Excellent presentation, Professor Proffitt. I practiced with SGI back in the 1980s in New York City. I became disenchanted with the organization because there was Zero Dharma training, very little study of Nichiren’s teaching and absolutely no study of the Lotus Sutra. It was kind of ironic since the recitation of the title of the Lotus Sutra is the primary practice in SGI. It seemed as though none of the SGI leadership wanted to discuss the actual Sutra. For the most part it was just getting a Gohonzon and praising Daisaku Ikeda. It was another faith based practice , which goes against Gotoma’s advice to be skeptical of everything until one is convinced that something is useful. After leaving the organization in the mid 80s I abandoned Buddhism. Then after years of attempting Christianity, I formally took the Three Refuges with a Theravada monastic and have been practicing as a secular Buddhist for 14 years. I attempted to read and understand the Lotus Sutta on my own and am completely befuddled with all of the supernatural events and other worldly beings in the narrative. I’m sure my training in Theravada and Secular practice gets in the way of suspending reality. So I look forward to a video with a synopsis and explanation of the Lotus Sutra. Thank you again.

@black_sheep_nation

6 ай бұрын

I was, too with SGI for years, but always with one-eye open. Perhaps because I began when I was older. I was at a very low, dark, directionless place in my life, and needed a practice that could give me a foundation, consistency, and social support. I'm grateful to them for that. But I never fell for the Ikedaism. Confounded by the absence of the dharma, 5 aggregates, 8 fold path, when I was ready, I left for the real Buddhism, rejecting both Shoshu and SGI. I chose to remain within the Nichiren Buddhist branch, a novice-in-training. Though I'm familiar with Theraveda, and Tibetan Buddhism from my 20's. 🙏🙏in metta🙏🙏

@ricardofranciszayas

6 ай бұрын

Me too. When I finally began to learn about Gotoma's teachings, I had the feeling of coming home. The 4 Noble Truths, 8 fold Noble Path, The 5 Aggregates, The Satipatthana Sutta felt like I finally found some medicine for my ills. I was able to start figuring out why I was suffering. The Dharma is so sensible and so logical. I came to the Dharma at the Age of 57. It was as though I had been underwater for57 years and I finally was able to swim to the surface and take a breath. I'm 71 years old and still am such a newbie in my practice. I am so grateful. I wish you great success in your training. I've often wondered what it would be like to ordain and be able to really train. But I'm content to do the work I can. One thing I do appreciate is those Nichiren Buddhists who showed great determination; Turning poison into Nectar. Also Nichiren's Teaching of The 10 Worlds. That makes total sense to me. It's brilliant breakdown of how a persons mind and life condition are shifting from moment to moment. Hopefully before my old brain gets too goofy I will be able to start to comprehend the very basics of the Lotus Sutra. So much of the sutra demands believing in the existence of Bodhisattvas and Devas.I do believe that there are beings on other planets. So I guess that Devas and Nagas and such could exist. But I am a secularist and a skeptic. I personally have trouble accepting the supernatural or having to suspend what I can see or hear or touch or smell or perceive. Accepting Scriptural accounts on blind faith is not something the Buddha advises. (Kalama Sutta, Anguttara Nikaya) I don't readily accept things on faith from any tradition, Theravada, Mahayana, Jain, Hindu, Christian, Judaism, Sikh, Western Science, Ayurveda, etc. That's why I left SGI and left Christianity. And the supernatural events like a ray of light emanating from Shakyamuni's forehead, etc.Just like the story of the Buddha's birth. As a newborn he allegedly walked and Lotus flowers appeared with every step. How am I supposed to believe that. As hard as I try, I don't get it. Maybe I'm a stubborn bonehead. In any event, great success to you in your training. I wish you Metta and enlightenment in this lifetime.

@impoli199

5 ай бұрын

I'm in that place right now. I started chanting three months ago and i feel great and i love the meetings but i can't conciliate it with what i think of SGI and all what you said. And i don't think i can keep my practice alone. I'm budist nothing is changing that, but how can i move from this point? (Excuse my english, not my first language)

@wmt_abby6318

4 ай бұрын

I just started practicing Nichiren Buddhism almost a month ago and I think it's what you make of it. I don't really buy into the endless Ikeda praise/ borderline worship either, but I'm hesitant to leave the community mainly because there are women who enjoy studying and discussing the lotus sutra with me. No one objects when I ask to study the Lotus Sutra with them. I also find the chanting helpful to my mental health and I like the message of helping others as being part of the path to enlightenment. I am curious what would happen if I questioned / brought up if we should be praising Ikeda so much rather than the sutra and the teaching itself. Nichiren himself criticized Buddhist institutions, so I would be surprised if they rejected me or anybody for doing the same in modern times. I will bring this up in my next discussion with them and let you know their reaction...I do think the organization is more open to change nowadays as they've declared their most recent mission is to embrace the youth and our modern views.

