Answer: Anyone who practices Buddhism should first understand the two types of practice— shoju and shakubuku. All the sutras and treatises fall into one or the other of these two categories. Though scholars in this country may have studied Buddhism extensively, they do not know which practice accords with the time. The four seasons continually repeat themselves, each in turn manifesting its own characteristics. In summer it is hot; in winter, cold. Flowers blossom in spring, and fruit ripens in autumn. Therefore, it is only natural to sow seeds in spring and reap the harvest in fall. If one sowed in autumn, could one harvest in spring? Heavy clothing is useful in bitter cold, but of what use is it in sweltering heat? A cool breeze is pleasant in summer, but what good is it in winter? Buddhism works in the same way. There is a time when the Hinayana teachings are disseminated for the benefit of humanity, a time when the provisional Mahayana doctrines are disseminated for the benefit of humanity, and a time when the true Mahayana teaching is spread to enable people to obtain the fruit of Buddhahood. The two millennia of the Former and Middle Days of the Law required the spread of the Hinayana and provisional Mahayana teachings, but the first five hundred years of the Latter Day call for only the Lotus Sutra, the pure and perfect teaching of the one vehicle of Buddhahood, to be spread abroad widely. As predicted by the Buddha, now is the age of quarrels and disputes when the pure Law becomes obscured and lost, and the provisional and true teachings are hopelessly confused.

When one must face enemies, one needs a sword, a stick, or a bow and arrows. When one has no enemies, however, such weapons are of no use at all. In this age, the provisional teachings have turned into enemies of the true teaching. When the time is right to propagate the teaching of the one vehicle, the provisional teachings become enemies. When they are a source of confusion, they must be thoroughly refuted from the standpoint of the true teaching. Of the two types of practice, this is shakubuku, the practice of the Lotus Sutra. With good reason T’ient’ai stated, “The Lotus Sutra is the teaching of shakubuku, the refutation of the provisional doctrines.”

The four peaceful practices [in the “Peaceful Practices” chapter] correspond to shoju. To carry them out in this age would be as foolish as sowing seeds in winter and expecting to reap the harvest in spring. It is natural for a rooster to crow at dawn, but strange for him to crow at dusk. Now, when the true and the provisional teachings are utterly confused, it would be equally unnatural for one to seclude oneself in the mountain forests and carry out the peaceful practice of shoju without refuting the enemies of the Lotus Sutra. One would lose the chance to practice the Lotus Sutra.

Now, in the Latter Day of the Law, who is carrying out the practice of shakubuku in strict accordance with the Lotus Sutra? Suppose someone, no matter who, should unrelentingly proclaim that the Lotus Sutra alone can lead people to Buddhahood, and that all other sutras, far from enabling them to attain the way, only drive them into hell. Observe what happens should that person thus try to refute the teachers and the doctrines of all the other schools. The three powerful enemies will arise without fail.

Our teacher, the Thus Come One Shakyamuni, practiced shakubuku during the last eight years of his lifetime, the Great Teacher T’ien-t’ai for more than thirty years, and the Great Teacher

Dengyo for more than twenty. I have been refuting the provisional doctrines for more than twenty years, and the great persecutions I have suffered during this period are beyond number. I do not know whether they are equal to the nine great persecutions suffered by the Buddha, but surely neither T’ient’ai nor Dengyo ever faced persecutions as great as mine for the sake of the Lotus Sutra. They encountered only hatred, envy, and slander, whereas I twice incurred the wrath of the rulers and was exiled to remote provinces. Furthermore, I was nearly beheaded at Tatsunokuchi, wounded on the forehead [at Komatsubara], and slandered time and again. My disciples have also been exiled and thrown into prison, and my lay supporters have been evicted and had their fiefs confiscated. How can the persecutions faced by Nagarjuna, T’ien-t’ai, or Dengyo possibly compare with these? Understand then that the votary who practices the Lotus Sutra exactly as the Buddha teaches will without fail be attacked by the three powerful enemies.

