According to the SGI and Nichiren Shoshu, Nikko accompanied Nichiren to Sado but according to the Nichiren Shu Nitcho, after being released from prison, served Nichiren to Sado Island:
“Nichiro (1245-1320) was Nissho’s nephew, and he became a disciple of Nichiren Shonin in 1254. Nichiro was extremely devoted to Nichiren Shonin and is often called the “beloved disciple.” When Nichiren Shonin was being taken away to Izu, Nichiro charged into the water in an attempt to acompany him. The samurai beat him away with oars which permanently crippled his hand. Nichiro was also arrested at the time of the Tatsunokuchi Incident. He was thrown into a dungeon in Kamakura where he received a famous letter of encouragement from Nichiren Shonin. He later became a favorite of the jailer, who actually allowed him to leave in order to visit Nichiren Shonin on Sado Island. Nichiren Shonin was very touched but also very upset that Nichiro had possibly endangered the jailer and so sent him back. Finally, Nichiren Shonin was pardoned and Nichiro was sent to bring the news. His eagerness, however, almost got him killed. Because he did not stop to rest in the frigid winter weather, he collapsed in the snow and almost died of frost bite. Fortunately, he was found and was able to complete his mission.” — Ryuie

Nancy,
As far as I can tell there no registering on that site that the donation is specifically bailing you out or being made on your behave. Start digging, prison bitch.
The Learning Review is orchestrated dystopian fiction: think like this, not for yourself. I went to a Soka Spirit meeting in North Hollywood where the few participants attending were being encouraged to chant for the members, friends suffering from delusion, to leave NS so the temple would close. They would fax Japan this determination at the end of each meeting as a gift to their mentor. How’s that for cult like Jim Jones shit?
Nikko was there, whether he was or not, because he was the heir to the “true” lineage of the Fuji school.
And a big PS that I view as a positive for humanity, people becoming aware:
Half of the SGI-USA leadership in the state of Oregon have been summarily render “unqualified” because they refused to sign the mandatory “think and act like this” leadership agreement form.

Hey, history is written by those who write it, right or wrong.
I need to qualify my statement about the Oregon leadership.
I’ve gotten this info from two places. One is someone who practices in Oregon and another is someone who now lives in Chicago. Both have been practicing 40 plus years and both are leaders. I know one of them signed them form. “Summarily” is an assumption on my part and I should not assume that what happened to me and others is what took place in Oregon. “Unqualified” is the SGI-USA’s own wording for those not signing. See The Fear of Non-Conformity on my blog for more verbiage, blah blah blah, on my part.

Nicki,
Your observations are correct. This is the reason Fraught With Peril, and other Nichiren sites exist. Over the last couple years, it’s gone from bad to worse.
Here’s the deal, you’ve found this incredible empowering gift. You’ve received it through an organization which, along with the gift, gives you a set of hand cuffs.
“Does SGI’s U.S. leadership realize its contradictions? ”
Yes and no. Some don’t care. Some do. But mostly they are following orders. Otherwise they wouldn’t be in that position. The ones that do care (they are there) and are trying desperately to invoke common sense are out numbered. Ironically, the actual SGI-USA membership is outnumbered by former members, of which a major portion continue to practice, 10 to 1. That’s roughly 1 million former SGI-USA Nichiren buddhist verses one hundred thousand under the USA umbrella.
“If one read the SGI Quarterly, one would never guess that the organization attempts to turn its members into religious puppets (mentor/disciple relationship) and to pressure them to take on petty disputes (the split w/ the temple).”
As my fellow member who continues to fight the good fight says, it’s hard to believe that those two magazines come in the same envelope.
“Are most of the members afraid to speak up about this or are most of them, in fact, brainwashed?”
I can’t answer that all here. There’s too much. Go to Joe Izusu’s Daily Slander, April 1, Herding Cats.
You sound like a smart person. We all need fellowship and encouragement at times. We don’t need authoritarianism. It’s not easy. But there’s a good friend out there who can help you help yourself utilize this practice with the same economy that Nichiren intended. It’s your life and responsibility to get the most out of it, regardless of what is trying to keep you from enjoying the trip. That’s the power we tap into went we practice. I just gave myself some good advice, so I’m going to go chant now.