@stefanosalamena8736

4 ай бұрын

Same here, but likely not all Nichiren traditions are like SGI.

Your lectures are absolutely invaluable. Thank you so much for providing these talks for free. As a blossoming buddhist, access to these histories in digestible English from a knowledgeable source, my gratitude cant be overstated. I am digging through your archive! Namo amituofo.

Cogent, direct, and thorough. Thank you for sharing your wisdom. It has benefited me. May you be well!

This is a great lecture. Thanks.

@AmericanBuddhistStudyCenter

Ай бұрын

Thank you for letting us know. It means a lot. Gassho

Grateful for your presentations on this channel. And also, more generally, grateful for all your efforts that eventuated in teaching the subject of Japanese Buddhism. Although I follow a Shaiva tradition, I also have a longstanding appreciation (though only an introductory understanding) of the Buddhist traditions of Japan. In fact, I wish these valuable traditions (other than only Zen) were better known to more people here in US. Meanwhile, thank goodness for educators like you on the internet. My very best wishes.

One of the best teachings ever, thank you 🙏🏻 I needed this.

And Nichiren Buddishm is often misunderstood as well, though many outside of Japan may not have heard of it at all. Nichiren Shonin, founder of Nichiren Buddishm was a 13 the century Japanese reformer. Nichiren Shonin's goal was to restore the true spirit of Buddishm for all people.In his day, Buddishm had become subject to the whims of court life and the introduction of forms of Buddishm that had lost sight of the true essence of the Buddha's teachings. To Nichiren Shonin, essence of the Buddha's true will was distilled in a scripture called the Lotus Sutra, which recorded his most important teaching more specifically, Nichiren Shonin believed the essence of this was expressed in the Odaimoku. Odaimoku is the Japanese word for "Sacred Title" This refers to the expression of faith in the ultimate truth which is embodied in the full title of the Lotus Sutra pronounced Namu-Myoho-Renge Kyo in Sino-Japanese. Namumyohorengekyo means " I devote myself to the Sutra of the Lotus Flower of the Wonderfull Dharma". Nichiren Shonin saw himself as the Buddha's messenger, and taught with the conviction that the Buddha had entrusted him with a teaching and practice that would enable all people to attain awakening.Japan.

@Greaves1047

10 ай бұрын

sadly those in Japan won't hear much about it either the way SGI is going nowadays

@clayhamilton3551

9 ай бұрын

@@Greaves1047Hi! Could you elaborate on what you mean by that?

@Greaves1047

9 ай бұрын

@@clayhamilton3551 I mean they're uniting with priesthood, there's a ton more but just that is enough to show that the leaders which worked so hard to marginalize Ikeda are completely corrupt and went off the rails. It's all about power and money now

@1027HANA-lc5ke

7 ай бұрын

​@@Greaves1047Hello. Yes exactly. Sgi. And many people spreading and teaching around the world so wrong and turn away what was truth from The true teachings from The Nichiren Shonin. Don't believe in professors ect.Japan.

Hello.What is Buddishm? What is Nichiren Buddishm? Many people throughout the world have heard of Buddishm, through their perceptions of this religion are often colored by misconceptions. Buddishm is very diffrend from the religions of the West. Buddishm can be confusing because to some people it seems like a religion,to others it seems like a philosophy, and to others it seems like an ancient tradition of psychology. Buddishm, however, cannot be reduced to any of these categories. At it's heart, Buddishm is a world view based upon the awakening of the Buddha, and a way of life that leads to and is consistent with an awakened world view. This "awakening" refers to an awakening from the sleep of delusion and self-centeredness. This is the enlightenment that freed the Buddha from suffering and enabled him to reach out compassionately to others so that they could share his freedom. The Buddha also described and demonstrated the perfect wisdom and great compassion of one who had awakened to the true nature of reality. Buddishm does not focus on worshipping or appeasing some superhuman being whose powers and understanding are forever beyond our reach. Neither is Buddishm idolatry; Buddishm do not worship arcane symbols, statues, or a group of deities. It is true that Buddhist believe in an ultimate reality, sometimes called the Buddha- nature, that enables us to attain awakening, but this should not be confused with the historical person called the Buddha. The historical Buddha is revered as the one who taught the way, but he does not transcend our ability to emulate him. Likewise, the Buddha- nature is not a person to worship, but is the fertile ground from which we can bring out our own buddha-like qualities by practicing the Buddha's teachings. Unlike many religions of the West, the ultimate reality does not save us from high, but instead invites us to realize it as our own true nature.Japan.

