Nelson Mandela went to prison in 1964. From 1964 to 1990 Buddhist leader Daisaku Ikeda never said one single word about the injustice of Apartheid in South Africa. In 1995 Daisaku Ikeda and the SGI paid big money for a photo opportunity with Nelson Mandela. We in Memphis, Tennessee was complaining about racism in the SGI Buddhist organization. In 1990 the SGI did not have Black men on their executive board in America. Daisaku Ikeda broke up Black Groups in America.
In my 40 years as a Nichiren Buddhist I have yet to see the great Nichiren Japanese leaders pay respect to Dr. Martin Luther King or Nelson Mandela. No has ever visited Memphis, Tennessee to pay respects. Nelson Mandela came to Memphis, Tennessee. Daisaku Ikeda donated major bucks to Morehouse College to use the Martin Luther King name be associated in a photo exhibit.
National Geographic Magazine has Memphis, Tennessee listed among the most 20th see places in the World. Memphis is a must see location because of its Music heritage and its connection to Dr. Martin Luther King. Nichiren Shoshu Priest Shina Iwaki was successful in arranging for African American Nichiren Shoshu Buddhist leader Gerald Hopkinsto agree to his idea of not visiting the Dr. Martin Luther King Civil Rights Museum. We asked the Priest to visit the museum and pay homage to Dr. Martin Luther King. Rev. Iwaki Influence Mr. Hopkins and other African American leaders that Dr. King was not important to Buddhist Teachings. This Priest came 1st came to Memphis in 2008. This Priest conspired with Gerald Hopkins to not inform me that he was in Memphis, Tennessee. In 2012 Rev. Iwaki visited out home on Semmes Street in Memphis and he personally asked me to keep culture out of Buddhism. We showed Rev. Iwaki the door in Memphis.
We must teach our children that because someone is a Japanese leader does not make them a "Buddha." The purpose of the appearance in this world of Shakyamuni Buddha, the lord of teachings, lies in his behavior as a human being." We know a "Buddha" not by his race, but we know a "Buddha in his behavior as a Human Being." Shakyamuni Buddha gave us the "Lotus Sutra" and he taught us how to behave as "Human Beings." Nelson Mandela taught people in South Africa and the world how to get along as humans. We who study the Lotus Sutra can lead by example. The Lotus Sutra teach us that Secular affairs are the all of Buddhism. We must win in our everyday lives to show others the power of our Buddhist Practice.
Nichiren Daishonin writes in the "Gift of Rice Gosho.;" “No worldly affairs of life or work are ever contrary to the true reality,” he revealed their meaning and pointed out that although the first two sutras are profound, since their meaning is still shallow and fails to approach that of the
Lotus Sutra
, they relate secular matters in terms of Buddhism, whereas the
Lotus Sutra
explains that in the end secular matters are the entirety of Buddhism.
The Lotus Sutra teaches that "in the end secular matters are the entirely of Buddhism". The Nichrien Shoshu Priest teach African Americans in Memphis mastery of rituals and Japanese culture. People were not taught to liberate themselves and master their everyday lives.
