Total Pageviews

Friday, June 28, 2013

Why I left the Kempon Hokke.

1). Kempon Hokke's connection to Japanese right wing nationalists, Nichirenists, and especially Tanaka Chigaku's Kokuchukai.

2. Doctrinal errors by Shamon Tsuchiya and other Kempon Hokke priests, for example, promoting the Dhammapada, silent meditation, and their extreme anti-Original Enlightenment stance [failing to distinguish between Nichiren's Original Enlightenment teachings and Chuko Tendai Original Enlightenment].

3). Reverend Tsuchiya's siding with Islam and its brutal stance against homosexuals and against his own fellow member and my shakubuku, Israell Isaac.

4). Modern Kempon Hokke's practice of interfaith, intimate association with the Nichiren Shu, in particular, and its practice of selling the Dharma.

5). Reverend Tsuchiya's ill treatment of Jerry whose arguments and eye witness account of the reality of the modern Kempon Hokke opened my eyes to their errors.

6). Refusal to be complicit in slander.




16 comments:

  1. Dear Mark,
    Guess what...

    Even though Rev. Tsuchiya repeatedly stated everyone including the LGBT is invited to join the Kempon Hokke Shu (KHS/Kempon Hokke), he just ***OFFICIALLY CONFIRMED*** to me he BELIEVES homosexuality IS a mental disorder, even after I clearly explained to him the difference between sexual orientation and gender identity, told him homosexuality is normal and homosexuals/bisexuals were born this way.

    I have subsequently decided to officially leave the Kempon Hokke Shu.


    Here is a transcript of recent exchanges between Rev. Tsuchiya, Kempon Hokke members and I:

    - Shamon first said: "Israell, Kempon Hokke accepts any people who struggle in the world. Buddhism solves any problem in your mind.
    The Lotus Sutra Buddhism treats any people equally, if they hope the true teachings.
    But you must not utilize the religion to insist on the specific ideas and principles. It will surely become the cause of a quarrel and war."

    - He then went on to say: "If you indulge in playing with a male prostitute, you will be burned by the god. It is written in Old Testament and also written in the Q'uran." It is not said that you can inflict punishment to gay people as a representative of God. Please see chapter 12. The naga girl is transformed into a boy before she appears the Buddha. It means that we have both genders in our body. But you are prepared to live as a man or a woman by seeing your genital organs when you were child. You can spend your life significantly as a man. You can spend your life significantly as a woman. Even if you are not able to control your mind like this, you need not be in agony. The man might be reborn as the woman in the next life. The woman might be reborn as the man in the next life."

    ReplyDelete
  2. - I responded: "Rev. Tsuchiya, there is a ***big*** difference between sexual orientation AND gender identity. I honestly feel I am a man. I would not want to be a woman. I know for a fact many gay men really, really do feel they are men... They have a homosexual orientation AND a male gender identity. We love men, we see ourselves as men and we want to remain men. If I had to be reborn, I'd still want to be a man and I'd still love men.Some gay men and some straight men really feel they are female. Those men have a female gender identity and they might become trans women.Same thing for lesbians. Not all lesbians feel they are men... Most lesbians see themselves as women. Some gay and straight women feel they are men, though.Sexual orientation and gender indentity are NOT the same thing...Bisexuals are sexually attracted to both genders. Bisexuality exists too. One should never assume all gay men think they are female. I would never want to be a woman. Homosexuality is normal; homosexuals were *born this way*."


    - Rev. Tsuchiya finally made this HORRIBLE & INCORRECT statement: "Also in case of homosexual orientation, even if you feel truly that you are a man, your favorite on having sex seems to be changed by another gender in your mind. It is a functional disorder of mind, too. If it is disease, you should not be discriminated against as a human. If you think it is fatal disease, you have to get along with it. But the problem will be solved when you are reborn by another gender in the next life.

    If you demand extra rights to others, whether you have a homosexual orientation or a male gender identity, there will be caused several problem. You have to endure it, because it is inevitable. Forbearance is one of six virtues of Bodhisattva. If you are a true disciple of the Buddha Shakamuni, you have to endure all possible insults and harms from others without reacting with anger for revenge. You are now practicing as a bodhisattva."

