So this thread is focused on the Soka Gakkai International a lay organization of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism that doesn't jive with the above referenced flow. No Priests around here, or wolves in sheeps clothing. I have no clue what possesses certain folks to obstruct justice and yet I have mercy for the short sighted post by Honnen. Mercy in the sense that the message's contents should be summarily refuted by directing all participants and observers of this thread to also read the precedant established prior to this page. There is no way that Nichiren Daishonin would ever allow someone to slander Buddhism and society, by allowing them to preach a false Buddhist doctrine. Essentially Honnen's message is incomplete, shallow and inflamatory. There are so many trolls on the internet and this also holds true for those who try and create artificial barriers towards supporting any person in attaining their Buddhahood in this life just as they are.
In ancient times, when the oceans were lower and societies that once flourished have never been known or spoken of in the present, people were not able to end the sufferings of birth and death. Buddhism taught many things and yet Shakymuni still announced that Nichiren would arrive in the latter day of The Law.
"Nichiren expressed the content of Shakyamuni's (the historical founder of Buddhism in India) Lotus Sutra in a form that all people could practice. This form is the invocation of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, which he defined as the Law implied in the Lotus Sutra.
Whereas the Lotus Sutra is an expression of Shakyamuni's enlightenment to the Law of Life, Nam-myoho-renge-kyo actually is the Law of life, or true essense of life permeating everything in the universe. Nichiren Daishonin interpreted the Lotus Sutra in relation to Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, and taught that this was the ultimate Law that all Buddhist sutras, especially the Lotus Sutra, had sought to express." (www.sgi-usa.org)
Therefore, there is no validity to Honnen's commentary in the sense that it really does not apply to those chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with faith in the Gohonzon (Nichiren life inscribed by him in sumi ink). However, Honnen does prove that the followers of this Buddhism are persecuted, just like Nichiren was, because we are the true practicioners of the Lotus Sutra's intent. In other words, because we chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo we must also reach out to others and spread this practice far and wide as our means to develop a lasting peace throughout the world. This peace movement, or kosen-rufu, will surely have a beneficial effect for even trolls and slanders. It is because Nichiren even taught his followers, through letters he wrote them, that even those people who slander the Lotus Sutra develop a connection to the Myoho-renge-kyo Buddha (Nichiren) thus enabling them to also (potentially)attain Buddhahood in this lifetime. Who knows if Honnen's karma will ever allow this person to get over their relatively psuedo-inflated Ego, but thats up to them. Meanwhile, I've continued to chant for the success of this thread, our members, guests, participants, observers and your families. When I offer prayers to the members who have passed away you can also guarentee I'm chanting for our deceased relatives.
Whether our connections are through the internet, or face-to-face, lets all continue to refreshen our spirits through daimoku (chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo!) and be happy (or happier)! I really mean that, even the sour pusses - gimme a smile!CHEESE!
Let's win with faith, compassion and sincerity. Let's build bridges of friendship, goodwill and trust in our communities (icmag, local, etc.) Let's encourage each other to chant daimoku no matter what.
Take that refutation and smoke it, Mr. Rogow! Well said Brother!
Mugi-Wasshin Baby! And the proof of Actual Fact!!!
Much love and deepest respect,
Thomas
