From : Jason
Date : Thursday, October 25, 2001 7:49 PM
Subject: What is the different between Nambutse sect and Nichiren sect?
I am confused on Nichiren Shoshu. What is the different between Nambutse sect and Nichiren sect? I heard that Nichiren teaching is the only one that can save human beings in this latter life--Mappo
is this true
Jason
ANSWER by Piyasilo
Jason,
Nembutsu & Nichirenism
All forms of Buddhism arose from Sakyamuni Buddha who was born in India, became
enlightened and taught the True Teaching to the world. As Buddhism spread
beyond India, it has to adapt itself to the culture and needs of the people of
the new regions. In some cases, however, even rulers (king. Emperors, etc.)
adopted religion to help them in their social control of the people. Religion
has a powerful control over people who believe in it (truly or falsely), and
whoever controls the religion, controls the people.
Despite all this, Sakyamuni has prophesied that as long as the Noble Eightfold
Path exists, it is possible to know the True Dharma. The Dharma-ending Age
(mappo) is a variable concept referring to the direct and personal influence of
the Buddha. Originally this was 500 years after the Buddha passed away. This
means that after that period, different people would claim different things in
the name of Sakyamuni. (This also happens in all the other world religions
after the death of their founders without exception.)
This notion of Dharma-ending Age became a useful ideology especially in times of
national calamities. During Nichiren's time there was a lot of social problems,
the worst was the impending invasions of Kublai Khan's armies from China. So
Nichiren made use of the notion of mappo to rouse the people to nationalism.
But his aim was actually religious and noble because he saw many wrong practices
among the Buddhism then.
Nichiren's teachings belong to his own time, but when it maintained its narrow
nationalistic and sectarian beliefs, its success is only social (group
activities, material success) almost to the exclusion of spiritual development.
Some Nichiren groups are so closed up that they deny all other groups (like the
Christian evangelists). Their members are kept under tight but subtle
surveillance (in this sense, it is a cult). This is unbuddhistic because true
Buddhism allows freedom of studying any form of Buddhism and practicing any
Buddhist practice. Nichirenists only have the Lotus Sutra (which was written
around the year 200 (that is, about 700 years after the Buddha).
As a social force, the Nichiren groups are successful, but if they accept other
Buddhists on equal terms and not look down on them, modern Buddhism will be a
great force for good. In Singapore the Nichirenists are opening up to learn
from other Buddhists. One of the reasons is because in 1990, they broke away
from the main Nichiren group (the Nichiren monks), which incidentally are
setting up their centre here, too. However, their members are still not allowed
to attend other Buddhist activities other than their own.
A good simple book about Nichiren Buddhism is "Nichiren: The New Buddhism of
Modern Japan" (by Piyasilo, 1988) which is available in the Buddhist Library
(Lorong 24A, Geylang). It is also available in other Buddhist libraries and
bookshops.
The Nembutsu Buddhists centre their practice around the recitation of Amitabha's
name. Like Nichiren Buddhism, this is a Buddhism of faith, which grew out of
common religious needs especially amongst the uneducated and non-intellectual
masses. However, a deeper study of the Amitabha Sutras will show that the
practice is actually a visualization meditation.
It is sometimes called Pure Land Buddhism after Amitabha's Buddhafield called
Sukhavati, "The Land of Bliss". (I've written a bit more about Amitabha in my
answer to Wilson, which you should read.)
You should choose a Buddhist practice that helps you to calm your mind, lead a
happy life and become successful that way. There are many good centres in
Singapore (if you are from Singapore). A good place to start is the Buddhist
Fellowship (I am not a member there, so I'm not peddling). Ajahn Brahmavamso is
giving an enlightening series of good Buddhist talks this week (after which he
is returning to Australia). You might like to surf this website for highly
recommended readings and teachings from a living master:
