[A Guide to HBS -part2-]
The Teachings and Practices of HBS
Rev. Nisso Fukuoka
Question and Answer
Q: Nichiren Shonin stated: “There are four sources of suffering maxim", when he severely criticized other Buddhist sects. Which sects were they and what were the reasons?
A: There is a phrase, “The refutation of erroneous views is equal to the elucidation of right views". Evil things and wrong ideas must be refuted and broken. If not, true teachings and piety cannot be manifested.
In order to clarify true teachings of the Lotus Sutra and the Dharma of Shakamuni Buddha, Nichiren Shonin criticized the mistaken views of the Nenbutsu sect (Jodo—Pure Land Sect), Zen Sect (primarily on the practice of meditation), Shingon Sect (based on teachings transmitted from China by Kukai) and Risshu Sect (a sect based on Hinayana precepts).
Nichiren Shonin alone stated:“Amida Buddha's teachings are full of gaps. The Zen sect is a self—conceited organization. The Shingon Sect is a pernicious organization ruinous to the nation. Risshu Sect's observance of various precepts in general is a traitor to the country (stated in a letter to a follower Akimoto).
Reasons for Nichiren Shonin's criticism of the four sects are as follows:
Reasons for Nichiren Shonin's Criticism of JODO Sect
Jodo Sect (Pure Land Buddhism) was founded by Honen in 1175. It's fundamental canons are the three “Pure Land Sutras", namely, the “Buddha of Infinite Life", “The Meditation on the Buddha of Infinite Life" and “Amida Sutra". Its object of worship is Amida Buddha. Nichiren Shonin stated: “Repeated recitation of Amida Buddha's name means one will fall into infinite hell instead of being born in the `Pure Land' after leaving this earth."
In short, the Jodo sect claims that this world is full of sufferings and is defiled by evil passions. One should leave this world and be reborn in the paradise of the “Pure Land". To accomplish this objective, there is no other path other than to recite the name of Amida Buddha.
In Japanese history, during the period when Honen lived, the country was in chaos. The masses were suffering from the war between the Genji and Heike factions fighting for political power, recurring natural calamities, famine, and epidemics. Consequently, within the souls of the people, there was despair and a desire for a better future in the world to come. In that dark age, there was nothing for people to turn to, Honen's Nenbutsu spread like wild fire and the Jodo sect was able to recruit a large number of people to their religion.
However, Honen's Pure Land concept was unsparingly criticized by Nichiren Shonin and Dogen, the founder of the Soto Sect, one of Zen's schools. Nichiren Shonin's reasons for stating that “Nenbutsu is an act to fall into the infinite hell" are as follows:
Firstly, the Jodo Sect's object of worship, the Amida Buddha, is a Buddha of the “World of Utmost Bliss", a world unrelated to us.
Secondly, Honen's position of loathing the present world and stressing Amida's “Pure Land of Utmost Bliss" after one's death is counter to Shakamuni Buddha's real intention of having this world a better place to live in. He meant that a religion which could not save the people of this world from various sufferings had no qualification to speak about future warranty for the people.
Honen's endeavor to save people must be acknowledged, but Nichiren Shonin could not agree with Honen's teachings based on “Hoben" (a device of saving people) and it should be corrected, Presently, the Jodo Sect is engaged only in conducting funeral services and related activities for the deceased and they have lost the function of promoting fundamental religious teachings.
Reasons for Nichiren Shonin's Criticism of ZEN Sect
Zen Sect — The spirit of self—conceit — A heavenly devil:
"The Heavenly Devil" means the Zen Sect is a self—conceited sect, which neglects the teachings of Buddhism. It was established after Buddhism was introduced to China from India. The originator was Bodhidharma (Bodai—Daruma), an Indian, born in southern India, who introduced it the China.
The practice of Zen was introduced into Japan during the 7th or 8th century, but it was not recognized as a religious sect until the latter part of the Heian Period (12th century) after Eisai returned home from his second trip to Sung, China, and founded the Rinzai Sect.
Entering the Kamakura Period (13th century), Dogen built the Eiheiji Temple in Fukui Prefecture and founded the Soto Sect. Today, the Soto Sect and the Myoshinji Temple of the Rinzai Sect are the two most influential bodies of among approximately 20 existing sects. Soto Sect emphasizes sitting in meditation while Rinzai Sect emphasizes both the sitting in meditation and Q & A sessions on enlightenment. In either case, they do not have a definite object of worship. One has to polish Buddha nature within one's soul by oneself known as “Seeing one's nature in order to become a Buddha". In this sense, both sects are similar in nature. Jodo Sect's affiliates are known to rely on “a original vow to save sentient beings by an outside power (Tariki), while the Zen Sects promote “one's own power" (Jiriki).
