Buddhism in North America: Soka Gakkai RELS 225: Cults and New Religious Movements

Slide 2. HistoryHistory Nichiren ( ) taught an exclusivist religion of the Lotus Sutra, led a great popular movement, denounced faithless in the highest places predicted national disaster if the nation failed to repent. Nichiren Shoshu Taiseki-ji temple near Mount Fuji

Slide 3. HistoryHistory 1930: T. Makiguchi Soka Gakkai = "Value- creation study society” Died in prison 1944: J. Toda Expansion in Japan to 10 million shakubuku 1958: Daisaku Ikeda Expansion overseas By ,000 in USA

Slide 4. HistoryHistory 1975 Soka Gakkai International formed from 51 countries Headed by Ikeda 1991 Excommunication by Nichiren Shoshu priests 5-8 million families

Slide 5. Beliefs: Unity 1 scripture 1 country 1 object of worship 1 practice 1 moment: the present shikishin funi: "body and mind not two,” esho funi, "individual and environment not two" obutsu myogo, "the state and Buddhism one society"

Slide 6. Beliefs: the Divine No God needed You are the author of your own destiny Nichiren is the Buddha for the present age

Slide 7. Beliefs: 10 Life States/Worlds 10 Basic States of Life 6 traditional Buddhist planes of reincarnation 1.hellish suffering, 2.the incessant hunger of wandering ghosts, 3.animality, 4.angry titans, 5.human tranquillity, 6.heavenly rapture 4 traditional stages of the spiritual ascent 1.learning, 2.following the path, 3.the aspiration for enlightenment of the bodhisattva, 4.the bliss of Buddhahood

Slide 8. Beliefs: Problem & Solution Nichiren asked: "How can I be sure that I am saved?" "How can the events of human history be reconciled with Providence?” minimum requirement for salvation: Lotus Sutra Align self with sacred laws of cause and effect

Slide 9. Beliefs: Future When one dies Reincarnation according to karma Cause and effect The Fate of the World When 1/3 of the world is Soka Gakkai, there will be world peace

Slide 10. The Good Life (Practice) Daimoku (“invocation”) Nam Myoho Renge Kyo “devotion to the Lotus Sutra” or “I devote myself to the Mystic Law of the Lotus Sutra” Nam: devotion to… Myoho: the Mystic Law of the Universe… Renge: creates the vital life-force which includes the simultaneous cause and effect … Kyo: of putting human life into rhythm with the universe. Lotus Sutra Especially two chapters of it (gongyo) Gohonzon Rosary (108 beads) Shakubuku Method of recruitment: high pressure sales pitch “Break and subdue” Originally: Chant for what you want

Slide 11. ControversiesControversies Kosen-rufu: world peace when at least 1/3 of the world converts to Nichiren Shoshu Conflicts with Japanese imperialism (WW2) and Americans Now means “promotion of peace, culture, and education through Buddhism” Overagressive shakubuku Accusations of materialism (chant for things) November 1991: Excommunication by Nichiren Shoshu priests