Most religions preach some variety of fear indoctrination. They fill followers with fear of error and sin as a means of keeping followers dependent on the teaching, salvation or indulgence bestowed by a specific sect or religious authority.
Fear indoctrination is accomplished by repeating threats of untimely death as punishment for disobedience, or threats of falling into an eternal, agonizing hell as punishment for any number of alleged crimes, including the "crime" of honestly misunderstanding the finer points of dogma. Fear indoctrination is a tool of propaganda.
Nichiren Buddhism, too, has elements of fear indoctrination. Some would argue that these threats or "warnings" come directly from Nichiren. For example, Nichiren warns that slanderers of the Lotus Sutra will have their heads split into seven pieces. Some Nichiren sects have used these statements to stoke fear in their members, claiming that even many Nichiren Buddhists are destined for endless torment simply because they belong to a different Nichiren group.
I call bullcrap. I reject the threats, even if Nichiren intended us to live in mortal fear -- which I wholeheartedly doubt.
The Nichiren community in America needs to reject fear indoctrination in all its forms. As long as we continue to make threats and foster fear related to the practice of chanting, we will be a sangha of superstitious dependents.
Your thoughts?
15 comments
Interesting that you bring this up now, at a time when two Nichiren bloggers died unexpectedly over the span of less than two months. The death-related fear indoctrination goes like this -- Both were devoted SGI members, therefore being an SGI member is slanderous, and slander leads to untimely death. Alternative fear indoctrination -- Both were open to opposing points of view and had friendships with members of other Nichiren sects, so their untimely deaths prove how dangerously heretical those other sects are. Or even: Blogging kills.Here's the truth -- everyone will die. No one can predict with total certainty when someone's "time has come." Attributing death to involvement with one sect or another is both ridiculous and morally reprehensible.Did Nichiren promote fear? Maybe he did. I don't care -- that doesn't mean I should do it too. He gave me the Daimoku. He gave me the Gohonzon. Thanks, Nichiren. I'm gonna take the practice and run with it. I feel no obligation to kowtow to the fear, superstition and popular cosmology of medieval Japan.When people are afraid, their critical thinking is diminished and their hearts clench. It's no way to live. No responsible, truly liberating teaching/philosophy or theology feeds fear.
I believe you are so correct! Nichiren only meant to inspire fear in the corrupt officials and priests of his time in order to prove the superiority of the Lotus Sutra and avoid their tendency to corrupt both the nation and its temples while taking the population's eye off the ball -- the Mystic Law.Such fear has no place in societies based in Judeo-Christian teachings which posit a fundamental flaw in the existence of the human being -- call it original sin or "flawed in the eyes of (some imagined) God." Fear only serves to reinforce and enhance our erroneous notion of our own imperfection -- the antithesis of the core teaching of the Lotus Sutra and Nichiren.The only slander is the one we commit by buying into the belief that we are not imbued with the Buddha-nature and may never actualize it. And that slander always vanishes in the light of the Nichiren Buddhist practice. Anybody, priest or laity, who insists on all kinds of potential slanders growing out of some "bullcrap" religious dogma, diminishes the fundamental core of the Lotus Sutra's and Nichiren's intent. To be clear... that intent was complete joy in our ability to embrace the Law which has eternally existed and will continue to do so in the depths of our own life. It was never that we should fear... Anyway, that's my opinion and comment. FDR probably made the most Buddhist statement of any Western politician -- "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." A New York psychotherapist by the name of Henry Greyson also summed it up nicely -- It's not about the dichotomy of love and hate, it's about the dichotomy of love and fear. It's the fear that leads to hate and Nichiren believers really need to stop fearing and, even worse, hating one another.
I am so moved by your inquiries and thoughts. Thank you for letting me learn from you. What beautiful, brilliant writing. Beryl, what an agora you provide for us!! Thank you!! I want to read and reread what you all have written when I am not so tired as it is just the sort of dialogue we need to be having, n'est ce pas? I want to sleep on it and integrate it.Best regards,Armchair
Hi, Beryl -If I am not mistaken, the "heads split into seven pieces" is a quote from the Lotus Sutra itself, rather than something of Nichiren's. He is just reporting to us what the Sutra fortells.It comes from the end of Chapter 26 Dharanis, and is spoken by Kishimojin (Hariti) and her ten daughters. They vow:"Anyone who does not keep our spellsBut troubles the expounder of the DharmaShall have his head split into seven piecesJust as the branches of the arjaka tree [are split]"Just a point of information.............
The Dalai Lama's rejection of Dorje Shugden can serve as an example to us in the Nichiren community. There are elements of Buddhist teaching -- yes, even in the Lotus Sutra -- that do not benefit living beings.The Dalai Lama said:
Now, violence against the shugdenites has been claimed. Violence in the name of peace. It could take decades or centuries for Nichiren followers to set aside their differences.I also wanted to say that I have wondered about the example and influence of Kishimojin in Nichiren practice. According to this source:
How's she doing so far?Maybe that refers to the 7th Consciousness, said to be the seat of the ego?
