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Nov. 5, 2002 -- No. 157 |
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The Justice Chronicle,
provided by Soka Gakkai International-USA, is a free monthly
e-mail in support of the Soka Spirit movement. Soka Spirit
is the SGI's educational effort to create value and deepen
our understanding of Nichiren Buddhism through increased
awareness of issues surrounding the Nichiren Shoshu priesthood
and the spiritual foundation of the SGI movement.
1) VIEWPOINT
MENTOR-DISCIPLE VS. OBEDIENCE TO THE HIGH PRIEST, PART 2
By Fred Friedland
San Rafael, Calif.
Part 1 of this article appeared in Justice Chronicle No. 156.
Nichiren Daishonin says: Bound as we common mortals are by earthly desires, we can instantly attain the same virtues as Shakyamuni Buddha, for we receive all the benefits that he accumulated. The sutra reads, 'Hoping to make all persons equal to me, without any distinction between us.' This means that those who believe in and practice the Lotus Sutra are equal to Shakyamuni Buddha (The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, p. 323). Herein lies the true spirit of mentor and disciple as the Daishonin has taught -- equality, without distinction.
Unfortunately, what has happened to the priesthood through the ages is that the spirit of faith, practice and study has become based on hierarchy, discrimination and status. They claim, Buddhism can never be correctly transmitted into the future without priests (August Nichiren Shoshu Monthly, p. 1), suggesting a schism in the ability to propagate the Law between priests and lay believers, one that the Daishonin himself never taught.
In short, the idea of equality has been thrown completely out the window. In its stead, the priesthood has promoted absolute faith in and strict obedience to the High Priest as a pre-requisite for attaining enlightenment (Dai-Nichiren, special edition, p. 13).
A correct mentor would never demand strict obedience to him/herself in the first place, because he/she places primacy in the Law, not the person. If one is to evaluate a mentor, one must ask if he or she has fulfilled his or her own mentor's teaching. Secondly, one must evaluate based on his or her behavior as a human being.
If one simply gives carte blanche to the high priest by virtue of his position, and he is allowed to behave reprehensibly without accountability, then the spirit of mentor and disciple is destroyed, despite appearances of orthodoxy and expectations of obedience. Second high priest Nikko Shonin, in article 17 of his 26 Admonitions, stated in no uncertain terms, Do not follow even the high priest if he goes against the Buddha's Law and propounds his own views(Gosho Zenshu, p. 1618).
As SGI President Ikeda explains: Faith in Nichiren Buddhism is always based on the Law. We practice the Law and we spread the Law. Achieving the lofty and great objectives of attaining Buddhahood in this lifetime and realizing kosen-rufu requires that we be united in spirit and advance with unity of purpose. Toward that end, a teacher who correctly practices the Law is vital. That is why the Daishonin's successor, Nikko Shonin, strictly stated: 'Without following the correct relationship of mentor and disciple, there is no attaining Buddhahood' (see Fuji Nikko Shonin Shoden [Detailed Biography of Nikko Shonin], p. 429) (October Living Buddhism, p. 17).
And it is with the compassionate spirit of equality that the Daishonin taught that the SGI president says, All who energetically exert themselves for the cause of kosen-rufu are genuine disciples of the Daishonin (Faith Into Action, p. 227).
Presumably, we should be able to learn something very positive from the words and, even more, the actions, of a Buddhist mentor or leader. There is a well-known quote: The purpose of the appearance in this world of Shakyamuni Buddha, the lord of teachings, lies in his behavior as a human being. The wise may be called human, but the thoughtless are no more than animals (WND 852).
High Priest Nikken Abe's immoral personal behavior, his disrespect for and destruction of the offerings of lay believers, his failure to live up to the example of his predecessor, 66th high priest Nittatsu -- not to mention Nikko Shonin -- his association with a Zen cemetery and Minobu sect priests, and the climate of discrimination, status-seeking and abuse he has condoned at the head temple have all been well documented. And most certain, his efforts to suppress and destroy the harmonious unity and progress of the Buddhist community disqualify him as a person to whom we should look for guidance.
On the other hand, Soka Gakkai presidents Tsunesaburo Makiguchi and Josei Toda, and SGI President Ikeda, while Buddhist lay people, have shown exemplary dedication both to the cause of world peace and justice as well as to spreading the Daishonin's teachings throughout the entire world, actions that have earned them the praise and respect both of the SGI members and of many people of character and integrity of other religious and philosophical backgrounds. Their actions prove their wisdom and profound grasp of the Buddhist spirit and teachings and thus qualify them as mentors.
Because President Ikeda bases himself on the teachings of the Daishonin and his mentor, President Toda, he has been able to stand up to the arbitrary authoritarianism of High Priest Nikken for our sake and for the sake of generations to come. I now have all the more appreciation that I have chosen him, of my own volition, to be my mentor. Our excommunication by the priesthood has become a badge of honor for me.
As the SGI's legacy is that of Soka education, Soka Spirit is the means to teach people about the Law of life that exists eternally within all of us and to protect those who correctly uphold it. It refers to activating the positive function inherent within us that illuminates our fundamental darkness and is the means to defeating injustice within the human condition.
I therefore express my wholehearted appreciation to my fellow SGI-USA members and leaders for encouraging me to study the Daishonin's writings and President Ikeda's guidance, and to chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo in order to develop my wisdom to know the difference between a genuine mentor of Buddhism and a charlatan wearing a robe.
2) LET'S STRIVE TO FULFILL OUR ORIGINAL VOW
This is an excerpt from a speech by SGI President Ikeda, given at a conference for representatives of the Kansai Region, held in Osaka, Japan, Jan. 24, 1994. It originally appeared in the March 21, 1994, issue of the World Tribune.
WITH RESOLUTE FAITH, WE MUST WIN
In a letter to his follower Nanjo Tokimitsu, Nichiren Daishonin writes: Just as flowers open up and bear fruit, just as the moon appears and invariably grows full, just as a lantern becomes brighter when oil is added and just as plants and trees flourish with rain, so will human beings never fail to prosper when they make good causes (Gosho Zenshu, p. 1562).
You will prosper if you make good causes. And the greatest good cause one can make is to offer prayers and take action for the sake of the Law, for others and for kosen-rufu.
It is because of the great good causes that we have been accumulating that the SGI now enjoys the greatest prosperity and members are receiving tremendous benefit.
For precisely this reason, devils and obstacles are vying to attack us, and slander arising from envy and jealousy are becoming intense.
The Daishonin says: Though worldly troubles may arise, never let them disturb you. No one can avoid problems, not even sages or worthies (The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, p. 618).
The Daishonin underwent one great, life-threatening persecution after another. By contrast, we stand in danger neither of losing our lives nor of being imprisoned on account of faith. The persecutions that we are facing are very mild.
In saying that one should never be disturbed, the Daishonin indicates that we must be swayed in the least by such persecutions. With resolute faith, we must advance, we must struggle ahead and we must win -- in our endeavors for kosen-rufu, in society and in life.
At the start of 1957, President Toda wrote, United in spirit, let us welcome the start of a very promising year with the prayer that we may eradicate misery from the world, from the nation and from the lives of individuals.
Let us eradicate misery from the face of the earth! -- this was President Toda's profound conviction. Herein lies the spirit of Buddhism. This is also my earnest prayer. I hope that you will carry on this noble struggle.
Four in a series.
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