The following is a reprint of a Special Feature from the August, 1992, issue of Myodo. The author is Mr. Gino Tarabini, an employee of Myokoji Temple in Tokyo and a staff translator with the Nichiren Shoshu Overseas Bureau at Myokoji Temple. At the time of his resignation from the SGI, Mr. Tarabini was a part time assistant on the Gosho Translation Committee, an SGI translator for members visiting from Italy, a Young Men's Division Vice Headquarters Chief and the Chapter Chief of the Tokyo International Group (TIG), which was a Chapter with 230 members. He copied and mailed this letter at his own expense to all 230 of them. Once the letter was received, an emergency meeting was called by the SGI to refute its basic assertions.
February 16, 1992
Dear Friends in TIG:
It has been quite a long time since we've last been in contact with each other or seen each other at meetings. I hope, as this letter reaches you, it finds you in good health. I am writing this letter out of deep respect for you. I hope that the length and contents of this letter do not offend you; that is not its intention. I kindly request that you read this letter in its entirety. Thank you.
After I left TIG and the Soka Gakkai, perhaps many things were said about me. Such is always the case in large organizations. I myself have been quite well since we've last seen each other. I'm very happy now in the Hokkeko and have been practicing with the temple ever since I left the Gakkai last July. When I left TIG, Vice President Takimoto asked me not to contact the members to tell them why I had left and I agreed. But I was also promised thai the many things I feared the most (explained later in this letter) would never be allowed to happen. However, when I saw the new Soka Gakkai version of the Gongyo book, I realized that things had gone much too far and were getting out of hand and that almost all of the things that I had been worried about and had been predicting since the beginning of 1991, were coming true. So today being the birthday of our Eternal Master, the true Buddha of Mappo, Nichiren Daishonin, I thought I'd try to make an attempt to reply, in my own small way, to repay a little of the debt of gratitude that I owe him. I also felt that I'd owed it to you, especially after my long silence, to explain the truth of what has really happened throughout the past year with me and naturally also with the problems we have all experienced throughout this past year within the Soka Gakkai/SGI. This is why I am writing today. Please read on.
SGI Changes Gongyo Books
I am sure you are all by now aware of the new Gongyo books that have been published and distributed throughout the Soka Gakkai. This, however, is not the first time the Gakkai has printed their own Gongyo books. The first time was in 1976-77 (Please see the silent prayers section of the 1978 edition "Lectures on the Sutra" printed by the Seikyo Times) and was also followed by then 3rd President of the Soka Gakkai, Mr. Daisaku Ikeda, inscribing eight wooden gohonzons (of course, without the permission of the Head Temple, as only the High Priest, as Nichiren's representative and the inheritor of the True Law, can do - not even the other priests can inscribe Gohonzons). Pres. Ikeda then conducted the Opening of the Eyes ceremony (also done only by the High Priests) and enshrined them in various kaikans throughout Japan, the NSA Headquarters in Los Angeles, in the Trets Training Center in southern France and even in his home. This was all done during the time of 66th High Priest Nittatsu Shonin. I, myself, like all other Gakkai members in Japan at the time, experienced these problems too, but finally Pres. Ikeda officially (on national television and in the Seikyo Shimbun) recognized that what he had done was wrong, apologized, and then instructed all the members to correct the mistaken teachings that he had propagated within the Gakkai. After this, he withdrew all the Gakkai version Gongyo books. I, also, returned my Gakkai version Gongyo book to my local kaikan and was given an orthodox Nichiren Shoshu Gongyo book in its place. I felt that anyone could make a mistake; after all, no one is perfect. Therefore we should all have a big enough heart to forgive and start afresh - especially when Pres, Ikeda further pledged to protect the head Temple and all the rules, traditions and teachings of Nichiren Shoshu ...including and particularly the Three Treasures of Buddhism as designated by Nichiren Shoshu. (Please see the explanation of the Three Treasures in the glossary section of the Major Writings, Volume I, Edition l, printed in 1980.)