In the more than two thousand years that have passed since the Buddha’s advent, Shakyamuni himself, T’ien-t’ai, and Dengyo were the only three who perfectly carried out the Buddha’s teachings. Now in the Latter Day of the Law, Nichiren and his disciples and lay believers are just such practitioners. If we cannot be called votaries faithful to the Buddha’s teachings, then neither can Shakyamuni, T’ien-t’ai, or Dengyo. Could Devadatta, Kokalika, Sunakshatra, Kobo, Jikaku, Chisho, Shan-tao, Honen, Ryokan, and others like them be called votaries of the Lotus Sutra? Could Shakyamuni Buddha, T’ien-t’ai, Dengyo, or Nichiren and his disciples and lay believers be the practitioners of the Nembutsu, True Word, Zen, Precepts, or other schools? Could the Lotus Sutra be called an expedient and provisional teaching, and the sutras of the Nembutsu and other schools be the Lotus Sutra? None of this could ever be possible, even if east were to become west and west become east; even if the earth and all its trees and plants were to fly up and become the heavens, and the sun, the moon, and the stars were to tumble down and become the earth." -- ON PRACTICING THE BUDDHA’S TEACHINGS

Self promotion has nothing to do with Buddhism.

"No Fred, I'm completely serious. Mark is such an incorrigible slanderer that it would be far far better for him to die than to continue living. Some might think that he could change. I have no faith in that."

"It would be better for you and anyone you influence were you to simply die soon."

I'd like some citations from the Lotus Sutra Mr. Brett. I'd also like some citations that watching Ikeda Videos and reading his guidance, the World Tribune and the Human Revolution, rather than the Lotus Sutra and writings of Nichiren Daishonin, is the path to Buddhahood.

OOPS.. My bad... He didn't say Shakyamuni Buddha and Nichiren Daishonin. He said Daisaku Ikeda.

Bylaws:

Chant Namu Myoho renge kyo to the Gohonzon until the last moment of life

Soka Gakkai Rules and Regulations

Revised April 1, 2002

Preamble

The Soka Gakkai is a religious organization in accord with the Buddha’s will and mandate, charged with the mission of kosen-rufu, to spread Nichiren Buddhism worldwide. The organization was founded on Nov. 18, 1930, by the first president Tsunesaburo Makiguchi, and second president, Josei Toda.

Presidents Makiguchi and Toda initiated the practice of propagation in the effort to realize kosen-rufu. During World War II, they were imprisoned by the national government, which used State Shinto to enlist spiritual support for its policies, bringing about President Makiguchi’s death in prison.

President Makiguchi, who taught Buddhism as a guide for daily living and a philosophy of value-creation, bequeathed to posterity the spirit of selfless dedication to spreading the Law by offering his life for Buddhism.

During his imprisonment, President Toda awakened to the ultimate truth that the Buddha is life itself, and to his own identity and mission as a Bodhisattva of the Earth. Upholding the principles of human revolution, he revived and renewed the significance of Nichiren Buddhism in the contemporary world. He solidified the foundation for kosen-rufu in Japan by fulfilling his vow to enable 750,000 families to embrace this teaching in his lifetime.

The third president, Daisaku Ikeda, has propagated Nichiren Buddhism not only in Japan but throughout the world, applying the philosophy of Buddhism to the promotion of peace, culture and education. He has opened the way for the worldwide propagation of Buddhism for the first time in history.

The spirit of the oneness of mentor and disciple and the selfless practice of propagating the Law for the attainment of kosen-rufu embodied in the lives of the three founding presidents is the core spirit of the Soka Gakkai. Herein lies our eternal guiding model. The Soka Gakkai, rooted in the spirit of Buddhist compassion, shall be dedicated to realizing world peace and happiness for all humanity.

Chapter I. General Provisions

Article 1. Name: This association shall be called the Soka Gakkai.

Article 2. This association shall regard Nichiren Daishonin as the true Buddha of the Latter Day of the Law. It shall embrace with faith the Dai-Gohonzon of the Three Great Secret Laws bestowed upon the entire world, base itself on the Daishonin’s writings and seek to realize, as its ultimate goal, the worldwide propagation of Nichiren Buddhism, thus fulfilling the Daishonin’s mandate.

