Introduction to Nichiren Buddhism by Professor Aaron Profit
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 4 фев 2025
- In this video, Professor Proffitt talks about the origins of Nichiren and the different practices of this Japanese Buddhism.
Introduction to Buddhism Series by Professor Aaron Proffitt.
• Introduction to Buddhi...
American Buddhist Study Center in NYC Home Page - Bringing together Buddhist Wisdom and Japanese Culture for more than Seventy Years.
Please subscribe our weekly news letter ↓↓↓
www.ambuddhist...
It was very valuable to get to know the political and philosophical background of Nichiren buddhism. Thank you!
As a Nichiren Shu Buddhist of many decades, I want to extend my appreciation and deep respect for this excellent, accurate and fair introduction to Nichiren Buddhism and oft-misunderstood Nichiren Shonin. 南無妙法蓮華經 Namu Myōhō Renge Kyō
Hello. Shu dont practice Nichiren Shonin's teachings at all here in Japan.
Nichiren Daishonin taught we must practice and believe in the Law Nam or Namu Myoho Renge Kyo not Buddha at all.
The law is named by Nichiren Shonin
Myoho. Japan.🧑🦳
Thank you
Thank you for letting us know.
One of the best teachings ever, thank you 🙏🏻 I needed this.
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.
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🙏🙏
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.
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)
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.
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.
Thank you for Soka Gakkai so people know about Nichiren Buddhism. I only have so much gratitude and love.
My friend Soka Gakkai are from Nichiren Shoshu. Dont forget it.Japan.🤷
Cogent, direct, and thorough. Thank you for sharing your wisdom. It has benefited me. May you be well!
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.
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.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience. ^.^
This is a great lecture. Thanks.
Thank you for letting us know. It means a lot. Gassho
Great video and great series. Would love episodes on the lotus sutra and SGI.
He recently uploaded about the lotus sutra
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.
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 🙏
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.
@@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
Nichiren Shoshu with the true teachings. Japan.🧑🦳
nichiren daishonin Buddhism is the best religion ever. many people are ignorant to understand it..
Thank you so much for sharing your opinion on Nichiren.
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.
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 ???
i am grateful to nipponzan myohoji bombay.
Namu-Myo-Ho-Ren-Ge-Kyo
A Profit?
Buddhism primarily teaches people to be wise, compassionate and virtuous. And there are many examples of Buddhists living as so.
Hello. I am practincing in Nichiren Shoshu since 1970 Without doupt and fearing.
Nichiren Shu was suposed to protect
Nichiren Daishonin's teachings but inspite after Nichiren Daishonin passed away Shu chanced their woreship to Buddha.
Nichiren Shoshu since 1290 Nikko Shonin the first priets at Shoshu protected The Gohonzon and teachings from it.
There are many Shu temples here in Japan but a diffrend teachings from them. So as many after Nichiren sects.
Nichiren Shu did not excist and was not a temple in Nichiren Shonin's lifetime. Shu temples started after around 200 years later so as After Nichiren sects later. Nichiren Shoshu and Shu have the same written Nichiren Mandala and doctrines but replace the Mandala to woreship Buddha after the war.
"Nichiren sects do not understand the essence of the object of woreship. For example, the Nichiren Shu sect at Mt. Minobu appears completely confused concerning its object of woreship, sometimes using statues of Shakyamuni, sometimes using mandalas, or chanting the daimoku to goddess Kishimojin or even foxes .They sell mandalas as souvenirs to visitors.
The situation is simalar with Rissho Kosei a long time after by a Shu follower named Nikkyo Iwano and became the leader started a group Rissho Kosei Kai. And Reiyukai.
Rissho Kosei Kai has changed its object of woreship five or six times
Reiyukai, who until recently had revered the posthumous Buddist names of to woreshipping a statue of Shakyamuni. There are also several Nichiren Sects such as Kempon Hokke Shu, who make there own counterfeit copies of Gohonzons that the Daishonin inscribed .
Soka Gakkai Due to refusal of leaders to correctly follow the teachings of Nichiren Shoshu.
The only true religion that has any power in this world at this time is Nichiren Shoshu . Its doctrins are perfectly logical and consistent, and the experiences of many people who have faith in this great Buddishm and who have overcome their negative karma are proof of this.
Now here in Japan so many many left Soka Gakkai and came back to Shoshu again the last 15 years now. I am so happy all my life with my big family. Shu and after sects dont spread Nichiren Daishonin's teachings here in Japan Soka Gakkai too. .
Shoshu are in a big movement kosenruffu now. And We are so calm and peacefull than ever. Thankyou Japan.🧑🦳
Thank you so much for sharing so that others can learn.
❣
Daimoku Sutra del Loto Nichiren Mandala Gohonzon gli scritti di Nichiren Gosho
I thought Buddhism don't believe in a God? Why are there 4 names of Gods written in the Honzon?
The four Bodhisttvas are the true named. Called buddisht gods. Japan.🧑🦳
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
💫💫💫💫💫
Firstly, Sokagakkai (創価学会) the 'soka' has in romaji only ONE k, (not two 'k's like 'sokka')! Also in Japan there are 37 genuine Nichiren sects. Sokagakkai in the 1930's had originally been the 'hokke-kyo' (法華経) or lay organisation of their once parent sect Nichiren Shoshu (日蓮正宗) the second oldest Nichiren sect.
The current sect - the oldest and largest Nichiren sect currently in Japan - is (the only one that was actually around during Nichiren's lifetime) is Nichiren Shu (日蓮宗). I am currently a Nichiren Shu Buddhist myself. There is also Nichiren Hokke (日蓮法華), Shoshinkai (少心会), Hokke-Shu (法華宗) et al.
SGI is not too well received as they have in 1991for misconduct been in 1991 formally excommunicated (acting as a financial and political cult, seeking money to finance their own since 1964 political party Komeito). I would not recommend SGI (Sokagakkai 創価学会, outside of Japan as Soka Gakkai International, hence SGI) since 1975) to anyone.
SGI has unfortunately diluted and corrupted 'Nichiren Buddhism' for their own financial and political gain, as a tool of 'exotic' enticement for gaslighting their unsuspecting members for their hard earned money. (I am an ex-SGI member, I have found out the hard way)! NOT good!
As a member of the Soka Gakkai, the Gohonzon you have in the video is being disrespected, if you would remove it from the video. It’s the Gohonzon issued by the Soka Gakkai. The Bodhisatvas of the Earth and they appear in our day and age of the Latter Dayb of the law who promised to save those who are befuddled. Please consider this request as that from a Bodhisattva Buddha.
Thank you for letting us know.
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 ...
???
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 ..
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.
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
Nichiren Shoshi did not changed any teachings and the gongyo Nichiren Daishonin did it at a least. Still practincing like Nichiren Shonin and Nikko Shonin did it. Japan.🧑🦳
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.
Hello. From other sects you talking about ?? Which sects you pointing too?Japan.
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