Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism & Soka Gakkai.

[Dumunzi]

Does anyone here besides me have any back round in these faiths? Their essentially the same thing, with some specific differences, and I am feeling very drawn to Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism. Not that I'd ever give up my Wiccan faith, my Pagan leanings, or my polytheism, I'll probably find some way to merge it in if it takes that route(And it looks as if it will), and even then I imagine I'm going to certainly look at more Buddhist sects.

These are the Buddhist faiths that follow chanting nam-yho-renge-kyo. They are built upon and follow the Lotus Sutra. In case anyone needed a specific direction, it's what Tina Turner practices.

Now, does anyone else here practice these forms of Buddhism, have practiced these forms of Buddhism, or practice any form of Buddhism? Tell me about your beliefs, if it's not to much please. :)

[töbi]

I studied and practiced the Gelugpa school of Tibetan Buddhism and am now studying and practicing Soto Zen (I like to do my research).

To be honest I'm a little wary of Nichiren, but that's because of Nichiren's controversial statements regarding other schools and traditions of Buddhism. While I can never claim to have greater insight than Nichiren or the senior monks of this school, I have to admit that I find the idea of chanting the name of a particular sutra as a vehicle for awakening seems a little like missing the point.

Because I haven't studied Nichiren philosophy or practices in depth I am not at all confident in my concerns, but I thought I would share my thoughts anyway. :)

[Dumunzi]

The issues of who's got the right Buddhism and who doesn't is something I like to make fun of, but something I'm rather certain the vast majority of Nichiren Shoshu Buddhists do not concern themselves with anymore.

[KC Destroyer of Worlds]

I briefly practiced with Soka Gakkai about a year ago. I found most of the people to be very open and awesome, but implementation to be very restricting. When chanting with others in the practice, I was constantly being corrected about my posture, the way I was chanting, etc. For a practice based in shedding preconceptions about reaching nirvana, the method restricts how one does it.

[Dumunzi]

I briefly practiced with Soka Gakkai about a year ago. I found most of the people to be very open and awesome, but implementation to be very restricting. When chanting with others in the practice, I was constantly being corrected about my posture, the way I was chanting, etc. For a practice based in shedding preconceptions about reaching nirvana, the method restricts how one does it.

I agree. I consider myself much more a practitioner of Nichiren Buddhism, and perhaps my own flare of it. I can't help but note that the SGI members I've practiced with seem to give off the feeling that SGI is like the Jehova Witness's of Buddhism.

I will get my Gohonzon, the small one, and probably refrain from going to meetings once I get back to university.