Article 3. The three founding presidents—first president Tsunesaburo Makiguchi, second president Josei Toda and third president Daisaku Ikeda—embody the spirit of selfless dedication to spreading the Law for the attainment of kosen-rufu and shall be considered as eternal models of the association.

Article 4. The objectives of this association shall be to propagate Nichiren Buddhism throughout the world, contributing to the realization of world peace and the flourishing of human culture. Based upon such a foundation, this association will spread Nichiren Buddhism’s teachings, conduct ceremonies and functions, and help its members to establish and deepen their faith.

RULES AND REGS

-------------------------------

3. President Akiya’s words from the Nationwide General Prefecture Chief’s Meeting (March 2002), regarding revisions of the Soka Gakkai’s bylaws.

Yesterday, at the council meeting of the Soka Gakkai, a decision was made to revise the Soka Gakkai’s bylaws, and that those revisions will take effect on April 1, 2002. As we enter the 21st century, opening the curtain to the century of peace and the century of life, the Soka Gakkai is now embarking on its second set of “seven bells.” Under the guidance and leadership of SGI President Ikeda, Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism has now spread to 180 countries and territories around the world. The worldwide spread of the Daishonin’s teachings -- global kosen-rufu -- has gotten under way with the Daishonin’s Buddhism developing as a genuine world religion. This fact makes it abundantly clear that at this significant time the Soka Gakkai is the only religious body that has been practicing Buddhism in exact accord with the Daishonin’s teachings and has been carrying out the Buddha’s intention and will. What has enabled this unprecedented global spread of the Daishonin’s Buddhism to develop? It has been none other than the spirit of oneness of mentor and disciple shared among and carried on consistently by the first president, Tsunesaburo Makiguchi, the second president, Josei Toda, and the third President, Daisaku Ikeda, as well as their practice based upon the spirit to spread the Law even at the cost of their lives (shishin guho) toward the realization of kosen-rufu.

At this crucial time, as we usher in a new era, these revisions have been enacted with a vision to perceive the future of kosen-rufu spanning the ten thousand years of the Latter Day of the Law. The intent was to create bylaws that are appropriate to establishing an unshakable foundation for the Soka Gakkai, a foundation that will last into the distant future.

The bylaws as they have existed until this revision were established in April 1979, at a time when we still maintained our relationship with the Nichiren Shoshu priesthood. Since then, partial revisions were enacted from time to time in response to various circumstances. However, sections remained within the bylaws that continued to bind us to Nichiren Shoshu. On this occasion, those sections have been completely amended. The key revisions can be described as follows:

First, the newly amended bylaws make clear that the Soka Gakkai is an independent religion. In other words, it is the Soka Gakkai that has been carrying on the correct lineage of Mahayana Buddhism that began with Shakyamuni, and is directly connected to Nichiren Daishonin in a spirit that accords with the Buddha’s will and intention. A preamble stating to this effect, and summarizing the Soka Gakkai’s position and role, has been added to the bylaws.

Second, the new revisions make clear that the Soka Gakkai must inherit the spirit and practice of its three founding presidents as its eternal guideline. This itself constitutes the Gakkai spirit. The revisions provide a system or structure to be instituted to ensure that the spirit of the three presidents will be preserved and passed on strictly and correctly within the Soka Gakkai.

Third, in order to develop and provide for the social mission of the Soka Gakkai, as well its contributions to the international community, the roles of the future division, education department, international division, as well as that of the Soka Gakkai International have been clearly established in the bylaws.

4. concerning chapter one of the general rules or bylaws

these bylaws were established in order to express the basic teachings and objectives of the Soka Gakkai.

Article I remains unchanged, and states that in the rest of this document the word “this body” shall refer to the Soka Gakkai.

