Hi,
1. ok, for the 1st point i forgot about the broader definition
of the term so i take that back.
2. Then why in earlier SGI books (or at least, during my short
stint in SGI in 1999-2000) are there definitions that Nichiren is
the "Eternal Buddha" or 本佛, while Sakyamuni is 跡佛?
3. I live in Japan, so i know what I'm saying. Of course, most
Gakkai members are urged to vote for Komeito, and to support
Komeito.
4. Not forgetting that Gakkai and Shoshu are still at
loggerheads at each other. I remember attending meetings on both
sides (1999-2000), and was asked to chant the Daimoku and pray for
one to "attain victory" over the other.
Also, when an American friend of mine wanted to take Refuge in
Buddhism at my temple in Japan, his then girlfriend from Gakkai
objected to it. If Gakkai recognizes the value of other Buddhist
schools, was there a need to object? It was only after they broke
off did he manage to come down again to take Refuge.
Hi,
1. ok, for the 1st point i forgot about the broader definition of
the term so i take that back.
2. Then why in earlier SGI books (or at least, during my short
stint in SGI in 1999-2000) are there definitions that Nichiren is
the "Eternal Buddha" or 本佛, while Sakyamuni is 跡佛?
>> Good question. Eternal (本佛) and Provisional ( 跡佛)
Buddha - it is not about status of supremacy that as implied by the
name in case you are thinking along that path. Provisional Buddha
meant that what Shakyamuni Buddha had preached is fixed at the
certain point of life in the past (dust particle kalpas) whereas
what Nichiren himself preached is with the Mystic Law that is
eternal in its own entity since beginningless time. If you refer to
the Lotus Sutra, it is mentioned "I have preached the Law in many
ways, devising many means. But in these more than forty years, i
have not yet revealed the truth"..and the truth is the Mystic
Law...but it is so hard to preach. Put ourselves in the shoes of
the Shakyamuni Buddha, trying to think hard how to convince his
followers. just imagine if one tells us one that 1 + 1 doesn't
equal to 2, after so many years of belief. And the Law exists no
where exist ourselves, the answer is in us, the cause of our
suffering. That is why, if you refer to other Sutras, you can find
a common thread that he is trying to preach the Law but to the
capacity of the intellectual capacity of the people, as no one can
accept that the Law exists within himself and can be a Buddha like
Shakyamuni (if you have read the story of the father and his sons
analogy in the Buddhist sutra)...sorry i deviate again :D
3. I live in Japan, so i know what I'm saying. Of course, most
Gakkai members are urged to vote for Komeito, and to support
Komeito.
>> Definitely, but even those in priest robes may not be
preaching real Buddhism if their intent is not correct, as long as
they are human and have wrong intent.(Shakyamuni Buddha had even
warned about priests who do not preach the real
Buddhism) Moreover, it is the duty of the members to speak and
highlight. Sometimes it just take one person to undo all the good
efforts that have been put in by others. Being any political party,
who wouldn't want to have all the votes? But it is still the choice
of the members to choose who they want to vote to utimately
4. Not forgetting that Gakkai and Shoshu are still at loggerheads
at each other. I remember attending meetings on both sides
(1999-2000), and was asked to chant the Daimoku and pray for one to
"attain victory" over the other.
>> Indeed, Gakkai and Shoshu have been at loggerhead since
the spilt due to different practice ideological. It is nothing new,
if you knew about the Christians side, the Methodist, Protestants
etc..even between the Muslims and Christians during the Crusade.
Sorry, i have drifted but i think the idea is there. If one sees
evil and choose to be silent and not do anything, one is no
different from the doer of evil. Speaking from Gakkai side, if not
chanting for the victory against the Shoshu, what kind of
compassion, righteous are we showing to the rest? It is precisely
the reason that Shoshu has goes reversal the real essence of
Nichiren Buddhism that victory must been seen.
Also, when an American friend of mine wanted to take Refuge in
Buddhism at my temple in Japan, his then girlfriend from Gakkai
objected to it. If Gakkai recognizes the value of other Buddhist
schools, was there a need to object? It was only after they broke
off did he manage to come down again to take Refuge.
>> it is anticipated reaction because who's wouldn't want one
partner to practice the same as ones? would you object if someone
who has been practicing close to you choose to join Soka Gakkai? As
you have mentioned, it is his then girlfriend who object not Gakkai
as an organization objects to him not practising Nichiren
Buddhism.
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Sorry but i can't help to share with you this..perharps this is the
contrast i see between Nichiren and Shakyamuni Buddha.
Nichiren: Life as a fisherman's son (lowest status of the society)
Shakyamuni: Life as a prince (highest status of the society)
Nichiren: Persecute by all Buddhist schools and Court officials of
entire country at that time including his followers (execution for
3). Almost being beheaded. Live in exile. Shakyamuni: Not much
persecution of that degree.
Nichiren: Reveals the Truth to all people in the Lotus Sutra
despite getting troubles with the officials. Inscribe the object of
worship that symbolized the Law within ourselves and for us to see
via "the mirror" so that we can "see" who we are. Shakyamuni:
Taught the different vehicles to all so that their intellectual
level can be at the level to accept the One vehicle. But did not
reveal the Truth. He assigned the burden of following the preaching
of the Law to his followers that is us to carry on preaching the
Law.
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