Organizational differentiation chart

Discovering the unknown within through a revolution in religious thinking

Organizational Differentiation
This is a chart designed to show the differences between the religious teachings propagated by America's most well-known sects of Nichiren Buddhism.

We welcome official answers, changes or additions to the chart. To be included in the chart, changes should be from those claiming to speak on behalf of their organization. We also require permission to use your name and your title within the organization to reference the view your organization holds. If you cannot speak for the organization itself, we still welcome your opinions and would be glad to communicate with you, even if we can't update our chart based on the discussion.

Note: Click on an underlined answer to read more.

Links to External Websites for other Nichiren Groups

	NBAA	SGI	Nichiren Shoshu	Nichiren Shu	Kempon Hokke
Do you believe following a mentor/priest/teacher is part of the path to enlightenment? (For clarification: A "path to enlightenment" here means a teaching that can be followed throughout one's life as a means for constant development toward Buddhahood.)	NO	YES	YES	NO	"No, Nichi-ju received the teaching directly from the Lotus Sutra and Nichiren's writings, as can we." ~Steve Milburn
	NBAA	SGI	Nichiren Shoshu	Nichiren Shu	Kempon Hokke
Do you believe non-Buddhist teachings need to be publicly refuted?	YES	NO	YES	YES	YES
Do you believe other (non-Nichiren) forms of Buddhism need to be publicly refuted?	YES	Only in Japan or other Asian countries.	YES	YES	YES
Do you believe Nichiren Buddhists of other organizations need to be publicly refuted for secular misdeeds?	NO	YES	YES	NO	YES
Do you believe Nichiren Buddhist sects need to be publicly refuted about religious errors?	No. Private refutation is preferable.	YES	YES	YES - collegially	YES
	NBAA	SGI	Nichiren Shoshu	Nichiren Shu	Kempon Hokke
What are the 3 treasures? 1. Dharma 2. Buddha 3. Sangha	1. Dharma: Namu-myoho-renge-kyo 2. Buddha: The one inside every person who chants Namu-myoho-renge-kyo (no different from the one described in the 16th chapter of the Lotus Sutra) 3. Sangha: all those who are dedicated to the spread of the teachings of Nichiren	1. Dharma: Nam-myoho-renge-kyo 2. Buddha: Nichiren 3. Sangha: SGI	1. Dharma: Nam-myoho-renge-kyo 2. Buddha: Nichiren 3. Sangha: Nikko Shonin/Nikken (the priesthood)	1. Dharma: The Wonderful Dharma Lotus Flower Sutra 2. Buddha: the Eternal Shakyamuni Buddha 3. Sangha: the Bodhisattvas of the Earth	1. Dharma: Namu-myoho-renge-kyo 2. Buddha: eternal Shakyamuni as revealed in the 16th chapter of the Lotus Sutra 3. Sangha: ?
Who is the true/original Buddha?	The eternal nature of life as revealed in the 16th chapter of the Lotus Sutra. In other words, the Buddha nature inherent in all living beings, including ourselves and every other living thing around us.	Nichiren/ ordinary people who embrace the Mystic Law	Nichiren	Shakyamuni	Shakyamuni
What is the true object of worship?	The Law of myoho-renge-kyo inherent within, as it is shown on the Gohonzon.	Gohonzon -- the physical object, which represents the oneness of Nichiren and the Law (oneness of the person and the Law)	Dai-Gohonzon -- the physical object.	The Eternal Shakyamuni Buddha/Wonderful Dharma	The Law of myoho-renge-kyo, as it can be depicted in the form of a Gohonzon or a statue of Shakyamuni attended by the 4 Bodhisattvas or with a copy of the Lotus Sutra placed before it.
	NBAA	SGI	Nichiren Shoshu	Nichiren Shu	Kempon Hokke
What is the level of strictness you have about receiving a Gohonzon?	Must pass basic study exams, take vows to protect Gohonzon and practice throughout your life. Must be practicing 3+ months.	Must be an SGI member, attend meetings and receive SGI publications for 3+ months.	Must be a member of Nichiren Shoshu. Must take vows to protect Gohonzon and practice throughout your life. Must learn gongyo.	about six months of practice followed by the acceptance of refuge vows (jukai) to uphold Namu Myoho Renge Kyo, formally joining Nichiren Shu.	"The Gohonzon (Mandala #101) is emailed to members to print, after 90 days, they may sign the declaration of faith, and send the Gohonzon to the main priest in Japan to perform the eye opening ceremony (optional). I'm almost certain that they only allow members to use Nichiren Gohonzons that were inscribed after 1278." ~Steve Milburn
Do you think it's wrong for one of your members to chant to a Gohonzon not issued by your organization?	NO	YES (This isn't a stance about the Gohonzon itself, but they would want to know why you're segregating yourself from SGI.)	YES (They believe that a Gohonzon not issued by Nichiren Shoshu will not work because it doesn't have a direct connection to the Dai-Gohonzon.)	NO	NO
