Reader letters to BuddhaJones.com. Letters are separated by blank lines or bold headings.

Hey you know, it's one thing to express you feelings about how you view your religion, but it's another thing to treat it like shit. If someone dessacrated a Jewish Temple, ripped up a Torah, smashed a statue of Mary or Jesus, wouldn't you be angry? Wouldn't you care? How then is it that you take the Gohonzon, our only religious object save ourselves, and treat it like a dick in a porn flick? This is not a whimsical, jolly, iconoclastic video unavailable, it is a hostile toilet for the trashing of the most treasured feelings of other people. It's not funny.

and another thing

You need to re-think what you actual purpose is here. Is it to inspire people to be honest? Is it to encourage open discussion? Is it to make people laugh a little at themselves? Or is it to take the very thing that people hold dear, and treat it like garbage, without respect for what it means to them? If it is that, then this is no different from any other anti-religious, hate site.

Kate (kdances)

Our response: Kate, if anything is being mocked it's the ridiculous superstition with which many Nichiren practitioners view the Gohonzon. You interpreted the piece to mean something that it does not mean. Are you interested in exploring the topic of the Gohonzon based on the Gosho? (For example, according to Nichiren, the Gohonzon is found only in faith alone -- since this is the case, can the true Gohonzon ever be desecrated?) Or are you only interested in defending what you believe instead of examining what you believe and why? How we see the Gohonzon (and how we see the world) depends on our life condition. Frankly, your angry message suggests that you may be clinging to a view of the Gohonzon that is not in keeping with what Nichiren taught.

[Suggested links on this site: What Nichiren wrote about the Gohonzon unavailable and The Prayer Gohonzon Controversy unavailable.]

Kate responds: Dear Editors, thank you for your reply. I read the Gosho quotes that you suggested, however I find no evidence to support your claim that protecting the Gohonzon is a, "ridiculous superstition". I find your interpretation of the Gosho to be opportunistic and incomplete.

For example, on that web page, you began a Gosho quote with this sentence: " The Gohonzon was never known, let alone inscribed by anyone in the Former or Middle Day of the Law." Why did your quote omit the sentence that preceded it in that same Gosho? Perhaps I can shed light on this omission. The sentence proceeding your quote reads: "Always cherish this Gohonzon that I gave you some time ago for her protection." It is clear that the Diashonin is speaking of the physical object of the Gohonzon, and has instucted the beliver to, "cherish", it. It is ludicrous that you attempt to use the Gosho to support your defamation of the Gohonzon.

Yes, I'm angry. Sadly, I'm not too eloquent when angry. I apologize if my vulgarity was a bit much, but I'm not a bit sorry for being angry. You ask if the Gohonzon, which is found in faith alone, can ever be defiled. Since human beings are the source of faith, you are really asking if people can be hurt by your actions. The answer is yes. You have attacked the one object that countless numbers Buddhists have cherished throughout their lives. Perhaps you didn't intend for this to ridicule the most private feelings of these people, but that is exactly what you have done. Your own assumptions about the worth or value or location of the Gohonzon aside, it is an act of hostility to defame the sacred objects of any faith.
Sincerely, Kate

LJ responds: Kate, the Gohonzon belongs to you. It belongs to me. It can never be taken away. It can never be spoiled. Nichiren Shoshu High Priest Nikken does not own the Gohonzon, nor can he turn a Gohonzon on or off with an eye-opening ceremony. Nichiren was the first to inscribe the Gohonzon, but it has always existed and always will. That's what he himself said.

I hope you are able to understand the difference between the Gohonzon and an image of the Gohonzon. The Gohonzon is something to which we offer daimoku, and it's not merely a scroll in a box. An image of the Gohonzon is just that -- like a photograph of a person. Surely you can understand the difference between a person and a photograph of a person.

Nichiren made no prohibitions against copying/photographing the Gohonzon, and most Nichiren sects have no problem with images of the Gohonzon being displayed in books, on websites, and even on clothing. Perhaps your sect has a problem with this. Nichiren Shoshu's prohibition against photographing the Gohonzon, for example, is rooted both in superstition and a self-serving interest in maintaining total control over an object so it can be used as a tool to manipulate believers.

Superstition is not only ridiculous, the fear it incites does grave injury to people's faith. Superstitious fear and self-righteous anger in the name of religion are the ultimate desecration of the teachings, in my view.

Apparently, you feel that the Gohonzon is primarily a material object that can best be protected and cherished by attacking people who have a different view of it than you. I personally feel that the Gohonzon is best cherished and protected when people embrace it as their own and live their lives as they choose, with the understanding that they themselves ARE the Gohonzon.

