Hi everyone who bothers to read this,
For many years now it has been my own personal policy to not chant to any Omandala derived from Taisekiji - whether the currents HPs or a Nichikan as used by SGI or whatever. But I have now reconsidered this. I think it does more harm than good to have such an attitude. Let me explain why:
To begin with, I did not want to do so because I thought it would come across as though I were endorsing doctrines that I do not follow. But I have realized that most people do not care about these issues and the way my stance really comes across is as an endorsement of sectarianism.
Also, I view the Omandala as the depiction of the Ceremony in the Air wherein the Eternal Shakyamuni Buddha transmits the Wonderful Dharma to all beings. So chanting to a Taisekiji Omandala with such a view would be against the intention for which they inscribed it - to depict Nichiren as the True Buddha. But in actuality there is no substantial difference between what is inscribed on a Taisekiji Omandala and the one's Nichiren himself made. The difference is in interpretation. And there is no one who can force me to take up their interpretation when I see that inscription. All things in the world, all phenomena, are viewed by each of us differently in accordance with our karma. The Omandalas are no different. So why not have many people chanting to the same Omandala each with their own understanding and faith? That is the way it is anyway, even among members of the same school.
In any case, as it is I already bow and say Odaimoku when visiting other temples which are not even Nichiren Buddhists. I do this out of courtesty to all the buddhas and bodhisattvas. If I can show such respect to other schools and even other religions, then why not to my fellow Nichiren Buddhists with whom I am in overall agreement except concerning three particular issues (the Dai-Gohonzon, the transfer documents, and the Nichiren as Buddha theory)?
Also, in reading the Flower Garland and other sutras and the Lotus Sutra itself, it became apparent that it is ok for people to regard their teachers and the various bodhisattvas as Buddhas. We should even treat each other as Buddhas in accord with Chapter 20. So if some people want to see Nichiren as a Buddha and that encourages their faith in Odaimoku and the Lotus Sutra, then I should not start arguments or division over it. I do not agree, but there are times and places for explaining why I do not.
Finally, if Bodhisattva Never Despise can greet even those who persecuted and reviled him with a deep bow and words respecting their buddhahood, then why should I hold back myself from respecting the expression of buddhahood modeled on the Omandalas that Nichiren himself inscribed (as all Omandalas are - including the one's from Taisekiji)?
So as the New Year approaches I make a resolution to form solidarity with all my fellow Odaimoku chanters in the years ahead and to pull down the barriers of sectarian strife.
Namu Myoho Renge Kyo,
Ryuei
Thank you. That´s interesting. As some people who read Internet discussions know by now, I have a Nichikan-Gohononzon given to me from Danish-SGI. I no longer have any formal contact with the group. I am not allowed to speak about it, I guess, partly because of the extreme intolerance towards free speech which is SGIs policy but I wont get into that. I still chant and believe in the lotus sutra. I still chant with one of my friends in Danish SGI who occasionally visits me and chants to my gohonzon. I don´t want to hand it back for personal reasons which I am not allowed to speak about. At some point I half-jokingly believed my gohonzon to be infested with little invisible demons and it being a path-way to the avichi-hell but I´m past that now. Not so long ago, I wanted to formally resign my membership and hand the gohonzon back but then I changed my mind and one of my friends kept the gohonzon for me. Then I downloaded an a prayer-gohonzon from the Net and put it into my now empty butsudan - hammered it in with some nails.
But when I got the Nichikan gohonzon back from my friend I pulled out the prayer gohonzon, straightened up the nails, and place the nichikan-gohonzon in there and it´s now hanging there as if nothing had happened. Weird stuff. I don´t mean to get into SGI politics but this shows the negative effect idolatry has on morons like me.
Best regards
Peter
Hi Peter,
Ok, this is more like it. Honest down to earth discussion. I think that all of us should be more concerned with the quality of our practice than we should be with what particular calligraphic depiction of the Ceremony in the Air is hanging in our butsudans (or not).
When we chant and look to the Omandala it should be a grounding and centering activity and not one that makes us lose touch with ourselves. If a particular practice or mandala or statue(s) or whatever is making us feel less centered or causing disturbance, than respectfully put it away (but show respect out of reverance for what it depicts and not out of superstitious dread or fear).
Sometimes we need to just chant wherever we are - in a park or to a blank wall. Sometimes we feel more centered and at ease in front of an Omandala (or a particular Omandala). Sometimes even chanting doesn't feel right. Maybe then it is time to just sit and be with ourselves and breathe deeply and attentively and just watch our thoughts without judgement and without supressing them or feeling the need to act on them. Sometimes we should just go out for jog. But the point is to deepen our awareness of the life of the Buddha all around us and within us and to know that all the craziness is just temporary.
Namu Myoho Renge Kyo,
Ryuei
Dear Ryuei & Peter,
How refreshing to read your thoughts. I celebrate your seeking minds & your commitment to being open to change. That is true awareness in my view.
Thank you. You are encouraging to me.
Carol (65 yrs. & currently have an SGI Gohonzon, but not active in SGI now)(an old pioneer from the 60's)
Hello Ryuei,
I've never been a Doctrine wonk. In my personal conception and practice of spirituality, my brain does better with practicality and imagery, though I like reading the Dharma and doctrine and various analyses.
To me, why should the Gohonzon represent only one manifestation of Buddha-world? Shakyamuni's depiction of the Ceremony in the Air, Nichiren's Buddha-Life, Portal opening onto the Universal Law, my own Buddha nature. I don't feel any conflict between any of these images. There are configurations of Universal Law explained in certain "New Age" material that describe the Gohonzon and Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo for me real well too. Saying the Gohonzon should be experienced only one way is equivalent to claiming God only likes one religion, in my view.
