December 3, 1993

Greg Martin

SGI USA

4603 Eastern Ave.

Mt. Rainier, MD 20712-0067

Dear Greg,

I have received your impression of my correspondence with Rev. Yoshikawa. My intention is only the same, as I believe Nichiren Daishonin's would be in this situation. To start, I believe that the actions of a few may distort the view of many. This has taken place in America in terms of what we call racism. I will try to weed around much of the subjective issues with what I say here.

To start, the Dai Gohonzon is the embodiment of the person and the law. Life (humans) is essential for the Dai Gohonzons function to be carried out. The High Priest's role is to act on behalf of Nichiren in the capacity of a person (Kechimyaku of the Entity of the law) to transcribe Gohonzons and perform memorial rites, etc. Entity here means of nature (spirit) and appearance (physically living here now as a person); Nyo ze so, Nyo ze sho = Nyo ze tai (Entity), Within this capacity, there is a profoundly unique function within the High Priest. This is the oneness that Nikken has with Nichiren Daishonin in terms of function (Action). Action, being the most important of the three Enlightened Properties (The Buddha, the law and Action Priest]).

It is said that Kechimyaku between Nittasu and Nikken was verbal. His Gohonzon’s power makes this evident.

If prayers to the Dai Gohonzon were not observed, then the Dai-Gohonzon would not be protected. Example, the Gohonzon exerts influence on the person who practices to it, which in turn, draws the protection of the Shoten Zenjin in to him and the Kaiden (the place where the Gohonzon is enshrined). If there is no person to pray toward the Gohonzon, there is no power of protection.

Hence, the High Priest and the Dai Gohonzon have a synergistic relationship with each other. This is once again the oneness Nikken Shonin has with the Daishonin in function. This is very important. The teachings have always been transferred to one person for this reason. The Daishonin even said, "A house with 2 masters would fall into disorder." However, I have heard that at certain points in Nichiren Shoshu that it was necessary to have two High Priests in separate locations to fulfill specific functions (Example, One at the Head Temple, the other on guidance tour of Japan).

The meaning that was conveyed through the warning from the Priesthood about worshiping the Gohonzons which were transcribed from Gohonzon's transcribed by Nichiren, Nikko Shonin and other High Priest is appropriate. It seems that the SGI has always asked about the how and what of the High Priest's secret understanding of the Gohonzon as if they, in fact, wanted to produce them all along. Therefore, bypassing the function of the High Priest. Once again, the High Priest always refused to reveal his secret as a form of protection of the True Law. I still believe the nature of the opening of the eyes of the Gohonzon ritual is only the High Priest Business. The Daishonin said it would be pointless to embrace the Lotus Sutra and abuse it’s Votary (Nichiren or his representative). This is the meaning of what you said in your letter. "Without the lifeblood

of faith, it would be useless to embrace the Lotus Sutra." This is like cutting a tree from its roots and expecting it to live. At this time, Nikken is the source of Kechimyaku in terms of function. You stop creating merit (Kudoku) the moment your attitude changes towards the master of faith or any other believer for that matter. The key word here is respect. The Daishonin said that the effects you receive for slandering someone, depends on who you slander, (ex. A evil person, an arhat, priest or Votary of the Lotus Sutra.)

The Daishonin also said that my followers should be among the last to abuse each other. In terms of maintaining order in Daishonin's Buddhism, the High Priest is responsible. If the SGI is in fact in the wrong, don't you think the High Priest should have the ability to correct them. Toda, from what I heard, told the Priesthood that if ever the Soka Gakkai became a problem for the priesthood, they should be ordered to disband. This from what I can see has happened the way Toda's wish implied.

To view why the leaders of the SGI have not received divine punishment for they're violations of the doctrine (14 slanders), has to be seen by way of the magnitude of the negative cause they are creating. Major or heavy slander (Karma) is said to reoccur in a future lifetime, therefore, it becomes difficult to judge what is happening or going to happen by our immediate circumstance. Hitler is a good example. He lived like a king until the day he died, but this seems strange if you look at the causes he made in his life.

