I recently obtained a really cool book….
I wish I could read it….
Don’t try and buy a copy of it, only Ninjas can order from this website. They may sell you one if you mention Rev. Greg Dilley sent you. Maybe...
The book is incredibly cool, well, at least the pictures are. There are pictures of all sorts of historical sites related to Nichiren and the history of his Buddhism. Yes, there are some pages devoted to the Soka Gakkai, at least there is a picture of Toda Sensei and Makaguchi Sensei.
SGI isn’t much interested in historical sites related to Nichiren. I personally don’t think this is bad nor good, it’s just the today onward philosophy that is taught in the Soka Gakkai, and that is good. When we were partnered with Nichiren Shoshu any sites connected with other temples and other sects were considered heretical and evil. I understood it then, I was there.
We’re free now, at least we should be free. I understand that now, I am here.
Inside the first page of the book is what appears to be a very old diagram of Nichiren juzu with an explanation of every single bead. Most Nichiren Buddhists I know don't know there are subtle differences between the juzu of Nichiren and other sects, even between different Nichiren sects. Is that cool or what?
Sure wish I could read Japanese though….
Rev. Greg, the illiterate Ninja
I rub my beads and it helps from time to time. There are members I know who do rub them incessantly while chanting. But they're often just not very mindful of others around them. I'll ask them nicely if necessary, or move a bit away so that my chanting doesn't get distracted.
I especially have these torquoise and brown stone beads that I bought and was strung by a friend. They make these nice, crisp satisfying sounds. Of course anyone with a bad hangover sitting near me is bound to get irritated.
best,
Dan
Posted by: Dan at March 17, 2005 06:59 PMHi Greg
No, I wasn't an original member of Ichinet. I happened along it about late 1994. Had to drop off as I got busy a bit with life or went into AOL for a bit.
Was hilariously amused when I googled and found my occasional sarcastic or meant-to-be-humorous ravings appear in a.r.b.n. (courtesy of Craig Bratcher from postings I did in Soka Gakkai International Yahoo Group or AOL buddhist discussions). So endearing. If cross-posting without permission was illegal, I'd be rich by now.
best,
Dan
Posted by: Dan at March 16, 2005 08:10 PMDan - good to see you emerge once again. Yeah, it has been along time. Ichinet dates back the early 90's, maybe even 1991? Were you an original member?
I was ordained a non-denominational minister in 1997. My "ministry" is primarily in my school, my dojo, but I perform marriages and other ceremonies from time to time.
Our's has been a curious journey since 1990, hasn't it?
Rev. Greg, Shidoshi
Posted by: Rev. Greg at March 16, 2005 06:54 PMHi Greg
when the heck did you start calling yourself Rev. Greg? Never mind, I'm sure you have it somewhere when I get around to reading rest of your blogs. Boy it's been awhile since, when, 1997 Ichinet?
When you find or get the right pedantic to get the translation on 'each' bead (fergodsakes) from this new evil book exclusively for ninja-wannabes, let me know willya? ;-D
best,
Dan Defensor
Gurnee, IL
Stopping the rubbing of juzu beads was easy for me as I never really liked the frantic way people in SGI used to do it. It is very disturbing for those sitting near-by and their concentration leaves the Gohonzon and moves to the sound of the beads...very annoying...so it was a relief to hear that the rubbing is a 'no-no' in Nichiren Shoshu!
Greg to post all lectures and other info on juzu would take a lot of space so if you wish to read one lecture...there is one on my website. www.hokkekofinland.net
During the Ushitora Gongyo the High Priest uses the old method of counting the Daimoku by moving along one side, skipping the Boddhisattva beads and back on the same side i.e. not going over the large Buddha-mother-father beads. The strand with the ten strands is for moving one after each round of 108 so after moving ten you know you have done 1080 and so on.
As you know the beads carry great significances and thus are treated with great respect in our sect. In fact nothing is for no reason but there is deep significance in all acts in front of the Gohonzon...how we use the beads to how we use our bodies. The gesshu position too in Nichiren Shoshu is much more than just being in position of "prayer". The hands are resting on our hearts which is the key to life in the sense that we would not be alive if our hearts stop beating. The word for heart which is often used in japanese is kokoro which signifies not only heart but also mind...the two are one. When we press our palms together in gesshu on our hearts pointing our fingers toward the myo character it is a significant, meaningful act in itself. We are offering our whole being to the Buddha. The ten fingers pressed together have their own meaning as do the various points about the juzu we are holding. Together with the other acts of offerings such as incense, light etc and our Gongyo and Daimoku..the practise becomes perfect...If we are doing something else while chanting all these significances are lost.
Just my opinion of course.
Jussi.
Rev. Greg -
I hope you find someone to help you translate your book. I know my wife found so much the last time she went to Japan that we never before knew were there; things like Manaita reef off Izu peninsula where Nichiren was abandoned by soldiers during his first exile, and the cave where the fishermen who rescued him hid and fed him. Things like the temple dedicated to the woman who brought Nichiren mochi cakes while he was being led to Tatsunokuchi Beach, and the shrine where he originally wrote the Rissho Ankoku Ron.
My old comrades always want to know where I got my really cool juzu with the really cool colored tassels, until they find out they come from Nichiren Shu. It is suprisingly easy to break the habit of rubbing one's beads, though. Just hold them differently, and bingo! No more rubbing.
Namaste, Engyo Mike Barrett
Posted by: Engyo Mike Barrett at March 15, 2005 09:33 PMOur "history" of juzu, I'm afraid to report, consists mainly of "pop-Buddhism" explanations such as "(laying it out on the floor) see? It's a little person! here's the arms and legs and head! so when you hold your beads in your hands your really holding your life!"
'Course, that would actually be holding your "body" but you get the idea. It's little-known that one strand of our beads is a "counting" strand. Shingon Shu uses the same beads as we accept they have no counting strand.
I have "freediving juzu" I use when I train underwater. I pull down one bead from my wrist for every 50 meter or 75 meter lap. After a couple of laps things start to get hazy so I can never remember my laps after around 3.
Care to share some of your juzu history Jussi?
B^)
Rev. Greg
Posted by: Rev. Greg at March 15, 2005 12:05 AMFor your information Greg...
Nichiren Shoshu believers in Japan do visit Nichiren Shu run historical sites.
They do not worship there for obvious reasons but they do still view them as places of importance and visit.
I have myself visited most of the sites in Kamakura.
Our Priests have visited Minobu through the years.
You can view a film of trainee Priests visit to Minobu on one of Nichiren Shoshu Japanese websites.
There is no "fear" of those places but as they are different sects there is no point in worshipping in them.
Best, Jussi.
PS. We are also taught a lot of detailed info on juzu and its history. I can not say what they teach in SGI but Nichiren Shoshu is quite different...I am surprised if this is the first time you have seen an explanation of juzu???