Article II clearly sets forth the Soka Gakkai’s doctrine. In the previous version of the bylaws, this article read: “Based on the doctrines of Nichiren Shoshu, [the Soka Gakkai] shall view Nichiren Daishonin as the true Buddha of the Latter Day of the Law, take as our basis the Dai-Gohonzon of the High Sanctuary of true Buddhism inscribed on the 12th day of the 10th month of the second year of koan (October 12, 1279), which is enshrined at the head temple, Taisekiji, of Nichiren Shoshu.” This has been changed to read, “Article II: This body shall respect Nichiren Daishonin as the true Buddha of the Latter Day of the Law, shall accept and believe in the Dai-Gohonzon of the Three Great Secret Laws, which was bestowed upon all humankind, shall make the Gosho, writings of Nichiren Daishonin, our foundation, and will take as our great vow the realization of kosen-rufu of Jambudvipa, or the spreading the Daishonin’s teachings to all humankind, which was the Daishonin’s will.” The Daishonin is the true Buddha of the Latter Day of the Law, we accept and believe in the Dai-Gohonzon of the three Great secret laws, we make the Gosho our foundation, and aim to accomplish kosen-rufu as our goal---this is the Soka Gakkai’s doctrine. Moreover, it is clear that this represents the doctrinal basis, the most fundamental principles, of Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism.

Article III has been newly established: “Article III: First president Tsunesaburo Makiguchi, second president Josei Toda, and third president Daisaku Ikeda -- the first three presidents -- are people who embodied the spirit to propagate the Law even at the cost of their lives toward the realization of kosen-rufu, and they shall serve as eternal leaders of this body.” Therefore, we shall respect these three presidents as our eternal teachers or mentors in our struggle to achieve kosen-rufu. The foundation of the Soka Gakkai for the next ten thousand years has thus been clearly set forth in the bylaws.

Article IV regards the goal or objective of the Soka Gakkai. The previous bylaws in this regard read, “To protect Nichiren Shoshu from without.” This has been deleted and revised to read, “Basing itself on the Buddhism of Nichiren Daishonin.” What I have just explained above represents the most central or core part of the bylaw revisions.

Speech on the revision of the Soka Gakkai bylaws by study department chief Saito

Article II of the recently revised bylaws addresses the doctrine of the Soka Gakkai. It states that the Soka Gakkai “shall respect Nichiren Daishonin as the true Buddha of the Latter Day of the Law, shall accept and believe in the Dai-Gohonzon of the Three Great Secret Laws, which was bestowed upon all humankind, shall make the Gosho, or writings of Nichiren Daishonin, our foundation, and will take as our great vow the realization of the kosen-rufu of Jambudvipa, or the spreading the Daishonin’s teachings to all humankind, which was his will.”

This article summarizes in four essential points the doctrine of the Soka Gakkai. It expresses the Gakkai’s essential faith that is directly connected to Nichiren Daishonin, which it has maintained since its founding. Regarding the first point, respecting Nichiren Daishonin as the true Buddha of the Latter Day of the Law, in the Gosho Nichiren Daishonin states, “If Nichiren’s compassion is truly great and encompassing, Nam-myoho-renge-kyo will spread for ten thousand years and more, for all eternity, for it has the beneficial power to open the blind eyes of every living being in the country of Japan, and it blocks off the road that leads to the hell of incessant suffering” (The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, p. 736).

Thus, in order to save on a fundamental level the people of the Latter Day of the Law, the age when it is said that “quarrels and disputes prevail, and the pure Law is obscured and lost,” Nichiren Daishonin revealed and propagated Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, the core and essence of the Lotus Sutra and the fundamental principle or law of life itself. The foundation of the faith of the Soka Gakkai is to revere Nichiren Daishonin as the true Buddha of the Latter Day of the Law who embodies the three virtues of parent, teacher and sovereign to all people of this age.

Next, the phrase “accept and believe in the Dai-Gohonzon of the Three Great Secret Laws, which was bestowed upon all humankind” addresses the essential principle of faith in the Dai-Gohonzon, which the Soka Gakkai has consistently maintained. During the Atsuhara persecution, ordinary believers demonstrated their spirit to persevere in their faith even when their lives were threatened. In response to this, Nichiren Daishonin inscribed the Dai-Gohonzon, which was the purpose of his advent in this world, on the twelfth day of the tenth month, 1279.

