NICHIREN SHOSHU PRIESTHOOD
The truth or reality of all things that Buddhas, through their vast and profound wisdom, are able to perceive is called what? (See Basics, 134)
The true aspect of all Phenomenon?
The Lotus Sutra’s “Life Span of the Thus Come One” chapter reveals what about Shakyamuni’s enlightenment? (See Basics, 137)
That he is the eternal Buddha who had been enlightened since the remote past, and the life state of both Buddhahood and that of the nine worlds are forever present in Shakyamuni’s life
Those who encourage people to abandon the Lotus Sutra and close off the path to Buddhahood for all are considered what? pg. (See basics 118)
“Enemies of the Lotus Sutra,” (“Encouragement to a Sick Person,” WND-1, 78)
After Shakyamuni’s passing, when will the Bodhisattvas of the Earth actually appear, and what exactly is the great Law they will spread when they do? (See Basics, 139–40)
The Latter Day of the Law, and the great Law they will spread is the Mystic Law.
Of the "Five Cardinal Sins" which is the gravest offense? (See Basics, 123)
(1) killing one’s father, (2) killing one’s mother, (3) killing an arhat, (4) injuring a Buddha, and (5) causing disunity in the Buddhist Order. - 5 CAUSING DISUNITY...
In “The True Aspect of All Phenomena,” Nichiren Daishonin writes: “Now, no matter what, strive in faith and be known as a votary of the Lotus Sutra, and remain my disciple for the rest of your life. If you are of the same mind as Nichiren, you must be a _______________________________________. And if you are a _________________________________________ there is not the slightest doubt that you have been a disciple of Shakyamuni Buddha from the remote past” (WND-1, 385).(See Basics, 140)
Boddhisatva of the earth
What passage from the Lotus Sutra articulates the abiding wish or the compassionate desire of the Buddha? (See Basics, 167)
“Life Span,” the sixteenth chapter:
The correct faith in Nichiren Buddhism is based on what? FOR AN EXTRA 50 POINTS: Recite a gosho passage that confirms this. (See Basics, 123–24)
Faith Based on the Gohonzon. Believe in this mandala with all your heart "Reply to Kyo'o WND-1, 412
“Encouraging Devotion,” the Lotus Sutra’s 13th chapter, contains a passage known as the twenty-line verse describing the “three powerful enemies.” Among the three powerful enemies, what is the third powerful enemy and what do they do? (See Basics, 144)
The third powerful enemy, arrogant false sages, refers to high-ranking Buddhist priests who pass themselves off as sages or saints and use their status and influence to persecute the practitioners of the Lotus Sutra.
Based on the Lotus Sutra’s 15th chapter, who are the Bodhisattvas of the Earth? And in the sutra’s 21st chapter, what do they do? (See Basics, 168)
Those who are qualified to be entrusted with this task of spreading the Lotus Sutra.
Responding to Shakyamuni’s appeal to propagate the sutra in that age, they made a vow to teach and spread among the people the fundamental Law for attaining Buddhahood.
Nikko Shonin said what about following those who go against the Buddha’s Law and propound their own views? (See Basics, 123–24)
Do not follow even the high priest if he goes against the Buddha’s Law and propounds his own views” (GZ, new ed., 2196; GZ, 1618)
Bodhisattva Never Disparaging consistently venerates everyone he encounters, no matter who they are, including those who attack or persecute him, bowing in respect and reciting to each a phrase known as ____________________________. (See Basics, 141)
The twenty-four-character Lotus Sutra
29. Nichiren Daishonin awakened to the Law within his own life—the Law of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, which is the essence of the Lotus Sutra—and he vowed to become the “pillar,” the “eyes” and the “great ship” to protect, support and guide all people to enlightenment. Regarding this task, what did the Daishonin urge his followers to do? (See Basics, 169–70)
Urging his followers to take up the same task, the Daishonin told them, “My wish is that all my disciples make a great vow” (“The Dragon Gate,” WND-1, 1003), and entrusted them with the mission of achieving kosen-rufu.
