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4. Shouldn't We Just Self-Reflect? |
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Jeff Farr
Associate Editor
Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism teaches the oneness of life
and its environment - that our lives are intrinsically
linked with the universe around us. When we change ourselves
for the better, the environment surrounding us has to
improve, too. When we quash negative attitudes, everything
responds in the positive.
Given this principle, if the SGI keeps criticizing the
teachings of the Nichiren Shoshu priesthood, aren't we
forgetting something important about Buddhist practice?
Can't the whole temple issue be seen as a reflection of
our negativity? These are questions often heard from SGI
members.
The concept of the oneness of life and its environment,
however, doesn't teach that we can change our environment
only through self-reflection. In fact, this Buddhism emphasizes
inner change plus self-motivated action.
In the case of the temple issue, what kind of action is
appropriate to take? Since 1991, the U.S. temples have
been trying to persuade SGI-USA members - especially inactive
members - into Nichiren Shoshu. The temples have been
teaching, for instance, that ordinary people are lesser
beings than priests - especially the high priest, whom
the Nichiren Shoshu now says is some kind of a supreme
being. This goes against the Daishonin's teaching that
all people are equal, that all people are potentially
Buddhas. So, what can each of us do about this situation?
Following are some guidelines that are positive ways to
approach this:
1) Prayer
Each of us can offer strong prayers about this issue as
part of our daily practice. We can set our own chanting
goals. And those of us who know Nichiren Shoshu members
can pray specifically for the happiness of those friends.
2) Study
We can continue to educate ourselves about the differences
between the SGI and Nichiren Shoshu. We can study the
various materials available on the temple issue, such
as the many additional materials available on this website.
3) Outreach
Each of us can visit inactive members whom we know, create
friendships with them, and encourage them to participate
with us in SGI-USA activities. We can pursue dialogue
with Nichiren Shoshu members, and through deepening our
relationships with them, lead them to the true practice.
We can also teach our guests to meetings the difference
between the temple and the SGI as part of the introduction
process.
All of these ways of reaching out are compassionate actions.
The Daishonin says, "I am fully aware that if I do
not speak out, I will be lacking in compassion" (Writings
of Nichiren Daishonin, p. 239). He was troubled by all
the religious confusion and injustice going on around
him, and to alleviate this, he took action: He distinguished
all the incorrect practices from the correct practice
of chanting Nam- myoho-renge-kyo. He spoke, wrote and
proved the truth.
Sometimes the change in attitude that we need to make
in our Buddhist practice involves mustering the courage
to take action - to do something concrete about our situation.
When we do this kind of human revolution, there are no
circumstances that we cannot change.
This is not to say that we don't need to self-reflect
- we do, always. We continually need to self-reflect about
our practice. Again, we need both: inner change plus self-motivated
action.
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(Originally published in the World
Tribune, July 9, 1999)
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