Shijo Kingo - Trusted Disciple

The study material for March is the gosho "The Strategy of the Lotus Sutra".

Shijo Kingo was the recipient of this gosho. Shijo lived in Kamakura with his wife and two daughters. As a samurai well versed in medicine and martial arts he was in the service of the Ema family. Lord Ema was a follower of Ryokan, a priest of the True Word Precepts school who bitterly opposed Nichiren Daishonin. Shijo urged Ema to take faith in the Lotus Sutra resulting in a loss of favor with Ema to the point that Ema threatened to confiscate Shijo's fief. Later, Ema grew ill and Shijo was able to nurse him back to health thus restoring Ema's trust. Shijo was granted a fief three times larger than the original one. Even so, out of jealousy and resentment, Shijo's enemies (fellow samurai) attacked him. Shijo escaped unharmed. This letter is a reply to Shijo's report of the attack.

Shijo, recipient of 29 of Nichiren's writings, was a most trusted disciple. He accompanied Nichiren to Tatsunokuchi where Nichiren was to be beheaded. He also visited Nichiren during his exile to Sado. When Nichiren was on his deathbed, Shijo attended him and he participated in his funeral.

October Review

Study is the third leg of Buddhism as practiced by SGI members. Its purpose is to deepen our faith in Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism. This year the primary study effort has been the series of lectures by SGI President Ikeda published in Living Buddhism.

 

This week we'll have the October Review 'test'. The review consists of a 40 minute test period followed by a 40 minute self-grading discussion. The purpose is not so much to ace the review but to encourage study of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism. There will be three sessions: Fri 7pm at the Cooper's, Sat 10am and Sun 2pm at the Wolpert's. Please plan to participate in one of these sessions.

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.