Thank you for watching the video. PLEASE JOIN WITH US our Zoom Event ↓↓↓ Introduction to the Heart Sutra With Professor Aaron Proffitt Click ink to the FREE Zoom event 2/24/2024 from 1-2pm (EAT. New York Time) www.ambuddhist.org/events Professor Aaron Proffitt is going to answer questions you may have.

Namu-Myo-Ho-Ren-Ge-Kyo

Thank you for Soka Gakkai so people know about Nichiren Buddhism. I only have so much gratitude and love.

i am grateful to nipponzan myohoji bombay.

Great video and great series. Would love episodes on the lotus sutra and SGI.

@Ollysint

7 ай бұрын

He recently uploaded about the lotus sutra

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💫💫💫💫💫

I’ve belonged to the SGI and am the men’s division leader for the area where we live in the states. I love the group and the practice AND… also agree that there could be more actual study of Buddhist philosophy as it pertains to anything NOT published by the SGI directly. Even historical videos or other material seem not to exist. I’ve asked several professors of Buddhist studies, or the like, for a deep dive into the sect and honestly I’ve been so surprised that i either get zero response or their videos are simply a critique of the seemingly endless discussion about the political leanings and the “worship” of its founders instead of Nichiren himself. (Worship used here for convenience in dialogue) But YOU mentioned herein or maybe in your Lotus Sutra video, that you may consider such an endeavor. Is a video like this forthcoming? And would you actually have an SGI leader/member on with you, for the discussion? Not me mind you… i myself am looking for the education. Thanks 🙏

@wmt_abby6318

4 ай бұрын

I just started practicing Nichiren Buddhism almost a month ago and so far I think it will be whatever I make of it since the path to enlightenment is simultaneously a deeply personal journey and a collective one. I don't really buy into the endless Ikeda praise/ borderline worship, but I'm hesitant to leave the community mainly because there are women who enjoy studying and discussing the lotus sutra with me. No one objects when I ask to study the Lotus Sutra with them. Then again, since I'm new I've only met a limited number of people within the organization, none of whom were from divisions outside of the U.S. I also find the chanting helpful to my spiritual health and I like the message of helping others as being part of the path to enlightenment. I am curious what would happen if I questioned / brought up if we should be praising Ikeda so much rather than the sutra and the teaching itself. Nichiren himself criticized Buddhist institutions, so I would be surprised if they rejected me or anybody for doing the same in modern times. Isn't doubt often times necessary, especially if done respectfully and from a place of genuine curiosity? I wonder what their reaction would be to my questioning? I do want to approach this with humility since I am by all means a novice. But, I also do not want to completely discredit my own intuition without first doing further investigation. I do think the organization seems open to change nowadays as they've declared their most recent mission is to embrace the youth and our modern views. Also, I would love to connect and discuss this with you further.

@user-rz9hs4xb2f

4 ай бұрын

@@wmt_abby6318 believe me, friend, they won’t be upset with you for asking those questions and you’re not alone at all in those feelings. I myself am 110% against politics and government type control, and i am NOT interested in worshipping any humans. I’ve been very vocal about my own reservations around the issue you bring up. I don’t believe you’ll ever have a problem in the SGI in those regards. I don’t agree with how they handled the Covid lockdowns or vaccine mandates and stopped associating with the group for years because of that. I’ve had a dozen conversations with top leadership (all lay positions, we have no saintly clergy.) and not one person, not one time, shunned me but instead offered love and respect for my own opinions. Which were not the common opinions of the majority. They’ve always welcomed me and even now do so with open arms. Welcome, we are so glad to have you. For me also the social reforms we help promote around the world are extremely important to me and we are the only Buddhist community in the trenches so to speak. My years as a US Marine draw me to a sense and need to fight against oppression. You’ll find all you’re looking for here with us. I also practice with Open Way centers (Thích Nhất Hạnh center) as well as the ISCKON (the Hare Krishnas) and my SGI group has zero issues with that. Love and respect is all you’ll find here and the rhetoric you’ll hear from outsiders is of little to no importance. 😇😇😇🙏🙏🙏 NMRK

Sono dei mestieri antichi per uomini e donne , soldati , monaci , monache , allevatori , contadini ,pescatori , cortigiane , donne per compagnia cortigiane i mestieri antichi per uomini e donne quali sono ???

