The Gakkai and Nichiren Shoshu in Conflict with the Buddha's Teachings!

The Senji-Sho was one of Nichiren Daishonin's  Five Major Works. In the
beginning of the Senji-Sho (Essay on the Selection of Time) , the Daishonin
states "To study Buddhism, first of all we must know the right time.
Shakyamuni Buddha did not expound the Lotus Sutra for more than 40 years. As
said in the Sutra, it was because "the time was not ripe" . He did not
expound the Lotus Sutra because it was not time to reveal his eternal life as
stated in the 16th chapter of the Lotus Sutra.

When Shakyamuni Buddha's attainment of enlightenment in the eternal past was
revealed, the audience was astonished and perplexed. As was I when I found
out that I had been mis-lead into believing that Nichiren Daishonin was the
"True Buddha" of  kuon ganjo in NSA (SGI).

The time periods as stated by Nichiren in the Senji-Sho are as follows:
During the 1st,, 500 years after the death of the Buddha, there will be many
who attain Buddhahood. The 2nd, 500 years will be the period many will study
Buddhism and practice meditation. This will be the state of Buddhism during
the 1st 1000 years after the death of the Buddha. The 3rd, 500 year era
people read Sutras intensively to increase their knowledge. The 4th , 500
year period, many people will build Temples and Stupas in search of happiness
and virtue. This will be the state of Buddhism during the 2000 years after
the death of Shakyamuni. The 5th, 500 year period will be the Latter Day of
the Law.

"Although both Mahayana and Hinyana Buddhism flourished for 2000 years
following the death of Shakyamuni, which was the age of the True Dharma and
the Imitative Dharma, they will all perish during the Latter Day of the Law."
(Senji-Sho)

It is said in the Lotus Sutra in chapter 23, that it would be spread
throughout the world in the 5th , 500 year period after the death of the
Buddha lest it should be lost. And in chapter 10 it states "and much hatred
exists against this Sutra in the world and it is difficult to uphold it."
Chapter 23 declares "Devils, devils', subjects, dragons, yakasa demons,
kumbhanda devils will be trying to take advantage." It is stated in the
Daijik-kyo: (Disputes and quarrels will arise within Buddhism itself.)
Chapter 13 states "Monks in the evil world will be cunning, flattering, and
arrogant;"  "some monks will live in monasteries and appear to be practicing
the true ways;" and  "devils will enter the bodies of those monks and cause
them to abuse those who uphold the True Dharma."

So, looking at the time periods of Buddhism as set forth in the Daishonin's
Senji-Sho, is it not still the Latter Day of the Law? It seems that SGI and
NST think that the time period of the Latter Day of the Law has changed from
the time of Nichiren's day. As T'ien-t'ai states, "The wonderful way of the
Lotus Sutra will spread benefit far in the 5th , 500 year period !"  Dengyo
declares "The age of the True Dharma and that of the Imitative Dharma are
about to end and the Latter Day of the Law is around the corner. This is the
time for the One- Vehicle teaching of the Lotus to spread.

The Daishonin states in the Senji-Sho "The 50 years of Shakyamuni's
appearance in this world, the 2000 year period of ages of the True Dharma and
the Imitative Dharma, and the 10,000 years of the LATTER DAY OF THE LAW are
all included in this period, during which human longevity decreases from 100
years to the minimum of 10 years.

Nichiren Daishonin states again in the Senji-Sho "In the 5th, 500 year
period, when all the teachings of the Buddha are about to disappear,
Bodhisattva Jogyo will be intrusted with the 5 ideograms of Myo Ho Ren Ge
Kyo"  Nichiren further states "afterall I, as a messenger of the Buddha, am
only tring to spread "Namu Myoho Renge Kyo" in this period of disputes and
quarrels. "

Nichiren, (Jogyo Bodhisattva) receives his command from the Buddha Nichiren
Shonin always refered to Shakyamuni Buddha as his lord and master. When
Nichiren referred to himself  as the prime practitioner of the Lotus Sutra in
the whole world , he is referring to himself as Bodhisattva Jogyo which is
consistent with chapter 21 of the Lotus Sutra where it says on pg 300, Three
Fold Lotus Sutra, "After the Tathagata is extinct [such a one], Knowing
[This] Sutra that the Buddha has taught, [Together with] its reasoning and
process, Shall expound it according to its true meaning. Just as the light of
the sun and moon Can dispel the darkness, So this man, working in the world,
can disperse the gloom of the living and cause numberless Bodhisattvas
Finally to abide in the One Vehicle. Therefore he who has wisdom, hearing the
benefits of this merit, after I am extinct, Should receive and keep this
Sutra. This man shall in the way of the Buddha Be Fixed and have no doubts."

It is still clearly the time to "read, recite, and copy" or revere the Lotus
Sutra.

