This, in reply to my previous submission, Pilgrimage
This might or might not be the place and time to ask this question, but Greg's post about the fellow in the shop being a little unkind sort of reminded me of this...
In my (very limited) experience with both Japanese people and foreign ex-pats living in Japan, there seems to be an almost universal opinion that the "people who stand around chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo" are kind of freaks apparently obsessed with magic and getting rich by chanting this mantra.
Now I don't mean to imply that this is my opinion. None of these people (in my recollection) ever even used the word "Nichiren" (or for that matter "Buddhist") in reference to these people they were deriding. Only one day when Greg was talking about Nichiren Buddhism did I make the connection between these people and Greg and Nichiren Buddhism.
One particularly noteworthy point here is that none of these times when this rather unfriendly opinion came up were in the context of discussions of Buddhism, religion, or anything of the sort... more often in the context of talking about (to put it generously) "odd people".
Since it seems like everyong who reads this is a Nichiren Buddhist, can anyone explain all of this to me? Does Nichiren really have such a bad rap in Japan? Is it just the people I happen to know? Is there some other group of people that they are talking about, and maybe I am incorrectly associating "those" folks with Nichiren Buddhism?
All of this is just for my own clarification, but it all kind of came back into my mind in a flash when the shop keeper was not too nice to Greg.
So the simple question and answer remain; are we Nichiren Buddhists the same Nam myoho renge kyo chanting hippies and weirdoes you are referring to from your previous experiences?
Sure. Well, sort of.
The general story goes something like this, if you will pardon my general story telling sans real investigation or validation of time frames. My own experience as a Nichiren Buddhist in Japan is too insignificant to draw on, so I'll answer as an American member.
As memory serves, Nichiren Buddhist aka Nam myoho renge kyo made it’s way to US shores some time following WWII by way of the Japanese war brides, whom we refer to as the “pioneer members”. Nichiren Buddhism did not truly witness any significant propagation until later during the Vietnam war era, or more accurately the Hippie era.
There weren’t very many members then and the Pioneer members did their best to spread it as widely as possible. Some stories tell of handing Gohonzons out of car windows to anyone who would accept them. The Gohonzon is the mandala originally inscribed by Nichiren in the 1200’s and serves as the central object of practice, in place of the statue of the Buddha in it’s myriad forms.
NSA, or Nichiren Shoshu of America was created at some time during the 60’s, I believe, and experienced it’s first significant growth during the 70’s. Most of the American members at the time were attracted not to Buddhism as we know it today, rather simply the chanting of Nam myoho renge kyo as a magical mantra to “get what they wanted”. The guy who introduced me, a musician who was himself introduced by Herbie Hancock, told of originally chanting for more and better pot, which he received. In fact he said he had never gotten so much great weed in his life.
Needless to say as he continued to chant his life eventually transformed and was directed in a more fulfilling direction, at least for awhile.
NSA, or SGI as we are now called has suffered from an image of materialistic benefit-chanting weirdoes for some time. Most of this criticism is leveled against us by ex-Gakkai members who quit for reasons usually having to do with being disappointed with the organization in some manner or another. Many of them in the last decade or two have gone off to start rather fundamentalist splinter groups who claim to be more correctly interpreting Nichiren’s Buddhism.
I feel confident stating that those early folk who chanted merely for money either quit, or were able to continue to experience tremendous and significant growth and redirection in their lives. That is the law of this Buddhism, evolve or perish - as it were. No one chants Nam myoho renge kyo and sees nothing happen. Often, very often, tremendous resistance from our lives is unleashed and the weak or faint of heart often runs away screaming. This phenomenon is expressed in the Buddhist principle of Sansho Shima, or the three obstacles and four devils.
Quite a significant number of long-time practicing members make up the leadership ranks of SGI now. These individuals, many whom I know and trust, have gained tremendous knowledge of and experience with the true Buddhism of Nichiren Daishonin.
The real question remains - is merely chanting Nam myoho renge kyo to the Gohonzon truly Buddhism or not? Does one need to study the writings of Nichiren (of which there are many) or study Buddhism in an academic or intellectual fashion to be considered to be practicing true Buddhism?
In my opinion and experience true Buddhism as it is taught in the teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha and later Nichiren largely mentions faith, not intellectual understanding. No doubt however there are those elitists who will advocate that one must understand and master the Buddhist canon along with diligent and serious practice in order to call oneself a real Buddhist.
In the final analysis I choose to refer to the faithful followers of Nichiren himself, written of in his own hand in his personal letters to them, who were the common and probably rather unenlightened folk of their time. They are the genuine models for being a real Buddhist.
I’ve met ex-hippies who chanted Nam myoho renge kyo “for stuff” way back when. I’ve listened to crazy stories of pot smoking after discussion meetings, and group leaders who had combined Nichiren Buddhism with Amway and other multi-level marketing schemes. Even in the last decade I’ve had members of my district in San Jose who had seriously mixed Nichiren with their 12 step program philosophy.
