Robin Beck

Sorting it Out: SGI, Nichikan & Nichiren Shoshu

Guest Entry: by elessarjrr [John] of IRG
IRGdaimoku · SGI-USA Independent Reassessment Group (IRG)

I thought I'd mention that I have always thought of him [John] in a John Adams/Benjamin Franklin role for the IRG. " -- Andy "Thomas Jefferson/ Paine" Hanlen

The Taisekiji interpretation of Nichiren's teachings make that school somewhat akin to a fundamentalist Christian version of Nichiren Buddhism. Whether one is a Christian, Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim, Jew or some version of any other mainstream religion with a long standing tradition, fanaticism is generally an indication of a perversion of the founder's basic teachings. It is virtually impossible to argue the truth of one particular religion versus another, but the fringe groups within a particular religion usually got to that point by being overly intolerant and particularly arrogant about their version of the truth.

This often happens as a result of someone's desire to exaggerate some special teaching which only they include in their doctrine. It is generally a power grab of some kind, or an attempt to increase their importance within the larger group they are part of. Nichiren Shoshu is certainly a perfect example of that. The machinations of Nichiu and Nichikan are textbook examples of religious leaders trying to advance the importance of their fringe group by making their teaching appear special and "more orthodox" than others, while in fact only serving to further separate their small group from the mainstream.

For Nichiren Buddhists this is particularly sad, as the Nichiren Shoshu doctrine is the only version of Nichiren Buddhism most Americans have been exposed to. Whether propagated by SGI or Nichiren Shoshu, that doctrine makes Nichiren and his Buddhism appear to be incredibly intolerant and exclusivistic. While Nichiren himself was certainly an ardent reformer, his primary goal was to reassert the primacy of The Lotus Sutra among Buddhist teachings and establish a practice which would make it possible for anyone to devote himself to those teachings. He pointed out more than once that he considered himself a Tendai priest, and not the founder of a new religion.

What is sad is that the Soka Gakkai hitched their wagon to that specific doctrine. By making such a big deal of the split they have basically accomplished nothing other than "out Nichiren Shoshuing" Nichiren Shoshu. It is very sad, since they had an opportunity to dump the incorrect doctrine much the same way Bush had an opportunity to bring the world together after 9/11. Instead, he chose a set of actions which did nothing but further alienate the US from the rest of the world.

The SGI has done the same within the larger world of Nichiren Buddhism. Early on we jumped all over Nikken regarding a memo he wrote regarding the Dai Gohonzon when he was Nichiren Shoshu's study department chief. Even though we knew that memo to be correct (and are now openly stating, though "unofficially," the contradictions in the doctrine supporting a concept like an Ita Mandara), we had a knee jerk reaction and used it to strike out at Nikken. Now we are reversing our position and once again look as foolish as we have at several other steps along the way. This will keep occurring as we are forced to continue to contradict ourselves as we distance The SGI from Nichiren Shoshu's aberrant doctrine.

For those of us who still practice Nichiren's Buddhism, and especially for those of us still tied in some way to the SGI, the kind of research Robin is doing is very important. As he says, we have the opportunity to sort out the correct teachings for ourselves, which is vastly superior to having the incorrect ones shoved down our throats.

Thanks,

John Nicks

IRGdaimoku · SGI-USA Independent Reassessment Group (IRG)

Group Information

* Members: 219
* Category: Buddhism
* Founded: Aug 29, 1999
* Language: English

Our Mission Statement:

We, as members of the SGI-USA, have formed this Independent Reassessment Group because we believe that there is a need for reformation of aspects of our American organization which will enable it to better support the practice and study of Nichiren Daishonin's teachings and promote the spread of this philosophy in the United States. We will offer positive steps toward the goal of assisting the SGI-USA in returning to its primary mission: becoming an organization which is responsive to, and attractive to, an American membership. We hope to foster reasonable discussion and debate about these issues, which will be made accessible to all members, both those active in our organization and those who are not currently involved, and we will make every effort to promote their implementation. We want our organization to become a dynamic force for expansion of the kosen-rufu movement in America by developing a program for steady and sustainable growth.

Posted by rbeck at May 21, 2006 08:36 PM