[A Guide to HBS -part2-]
The Teachings and Practices of HBS
Rev. Nisso Fukuoka
[Chapter 4]
Nissen Shonin's way of practice and propagation
As I mentioned before, Nissen Shonin struggled to realize the true intention of Nichiren Shonin through the guide of Nichiryu Shonin like a pilot of a boat. Finally, he believed that “The messenger of Buddha Shakamuni was the great teacher Nichiren Shonin. The messenger of Nichiren Shonin was Nichiryu Shonin, whose messenger is Nissen. It was Nichiryu Shonin who reestablished the Lotus School, so, I'm nothing but the one who is restoring the teaching of Nichiryu Shonin. Since the correct teaching has been transmitted to me Nissen, so aren't I undoubtedly the messenger of Shakamuni Tathagata？
—Goshogyohaiken—811
Nissen Shonin was an intuitive, shrewd person endowed with a strong and individualistic character. Nissen Shonin also had a self—conceited pride of being the successor to Nichiryu Shonin and Nichiren Shonin, messengers of Buddha.
Nissen Shonin was also an intelligent and understanding person, who was interested in creating civil advancements, and even after passing the age of 70, he did not lose his free and open—minded trait, a trait usually exhibited by literary scholars. Nissen Shonin portrayed himself as a man—about—town by claiming, “I am an ignorant snob", a statement he often used. Nissen considered the spreading of the teachings of Nichiren Shonin as his first priority in everything he did. His natural talents were useful in developing new approaches to preach the teachings in simple and easy comprehensible language. He used many parables and illustrations to explain how one can live in the Mappo Period.
[Chapter 4]
Improving the Teachings of HBS
Nissen Shonin wrote approximately 3,400 Kyokas (instructive verses) and Haiku (17—syllable poems). He also utilized various ancient Japanese classics and other literary styles such as imayo (essays), shi (poems), yokyo—ku (ballads), komori—uta (lullabies), karuta (a card game), nagauta, jiuta, yoshikono, dodoitsu, as formats to expound the teachings.
HBS strictly abides by the guiding principles set forth by Nissen Shonin's teachings (Goshinan, Gokyoka) in conducting their daily religious activities. An explanation will not be made in depth now as it is complicated and difficult to comprehend. Therefore, only several of Nissen Shonin's teachings will be enumerated.
Religion to Attain Nirvana
Meritorious acts and results or meritorious acts and comfort are the basic doctrines of Buddhism. A person who does not pursue religious practices called In (cause), will not be able to attain Nirvana. The true intent of religious practices advocated by Nichiren Shonin and the Lotus Sutra teachings began to deteriorate gradually with the introduction of the Tokugawa feudal government's Buddhist parishioner system (Danka Seido) about 400 years ago. This system was promulgated to suppress Christianity and to control and regulate religious practices. Affiliation to temples was based on one's place of residence. The priests of temples were assured of a stable livelihood based on this system. Consequently, the priests lost their interest in teaching religion and focused their attention primarily to holding perfunctory services for the deceased and funeral related activities.
Nissen Shonin revived the teachings of Nichiren Shonin and Nichiryu Shonin, who lived during the early part of the Muromachi Era (about 600 years ago), because deeply convinced that the Honmon Happon was a special teaching for the Mappo Period. The Honmon Happon are the teachings of the 8 chapters (Chapters 15〜22 of the Lotus Sutra). The Honmon Happon is the most important stance of HBS. That is to chant the Odaimoku oneself and to spread it to others. Nissen Shonin, himself, chanted the Odaimoku and entered into the religion of the Hokke Shu sect (a Nichiren sect) founded by Nichiryu Shonin. Nissen Shonin later became a priest.
The Hokke sect of the time, however, like many other religious sects which took advantage of the danka system, had already lost its basic role of spreading the teaching of Buddhism. Sects of the time merely attended to holding ceremonies for the deceased and funeral services to justify their existence. The priests believed that the deceased could attain Buddhahood vicariously through the rite held by reciting the Lotus Sutra.
Nissen Shonin said; “People can comfort the soul of the deceased, but to attain Nirvana is a different dimension. The belief that one can attain Nirvana without direct contribution to the Buddhist cause is in direct conflict with Nichiren Shonin's teachings and distorts the true principles of Buddhism," Nissen Shonin carried on his enlightenment activities despite the criticism of other priests who had relied on the parishioner system.
