General Guideline of Honmon Butsuryu Shu

03. Four Types of Suffering Maxim

Question and Answer

Q: Nichiren Shonin stated: “There are four types of suffering maxim", and he severely criticized other religious 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 Shakyamuni Buddha, Nichiren Shonin criticized the mistaken views of the Nenbutsu Sect (Jodo—shu Sect Pure Land Sect), Zen Sect (primarily on the practice of meditation), Shingon Shu Scct (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. Zen Sect is a self—conceited organization. Shingon Shu 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 Practioner Akimoto).

Reasons for Nichiren Shonin's criticism of the four sects are as follows:

Jodo Shu 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". It's 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, Jodo Shu Sect claim 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, reoccurring natural calamiities, famine, and epidemics. Consequently, within the souls of the people, there were despair and a desire for a better future in the world to come. In this dark age where there was nothing for people to turn for, Honen's Nenbutsu had spread like a wild fire and the Jodo Shu Sect was able to recruit a large number of people for their religion sect.
However, Honen's Pure Land concept was unsparingly criticized by Nichiren Shonin and Dogen, the Head Ptiest of Soto Sect, one of Zen's schools Leaving Dogen's viewpoint alone, Nichiren Shonin's reasons for stating that “Nenbutsu is an act to fall into the infinite hell" are as follows:

First. Jodo Syu 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 Shyakyamuni 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 society from various suffierings 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: his teachings based on “Hoben" (a device of saving people) and it should be corrected, Presently, Jodo Shu Sect is engaged only in conducting funeral services and related activities for the deceased and they have lost the functions of promoting fundamental religious teachings.

03. Four Types of Suffering Maxim

Zen Sect - The Spirit of Self-Conceit - A Heavenly Devil

The Heavenly Devil" means 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 in 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 Rinzai Sect are the two influential bodies of among approximately 20 existing sects. Soto Sect emphasizes sitting in meditation while Rinzai Shu 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 natre. Jodo Sect's affiliates are known to rely on “a original vow to save sentient beings by otber power, while Zen Sect promotes “one's own power".
Nichiren Shonin stated: “Zen Shu is the behaviour 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, such as, 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. They say, “not establishing words" and “transmission of doctrines without dependence upon sutras or other writings". Those are slanderous expressions and make light of Shakyamuni Buddha. Nichiren Shonin stated: “It is the spirit of self—conceit." Today, Zen sect 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, are reciting sutras during memorial services for the deceased,(a self‐contradictory situation).

03. Four Types of Suffering Maxim

Shingon Shu Sect - Ruinous to One's Country

The Shingon Shu Sect Mikkyo (esoteric Buddhism) fouuded by Kukai is criticized by Nichiren Shonin as a religion ruinous to one's country. It has its origin in the Veda, the Scripture of Brahminism(ancient religion of Indiea). The religion based on the Veda reveres fire as an intermediary to unite people with the Brahma(a heavenly diety) and engage in the ritual of the so‐called burning offerings. It has no connection with the teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha. The Shingon Shu Sect was born from the adaptation of the ceremonial fire performance and bestowing the color of Buddhism. Shingon Shu Sect divides Buddhism into the Mikkyo(esoteric teaching) and Kengyo(Exoteric Buddhism) teachings. They value the esoteric teaching of Dainioch‐nyorai rather than the exoteric teaching of Shakamuni Buddha. As stated earlier, the original form of Dainichi‐nyorai was Brahma, the deity the Veda of an ancient religion in India. By and by Brahama came to be worshiped as a buddha. Thus Dainichi‐nyorai came into existence. The sutra they rely on is the Dainichi Sutra expouded by Dainichi‐nyorai in a heaven called “Shiki kukyoten", and is not based on the sutra elucidated by Shakyamuni Buddha. Historically, the only Buddha, who appeared in this world and left Buddhist teachings, is Shakyamuni Buddha. The Shingon Shu Sect, which makes light of Shakyamuni 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, established figure by 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 Shingon Shu Sect as ruinous to one's country stems from their disregard to the true founder of Buddhism, Shakyamuni Buddha, and, instead, revering Dainichi Buddha, who had no connection whatsoever with Buddhism. In addition, Nichiren Shonin was enraged about their engagement in activities not recognized by true Buddhism, such as practicing fortune‐telling, utilizing psychics, selling various types of incantation charms, exercises, and conducting questionable prayers.
If poople 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 Shu Sect.

03. Four Types of Suffering Maxim

Risshu Sect - Traitor to the country

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 from the Kamakura Shogunate. Risshu is a sect which admonishes people who opposes them. They abide 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 Risshu Sect for protecting about Small Vehicle Religion's 250 moral commandments and attempting to teach meaningless severe training programs unsuitable for the common people. Moreover, who would defend 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 Gokyoka,

"Nenbutsu consists of tens of thousands of path, but
The wondrous Dharma is a one step jump
Zen Sect does not abide by Buddhist teachings
It is a household of self—conceited followers
Buddhism's Great Master is Shakyamuni Buddha
Dainichi Buddha is Master of Shingon Shu 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".

03. Four Types of Suffering Maxim