by James C. Stephens
February 7, 1979
[JCS: The following are rough notes from a meeting with Soka Gakkai Vice President Hojo. It is worth including in its rough form because of some of the unique perspectives offered regarding the contextualization of the American practice of Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism in relationship to its practice in Japan. The notes are as taken. At times I bracketed ideas with a <People who practice outside NSA> for example. If you have not been following the JYBR blog, then you will have missed earlier definitions of the many insider language terms utilized in this talk which have built upon one another. Sorry for the inconvenience. A number of the questions posed were never answered in their entirety.]
Mr. Williams-First floor World Culture Center for members.
Mr. Morita, Vice Headquarters Chief; Hosoi; Yahiro; Nagata.
What does it mean “everyone return to the time of Nichiren Daishonin?”
- Relationship between Nichiren Shoshu and the Soka Gakkai.
- Basic principle in achieving Kosenrufu.
Nichiren Daishonin. 700 years teaching has been handed down correctly.
Will study in accordance with Japanese Dai Byaku Renge.
Some areas of the Soka Gakkai too far into. So they had meeting with Head Temple.
Two points. 1) Kechimyaku of Hotai--relationship between Nichiren Daishonin and Nittatsu Shonin. 2) Relationship between High Priest and Nichiren Daishonin.
General: 2 ways. (Carefully use).
The way of organization–not correct to say Ikeda–Williams Shitei–only master is Nichiren Daishonin. Person who has carried on this is none other than Nittatsu Shonin (the High Priest).
Relationship with President Ikeda is only through respect and everyday practice.
Matter of faith (Nov 7)–I will send earliest possible time. Study professor to help you better understand the teaching.
We have two wonderful priests to develop relatioship with. To clarify this relationship to maintain unity.
Talk of basics of practicing in Soka Gakkai. Faith, practice and study.
Q: Are we members of Soka Gakkai or Nichiren Shoshu?
Shoho Jisso Sho-Shin Gyo Gaku.
(Definition: Shoho jisso-the ultimate truth; Shin Gyo Gaku-faith, practice, study).
In the past–you had conventions and you put great effort into them. Showed tremendous result, but wasn’t Shin Gyo Gaku. Two and a half years ago new start in the organization.
Before said we had objective (in regard to conventions) and they were necessary. Now we have realized this was not necessarily so. We push towards Shin Gyo Gaku.
Q: What of World Culture Festival?
We have a goal. One by one to help each other in practice. We have Dai Gohonzon. As we polish one person, we polish ourselves. Slow progress, but we can bring forth humanism…
Third point: Principle of achieving Koserufu. Last year President Ikeda mentioned the following: No matter what ideology a nation may have, ours is the Universal teaching embracing the culture of each individual country.
As mentioned daimoku is never changing principal. it is still daimoku anywhere it is. Therefore in order to understand the principles, let’s study the Gosho.
Q: What Gosho?
This never changing principle that was mentioned. How is it to be understood in different countries? Leaders in each nation will value the Law based on the customs of each nation.
I’d like to say, you live in this wonderful country United States. Japan does it, its way. You do not have to import it. Today, you are sitting on the floor. Tradition in the U.S. is to sit in chairs. Next time I come, I hope all can sit in chairs.
In Japan, man-woman sit on opposite sides. In America I hope you can sit as man and wife.
Local custom. Chanting and Gosho has nothing to do with custom. Nichiren Daishonin wrote Gosho in Japanese because he was born in Japan. Nichiren Daishonin said all people who believe in what he taught should propagate.
Two more points. One, World Peace Culture Festival slated to be held in August 1979. As mentioned before, looking at situation, like to cancel convention at this time, although it is unofficial.
Two, Translation of Gosho. Printing now. Will be got out as soon as possible.
New Spark. 1) Our activity is to study Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism; 2) Polish each individual’s faith; 3) People have dropped out. Teaching is for everyone. Mission to get people to begin again. No sacrifice. Said we did it, but correct way do Hendoku Iyaku.
Mission is kosenrufu. Together in unity. Hope all can grow. Q on silent prayers.