Replying to the spirit of the people, who had aroused genuine strong faith in seeking peace and happiness, and in order to save from suffering all the people of the ten thousand years of the Latter Day of the Law, the Daishonin manifested as the purpose of his advent the Dai-Gohonzon, in which he embodied his great vow to realize kosen-rufu and establish a Buddha land. Therefore, the faith of the Soka Gakkai lies in arousing a great desire or great vow for kosen-rufu exactly in accord with the Daishonin’s heart; it is the strong faith to advance and practice for the salvation of ordinary people. The Gohonzon, which is one with the very life of the Daishonin, reveals itself only in strong faith that finds expression in a persevering struggle for kosen-rufu, which aims to defeat and destroy devilish functions. This is referred to as the object of devotion of kanjin, the object of devotion for observing the mind. “To accept and believe in the Dai-Gohonzon” indicates none other than the strong faith of the Soka Gakkai.

In the second article, the phrase “bestowed upon all humankind” (jp. Ichienbudai soyo -- lit. bestowed upon Jambudvipa) addresses the Daishonin’s heart to save all people of Jambudvipa -- indicating the entire world -- throughout the ten thousand years of the Latter Day of the Law, which he embodied in the Dai-Gohonzon, and this is the real fundamental principle underlying the Dai-Gohonzon.

Nichiren Daishonin states, “Showing profound compassion for those unable to comprehend the gem of the doctrine of three thousand realms in a single moment of life, the Buddha wrapped it within the five characters [of Myoho-renge-kyo], with which he then adorned the necks of the ignorant people of the latter age” (WND, p. 376).

Based on the bunshin santai, or emanations of the Buddha’s body, to embrace Gohonzon that are transcriptions of the Dai-Gohonzon of the second year of koan

(1279) with correct faith is to embrace the Dai-Gohonzon. Bunshin santai, or “emanations of the Buddha’s body” is a principle based on the Lotus Sutra and the Sutra of Immeasurable Meanings. It refers to how the Buddha, in order to save living beings, dispersed emanations of his body among various lands and taught, through those emanations, the same teaching in those lands. The people in those lands where the Buddha’s emanations appeared were all able, through the power of their faith, to receive precisely the same benefit. [Since the Gohonzon is a manifestation of the Daishonin’s Buddhahood] when we pray with faith to the Gohonzon enshrined in each of our homes, this itself is embracing the Dai-Gohonzon. Nichiren Shoshu’s contention that one must visit some specific place in order to attain Buddhahood is found nowhere in the Daishonin’s teachings and does not accord with his intent. In the Gosho it says that “the place where one upholds the Lotus Sutra is itself the place of practice; it is not to be found by leaving this place and going elsewhere” (Gosho Zenshu, p. 781). And, “Therefore, wherever we dwell and practice the single vehicle, that place will be the Capital of Eternally Tranquil Light. [And, without having to take a step, those who are our disciples and lay supporters can view Eagle Peak in India and day and night will go to and from the Land of Eternally Tranquil Light that has existed for all time. What a truly inexpressible joy it is!]” (WND, p. 313).

Next, regarding the Three Great Secret Laws, Nichiren Daishonin, in order to save the people of the Latter Day of the Law, embodied the eternal law of beginningless time (kuon-ganjo), the Mystic Law of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo that he himself practiced, in the form that corresponds to the three kinds of Buddhist learning---precepts, meditation, and wisdom. These he called the Three Great Secret Laws: the object of devotion of the essential teaching (meditation), the high sanctuary (Jpn kaidan---lit. precepts platform) of the essential teaching (precepts), and the daimoku, or invocation, of the essential teaching (wisdom). Through his exposition of the Three Great Secret Laws, the people of the Latter Day of the Law became able to believe in and practice the Mystic Law. The ultimate expression of the Three Great Secret Laws is the Gohonzon, the correct, powerful teaching of the Latter Day of the Law that is open to all people.

