Transcript Long Beach Int'l Soka Sprit

A Short History of
Buddhism
LA Beach Cities Region
Monday, July 20, 2015
Shakyamuni



3000 years ago in India
Born a prince
Devote to finding a solution to the sufferings of
–
–
–
–
2
Birth
Old age
Sickness
Death
Monday, July 20, 2015
Shakyamuni’s teaching




3
Taught for over 40 years, according to the
circumstances and understanding of the people
he met.
His teachings are many and varied.
In the last eight years of his life he taught the
Lotus Sutra.
“Honestly discard expedient means” = discard
his previous teachings which had been
preparatory.
Monday, July 20, 2015
Many different forms of Buddhism



4
Many of Shakyamuni’s followers did not
understand his intention. (Devadatta)
Many of them already departed and were
spreading his earlier teachings before Lotus
Sutra.
The teachings were added to or modified.
Monday, July 20, 2015
After Shakyamuni’s death





5
Mahayana Buddhism spread to China, Korea and Japan
over 1,500 years.
During next 500 years, Buddhism started to decline and
had become formalized and ritualized so that only monks,
or those with independent means, could undertake the
lifetime of austerities involved.
It had lost its effectiveness.
Shakyamuni predicted the appearance of a Buddha who
would reveal the correct teaching for the time beginning
two thousand years after his death.
He also predicted the many persecutions to this person.
Monday, July 20, 2015
Four teachers




6
Shakyamuni
Tien’tai
Dengyo
Nichiren
Monday, July 20, 2015
Nichren Daishonin






7
2-16-1222, born in Japan as the son of a
fisherman.
Studied at local temple since 12
Entered the priesthood at 16
4-28-1253 at 32, declared Nam-myoho-rengekyo is the correct teaching on
Met many persecutions as Shakyamuni
predicted.
10-2-1279, inscribed the Dai Gohonzon,
dedicated to the happiness of all mankind.
Monday, July 20, 2015
Nichiren’s Teaching

Declared that the Lotus Sutra is supreme amongst
Buddhist teachings.
–
–



8
It teaches that everyone without exception has Buddhahood.
It reveals that life is eternal.
He was able to “read between the lines” and declare
the ultimate teaching.
He revealed the fundamental law of universe which is
Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and taught a specific practice
for all people to attain enlightenment.
2nd high priest is Nikko and the its pure teaching has
been passed onto SGI not to the priesthood.
Monday, July 20, 2015
Soka Gakkai Int’l






9
Formed SGI in 1975
The originally Soka Kyoiku Gakkai (value-creating
Education Society) founded in Japan in 1930 by first
president Makiguchi.
Makiguchi died in prison. He refused to renounce his
Buddhism faith. He was sent to the prison with false charge.
Josei Toda as Makiguchi’s disciple survived and was
released from the prison in July 1945 and became the 2nd
president.
After accomplishing 750,000 households membership, he
passed away in 1958.
Daisaku Ikeda as Toda’s disciple became the 3rd president
in 1960 at his 32. The organization grew into 190 countries.
Monday, July 20, 2015