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11. Should We Ignore Nichiren
Shoshu? |
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Jeff Farr
Associate Editor
After Nichiren Shoshu announced in 1998 that the Grand
Main Temple (Sho-Hondo) was to be destroyed, the SGI protested.
We could have paid no attention to this move specially
designed to anger our members - and to the many other
annoying things that the priests have done in recent years,
from cutting down the cherry trees to excommunicating
all of us twice.
Why validate the priests by making a big deal about the
mean-spirited actions that they take?
The SGI has chosen not to remain silent out of a deep
respect for the SGI membership, to protect all the SGI
members. The Lotus Sutra says that [if you see a person
who accepts and upholds this sutra,] you should rise and
greet him from afar, showing him the same respect you
would a Buddha (The Lotus Sutra, p. 324). This is the
basic spirit of the SGI.
One lesson of the temple issue, then, is that this Buddhism
takes a strong stance on respecting people. When great,
wonderful people like the SGI members are being disrespected,
we have to do something, say something.
As Buddhists, we can't just ignore that this is going
on.
While Buddhism seeks to embrace all people, believing
all of us equal, all of us potentially Buddhas, it also
declares that those (especially those in positions of
power) who abuse the people should be countered. As the
Daishonin puts it: [My disciples] are like an infant emperor
wrapped in swaddling clothes, or a great dragon who has
just been born. Do not despise them! Do not look on them
with contempt! (Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, p. 789).
Throughout the Buddhist scriptures and the Daishonin's
writings, there are many examples of ill-intentioned influential
people who looked down on good people. In the Lotus Sutra,
there is Devadatta; the Daishonin had Hei no Saemon; today,
Nikken and his fellow priests resemble these men.
The appearance of these enemies also accords with the
Lotus Sutra's prediction that as the Law spreads, those
who are leading the way for it are sure to be attacked.
Nichiren Shoshu's actions are one proof, then, of the
SGI being on the right track. The temple issue is something
for us to be very happy about.
At the time of the Atsuhara Persecution, the Daishonin
writes: From a mundane view, I, Nichiren, am the poorest
person in Japan, but in light of Buddhism, I am the wealthiest
person in all Jambudvipa. When I consider that this is
all because the time is right, I am overwhelmed with joy
and cannot restrain my tears (WND, p. 977). We can experience
the same joy now because of the current situation.
The SGI has introduced the offensive acts of Nichiren
Shoshu to the world not because we're just miffed, not
because we've given in to anger and emotionalism, but
because we have this joy: We are facing today what was
predicted 2,500 years ago by Shakyamuni.
Based on our respect for all people, we'll continue to
show the world who we are and what we're contributing
- and how hard we're working for all people's happiness.
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(Originally published in the World
Tribune, Aug. 6, 1999)
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