Many people feel that the Human Buddha Sakyamuni is a teacher of human life, he devoted his whole life to lead innumerable people, according to their intellectual standard, character and circumstance on the path of the truth. All of Sakyamunis guidance to his followers originated in the truth of the Universe in which he attained enlightenment. Nevertheless, Sakyamuni showed his Buddhahood practically for the mass of people in various ways.
The various sūtras of [the first] forty‑two years set forth matters of good and evil occurring in the dream of birth and death; therefore, they are called provisional teachings. They are the scriptural teachings of preparatory, expedient means, by which the Buddha sought to entice and lead the dreaming beings, in order to startle and rouse them into the waking reality of the Lotūs Sūtra. Therefore, they are called provisional teachings (Sanze Shobutsu Sokanmon Kyoso Hairyu written by Nichiren Daishonin)
Therefore, the Tathagata entered our dream of birth and death, placing himself on the same level as the perverted beings, and by means of the Language used in dreams enticed the dreaming beings, leading them gradually by expounding matters concerning the distinction between the good and evil that occur in dreams. (Sanze Shobutsu Sokanmon Kyoso Hairyu)
Lets look at the attitude Shakyamuni had while preaching the law. He did not perform His preaching and guiding as a formal ceremony, but always regarded everyday life as a place for preaching and enlightening. Sakyamuni never lost an opportunity to preach the way of life at any time or to any person.
In Chapter five of the Lotus Sutra, Parable of the Herbs, Sakyamuni gives the general vows of the Buddha: Those who have not yet been saved I cause them to be saved; those who have not yet been set free to be set free; those who have not yet been comforted to be comforted; those who have not yet obtained nirvana to obtain nirvana.
With those vows, Buddha could not but give a helping hand to anyone who was living in the world of suffering. If he saw that people were overcome by illusions, he could not help himself from freeing them on the spot. Sakyamuni could not stop but teach instantly the way of reaching a stage of peace to those who had not known that peace.
Nowadays, many men of religion try to preach the truth only at formal places like Temples, or on formal occasions like sermon meetings, or guided meditation sessions. They are not even sure if they are preaching the truth. I have many friends that are priests, I dearly treasure them as great human beings and personal treasures. They are not my priests. They have helped me in time of need, and shown great human attributes they don't reveal when wearing the priest hat. Honestly, rather than make sense of the matter, I accept them as wonderful people that are assets to my life. Then on the other hand, I have known some real stinker-oooos, than have gone out of their way to make life miserable. Again, I just think they are idiots, and go on.
I have been very lucky, to have known so may people, that I can have a balanced and fair view. Some lay people even feel the need to become a priest so that they think they will only then have the power to save others. Does this make any sense? I think they feel, they are impotent, and they need the robe or people will not listen to them. There is a translator for the Kempon Hokke, that I always had admiration for, he always produced top top notch first rate material for people that wanted to study Nichiren's ways, yet never asked to have special titles. That is a great person. Another man for the Nichiren Shu, because of jealousy sought the priest robe to gain what he felt more power over people, and when I was in Japan, I learned this was a way he wanted to have more power of me, and it is so stupid, I don't even care. His views are so off, that I just have pity for anyone that listens, they are sweet talked into human fields of pain of regret of confusion, and he mixes up all the different practices and hates Nichiren, and only wants Buddha to be Jesus or God.
I think that if we look back at the life of Sakyamuni we can see that how mistaken this preaching of professional religionists is. Did Sakyamuni become a Priest? Did he tell people to become a priest? Did Nichiren have to be a priest, or could he have been a Sushi Chef? It is the inability of the current brainwashed members to think out of the box and want to stay attached to their sect, just like a dysfunctional family that keeps the ball bouncing. But someday it will stop.
Those that have read the Nirvana Sutra have read:
This teaching shall not be entrusted to biksus (monks) and biksunis (nuns), but to upasakas (laymen) and upasikas (laywomen).
I think we really know why Sakyamuni entrusted his teachings to layman and laywomen, one important reason could be that lay believers have many opportunities of doing their propagating to enlighten the masses in everyday life. The job of the Bodhisattvas, is to remind other Bodhisattvas they were at the Ceremony in Space, it is not to bring them to a PRIEST or NEW TEACHER.
Unless we can lead as many people as possible to the teachings of Buddha, by making use of every opportunity to do so, we cannot rapidly change or bring the world to a state of peace.
If you bring someone to a sect, a meeting, a Priest, a new Teacher, give them HUMAN TEACHINGS, teach them Nichiren is the Buddha, Ikeda is the master, you are really are Creep.
Maltz
"The job of the Bodhisattvas, is to remind other Bodhisattvas they were at the Ceremony in Space"
That seems right in line with what the sutra says, but how do you do that? Most people have probably never heard of the ceremonuy in the air, how could you explain to them that they were there, and how would they believe you?
I think you answered your own question. It is in line with what the Sutra says, that is why you are peaked and understand and have responded so warmly.
The Nirvana Sutra says, follow the teaching, not people. Everyone is following people and look where it got them?
I just show everyone, what it says in the Sutra, it is there in black and white (unless you have some bizarre edition) and in our human body, with our human brain, we finally reach the state of bodhisattva. As a human and in a human body, you can't be a Buddha, that is why Shakyamuni had to enter the Ceremony in the Air to take the form of the Original Buddha. We, in the Ceremony in the Air, have a form of Bodhisattva from the Earth, and have the merits from the Buddha.
Some jerks will try to spin that as Original Enlightenment, but they are just idiots looking to spin an argument. I may have misplaced a word here or there, but I am sure you get the concept.
TCB
Maltz