    - I have then responded: "With all due respect, Rev. Tsuchiya, I do not agree with your stance on homosexuality for all the reasons I've already clearly explained. Effective immediately, I am no longer a member of the Kempon Hokke Shu. I might come back at a later point but I won't remain a member if the High Priest or Leader of the Sect believes homosexuality is a mental disorder."

    - Shamon said: "See you again."

    - I finally typed: "One last thing, Rev. Tsuchiya, the purpose of Buddhism is to *escape* from the cycle of life and death and attain the Buddha Body, NOT to be reincarnated. And as I said earlier, I'd never want to be reborn as a woman. Just like my dear friend, Dr. Mark Rogow, I have now left the Kempon Hokke Shu."


    Best regards,

    Israell
    ISRL

    ReplyDelete

  3. Rev. Tsuchiya's Stance on Homosexuality...
    Why It's Not A Language Barrier Problem

    by Israell Isaac


    Some people imply that a language barrier problem causes us to misundertand Rev. Tsuchiya's views of homosexuality...
    I am being brutally honest with you; it's NOT a language barrier problem. Rev. Tsuchiya aka Shamon made all his views very, very clear.

    He truly did state he believes homosexuality IS a mental disorder. But let us start with this...

    See...
    Shamon first wrote, amongst other things: "If you indulge in playing with a male prostitute, you will be burned by the god. It is written in Old Testament and also written in the Q'uran.", when we were discussing The Islamic Republic of Iran's treatment of homosexuals that consists in executing (killing, hanging) them in public like the worst of criminals.

    Dr. Mark Rogow felt Shamon was basically saying that just because the Q'uran condemns homosexuality, it's okay for them to punish gays, and this is one of the reasons why he chose to leave the Kempon Hokke Shu.

    Rev. Tsuchiya then wrote: "If you indulge in playing with a male prostitute, you will be burned by the god. It is written in Old Testament and also written in the Q'uran."
    It is not said that you can inflict punishment to gay people as a representative of God.

    Shamon meant that he was NOT condoning Iran's executions of homosexuals. Good!


    But he went on to write:
    "Please see chapter 12. The naga girl is transformed into a boy before she appears the Buddha. It means that we have both genders in our body."

    I think it's clear enough. He simply meant we all have male and female hormones/chromosome within our bodies. He also meant souls have no specific genders.
    So far, everything's fine. But he then wrote:

    "But you are prepared to live as a man or a woman by seeing your genital organs when you were child. You can spend your life significantly as a man. You can spend your life significantly as a woman."

    Having read everything else he wrote afterwards, Shamon meant that being born male means we SHOULD be heterosexual and eventually, if we choose to be in a relationship, have a female partner. He also meant that being born female means we SHOULD be heterosexual and eventually, if we choose to be in a relationship, have a male partner.

    Having read everything else he wrote afterwards, Shamon meant a homosexual (or bisexual) orientation is NOT correct.

    He then said: "Even if you are not able to control your mind like this, you need not be in agony. The man might be reborn as the woman in the next life. The woman might be reborn as the man in the next life."

    WHOA! Wait a minute, wait a minute, wait a minute...
    Having read everything else he wrote afterwards, Rev. Tsuchiya meant that heterosexuality should be the only way, that gay men feel they're women, lesbians feel they're men, and that they'll be reborn as the opposite gender in a future incarnation.

    "To control your mind like this.", basically means to "pray the gay away."

    The purpose of Nichiren Buddhism is to *escape* from the cycle of life and death (reincarnation), attain the Buddha Body, perfect Enlightenment. All of this is clearly explained in the Kempon Hokke gongyô book. Shamon meant homosexuality will hinder one's Enlightenment and that they'd have to be reborn as the opposite gender.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I clearly explained to Rev. Tsuchiya that I know for a fact most gay men feel they are MEN and would NOT want to be reborn as women. That not all lesbians feel they are men. Most feel they are WOMEN and would not want to be reborn as men.

