
Part 2...
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The doctrine is centered on faith in and practice of the Essence
of the
Sutra, "Namu Myoho renge kyo", which is sufficient for salvation
but
this practice does not exclude auxiliary practices such as reading
and
reciting, copying, and expounding the Sutra, according to the believers
abilities. We must also follow the various advisories for
practicing (based
on the statements and practice of Nichiren Daishonin) just as a
patient
must follow a regimen advised by the doctor in addition to taking
medicine
prescribed:
(1) We avoid participating in the worship services of heretics and unbelievers.
(2) We are not to receive offerings from or donate offerings to adherents
of
wrong teachings (fuju fuse) since such offerings would increase
falsehood.
(3) We should endeavor to the best of our individual abilities to
spread the
true teaching centered on the Odalmoku in the proper context.
In other words,
we should encourage faith in the Odaimoku but in the context of
the right doctrine
to the extent of our understanding. Holding doctrines contrary
to the fundamental
intention of the Lotus Sutra as expounded by Nichiren Daishonin
will blunt the
effect of the Odaimoku even as ignoring a doctor instruction may
render the
medicine he prescribes ineffective.
(4) Finally, our faith, the faith of the true Dharma, is upheld not
by the possession
of a given temple nor by a secret transmission, succession or line
of priests, but
only through the "Succession through the Scrolls of the Sutra" (kyogan
sojo). The
Sutra contains the Truth and Nichiren Daishonin is its true expounder:
wherever his
authentic teaching based on the Lotus Sutra is practiced as it was
preached, there
we find the true sect. No person, however virtuous, has authority
to overturn these
essential teachings.
Reverend Tetsujo Kubota
Translated by H.G. Lamont
for the Kempon Hokke Sect; formatted here by
Steven Polito.Copyright
©1981-1999 Reverend Tetsujo Kubota all rights reserved.