actually do! Do we undermine? Do we try to push our authority forward undermining other's judgement? Do we put the seed of doubt into people's minds about another's efforts? Do we spread doubt or fear?

Everyone has the potential to reveal their Buddhahood, and the law of allowance must always be respected. Yet, we also cannot condone destructive behaviour (even if secretly done) In fact to shyly keep things pleasant with people who are destructive, not wanting to attract their hostility IS denying their Buddha nature ! Buddha nature is far deeper, eternal and powerful than a mere personality people adopt for this lifetime!

People do not like their values challenged, because they would have to reassess their whole life's choices. Their work, relationships, religion, cult, home and offspring are all built on that life belief system. To show a fault in the belief at the foundations of their 'house of life' could pull down their entire world! And usually they will hate you for it.

I understand, my life was built on my erroneous beliefs and attachment to the corrupt buddhist organisations and I had to experience the collapse and loss of all that was not 'true' in my life. Yes painfully, yes shocking, but worth it, yes, although I'm still recovering. I'd rather be slapped in the face with the truth than kissed with a lie! 

Some layers that cover my Buddha nature have been painfully burnt and peeled away like layers of an onion but that was needed for me to have clearer vision. We can't see truth if our own glasses are muddy. In fact, I'm highly suspicious when I come into people who are continually pointing a finger for others to change, when In fact they are desperately trying to account for the very things they are ignoring within themselves that are clouding their Buddha nature and vision! They protest too much /-:

Knowing what I've been through I would have loved it if someone gave me some harsh truths at the time in my life when my erroneous beliefs were just budding, which is better than needing a lumberjack once that erroneous belief has grown in to an oak tree!

I have had to build up again starting with pure gold foundation bricks. The only thing I'm certain of in this moment of my life is the Lotus Sutra and Nichiren's promotion and sacrifice for the Lotus Sutra. I'm weary of anything if I'm emotionally attached to it, because then vision and objectivity is diminished."

"Offering flowers and a statue of Shakyamuni Buddha on the altar is a grave slander" -- ignorant SGI member

Teaching a lion cub how to be a lion is akin to the forceful practices of the Lotus Sutra

So cute

Heartfelt Brazil Soka Gakkai experience

https://www.reddit.com/r/sgiwhistleblowers/comments/66kj36/report_of_someone_who_was_born_into_sgi_and_is/

"Innumerable meanings derive from one Law", doesn't mean that any base or mistaken concept is Buddhism.

