Buddhism: Words of Wisdom

[Unveiled Artist]

I signed up here for daily quotes and comments from the Lotus Sutra and Gosho and comments from the Nichiren Shu school. I figure that we can still get inspiration from other schools we don't practice from or are part of the religion itself.

Nichiren Shonin's Writings (Gosho)

For example, in building a huge tower, a scaffold is assembled from many small pieces of wood set up ten or twenty feet high. Then, using this scaffold, the huge tower is built with lumber. Once the tower is completed, the scaffold is dismantled. The scaffold here represents all Buddhist scriptures other than the Lotus Sutra, and the Great Tower is the Lotus Sutra. This is what is meant by “discarding the expedient.” A pagoda is built by using a scaffold, but no one worships a scaffold without a pagoda.​

Nichiren wrote this passage in his Response to My Lady the Nun, Mother of Lord Ueno (Ueno-dono Haha-ama Gozen Gohenji). In this simile, Nichiren compares the Buddha’s expedient teachings to the Wonderful Dharma he provides in the Lotus Sūtra.

What does this mean to you?

 

[Rick O'Shez]

Nichiren Shonin's Writings (Gosho)

For example, in building a huge tower, a scaffold is assembled from many small pieces of wood set up ten or twenty feet high. Then, using this scaffold, the huge tower is built with lumber. Once the tower is completed, the scaffold is dismantled. The scaffold here represents all Buddhist scriptures other than the Lotus Sutra, and the Great Tower is the Lotus Sutra. This is what is meant by “discarding the expedient.” A pagoda is built by using a scaffold, but no one worships a scaffold without a pagoda.​

What does this mean to you?

It seems to be saying that the Lotus sutra is the only Buddhist text with any genuine worth. Hmmm.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

It seems to be saying that the Lotus sutra is the only Buddhist text with any genuine worth. Hmmm.

Pretty much Nichiren's focus in all his letters. The Lotus has a lot of meaning to it. I honestly dont feel its the highest sutras in regards to disregard others. I like to cross reference the Lotus with other sutras, though.

I wonder if they have daily quotes from various suttras

 

[Rick O'Shez]

Pretty much Nichiren's focus in all his letters. The Lotus has a lot of meaning to it. I honestly dont feel its the highest sutras in regards to disregard others. I like to cross reference the Lotus with other sutras, though.

When I visited an SGI group what concerned me was their lack of knowledge about Buddhism in general. They didn't even know what the Four Noble Truths were for example. It seems to be a heavily faith-based approach, with very little questioning or analysis.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

When I visited an SGI group what concerned me was their lack of knowledge about Buddhism in general. They didn't even know what the Four Noble Truths were for example. It seems to be a heavily faith-based approach, with very little questioning or analysis.

Yes, I saw that most definitely. I practice as an independent but chant wtih them from time to time if one of my friends call. Usually, it's just at my home since I'm uncomfortable with going to most of their meetings. It's interesting in both Shoshu and SGI. We were at a study meeting and we were all siting in circle. All of us went around reading from a magazine written all by Ikeda. Then we had question and comment period. I brought up the Gosho and the Sutra in relation to what section we were commenting on and their faces went blank.

Over here SGI is somewhat watered down. I would have never joined in other countries where evangalization becomes recruiting and Ikeda becomes the head man without any knowledge of Shakyamuni's teachings.

I wanted to visit that Thai Vietnamese temple again. I wish I knew some Veitnamese so it wouldn't seem rude just to show up but don't know how to say hello other than bow and give a donation. Beautiful home, though.

 

[Jiddanand]

Try my blog. http://jiddanand.blogspot.com Maybe you will feel better.