Repudiating the Nichiren Shoshu Priesthood under Nikken

Key Concepts:

1. Soka Gakkai’s Foundation:

   • The Soka Gakkai is rooted in faith that directly connects to Nichiren Daishonin’s teachings.

   • Its mission is to spread Nichiren Buddhism with the goal of creating happiness for all people and achieving world peace, known as kosen-rufu.

2. The Emergence of the Nikken Sect:

   • A group led by Nikken Abe, who claimed to be the 67th high priest of the Nichiren Shoshu, sought to undermine the Soka Gakkai’s efforts towards kosen-rufu.

   • This group, referred to as the Nikken sect, is criticized for corrupting the teachings of Nichiren Buddhism and slandering the Buddhist law.

   • Imagine a situation where a leader of a spiritual community is regarded as infallible, with followers required to obey without question. This contrasts sharply with Nichiren’s teachings, which emphasize the Gohonzon as the sole object of devotion and reject the idea of any individual being above the law.

   • Though Nikken transferred the office to a successor, Nichinyo, in Dec 2005, the lineage he has passed on continues to be muddied by his slander of the Law.

The Erroneous Doctrines and Practices of the Nikken Sect

Key Concepts:

1. False Doctrine of High Priest Infallibility: The Nikken sect teaches that the high priest is infallible and that his authority is absolute. This contradicts the teachings of both Nichiren Daishonin and Nikko Shonin, who warned against following a high priest if he strays from the true teachings.

2. Misguided View of Heritage: The Nikken sect claims that a mysterious and exclusive lineage is passed from one high priest to the next, conferring automatic enlightenment. This idea is rejected as it contradicts the principle that the heritage of Nichiren Buddhism is open to all through faith and practice.

The Discriminatory Attitudes and Corruption in the Nikken Sect

Key Concepts:

1. Discriminatory Attitudes Towards Laity:

   1. The Nikken sect maintains a discriminatory attitude, treating priests as superior to lay believers.

   2. This contradicts Nichiren Daishonin’s teachings, which emphasize the equality of all practitioners, whether clergy or lay.

2. Corruption and Misuse of Religious Rituals:

   1. The Nikken sect has been accused of turning Buddhist rituals and ceremonies into means for generating money, including funerals and memorial services.

   2. This commercial approach is seen as a distortion of the true purpose of these practices.

The Spiritual Independence of the Soka Gakkai

Key Concepts:

1. Excommunication and Spiritual Independence:

   1. In 1991, the Soka Gakkai was excommunicated by the Nichiren Shoshu priesthood under Nikken.

   2. However, this event is viewed by the Soka Gakkai as a moment of spiritual independence, freeing its members from the corrupt practices of the priesthood and allowing them to focus fully on achieving kosen-rufu.

2. Global Expansion and Success:

   1. Since its excommunication, the Soka Gakkai has continued to grow and spread Nichiren Buddhism worldwide, now active in 192 countries and territories.

   2. This success is seen as a validation of its faith and practice, and a continuation of the true heritage of Nichiren Buddhism.