Benefit of Soka Spirit 2 of 2

The Justice Chronicle, provided by Soka Gakkai International-USA, is a free monthly e-mail in support of the Soka Spirit movement. Soka Spirit is the SGI's educational effort to create value and deepen our understanding of Nichiren Buddhism through increased awareness of issues surrounding the Nichiren Shoshu priesthood and the spiritual foundation of the SGI movement.

1) VIEWPOINT

THE BENEFIT OF SOKA SPIRIT

By Mark Kaplan
Ridgewood, N.J.

[This is a continuation of a two-part article in which Mark Kaplan discusses his perspective on how Soka Spirit relates to our practice of Buddhism as whole, both on a macro level (see Justice Chronicle 135) for our overall movement for kosen-rufu and a micro level, in terms of our personal lives as practitioners of Nichiren Buddhism.]

THE MICRO VIEW:

On a personal level, the same dynamic [of the response of fundamental darkness inherent in life to causes for good] exists within each of our lives. SGI President Ikeda has stated that, The functions of both the 'devil' and the 'Buddha' exist within our lives. Ultimately, the battle is with ourselves (For Today and Tomorrow, p. 281). The stronger our personal causes to practice correctly, to do our human revolution and to spread Buddhism, the more the fundamental darkness that exists within each of us will appear, attempting to stop our efforts.

As we all know, the key to our happiness is to not give in to those negative forces, but to summon up the great power of faith more than ever (The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, p. 1000), and continue our efforts to win in our daily lives. In so doing, the negativity we face actually functions as a springboard to spur us on to greater growth and ultimate victory.

What then is the connection between the Soka Spirit movement on an organizational level and our personal quest to become absolutely happy? President Ikeda states: To attain Buddhahood, we have to thoroughly conquer our own inner evil. The concrete means for doing so is struggling against and defeating external evil. Struggling to defeat evil enables us to polish and purify our lives and attain Buddhahood. Because we strive against the ultimate evil, we attain the ultimate good (The Wisdom of the Lotus Sutra, vol. 3, p. 84).

The Devadatta chapter of the Lotus Sutra teaches that even an evil person can attain enlightenment. But this is only true if evil is defeated. If evil is allowed to spread, it only creates unhappiness for more people. When evil is challenged, it functions as a good friend making us stronger, propelling us further along the path to happiness. Shakyamuni proved this when he challenged and won over Devadatta. Nichiren Daishonin proved it when he stood up to and won over Hae No Saemon, Ryokan and his other powerful enemies. And it is our great benefit to have the opportunity to prove it true today as we stand alongside President Ikeda in refuting the false teachings of Nichiren Shoshu and keep the Daishonin's teachings pure.

Soka Spirit is a never-ending effort that will continue long after the Nichiren Shoshu has any effective ability to spread distortion of the Daishonin's teachings. This is because the Soka Gakkai's mission is to accomplish worldwide kosen-rufu. As long as we as an organization fulfill that mission, he three obstacles and four devils will, in one form or another, continue to invariably appear, enabling us to purify our lives and attain Buddhahood (see WND, 637).

As President Ikeda says, Difficulties equal progress. Earthly desires are enlightenment. The key is to use all sufferings as fuel to become happy; to use all evil as firewood to cause the light of good to burn brighter still (The Wisdom of the Lotus Sutra, vol. 3, p. 85). The Soka Gakkai has struggled against and triumphed over all manner of persecution, repression and scheming. As a result of these struggles, we could all deepen and strengthen our faith. If it were possible to accomplish kosen-rufu easily and without obstacles, then we would not have the opportunity to polish ourselves or to carry out our practice for attaining Buddhahood.

Part two of two.


2) FROM MY DEAR FRIENDS IN AMERICA

This series contains excerpts of speeches SGI President Ikeda made in the United Statesÿ which relate to Soka Spirit and are contained in the book My Dear Friends in America: Collected U.S. Addresses 1990-96.

This excerpted speech was given on Sept. 30, 1991, before Nichiren Shoshu's excommunication of the SGI, in Calabasas, Calif.

HIGH PRIEST NITTATSU PRAISES THE SOKA GAKKAI

[Sixty-sixth Nichiren Shoshu high priest] Nittatsu praised the Soka Gakkai's sincere efforts for kosen-rufu as comparable to those of Nanjo Tokimitsu, who contributed the land for and promoted the establishment of Taiseki-ji. At the ceremony for the dedication of the newly rebuilt main hall of Myoren-ji temple in 1974, Nittatsu stated: Now, in 1974, exactly 642 years after Nanjo Tokimitsu's death, there is an outstanding individual of great devotion who has embraced the spirit of Nanjo Tokimitsu. This is Daisaku Ikeda, head of all Nichiren Shoshu lay organizations. Thanks to the efforts of this person, both at the head temple and at branch temples, old buildings have been reconstructed, new temples have been built, believers have been increasing daily, and in one great leap Nichiren Shoshu has become known throughout the world as a major religion. This is by virtue of Daisaku Ikeda's profound faith and his meritorious accomplishments. Indeed, he may be called the Nanjo Tokimitsu of our age.

Although I have no wish to speak in self-praise, I have taken the liberty of mentioning the late high priest's words today merely to set the record straight from the standpoint of Nichiren Shoshu history. Nittatsu himself even went to the trouble of having his remarks on this occasion engraved on a monument to remain as an eternal reminder.

The priesthood's current leaders disparage the person Nittatsu called he Nanjo Tokimitsu of our age, calling him another Hakiri [the steward of the Minobu area who betrayed Nichiren Daishonin's teachings]. Neither the Soka Gakkai nor I myself have since changed in any way. What has changed is the priesthood's view. Haven't the members of the priesthood turned against their late mentor, Nittatsu?

In retrospect, the decadent priest Niko, who accommodated much slander, did not carry out the practice of propagation. Moreover, he was fond of feasting and conducted himself disgracefully. He went so far as to slander Nikko Shonin for indulging in reading non-Buddhist literature. As a result, the pure flow of the Daishonin's teaching ceased to exist at Minobu.

I will explain the unwarranted charge that Nikko Shonin indulged in reading non-Buddhist literature on another occasion. But suffice it to say that to follow a teacher who attempts to destroy the teaching of Nichiren Daishonin is tantamount to turning against the Daishonin, Nikko Shonin and their successors who correctly revered the Law. We must be absolutely clear on this point.

My Dear Friends in America, pages 169-70

Twelve in a series.


SOKA SPIRIT IN THE PUBLICATIONS

This section highlights articles published in the World Tribune and Living Buddhism related to the Soka Spirit movement.

May 24 World Tribuneÿ page 10: In The 'Pilgrim's Progress': From Without to Withinÿ an installment of the series Buddhism in a New Light: Soka Spirit Dialogue for the Districtÿ SGI-USA Vice Study Department Leader Shin Yatomi discusses the history of religious pilgrimage, as well as what constitutes a true Buddhist pilgrimage -- our inward search for Buddahood.