I am working on ways to discuss this without it turning into a contest. My thought is we can discuss Dharma in three ways: Principles; Concepts, and Methods.For the most part, we agree on method. We chant Namu Myoho Renge Kyo while gazing at a Gohonzon. Moreover, the Gohonzon is always a depiction of the Ceremony in the Sky from the Lotus Sutra; especially the Life Span Chapter. Some people argue about how to depict that. Some argue over whether the u in namu ought to be voiced and / or aspirated. These disagreements can get intense,There are also disagreements over concepts. I find those interesting. I also think a certain amount of variety is healthy. The SGI and Nichiren Shoshu are different than the others, they are less traditionally Buddhist. There is also a lot of implicit Shinto influence; as a superficial example, they offer evergreens instead of flowers. The Three Treasures are different, as is their take on the three Dharma ages. Some of these are rather important matters. Most agree on the basic principle; that we possess an inherent Buddha Nature and chanting Nam{u} Myoho Renge Kyo is 'a' or 'the' key to unlocking that Buddha Nature.
Thank you, Auntie, for this piece. I knew nothing about it. One wonders why the Dalai Lama, with all his incredible authority, like Nichiren most likely would have, did not talk to the Shugdenites to tell them that to practice to such a deity was antithetical to the intrinsically peaceful basis of Buddhism, was causing unnecessary trouble, and give those people the choice to renounce an incorrect object of worship (or not).From Nichiren's Buddhism, we know that the nature of the object of worship is the most crucial matter of any practice, as we are, by devotion, endeavoring to develop our lives according to that standard/identity/entity, we know this, right?If some of the Shugdenites were determined to continue to practice to a destructive deity, then, it would seem to me that the DL would need to take a stand with them! Gad! He must be at his wit's end trying to figure out how to free Tibet, which, a Nichiren Buddhist like me might say that they have the problem in the first place as the Shotenzenjin, the incredibly powerful Buddhist entities that protect the Law, which Nichiren wrote all over the Gohonzon for us, are not well enough empowered by the Tibetan's practice to protect their country from foreign invasion, one of ND's main concerns to address.One does not want to be critical or judgmental, but the Tibetans have a very serious problem, though they intend to practice non-violently. But, clearly, they are not protected from the rape of their resources and culture. I, personally, do not know enough about what IS/ARE the Tibetans objects of worship, though I have looked, in grave concern. The best I could find so far, and you all may know way more than me, as usual, is that they have a pantheon of deities to whom they pray, whose individual merits vary widely. If the DL is trying everything he can think of, as he gets ever older, to figure out what the problem is and correct it, he may be more than a little desperate if he is recognizing the serious, fundamental nature of the problem of practicing to Tibetan Buddhist entities that promote/sanction violence and harm.One other thought that comes to mind about the concern of the varied Nichiren sects finding a space to start understanding each other (I am a broccoli, you are a carrot, we are all in the same stew, I do not demand that you be a broccoli). One of the early messages I got about mindset was "Don't limit the Gohonzon (development of the future) with your mind". I still tell myself that all the time when I feel "common mortal reality" threatening to restrict my thoughts of what can be. It may be codified, restricted thinking of mine akin to "that" reality that only reinforces the supposed difficulty of producing healthy, timely, change.I see this change happening in the thoughts and minds of the excellent scholars and heartfelt practitioners on this very board, which cheers me immensely. To see such limitations just stepped over as outmoded, with the thought of kindly investigating and welcoming each other's extensive (in many cases) experiences with life, Cause and Effect, the application of compassion to ease suffering, and how that has been done successfully.It may seem minor or inconsequential what we say on this board, but I offer that it is not, especially if we what we say and do breaks the limitations of that which has bound us from understanding each other regarding the irreplaceable and immense power that the Daishonin left us with.The famous quote from Margaret Mead: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."Best regards,Armchair
Robin, You raised two trains of thought in my mind, with your comments on "concepts". I do think "variety" and a certain amount of disagreement is healthy. It does two things. - It keeps practictioners' foundations of belief healthy, AS LONG AS they are truly holding their own ideas loosely. To hold one's own belief system without examination, is to ensure a sort of petrifaction, and can also lead to an unfounded self-satisfactory arrogance.- Next, how can one raise a heart of patience and compassion if everyone always agrees with you? I've often wondered if (and I don't believe this literally), the stage of Nichiren Buddhism is kind of some elegant cosmic joke at this point. By this, I mean I wonder if the reason for these differences in belief, right now, is that this is a laboratory for Nichiren Buddhists to learn to get along, respectfully, to really become acting Bodhisattvas. I think the concepts can, although surficially small, make for a big difference. For instance, if I believe Nichiren was The Enlightened Big Kahuna, and, if I interpret some of his writings very literally, and selectively, it could potentially lead me to some very bad behavior entirely unsupported by either the Lotus Sutra or the Buddhist canon as a whole. Just some thoughts on the topic,Kris