Is it wrong? Depends on your perspective I suppose.
To the Western religious mind having a tangible practice associated with a religion is something unique, perhaps. I believe there are those Catholics who pray the Rosary in a similar fashion. I have been constantly challenged to understand how the Virgin Mary often replaces Christ in the practical application of Catholicism.
In the end people chant, people get benefits. Simple and greedy benefits usually lead to more altruistic and constructive ones. Practically speaking it is hard to really continue embracing our Buddhism without having at least a basic understanding of where it originated and upon what it is based. Certainly Buddhism revolves around compassion and it is certainly compassion for others that is taught in the SGI and Nichiren Buddhism in general.
But it’s all good I believe. I mean, one shouldn’t need a Phd. In Quantum Physics to understanding and find fulfillment from religious faith, should they?
But thanks for asking. Nothing is off limits on Fraughtwithperil, besides spam of course.
Rev. Greg
Actually I get along quite well with other people...
Posted by: PeterUlrikRoeder at December 16, 2005 03:31 PMJust when you think you know it all, pow...
No, never heard this one - ever. I seriously doubt Nichiren owned or carried a sword, but perhaps could have done as stated in the description - hung his juzu around that one in some sort of statement...
Forward this to Robin! He'll want to look it up...
Rev. Greg
Posted by: Rev. Greg at December 14, 2005 04:17 AMHey greg, do you know anything about Nichiren's sword?http://www.reninet.com/shoshin/sanyo3a.htm
Posted by: David Leisure at December 14, 2005 03:44 AMI'd like to chim in on what Mike Barrett had to ssy - our myth of the Daimoku dpreading overseas is that somehow it "started"in 1960 when Daisaku Ikeda came to the US and had his photo taken along with some other pioneers in front of Coit Tower in San Francisco. In reality, the Daimoku had been here on the US mainland for almost half century before. We in the Gakkai also completely ignore (this is a pet peeve of mine) the noble effort of Nichiji, one of the first six disciples, who left Japan to go on an overseas mission to China and was never heard from again. I really grind my teeth every time I hear the Gakkai study deparment denounce the "misguided" and "cowardly" six senior disciples.
Best, Byrd in LA
Posted by: Byrd in LA at December 13, 2005 11:39 PMIt's really strange... But I never read Peter's posts as hostile or negative at all. I never quite understand the responses to what he writes. Maybe I'm missing the boat.. Maybe not.
Posted by: Queen Lolo at December 13, 2005 08:16 AMNice addition to the thread Engyo Barrett, thank you. In regards to the original question this is an important part of the answer, that Nichiren Buddhism came here in a truly religious/Buddhist form, later in a more popular form.
"Pop Buddhism", an important term coined on Zadankai years ago.
Rev. Greg
Posted by: Rev. Greg at December 12, 2005 05:12 PMRev. Greg -
Just a historical note:
==[As memory serves, Nichiren Buddhist aka Nam myoho renge kyo made it’s way to US shores some time following WWII by way of the Japanese war brides, whom we refer to as the “pioneer members”.]==
Respectfully, this statement is true applied only to NSA/SGI. Namu Myoho Renge Kyo was established in Hawaii in 1899 with the Nichiren Mission there; and on the US mainland in 1914 in Los Angeles, with the establishment of the LA Nichiren Shu temple. I attended their 90th anniversary celebaration last year. Other temples were established soon after; the Portland OR temple will celebrate its 75th anniversary in 2006.
Namaste, Engyo Mike Barrett
Posted by: Engyo Mike Barrett at December 12, 2005 01:42 PMI think a key point here is;
In comparison to other sects we seemed like the only ones really *doing* anything, besides just claiming to be Buddhist. Nichiren Buddhist throughout the world still cop a bit of a 'tude along those same lines even today. Thank you Charles.
This how I see it and I live here. Most of the general Japanese population only go to a temple when they want something in return. There is the obligatory shrine in the house, it is offered one cup of fresh cooked rice every evening as an offering, and one fresh cup of water each morning. And that is it.
In answer to Peter, the SGI on the other hand, hold lots and lots of domestic and international seminars and peace exhibitions.
Do you remember any of these Peter? You should do, they traveled the world and got a lot of Press coverage.
Hiroshima Peach Exhibition.
Mandela Africa Exhibition
The Gandhi Exhibition
The Napoleon Exhibition (yearly Event)
Aid Africa Exhibition.
The Holocaust
Anne Frank
And all those publications, which are not made for profit, but for education.
Any of them ring a bell for you or do you just go around paying attention to the bad bitching you seem to be able to so readily find.
A piece of advise, scandal eventually rebounds on the spreader. I look forward to the day when you will actually say something nice about what the SGI do, and stop characterizing them in such a manner as you do. You do great injustice to many good people who devote their lives to the practice of Buddhism, The SGI. is not perfect, may never be perfect, but it has come a long way in 75 years and done a lot of good. I for one can`t wait to see what it achieves in the next 75 years.
