Six Stages of Practice

Something Phil Wilder talked about at the men's division meeting stuck with me for some reason. He discussed something called the six stages of practice, referring to Burton Watson's translation of the Ongi Kuden, the Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings.

According to Phil, the six stages are (paraphrased):
1. Possessing the Buddha nature. This is true of everyone.
2. Hearing about Nam Myoho Renge Kyo.
3. Chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo.
4. Receiving benefit.
5. Doing shakubuku.
6. Realizing that one is a Buddha. As Phil put it, realizing that stage 1 is really true.

I decided to find out what Phil was talking about. I found the answer on page 124 of the Ongi Kuden translation.

1. Being a Buddha in theory. Ordinary mortals are in this stage.
2. Hearing the name and words of the truth. One has, for the first time, heard the daimoku.
3. Perception and action. One proceeds to practice.
4. Resemblance to enlightenment. One succeeds in overcoming various obstacles of illusions.
5. Progressive awakening. One sets out to convert others.
6. Enlightement. One comes to the realization that one is a Buddha.

Why is this important. Not sure. I think it has to do with the Daishonin's use of the Lotus Sutra to validate his philosophy. In his lectures on the sutra, Sokagakkai President Josei Toda said that the Daishonin used the Juryo chapter to elucidate its true meaning while repudiating its superficial meaning in the light of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism.

He also said that you need not read the Hokkekyo for learning but for practice. Study the Gosho, not the Hokekyo or its interpretations.

Hope Springs Eternal

Phil Wilder commented in his opening remarks at the MD meeting that he had received guidance to conduct the meeting as if it were his last. Let's hope.

Advancing with Buddhist Optimism

About 25 PG Area men met this morning for the annual commemorative meeting (commemorating Pres. Ikeda's joining Sokagakkai in 1953(?), a Phil Wilder production. The theme, 'Advancing with Buddhist Optimism', was introduced by Phil, who then spoke at some length about the six stages of practice, referencing the Oral Teachings of Nichiren Daishonin.

The sixth stage is the final realization that everyone really does have the seed of Buddhahood. This is the important part. The rest is only to trace theory back to the Lotus Sutra.

Tom Joray showed us a video, lasting 20 minutes or so, of a Japanese study department leader delivering a lecture (in Japanese, of course, but with English translation). I was so thrilled. Courage, faith...

Jennifer Bryant then lectured us about how men should be more proactive with World Tribune, mentoring, etc.

By this time my cup runneth over and I left. So I missed out on final guidance.

I also missed the hotdogs & hamburgers. But I wanted to get an oil change at Jiffy Lube.