Unfortunately, this time around, starting from the end of 1990, the Gakkai (which I had truly cherished for the past twenty years of my practice) started a campaign to sink a wedge between the members and the priesthood by slowly pulling all of the unsuspecting earnest Gakkai members, step by step, out of Nichiren Shoshu. This was done in the following order: immediately from the 27th of December 1990, emergency meetings were held throughout Japan in order to commence with a massive anti-priesthood campaign which was quickly followed with fabricated and falsified articles in the Seikyo Shimbun, Soka Shimpo (the Gakkai's youth organ), together with other Gakkai publications such as Dai-San Bunmai and Pumpkin and especially Jiyu (an underground series of daily fax messages in Japanese, sent to each Nichiren Shoshu temple and then published in a set of volumes and sold to the members) and lastly in a set of articles published by the Gakkai in the newspaper Chugai Nippo (a heretical Buddhist newspaper used by other heretical Buddhist sects - such as the Zen, Nembutsu, Shingon, Tendai and Nichiren Shu Sects, Rissho Kosei- Kai and Shinto shrines. This newspaper has nothing to do with Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism). After this was done, the entire process was then launched at the High Priest Nikken Shonin with even greater fervor and magnitude. This was done with the sole purpose of destroying the average members's confidence in the entire Nichiren Shoshu priesthood and especially the high priest, in order to make them feel that only the Soka Gakkai was really practicing the Daishonin's Buddhism.
We were then forbidden, or at least strongly "encouraged" not to go to our local temples. I was constantly being told that going to the temple to chant was tantamount to opposing Pres. Ikeda. However, in the Gosho, "Fourteen Slanders" (Vol. 3, pg. 216) it states, "As a layman, the most important thing for you is to chant Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo singlemindedly and to provide support for the priests." Therefore, throughout the years most of us have tried to go to temples to chant, whenever possible. But this time I was ordered by NSIC not to go to any temple to chant and, furthermore, to tell all the TIG members lo slay away from the temples even if you wanted to go there to chant daimoku. I was further instructed to inform you that if you wanted to chant, I was to direct you only to the Soka Gakkai Headquarters Building in Shinanomachi.
Naturally, I couldn't find it in my heart to tell you this (because I thought it was wrong) and so, therefore, I opted to remain silent. I guess you can probably understand now why at that time I couldn't speak much at meetings.
I was totally at a loss as to what to say and I was devastated at seeing the organization that I held so dear to my heart Trying to destroy Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism right before my very eyes. Everything that we had been taught in the Gakkai about Nichiren Shoshu faith was being ignored (especially about Onshitsu and the unity of priesthood and laity in order to accomplish kosen rufu). We were told that the brutal attacks on the priests were because "we loved them and because it had to be done to ultimately protect them." But no matter how much I chanted and read the Gosho, it Just didn't and couldn't get. It all seemed counter to what the Daishonin's Buddhism is. I knew that, in light of the turmoil we experienced in 1977-78, the stern approach of the priesthood towards us must he for good reason and we at least needed to sit down and listen to them.
In front of the members at meetings, I could only give encouragement to read the Gosho and to chant daimoku hoping that everyone would do their best to turn the situation into a more positive one. It was my only hope that you would see for yourself, through your correct practice of Buddhism. But behind the scenes, I spent hour after hour every single day speaking to the leaders, trying to comprehend the nightmare that I was witnessing. Little by little, I came to realize what was actually happening. I then started to confront these leaders with their or the Gakkai leadership's mistaken views and destructive actions.
SGI Denies Tozan Permission
It all came to a head when two friends came to Japan for their first Tozan, and because of work duties they couldn't make it within the month of June. The earliest they could come was the 2nd of July (the first day of the new Tozan system administered by the temples). Even though I had received permission from V.P. Takimoto and the temple, various leaders/personnel within NSIC (not V.P. Takimoto) tried vehemently to force me to stop these two people from going on their first Tozan to Taisekiji to see the Dai-Gohonzon. (Even though they had just arrived from abroad, and on a trip that was two years in the making, and involved years of savings.) At this time I was called into NSIC and informed by Mr. Takimoto that the Soka Gakkai and SGI Headquarters had given the official directive that if I could not give up my so-called mistaken views (supporting the priesthood and the Head Temple) and join in the campaign to publicly speak out against the priesthood, I would forfeit all my positions in the Gakkai (Young Men's Division and TIG) and within the SGI (Gosho Translation Committee and SGI interpreters) which would also most probably result in my having to resign from the Soka Gakkai altogether.
