About Nichiren Shoshu, pt.4
MarcInMD
"…..The Hon in-myo sho simply identifies Nichiren as "the
practitioner of the subtlety of original cause" (hon in-myo no gyoja). However,
the Hyaku rokka sojo is more explicit:
"The subtlety of original effect corresponds to Sakyamuni Buddha, and the
subtlety of original cause, to Bodhisattva Superior Conduct." It also says:
"What Nichiren now practices does not differ from the
conduct of [the Buddha] in the most distant past when he
achieved the stage of verbal identity, not by so much as a
single mustard seed… The "Fathoming the Lifespan"
chapter of my [Nichiren's] inner enlightenment is the
subtlety of original cause hidden in the depths of the
"Fathoming the Lifespan" [chapter] of the harvest, and
its teacher is myself…From the standpoint of
beginingless time (kuon ganjo), "in heaven and earth, I
alone am worthy of respect" refers to
Nichiren…Nichiren, constantly abiding throughout the
three time periods [ of past, present, and future],
[confers] the benefits of [the stage of ] verbal
[identity]… The Buddha of sowing is [like] the moon in
the sky, while the Buddha of the harvest is [like] the
moon reflected in a pond"
"By the latter part of the Muromachi period, such ideas would be
systematized in the Fuji school's idiosyncratic doctrinal position, elaborated
particularly within the Taisekiji line, the equates Nichiren with the original
Buddha ('Nichiren Hombutsu ron'). A few passages form the Muromachi period
writings of this school will suggest some of the various ways in which this
doctrine was developed. For example, Nichiu (1409-1482), ninth abbot of the
Taisekiji, argues that for people of the Final Dharma age who are at the
beginning stage of practice, Nichiren as the teacher of the original cause is a
more appropriate focus of devotion than Sakyamuni:
"In our school, we do not enshrine as the object of
worship the Sakyamuni who, during his lifetime, taught
people able to extricate delusion and thus reach the
ultimate principle…Because this Sakyamuni, who taught
for the sake of those at advanced stages of practice, is
beyond the deluded perception of [being like ourselves],
who are at the stage of verbal identity and have but newly
produced the aspiration for enlightenment, we take as our
object of worship that which Sakyamuni practiced as the
cause for his enlightenment. This is why we rely on the
eminent founder, Nichiren Shonin."
"Nichiyo, a contemporary of Nichiu and of the same Fuji lineage, interprets
Nichiren as manifesting in his behavior a reality that Sakyamuni only
theoretically expressed: "[Nichiren] Daishonin is the essence of the Lotus
Sutra. Sakyamuni's Lotus Sutra is the Lotus Sutra in words alone…When
[Nichiren] practiced the Lotus Sutra in actuality, then it became the true
Lotus Sutra." Similarly, Sakyo Ajari Nikkyo (b.1428), a disciple of Nichiu,
developed the argument for Nichiren as the original buddha in his 'Musaka sho'.
He argues that Bodhisattva Superior Conduct, who represents the stage of
practice, is the teacher of all buddhas and surpasses Sakyamuni, who represents
only the stage of attainment. Thus Nichiren, who is the embodiment of Superior
Conduct in the time of mappo, is all-inclusive: "Simply believing in Nichiren
Shonin encompasses the virtues of faith in Sakyamuni, Many Jewels, Superior
Conduct, and all Buddhas."
"The equation of Nichiren with the original Buddha represents a bold if
convoluted attempt to free Nichiren from the context of the preceding
historical tradition of Sakyamuni's Buddhism and to relocate Sakyamuni within
the context of Nichiren's teaching. Structurally, it resembles medieval Tendai
claims that Chih-I's inner enlightenment is prior to and surpasses the
testimony of the Lotus Sutra preached by Sakyamuni. It also suggests the
nonlinearity and reversals of time and hierarchy characteristic of medieval
Tendai kanjin-style interpretations: The seed surpasses the harvest; the stage
of practice surpasses that of attainment; Superior Conduct, a bodhisattva, is
superior to Sakyamuni, a Buddha; and Nichiren, who lived after Sakyamuni in
historical time, becomes his teacher in Beginingless time. In the reading of
the three jewels of Buddhism adopted by most schools within the Nichiren
tradition, the Buddha is defined as the original Sakyamuni of the "Fathoming
the Lifespan" chapter of the Lotus Sutra, the Dharma is Namu-myoho-renge-kyo,
and the Sangha is represented by Nichiren. In the Fuji school, however, the
Buddha is Nichiren, the Dharma is Namu-myoho-renge-kyo, and the Sangha is
represented by Nikko. Founder worship is hardly uncommon in Japanese Buddhism,
but nowhere has it been provided with a more elaborate doctrinal rationale than
in the Fuji lineage of the Nichiren tradition.
