"..Since the sutra's prediction was not made in vain, then it is certain that all the people of Japan will chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo!.."
"If Nichiren 's compassion is truly great, then Nam Myoho Renge Kyo" will spread for ten thousand years or more, for all eternity, for it has the beneficial power to open the blind eyes of every living being in Japan, and it blocks off the road that leads to the hell of incessant suffering. . . . "
From "On Repaying Debts of Gratitude" by Nichiren Daishonin
Today, Nichiren Buddhism is one of the major Buddhist school and driving force of the new religions in Japan. It is also foremost Buddhist school in the world today. There are over 190 countries who chanted Nam Myoho Renge Kyo. I am convinced that Nichiren Buddhism will flourish eternally...
I noticed, that the different branches of Buddhism and Shintoism all respect each other very much on the streets, during same day Matsuris at least.;-)
Hi mars man.. I think Nichiren Buddhism is the only buddhist group who is active in japanese society which is different from the old and traditional Buddhism which is mostly rituals and formality. It is the landmark of Nichiren's philosophy to bring Buddhist compassion into society which makes it active and vibrant faith in the lives of its believers.. are u familiar and have read some Gosho?
I have read no Gosho...I don't believe, although from knowing that sect of Buddhism, and having been here for a good long while, I do know that it's simply not that visually active here. That would not mean that Nichiren is not active within its own rights, but simply that from an overall perspective, it can't be seen much...except in the political realm.
Although I have no statistics, I would take an educated guess and say that most Japanese people are not of that sect.
political realm? are u referring to New komeito political party? as i understand this party mainly SokaGakkai members, the largest buddhist group in Japan.. i think these two entities are different..while sokagakkai members are doing their spiritual revolution and expressing religious freedom in accordance with japanese constitution; the Komeito group concerns on the welfare on national policies based on eqaulity, fairness, democracy, freedom, and justice systems in the secular world(which is an act itself of buddhist peacework.) it is for this reason that Nichiren Buddhism is not a dead religion but is active in all spheres in society..
Yes. That is the political group of which I had been talking about. Beyond that, the activities of Sokka Gakkai are no more visiable than that of the rest of Buddhism here in Japan, over all...that is.
Yes. That is the political group of which I had been talking about. Beyond that, the activities of Sokka Gakkai are no more visiable than that of the rest of Buddhism here in Japan, over all...that is.
I have went to japan last year for a short educational and cultural exchange between my university and Soka University which embodies buddhist principles. Soka Gakkai is a group of diversity of human sphere activities in the fields of peace, culture and education the basis of its movement through buddhist perspectives which is visible not only in japanese society but in the international affairs as well. The international Soka Gakkai or SGI organization around the world is active in that fields. In fact, it is registered as an NGO to United Nation.
I have known two Soka Gakkai members. One is a highschool class mate, the other's my uncle.
I lost in touch with both of them. The reason for that is they do not understand you when you tell them, "No, I do not want to go to one of your meetings.". I have not seen my ex-class mate since we graduated but even to this day, she calls before elections asking me to vote for Komeito candidates. We do not see my uncle anymore for the same reason.
Your claim that Soka Gakkai and Komeito are two separate entities is wrong.
Anyway, if practicing this religion makes you happy, more power to you. Good luck on finding others among the members.
Speaking solely from my own experience....
I have known two Soka Gakkai members. One is a highschool class mate, the other's my uncle.
I lost in touch with both of them. The reason for that is they do not understand you when you tell them, "No, I do not want to go to one of your meetings.". I have not seen my ex-class mate since we graduated but even to this day, she calls before elections asking me to vote for Komeito candidates. We do not see my uncle anymore for the same reason.
Your claim that Soka Gakkai and Komeito are two separate entities is wrong.
Anyway, if practicing this religion makes you happy, more power to you. Good luck on finding others among the members.
There seems to be a huge gap in how Soka Gakkai is perceived inside and outside of Japan. Sokka Gakkai seems to be succeeding in creating a peaceful image in the US. I have a couple of friends who are members, and they are very nice and friendly. They have never tried to impose their political or religious views (at least on me).
