Soka Gakkai International – USA

Citing the second president of Soka Gakkai, Josei Toda: "Reason gives rise to faith; faith, in turn, seeks reason; reason thus gained elevates faith; and faith thus elevated further deepens reason." [10]

This booklet repeats the idea that "deepening our understanding of Nichiren Buddhism" will resolve doubts and "continue toward establishing a state of unshakable happiness."

Nichiren taught that changing Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is the only true happiness. [11] Citing Writings, vol. 1. p. 681. This is because the "boundless joy of the law" underlies and supersedes the cycles of temporary happiness and suffering all people experience. The chanting is the means to establish "deep-seated, enduring and genuine happiness".

Myo of myoho means "wonderful" or "mystic", and ho means "law", "principle", "teaching" or "phenomenon". Together myoho is translated at "Wonderful Law" or "Mystic Law". Nichiren Daishonin taught that Myoho expressed both enlightened Dharma nature of a Buddha and the deluded nature of an ignorant person, and the fact that both are essentially one. [13] This is the essential difference from other schools of Buddhist thought which teach that there is a huge difference between Buddha and an ordinary person. Chanting the Saddharma-pundarika-sutra "Nam-myoho-renge-kyo", translated by Kumarajiva from the Vedas, leads to Buddhahood instantly with limitless potential. [14-15] This Gohonzon is the Mystic Law underlying all reality in all Ten Worlds.

For its part, the Shoshu Priesthood knows of it, but fails to understand and apply it. [104-107] Error #1: Absolute power of high priest -- Nichiren Buddhism teaches the self-empowering properties of the Law in the Gohonzo. Error #2: High Priest receives exclusive transmission of the Law -- instead, the heritage of the Lotus sutra is transmitted "within the lives of those who never forsake it". Error #3: Inequality of Priests and Laity -- Priests have elevated status in Japan, and the Nichiren Shoshu mandate such deference. In fact that is contrary to what Nichiren wrote, citing WND-1, 216. [106] "The equality of all people is a fundamental tenet of the Lotus Sutra"...The relationship between Buddhist teacher and a disciple is expressed in the principle of the oneness of mentor and disciple, and both share responsibility for kosen-rufu, in this struggle to awaken Buddhahood within ordinary people in the face of all obstacles "even at the risk of one's own life". [107]

As SGI President Ikeda states: "The purpose of our faith and practice is to achieve happiness and victory in our lives." SGI members are dedicated to "kosen-rufu"--the world-wide spread of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, just as Nichiren Daishonin taught. The proof of the beneficial power is the boundless joy and "far greater wealth than those who have the most staggering fortunes or the most luxurious mansions". [15]… (mehr)