The Daishonin inscribed the Gohonzon in order to save all people from suffering. When the people believe in or embrace the Gohonzon with faith, taking it as the correct teaching of the Latter Day of the Law revealed by the Daishonin, they can well forth the world of Buddhahood within their lives -- a life condition exactly equal to that of the Daishonin. The Gosho states, “Believe in this Gohonzon, the supreme object of devotion in all of Jambudvipa. Be sure to strengthen your faith, and receive the protection of Shakyamuni, Many Treasures, and the Buddhas of the ten directions” (WND, p. 386). “I, Nichiren, have inscribed my life in sumi in, so believe in the Gohonzon with your whole heart. The Buddha’s will is the Lotus Sutra, but the soul of Nichiren is nothing other than Nam-myoho-renge-kyo” (WND, p. 412). As these passages suggest, faith based upon the Gohonzon is the way of faith revealed and taught by the Daishonin himself. The Soka Gakkai has persevered since its founding in carrying out faith based upon the Gohonzon exactly as the Daishonin taught.

The third point I want to make is regarding making the Gosho, Nichiren Daishonin’s writings, our foundation.

This provision clearly records that it is the Gakkai’s tradition to base ourselves on the Gosho. The Daishonin’s writings are an expression of the true Buddha’s teachings covering both the aspect of doctrine or principles, and the aspect of practice. The Soka Gakkai will persevere with the Gosho -- the work that we may accurately call the “great scripture of the Latter Day of the Law” -- as its eternal standard.

The fourth point regards the great vow or desire for the wide propagation, or kosen-rufu, of the Daishonin’s teachings throughout the entire world. This was the Daishonin’s will and intent. This article clearly specifies that the great desire to accomplish kosen-rufu is the essence of the Gakkai spirit. The Daishonin taught that the heritage of the ultimate law of life and death, or the lifeblood of faith in his teachings, exists only in the network of believers who possess this great desire for kosen-rufu and persevere toward achieving it in the united spirit of many in body, one in mind.

He also taught that the path to Buddhahood exists only in a Buddhist practice aimed at widely spreading the teachings, a practice directed at kosen-rufu. This is the practice of transmitting the Mystic Law gradually from one person to two, from three people to ten, and so on to millions or billions of people. This great vow to achieve kosen-rufu accords with the essential spirit of the legitimate or orthodox body of believers that is dedicated to transmitting the teachings of Buddhism to the world.

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JUNE 7, 2002 • WORLD TRIBUNE PAGE 3

Navigation Points for Our Eternal Journey

BY GREG MARTIN

SGI-USA Vice General Director

‘In many ways, our understanding of Nichiren Buddhism and the SGI’s mission has grown significantly in the last decade. Reading the revised Soka Gakkai bylaws, I was pleased by their clear statement of the foundational principles upon which our faith, practice and organization are based.

On April 1, the Soka Gakkai revised its bylaws for the first time since 1979 to better reflect our ongoing development as a global religion and our separation from the Nichiren Shoshu priesthood. The preamble and first articles (see below) make explicit our heritage, core beliefs, basic spirit and primary goal.

I find the changes both refreshing and comforting. In many ways, our understanding of Nichiren Buddhism and the SGI’s mission has grown significantly in the last decade. Reading this document, I was pleased by its clear statement of the foundational principles upon which our faith, practice and organization are based — not so much new as newly understood.

The revisions confirm the religious identity of the Soka Gakkai as the body of believers with a direct connection to Nichiren Daishonin, dedicated to accomplishing his will and mandate to carry on the heritage of true Mahayana Buddhism, which extends back to Shakyamuni Buddha’s Lotus Sutra. Quite simply, we firmly believe that we are the only body existing today that can be considered true votaries of the Lotus Sutra in the Latter Day of the Law, true Mahayana Buddhists and true disciples of the Daishonin.