Actions made in relation to the Mystic Law carry a much graver punishment that even Hitler is now experiencing. It seems at first the SGI was un-aware of almost unsure of the effects they would receive because of their attitude towards the Priest in the beginning. I saw many questions addressing this issue sincerely to the priest. Now it seems they don't care. The 3 poisons have the nature of slowly setting in a person's mind. It’s like the Daishonin said in describing hell, "it’s inhabitance begin to think it natural to be there, as if they were playing in the garden."

I spoke to Mr. Kudamatsu the top SGI leader here in Atlanta and he said that Kechimyaku was pure "Mysticism" and that anyone could inscribe Gohonzon. His assistant later told me when I returned, to give him a copy of my letter to Brenda that I had better not come back, and that we now have nothing to say to you or the Priesthood. I asked him if he was speaking for the entire SGI and he said "yes". This does not seem like the attitude you said the SGI shares to be open to dialogue, "Don't come back!" Mr. Kudamatsu also said that I should not speak to any of the SGI members here, because I might confuse them. I found this to be strange for a group of people who are intent to create clarification through dialogue based on the doctrine, like you said SGI members wanted. My own personal experiences with most SGI members leaves me to believe that they are absolutely stupid when comes to some of type of doctrinal theory of Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism. The only thing they seem to be able to say is "Ikeda said… my leader can answer that or I have lots of actual proof. " Most of these people don’t even have volume one of the Gosho in their possession. It seems that the SGI has been promoting a sort of co-dependence type of relationship between the leaders and it’s members. This is more like "Rely on you leaders to interpret the Law for you. " In this situation, if you don’t follow guidance (directions) you are committing slander is said. Other members are then discouraged from associating with you. I have experienced this and so has many other SGI members. We were called problem members. It was said that because I was acting against the Guidance of the SGI Leaders, I was committing slander and going to hell for it. Let me remind you, I was living in Washington, D.C. at the time (Hell).

It seems the SGI leadership can do no wrong, whether it is below them (the ordinary members) or above them (the High Priest or Priesthood).

To illustrate the deepest level of slander created by the SGI in the past, the Shakubuku campaigns were the most degrading form of slander possible with respect to the Gohonzon. It seems the leaders were trying to give Gohonzon's away like hot cakes. It must have been impressive to them to rattle off the figures each city had during the campaigns; New York 21,000, Philadelphia 8000, Washington, D.C. 3500, Baltimore 450, Los Angeles 47000 etc.

Who were these people trying to impress, Mr. Williams? I'm sure they thought that he would think highly of them because of the numbers, but after at the campaign, what happened to these people or the Gohonzon's for that matter. Is this a reflection of the SGI's mastery in understanding of the Daishonin's Buddhism?

In the Gosho, Reply to Nii Ama, Nichiren Daishonin refuse to inscribe Gohonzon for O ama, even after she had been somewhat of a believer for approximately 20 years. In this example I cannot see any correlation between the SGI’s behavior and the Daishonin’s mind or view. It also, seems that all the top leader here in the U.S. are all Japanese people. Why is this? America is not all Japanese, is it? Across the board the leadership in the SGI here in America is not a proportionate reflection of the members that exist within it. It seems that behind the large numbers of Japanese leaders, comes a majority of White leaders and then a few token Black and Spanish leader, who are not controversial. This does not look like what the Daishonin said, "we should transcend all of all differences and be as united as the fish in the water in which they swim."

I have seen and heard of so many of the outrageous things that have happened in relation to SGI leaders. It seems as if they don't even believe in cause and effect. In example, Mr. Phil Rosenberg told my ex-girlfriend that it was her mission to date her men division leader. It turned out that this individual had slept with most of the YWD and women's division in his group, and he was in fact a former roommate with Mr. Rosenberg years back. Mr. Williams, yet heard of this through my efforts. Most of the top leaders in the Washington, D.C. area did not like me for this because they were aware to some degree of the details, but refused to take action, because she was my girlfriend at the time. It seems they were all reprimanded behind trying to cover this up in light of slander, when Mr. Williams and staff came to town.

I am sure you are aware of many sincere people who were turned away from SGI because of the actions of the so -called, leaders in faith. I don't know whatever made my father resign from his post as fuka homencho in Philadelphia, but I assumed it was because of the above arrogant individuals who thought they knew it all with regards to life, people and faith. It seems that most of the people I encountered had great things to say about him, as they're senior in faith. What do you think? You knew him yourself.

