FAITH-IN-FAITH

"The true Gohonzon is within oneself." - that is a saying familiar to anyone with an interest in Nichiren Buddhism. Even Nichiren said that it is faith that is the source of the benefits that arise from chanting before the Gohonzon.

If one takes those messages to heart then one realises that the true power comes from faith-in-faith and that resides within oneself. There is no magical or spiritual potency within the object of the Gohonzon but within the faith that builds within oneself as one practices. It is the "halo" of the Gohonzon and the Daimoku that develops with practice.

To claim that some sort of magical potency exists within the object or the words is missing the point. However, anyone who practises while believing in that hypothetical magical potency will, of course, still experience the benefits as they arise from within their own self because of the faith that resides there.

So if one accepts that faith-in-faith is the key then that faith can make any practice or spiritual tool potent. Consequently it is not self delusion that prompts me to say that a Gohonzon-type object specifically designed to suit Westerners who have no interest in Nichiren's Buddhism itself can still work for them in the way Nichiren intended because of the way the "halo" of potency develops through practice and as faith naturally emerges from within oneself.

A mantra designed for similar purposes will also work for the same reasons.

I am working on the design of both and have tested prototypes and find that they do work thanks to the principle of faith-in-faith.

DEOGENICUS

"THE ESSENCE OF LIFE IS CREATIVITY AND COMPASSION IS ITS MORAL DIMENSION.", John Gibbons.

SGI AND NICHIREN SHOSHU BUDDHISM PLUS A NEW WESTERN ADAPTATION

Originally Sokagakkai was the lay organisation supporting Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism. But a split occurred. The reasons do not concern us here. Prior to the split the role of Mr. Daisaku Ikeda was President of the Sokagakkai.

Since the split Sokagakkai has become a repository of Nichiren’s Buddhism totally under the control of Mr. Ikeda. Although he is a Buddhist scholar in his own right the organization has become more like a personal domain than a lay organization supporting Buddhism.

His dominance is so complete, I will make a forecast. It is this: a movement within Sokagakkai will rise to promote him as Nichiren reborn. Nichiren Buddhist philosophy will become his and only his presentation of it will be pronounced valid.. His descendants will run it. Leadership will become hereditary.

Whether or not Sokagakkai does become a personal domain, as I forecast it will, is up to the organization and its members. Whatever the outcome, Nichiren Buddhism belongs to humankind, not to Sokagakkai, Mr. Ikeda or whoever follows him.

Despite Sokagakkai’s somewhat academic approach to most of its presentations of Nichiren’s teachings in its magazine, Nichiren’s basic message is very simple. It is this:

We all have and share Buddha Nature sometimes referred to as Life Force.

Nam myoho renge kyo is both the name of the Lotus Sutra in which this truth is revealed and the name of Buddha Nature itself.

This truth has been transcribed into the form of the Gohonzon in Nichiren’s own calligraphy.

By chanting Namu myoho renge kyo before the Gohonzon we can not only realise our own Buddha Nature but we can also transform our daily lives for the better, turning bad karma into good.

A great deal has been written by Nichiren and his followers presenting the philosophical arguments why this is true Buddhism.

Most interested Westerners will not read far into this material but prefer to go straight to the heart of the matter and practice the simple steps above. Loyal members of Sokagakkai will, of course, follow Mr. Ikeda’s instruction to study the philosophy in a deeper manner.

Westerners who are attracted to a simpler presentation of Nichiren’s teachings and do not wish to be subjected to the rules and philosophical interpretations of an organisation can find all of the information they need on the web. They can also download their own copy of a Gohonzon which is a faithful digital copy of one of Nichiren’s in his own calligraphy.

They can practice this simpler approach to Nichiren’s Buddhism and find, to their delight, that it works for them just as well as if they were part of an established church, sect or organisation. Nichiren’s Buddhism is for mankind – it is not owned by any individuals or organisations despite whatever pretensions they might have.

The best book I have ever read on Nichiren’s Buddhism is a simple picture book written for children. It is the best because it is stripped of complicating philosophy and gets down to the very root of daily practice and meaning. Here are the details:

“Cody Chants”, by Linda Iwamoto, illustrated by David Smee, published by Treasure Tower Books a division of SGI-USA, 2000.

There are many easily available books from the Sokagakkai that can be found on the internet so I will mention one other that few Sokagakkai members will have ever read. It is not restricted to a presentation of Sokagakkai’s views though they have some coverage which is a bit dated now. Instead it presents the origin and history of Nichiren’s Buddhism and the way it split into many sects over the following centuries.

“Fire in the Lotus”, by Daniel Montgomery, Grafton Books, a division of Harper Collins, London, 1991.

I will soon present a Westernised interpretation of the heart of Nichiren’s Buddhism, with its own English language alternative to the Sino-Japanese calligraphy of the originals. An alternative mantra will also be presented. The greatest compliment that can be given to any spiritual practice is the statement, “It works!!” – and it does.

‘Deogenicus’.