The revisions confirm that the essence of faith and practice in the Soka Gakkai is “faith directly connected to the Daishonin.” There are several components of this “directly connected” faith. We believe in the Daishonin as the true Buddha of the Latter Day of the Law who embodies the three virtues of parent, teacher and sovereign. We base ourselves on the writings of the Daishonin, believing them to be the great scripture of the Latter Day, and base our practice on their teachings as the eternal standard of the Soka Gakkai.

We embrace with faith the Dai-Gohonzon of the Three Great Secret Laws bestowed upon the entire world. The Daishonin inscribed the Dai-Gohonzon in response to the Atsuhara farmers’ unrelenting faith in the face of governmental persecution, embodying his great vow for kosen-rufu. The faith of the Soka Gakkai lies in arousing a great desire or great vow for kosen-rufu in accord with the Daishonin’s spirit.

The true meaning of the Gohonzon’s inscription becomes manifest only in one’s strong faith to wage a tenacious struggle for the people’s happiness and defeating devilish functions seeking to obstruct that path. Practicing with this spirit is to “embrace with faith.”

The Dai-Gohonzon was bestowed upon the entire world and embodies the Daishonin’s compassionate spirit to lead all people to happiness. Based on the concept of emanations of the Buddha’s body [the principle of the Buddha projecting emanations of his or her body to various lands and teaching the Law leading the people there to enlightenment], to “embrace with faith” the Gohonzon that is a transcription of the Dai-Gohonzon is to embrace the Dai-Gohonzon itself.

We strive to realize as our ultimate goal the worldwide propagation of Nichiren Buddhism, thus fulfilling his mandate for creating a peaceful world. This is the great vow for kosen-rufu that is the heart of the Soka Gakkai spirit. We are convinced that the heritage of the ultimate Law flows only within the body of believers whose members possess this great wish for kosen-rufu and are united by the faith of many in body, one in mind. This great wish for kosen-rufu is the heart and soul of the correct body of practitioners dedicated to correctly transmitting Buddhism.

We cherish the three successive presidents who, because of their undeniable actual proof in upholding and spreading the Mystic Law, shall be considered as perpetual examples of practicing Nichiren Buddhism with the spirit of selfless dedication. They will always be — within the history of the Soka Gakkai that they founded, built and developed — models and teachers of faith and practice.

That is the gist of it. On the surface perhaps, not so exciting or new. But at the same time, I think, timely and significant in laying out the foundational principles upon which faith and practice within the SGI are based. As we continue on the centuries-long voyage to kosen-rufu, it is important, I believe, to confirm the primary spirit and goal of our movement to guide us during our journey.

--------------------------------

Probably, like David Miscavige's crew, these brainwashed Ikedabots make minimum wage, maybe even clean toilets with toothbrushes if they are bad.

.....Human revolution Volume, volume 10, President Ikeda asks if daimoku is enough. His conclusion is no. Daimoku is the basis of everything, but by itself it's not enough...

...There is no voice that says, “Watch out! You‟re about to look outside of yourself”! It creeps up on you from behind. Before you know it, your daimoku is losing its power. The joy is not there anymore. You may begin to think, “Maybe I never did get benefit before. Maybe this practice never did work for me.” Doubts begin to appear. This is how our faith gets bent. This is why we need guidance. Our organisation is an organisation for guiding people in correct faith so they can straighten out their prayer, get rid of all the non-Buddhist stuff and focus their prayer on daimoku for their human revolution. Immediately after that kind of guidance, people get benefit.... "

Look to someone outside of ourselves to find the answer within ourselves. What self-serving nonsense. Nichiren Daishonin teaches we should chant to find the mind of the ancient Buddha within. The Kempon Hokke teaches that the mind of the Buddha is the Lotus Sutra Gohonzon. The topsy turvy Soka Gakkai is the teaching for following persons rather than the Law and the Buddha that exists within.

"Finally, we do not take an exclusivist position - that Nichiren Buddhism is the only vehicle capable of carrying its adherents to the pinnacles of truth and the shores of happiness."