This had just been preceded by another round of tactics aimed at changing the members' views about how Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism should be practiced. It was announced that funerals and weddings were no longer to be held in temples, but instead at local kaikans and officiated only by Soka Gakkai leaders, (without the priesthood). Then it was announced that you didn't (or shouldn't) make Toba Kuyo offerings (wooden memorial tablets for the deceased) nor use any longer the traditional posthumous Buddhist names (called kaimyo) that up until only yesterday, we had always done. Strangely enough though, the Gakkai never opposed these particular traditions before, since its foundation some 60 years back.
Abroad, the Gakkai was taking the "NS" (for "Nichiren Shoshu of...") out of all the organizations' names in each individual country. Today, in America, NSA is no longer called NSA; it is now SGI-USA. They've made the same proposals for Europe and Asia, too.
However, in the case of Spain and Indonesia, the leaders and members alike objected. Eventually, most of the members of these entire countries left the SGI movement altogether. Members from all over the world (especially in Japan) have started to do the same, forming Hokkeko organizations with their local temples. There are now Hokkeko organizations directly linked to Taisekiji in almost all countries worldwide. For your information, the Hokkeko is the lay group that has been in Nichiren Shoshu since the time of Nichiren Daishonin. The Daishonin gave it is name. Originally even the Soka Gakkai was a branch of the Hokkeko until it went independent and registered itself as a separate legal and religious entity in 195 1. (A note aside on the Dai-Gohonzon itself, which states: Petitioners Yahiro Kuneshige Hokkeko-shu...)
Ghana and Brazil
In countries where there are no temples yet, the countries have been registering themselves with the Overseas Bureau of the head Temple. Also about this time, we were told by senior leaders that Mr. Asomani, the General Director of Ghana (and one of the original TIG members many years ago) had gone taiten and left Nichiren Shoshu. I recently found out from some visiting Ghanian members that Mr. Asomani is still practicing as strongly as ever. It turns out that since we are practicing Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism, he wanted to concentrate on the Gosho instead of a lay leader's guidance (Pres. Ikeda's) so the SGI tried to step in and have Mr. Asomani ousted. As a result, Mr. Asomani and 90% of the then 3000 Ghanian members (today there are 4000) left the Soka Gakkai and joined the Hokkeko as far back as 1990.
We were also hearing of other strange things in Brazil that naturally weren't announced at meetings. We heard "rumors" that while NSB (Nichiren Shoshu of Brazil) was applying to transform its status into SGI-Brazil, the General Director Mr. Saito was successful in having the chief priest and another assistant priest of Ichijoji Temple deported from Brazil and there was danger that the temple would have to be closed, leaving Brazil without a Nichiren Shoshu temple for a second time. (For a detailed description about this incident, please see the January 1992 edition of MYODO -the English language magazine for Hokkeko and all other Nichiren Shoshu believers throughout the world, available at Myokoji or Taisekiji.)
I tried to talk to the senior leaders about these points, but I could never get any satisfactory answers. In the process, Mrs. Ogawa told me that if the Soka Gakkai were to leave Nichiren Shoshu or be severed from Nichiren Shoshu, leaving the members without the Dai-Gohonzon or even individual Gohonzons, it really didn't matter much, "because Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo was the rhythm of the universe ...all you have to do is chant to the universe." I just couldn't help but feel that this was not the true intent of Nichiren Daishonin or else why would he have established the Dai- Gohonzon or inscribed individual Gohonzons in the first place. He even speaks about this in the Gosho. As I'm sure you remember, establishing the Dai-Gohonzon was the purpose of his advent into this world.
Little by little, it became obvious that every step the Gakkai took was like a powerful magnet pulling [he earnest and innocent Gakkai members further and further from the faith and traditions that they had promised the Daishonin himself to uphold for their entire life (at your Gojukai Ceremony). I felt everyday as if my head were about to burst, but I realized after chanting to the Gohonzon and reading the Gosho, that the only way to preserve my own faith in Buddhism as Nichiren Daishonin taught it was to leave the Soka Gakkai altogether and continue my faith in Nichiren Shoshu. So, I mustered up the courage and notified all the senior leaders on 7 July that I would resign. On 8 July I wrote a letter of resignation to Pres. Ikeda and Pres. Akiya. I forwarded a copy of that letter via fax to V.P. Takimoto at NSIC. He called me that evening to say that he was having it translated into Japanese because it was a very important letter and he would make sure that it was forwarded to Pres. Ikeda. As of today, I still have not received a reply.