Greetings,From the get-go, I was fascinated that in some Nichiren Buddhist schools, it was taught that fearlessness was a facet of Buddhahood, and yet the same schools would teach by threats (i.e. you'll die if you don't do this that or the other thing) - in short, acting to cultivate fear in their followers, the very outlook that their system of belief purports to "cure". Dreadfully counterintuitive, and rather hypocritical.The thing is, death takes us all. Sometimes in peaceful ways, sometimes violent. It is a human truth. And yes, humans can make causes that directly or indirectly cause their own or others' deaths. But too often, groups use deaths of some individuals to control members within the group. To me, the difference is the motivation behind the statement causing "fear". For instance, if someone says "We wear hardhats because Bob and Sue died when wrenches fell from the second floor and killed them". That isn't a message to cultivate fear, in my mind. It's a sincere attempt to save lives. However, if my group, corporation or organization say "Bob and Sue were crushed to death by the falling elevator because the wrote editorials disagreeing with our Corporations' stance on business in Sudan"; that is outright manipulation.That, of course leaps back to an earlier Buddhajones topic "A Group That Serves You Versus One That Serves Itself". I think every spiritual seeker should question intently whether the organizational umbrella they choose is seeking to serve the seekers, or seeking to have the seeker serve them. But... your mileage may vary. Kris
I had to chuckle at your conceptualizing the emerging world of Nichiren Buddhism as a sentient stew. But I must rebuke you sternly, because I am neither broccoli or a carrot. You are shallow in your beliefs, and yada yada yada. Peas rule.Seriously, it's an interesting point of view... can you imagine how ugly it would get if the broccoli started assaulting the carrots, and the noodles insisted the broth had to be eradicated for its own good? Or maybe the potatoes would chose to go rancid just to get back at the beans? Then the whole stew would go bad. Who'd want to eat that? Thanks for the laugh, and a silly but useful imagery of creating peace within the Nichiren Buddhists.Kris
Dear Kris,You made me laugh so hard, on a day when I need it! What a delightful piece, among other thoughtful ones you and several people have had to say today. I look forward to reading them carefully after I go home so I can understand thoroughly what you (pl.) have said. What excellent points!Thank you,Armchair
Engyo-san,Thank you for this. I have read the Lotus Sutra many times in several translations, but have not memorized it and haven't read it lately. I hope I have gotten the main gist, however, and I didn't remember this being in there specifically. I do know that on the Nichikan (so beautiful!!) Gohonzon that I chant to, as with most Nichiren Gohonzons, I gather, this phrase is on there. On the Nichikan, it is on the upper right, just to the left of one of the Four Heavenly Kings, the one on the upper right ("Dai Jikoku-tenno"). This "split" admonition on most Nichiren Gohonzons, goes, "Nyaku noran sha zu ha shichibun" which is translated as "Those who vex and trouble [the practitioners of the Law] will have their heads split into seven pieces". So, Nichiren took it from the LS. I did not know that and it is doubly reinforced in cosmology, so to speak.I do see this at work, in the real world, frankly, now that the subject has come up. I endeavor, as many/most/all of you do, to be an envoy of the LS and, thus, engender resistance which is not pleasant. What is so hard about this? Are people so addicted to fundamental darkness that they cannot see their way to be kind or what is it? Frankly, I do not comprehend it, and, if you can explain it to me, I would be grateful.What I see is that they run smack into being hateful and mean, even chanting vicious daimoku, as I have mentioned, and what happens? Their heads split so they can't tell their ass from their elbow. More wine, sorry. I have to put this head to sleep at night. SO!! They continue down the path of chanting hateful daimoku or copping off on dirty money and/or dirty sex (telepathically, usually) and just get sicker and sicker and more and more confused. What is to be done with these people? We know there is no bottom to the "hell of incessant suffering"? This very problem occupies much of my meditative/prayer time/daimoku.I am fascinated by several of your conclusions that Nichiren (and by extension, all philosophical/religious leaders/teachers) must be understood in context. This is the essence of "zuiho bini", i.e., "teaching the Law in accord with the time" as well as Shakyamuni's (Gautama's) core teaching of elucidating the Law in clear awareness with the peoples' capacity to understand, even if it takes 40,000 sutras to do so.Advice? What's to be done with these incredibly, and seemingly more and more confused beings the more they assault the Law. Is there such a thing as "slander"? I just see that those who ignore Cause and Effect because it appears that they (temporarily, as usual) can get away with it, and use their energies in whatever way, to not protect/harm Life (isn't that what it comes down to, whatever one's philosophical base?) just lose their path on the Way, increasingly more confusedly. If you all have any thoughts on this matter, I would be most interested, if you find this post. Maybe I should have started another diary, but it is an offshoot of beryl's original, very germane, question.Auntie, as for your thoughts about Kishimojin, you have my brain in high gear as that is something I have been thinking about for a long time. Also, Dai-roku-ten-no-mao, the "King Devil of the Sixth Heaven", also on the Gohonzon, and what that means to us and I am chanting about that daily as the implications of your question/observation are incredibly profound. Beryl, maybe you could advise us, should we start a new thread.Now to get this head to sleep!! You guys!! What a treasure!!Regards,Armchair.
Well put!Fear and prudence; courage and recklessness, are not the same thing. Equating them is Mara's bait