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2. What is the Core
of Buddhism? |
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Jeff Kriger
SGI-USA
Vice Study Department Leader
For each practitioner of Nichiren Buddhism, and for the
unified body of believers called the Soka Gakkai International
(SGI), 1991 provided an opportunity to reflect deeply
and concretely on these questions.
That was when the clerical order with whom we were associated---the
priesthood of Nichiren Shoshu---began to execute a deliberate
plan to discredit SGI President Daisaku Ikeda, and to
disassociate from and disband our organization. This culminated
in Nichiren Shoshu's unprecedented excommunication of
the SGI and its some 10,000,000 members worldwide. It
also led to the priesthood's demolition of structures
that include the grand edifice called the Sho-Hondo, or
Grand Main temple, in Japan, built with the dedicated
support and donation of millions of SGI members.
The background and motivations behind the priests' actions
can be researched in detail in this Web site. What is
clear is that they have set into stark contrast two divergent
interpretations of the teachings of Nichiren Buddhism
and approaches to its practice. The approach of the SGI
we call the Soka Spirit.
Soka Spirit also means clarifying the essence of these
contrasting views, which, we believe, is in the interest
of all those who seek to practice Nichiren Buddhism today
and in the future. It also speaks to contrasting tendencies
or differences seen worldwide: that between humanism and
fundamentalism, between equality and discrimination, between
human empowerment and exploitation. It also addresses
the question of the nature of the ultimate reality, or
that which the religious revere most, and where it exists.
Is the object of reverence exclusively external to the
human being, or does it also pulse within the core of
human life? Is it something that people should simply
submit or subjugate themselves to; or does it exist to
enable them to become fully empowered participants in
their own destiny and that of humankind?
Throughout history, individuals in groups who have stood
for equality, for the empowerment of ordinary people,
have been harshly opposed and persecuted. On the other
hand, those who have stood up to such abuse, exposing
the selfish aims of authoritarian leaders, protect not
only their own tradition or movement; they also serve
as models for humanity and for justice. By providing an
opportunity to study this issue in detail, we hope we
can help to make clear the difference between the two
divergent paths taken by the SGI and Nichiren Shoshu,
and which presents the best opportunity for human development
and the greatest hope for the future.
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