Joe and Nancy,
Thanks for your feedback. I appreciate FWP. I’m happy to have a forum for dialogue.
Joe: Check out your blog site. I read Herding Cats, as you suggested. I left you a comment, however, under your most recent entry from Sept.
Nancy: Thanks for addressing my Q about study. A friend’s sister, who is a long-time member, said to me that study used to be deeper. By that, I guess she meant that members wrestled with the Gosho (is my term for Nichiren’s writings correct?) and Lotus Sutra themselves. In the year that I’ve been reading Living Buddhism (and the few months I’ve been reading World Tribune), Ikeda Cliff Notes seem to be the main source for study.
-Do you think Ikeda is leading this m-d crusade?
-And is SGI in other countries equally as authoritarian in structure?
Best,
Nicki

Nancy,
You’re a better woman than I. I would not have let the woman in my house. The YWD member learned her lessons well. I encounter the same nonsense. I’ve had similar encounters.
My sponsor once observed the contradiction in leaders who claim to be compassionate but exhibit disrespectful and insensitive behavior. There’s a certain leader whom her kids flee from the minute they spot him. Said leader tries to connect with her teenagers but fails miserably. Why? For one he’s not the best listener. She’s tried to tell him that his approach doesn’t work, at least with her kids. Her words fall on deaf ears.
This same fellow pushes my husband to do Sancho (sorry if I’m butchering terms), despite the fact that my husband has no interest in SGI. As a good hubby, he’ll tag along with me sometimes. He’s a big boy who can take care of himself. (But I imagine he’ll get tired of the same folks trying to coerce him into doing rituals he’s not interested in and tell me to stop inviting him zealot meetings.)
Of course this leader means well. He thinks you’re supposed to “force and subdue” for kosen rufu (sp?). I’ve told him repeatedly that my son is not a member, either. Yet he constantly tells my little boy, “Remember, chant NMRK and tell other people.” I’ve told this guy that I won’t be proselytizing, so it stands to reason that my son won’t be, either. How insensitive of him to flagrantly disregard my wishes regarding my child . . . right in my face!!!!
Said leader says, “Nicki, correct me when I’m wrong,” when I try to discuss my boundaries with him. Then, he does the same crap at the next encounter. Hence, I’m beginning to bring my son around only when my hubby can’t watch him and I don’t have a babysitter.
THERE CAN BE NO COMPASSION WITHOUT RESPECT AND CONSIDERATION FOR OTHERS. I feel like getting cards made out with this saying and handing them out to members-especially as I refuse to hand out “cause cards.”
Whew, what a rant!!!
Nicki