	NBAA	SGI	Nichiren Shoshu	Nichiren Shu	Kempon Hokke
Do you chant Nam or Namu? Is it wrong to chant the other?	Namu (Don't care which you chant.)	Nam (Don't consider it a doctrinal issue, but if you chant Namu they would think it shows that you're purposely segregating yourself from SGI.)	Nam	Namu	Namu (Consider it wrong to chant Nam.)
Do you believe a person who chants can attain enlightenment if they belong to another Nichiren organization?	YES	NO	NO	YES	"As long they have faith in the Eternal Shakyamuni, and practice exactly as Nichiren taught, then anyone can attain enlightenment (because we inherit the Law directly from the teachings)." ~Steve Milburn
	NBAA	SGI	Nichiren Shoshu	Nichiren Shu	Kempon Hokke
Do you believe that unauthenticated Nichiren writings should be ignored?	NO. All teachings, Nichiren's or anyone's, should be evaluated based on whether they lead people away from their own enlightenment or toward it.	NO	NO	NO	YES
Do you pray to gods, demons, or other external spiritual entities as part of your practice?	NO	NO	NO	YES	NO
Do you believe it's okay to take alms from nonbelievers?	NO	YES	YES	YES	NO
	NBAA	SGI	Nichiren Shoshu	Nichiren Shu	Kempon Hokke
What is the heritage of the Law? How is the Law transmitted?	From any person of faith in the Eternal Buddha within to another person, encouraging them to have such faith	From a good Mentor to a good Disciple who wholeheartedly tries to make the mentor's teachings their own/Through SGI	From the High Priest and other priests through him to the disciples	The heritage of the Dharma is Namu Myoho Renge Kyo and it is transmitted directly from the rolls of the Lotus Sutra.	"...only through the 'Succession through the Scrolls of the Sutra' (kyogan sojo). The Sutra contains the Truth and Nichiren Daishonin is its true expounder: wherever his authentic teaching based on the Lotus Sutra is practiced as it was preached, there we find the true sect. No person, however virtuous, has authority to overturn these essential teachings."
Do you believe that the correct teacher changes over the ages (i.e. Shakyamuni for one age, Nichiren for another, and now there is a new one)?	N/A We believe in following the path to enlightenment (the Law), not a person.	YES	?	The Buddha of this age is the Eternal Shakyamuni Buddha, and as he wrote in the gosho, Nichiren is his envoy for Mappo (the Latter Age of the Dharma).	"No, Shakyamuni and Nichiren are our teachers." ~Steve Milburn
Do you believe that there is one "good" teacher on the planet for all of the people to follow, either directly or indirectly (ie following the primary teacher directly or following a person who is an envoy of the primary teacher)?	NO	YES	YES	NO	"They follow Nichiren, but emphasise that he was Shakyamuni's envoy, hence Shakyamuni must be revered." ~Steve Milburn
Do you believe that all people (or at least most people of normal mental capacity) are capable of reading, practicing, and understanding (following) the gosho without help from a mentor/priest/intermediary?	YES	NO	NO	YES	YES
	NBAA	SGI	Nichiren Shoshu	Nichiren Shu	Kempon Hokke
Do you believe that the definition of Buddhist unity means: 1. belonging to your organization 2. a natural unity among people who have dedicated themselves to the spread of Nichiren Buddhism that occurs because they are contributing to the same ends (whether they are intentionally working with each other or not)	2	1	1	2	2
Do you teach that people who leave your organization will not be able to practice Buddhism correctly without it and will suffer as a result?	NO	YES	YES	?	YES
	NBAA	SGI	Nichiren Shoshu	Nichiren Shu	Kempon Hokke
What will be the global impact of spreading Buddhism?	Living beings will be enlightened.	World peace	?	Buddhahood of all beings and as a consequence of that world peace and social justice.	?
What is the goal of the individual's Buddhist practice?	Enlightenment. (Meaning freedom from suffering, deep compassion for all beings, inner strength, inner calm, happiness, wisdom)	-be an example for society -contribute to society -become respected in society -be good at their jobs -have harmonious family relations -overcome all problems in life -make money -have lots of friends	?	To realize our own buddhahood and contribute to the emergence of the Pure Land of Tranquil Light by sharing the Wonderful Dharma with all sentient beings.	Enlightenment.
What is the action of a Buddha?	To free all living beings from suffering.	Becoming respected in society and promoting peace, culture and education.	?	Selfless compassionate activity in accordance with whatever is truly needed in any given situation.	?

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