More Highlights from 20 June WT

The Spirit to Fight

In 1991, the Nichiren Shoshu priesthood excommunicated the entire SGI membership. In their insanity, the priests expected that the SGI members would join the local temple. But, Surprise! (not), the vast majority of members continued to practice with the SGI under the leadership of President Ikeda.

This came about as the result of the priesthood's corruption and authoritarianism. Whenever Soka Gakkai members called for reform, the priesthood became more arrogant. They demanded exorbitant sums in donations. They sought to make veneration and obedience to themselves as the most important aspects of a practitioners faith.

Nichiren Daishonin clearly denounced such behavior in his writings, emphasizing the self-empowerment of ordinary believers. SGI-USA members have come to understand that the spirit to fight erroneous teachings is an integral part of their practice to protect the Law.

Please read the article A Religious Revolution prepared by the Soka Spirit Committee in the 20 June World Tribune.

Highlights from 20 June WT

The Spirit of Soka

Soka Gakkai General Director Masaaki Masaki addressed the May 24th SGI-USA West Territory Youth Meeting. He spoke about the importance of the mentor-disciple relationship. This relationship constitutes the essence of Buddhism, and it is the disciples who actualize that relationship.

How is our practice different from the practice of the Nikken Sect? We pray to the same Gohonzon; we recite the same sutra; we chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and we read the same writings of Nichiren Daishonin. Soka Spirit poses the question as to what is correct faith and what is not. It is a challenge to each one of us to pursue correct faith.

First President Makiguchi said that the closer a counterfeit bank note resembles the real thing, the greater the crime. Why are people deceived by counterfeit bank notes, or, in this case, erroneous teachings? Is it because they closely resemble the real thing and people can't distinguish between them? The real reason is, they do not know the essential nature of the genuine article. When people are unawre of the real thing, they are easily fooled by counterfeits.

What is the distinction between the SGI and the priesthood? Mr. Masaki said that he believes it lies in the heart, in the faith, of those who pray. When discussing the beneficial power of the Gohonzon, Nichiren does not say: As long as we pray, we will receive benefits. Rather, he emphasizes the attitude and faith of the practitioner. He instructed his disciples to chant with the conviction that their lives are endowed with Buddhahood.

Having correct faith is essential. What must we do to maintain correct faith? Nichiren left everything in his writings for the sake of the people of the Latter Day of the Law. If we correctly study his writings, we can correctly practice Nichiren Buddhism. But not a single person can read Nichiren's writings and correctly understand them alone. We must learn from the person who correctly practices Nichiren Buddhism.

How do we discern the mentor who correctly practices? When the Daishonin states his orthodoxy as the Votary of the Lotus Sutra, he consistently makes the following two points: Who has spread the Law the most? Who has undergone persecutions on account of spreading the Law? Among Nichiren's followers, no other person beside SGI President Ikeda has advanced kosen-rufu and undergone persecutions for the sake of the Law as he has.

It follows, therefore, that through studying President Ikeda's lectures on Nichiren Buddhism, we can correctly practice faith.

Now is the time, Mr. Masaki says, to create the foundation for the SGI under President Ikeda's leadership and through the tradition of cultivating capable people who share the same vow as their mentor to accomplish kosen-rufu.

Please study this World Tribune article for full comprehension.

DC Culture Center Opens

The District of Columbia SGI-USA Culture Center officially opened on Wednesday 25 June 2008. SGI Vice President Hiromasa Ikeda cut the ribbon at about 6pm. He was joined in the ribbon cutting by Mid-Atlantic Zone Leader Kathy Geisler, Congressman Hank Johnson, Eastern Territory Leader Tariq Hassan and SGI-USA General Director Danny Nagashima.

A 2 part Opening Celebration followed the ribbon cutting: welcome by Kathy Geisler, reading of President Ikeda's message by Tami Frazier, presentation of awards from the District of Columbia, proclamation from Congresswoman Hilda Solis, letter from Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, City of Baltimore, State of Maryland, Commonwealth of Virginia, City of Norfolk. This was followed by acknowledgement of the design and construction of the Culture Center, words by Danny Nagashima. The New Century chorus performed. Part 1 ended with a video of President Ikeda's visits to Washington DC.

Part 2 led off with gongyo led by VP Ikeda followed by words by Mr. Hassan and presentation of awards. In his final guidance VP Ikeda emphasized the importance of Washington DC to the entire world. Every country is watching us, he said. He encouraged us to be excellent representatives of SGI.

New Member Meetings

A New Member Meeting will be held on the first Sunday of every month at 11:30 at the MRCC. The New Members Meetings will include a short presentation, a question and answer session, and discussion. The emphasis will be on practical application of Buddhist principals, developing a strong practice and achieving personal Human Revolution.
January -1. Ten States of Life
February - 2. Cause and Effect
March - 3. Transforming Suffering and Illusion
April - 4. The Oneness of Body and Mind
May - 5. The Oneness of Self and Environment
June - 6. The Middle Way
July - 7. The True Aspect of All Phenomena (The Ten Factors)
August - 8. The Eternity of Life
September - 9. Nam My oho Renge Kyo
October -10. The Practice of Nichiren Buddhism
November -11. The Gohonzon
December - 12. The Life of Nichiren Daishonin