"The cart that overturns on the road ahead is a warning to the one behind." -- Letter to the Brothers "Draw your own conclusions from what I said above. Those among my followers who fail to carry through their faith to the end will incur punishment even more severe. Even so, they should not harbor a grudge against me. Remember what fate Sho-bo, Notobo, and others met." -- The Hero of the World "Yet, for all that, [some people associated with Ota Jomyo distort the teaching]. I cannot fathom what could be in their minds." -- The Four Bodhisattvas as Object of Devotion "The priest Nichigyo’s (Sammibo) death was indeed pitiful. I recited the Lotus Sutra and chanted Namu-myoho-renge-kyo for him here in Minobu, sincerely praying to Shakyamuni, Many Treasures, and the Buddhas of the ten directions to receive him on Eagle Peak. I have not yet recovered from my illness, so I have written only briefly. I will write to you again." -- Four Bodhisattvas as the Object of Devotion "Even those who are free from illness cannot escape the transience of life, but you are not yet old, and because you are a votary of the Lotus Sutra, you will not meet an untimely death." -- The Bow and Arrow “Those who do not understand their obligations will in many cases meet with an untimely death." -- On Consecrating an Image of Shakyamuni Buddha Made by Shijo Kingo "There is one thing to be thankful for. Kagenobu, Enchi, and Jitsujo all died before Dozen-bo did, and that was something of a help. These men all met an untimely death because of the chastisement of the ten demon daughters who protect the Lotus Sutra. After they died, Dozen-bo began to have some faith in the Lotus Sutra. But it was rather like obtaining a stick after the fight is over, or lighting a lantern at midday— the proper time had already passed." -- Repaying Debts of Gratitude "The deaths of Ota Chikamasa, Nagasaki Jiro Hyoe-no-jo Tokitsuna, and Daishin-bo, who were all thrown from their horses, can be seen as punishment for their treachery against the Lotus Sutra." -- On Persecutions Befalling the Sage "There was something very strange about Sammi-bo. Nevertheless, I was concerned that any admonition would be taken by the ignorant as mere jealousy of his wisdom, and so I refrained from speaking out. In time his wicked ambition led to treachery and, finally, to his doom. If I had scolded him more strictly, he might have been saved. I have not mentioned this before because no one would have understood it. Even now the ignorant will say that I am speaking ill of the deceased. Nevertheless, I mention it so that others can use it as their mirror. I am sure that our opponents and the renegades are frightened by the fate of Sammi-bo." -- Ibid. "Some people criticize me, saying, 'Nichiren does not understand the capacities of the people of the time, but goes around preaching in a harsh manner—that is why he meets with difficulties.' Other people say, 'The practices described in the "Encouraging Devotion" chapter are for bodhisattvas who are far advanced in practice; [Nichiren ought to follow the practices of] the "Peaceful Practices" chapter, yet he fails to do so.' Others say, 'I, too, know the Lotus Sutra is supreme, but I say nothing about it.' Still others complain that I give all my attention to doctrinal teachings. I am well aware of all these criticisms against me. But I recall the case of Pien Ho, who had his legs cut off at the knee, and of Kiyomaro (Pure Man), who was dubbed Kegaremaro (Filthy Man) and almost put to death. All the people of the time laughed at them with scorn, but unlike those two men, those who laughed left no good name behind them. And all the people who level unjust criticisms at me will meet with a similar fate. The 'Encouraging Devotion' chapter says, 'There will be many ignorant people who will curse and speak ill of us.' I observe my own situation in this passage. Why should it not apply to all of you as well? 'They will attack us with swords and staves,' the passage continues. I have experienced this passage from the sutra with my own body. Why do you, my disciples, not do likewise?" (pg. 209) The SGI teaches "Lesser doctrines", ie: Value creationism; human revolution; shoju in the degenerate age and towards those who would destroy the Lotus Sutra; mentor-disciple as the prime point of the Lotus Sutra; the inequality of those who chant the Daimoku; the purpose of the Juryo-hon is to smash the Hoben-pon and the purpose of Daimoku is to smash the Juryo-hon; Nichiren is True Buddha; Namu Myoho renge kyo is true Buddha; Nam Myoho renge kyo rather than Namu Myoho renge kyo; the Lotus Sutra has lost it's efficacy in Mappo; the common man can not understand the Lotus Sutra or Gosho in Mappo; prayers repaying one's debt of gratitude to the Three Presidents rather than that owed Shakyamuni Buddha; the Nichikan Gohonzon; personal guidance; the list goes on and on. The concept, "innumerable meanings derive from one Law", doesn't mean that any base or mistaken concept is Buddhism. The One Vehicle is Myoho renge kyo: "Thus it was that the eight-year-old dragon girl was able to come out of the vast sea and in an instant give proof of the power of this sutra, and Superior Practices, a bodhisattva of the essential teaching, emerged from beneath the great earth and thereby demonstrated the unfathomably long life span of the Buddha. This is the king of sutras, defying description in words, the wonderful Law that is beyond the mind’s power to comprehend." (Embracing the Lotus Sutra) Nichiren does indeed teach, "Never seek this Gohonzon outside yourself. The Gohonzon exists only within the mortal flesh of us ordinary people who embrace the Lotus Sutra and chant Namu-myoho-renge-kyo." but he also teaches that the mandala Gohonzon (the life and land of Original Eternal Buddha Shakyamuni) is the teacher of the Buddhas throughout the Three Existences: "If it is not the proper Object of Worship (Gohonzon), even though there be no falsehood [even if the practitioner is sincere] it will not form the seed [of Buddhahood]. The Daimoku of the Hommon [Doctrine of the Original, found in the Lotus Sutra] is the seed of Buddhahood. This is because the Eternal Shakyamuni of the Honmon has put his Causal Practices (his myriad practices that lead to enlightenment) and his Virtues of the Effect (the merits of the effect, which is Buddhahood) into the seven characters of Namu Myo Ho Renge Kyo." (The True Object of Worship) and "If one doubts the strength of the Buddha when he says, “I am the only person who can rescue and protect others”; if one is suspicious of the rope held out by the Lotus Sutra when its teachings declare that one can “gain entrance through faith alone”; if one fails to chant the Mystic Law which guarantees that “such a person assuredly and without doubt [will attain the Buddha way],” then the Buddha’s power cannot reach one, and it will be impossible to scale the embankment of enlightenment." (Embracing the Lotus Sutra) and again, it is not enough merely to believe in and chant the Mystic Law: "Only when one understands all this clearly and believes in it can the Law manifest its power and the Buddhas and bodhisattvas bring benefit to the people. To illustrate, in kindling a fire, three things are needed: a good piece of steel, a good flint, and good tinder. The same is true of prayer. Three things are required— a good teacher, a good believer, and a good teaching— before prayers can be effective and disasters banished from the land. A good teacher is a priest who is free from any fault in secular affairs, who never fawns upon others even in the slightest, who desires and is satisfied with little, and who is compassionate; a priest who reads and upholds the Lotus Sutra precisely as it teaches and also encourages and leads others to embrace it. Such a priest the Buddha has praised among all priests as the finest teacher of the Law. A good believer is one who does not depend upon persons of eminence or despise those of humble station; who does not rely on the backing of superiors or look down on inferiors; who, not relying upon the opinions of others, upholds the Lotus Sutra among all the sutras. Such a person the Buddha has called the best of all people. As for a good teaching, the Buddha has told us that this sutra, the Lotus, represents the foremost among all doctrines. Among all the sutras the Buddha “has preached,” among those he “now preaches,” and among those he “will preach,” this sutra is designated as foremost, and therefore it is a good teaching." (How Those Initially Aspiring to the Way Can Attain Buddhahood). Even a good believer is insufficient if the teacher and teachings are mistaken and SGI's "great good" of planting seeds too is unfounded. Their seeds are damaged seeds because their Object of Worship and teacher is damaged [mistaken]. They may sprout and look like beautiful saplings but as they mature, they grow into the crooked trees of the Taisekeji teachings.