L epoca di Nichiren anche se non veniva riconosciuto ufficialmente c erano due capitali quasi due governi Kyoto , ufficialmente , l imperatore e la Corte dei Nobili e Kamakura era la città capitale non riconosciuta ma molto potente dei militari , la casta dei militari in Giappone i Samurai , poi Preti Monache Cortigiani e Cortigiane , artiste di compagnia per uomini , geisha concubine , pescatori contadini allevatori di bestiame i mestieri più antichi

9:00 "...or something like that" sir, if you are going to lecture on a topic, get the basis of it correct. It's "Devotion (not "hail") to the Mystic Law of Cause and Effect", it is the title of the Lotus Sutra and the Law of Life itself.

Buddhism primarily teaches people to be wise, compassionate and virtuous. And there are many examples of Buddhists living as so.

Daimoku Sutra del Loto Nichiren Mandala Gohonzon gli scritti di Nichiren Gosho

C è esiste , fra i monaci di Nichiren Un Patriarca Giapponese , scissione fra monaci e laici in Giappone che dura da più di vent'anni sono diventate scissioni ...

Per anni hanno imposto un gongyo lungo poi ad un tratto hanno deciso gongyo breve chiamato gongyo di cerimonia , decidono sempre poche persone nella soka gakkai italiana inoltre gongyo lungo o breve è stato introdotto come rito preghiera essenziale dopo la morte di Nichiren l intransigenza di continuare con le decisioni di poche persone come gongyo mattina e sera lungo poi dopo anni gongyo breve decidono sempre poche persone non , passano gli anni e poi decidono , un élite che vogliono sempre decidere loro non fanno mai una seria autocritica pubblica sui giornali della soka gakkai italiana ecco perché non partecipo più ai meeting della soka gakkai italiana , con qualcuno sono in contatto mi sembra che in altre nazioni siano più trasparenti come la soka gakkai americana prima di diffondersi in Italia anni 80 era già una comunità buddista di Nichiren negli stati uniti d america , dopo la seconda guerra mondiale , perché mi sembra fu adottata come religionie da persone americane nella transizione della sconfitta giapponese della seconda guerra mondiale C erano militari e civili americani in Giappone , qualcuno poi continuo in America dopo guerra giapponese , sono studi di anni fa dipartimento di studio buddista nichiren shosu soka gakkai erano insieme

Erano dispute dibattiti fra Preti e Monaci Buddisti nel Giappone feudale del 1200 come si legge negli scritti di Nichiren lettere ai suoi discepoli Preti e Laici , fra i laici c erano anche alcuni della casta militare , chiamati samurai ,erano dei militari di mestiere per lavoro nel 1200 altri mestieri lavoro Preti , altrimenti pescatori contadini allevatori sa non eri di famiglie dei nobili del Giappone del 1200 medioevo , quelli erano i mestieri , i lavori che potevano scegliere Se non eri di famiglie nobili per studiare istruzione sceglievano di diventare monaci e monache altrimenti fra i militari chiamati samurai nel Giappone antico delle spade , anche perché l occidente usa delle parole storiche giapponesi come samurai e altre ...in maniera sbagliata i mass media occidentali anche nella seconda guerra mondiale parole giapponesi per soldati del Giappone imperiale alleati dei nazisti tedeschi e dei fascisti italiani ..

SGI's standing is a little fuzzy. It helps people, some cool and good people are in SGI but in promotional materials they've talked about chanting for material wealth, they aren't very clear on adhering to basic buddhist principles like anatman, dependent origination 4 noble truths, and the group's more obvious ties to Japanese right wing politics. Other sects and even other nichiren buddhists have been quite critical of it.

@1027HANA-lc5ke

7 ай бұрын

Hello. From other sects you talking about ?? Which sects you pointing too?Japan.

U should have not use the word 'image' on GhonZon, as all bodhisattvas plus nichiren Buddhism teach us never pray on him as a statue but too recite the mantra they pass down, is either Nam Myo Ho Reng Gheh Guo or Amithabha or Namo all Boddisathwa.

while I appreciated the content of your video your incessant use of "you know...um" and constant mumbling was so annoying that I could not continue listen to the entire video. Please work on your delivery and re record this content. thank you