I was told by all my leaders in the Gakkai (not only in TIG but also within the Japanese organization) that I could only obtain true happiness and enlightenment through Pres. Ikeda and the activities of the Soka Gakkai, regardless of what Nichiren Daishonin said in the Gosho and regardless of what we had always been taught about faith in True Buddhism. When I read passages in the Gosho to prove the validity of Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism as written by Nichiren Daishonin himself, I was told that these "were only words, and that it didn't matter." Before resigning, V.P. Takimoto warned me that if I left the Soka Gakkai, I would lose all my friends and lead a very lonely life in solitude. Even after all that happened, however, I still couldn't believe that the Gakkai was such an organization. After all, it promotes humanism, democracy, individual happiness and world peace. Doesn't it? But to my dismay, what he said was mostly correct. From the day I resigned until the day the Soka Gakkai/SGI organizations were excommunicated, most of the friends who remained in the Soka Gakkai either stopped talking to me, slopped being friendly with me or called daily (even until 2 AM) telling me how I would fall into hell because I no longer followed Pres. Ikeda.
However, on the other hand, I have not been lonely nor do I lead a life of solitude since I resigned from the Gakkai, I have many friends in the Hokkeko from many different countries and even quite a few who had the courage to leave the TIG. We are all practicing this wonderful Buddhism we call Nichiren Shoshu. I have been amazed at the change of the level of my faith, and since I left the Gakkai, every day I felt more and more a true disciple of our Master, Nichiren Daishonin. I've really come to realize what a grave error it is to take this Buddhism lightly, view it in a shallow manner, alter or modify it in any way whatsoever. And isn't it because of this time honored tradition that Nichiren Shoshu has survived until this day, enabling all of us to receive the Gohonzon?
Changes in the Silent Prayers
Let's look into the (orthodox Nichiren Shoshu) Gongyo books that we are using today. We all know that when we do Gongyo, before reciting the silent prayers, we read the Hoben (2nd) and Juryo (16th) Chapters of the Lotus Sutra. These silent prayers are still done in their original form today in the Japanese Gongyo books. The silent prayers that we recite in English, Italian, French, etc...are a translation of these original prayers. When I first started my practice some 20 years ago, we had no English translations- only Japanese silent prayers written in Roman letters, similar to the way the Sutra portion of the Gongyo books are now. We were given scant explanations as to the meaning of the silent prayers so that we could better understand what we were doing. Then, a primary but very elementary translation was made. A second translation followed that was more precise and even closer to the original silent prayers. This is the version we are using now. Even this edition has a few errors and incomplete translations, but it is still a vast improvement over the previous translation. As we progress in our practice, we're able to better grasp the profound meaning of Buddhism and are, therefore, able to came up with even better translations that correspond even more accurately to the original. Rev. Obayashi, the Chief Priest of Myokoji Temple and the Head of The Overseas Bureau at Taisekiji has explained to us that each word in the silent prayers is so profound that if you can master the meaning of each word, you can master the teachings of Nichiren Shoshu.
First Silent Prayer
Now let's examine the new Gakkai version Gongyo books that I mentioned earlier in this letter. On the surface they look only like a simplified or abbreviated version of the orthodox Nichiren Shoshu Gongyo book with a few relatively harmless changes. But when we take a deeper look and examine more closely, we can comprehend what is really happening here. In the first prayer, the Gakkai version shows gratitude to the Shoten Zenjin (Buddhist gods) and prays for increased protection but haphazardly omits the names of the various Buddhist gods and, more importantly, doesn't even offer thanks nor state why the Buddhist gods lent their protection, As we have been taught since we started our practice, if we don't practice True Buddhism, or better yet, if we don't practice it correctly as the Daishonin taught, we cannot receive protection from the Buddhist gods.
