Robin Beck

Top 10 reasons SGI clings to Nichiren as True Buddha

On Controversial Taisekiji Doctrine
Origins of Nichiren as True Buddha

What evidence is there to support the Nichiren & Honmon Shoshu position; that Nichiren is the True or Original Buddha? There is none. But there are objections within SGI to changing the official stance. So what are the objections to viewing Shakyamuni of the Juryo Chapter as the True Buddha, and Nichiren as Jogyo; his messenger for Mappo?

Top 10 reasons why SGI clings to Nichiren as True Buddha:

#10. It would be an admission Nichiren Shu Minobu Sect is right on this.

#9. Many people associate the historical Buddha with Hotei (the fat guy). Plus, we want to distance ourselves from burning monks, ascetic practices, and patriarchal Buddhism. Not to mention Tantra. Easier to just dismiss all that mess as provisional.

#8. It is egalitarian, and egalitarian is trendy. Gautama was a Prince, Nichiren was a Fisherman's son.

#7. Look, it is hard enough to rewrite the history of the Temple Issue already.

#6. Having a Japanese Buddha makes the Japanese happy.

#5. Shakyamuni did not even really write the Lotus Sutra either. So there!

#4. It took me ten years to be convinced, now you tell me I was right all along????

#3. It would mean I got sold on a defenseless concept, that lacks any rational basis, and that is clearly quite impossible.

#2. It would mean Bruce Maltz was right.

Aaaaaand, the # 1 reason why SGI clings to Nichiren as True Buddha:

Next thing you know, you will be telling me it is really Na Mu Myo Ho Ren Ge Kyo?

Posted by rbeck at August 25, 2005 03:53 AM