Dear All:
Was I in the same organization as you? We chanted to pictures of Ikeda, not Gohonzon, on several occasions, as far back as 1976. We, as Young Men’s division were guided to try and memorize Ikeda’s poem, to My Young American Friends, in the early 80s. We were also prodded to include Sensei in all our experiences. I knew this was wrong and it wasn’t Buddhism but I wanted so much to believe in the organization that taught me Namu Myoho renge kyo.
Here is a comment I wrote on Barbara’s Blog;
Change is inevitable. It is one of the Three Truths (Temporary Existence). We have been hearing about change in the SGI for thirty or more years. In this sense, it is self-evident from a Buddhist standpoint that any and all phenomena change. There are however two other truths, the Truth of Non-Substantiality elucidated by Nagarjuna and the Truth of the Middle Way elucidated by Tientai and perfected by Nichiren Daishonin. From the perspective of the Middle Way of beginningless and endless Buddhahood (and beginningless and endless Nine Worlds) there is a characteristic of phenomena that is neither temporary nor non-substantial while retaining characteristics of both. This Middle Way of the SGI is what disturbs and troubles me.
The reliance on the principle of the oneness of mentor and disciple in the SGI is one such SGI Middle Way Doctrine, changing (from Makiguchi to Toda to Ikeda) yet remaining unchanged throughout the Three Existences (past, present, and future).
Nichiren Daishonin states in The Heritage of the Ultiamte Law of Life and Death:
“Even Embracing the Lotus Sutra would be useless without the heritage of faith.”
Daisaku Ikeda interprets this passage in his Lectures on The Heritage of the Ultimate Law of Life and Death: “The heritage only flows in those who put faith in the three mentors and who never abandon the SGI.”
In another writing he states:
“Members of the Minobu school of the Nichiren sect chant daimoku. They have the Gosho. Their recitation of the sutra also includes the Hoben and Juryo chapters. And, in the Shoshinkai, which consists of ex-priests of Nichiren Shoshu , the portions of the sutra they recite and the daimoku they chant are identical to the practice we observe. Though their religion may seem the same as ours, they lack the single, unbroken heritage of the law received directly from Nichiren Daishonin. If one’s faith is not based on this line of inheritance it is worthless to embrace any Gohonzon, for no benefit will be forthcoming. That is to say, “Without the lifeblood of faith, it would be useless to embrace the Lotus Sutra.” — Ikeda
Nichiren Daishonin, on the other hand, states:
“To reply, the ultimate Law of life and death as transmitted from the Buddha to all living beings is Myoho-renge-kyo. The five characters of Myoho-renge-kyo were transferred from Shakyamuni and Many Treasures, the two Buddhas inside the treasure tower, to Bodhisattva Superior Practices, carrying on a heritage unbroken since the infinite past. Myo represents death, and ho, life. Living beings that pass through the two phases of life and death are the entities of the Ten Worlds, or the entities of Myoho-renge-kyo.” — The Heritage of the Ultimate Law of Life and Death
and
“The heritage of the Lotus Sutra flows within the lives of those who never forsake it in any lifetime whatsoever.”
Therefore the heritage of faith has absolutely nothing to do with the Mentor-disciple relationship but rather with the relationship of the practitioner to the Lotus Sutra, Myoho renge kyo, Shakyamuni Buddha and the Gohonzon.
It is this and other “immutable” yet erroneous SGI doctrines that are deeply disturbing to the votaries of the Lotus Sutra and the source of our criticisms of the SGI.”
To Nicki: The Heritage of the ultimate Law of life and death flows within those who never abandon Namu Myoho renge kyo, not in your relationship to a living mentor, not in promoting the World Tribune, and not in donations to any organization, and no attending any meetings. If you know a person or persons who wish to chant, you may teach them yourself. If you want to go to meetings or host them yourself, go for it. If you don’t want to go to or have meetings, as long as you are chanting Namu Myoho renge kyo, you inherit the ultimate Law. As long as you chant Namu Myoho renge kyo until the last moment of your life you will attain Buddhahood.
Mark

Hi Nicki,
Re: Gosho translations. I don’t know Japanese, so I don’t know for sure what the originals actually say.
I have both the SGI translations and the Nichiren Shu translations. Comparing them, the Nichiren Shu translated goshos read with more idiom and the SGI translations seem more literal. In direct comparison of one gosho between both versions, the SGI version is almost always wordier.
In the Nichiren Shu translations, for each gosho, there is a forward that says a little about the gosho; in the SGI translations, there is a background following each gosho. Oftentimes, in the backgrounds, it will say that Nichiren says something in the gosho that he didn’t actually say in that gosho.
I find it very helpful to read and compare to get the meaning of what Nichiren was saying. And to ignore the backgrounds. Too much, “Nichiren said that, but he really meant this” for me.
For the record, I was an SGI member from 1984 to 2007 and joined Nichiren Shu in 2008. There aren’t any other Nichiren Shu members where I live, so I’m practicing with my husband, who also left SGI, but is equivocal about practicing with any group except for Gathering of Friends with the Ankers.

