Robin Beck

2 playlists / Different Paths / Doubts & Fears / Altared States

Two people can be on the same road; going opposite directions. They might also be on different roads, going the same direction. Not all roads are the same though. Not all Buddhist practices do the same thing. Some might be dead ends; but a dead end road might go some place nice. I think the threefold praxis taught by Nichiren is a practice that leads one to Awakening; the ultimate destination sought by all Buddhists. It is a path that requires little ot no prerequisite skills. Chanting Namu Myoho Renge Kyo elicits kanjin, insight onto one's 'citta," which I presently translate as spirituality. So, another way of saying kanjin is "spiritual introspection."

There are other ways to do spiritual introspection. However, not all Buddhist paths are even intended as insight practices. Some of them are intended to cultivate skills and merits; like concentration or the generation of authentic compassion. The Buddha taught that the 4 frameworks of mindfulness lead to awakening, to spiritual purification. I trust his word on that. I do not think that practice expired, like outdated milk or something. I do think that the Threefold Praxis taught by Nichiren Shonin does also; and is more accessible to a lot more people. That is my view right now; and it works for me; but I refuse to be attached to fixed views.

Whatever method one uses, cynical doubts and fears are one of the hindrances one must overcome. Nichiren wrote that beginners only need one prerequisite, to have trust or faith in the Lotus Sutra. I think he meant to get past debilitating cynical doubt and fears. As we progress, the other obstacles we encounter are what we need to overcome, to develop into spiritually mature beings.

Nichiren Shonin also cautioned about slighting others who practice, even though they really do have faults. I have had doubts because of the behavior of some Nichiren Buddhists. That required me to develop patience or forbearance. It is not about who is right; it is about what is right. Wisdom is important too. Patience does not mean to endure abuse. Even Bodhisattva Never Disparage stepped back out of the line of fire. Also, at one point, the Buddha decided to walk with the elephants.

Nichiren Buddhism has the reputation of being more combative and intolerant than other Buddhist Schools. I think it comes from a shallow understanding of Nichiren; an image promoted, in a large part, by the recent relatively aggressive tactics of some Nichiren Schools. Most other modern schools, that are known in the west, have better public relations. I also think Nichiren Buddhism has a reached a broader cross section of western society. I think those who gravitate to Tibetan, Zen, and Vipassana might already be the kind of people who are into tolerance.

On the other hand, in Soka Gakkai, we do see an incredible diversity. That is actually what attracted me to Soka Gakkai. As an aside to that, when I joined, my friends told me that I was not the type who would be into Buddhism. I was sort of half Jock / cowboy / redneck and half new age hippy; but the former part was a lot more on the surface.

At any rate, I suspect it is up to us to change the public image of Nichiren Buddhism. Nichiren wrote Matsuno dono gohenji; which includes this line, "Take these teachings to heart, and always remember that believers in the Lotus Sutra should absolutely be the last to abuse each other. All those who keep faith in the Lotus Sutra are most certainly Buddhas, and one who personally attacks a Buddha commits a grave offense."

So the main thing is to do spiritual introspection in order to face and resolve whatever it is that causes doubt. It is nice to have someone one trusts, to talk with, to get more specific spiritual guidance. I have no teacher like that, so I take it to the Gohonzon. Nichiren Shonin wrote that he designed Gohonzon(s), based on the Lotus Sutra, to make the practice of kanjin easier. Kanjin Honzon = revered object [to facilitate] kanjin.

We call our Nichiren Altar a form of the precept platform. So, in a sense we go there to talk to the Buddha and receive discipline. Somehow the chanting and mandala contemplation makes me see my spiritual reflection. Things I did and said that I need to reflect upon come to mind. It works that way when all goes well. I shall continue to disagree with some on doctrinal issues. However, I think can do so in a cheerful manner, without committing slanders 11-14, and respecting the rights of others to hold views different from mine.

updated / redated from 2008-06-21 00:05:10

2007-11-26 00:21:14 Posted by rbeck at July 27, 2008 12:03 AM