Regarding the physical object of the Gohonzon: In some passages of the Gosho, Nichiren refers to it as the banner of propagation of his teachings. Banner -- as in flag -- as in something to display proudly, joyfully. It's YOUR thing. Do what you want to do. Maybe that's too literal a reading of the Gosho.

While we both may be guilty of "incomplete and opportunistic" interpretation of the Gosho, I think it's safe to say that anger regarding this matter "protects" nothing but a narrow view.
Best, Lisa Jones

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I practice in kansas, have for 26 years, right now am experimenting with different Sutra recitation formats combined with daimoku chant to see what works best for me. My goal is to recite more diamoku than reciting of the sutra. I will let you know how it works out. Also I am having may Nitatsu Gohonzon encase in glass to preserve it as I have been using it for almost thirty years. To do this I am going to have to take some the trim off the paper and the wood also, but I feel the Gohonzon part itself wil be preserved better and protected better by being encased in glass. It is now a family heirloom. So deserves to be treated at least as well as other antiques of family art we have. Any thoughts on this?
Thanks for listening.
Dave Halverson

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What a joy to see your variously serious, funny, and seriously funny site. If ever a bunch of grims deserved to have their chins tickled, it's us members! Go taking the piss, my dears, you've got my support and blessing!

As Orwell said: Keep the Aspidistera Flying!

-- With kind regards
Aleksandr Wilansky
(in Zurich)

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Thank the great Buddhist deities for Jonathan Wilson! Thank you for making his magical photographs available online. I selected one of the larger versions unavailable and saved it as wallpaper on my computer desktop. Now each day when I'm at work I can see the bodhisattva sunrise at FNCC! What a wonderful way to start the year. Mr. Wilson has brightened my life!

warm regards,
Jeanne

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Hi, My name is Morris and I've been a member of SGI for a while, even though I haven't actively participated for a while. I feel that SGI is a worthwhile organization and most of the people I've met through it are good, even though I've been put off by certain aspects (such as the "rah rah" attitude as somebody put it.)

However, not having been in contact with SGI for at least the past six months, I was pleasantly surprised to learn it had taken a position against the U.S. actions in Afghanistan. With all the flag-waving I remember, I would have thought the opposite. It is good indeed that someone has taken a stand against this madness. Whether you believe in "karma" or that a man (or nation) shall reap what he sows, I can only shudder at what the ultimate repercussions of this will be. However, my opinion of SGI has gone up immensely because of this position.

Morris Kamelgarn

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More good stuff in the LA Times today that I thought you might find interesting. In an interview with Gehlek Rimpoche, Buddhist lama, who wrote a book called "Good Life, Good Death: Tibetan Wisdom on Reincarnation," he says:

"The act of compassion protects us. It prevents us from developing hatred. We all have anger after Sept. 11. As a Buddhist I shouldn't say it's good. But it is only natural. We all have it. But it's important to make sure that it doesn't become hatred. Because if it becomes hatred, we are no different from those who crashed their airplanes into the towers. (But) compassion does not have to be doormat! You can also stop aggression through compassion. We have to go after Bin Laden, get him, and get done with it. We do this through compassion -- to save him from himself as well as to prevent him from harming others. People think compassion means not to hurt a fly. Sure, it's true you shouldn't hurt a fly -- provided the fly does not kill human beings."

There's more, but you get the idea. See, you're not the only Buddhist who's not all "peaced out."

Love,
DJ3

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A good "Buddhy" of mine e-mailed the gift link unavailable to me as a lark. I've grown a tad jaded about organizational stuff, especially the publications; not that I'm planning on leaving. I've got a district I just love. Just the little I read was encouraging.

I started practicing in '83 during the "Nichiren Socialists of America" phase (someone I sponsored to get the Gohonzon referred to the Youth Division as "the Ikeda Youth" and NSA just scared the crap out of another friend of mine. She learned gongyo in a matter of days, but was put off by the "When are you going to get your Gohonzon?" mentality.) and I was extremely bitter for most of the 90's after Daisaku Ikeda's visit; I was able to let my true feelings of anger come out.

Moving from Upstate, NY to Denver was a pleasant surprise. It's so much more laid back here. Anyway, I feel a little less crusty and crotchety after visiting your site. I liked the section on the formalities unavailable. I had to smile about the sutra book pn the floor; we had a leader in Buffalo who freaked if people put the publications on the floor.

As for my bell, I'm a military history buff-no addict is a better word-and I use a spent 105mm shell casing. It's sound is so much more pleasing than the big bowl-shaped bells.