Nissen Shonin stated that on examination of Buddhist teaching, the essence of Buddhism is to show the substance of the human mind and to awaken people to its true form, from which various teachings are all developed and constructed. This is Honmon Butsuryu Shu's way of teaching, which discards encyclopedic knowledge and adopts the learning of the quintessence. Moreover this is beneficial to living people. So—called “Funeral Buddhism" which gives all its energies to funeral rites and memorial services for the dead is not the true intention of Buddhism. Though it is an important duty to hold memorial services for one's ancestors and benefactors, the true intention of Buddhism is to teach the living.
—Kaidoyoketsu—811
[Chapter 4]
Chanting Only the Odaimoku
The basic practice of HBS is chanting the “Odaimoku".
Buddhist practices are achieved through the body, speech and mind. The use of the bodily organs to utter words, think and feel is also a practice. They are considered as behavioral actions.
From ancient times, the sutra Hokke Kyo (Lotus Sutra) was considered as the “King of Sutras". It was revered by many people. However, there was a lack of uniformity in how the Lotus Sutra was practiced. This was because there were so many ways to pursue the body, mouth and mind practices contained in the Lotus Sutra. To explain it roughly, the practices were divided into two, one for the elite and the other for the commoners.
Nichiren Shonin, who appeared during the Kamakura era (750 years ago) felt that people born in the Mappo Period were mediocre individuals lacking in the ability to practice elite religious practices. Therefore, he felt that more emphasis should be placed on the more simple task of practice by the mouth, that is chanting of the Odaimoku, NamuMyohoRengeKyo.
No matter what type of practice it may be, the aim of Buddhist practices is “Tenmei Kaigo" (to attain enlightenment), to wash away perplexities and impurities and to raise one's soul to the level of Buddha through meritorious acts. This is known as “Kanjin" (introspection into one's mind—essence). Through repeated chanting of the Odaimoku the soul will receive the merits of Kanjin.
Nissen Shonin stated that by chanting NamuMyohoRengeKyo which is revealed in the primordial eight chapters of the Lotus Sutra, entrusted to the Bodhisattva Jogyo and plants in the minds of all living beings the seed, the genuine cause of Buddhahood, one will produce all kinds of merit. If one listens to the chanting voice for even a moment, one can surely attain the Buddhist way. How much more so will it be if you feel grateful for the Odaimoku. One thought of faith will lead you to attain the Buddha—land. The Buddha's enlightenment is attained by chanting the Odaimoku. As a result, the three poisons (greed, anger, stupidity) with which our hearts have been stained are eradicated, and the five sins (to kill, to steal, to satisfy lust, to tell lies, to use indecent language) which have been accumulated since the past and are now lurking within ourselves will be eliminated through a moment's thought of faith when chanting the Odaimoku. Ordinary men as they are will be given the Buddha's merits. Nichiren Shonin said that practitioners of the Lotus Sutra would be ale to become a Buddha without extinguishing evil passions and eliminating the five desires. How fortunate we are!
—Kaidoyoketsu—869
Today, there are many Nichiren associated sects which do not chant the Odaimoku. They merely recite the sutras. HBS is a sect which carries out the will (teachings) of Nichiren Shonin and chants the Odaimoku. Nichiren Shonin said, “When entering into the Mappo Period, there is no need for other teachings and recitation of the Lotus Sutra. Only the chanting of NamuMyohoRengeKyo is required. Do not mix other teachings with the Odaimoku. Also, reciting other sutras will not be tolerated".
Nissen Shonin also stated that those who have no knowledge of the reason simply regard NamuMyohoRengeKyo as the title of a sutra, but that is wrong. NamuMyohoRengeKyo is neither the characters nor the meaning which the characters suggest. It is the original entity and soul on which the Lotus Sutra, composed of 69,384 characters in 8 scrolls, is produced and developed. Therefore it is called the profound secret principles enshrined deep in the heart of the writings of the sutra. NamuMyohoRengeKyo is none other than the Buddha's enlightenment or his life. Isn't it a matter for deep satisfaction that you can listen to such a precious teaching as this, having obtained a human body. Casting away your self—pride and prejudice, you should exclusively chant NamuMyohoRenge‐Kyo which was entrusted to Bodhisattva Jogyo.