Second Silent Prayer
In the second prayer, which in the orthodox version praises all the ten significances of the DaiGohonzon, the Gakkai version simplifies it by merely stating that they are devoted to and offer gratitude to the Dai-gohonzon of the Three Great Secret laws which was inscribed for all mankind. In doing so, they completely do away with any acknowledgment of what is the Dai-Gohonzon. Each significance stated about the Dai- Gohonzon has profound meaning. In the new Gakkai version, for example, the reference to "The essence (core) of the Juryo Chapter (of the Lotus Sutra) of Honmon (essential teachings)" has been omitted. This is a serious error, not just a mere oversight.The Daishonin, through his ultimately great compassion that all living beings understand and correctly practice the true teachings so that they might all obtain enlightenment, gave the following stern warning in the "Opening of the Eyes" Gosho (MW-2, 1 53):
The men of these sects who are ignorant of the teachings of the Juryo Chapter are similarly like beasts. They do not understand to whom they are obligated. Therefore Miao-lo states, 'Among all the teachings of the Buddha's lifetime, there is no place other than the Juryo chapter where the true longevity of the Buddha is revealed...'
The Great Teacher Miao-la lived in the T'ien-pao era (742-755) in the latter part of the T'ang Dynasty. He is saying that if one makes a deep and thorough examination of the Sanron, Kegon, Hosso and Shingon sects and the sutras upon which they are based, but fails to become acquainted with the Buddha of the Juryo Chapter, he is no more than a talented animal who does not even know what land his father presides over.
They also mention that the Dai-Gohonzon "is for all mankind" which it is. but it is protected and kept with each successive High Priest of Nichiren Shoshu. Since the Soka Gakkai has now negated the true meaning of the three Treasures, keeping the traditional text of the second Nichiren Shoshu silent prayer would negate all the Gakkai's mistaken doctrine on Buddhism because "The Buddha" means Nichiren Daishonin, "the Law" means the Dai Gohonzon and "The priest" signifies Nikko Shonin and all the successive High priests. (Please check your English Goshos; Vols. 1, 2 and 3-6 all differ significantly. Volume 1 is the correct version published in 1980 right after Pres. Ikeda apologized for the above stated problems of 1977, when the (gakkai had to correct its mistaken doctrines. If you check your Goshos, you may discover something very revealing-namely, that what I've been writing in this letter is true) The Great Teacher Dengyo said, "Even though you praise the Lotus Sutra, if you don't understand the heart of the Sutra then no matter what you say it cannot be considered as praise; rather, you end up destroying the Lotus Sutra."
Third Silent Prayer
The third prayer of the Gakkai edition similarly deletes the following from the original prayers: the various properties of the True Buddha Nichiren Daishonin of Sovereign, Teacher and Parent; the fact that Nikko Shonin inscribed the kechimyaku of True Buddhism from the Daishonin "as water is poured from one vessel into another" and that the life of Nikko Shonin equals that of Nichiren Daishonin (also omitted or reduced to an extreme abbreviation in the present translations of our Gongyo books). It also entirely deleted Nichido Shonin and Nichigyo Shonin and the rest of the line of all the other successive High Priests. So, if we accept the new Gakkai version as being true, then where does that leave us regarding the Gohonzons that we have been practicing to for such a long time? Some of us have Nittatsu Shonin's Gohonzon. Does this mean then, that the Gakkai nullifies even the validity of our Gohonzons? These omissions were done deliberately, because if the Gakkai allows the original prayers to remain intact, then they must recognize the Three Treasures as taught by the Daishonin and subsequently all the successive High Priests up until our present High Priest Nikken Shonin, as inheriting the True Law. Thus leaving room for the average member to realize that the Gakkai's entire idea of how the Daishonin's Buddhism should be taught for this "new reformation" or "Soka Renaissance" is a farce that does not hold water. This reveals that they are going against the true intent of the Daishonin's Buddhism because they negate the lineage of the True Heritage as put forth by the Daishonin himself. In the Minobu Transfer Document (called Minobu Sojo Sho, found only in the Japanese Gosho Zenshu, p.1600) the Daishonin states "the line of kechimyaku (heritage, lifeblood) is from Nichiren to Nikko,"
