On one of the SGI International websites it is stated there are no Gohonzon to chant to at the head temple of Kempon Hokke. Not only are there 5 Gohonzon to pray to but the Kempon Hokke is in possession of three Nichiren inscribed Gohonzons. I have pictures of three of the five Myomanji temple Gohonzon.
The Soka Gakkai with all their billions of dollars could not procure even one Nichiren Gohonzon, purportedly offering a temple $75,000,000.00. They were summarily turned down.
The Soka Gakkai has not one Nichiren Gohonzon, either original or copy. Not one of the 10,000,000 members has even a copy of a Nichiren Gohonzon to chant to. Not that it is necessary to chant to a Nichiren Gohonzon but they could have picked another priest rather than the 17th century slanderer, Nichikan. It is great karmic irony that they chant to a Nichikan Gohonzon. Slanderers chanting to a slanderer's Gohonzon. It is true that the Gohonzon, even a slanderer's Gohonzon is a mirror. The Nichikan Gohonzon is a cloudy mirror leading to clouded thoughts and lies about other practitioners of the Lotus Sutra.
Also, when other Nichiren Buddhists approach their members to dialogue with them they growl like a dog as another dog approaches their food. We have already proven in another entry that their practice is based on the World of Hunger and Robin has demonstrated that they dialogue from the World of Anger or perceived superiority. I have also proven that their joy is based on the World of Rapture not Bodhisattva or Buddha and it is self evident that they merely reside in the World of Humanity because of their "humanistic" (rather than Buddha based) philosophy. Lastly, a recent entry shows that, at least a share of their members are in the World of Hell. Therefore, we have demonstrated that they reside in Four of the Lower Four Worlds and Six of the Lower Six Worlds. Can there be any doubt that chanting to a Nichikan Gohonzon offers no benefit whatsoever because the vast majority of the people who don't chant to a Gohonzon reside in the Lower Six Worlds and the vast majority of those who chant to a Gohonzon not inscribed by a slanderer, reside in the Four Noble Worlds.
Posted by markrogow at May 7, 2008 06:20 AMMark!
Brilliant insight on this - some overkill on the rhetoric, but spot on with the description of the varying world-levels of adherents. For the record, with the Gohonzon, I began with Nittatsu, went to a Nikken, and naturally, as an SGI member, was bestowed with the Nichikan. They all seemed good to me. Thanks to my new friend, I now honored with a first generation Nichiren mandala.
You're a terrfic writer, Mark, and certainly well studied up on Nichiren Buddhism. What I would like to know is, why do you hate the SGI so much. It's obvious that they're way off, but not dangerous. We all had our great times, otherwise none of us would be writing here at FWP. What the hell happened to you that turned you into such a phantom city foo dog? I think we're all a smidge curious.
Charles
Posted by: Charles at May 7, 2008 05:50 PMFirst let me congratulate you on your new Gohonzon. I don't hate the SGI, I hate what they do to the Lotus Sutra and Nichiren's teachings while promoting their own value creation philosophy. They are dangerous since they don't lead people to Buddhahood, Bodhisattvahood, or society to Kosen Rufu. They (the leaders) are divisive and the real breakers of unity. Even though the reasons for the split are multifaceted they don't take any blame for the situation, never once looking at themselves or the teaching they embrace. Reflection or the World of Learning is not in their repertoire. They slander the real practitioners of the lotus Sutra. Their faults are not few.
As far as the efficacy of their Gohonzons, the Nichiren Shoshu and Soka Gakkai Ghonzons, it was the daimoku that brought you to the point your at now DESPITE the hindrances of their demon infested scrolls. You will see the difference (more obstacles and devils and thus more growth).
Mark
Posted by: Mark Rogow at May 7, 2008 07:01 PMMark:
"You will see the difference (more obstacles and devils and thus more growth)."
Perhaps. This is probably true for anyone on a path. As far as obstacles go, how can anyone avoid the travials of samsaric existence? There's some truth in the adage, that what doesn't kill you, just makes you stronger. Devils? External ones are nothing to fear. What a Buddha and awakened ones must do, is conquer their "inner devil." Devils can be banished, but never killed. I say feed the demons and they will work for the Law. Been there, done that. And thank you for your congratulations on my Nichiren mandala.
Charles
Posted by: Charles at May 7, 2008 07:24 PMThn what is your take on Letter To The Brothers where Nichiren teaches that encountering the Three Obstacles and Four Devils is a barometer to one's correct faith and practice? I have my take but first I would like to hear yours.
Mark
Posted by: Mark Rogow at May 7, 2008 07:39 PMBy the way Charles, "Brilliant Insight" makes me extremely uncomfortable. Maybe when I have my Hosshaku Kempon, I will accept such an offering.
Mark
Posted by: Mark Rogow at May 7, 2008 07:49 PMMark:
I'm no stranger to sansho-shima in every form.
Having gone through 4th stage cancer, near-death, two bankruptcys, the SGI meat grinder, the deaths of my father, brother, and mother in a three year period, and 10,001 other phenomena that could be classified as "sansho-shima," I prefer to look to the uplifting empowerment of the Lotus Sutra. One need not look for trials and tribulations unless they've got some deep-rooted martyr complex.
When I think of the Letter to the Brothers, I'm reminded that to practice Nichiren Buddhism as taught, phenomena arise to deter you from the realization of awakening. If it's "your own" hosshaku kempon that you long for, it will come one day, as did mine. Then, we'll have something compelling to talk about. For me, it's no more about taking hertics to task, it's about teaching people how to use mantra-powered visualization. You have your mission as do I. For me, I've passed through the most wicked phase of that gaunlet and survived to fulfill my own unique mission.
I have no patience for those that utter superstitious curses of this fate or obstacle awaits you or if one doesn't believe this way, or that such and such will happen if one walks another path. It's a curse. And who out there can know my karma or what I really am. I am like Nichiren in that I look to the Lotus Sutra, and there is the source. I never enjoyed reading Letter to the Brothers, instead, I gravitate to his "On the Buddha's Behavior." That is the gosho that most exemplifies my life to date and my spirit. I fear nothing in this life or the next.
Charles