Keep up the good work!
Sven

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Reading the letters I think you are all in there. Nichiren got wise reading other people's doctrines and making comparisons? The first page of the bible says that "Darkness was on the face of the deep: and God said let there be light and there was light and God saw that it was good. I don't see any answers here in your writings?

When The face of god moved over the waters (still waters run deep) there was no one but himself, therefore when he saw the light, and that it was good, he understood himself, and was no in any way concerned with the Americans.

We should set an example by moving our faces over our own waters and throw some light on our own internals. If for example the American Bosses spent all their time trying to understand and fix us all, How could they ever reach their own enlightenment?

...In the marriage at Cana in Gallilee, Christ converted water into wine. Wine is made of three components Water (neutrality) Sugar (Feminine) and Yeast (masculine) And he says " drink ye this, for this is my blood" somewhare else.

Was he a Christian idiot really? or are you all looking for enlightenment in the wrong place.

All my Love to all at a brilliant site, keep it funny but get real.

magnolia

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Hello, I linked to your site from the reflections e-journal. I love it. It is a departure from the stoic, mainstream course. Kudos to you.

...My practice spans 26 years of which 3 I practiced by myself before receiving Gohonzon in Norfolk, VA in 1978. Most of my practice has been in a leadership capacity (district MD and chapter YMD) in Southeast VA. I made all the conventions in the 80's (Chicago 81, tozan 83, Hawaii 85, NYC 86, Philadelphia 87, Atlanta 88) plus countless cherry blossom parades in DC. When Sensei reorganized NSA in 90 I was so relieved. I went back to school in 96 and degreed in photography. I traveled a lot and attended activities throughout the USA and Canada. I treasure the friends I have made in SGI.

In 1998 I journeyed to Sedona, AZ and was inspired to relocate out west after living on the East coast all my life (NYC, VA). I also dabbled in supposedly "New Age" ideology. The younger members back in VA were interested in Deepak Chopra and similar forms of thought. The older members rebuked them and some fell by the wayside, discouraged.

Being a district MD leader I opened the door to all thought forms (UFO's, ET, Edgar Cayce, etc...). I journal my dreams and often times, I will chant in my dreams if I dream that I am in danger.

Anyway, I resigned from my 24 year Top Secret communications career to explore the country, my photography and myself. ...Two years, four girlfriends and five cars later I am in Seattle via Canada and AZ. I enjoy being a regular member now and have not taken publications in over a year for the first time in my practice. I may again, I don't know.

I do not agree with the official SGI declaration of Sep. 11 being the act of a separate terrorist entity. I am careful to share my views with my fellow members but those that know me understand I do not agree with the gov't at all (gee, I used to work for them). I do not get caught up in the campaigns anymore and have not felt obliged to attend FNCC until now (for the artists conference if they don't cancel it next time after I get my tickets).

...Thank You again and I look forward to perusing the rest of your site.

Thanks again,
Michael G. Jones

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I am one of the many people who discovered Nichiren's Buddhism in the sixties. I left Nichiren Shoshu of America in the mid seventies when George Williams was the General Director. I came back in the early nineties to find that Nichiren Shoshu and Soka Gakai had split, and that George Williams had been replaced. I practiced actively in SGI for several years but then, as a matter of conscience, decided to boycott SGI because I believed, and continue to believe, that the "cult trappings" of SGI make SGI a hostile environment in which to practice Nichiren's Buddhism as I understand it, particularly in regard to conducting shakubuku.

The "cult trappings" to which I refer are the hierarchical method of organization with a strong central authority and the tendency of some members to be dogmatic in their views about what constitutes the "correct practice" of Buddhism.

I continue to do my best to practice Nichiren's Buddhism as I understand it. I am on friendly terms with members my old local district and sometimes get together to chant with them on informal occasions. When invited to attend meetings, I try to explain, as tactfully as possible, that I am trying to make a point by boycotting all "official" activities. Many district members are sympathetic and share my concerns. I am respectful of the fact, however, that many people need to practice in a group and would suffer greatly if they did not have SGI. I therefore never attempt to incite others to participate in my boycott.

I miss the fun of practicing in a group and the energy and inner clarity I feel when I chant with other people. I feel that in many ways, I maintain a better practice when I align myself with other people who take Nichiren's Buddhism seriously. I have come to believe, however, that SGI is unlikely to change from within, primarily because many of its members like it the way it is.

If there are other people like me, who believe that the essential practice of Nichiren's Buddhism is daimoku, gongyo and shakubuku, but feel that SGI is not a comfortable place in which to hold meetings and conduct shakubuku, I would like to suggest the establishment of a new, very loosely organized lay organization....

If any readers [are interested], I invite them to contact me directly by email at rad@sprynet.com.

Thanks for your interest.
Rick Diamond