Fourth and Fifth Silent Prayers
The fourth and fifth prayers completely reveal, though, the true intent of the Gakkai's actions throughout this past year and why it is necessary for them to try to destroy the Nichiren Shoshu Priesthood and control Taisekiji and the Dai- Gohonzon. This is because the fourth prayer doesn't pray for the attainment of Kosen rufu of Honinmyo (the true cause) which means the propagation of the True Buddhism of Nichiren Daishonin throughout the entire world but only prays for "Kosen rufu" and adds a very elaborate prayer for the "eternal prosperity of the Soka Gakkai." This may sound just like a simple matter of semantics but it is not. Kosen rufu of the True Law-of Honinmyo-can only truly be established with the Gohonzon and the rest of Nichiren Daishonin's orthodox doctrines around the world, based on the True Heritage of the Law (Kechimyaku). This same Gakkai prayer, however, was also put in the 1977 Gakkai version Gongyo books which Pres. Ikeda later admitted were wrong and had retracted. The same is true of the fifth prayer which offers gratitude to (there's no mistake in the translation of the preposition) the first President Makiguchi and Second President Toda for the benefit of offering their lives to the spreading of the Law. This prayer uses the exact same language and terminology that is used only for the True Buddha Nichiren Daishonin and the successive High Priests. I don't think it takes much explanation to show you why this particular prayer is heretical.
In the fifth prayer we can also see another important part that has been omitted-that is "I pray for the Gohonzon's impartial benefits to spread throughout the world and bring peace and happiness (but a correct translation should actually read enlightenment) to all mankind and the entire universe."
Another little thing I should point out is that there is one other deceased President in the Soka Gakkai who devoted his life to the Gakkai but he has been,strangely enough, omitted-the fourth president Hojo. This, like in 1977, was done for only one reason. It is because the 3rd President Ikeda has not yet passed away (even though he is no longer President of the Gakkai, he holds only an honorary title in the Soka Gakkai, and is presently President of the SGI). The underlying fact here is that Pres. Ikeda, using these new prayers, wants to prove to you that the true heritage goes from Nichiren to Nikko, then skips to Makiguchi to Toda and finally later on, to Ikeda himself. That's also why the Gakkai top leadership has changed the third prayer leaving out the other successive High Priests and why they are now always (and especially recently) speaking within the Gakkai about a "direct connection" to Nichiren Daishonin which means that Mr. Ikeda wants, and needs, to have his name installed in the fifth prayer after he passes away (just as he tried to do in the Gakkai Gongyo books of 1977) using the same terminology (in Japanese, of course) as that used for the Original Buddha, because he himself feels that he is the ...well,figure that one out for yourself, I'll give you a hint, though. Prior to 1977 in NSA we used to place our hand over our heart and sing "The Human Revolution" song to Pres. Ikeda's picture. I'm sure that sounds a bit weird, but I'm afraid its true. If we actually consider the Gakkai logic to be true, then that means the "kechimyaku" (obviously only of the Gakkai, not of Nichiren Shoshu) has already been shifted from Ikeda to Hojo and now to Akiya.
In our personal prayers or determinations that we offer to the Gohonzon, that come from our heart, we are of course absolutely free to alter according to our feelings, circumstances, the times, etc...but alterations in the actual silent prayers themselves are more than mere changes in the way we pray to the Gohonzon. They modify the meaning of and entire way we practice the Daishonin's Buddhism. The true Nichiren Shoshu silent prayers are more than Just a ritual, they all have profound meaning, not only in themselves, but also in our relationship to Nichiren Daishonin and the Gohonzon. As was mentioned earlier, Rev. Obayashi has stated that "if you can master the meaning of each word of the silent prayers, then you can master the teachings of Nichiren Shoshu." I hope that through my explanation of these new silent prayers you can see the true intent of the Gakkai and the direction it has now taken.