You mean Soka Gakkai and Komeito ideals and vision are the same? i dont think so.. They have separate visions and missions although Komeito was supported by sokagakkai.. i believe komeito party are sincere individuals with beliefs or conviction which protects the interest and welfare of all japanese citizen.It does not impose a nationalistic religion as many japanese perceived. It is not religious-oriented but secular-oriented fusing buddhist values such democracy, freedom, peace and human rights.. I believe why your ex-classmate asking you to vote komeito is because she believes the people in komeito are people of high caliber not because they are sokagakkai but they are capable governing people with so much passion and work for the benefit and welfare for the common people. This has been the tradition and vision why politcal komeito was formed since the time of its inceptions.
Sokagakkai members also study about Komeito to have deep understanding of the group. Many politcal parties in Japan only protects the big companies and forget the mission of to protect the interest of the common people. SGI President Daiskau Ikeda always reminds them that their(komeito) mission is to build a humanistic society where justice, freedom and democracy prevails in the japanese society. Soka Gakkai do not interfere with Komeito. They have their own system and organization. Komeito fused with other political party which shows that the New Komeito party is deeply committed to work with others for the prosperity of the japanese soeciety.
Then Soka Gakkai President Einosuke Akiya stated at a press conference in 1994: "Soka Gakkai at that time was a group of obscure, common people. Many of them were unorganized laborers who worked for small and medium-size companies. In Japanese society, they were shut out of the world of government, both politically and economically.... We believed that these are the people on whom the light of politics should shine most brightly. We felt that this is the primary role of politics.... It was our thought that politics should serve people, that politics should be conducted for people rather than using them as instruments. In order to realize this idea, it is desirable to have politicians of humanity and of high morality who do not bow to authority. It was with this idea that we sent our representatives into the Upper House. Second President Josei Toda passionately said, 'Young people, you must keep a close eye on politics!' This cry arose out of his concern that indifference of the general public toward politics will lead to political corruption." [2]
STATE OPPRESSION
Soka Gakkai is concerned to resist the exploitation of religion by those in power. During World War II, the Japanese state used religion and particularly State Shinto ideology to impose a system of thought control on the populace and sanctify its war of aggression. Resistance to this system led to the imprisonment of first Soka Gakkai President Tsunesaburo Makiguchi, who died in prison in 1944, as a "thought criminal." Soka Gakkai was almost completely crushed at that time. This experience led its members to be intensely aware of the need to maintain a vigilant eye on the course of Japanese politics and protect the freedoms of religion, assembly and expression, in the process of the postwar rebuilding and expansion of Soka Gakkai.
CLEAN GOVERNMENT
As the number of local and national legislators endorsed by Soka Gakkai rose, they came to wield a certain influence in Japanese politics. Wishing to fulfill their political and social responsibilities, they established the Komeito ("clean government") party in 1964. The Komeito is a centrist party solely responsible for its own fundraising without financial support from the Soka Gakkai organization.
Today, Soka Gakkai in Japan, like many other major Japanese religious organizations, endorses candidates. But Soka Gakkai does not provide any financial backing to the candidates or their political parties. Although most endorsements today are for New Komeito[3] party candidates, Soka Gakkai at times also supports individual candidates from other parties. New Komeito is currently a member of the two-party coalition governing Japan, together with the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). It aims to bring a humanistic perspective to politics and to act as a counterweight to a perceived resurgence of Japan's tendency towards nationalism. The party has a strong record of promoting social welfare reforms, environmental protection, international peacebuilding, advancing human rights and for tackling political corruption.
SEPARATION OF STATE AND RELIGION
It should be noted that Article 20 of the Japanese constitution stipulates the separation of state and religion. Needless to say the underlying spirit of this clause is to guarantee the religious neutrality of the state, not the political neutrality of religious groups. Furthermore, in the course of the party's 40-year history, during which time it has been part of the government and held cabinet posts on several occasions, Komeito has never introduced legislation or exerted political influence to accord Soka Gakkai any form of special privilege or status.
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