The Lotus Sutra which reveals the Original Buddha or Eternal
Buddha of the 16th chapter,  is consistent with Nichiren's
gosho the Kanjin Honzon-Sho where Nichiren states
 "Lord Shakyamuni Buddha is the Eternal Buddha who
attained Perfect Enlightenment 500 dust-particle kalpa ago."

Nichiren never declared himself the True Buddha and this statement cannot be
found in any of the Daishonin writings. It is only found in the back grounds
of the Major Writings done by NSIC. In fact when reading other translations
of Nichiren's works I have found that the MW's have omitted many quotes where
Nichiren declares Shakyamuni Buddha as the Original, Eternal Buddha.
 

Furthermore the term kuon ganjo is not found in any of Nichiren's Writings,
again it can only be found in the backgrounds of the Major Writings or the
writings of Ikeda and SGI/NST. There is a term used in the Kaimoku-Sho which
is the concept of  Kuon-Jitsujo (eternal life of the Buddha) revealed in the
essential section (hommon) of the Lotus Sutra.

So when we look at Buddhism in terms of  the SGI and NST's theology, we find
they say  the Lotus Sutra is not valid in Mappo and that Shakyamuni is not
the Original Buddha which is in complete conflict with the Daishonin's own
writings.

SGI and NST set aside the Lotus Sutra. This is parallel  to what the
Daishonin refutes throughtout all his writings when speaking of monks like
Jikaku and Chisho. They did not follow the teachings of the Lotus Sutra which
maintains : "The Lotus Sutra is the most excellent of all the Sutras which
had already been preached, are now being preached, and are to be preached in
the future."  "Are not those who do not follow these teachings of the Lotus
Sutra great enemies of Shakyamuni Buddha, Taho Buddha, and Buddhas in
manifestations from all the worlds in 10 directions?"  Jikaku and Chisho said
that Shingon and Tendai were equal in doctrine, which fooled many people into
going along with Mudra and Mantra of the Great Sun Buddha Sutra. Nichiren
further states "The person who keeps this Sutra is superior to any other
living being. SGI/NST  places their own writings, such as, the Human Revolution,
Seikyo Times and Ikeda's writings before the Lotus Sutra.

I have talked to SGI leaders at Culture Centers from LA to Seattle and each
has a different view on the Lotus Sutra. LA's Study department says "We will
get lost in the forest of the Lotus Sutra." In Oregon they say "the Lotus
Sutra is dead" and in Seattle its a different story from person to person,
basically they don't know what to say, their not sure. Honen, of Pure Land
Sect (Nembutsu) had similar things to say such as the Lotus Sutra is too
exquisite for the common people.[ Honen threw out the Eternal Shakyamuni
Buddha and worshiped Amida Buddha. SGI/NST throws out the Eternal Buddha
Shakyamuni and replaces him with Nichiren.]

The Daishonin says in the Rissho Ankoku Ron "How sad it is that in the
several decades since the publication of Honen's collection of passages on
the Nembutsu millions and tens of millions of people have been infatuated by
this devilish work and have gone astray from the true Buddhism!"

Futhermore he states "How can demons not take advantage when the one sided
Pure Land teaching is preferred and the perfect teaching of the Lotus Sutra
is discarded."

It is clear to me now that SGI and NST did not want us to read the Lotus
Sutra because we would find out the truth. Many of the Major Writings Backgrouds and footnotes contradicts the Lotus Sutra.  T'ien-t'ai  states "Those who admire the Lotus Sutra accumulate merits as high as Mount Sumeru, and those who slander it fall into the hell
of incessant sufferings."  Even the version of the Lotus Sutra translated by
Burton Watson has been, (in my view) written for SGI. The Sgi says they study the Lotus Sutra now to refute it!  Do you think St. Nichiren would approve!

The Lotus Sutra clearly states to read, recite, and copy the Sutra and the
Daishonin encourages us throughout all his writings to do the same.

My own experience has been from reading the Lotus Sutra, I am beginning to
understand  Nichiren's Writings for the first time.

When I read for my self and finally discovered the truth, I have  learned more
about Buddhism in 3 years then I did  in 22 years , and now realize the SGI & NS  is
going in a completely opposite direction than what the Sutra teaches!

 "If anyone in the course of a kalpa Unceasingly cherishes a wicked heart And, with angry mien, rails at the Buddha, He commits an infinitely heavy sin, But anyone who reads,
recites, and keeps This Sutra of the Law Flower [should one] abuse him even a
moment, His sin is still heavier." chapter 10 Three Fold Lotus Sutra.
 

 I realize now that I was brain-washed, after all I joined NSA-SGI when I was
(seventeen years old) and was programmed very early on , and never knew there
were any other Nichiren Buddhists.  SGI tells you they are the only exclusive
and true teaching. When I look through the MW , I see quotes that I never
noticed or understood  before, for example "The nation of Japan today has
turned its back on the Lotus Sutra and cast aside Shakyamuni Buddha." (MW vol
6, Letter to Ichinosana Nyudo, pg 99) and there are many, many more.

