Our Current Focus

Shin Yatomi
SGI-USA Vice Study Department Leader

The Priesthood Issue and the Soka Spirit

Today, the Soka Spirit refers most specifically to the SGI-USA’s current efforts with regard to Nichiren Shoshu, a school of Nichiren Buddhism based in Shizuoka, Japan, with six branch temples in the United States. Nichiren Shoshu is the Buddhist school with which the Soka Gakkai and SGI were originally affiliated. Under the leadership of its current high priest Nikken Abe, however, Nichiren Shoshu committed two major transgressions against Buddhism and its practitioners.

In 1991, the Nichiren Shoshu priesthood demanded that the Soka Gakkai, then its lay organization, be disbanded and later officially excommunicated it. Buddhism describes disrupting the harmony among believers as one of the most serious offenses in Buddhism. Furthermore, in an attempt to justify its arbitrary action toward the SGI and silence believers’ criticism, the priesthood has been propounding the erroneous doctrine of the “absolute faith in and strict obedience to the High Priest.”

Since the priesthood has used its assumed authority and role as clergy to condemn the SGI, and actively aims to confound and intimidate believers, we have seen the urgent necessity to address the issue. In addition, addressing and correcting such abuse by religious authority accords exactly with the teachings and spirit of Buddhism. Beyond these specific issues, however, we consider the priesthood issue as an excellent opportunity to deepen our understanding of the Soka Spirit and reflect upon ourselves and the future of our movement to spread Nichiren Buddhism.

The priesthood issue is an experience of historic importance from which future generations of Buddhists will learn how to apply the core spirit of Buddhism to their changing circumstances. 

The five most serious offences in Buddhism are called the “five cardinal sins.” Explanations vary according to the sutras and treatises. The most common is (1) killing one’s father, (2) killing one’s mother, (3) killing an arhat, (4) injuring a Buddha, and (5) causing disunity in the Buddhist Order. It is said that those who commit any of the five cardinal sins invariably fall into the hell of incessant suffering. The last three offences are collectively referred to as the three cardinal sins. Devadatta is well known for committing these three. (The Soka Gakkai Dictionary of Buddhism, p. 181-82) Dai-Nichiren, Special Edition II, “The Correct Way of Faith in Nichiren Shoshu,” published by the Nichiren Shoshu Bureau of Religious Affairs, p. 13.