    I clearly explained to him there is a ***big*** difference between sexual orientation and gender identity. I made him understand some gay men would ALWAYS want to be men and ALWAYS want to love MEN the way they do now.

    You see! There was no language barrier problem. We understood each other pretty well. I went out of my way to make him comprehend my position. I also told him homosexuality (and bisexuality) is correct, healthy, normal and that we were *born this way*.


    Rev. Tsuchiya then DROPPED THE BIG BOMB. Brace yourselves!

    He wrote: "Also in case of homosexual orientation, even if you feel truly that you are a man, your favorite on having sex seems to be changed by another gender in your mind. "
    He meant that deep down their psyche, homosexuals really feel they are women, and lesbians truly feel they are men...

    Shamon also meant gay men, in a way, assume the "role of a woman", and that women, in a way, assume the "role of a man".

    Rev. Tsuchiya then wrote, read carefully: "It is a functional disorder of mind, too. If it is disease, you should not be discriminated against as a human. If you think it is fatal disease, you have to get along with it. But the problem will be solved when you are reborn by another gender in the next life."

    He clearly stated homosexuality is a MENTAL DISORDER!!! He LITERALLY typed that! There's no defending him anymore! And he INSISTS homosexuals MUST be reborn as the OPPOSITE GENDER in a future incarnation! It's a SCANDAL!


    Rev. Tsuchiya then wrote: "If you demand extra rights to others, whether you have a homosexual orientation or a male gender identity, there will be caused several problem."
    He clearly wrote the LGBT should NOT have EQUAL RIGHTS! It's exactly and literally what he typed! Come on!

    Shamon then wrote: "You have to endure it, because it is inevitable. Forbearance is one of six virtues of Bodhisattva. If you are a true disciple of the Buddha Shakamuni, you have to endure all possible insults and harms from others without reacting with anger for revenge. You are now practicing as a bodhisattva."

    Rev. Tsuchiya CLEARLY stated the LGBT should NOT have EQUAL RIGHTS but endure deprivation of their rights, discrimination, bullying, attacks, harmful acts and so on and not do anything to make it STOP and demand JUSTICE in order to be a true Bodhisattva!

    Now, do you STILL believe it's a Japanese-to-English communication problem??? LOL! COME ON!

    Just like my dear friend, Dr. Mark Rogow, and some others recently, I have now left the Kempon Hokke Shu.

    ReplyDelete
  5. https://www.facebook.com/notes/the-lotus-sutra-society/regarding-the-kempon-hokke-shu-japan-the-greatest-destroyers-of-the-dharma-since/212286248977391

    ReplyDelete
  6. Tsuchias' views on Homosexuality are Catholic, very interesting?

    Be sure someone's sexuality has nothing to do with their faith. This proves the premise of my last article regarding the Kempn Hokke I just posted herein. be sure Tsuchia is not a Nichiren Buddhist.
    In. Gassho!
    Namu Myoho renge kyo!
    Always!
    Stephen Paine

    ReplyDelete
  7. What is wrong about the promotion of silent meditation. Where's the doctrinal proof that Nichiren was against it. If it is used as a supporting partial truth and not the absolute truth that is the Mystic Law which incorporates all, what's wrong with it

    ReplyDelete
  8. Contemplation perhaps, on the greatness of the Law and the Eternal Buddha for a few minutes from time to time might be acceptable but Vipassana or Zen like breath counting meditation is, at best, useless in Mappo and, at worst, a great slander.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Well if this is true and can be backed up by the scripture (WND) then I'm guilty of slander on this account. Silent meditation focusing on breath or Diamoku helps me relax (switch off the endless thoughts) so I can go back to sleep when I wake up in the middle of the night. It is not so much the action that we are doing but the intent for why we are doing it

    ReplyDelete
  10. Please keep studying Nichiren's writings and let me know what you discover.

    ReplyDelete
  11. You use to promote these doctrines in your support of this sect as being true Buddhism. What scriptural evidence do you have in point form that supports your following allegations .....Thanks

    2. Doctrinal errors by Shamon Tsuchiya and other Kempon Hokke priests, for example, promoting the Dhammapada, silent meditation, and their extreme anti-Original Enlightenment stance [failing to distinguish between Nichiren's Original Enlightenment teachings and Chuko Tendai Original Enlightenment].