{Original Enlightenment and the Transformation of Japanese Buddhism.
pp.340,341,342 by Jacqueline Stone, }
MarkP
> Part 4 of 5
>
<snip>
Posted by someone who doesn't even know how cause and effect affects
his life. And they think they are on the right track!
MarcInMD
Here we have perfectly fine doctrinal statements by Dr. Stone and HG Lamont who
are both world class scholars. The essays are well referenced, well argued and
persuasive to any ordinarily objective person looking to learn the truth about
what NIchiren actually taught.
But Porter and Cody get out of their depth pretty quickly. They cannot take on
a cogent, well referenced analysis head on, so instead, they make silly
comments that only show how frustrated they are and how little they know about
Nichiren Buddhism.
HBSHU
Hardly a fair comparison. I never shirk from doctrinal debates and then fall
back on ad hominem attacks like you and your friends do. When you say something
soooo stupid that I am left breathless, I will sometimes mention what a stupid
idiot you are. But I dont run away from doctrinal debates like NST members do,
covering their retreat with personal remarks as a buffer between them and
making a case.
MarkP
> Notice that all these NST members do is reply with ad hominem personal attacks.
>
> Here we have perfectly fine doctrinal statements by Dr. Stone and HG Lamont who
> are both world class scholars. The essays are well referenced, well argued and
> persuasive to any ordinarily objective person looking to learn the truth about
> what NIchiren actually taught.
>
I already debated these articles. If you persist in reposting them
it's because you merely need attention, which we don't want to give
you anymore. However, I will debate this one more time succinctly and
to the point.
You need to look at Dr. Stones work from a slightly different
perspective than Marc would like you to. Her use of the words medeivel
are irrelevent. Nichiren Daishonin created True Buddhism in the middle
ages so it is medeivel from that standpoint alone. That means Nichiren
Shu and HBS are
medeivel as well.
She also likes to compare Nichiren Shoshu with "the corrupt Tendai
sect". The use of both of these comments is designed to make the
reader believe she really knows what she's talking about. She uses
them to bolster her position. This alone casts doubt on her whole
position.
I have no doubt that she was sincere in her efforts, but
True Buddhism can't be proven through scholarly works. The only proof
if the religion is valid comes from actual proof in your daily life.
If there is no actual proof then the religion is invalid, or your
practice is not correct. Period! No comparison between doctrines is
needed.
MP
MarcInMD
Er Mark...I thought you were going to "debate" the points Stone makes in here
book?
Youre not "Debating" your just whining and saying you dont like what she is
saying ( Surprise)
"Debating" her points means going through them and providing counter evidence
and well referenced arguments to counter hers.
As if...
But thats ok. Your utter lack of ability shows the truth of the matter better
than anyting else.
Mark P.
>Youre not "Debating" your just whining and saying you dont like what she is
>saying ( Surprise)
>
I'm not whining, I'm debating her slanderous technique. She
tricks people into believing what she says. The other stuff is mere
conjecture.
>"Debating" her points means going through them and providing counter evidence
>and well referenced arguments to counter hers.
>As if...
Why should I debate conjecture? There is no proof submitted.
Mark Porter
"Take these teachings to heart, and always remember
that believers in the Lotus Sutra should absolutely
be the last to abuse each other. All those who keep
faith in the Lotus Sutra are most certainly Buddhas,
and one who slanders a Buddha commits a grave offense."
Gosho; 14 Slanders
for(reverse(1..100)){$s=($_!=1)? 's':'';print"$_ bottle$s of beer on the wall,\n";print"$_ bottle$s of beer,\nTake one down, pass it around,\n"; $_--;$s=($_==1)?'':'s';print"$_ bottle$s of beer on the wall\n\n";}print'*burp*';