Nancy,
In eading the gosho, it shows that TEN of Nichiren’s disciples accompanied him to Sado Island. Looking at the question, it does not say which did not, but which did. Dozen-bo was there already and Shakyamuni is always there, the Gohonzon; casting off the transient and revealing the true.
The Gosho Zenshu are the Gosho compiled by the SGI during Toda/Makiguchi period in Japanese, and later translatinons of Volume one and two and the ongi kuden are all part of the Gosho Zenshu. I have known this since childhood. I have been waiting for the English translations for years.
Nicki, The SGI is the only oorganization to translate the Gosho Zenshu into English, or compile Nichiren’s writings at all. Noi slant just a Burton Watson translation into comp;lete english instead of english translations of Japanese terms.
Tye Gosho only has background that speaks to the why and whom, but never the intent. The inten tof the letter is left to the recipient to discover. read the Gosho as if YOU are the recipient
Patrick

“Nancy,
In eading the gosho, it shows that TEN of Nichiren’s disciples accompanied him to Sado Island. Looking at the question, it does not say which did not, but which did. Dozen-bo was there already and Shakyamuni is always there, the Gohonzon…”
Somebody needs to adjust their meds.
Speaking of meds, I kinda miss BM. At least he had a sense of humor. He was at Sado too, you know.

nmancy,
If my memory serves me correctly, Dozen-bo was a converted priest on Sado island with his wife, that Nichiren converted during his exile.
i would like to offer when Nichiren went to Sado island, he do not go thin king he was going to return. people did nit return from Sado island they died there normally. Nichiren went to sado to make his declaration from tatsunkauchi.
NJichiren sais, the person known as Nichiren was beheaded at Tatusnakuchi. It is the sole of Nichiren that has arrived in Sado.
Regarding Shakyamuni, Nichiren carried a personal statue of Shakyamuni everywhere with him, so my comment about Shakyamuni going with Nichiren to sado was tongue-in-cheek.
Patrick

Patrick,
I believe you have confused Dozen-bo with Abutso-bo. Dozen-bo was Nichiren’s teacher. Abutso-bo converted to Nichiren’s teachings on Sado.

My Dear Friend:
One day you too may be asked to do something that goes against the grain but to win your peers or Mentor’s approval, you just might cave in. Or you might be deluded into thinking what is asked is quite reasonable or even admirable. I offer no excuses. Just an experience and observation.
Mark

What I wouldn’t give to be a fly on the wall when all Putney’s leaders are waxing nostalgic about the bizarre things they did “for the sake of Kosen Rufu and for the sake of the Law.” Kasahara as Taho Buddha nodding in approval as Stan Zir and Phil Ohrenstein ran around the Kaikan with chain saws, shouting NEVER GIVE UP. And they remained leaders for another twenty years. It was only when they criticized a leader that they were given the boot.

Putney, maybe he didn’t take Zir and Ohrenstein to task because he was afraid he’s have his head lopped off?
Maybe because it was his idea in the first place.
It really wasn’t so shocking. They only actuated the chain saw at the very beginning while out of sight. When they came into view, screaming NEVER GIVE UP, EVEN IF THEY CUT OFF YOUR HEAD, the saws were turned off. I think they were afraid they might really hurt someone with the saws whirling or maybe, by virtue of Myoho, they ran out of gas? We left there pumped. Maybe you can do the saw routine at your ROCK THE ERA MEETINGS AND FESTIVALS. AMERICA CAPITAL OF MENTOR AND DISCIPLE. ARE YOU READY TO ROCK THE ERA? You know how hard it is for the youth to form a connection with Sensei. You will have to do something spectacular, fireworks, bands, brainwashed celebrities, a debate………What a Debate? Yes. How proud will be the little chips off Ikeda’s block if Vanissa Shaw or Nathan Gauer were to defeat me in a debate before the entire youth division? I would be pumped for that, believe me. I might even chant a million Daimoku in the twenty days leading up to the debate.
Mark

Dear Anonymous Billy:
I was at the meeting because that’s what I did on saturdays, I went to YMD meetings. As far as the Lotus Sutra, I’m not the one exhorts, “close, ignore, and abandon” or proclaims the Lotus Sutra too difficult to understand without the mentors commentary. That is you and your ilk. You really believe the SGI with their unlearned brainwashed leaders and high payed business suited lay priests are the Lotus Sutra. Fact is, you are far worse than the Muslims let alone Zen, Nembutsu, shingon, and even Taisekaji.

