Well, study for 2008 is off and running. The new Living Buddhism study series seems much more “grown up” to me, especially looking back to the old NSA days. SGI spends quite a lot of time discussing the Lotus Sutra in this period, something we didn’t do before.
Interestingly to me also is that mention of the Buddhism of Nichiren Shoshu is very much in decline. Members still talk about things they are familiar with, such as the Daigohonzon, but official publications mention it rarely if at all. In the March-April 2008 Living Buddhism Nichiren is referred to as follows;
“Bodhisattva Superior Practices. Having received the heritage of the Law from Shakyamuni and Many Treasures, is a bodhisattva who appears in this actual saha world as an ordinary human being. In order to realize the Lotus Sutra’s ideal of universal enlightenment, is necessary for him to not only practice the ultimate Law of cause and effect for attaining Buddhahood but also to embody it in his own life as a human being, and to then convey it to others in the Latter Day.”
For those of us who have practiced in NSA/SGI for awhile, we know how revolutionary an explanation such as this is, especially to be found in an official SGI publication.
Our view and beliefs in Nichiren’s Buddhism is evolving, this is clear. Certainly not fast enough for some, but too fast for others, as is the way of life. As the years have flown by, and especially after 1990 and the split with our former priesthood, I have tried to keep up on the goings-on of the other Nichiren sects, no easy task to be sure. To begin with I, like most Gakkai members, had no clue previously there was such a diversity of Nichiren groups in the world, both priest-based sects and lay organizations.
Clearly no group receives as much criticism than does the Soka Gakkai. Needless to say this can be hurtful to someone such as I who has been practicing in intimate districts and chapters for nearly 3 decades. One thing I’ve noticed, and which truly troubles me, is the effort to which many go to in order to criticize and oppose SGI-USA.
If there was one thing that could be pointed to as a cornerstone of SGI, in my opinion that would be “practice”. It’s what we do that perhaps other groups don’t, though obviously I intend that only as a literary generalization. Soka Gakkai’s tradition above all others is a tradition of practice, daily practice, practice for self and others, practice for Kosen Rufu. In the end its all practice.
Many of the more “orthodox” groups seem so intent on NOT being SGI that they overlook what I believe is a very simple truth, that in order to truly experience Nichiren’s Buddhism, the Buddhism of the Lotus Sutra, one must practice. Without practice, chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo often to the Gohonzon (or without), Nichiren’s Buddhism in this modern age really seems more like an esoteric and obscure belief system grounded in ideals and values from medieval Japan. This of course is my opinion only.
I have met and talked with former members who have tried to practice in other Nichiren sects. It’s not in my nature to brow-beat them or refute their actions, but in my conversations I have noticed a disconnect - a sort of missing link - in their new found “faith”. Their Gakkai training, the training that taught them to chant consistently, study, have discussion meetings and practice for other’s happiness seems to leave them subtly “dissatisfied” with their new groups. Yet many members suffer from experiences in the Soka Gakkai that make it impossible to continue to be members.
As a Gakkai leader it’s difficult to admit this, especially in writing. One thing I have had to accept is that not everyone will be able to practice in SGI. No doubt it’s the fault of inept leaders like myself. All I would wish for those who chose not to practice Nichiren’s Buddhism in the Soka Gakkai is not to become so opposed to SGI that they are unable to benefit from our most basic of values - the value of practice.
Cheers all!
Don