What did Shakyamuni, the founder of Buddhism, teach is the noblest and most admirable way for people to live with true dignity? (See Basics, 178–79)
To regain the supreme dignity of their lives and realize their infinite potential by bringing forth their inherent wisdom.
Nichiren Buddhism views the position of hierarchy between clergy and laity in what way? (See Basics, 127)
The Daishonin clearly confirmed the equality of clergy and laity
Nichiren Daishonin states: “The heart of the Buddha’s lifetime of teachings is the Lotus Sutra, and the heart of the practice of the Lotus Sutra is found in the ‘Never Disparaging’ chapter. What does Bodhisattva Never Disparaging’s profound respect for people signify? The purpose of the appearance in this world of Shakyamuni Buddha, the lord of teachings, lies in his_________________________________” (WND-1, 851–52). (See Basics, 142)
Behavior as a human being.
Regarding the principle of “three thousand realms in a single moment of life, ”Ikeda Sensei expresses this principle in describing the theme of his novel The Human Revolution: “A great human revolution in just a single individual will help achieve a change in the destiny of a nation and, further, will enable a change in the destiny of all humankind.” How does his statement relate to this principle?(See Basics,150)
The principle of three thousand realms in a single moment of life teaches that life at each moment contains limitless potential. When one transforms the state of one’s life at this moment, the environment that surrounds it also changes, which can even result in a change in the entire world.
Nichiren Daishonin cites the analogy of bird in a cage singing, attracting birds in the sky who gather around, causing the caged bird to strive to get out. Explain what this symbolizes. (See Basics, 158)
When with our mouths we chant the Mystic Law, our Buddha nature, being summoned, will invariably emerge.
The Soka Gakkai has emerged in modern times in accord with the Buddha’s intent and has taken responsibility to fulfill the vow for kosen-rufu, succeeding to the will of Nichiren Daishonin as Bodhisattvas of the Earth. How can the Bodhisattvas of the Earth be described in today’s world? (See Basics, 170–71)
They are emissaries of the Buddha.
After examining various Buddhist sutras and finding the answer in the Lotus Sutra, ___________ vowed to identify and carry on the Buddhist teachings capable of realizing genuine happiness for all people and took action in exact accord with its teachings, even at the risk of his life. (See Basics, 180)
Nichiren Daishonin
Nikken and his followers hold an erroneous view that there is a mysterious and exclusive heritage passed on only from one high priest to the next and that the high priest is the single entity that embodies the oneness of the Person and the Law. In contrast, what is this heritage as described by Nichiren Daishonin? (See Basics, 126)
The heritage, or lineage, in Nichiren Buddhism has always been some-thing open to all people, not the exclusive possession of an elite few.
“Emergence of the Treasure Tower,” the Lotus Sutra’s 11th chapter, describes six difficult and nine easy acts, which emphasize the great difficulty of accepting and spreading the sutra in the time after Shakyamuni Buddha’s passing. The Buddha calls on bodhisattvas to make a great vow to propagate the sutra in the Latter Day of the Law. Why is it so difficult to propagate the Lotus Sutra? (See Basics, 143)
Doing so invites very real hardships in the form of opposition and persecution.
What does the principle of the mutual possession of the Ten Worlds say about the potential of anyone in any of the Ten Worlds? (See Basics, 152)
The principle of the mutual possession of the Ten Worlds, explains that one can elevate one’s state of life to that of bodhisattvas and even to Buddhahood in the course of this lifetime.
The Gohonzon reflects the world of Buddhahood within ordinary people and allows them to observe it and bring it forth. This is why it is often viewed as a ____________________.(See Basics, 160)
Clear Mirror
The stronger one’s faith and practice becomes, the more strongly the three obstacles and four devils and the three powerful enemies will emerge to interfere. What can we do for obstacles to cease functioning as devils? (See Basics, 172)
Summon even stronger faith and use the wisdom gained from the Daishonin’s writings to clearly perceive devilish functions for what they are, and at that point they will cease to function as devils.