Believed "Sensei" Special
You're probably wondering why I supported and promoted Mr. Ikeda and the SGI organization for so long. The answer is quite simple. I really believed he was a very special man who worked for Kosen rufu and especially for the development of Nichiren Shoshu and therefore, I respected him very much. But translating for him on numerous occasions gave me the chance to get closer to him (a dream 1 had always chanted for, and then got) and catch a glimpse of the "real" him. When the problem with the head temple surfaced, the overall conduct of the Gakkai leadership revealed once and for all what type of man he really is and what he and his organization are doing to your practice of Buddhism. As you know, the leaders throughout the Gakkai organization don't just run the organization on their own initiative. It is all done according to the guidance and approval of "Ikeda Sensei". In the Gakkai, they may proclaim "democracy, world peace, religious reformation, humanism, a Soka Renaissance, etc..." but if you look at the articles in the Gakkai papers, the comics showing priests with fangs or Nikken Shonin as the devil, and the gruesome illustrations painted on the sides of the trucks paid for with Gakkai member donations parading around Taisekiji calling for the death of the High Priest (don't believe me, go and take a look for yourself) can you still really feel this organization is a peace-loving group truly wanting world peace and each individual's happiness? Is this Buddhism based on the Original Buddha?
On December 8, 1991, Pres. Ikeda attended the 48th Headquarter's Meeting held at the Saitama Ikeda Cultural Center and proclaimed, "This Meeting today is the first Headquarter's Meeting since the observance of the Soka Gakkai's "Independence Day". Just as at this general meeting here in Saitama, joyful gatherings are simultaneously being held at centers nationwide." Does this give you an idea of what his real intent has been all along? Have you ever wondered why all meetings and activities are centered on Pres. Ikeda guidance and not on Nichiren Daishonin's Gosho?
The growth of the Soka Gakkai throughout the entire world has been remarkable, you could even say historical. But the reason everyone has obtained so much benefit, experienced growth and been able to do shakubuku is because of the Dai- Gohonzon. Without the Dai-Gohonzon which has been protected by each successive High Priest for more than 700 years, none of the propagation of Kosen rufu throughout the world would have been possible. We would not even have been able to receive our own personal Gohonzon.
History of Heretical Schools
As you know, after the passing of Nichiren Daishonin the five elder priests thought that the Daishonin's method of shakubuku was much too severe and they eventually wandered off and formed their own "school" Their schools later became known as the various sects that make up "Nichiren Shu". They all felt there should be a softer approach. They eventually tied themselves up with the Shogunate government and gained government support and financial holdings which helped them to build many temples all over Japan. But let's take a good look at Nichiren Shu. Even though, through their own methods of propagation and practice, they were able to spread all over the country and even enjoy a golden era of financial power and leverage within the government, today their sect joins rank and file with the other extinct forms of Buddhism in Japan.
Only Nikko Shonin who left Minobu with the real treasures of the Daishonin -- his heritage of the True law and the Dai-Gohonzon -- was able to survive. He did not alter the Daishonin's teachings in the least. This situation of 700 years ago can be compared to what we are seeing today. The Soka Gakkai using the Dai-Gohonzon and the struggles of all the members worldwide throughout its 60 year history has been able to firmly establish itself with more members, more kaikans, community centers, memorial halls and training centers and obviously much more political clout than Nichiren Shoshu. The Gakkai has its Komeito Party, lobbyist groups in Washington DC and in the California Senate in Sacramento, plus participation in the NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) of the United Nations. Without the heritage of the life of Nichiren Daishonin and the Itai-Gohonzon, this road, however, leads to a dead end. Buddhism is severe - that's the law of cause and effect.
Even as I write today, the Soka Gakkai is hurriedly trying to finish off their own new Head Temple in Hachioji to replace Taisekiji, now temporarily being called the 'Makiguchi Memorial Hall,' where they most probably will enshrine one of the Joju Gohonzons of Nissho Shonin (64th High Priest) or even possibly a Gohonzon inscribed by Nichiren Daishonin and already purchased from Minobu (Nichiren Shu, therefore there no longer is any kechimyaku in this Gohonzon) through the Gakkai affiliated trading firm Mitsui Shoji. Now the Gakkai even has a few 'token priests' ( Some of these priests are ex- Gakkai leaders who became priests in preparation for this day) to lend 'authenticity,' just as the Japanese Military Government did during World War II with its puppet regime of the Manchurian Government in the then country of 'Manchukuo.'