She was censored because she is so radical and hateful towards the priests and SGI's critics. Scroll down and attempt to access her essays. The only ones you will now find are her fluff pieces. How sad. Kathy was a great resource for the Nichiren Shu and the Kempon Hokke.

Nichiren taught that Shakyamuni's Lotus Sutra is the only teaching
to be spread in the Latter Day.

"It is necessary to realize that we no longer have a connection
to Shakyamuni's Buddhism." (page 65, The Bible of Shakubuku)

Nichiren taught that we are the direct disciples of the Original
Eternal Buddha Shakyamuni.

"You should know that Nichiren Daishonin is the only true Buddha
because Shakamuni's Buddhism is useless." (page 67, The Bible of
Shakubuku)

Nichiren taught that Shakyamuni Buddha is the Original Eternal Buddha
and we can not even discard the Theoretical Section of the Lotus Sutra,
let alone the Essential Section.

"Buddha Shakamuni is inferior to the true Buddha Nichiren." (page
316, The Bible of Shakubuku)

Nichiren taught that all Buddhas throughout the past, present,
and future, are emanations of Shakyamuni Buddha. He also taught
that those who abandon Shakyamuni will fall into the Avici hell.

"The Lotus Sutra which is the long-cherished wish of Buddha
Shakamuni is no longer valid in this era, not in the least." (page93,
The Bible of Shakubuku)

Nichiren says the Lotus Sutra is the ultimate teaching of the past,
present, and future

"If you don't worship the Gohonzon of NST (SGI), you will know no
well-being in the age of Mappo." (page70, The Bible of Shakubuku)

Yet, the deluded SGI members criticize us for pointing out that the
Nichikan Gohonzon breeds evil men.

'If you worship the Honzon of a wicked religion, you will naturally
experience misfortune (page280, The Bible of Shakubuku).

The misfortune of the SGI senior leaders and their family members,
is actual proof that they worship a Honzon of a wicked religion and
the tremendous good fortune of the believers in the Kempon Hokke
is proof of the righteousness of our Honzon and the goodness of our
religion.

"All other sects except NST (SGI) are wicked religions and are a
negative influence on society. (page280, The Bible of Shakubuku)

The reality is that wherever the SGI has spread, the people have
suffered every manner of misfortune and even their own members
obtain neither merit nor virtue.

"The teachings of Buddha Shakamuni is as useless as last year's
calendar. If you are guided by his teachings, your life will surely
fail as a logical result." (page303,The Bible of Shakubuku)

Then why so many unrealized dreams among the Soka Gakkai
members and why such wonderful benefits in the life of the Kempon
Hokke believers who embrace the Lotus Sutra and Shakyamuni Buddha?

"Every person who doesn't worship the Gohonzon of Fuji-Taiseki temple
(SGI) are bad people who slander the true dharma.' (page314, The Bible
of Shakubuku)

Then the SGI members are bad because, according to their own criteria,
they slander the "true dharma" of Fuji-Taisekaji temple. The reality is
that they are bad people, especially their high salaried leaders, for
other real and serious transgressions: For abandoning the Lotus Sutra
and Lord Shakyamuni Buddha and exploiting the Dharma for personal
gain, for example.

"The family which believes in the so-called Nichiren-shu will have
children who have deformities, mental retardation or madness."
(page321, The Bible of Shakubuku)

Then why do so many children of SGI top senior leaders never make
it past their twenty first birthday while the Nichiren Shu priest's and
believer's children not only survive but thrive? The reason is that the
SGI's curses have returned to the originators. For slandering the true
votaries of the Lotus Sutra they or their family members suffer every
manner of disease and death before they grow old.

"All other sects except NST (SGI) are false heresies who exert a
bad influence on society." (page323, The Bible of Shakubuku)

Then why does France label the SGI a dangerous cult and has
Daisaku Ikeda never once received an award or honor from his
own people, the Japanese? Why did the Komeito suffer such a
brutal beating in the last election? Because they were good for
society?

That man is 6'5" and weighs 290 lbs.