Kempon Hokke

The Fourteen Slanders and commentary

The Fourteen Slanders (Found in Chapter 3 of the Lotus Sutra and the Gosho of Nichiren called the Fourteen Slanders.)

The following are the Fourteen Slanders:

(1) arrogance,
(2) negligence,
(3) arbitrary, egotistical judgment,
(4) shallow, self-satisfied understanding,
(5) attachment to earthly desires,
(6) lack of seeking spirit,
(7) not believing,
(8) aversion,
(9) deluded doubt,
(10) vilification,
(11) contempt,
(12) hatred,
(13) jealousy and
(14) grudges.'

Let us take these and analyze them:

There is not one amongst us who doesn't slander from time to time. Having said that, there are degrees of slander which depends both on the slanderer and the object or subject of the slander as well as the time. In this time period, those objects or subjects most worthy of respect are: The Eternal Buddha Shakyamuni (Shakyamuni of the Juryo chapter of the Lotus Sutra) or the Gohonzon (Object of Worship). The Gohonzon is "hidden" in the Juryo (16th) chapter of the Lotus Sutra and generally, it is revealed in the eight core chapters of the Lotus Sutra, from the 15th to the 22nd; Myoho renge kyo, the Supreme Law, is also found in the 16th chapter, as well as the 15th and 17th chapters (Discrimination of Merits) specifically, chapter 21 (Jinriki) generally and the entire Lotus Sutra more generally. In the 15th chapter (Emerging From The Earth) and Jinriki (Divine Power of the Tahagata) chapter, the Supreme Votary of the Lotus Sutra(Nichiren Daishonin) is revealed as well as the entire body of believers that uphold the Gohonzon, Myoho renge kyo and the tenets of Nichiren Daishonin.

Arrogance:

Specifically: Believing one is wiser, more respectworthy, more emminent, than
the Eternal Buddha, Gohonzon, Lotus Sutra, and Nichiren Daishonin. Or believing one's views, one's writings or one's vision is superior to these objects and persons.

Generally: Substitute anyone whose faith and practice accords with the Daishonin and even more generally, anyone.

Negligence:

Specifically: Neglecting to develop one's faith, practice(for oneself and others) and study.

Generally: Neglecting to develop oneself or failing to help others in any capacity whatsoever if one is capable of doing so.

Arbitrary egotistical judgement:

Specifically:Not basing one's judgement on the Sutra or the Teachings of Nichiren Dashonin: ie: "The Gohonzon is this or that because I see it as this or that.

Generally:Not basing one's judgement on reason or facts.

Shallow self satisfied understanding:

Specifically: Believing oneself already a Buddha, thus feeling no need to strengthen one's faith through practice and study of the Lotus Sutra and the teachings of Nichiren Dashonin.

Generally: Believing one is already proficient at something and feeling no need to continue to exert oneself towards mastery. Being complacent, having no ambition.

Attatchment to earthly desires:

Specifically: Permitting an attatchment to earthly desires to hinder one's
practice of Buddhism.

Generally: Permitting an attatchment to earthly desires to cause disharmony of
the four elements, disharmony of the household, disharmony at work, etc......

Lack of seeking spirit:

Specifically: Believing that Buddhism was already been layed out for us in the Lotus Sutra or in Nichiren Dashonin's writings or by others so that we no longer have to seek out the truths of Buddhism on our own. Also, not seeking the answer to any questions we may have about Buddhism. Blind faith.

Generally:Not being curious about the world.

Not believing:

Specifically: Not believing in the correct Three Treasures, and the Three Great
Secret Laws. Not believing that one can attain Buddhahood. Not believing that
all beings have the Buddha nature.

Generally: Not believing in that which is reasonable.

Aversion:

Specifically:Aversion to the Gohonzon(Buddha), to chanting the Daimoku or
reciting the Lotus Sutra, to shakabuku, and to studying the Sutra and the
Gosho, thus allowing one's faith and practice to deteriorate.

Generally: Aversion to responsibility, to helping people, to certain types or classes of people.

Deluded doubt:

Specifically: Doubting that one's merits derive from the Lotus Sutra (Myoho renge kyo) and Eternal Buddha (Gohonzon). Doubting that Nichiren Daishonin was the Supreme Votary of the Lotus Sutra. Doubting the efficacy of one's faith and practice. Doubting that one is a Bodhisattva of the Earth since the limitless
past.

Generally: Doubting cause and effect. Doubting that one can take action to
improve one's life.

Vilification:

Specifically: To abuse or slander, the Gohonzon(Eternal Buddha), Lotus Sutra(Myoho renge kyo), its Supreme Votary(Nichiren Daishonin), or the body of
believers that uphold the Gohonzon, the Lotus Sutra and the tenets of Nichiren
Daishonin.

Generally:To abuse or slander anyone in general.

Contempt:

Specifically: Lack of reverence for the Gohonzon(Eternal Buddha), Lotus Sutra,
Nichiren Daishonin or the body of believers that uphold the Gohonzon, Myoho
renge kyo and the tenets of Nichiren Daishonin.

Generally: Contempt for anyone in general.

Hatred:

Specifically: Prejudiced hostility or animosity to the Gohonzon (Eternal Buddha), Lotus Sutra, Nichiren Daishonin, or the body of believers that uphold the Gohonzon, the Lotus Sutra and the tenets of Nichiren Daishonin

Generally: Prejudiced hostility or animosity to anyone in general.

Jealousy:

Specifically: Jealousy towards the the Eternal Buddha Shakyamnui (Gohonzon),
Nichiren Daishonin or the body of believers that uphold the Eternal Buddha, Myoho renge kyo and the tenets of Nichiren Daishonin.

Generally: Jealousy towards anyone.

Grudges:

Specifically: Grudges against the Gohonzon, Lotus Sutra, Nichiren Daishonin or
the body of believers that uphold the Gohonzon, the Lotus Sutra, and the tenets
of Nichiren Daishonin.

Generally, Grudges against anyone.

Who are creating bad karma through their thoughts words and deeds? Who are actually defending the exalted teachings of the Lotus Sutra and creating the karma to rapidly become Buddhas? The only way to determine who is a votary the Lotus Sutra, according to Nichiren Daishonin, is to observe and examine who preaches with the Sutra in hand as taught in the Opening of the Eyes. I maintain that those who propagate the DaiGohonzon and Nichiren as True Buddha are not preaching with the Sutra in hand, while those preaching that the Original Eternal Buddha is Shakyamuni and the Gohonzon exists universally and eternally (rather than finitely and temporally) are true votaries.

Posted by markrogow at March 26, 2008 04:34 PM