From Nichiren to Sokagakkai

by anonymous contributor through Rev. Dr. James Kenneth Powell II, opensourcebuddhism.org This very high quality work examines the relationship between Nichiren and his contemporaries and explains to some degree why this "vehment" street-preaching Buddhist is so unique in the history of Buddhism. Few Buddhist preach "the Book" - the Lotus Sutra - so exclusively as he. We see the development up to the modern Sokagakkai and its political influence in Japan.

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• opensourcebuddhism.org

[laillusion100]

Yes, I understand that I am the light. However, much work ahead. We must wake people up from the matrix.  Everyone is entitled to be enlightend if they want or can choose to remain asleep. "Great job"

[opensourcebuddhism]

@laillusion100 Thanks Laillusion100, Glad you appreciate the documentary on Nichiren. He is so misunderstood! Some comment on some few inaccuracies in this documentary, but I think Mirine Suzuki caught it very nicely!

[pecorskuwitz]

Nichiren wasn't nationalistic he actually fought the government on many occasions and was nearly beheaded. He was the first major buddhist thinker who believed women could reach buddhahood. He was a radical bad ass...

[Shikimyo]

This video presents some large inaccuracies regarding Nichiren and his teachings. The idea that Nichiren considered himself to be the "True Buddha" is a later development and was never taught by Nichiren. Nichiren considered himself to be the votary of the Lotus Sutra; as Jogyo Bodhisattva who spread the Dharma he did NOT see himself as replacing the Eternal Buddha Shakyamuni!

Much of the info in this video is good explaining the context of Kamakura, but this is just glaringly wrong!

[nactan]

uh, only by chanting the nembutsu? that's not true.

[forgive47]

@Shikimyo Thank you for expounding on the mistakes. I am happy I have this practice!! Go easy, human make mistakes, others clear up mistakes

[blackiebori]

@Shikimyo I agree! The video obviously takes the dogma of Nichiren's apparent Buddha-hood from the so-called "orthodox" Nichiren Shōshū sect, of which Sōka Gakkai is descended. Not to criticize that school's teachings, but to CRITIQUE some of the misunderstandings about St. Nichiren's nature. He was, and is, a bodhisattva-mahasattva, not THE Buddha...well....not yet anyway (I say that in accordance with chapters 8 and 9 of the Lotus Sutra).

[JFKenji]

@stefanmuth Japanese monk you said?

Are you buddhist? If you really are, so do a work on yourself, try to experience respect. You're insulting more than 130billions of people.

[stefanmuth]

ok here is what I don't get. why does a japanese monk in the 13th century think that he knows the true teachings of buddha and everyone else doesn't? I mean the same literature was available to everyone. so why would only he understand it? is he saying that the original Buddha in India taught the lotus sutra and nam myo ho renge kyo? if so, where is the proof that he did?

[illarraza]

If you want to hear the real story of Nichiren Daishonin, you must pursue the same faith and practice as he. Then you will see know the real Nichiren.