What Kosenrufu means?
700 years ago Nichiren Daishonin born in Japan. In the Gosho, Nichiren Daishonin said, “I Nichiren, said in chanting daimoku the objective is to save one person at a time and in doing this is kosenrufu itself.
As we help others we help ourselves.
Must understand because we don’t have convention still are doing kosenrufu. Practice today you are achieving kosenrufu. You must come to realize this. There are 220 million people in this country. We are very small still trying to achieve kosenrufu. We come to realize our mission towards humanity. Matter of silent prayer.
Practicing within organization or without. Is there a difference? What does organization mean? Our organization is not to intimidate anyone. You have your own freedom. NSA-Soka Gakkai–our objective is study and learn about Nichiren Daishonin–polish each other.
Here we polish our faith and point out what we need to realize. Through polishing we come to realize our potential and can take what we learn into society.
Silent prayers.
<People who practice outside NSA, relationship between Soka Gakkai and NSA.>
Role of women of NSA in the future.
Since coming to the U.S. I must look into this matter much more.
Change of system here–needs study.
President Josei Toda, the Second President of the Soka Gakkai.
4 Division system in Japan–time of second President Toda. Toda put great effort into youth division. Chapter Chief sometimes in 40’s. Youth Division in their 20’s. Took 40 year old gave same position.
<Maybe good principal–installation wrong in United States.>
Put great emphasis in youth so they could grow into people who could be of great worth in the future in society. Toda took Chapter Chief in the their 40’s and younger 20’s at the same table in combination to discuss.
Eternal machine–so ideal would always be alive.
Meeting with Mr. Hojo after meeting.
4th prayer, 5th prayer.
Dai Gohonzon —>handed down copy Gohonzon so everyone can have Gohonzon. Only one person can have Gohonzon. To all of us we receive Gohonzon. And to receive Gohonzon—there we can attain enlightenment or absolute happiness. Kechimyaku from 2 points.
General--Sobetsu, Shin Gyo Gaku. We are connected to Gohonzon so we can achieve kechimyaku of faith.
If ichinen is incorrect I was worrying, I would hurt my members. No! No! –no error in chanting to Gohonzon. Even if ichinen is wobbly. Encourage to chant. You chant you will straighten out. Kechimyaku–don’t overuse it.
I am lost–mumyo. Satorio–enlightenment. Hosho in Buddhism–to be.
Example he used was like a mirror. Used a book.
A mirror is a mirror because it has a back. This is mumyo. The lost part of you. Because you can see your lost part you can see your enlightenment. Without mumyo you could never become enlightened. Same with Bonno soku Bodai. Without earthly desires we could never become enlightened. Mumyo varies–different kinds of being lost.
How do I battle Gumpon no mumyo? [the darkness inherent in human life-according to Nichiren the final and most difficult obstacle to overcome to reach enlightenment.] Each day get up and face the situation and chant daimoku to the Gohonzon. It is so simple.
…..
Right after the meeting with Mr. Hojo I rushed to the elevator. I was told to go by the Soka Group and I stood fast. As Mr. Hojo came to the elevator I asked him if I could ask him a couple of questions. After the translator told him, he said sure. So I and a girl named Reza met him on the third floor. Up there we were able to ask him for some answers. (those are contained on previous two pages). Afterwards he asked us to meet him again and asked our names. He gave us each a present. It was a scarf with President Ikeda’s calligraphy. It said Kaido, I believe which translates as health.
Afterwards I went downstairs and talked with Bonnie Barcy for awhile about the present state of the Open Forum. We discussed various subjects.
Next as I was leaving, Gary Curtis and I had a real frank discussion. I have not recorded earlier incident in my diary which would of tremendous import in regards to this meeting. It was nonetheless a breakthrough. He was really happy I talked to Hojo and wondered if the meeting earlier was really of much import. I said to a degree yes.
Well, I should leave now and pick up my wife from work. Will continue later.
Gohonzon: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gohonzon
https://www.sgi-usa.org/study-resources/core-concepts/the-gohonzon/diagram-of-the-gohonzon/
Journal of a Young Buddhist Radical 