Question: "Is Kempon Hokke the one true Nichiren faith?"
Answer: It is difficult to believe and difficult to accept that the Kempon Hokke is the One True Nichiren Faith. If it were easy to believe and easy to accept, it wouldn't be the One True Nichiren faith.
To be a true disciple and believer of Nichiren one must necessarily,
1). Chant Namu Myoho renge kyo to the Honzon of the Three Great Secret laws.
2). Believe exclusively in the Lotus Sutra.
3). Believe exclusively in Shakyamuni Buddha of the 16th Chapter of the Lotus Sutra.
4). Tells others to do the same.
5). Base one's practice [shakabuku] on the Rissho Ankoku Ron.
Since the print [Kempon Hokke practitioner's faith] perfectly matches the woodblock [Nichiren Daishonin's faith], the Kempon Hokke is the One True Nichiren Faith. Since the print [other Nichiren sect practitioner's faith] does not perfectly match the woodblock [Nichiren Daishonin's faith], they can not lay claim to be the One True Nichiren Faith.
Sangha is one of the Three Treasures. In the Nichiren faith, it is the Sangha of Bodhisattvas of the Earth led by Jogyo [Nichiren]. Kanjin is the spiritual contemplation of the True Object of Worship. It is comprised of Shin no daimoku or the daimoku of faith and Gyo no daimoku or the daimoku of practice. The daimoku of practice can be broken down into jigyo [chanting daimoku for one self] and keta [shoju, the gentle practices of teaching others to chant daimoku and embrace faith in the Lotus Sutra and shakabuku, the forceful practices of teaching others to chant daimoku and embrace faith in the Lotus Sutra].
The daimoku of faith and the forceful practices or shakabuku is where the Kempon Hokke distinguishes itself as The One True Nichiren Faith. Only we share the very same faith and shakabuku practice as did Nichiren Daishonin. It certainly is not the formalization of a sect that makes one Kempon Hokke. It is the very same faith and practice of Nichiren Daishonin that makes one Kempon Hokke. Corrupted priests or laymen are not Kempon Hokke, even if they call themselves Kempon Hokke. In like manner, corrupted laymen and priests are not disciples and believers of Nichiren Daishonin, even if they call themselves disciples and believers of Nichiren.
"It is not as the Three Worlds see the Three Worlds." (Lotus Sutra Chapter 16) It is all for saving the masses of beings. Just as the Lotus Sutra is the living body of Shakyamuni, the Gosho is the living body of Nichiren. We choose to read the Lotus Sutra as Nichiren did and we are criticized, as was he.
Most so-called practitioners of the Lotus Sutra are disciples and believers of Nichiren in name only. Conceitedly, they read the Lotus Sutra in their own manner while leading others astray. They change the very fundamentals of his teachings: They throw out Shakyamuni of the 16th Chapter of the Lotus Sutra; They chant Namu Myoho renge kyo while asserting Myoho renge kyo has lost its power; they proclaim that it is no longer the Latter Age; and they curry the favor of both the religious and secular authorities. On the other hand, we believe in Shakyamuni Buddha of the 16th Chapter of the Lotus Sutra, the Lotus Sutra [myoho renge kyo], and we admonish, remonstrate, and rebuke both the religious and secular authorities. We also treat each other, believers and disciples alike, with the very same consideration and respect as did Nichiren Daishonin his believers and disciples.
Posted by markrogow at January 31, 2010 12:59 AM