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.
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,
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.