A couple things:
1. I think Patrick is confusing Dozen-bo and Abutsobo.
Also, confused about the Gosho Zenshu. It is just the SGI-Taisekiji compilation.
Also, Kobo Daishi was once exiled to Sado. Lots of exiles returned.
2. Why is it that bad leaders are our esho funi? We are SGI’s esho funi! :}

Mark,
The one good thing about exchanging views with you Mark is that, like the film Casablanca, I always know what to expect from you. Your posts are truly an economy of contradiction and self-slandering. It’s ok, though, we all have ideals and goals. You refused to understand ichninen sanzen and esho funi. You ignore the six paramitas and misunderstand the maka shikan. You miss the point that any form of meditation, including “just sitting” can be in accordance with the Lotus Sutra, based upon whether or not a good or bad teacher is the one who we learn it from. This is all possible within the realm of earthly desires and the sufferings of birth and death.

Back on Nichiren & Nikko at Sado; I think a lot of people have some misunderstandings.
After Tatsunokuchi, Nichiren was taken to the residence of an official named Honma Rokuro Zaemon Shigetsura {Homma Rokuro Saemon-no-jo} {Lord Honma Rokuro}, at Sagami Province, {present day Kanagawa Prefecture}, in the village of Echi, which is the modern Atsugi City.
While en route, Nichiren was permitted to visit his disciple Nichiro, who was being held in custody at the residence of Mitsunori Yadoya. Some sources indicate that Nichiro and Nichiren later collaborated to make an engraved Daimoku Stupa or Odaimoku Tablet; which is kept at a temple located where Nichiro was jailed.
Nichiren was at Echi there from September 13 to October 10 1271. He wrote Mandala # 001 there on October 9, 1271.He was taken from the Honma residence in Echi City of Sagami on October 10 1271. They arrived at the port city of Terdomari in Echigo Province {Niigata Prefecture} on October 21.
The departure from Tradomari was delayed by unfavorable winds until October 27. They eventually arrived ay Matsugasaki of Sado Island on October 28, which is now apparently the site of a Temple called Hongyo-ji. On November 01 1271, Nichiren was taken to his new quarters at Tsukuhara {Niibe}. Sado Konponji Temple is now located there. After enduring a horrid winter at Tsukuhara, where he won a debate and wrote some important Gosho, Nichiren was transfered to Ichi-sawa in April of 1272.
April 1272: Transferred from Tsukahara to the residence of Kondo Kiyohisa at Ichinosawa on Sado.
Kondo’s residence was on the western side of Sado Island, near Mano Bay, on the Sea of Japan. Today there are a number of Nichiren Temples in that vicinity. Conditions there were more favorable than at Tsukuhara.
May 1272: Lady Nichinyo vists.
July 8th, 1273: Inscribed the Sado Siken-no-Daimandara on a piece of silk material measuring about two feet, six inches by five feet, eight inches.”
1274
Feb: Government pardons Nichiren Shonin and officially terminates the exile to Sado Island.
Mar. 13: Departs Ichinosawa.
Mar. 15: Arrives in Kashiwasaki.

Dear Frances:
“If we are to believe this passage, then we must say that the votary of the Lotus Sutra is one who proclaims the Lotus Sutra to stand supreme above all the other sutras.” — The Selection of the Time
If we think carefully who are those who state that the Lotus Sutra stands supreme and who are those that defend the Koran, the Bible[s], the Vedas, and the provisional sutras and their adherents despite chanting the Daimoku of the Lotus Sutra, we can only come to the conclusion that the SGI leaders are the worms in the body of the lion.
Thank you for your insights. You are truly one of those who follow, one after another, the Master, Nichiren.
Mark