The interesting thing Peter is that you're pretty typical of the kinds of folks who can't cut it with SGI. SGI is far from perfect, but assigning terms such as destructive and illegal show you to be truly ignorant and wallowing in your own psycho-negativity. Case in point, you started your own anti-SGI yahoogroup and then became so offensive as to force the yahoo admins to take your group off completely. Did I say offensive? I should have said crude and disgusting. You even offended people who had left SGI.
SGI is a "sangha" made up of people, and therefore very far from perfect. SGI has also had the longest time "in Country" and has grown to be the most significant lay org for Nichiren Buddhism. Even worse, SGI suffers from tremendous intercultural conflict. In otherwords, it's had time to paint it's own target on it's own back.
So what? That's life, that's human. Reality is Peter, as the Beatles wrote "You ain't going to make it with anyone anyhow".
The question for you is, can you be a Buddhist when you can't get along with anyone?
Rev. Greg
Posted by: Rev. Greg at December 12, 2005 03:55 AMYou guys STILL haven´t realized that SGI is a so-called "destructive" cult and not a decent Sangha? Being out of SGI for many months now it becomes more and more clear the illegal behaviour I was exposed to by Youth Leaders in SGI. Anyway, that´s all right. I don´t think SGI is worse than many other groups in today´s society. And probably many people ARE really happy wallowing around in their cult-behaviour which is so much more fun and kinder than what they are used to in
Copenhagen´s ruthless, cold and heartless environment. Still, I say, based on the book "Combatting Cult Mind Control" that SGI fits the description of a "destructive" cult but so does many firms. But a Buddhist sangha shouldn´t work like a commercial firm or have a structure like that. Moreover, SGI is doing nothing for peace. They are lying about this kosen-rufu thing in order to proselyte new members. Otherwise name what they are doing for world peace? I´m not saying this to talk negatively about another buddhist group. as i´ve said sgi is responsible for me being able to practice buddhism through another school and i am grateful about that and other things. i still chant everyday (recite daimoku, i only rarely do gongyo) but nam-myo-ho-renge-kyo is eternal, infinite and along with other prayers and meditations will help connect with our buddha-nature.
Best regards
Peter - and merry x-mas and happy new year!
Charles - "Bichiren" was clearly a typo. I fixed it for the author. Notice the B is right next to the N.
RG
Posted by: Rev. Greg at December 11, 2005 07:05 PMIt is quite an ugly thing to refer to Nichiren as "Bichiren."
It is true that in the 70s that hippies caused the movement to expand tremendously, in a way that could not be accomplished by the Japanese womens division. But the needs or reasons for becoming a member/believer at that time were anything but shallow! Many of us were struggling with the obvious decay of Christianity and traditional values. Many of us were offended by a corrupt government and the quagmire of Vietnam. I was one of those hippies and I didn't join to find better pot - I already knew how to get that.
Many were drawn to Nichiren Buddhism by the pure simplicity of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and the swift transformation in our lives. At the same time, "most" of the new members grew weary of the nonstop activities and the constant nagging of the fujimbu. Those of us who prevailed were able to deepen our understanding and develop genuine faith.
Those young people who joined, IMHO were not motivated by money but by the promise of enlightenment and creating a new world order. At least that was my experience.
Charles
Thanks for writing. Seems since I was in Japan all me regular readers have left! Just you and I here now! ack!
My experience with Buddhism in Japan could be accurately described as shallow in fact. Beautiful temples, no substance. The Japanese mix Buddhism with Shinto and superstician, but perhaps feel a greater connection with Buddhism since it is somewhat more indigenous there.
Strange, but Nichiren's Buddhism is considered the only truly indigenous Japanese Buddhism.
My earlier perceptions of Nichiren Buddhism, when I began practicing in the early 80's, was somewhat that of an elitist I must confess, since I and many others were consistantly chanting one to two hours of daimoku every day without fail. In comparision to other sects we seemed like the only ones really *doing* anything, besides just claiming to be Buddhist. Nichiren Buddhist throughout the world still cop a bit of a 'tude along those same lines even today.
I try and think a little more broadly however these days. How successfully, no way to judge.
Rev. Greg
Posted by: Rev. Greg at December 11, 2005 07:21 AMGreg,
Thanks for the long response. I did not really know anything about Nichiren Buddhism in the US either. My main curiosity was if this view in Japan was as general as it seemed, and as negative as it seemed. Looks like the answers are both 'yes'.
Interestingly though, you describe the perception (among those who have one) in the USA of Nichiren Buddhism as "hippie", where I think the impression I got from people talking in Japan was more like "shallow" (in a sense which always seemed to relate to money). Presumably this has to do with what you said about the practice coming to larger numbers of people in the 60's here.
Thanks for all of the info.
-Adrian