    ReplyDelete
  12. My response about Nichiren's Original Enlightenment theology versus Kempon Hokke/Tsuchiya's anti-Original Enlightenment stance will take time to develop. By Sunday you should have an answer.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Here's a quick response to one point:

    "I recommend you study the Dhammapada and apply it to your life." -- Tsuchiya

    Nichiren teaches:

    ""To mix other practices with this Namu Myoho Renge Kyo is a grave error."

    and regarding the practice of meditation, we read in the the Gosho, Nichinyo Gozen Gohenji:

    "That one is to become a Buddha by chanting 'Namu Myoho Renge Kyo' alone is most important; it must depend on the thickness or thinness of one's mind of faith. The foundation of the Buddha Dharma takes faith as the source. So in the fourth fascicle of the Shigan it says, 'The Buddha Dharma is like the great sea; only through faith can one enter.'"

    ReplyDelete
  14. Although Graham Lamont and Rev. Tsuchiya had their disagreements, few were doctrinal. They shared the same view on "Original Enlightenment". Here is an independent priest's refutation of Graham Lamont to prove this point. I share this priest's view:

    http://markrogow.blogspot.com/2013/02/reverend-yasahara-corrects-graham-lamont.html

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hi again Noah. Here are some passages from On the Four Stages of Faith and Five Stages of Practice [regarding meditation]. I also refer you to Chapter 17 of the Lotus Sutra.

    On the Four Stages of Faith and The Five Stages of Practice Reads,

    “Within these chapters of transmission, the four stages of faith and the five stages of practice expounded in the “Distinctions in Benefits” chapter refer to what is most important in the practice of the Lotus Sutra, and are a standard for those living in the time of the Buddha and after his passing.

    Ching-hsi writes: “‘To produce even a single moment’s faith and understanding’ represents the beginning in the practice of the essential teaching.” Of these various stages, the four stages of faith are intended for those living in the Buddha’s lifetime, and the five stages of practice for those living after his passing. Among these, the first of the four stages of faith is that of producing even a single moment’s faith and understanding, and the first of the five stages of practice is that of rejoicing on first hearing the Lotus Sutra. These two stages together form a casket containing the treasures of the “hundred worlds and thousand factors” and the “three thousand realms in a single life-moment”; they are the gate from which all Buddhas of the ten directions and the three existences emerge.”

    Nichiren Daishonin goes on to say,

    “Answer: This is a very important question, and so I will be referring to the text of the sutra in answering you. In describing the first, second and third of the five stages of practice, the Buddha restricts those at these stages from practicing precepts and meditation, and places all emphasis upon the single factor of wisdom. And because our wisdom is inadequate, he teaches us to substitute faith, making this single word “faith” the foundation. Disbelief is the cause for becoming an icchantika and for slander of the True Law, while faith is the cause for wisdom and corresponds to the stage of myoji-soku.’

    And again,

    “Answer: Such persons are restricted from practicing almsgiving, the keeping of the precepts, and the others of the five paramitas, and are directed to chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo exclusively. This practice corresponds to the capacity of persons at the stages of “producing even a single moment’s faith and understanding” and “rejoicing on first hearing the Lotus Sutra.” It represents the true intention of the Lotus Sutra. ”

    And further along:

    “Question: When your disciples, without any understanding, simply recite with their mouths the words Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, what level of attainment do they reach?
    Answer: Not only do they go beyond the highest level of the four tastes or the three teachings as well as that attained by practitioners of the perfect teaching set forth in the sutras that precede the Lotus Sutra, but they surpass by millions and billions of times the founders of the Shingon and various other schools of Buddhism–men such as Shan-wu-wei, Chih-yen, T’zu-en, Chi-tsang, Tao-hsuan, Bodhidharma and Shan-tao.”

    ReplyDelete
  16. everything out of japan stinks. sgi= wrong, shoshu= wrong , the shu= wrong, the kempon hokke= wrong. all and constant slander,,,,,,,study nichiren.

    ReplyDelete