The
Lotus Sutra
explains that in the end secular matters are the entirety of Buddhism.
Let me explain how we differ from Nichiren Shoshu, The SGI and the Nichiren Shu Buddhist Sects. The Lotus Sutra explains that in the end secular matters are the entirety of Buddhism. Our focus is brings into practice "Buddhist Freedom." Nichiren Daishonin writes that it is the "Heart that is important." While the other Buddhist Sects have a tremendous value when you come down to the "Bottom Line, " the Lotus Sutra is the entirety of "Culture." In common sense language "Buddhism is your life." Your life does not exist outside of your culture.
Nichiren Daishonin writes in the Gosho "On Attaining Buddhahood; " You must never think that any of the
eighty thousand sacred teachings
of
Shakyamuni
Buddha’s
lifetime
or any of the Buddhas and bodhisattvas of the
ten directions
and
three existences
are outside yourself."
This picture was taken on August 16, 2008. This Nichiren Shoshu Priest came to Memphis, Tennessee totally out of touch with the real world. In 2008 America was facing the worst financial crisis since the great depression. Members looked to this priest to give guidance. This dude engaged in "Buddhist Rituals and Japanese Culture." He told nothing about the storm that was about to happen. In Memphis, Tennessee the financial crisis devestated the African African American Community. A college did a study and the financial crisis brought African America wealth to a 1980's level. We lost over 25 years of growth. Everybody gave this Priest praise and accolades and this man never said nothing specific in Five years years about "Real Life." In 2008 America elected its first African American President. All the people in Memphis, Tennessee got was "Japanese Culture." This Japanese man laid culture on so thick in Memphis, Tennessee that he caused Buddhism to "Implode in Memphis, Tennessee." Never upon never did he teach the "Lotus Sutra."
When I would attend the Buddhist meetings in Memphis they had this "Japanese Template" style of meetings. It was a cultural anomaly. We had 100% African Americans acting like 100% Japanese. The leader could really do the "Japanese prayers called (Gongyo.) They had the Japanese Buddhist "rituals" down packed. My question was what about life? The "L's Good Living, Good Loving, Good Laying. What about conquering hardships? I never mastered all of those "Japanese Rituals." They in Memphis got the "Culture Down Packed."
We are no experts in Buddhism, but we do have 40 years of being a Buddhist in America. Nichiren Daishonin writes in the Gosho "On Attaining Buddhahood; " You must never think that any of the
eighty thousand sacred teachings
of
Shakyamuni
Buddha’s
lifetime
or any of the Buddhas and bodhisattvas of the
ten directions
and
three existences
are outside yourself." We will teach you how to be yourself and you tap you own "Buddha Nature." We do know the culture and history of Africans and African American and w infuse our culture with our Buddhist practice. We know how to teach Buddhism the best way to our community. How are we different we are the Proud Black Buddhist. We teach you how to empower yourself using the Buddhist teachings.
