Reverend Yogaku Iwaki
ASHUZAN MYOSENJI
March 16, 1981
Dear members,
Thank you very much for your efforts towards kosen rufu. Concerning kosen rufu, the 66th High Priest Nittatsu Shonin always said "Kosen rufu means the correct propagation of the true teachings of Nichiren Daishonin." Last year Nikken Shonin visited this country and he praised all members' sincere efforts to propagate true Buddhism. In order to understand the correct propagation of the true teachings I would like for you to study and understand these seven following points:
1. Please study 67th High Priest Nikken Shonin's recent guidance in the February 16th issue of the World Tribune.
2. Please remember that you belong to your local Nichiren Shoshu temple.
3. Please protect and follow Nichiren Shoshu teachings.
4. Please protect Nichiren Shoshu's three treasures.
5. Please understand the correct attitude one should have as Nichiren Shoshu believers.
6. Please participate in Nichiren Shoshu temple activities.
7. Please do not deify people.
I would like to discuss the above points individually.
1. Please study 67th High Priest Nikken Shonin's recent guidance in the February 16th issue of the World Tribune.
In order to understand Nikken Shone's recent guidance in the World Tribune you should have a basic knowledge of the corrected points of study referred to in the Fundamental Questions of Study (the June 30th article) the four speeches at the November 7th meeting at the Head Temple in 1978 and the Head Temple's statement in October 1979, where it was emphasized that all members should study these materials.
As Nikken Shonin has emphasized, to restore the spirit of Nichiren Daishonin, to advance toward kosen rufu and to establish the unity of itai doshin, is essential for us at this time. In order to carry out these three goals and to correctly propagate this Buddhism, studying the guidance in the February World Tribune is required. Concerning the translation, I would like to express my opinion on two points.
On page 16, column 2, the second sentence reads, "Herein lies the foundation for our attainment of Buddhahood." This should actually read, "Herein lies the true entity and true aspect of our attainment of Buddhahood." Again, the last sentence in the paragraph reads, "This is the principle that embracing the Gohonzon leads to enlightenment." This should read, "This is the principle that embracing the Gohonzon is enlightenment." In the original Japanese this is the concept of juji soku kanjin. Please remember this concept of juji soku kanjin.
2. Please remember that you belong to your local Nichiren Shoshu temple.
3. Please protect and follow Nichiren Shoshu teachings.
4. Please protect Nichiren Shoshu's three treasures. As you know, these three points are the founding principles of the Soka Gakkai. From the bottom of my heart, I want you to be active Nichiren Shoshu temple members. This active membership is essential in order for you to protect and follow Nichiren Shoshu teachings and protect Nichiren Shoshu's three treasures.
5. Please understand the correct attitude one should have as Nichiren Shoshu believers.
In the past there was some confusion about members' attitudes towards their practice. The following points need to be correctly understood.
a) The importance of having faith in the Gohonzon, In the Gosho Nichiren Daishonin refers to the concept of isshin daie, which means replacing wisdom with faith. In order to understand this concepts please think about Sharihotsu. He was famous for his great wisdom, but as we all know, he could not attain Buddhahood through his wisdom. He attained Buddhahood with his faith, Therefore we common mortals in Mappo always need correct faith. The Daishonin says practice and study arise from faith.
b) Therefore, we have to erase our misunderstanding about the Gohonzon. The phrases which we use to use such as, "the Gohonzon is my life" "the Gohonzon is the aspect of the ceremony in the air of the Lotus Sutra," are not Nichiren Daishonin's teachings. Then, what is the Gohonzon? Nikken Shonin says in his recent guidance that the Gohonzon is "actually the revelation of the Buddha's life from the infinite past or kuon ganjo."
c) As faith is important in Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism, we need to emphasize new member's faith as well. Can new members have faith? Sure, they can. This is Nichiren Daishonin's teachings.
d) New members are also expected not to have any other religious faith and practice when they wish to receive gojukai and the Gohonzon.
e) Nichiren Shoshu members may go to other places of worship if invited by non-Nichiren Shoshu members. However, Nichiren Shoshu members should not invite Nichiren Shoshu members to other churches.
f) Finally, N.S.A, is an organization of Nichiren Shoshu believers and so N.S.A. should not have meetings which include other religious festivities.
6. Please participate in Nichiren Shoshu temple activities.
I think everybody has deep respect for the Head Temple. This is a wonderful thing. At the same time I hope you realize the importance of your local temple. I have already asked you to remember that you belong to your local temples when I quoted the three founding principles of the Soka Gakkai.
I would like to clarify the role of the local temple.
The Head Temple is the center for all Nichiren Shoshu believers' faith. In the same way, the local temple is the center of faith for all members of its region. At the special ceremonies and gosho lectures, the temple gives believers the correct understanding of Nichiren Daishonin's teachings. The temples also perform gojukai ceremonies and bestows the Gohonzon on new mwmbwrs. The temple performs personal ceremonies such as weddings and memorial ceremonies. The local members protect, maintain and develop their temple with their gokuyo. With this harmonous relationship, the temple can help members deepen their faith.
7. Please do not deify people.
Nikken Shonin says in his recent sermons "If you should deify these many rather than trust and respect them, it would be a deviation from what a lay organization of Nichiren Shoshu should be."
I hope this will find you in good health and spirits.
sincerely yours,
Yogaku Iwaki