The _____________________ rediscovered the tradition of humanistic philosophy and practice originating with Shakyamuni and inherited by Nichiren Daishonin, recognizing it and treasuring it as the very essences of Buddhism. (See Basics, 182–83)
The Soka Gakkai
In contrast to the Nikken sect’s assertion that funeral services must be conducted by priests for the deceased to attain Buddhahood, based on Nichiren’s teaching, what determines one’s attainment of Buddhahood? (See Basics, 128)
Attaining Buddhahood depends on one’s faith and practice while alive.
How did Nichiren Daishonin prove the validity of Shakyamuni’s words in the Lotus Sutra? (See Basics, 145)
By reading the Lotus Sutra with his very life (by fulfilling the predictions made in the sutra)
Among the “ten factors of life,” the tenth and final factor, “consistency from beginning to end,” means that all the other factors are consistent from the beginning to end, from the first factor, ______________, to the ninth factor, ______________. For example, a life presently in the world of Buddhahood will have the ______________ of Buddhahood, the nature of Buddhahood, all the way through the ______________of Buddhahood, and the same principle applies to each of the Ten Worlds. (See Basics, 152–55)
Appearance - Manifest Effect - Appearance - Manifest effect
Nichiren called the Gohonzon the “______________________,” because it exemplifies the intent of the Buddha to spread the Mystic Law in the evil age after his passing and the spirit to open the way for kosen-rufu. (See Basics, 163)
The “banner of propagation of the Lotus Sutra” (“The Real Aspect of the Gohonzon,” WND-1, 831).
In order to attain Buddhahood, it is not enough to simply refrain from committing slander oneself. It is also important to strictly admonish and challenge the slander of others, endeavor to correct them and free them from the path to suffering. What practice does this effort describe? (See Basics, 174)
The compassionate practice of shakubuku, spreading the teachings while challenging and defeating slander.
What are the three treasures of Buddhism? (See Basics, 183)
The treasure of the Buddha, the treasure of the Law, and the treasure of the Buddhist Order (community of believers).
In “On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land,” Nichiren says that the way by which people can resolve their suffering and bring peace and security to society is by reforming “the tenets that we hold in our heart.” When we transform our hearts and minds, what tenet or ideal should we base them on? (See Basics, 189)
That all people can bring forth their inherent Buddha nature and attain enlightenment.
The Nichiren Shoshu priesthood excommunicated the SGI on November 28, 1991, which Soka Gakkai members consider the day they achieved their spiritual independence. Freeing themselves from the chains of the corrupt and misguided priesthood, Soka Gakkai members have emerged around the globe, dedicating themselves to what? (See Basics, 129)
Kosen Rufu
So that all people of the Latter Day of the Law could attain enlightenment, in what form did the Daishonin express his fundamental life state of Buddhahood and what was it modeled after? (See Basics, 146)
In the form of a mandala, the Gohonzon, which he modeled after the Ceremony in the Air3 in the Lotus Sutra, establishing it as the object of devotion that all people of the Latter Day of the Law should believe in and uphold in order to attain Buddhahood.
What does the principle of the “three realms of existence” teach us? (See Basics, 156)
A change in the state of one’s heart and mind will effect a change in every aspect of one’s own life and one’s environment.
The Daishonin writes: “Shakyamuni’s practices and the virtues he consequently attained are all contained within the five characters of Myoho-renge-kyo. If we _______________these five characters, we will naturally be granted the same ______________________ as he was” (WND-1, 365). (See Basics, 165)
Believe - Benefit
The Daishonin refers to a Buddhist principle called the “precept of adapting to local customs.” What does this principle teach? (See Basics, 175)
One should respect and abide by the culture and traditions of each country and region, as well as by the customs of the times, to the extent that they do not violate the fundamental teachings of Buddhism.
What does the treasure of the Buddhist Order refer to? (See Basics, 183)
The Buddhist Order is the gathering of people who believe in and practice that teaching.
Being able to see the true nature of our mind, or attain enlightenment, is not something achieved through conceptual thought or meditative practice. That is why in “The Real Aspect of the Gohonzon,” Nichiren writes, “This Gohonzon also is found ________________________________________.” (See Basics, 195)
only in the two characters for faith.