Nichiren Shonin stated: “Zen is the behavior of a heavenly devil". This severe criticism stems from the following reason:
Indeed, the “Ropparamitsu", the six kinds of practice by which bodhisattvas are able to attain enlightenment, donation, keeping precepts, forbearance, assiduity, meditation, and wisdom are practices for people of superior abilities, but are not suited for the common people in the Mappo Period. It is unthinkable that men can eradicate one's sin by one's own effort and manifest Buddha—nature. Moreover, Zen Sect has no object of worship. It adheres to , “not establishing words" and “transmission of doctrines without dependence upon sutras or other writings". Those are slanderous expressions and make light of Shakamuni Buddha. Nichiren Shonin stated: “It is the spirit of self—conceit." Today, Zen is booming in Europe and the United States, but the main and branch temples in Japan have become tourist attractions, and their priests, in contrast to their claim that there is no need for sutras, recite sutras during memorial services for the deceased, a self‐contradictory situation.
Reasons for Nichiren Shonin's Criticism of SHINGON Sect
Shingon Shu Sect—Ruinous to the country:
The Shingon Sect, Mikkyo (esoteric Buddhism) founded by Kukai is criticized by Nichiren Shonin as a religion ruinous to the country. It has its origin in the Veda, the Scripture of Brahminism (ancient religion of India). The religion based on the Veda reveres fire as an intermediary to unite people with the Brahma (a heavenly deity) and engage in the ritual of the so‐called burning of offerings (Goma). It has no connection with the teachings of Shakamuni Buddha. The Shingon Sect was born from the adaptation of the ceremonial fire performance and adopting the color of Buddhism. Shingon Sect divides Buddhism into the Mikkyo (esoteric teaching) and Kengyo (exoteric leading) teachings. They value the esoteric teaching of Dainichi‐nyorai rather than the exoteric teaching of Shakamuni Buddha. As stated earlier, the original form of Dainichi‐nyorai was Brahma, a deity in the Veda. Eventually, Brahma came to be worshiped as a buddha. Thus Dainichi‐nyorai came into existence. The sutra they rely on is the Dainichi Sutra expounded by Dainichi‐nyorai in a heaven called “Shiki Kukyoten", and is not based on the sutra elucidated by Shakamuni Buddha. Historically, the only Buddha, who appeared in this world and left Buddhist teachings, is Shakamuni Buddha. The Shingon Sect, which makes light of Shakamuni Buddha, is equivalent to slandering True Buddhism.
Shingon means “True Word" or “Secret Incantation". They recite secret incantations left by Dainichi Buddha and, in addition, create designated or established figures with their hands or using implements. By doing so, they claim man can gain immediate enlightenment even with an impure body.
Nichiren Shonin's criticism of the Shingon Sect as ruinous to the country stems from their disregard to the true founder of Buddhism, Shakamuni Buddha, and, instead, revering Dainichi Buddha, who had no connection whatsoever with Buddhism. In addition, Nichiren Shonin was enraged with their engagement in activities not recognized by true Buddhism, such as practicing fortune‐telling, utilizing psychics, selling various types of charms, exercises, and conducting questionable prayer services.
If people must rely on superstition, like fortune telling or psychics, the culture will deteriorate and the nation will become disorganized. Presently, there are about 50 separate factions of Shingon Sect.
Reasons for Nichiren Shonin's Criticism of RISSHU Sect
IRisshu Sect — Traitor to the country.
The Risshu Sect is a traitor to the country for attempting to gain influence through the protection of the Bakufu, the Kamakura Shogunate.
During the period of Nichiren Shonin, there was a priest known as Gokurakuji Ryokan (Ninsho), who prided himself on receiving influential authority and cordial support of the Kamakura Shogunate. Risshu is a sect which admonished people who opposed them. They abided by a strict rule to protect priests and nuns. Ryokan was the highest leader of Risshu, and the masses revered him as a living Buddha.
However, Nichiren Shonin severely criticized the Risshu Sect for protecting the Small Vehicle's 250 moral commandments and attempting to teach meaningless severe training programs unsuitable for the common people, and rules which could not offer aid to the common people. Nichiren Shonin's criticisms were aimed at the sects which could not spread the true teachings of the Lotus Sutra.
[Nissen Shonin's Gokyoka],
"Nenbutsu consists of tens of thousands of paths, but
The wondrous Dharma is a one step jump
The Zen Sect does not abide by Buddhist teachings
It is a household of self—conceited followers
Buddhism's Great Master is Shakamuni Buddha
Dainichi Buddha is master of the Shingon Sect
But that is like having two masters in one country.
The worthy Dharma for the Mappo Period is
Only the Odaimoku entrusted to Jogyo Bodhisattva". (Gokyoka)