 And in regard to the Lectures on the Sutra done by Josei Toda, the
mis-translations abound. From chapter 4 , Faith Discernment, Toda says "From
now on stop your cunning lying, getting angry, being jealous of or revilings
others." (pg 41, paragraph 4) The real translation of this passage is "You
have never been deceitful, lazy, angry, or grumbling." (Three Fold Lotus
Sutra, pg 114, 1st paragraph) [Always putting you down or telling you your
arrogant, sound familiar?]

SGI members do not realize that they have been brain-washed and I didn't
either. "Ways to evaluate a group's control over personal freedom [From
Chapter Four of Combatting Cult Mind Control (Park Street Press, 1990) by
Steven Hassan] Destructive mind control can be understood in terms of four
basic components, which form the acronym BITE:

I. Behavior Control II. Information Control III. Thought Control IV.
Emotional Control These four components are guidelines. Not all groups do
every aspect or do them extremely. What matters most is the overall impact on
a person's free will and ability to make real choices. A person's uniqueness,
talents, skills, creativity, and free will should be encouraged, not
suppressed. Destructive mind control seeks to "make people over"in the image
of the cult leader. This process has been described as "cloning". This "cult
identity"is the result of a systematic process to dissociate a person from
his or her previous identity including important beliefs and values as well
as significant relationships. The result is the creation of a dual identity,
what I refer to "John-John"and "John cult-member".

 Is the organization open or closed? oAre there organizational secrets? oAre
there "in"groups and "out"groups? oAre there restricted teachings for
initiates only? oAre there secret texts and publications "for your eyes only?
oIs there real financial accountability? oIf a group says that you can look
at its accounting records, does it actually provide access? The only way to
know is to ask to see the records. If you are afraid to ask, what does this
say about the atmosphere of the group? What structural checks and balances
exist within the organization to prevent abuse of power? oAre there divisive
sectarian biases, even in the name of interdenominational ecumenicism and
universality? oIs there an independent "ethics" committee to challenge and
change policies of the group? oIf there are abuses or injustices, what
structure exists to correct them? oCan anyone legitimately question the
actions of the leader without threat of emotional withdraw or fear of
expulsion to "hell"?

Do the rich and powerful get preferential treatment? oAre
"indulgences"(spiritual pardons) sold? oIs there a "Sicilian"code of silence
against unethical behavior of leaders?

I. Behavior Control 1. Regulation of individual's physical reality a. Where,
how and with whom the member lives and associates with b. What clothes,
colors, hairstyles the person wears c. What food the person eats, drinks,
adopts, and rejects d. How much sleep the person is able to have e. Financial
dependence f. Little or no time spent on leisure, entertainment, vacations 2.
Major time commitment required for indoctrination sessions and group rituals
3. Need to ask permission for major decisions 4. Need to report thoughts,
feelings and activities to superiors 5. Rewards and punishments (behavior
modification techniques- positive and negative). 5. Individualism
discouraged; group think prevails 6. Rigid rules and regulations 7. Need for
obedience and dependency II. Information Control 1. Use of deception a.
Deliberately holding back information b. Distorting information to make it
acceptable c.  Outright lying "

    The Eternal Life of Shakyamuni

 Chapter 17, pg 263, (Three Fold) "Yet any good son or daughter Who, hearing
me declare my [eternal] life, believes it with but a single thought this ones
reward surpasses his. If anyone be entirly free from all doubts and
misgivings And in his deepest heart believes it but a moment, Such shall be
his reward. If there be bodhisattvas Who have followed [good] ways for
innumerable kalpas And hear of my announcement of my [eternal] life, they
will be able to receive it in faith. It further states in this chapter "This
mans merit will be infinite and boundless and able to bring forth perfect
knowledge."

Since its still the Later Day of the Law I hope people in the SGI/NST will
look for themselves and read the Lotus Sutra. To take out the Eternal Buddha
Shakyamuni is to take out any possibility of attaining enlightenment in this
lifetime. The correct  teaching of the Buddha is the concept of "Kuon-Jitsujo"
- Attaining enlightenment from the life of the Buddha [ i.e. the Lotus Sutra]
(from the Kaimoku-Sho).

Our enlightenment is through the concept of "Kyogan Sojo" enlighenment from the Succession of the Scrolls of the Sutra,  not from any special lifeblood transmission or
 succession of  priests,  leaders or any persons.

The three treasures are as St. Nichiren states: The Buddha (Eternal Shakyamuni) The Law
Namu-myorengekyo and the Samgha: the community of believers of Shakyamuni,
including Nichiren.

Namu Myoho Renge Kyo,
Steven Polito