Now that the Gakkai has its 'priest's division' (things that I heard even spoke about in leaders meeting in the USA and Japan 12-35 years ago), its new Head Temple, it's own version of a gongyo book, all that remains now, is for Mr. Ikeda to enshrine and establish his own object of worship for you - to take you out once and for all in the name of world peace, democracy, humanism, a 'renaissance,' a religious reformation etc... from the lifeblood of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism. He's already done it before, and watching the events of the past 15 months, without a doubt he will do it again. I wonder what, 'new wave' of thought or philosophy of 'keeping up with the times' he will use to further convince -- nay, deceive you. The Gakkai is extremely convincing in any argument they present, but hopefully you will be able to realize that no matter what they are telling you, they have changed Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism. You may think you are staying in the same religion by remaining in the Soka Gakkai. However, the Gakkai has taken all the members; lock, stock and barrel out of the Daishonin's Buddhism into a totally different religious sect (this is why the High Priest was forced to take the extreme treasure of expelling the Soka Gakkai and SGI organizations).
I know this letter has not only been long, but also a bit harsh in places due to the severity of the problems at hand, but I hope you can have the strength to open your heart and your mind and look deeply into the aforementioned comments. Please take this as a heartfelt warning, from a friend. Deeply reflecting on ourselves, we must realize that the Soka Gakkai up until a year ago practiced the teachings of Nichiren Daishonin, but by withholding the True Teachings of the Daishonin's life and enlightenment, the Daigohonzon, the High Priest, the Three Treasures, has caused us to have a shallow understanding of this Buddhism. This must be rectified.
The teachings of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism must not be based on one lay person's interpretations, guidances about daily life or news about which countries he has visited, which ambassadors or scholars he has met or even which awards he has won. These activities are not Kosenrufu. Kosenrufu is the spreading of Nichiren Daishonin's teachings as He taught it. Therefore, after reading some of the explanations that I am offering you and in light of the Nichiren Daishonin's True Buddhism (as he taught it), I hope you can understand that the Gakkai has distanced itself, if not completely removed itself, from True Buddhism and has now become a heretical religion.
Please heed the words from the following passage of the Opening of the Eyes Gosho (Kaimoku Sho', Vol. II, pg. 150): "As clouds obscure the moon, so calumnious ministers can obscure the man of truth. A yellow stone, if people praise it, may be mistaken for a jewel, and ministers who are skilled in flattery may be mistaken for worthy men." Also, in a previous passage of the same Gosho (pg. 81) Nichiren states. "In time as Buddhism became more popular, there were certain Buddhist monks who, because they had broken the precepts wars forced to return to: secular life, or who elected to return to join forces with the native creeds......They twist what is lofty and force it into a mean context, they destroy what is exalted and drag it down among the base, striving to put the two on an equal level......Though they are monks, they destroy the teachings of Buddhism. Some renounce their vows and return to lay life, as Wei Yuan-Sung did. Then as laymen, they work to destroy the teachings of Buddhism. Men of this kind steal and usurp the correct teachings of Buddhism and use them to supplement and bolster the heretical writings."
Therefore, the so-called modifications of the silent prayers are serious errors that further take you and all the other unsuspecting members farther and farther from the soul of True Buddhism, and since they are negating the Daishonin's Buddhism, it plants poison in your life that destroys the very seed of Buddhahood. If you do Gongyo with these new prayers you may chant all you like, but they are not the prayers of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism. It will do you no good, it will not lead you to enlightenment but destroy your castle from within.
I hope my poor explanation has showed you that all the actions taken by the Gakkai have pulled all the Gakkai members away from the True Lifeblood of faith of Nichiren Shoshu. Before it's too late, before the Gakkai has colored your vision in faith and pulled you away to the point of no return, if you want to remain a practitioner and enjoy the benefits of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism, as Nichiren Daishonin taught it and as you promised Him you would do for the rest of your life, I ask that you re-think this past year carefully, return to your Gohonzon and re-determine yourself to stand up with courage and return to Nichiren Shoshu. I am not a person of great faith or leadership. I am not asking that you follow me. I am asking that you stand up os one of Nichiren Daishonin's true disciples. If on the other hand, you prefer to stay in the Soka Sect, then that is your prorogative. You are free to believe in what you choose.
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