Getting back to the disrespect of the Gohonzon. Because the SGI was so negligent with regards to the correct attitude towards handling it, I believe the SGI does not really even fathom the effect it’s actions will on itself and the destiny of the country as described in the Rissho Ankoku Ron, in relation to slander of the Law. It is this very cause that the SGI has made towards the Gohonzon, with it’s reckless Shakubuku habits that have created great misfortune for the country that they propagated the Law in. It’s like what the Daishonin said, " they praise the Law outwardly, but destroy it’s Heart."

As far as Nikko Shonin's 26 warning article, it does not say that if the High Priest goes against the Gosho, we should not follow him. It states that, "If the High Priest may happen to set forth an arbitrary doctrine that is contradictory to True Buddhism, you must not adopt it." This is Ikeda's own guidance at the Head Temple on the topic dated, August 8, 1960. It is very easy to manipulate the semantics of any of the Daishonin's teachings to suit one's purpose. This is dangerous.

When it comes to the Gohonzon, great wisdom and respect are most important for all to acquire benefit from the practice (Kudoku). If this is not present, the effects can be devastating, despite people's awareness of negligence. With any great source of power, the above is always true. In example, if someone were to find a rod of active nuclear material, regardless of they're ignorance, they would not only endanger themselves, but also everyone they presented this pretty looking piece of metal to. I'm sure you can imagine the long -term inconspicuous results of this brief display of ignorance and negligence. However, on the contrary, if a physicist with the wisdom and knowledge of how to handle such materials acquired this active nuclear material, he could not only protect himself and others from its danger. He could even use its power to generate and entire cities electrical power for years into the future.

The SGI’s actions, in relation to handling the Gohonzon is one major indication that it lacks, the ability to correctly transmit the Daishonin’s teachings. It seems they even believe it is possible to use Nichikan Shonin Gohonzon as a source for duplication. If yo9u look at my model for the two types of Kechimyaku, you would find that this is not even remotely possible at this time. Nichikan Shonin died over 250 years ago. The only way I can conceive that this action is possible, is if Nichikan Shonin’s corpse signed each copy. Even then, it would have had to instruct you by means of authorization to do the task of transcribing. If the SGI is having this done, I would like to be at the deceased, Nichikan Shonin, next sermon. Please invite me!

When it comes to the Gohonzon, the Daishonin said no worldly knowledge or scholar could comprehend this great mandala. In questioning priest, they were even lost for words on why each Gohonzon has different numbers of Bodhisattvas on them. Rev. Nakamoto told me that only the High Priest understands the Gohonzon completely, and that this has something to do with the heritage of the Entity of the Law (1986).

My motto in life is that when it comes to things that are of direr/consequences, it is better to be safe and wrong, than right and sorry. Meaning that if someone called my house and said it will blow up in 10 minutes, I would rather stand outside in the cold to be safe, than to be in the house talking about, "What a fool to call me in the middle of the night telling me that my house is going to.. (BOOM!).

I hope to get my point. The action that the SGI has taken in the past, has clearly destroyed the heart of the Lotus Sutra (ex. Shakubuku practices). And for now to assume that their wisdom has exponentiated beyond that of 700 years old priesthood in some 40 to 50 years of existence, boggles my mind.

With regards to your still experiencing benefit, I will not contest that presently. But, just like someone who has quit their job to live off of $3000.00 of savings, your fortune will sooner or later run out. Then, you will know what you have done. Hopefully, this will happen soon so your experience can speak for itself. If it does not happen before you die, then it can only be seen in the nature of your death. I’m sure the member who was killed in front of your Kaikan, wishes he had someway of warning you all of your fate. But, if you continue to think that the rage of anger towards Nikken Shonin and disobedience towards the 14 slanders is nothing significant, then regardless of what I say, nothing can save you.

With my deep respect,

Alan Billups

CC: True followers of Nichiren Daishonin.

P.S. Nichiren knew that people would try to claim a direct relation to his-self, this is why he made specific reference to Nikko Shonin as his representative after his death. This process has been followed consistently through the High Priests until the present.