Actually, in my SGI group, I haven't come across the rigid attitude of seeing the Gohonzon as strictly a representation of Nichiren as the True Buddha. Discussion always impresses me as containing both understandings, Shakyamuni's and Nichiren's. I've talked about some of those "New Age" descriptions before with other members too and they could very much relate--never experienced Doctrinal rigidity with them.
Just my experience.
I enjoy reading your blog Ryuei. Good stuff!
Cindy, that is because those aspects are hidden at early shakobuku-meetings. don´t be naive and let yourself fool like I was! At first meetings they will tell you the whole load of bollocks about how openminded they are and how peaceful and tolerant, etc. it´s all bollocks. then later on the true nature of sgi will be revealed to you when you are tangled into their web. shakimuni is not respected at all neither by sgi or nichiren shoshu. on the other hand, the people who do shakobuku are perfectly ready to lie about this to newcomers.
Peter
Posted by: Peter Röder at December 21, 2004 04:05 PMPeter,
I'm terribly sorry to tell you this, but I have been a member since 1978.
In the old days, we were all very earnest and rather fanatical. However, I never got bad vibes or found myself lied to.
After some time I left because too much time was being demanded. I did not leave because I felt misused, pressed for money or any other kind of negative experiences. I left solely because the Organization at that time was doing activities almost every day and I got burnt out. Again, people were earnest and rather obsessed, but I never experienced any negative lieing, misrepresentation or any of the other "bollocks" you speak of.
Now I am chanting again, and find the SGI members more relaxed than before. There is more time for study. Teachings relate Shakyamuni and NIchiren and in fact do encompass the larger circle of spirituality across other religions. This is something you can see for yourself in the publications.
Also, I have seen some variation among groups--some individuals in one group did do some of the old "Ikeda Worship" I remember from days past, but it had a lighter tone, almost chuckling at themselves. Another group I have attended is very laid back; the discussion meetings are lovely, individuals sharing their experience of this Buddhism. Very relaxed, no rigid agenda which you seem to be afraid of.
Lastly, my best friend, who taught me to chant back in 1976 has been practicing consistently since that time. We went through that early time together and have remained friends. She is a person I absolutely repsect and trust. She doesn't fit your description of SGI people at all.
I'm sorry your experience turned you off. That is not my experience at all.
Posted by: Cindy Gilchrist at December 21, 2004 08:23 PMAll right, Cindy, I have been censored and removed "everywhere" on the Net when I spoke the truth about SGI in Denmark, Copenhagen so I will not try again here. I would just like to say that I am not afraid of "a rigid agenda" in SGI. I do not think there´s anything wrong about "the people" in SGI. I think it is an evil org. But I wont get into that.
Peter
Posted by: Peter Röder at December 22, 2004 03:18 AMOK, Peter,
My experience is entirely "IRL"-In Real Life. I haven't explored Nichiren on the web very much, basically just this site, so haven't seen any of the stuff you're talking about.
Best Wishes,
Cindy
I DO NOT want my blog being turned into ARBN. I am very sure that there are people who have bad experiences in SGI. They should simply leave and stop obsessing about the Soka Gakkai. Others have a positive and constructive experience with SGI. More power to them. Nichiren Shoshu and Soka Gakkai do not teach traditional Buddhism, but that is their right. They do not hide their doctrine in my experience. In fact, the Shoshu is very upfront about them, and official SGI doctrine is written in black and white in their Buddhist Dictionary and other pubs. And yet, dissenting voices are still members in good standing. If people DO WANT traditional Buddhism ini the Nichiren School - then they can join Nichiren Shu or some other more traditional Nichiren school. Simple, easy, no need to worry about what others are doing or not doing.
Namu Myoho Renge Kyo,
Ryuei
Hi Ryuei,
I don't know what ARBN means, but it doesn't sound good. I hope I wasn't doing it.
I originally posted because you raised issues of individual spiritual understanding and connection. Your comment "But I have realized that most people do not care about these issues and the way my stance really comes across is as an endorsement of sectarianism" is what got me thinking and what prompted my opening comment, that I'm not a Doctrine wonk. Not that I don't care, but more that I can only absorb and remember bits and pieces of teaching at a time. My practice is more about improving myself, changing negative personal patterns and trying to become a person who encourages others.
Also, about sectarianism and what I'm reading as your awareness of needing to focus instead on inclusiveness. I liked this, which is what made me remark on my "New Age" idiom. Whatever helps one connect, feel, understand, experience the Ultimate Law is OK by me. There are no other Nichiren sects around here, so I haven't had any experience besides what I described above.
Best Wishes,
Cindy
Hi Cindy,
Have no fear. I was not necessarily saying anyone had strained into ARBN style discourse as of yet. ARBN is alt.religion.buddhism.nichiren and it is an unmoderated usenet list. It is a cesspool. People there are dedicated to proving either that their sect is the only true one or that the other sects or schools are filled with nothing but evil and slander. And people attack, smear, and slander each other personally continuously. It is a vile vile place. So that is why I am very wary of discussing why this or that sect or school is good or bad. I would prefer to restrict critiques and even compliments to particular doctrinal claims and particular methods or practices, and esp. with an eye to their practical meaning in our lives. This is in accordance with chapter 14 of the Lotus Sutra that we have been discussing in Marin Co. for several months. That chapter teaches that one should not critique or praise other monks or teachers by name, and that one should not discourage others because they follow a different teaching or practice, but rather one should focus on just teaching the most profound and inclusive doctrine for others as best one can.
Namu Myoho Renge Kyo,
Ryuei
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