—Daizoichiyo—863
[Chapter 4]
The Pure Religion
One of the essential characteristics of HBS is that it does not revere any other scriptures or images except mandalas with the Odaimoku.
As mentioned before, the Lotus Sutra is the most respected sutra. The first reason is, Shotoku Taishi, in the introduction of one of his books wrote, “the sutra called the Lotus Sutra includes all goodness to attain enlightenment, and is a pasture of abundant crops to gain enlightenment and is a religious medicine that transforms life expectancy into eternal life. Shotoku Taishi continued, Shakamuni Buddha appeared in this world to explain the Lotus Sutra to people and give them a reason to acquire enlightenment. He wanted them to receive matchless religious merits.
As stated, the Lotus Sutra contains all of Buddha Shakamuni's teachings. It unified and incorporated the sutras of others in which buddhas, bodhisattvas and guardian kings of heaven appear and elaborated on their basic teachings. Because the Lotus Sutra was such a consolidated and synthetic sutra, its teachings could not stabilize and it's goal began to take on a free and uninhibited from. If every Buddha were to be included, the recitation of the name of Buddha Amida could be considered practicing the Lotus Sutra, and in the same way to revering the scripture of Kanzeon Bodhisattva could also be considered revering the Lotus Sutra, to make a vow to Kishimojin would also be considered the practice of the Lotus Sutra. This trend became a generally accepted idea from the Heian period.
Nichiren Shonin said; “Buddhas are children. The Fine Dharma is the parent. Buddhas are the body. The Fine Dharma is a soul" (Honzon Mondo Sho). “The Fine Dharma is the parent, thus the Buddhist body is created" (Jussho—sho). Therefore, revere the Odaimoku of the Lotus Sutra.
Since there are some technical words used above, an allegory is given below for clarification.
The Odaimoku mandala of the Lotus Sutra is like a large tree. Buddhas, future buddhas and others are the many parts that comprise the tree, like the branches and leaves. To display Buddhist images etc, in front of the Odaimoku mandala and to pray to them is like breaking off the branches. Those branches which are broken from the tree will soon wither and die.
The scripture written by Nichiren Shonin contains the names of the various buddhas to the right and left of the Odaimoku mandala. Nichiren Shonin designated this mandala the object of worship.
In compliance with the teachings of Nichiren Shonin, Nichiren sects initially revered the Odaimoku mandala. As time passed, some Nichiren related sects diverged and began to display objects of guardian kings of heaven, such as Daimokuten, Kishimojin, Taishakuten and others. This led to the origination of different Nichiren religious sects.
Nissen Shonin, the founder of HBS, felt that those Nichiren sects were in direct conflict with the true intent of the religion taught by Nichiren Shonin. He proposed that the only object to be revered was the Odaimoku mandala, and forbade his followers to worship other objects.
In view of Nissen Shonin's strict posture, HBS was denounced by other sects as narrow—minded and too strict.
To this criticism, Nissen Shonin responded, “A faithful wife cannot look after two husbands. A warrior cannot serve two lords". The basic law contains thousands of laws, so HBS cannot have two objects of worship. The Lotus Sutra stated, “ashes are not of concern and there is no need to worship a cinerary urn". Nichiren Shonin said, “I am not narrow—minded. I am only faithful to the Lotus Sutra. The soul of Buddha is included in the Odaimoku. Uphold the Lotus Sutra and ignore the others. To shun the soul of the Lotus Sutra is to deprive one of receiving special favors".
Nissen Shonin stated that since a person can attain his or her dignity through Buddhist law, Buddhist law is far more important than buddhas and bodhisattvas. This is the reason why the Honmon Butsuryu Shu worships the Fine Dharma, the cause of all the buddhas, as the Sacred Object. HBS does not worship any one Buddha. In comparison with the Fine Dharma, even the Buddha with eternal glorious decorations of meritorious acts is not comparable. Because the Dharma one believes and upholds is so precious, the believer becomes a person of noble character who will in return purify the defiled world. It is aptly said that even the Primordial Buddha in the remote past did not give his name as Buddha but entrusted the Fine Dharma to Bodhisattva Jogyo in order to save this world. The Fine Dharma is the only seed that enables people to attain Buddhahood. This is exactly what Nichiren Shonin said. He said that the Buddhist teaching of Lotus Sutra expounds how to perform the practice based on chanting the Odaimoku, but scholars of other sects have no knowledge of this, that the ordinary people in the Mappo Period must worship the Odaimoku as the Sacred Object.
—Daizoichiyo—823
Nichiren Shonin set the quintessence before everything and said that the Fine Dharma is the quintessence for the attainment of Buddhahood. On examination of Nichiren Shonin's thoughts after his period of his exile on Sado Island through his writings, I have understood that the Sacred Object of Worship should be the Odaimoku, the sole and most precious Dharma that includes everything, so I created the Sacred Object of Worship by writing “NamuMyohoRengeKyo" which is revealed in the primordial eight chapters of the Lotus Sutra is entrusted to the Bodhisattva Jogyo and plants in the minds of all living beings the seed, the genuine cause of Buddhaood “with the phrase" the Greatest Entity of the Three Most Important". Those who received this object of worship but did not understand the reason criticized it saying that the Odaimoku alone does not make the Object of Worship and it could hardly be called the mandala including all the ten realms when one of them is missing, since none of the Four Heavenly Kings such as Tamonten is described in this Object of Worship. Nichiren Shonin, however, translated the mandala as an accumulation of merits and said that the mandala is the aspect representing all the merits accumulated in NamuMyoho‐RengeKyo. It is also written in “The Deep Meaning of the Lotus Sutra" written by Great Master Tendai that NamuMyohoRengeKyo is the entity of one thought of the Primordial Buddha and contains all the merits of enlightenment called Ichinen Sanzen or “Three Thousand Realms in a Moment's Thought". Therefore ordinary people in the evil period of the Last Dharma must worship the Odaimoku as the Sacred Object of Worship. This is why it is called the greatest Mandala that ever existed after Buddha Shakamuni's passing away.
—Kaido Yoketsu—825
[Chapter 4]
Importance of Manifested Evidence
Nichiren Shonin used three kind of evidence to judge the superiority of the law of Buddhism: reason (logical substantiation), scriptural evidence (documents of Buddhist teachings, and manifest evidence (proven evidence). He mainly emphasized manifest evidence by stating that religious laws are not limited to reason of documents. Manifest evidence is more important than reasoning or documents.
Nissen Shonin wanted positive missionary work to be undertaken and by doing such work, manifest evidence can be seen in the form of the sick being cured or the poor being freed from poverty.
Nissen Shonin's activities generated criticism from priests of other sects because they felt that his line of missionary work that advocated inexplicable phenomenon was inappropriate for the present world thinking. Nissen Shonin, however, replied, “There are many people who feel that there is no heaven or hell in this Mappo Period. The intellectuals feel that to pray to God or Buddha is shameful and they do no feel the importance of afterlife. Therefore, if one can experience the phenomenon as a result of one's missionary work, then ordinary people may partake in religion in the future": Thus, Nissen Shonin continued to preach and emphasize the existence of inexplicable phenomenon which one can receive through fervent missionary work.
HBS advocates that through fervent praying and chanting of the Odaimoku, one can receive favorable results.
[Chapter 4]
Bodhisattva Practice
The benefits as manifest evidence that one can receive through chanting the Odaimoku are not the sole objective of HBS. As Nissen Shonin said; “The divine favor in this world is for the aspiration after enlightenment". As such, it is to become aware of the Odaimoku and the evidence of reality and take the opportunity to further deepen one's religious activities".
What then is a higher level of the faith? It is the faith based on the Lotus Sutra. We should recommended it to others and share its religious merits with them. To help people through the Odaimoku is true help. To engage in such activities is the path to attain Buddhahood.
19. The Genealogy of HBS [Chapter 4]
- [TOP]
- [Chapter 4] Nissen Shonin's way of practice and propagation
- [Chapter 4] Improving the Teachings of HBS
- [Chapter 4] Chanting Only the Odaimoku
- [Chapter 4] The Pure Religion
- [Chapter 4] Importance of Manifested Evidence
- [Chapter 4] Bodhisattva Practice
