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Shinnyo-en

Tuesday, December 4th, 2012

Shinnyo-en is one of the many new religious movements in Japan which is known as Shinshukyo or Shinko Shukyo. This sect was originally founded by husband and wife team Shinjo Ito/Tomoji Ito and is mostly identified with esoteric Shingon or Vajrayana Buddhism as well as combing elements of Theravada and Mahayana. I have previously written about Buddhism on my blogsite and you are welcome to view these links if you are interested.

jesusandjews.com/wordpress/category/buddhism/

Shingon Buddhism

Along with Buddhist principles, Shinjo Ito also studied the science of divination or Byozeisho as prescribing to the mysticism of occultic practices as found in shamanism and fortunetelling as a participant of modern spiritualism.

Anyway many of the eastern cults depend upon the exclusivity of one or another of the selective sutras which they claim to be the final authority and Shinnyo-en is no exception to this rule as its specified sacred text is the Mahayana Mahaparinirvana Sutra. In this document one of the unfounded controversial doctrines is the notion that all beings possess a natural, unfettered purity; yet based on the global evidence across all cultures this position has failed to be authenticated as there is overwhelming evidence to the contrary concerning the reality of human evil which pervades every aspect of society.

This group also teaches a meditative practice known as sesshin as well as the observance of the Lantern Floating and O-bon ceremonies as a means to achieving compassion and kindness towards others. This along with the fire ritual or goma/homa is supposedly a method to affect the spiritual maturation of a practitioner. Yet however meaningful, sentimental and inspiring these activities or practices may be to the adherent; how do these isolated and culturally superstitious customs really bring about any kind of lasting and significant change to the individual?

Also unprovable is the fabled belief of its leaders concerning the mysterious death of their sons which they strategically used to advance their philosophical position as to signify that this somehow opened a spiritual path in beginning to bring about Bakku Baiju or the great power of salvation which is questionable in light of their limited impact on society.

Positively speaking this movement is known for some degree of participation in bringing about humanitarian aid as well as supporting a basis for moral beliefs which coincides with the spirit of Buddhist practice as adhering to the Five Precepts and the Eightfold Path as cultivating virtue. However, this emphasis and practice of good behavior is common among many religions and cults in helping to advance their influence which from a humane point of view may be good but I question its ability to make a vital connection with an absolute or ultimate spiritual reality.

Furthermore its pristine benefits are heralded while the fine print of its side effects are obscured as it medicates it patients under the false label of its own prescribed concoction of medicinal truth. Thus it openly parades its humanitarian position while the dark side of the movement remains unnoticed behind its demonic mask of influence which the bible warns about in, 2 Corinthians 11:14. This is similar to how the dark angel or the Devil himself deceives others as presenting his personage as an angel of light. Likewise the tutelage of these human spiritual guides are under Satanic inspiration as they serve as mediums or reinosha by assisting others with their gifts or faculties towards the progression of spiritual advancement.

Deuteronmy 19:9-14

Abominable Practices

⁹“When you come into the land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominable practices of those nations. ¹⁰There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer ¹¹or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead, ¹²for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord. And because of these abominations the Lord your God is driving them out before you. ¹³You shall be blameless before the Lord your God, ¹⁴for these nations, which you are about to dispossess, listen to fortune-tellers and to diviners. But as for you, the Lord your God has not allowed you to do this.

Here are some testimonies of others who have been subjected to the destruction of occultic influences of mysticism in its many and diverse forms.

www1.cbn.com/700club/episodes/all/amazing-stories#falsereligions

In closing Jesus has powerfully demonstrated His salvation to the world as Christianity is presently the largest religious movement to date. Also there are many undeniable proofs and testimonies which are so voluminous that it would be difficult to deny the reality of His imposing presence and influence on others. That is why I am including my testimony along with many others.

Testimonies

jesusandjews.com/wordpress/my-personal-testimony-with-jesus/

www.cbn.com/700club/features/amazing/

www1.cbn.com/video/loving-japan

www1.cbn.com/content/land-rising-son

Informative Resources

carm.org

www.apologetics315.com/

www.probe.org

Finally you can be sure of knowing the future of your eternal destiny apart from attempting to divine truth through a medium. Without further assistance you can directly come to the one and perfect mediator between God and mankind; the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Jesus alone can guide you on the path of enlightenment by renewing your mind, heart and speech.

Additionally you don’t need to advance your way towards attaining higher levels of spirituality through a service of commitment to a pseudo religious program or cause as Jesus’ work is effectual which does not require the rigors of religious devotion to earn or merit the benefit of His actions in regards to His mercy and grace which a person can freely receive according to the perfect gift of Christ which stands in contrast to a person’s inability to achieve moral righteousness and perfection in trying to save ones self through mediation, vows, rituals and training etc. Lastly I would simply ask you to sincerely and openly reflect on these matters by examining your heart and may God the Father plainly reveal to you the truth as you contemplate the possibility towards receiving the real happiness of eternal joy which is in Christ Jesus.

How to have a relationship with God

How to know God

Myochikai Kyodan Resources

Tuesday, October 16th, 2012

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Myochikai Kyodan

Monday, October 8th, 2012

This is a new religious Japanese Buddhist movement or shinshukyo which uses common beliefs and elements as associated with Nichiren and Reiyukai concerning ancestor worship and the Lotus Sutra which I have previously written about in these two posts.

Nichiren Buddhism

Reiyukai

How to know God

Myochikai Kyodan Resources

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Agonshu Buddhist Resources

Monday, October 8th, 2012

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Agonshu

Saturday, October 6th, 2012

Agon-Shu or Agama School claims to have rediscovered and reformed Buddhism by returning it back to its original form through the agon sutras which supposedly contains the words or scriptures of the Buddha. However, even thou these writings are quite ancient, scholars are doubtful over its origins having attributed its production to a group of editors instead.

Anyway this movement was established by its founder Kiriyama Seiyu also known as Kiriyama Kancho or Seiyu Kiriyama Kancho who had formally created another religious sect known as Kannon Jikeikai that is based on the Kannon Sutra for the worship of the bodhisaatva Kannon which calls to question how credible this new religious movement or shinshukyo is in light of his chameleonic ability to change in adapting to yet another supposedly superior religious view.

Furthermore it claims to be the “original” Buddhism but has deviated from the teachings of Gautama Buddha or Shakyamuni as incorporating various other beliefs by accommodating esoteric buddhist symbolism and practice through the expression of Shugendo and Shingon tradition. I have previously written about Shingon and you can view my post at

Shingon Buddhism

It has also departed from traditional Buddhism by overcoming and surpassing historical practices in adapting to a more contemporary approach of meeting the needs and issues of the practitioner in making Buddhism more democratic and accessible to others.

Other non-orthodox practices is the goma ritual in which requests or petitions are inscribed on sticks or wood that are burned while invocations are chanted to eliminate negative ancestral karma and transform or terminate the suffering of the spirits of the dead resulting in jobutsu or buddhahood. Conclusively, this superstitious practice has no validation within original Buddhism and seems to be an attempt to deal with the continual problem of pain and suffering as taking on an unorthodox approach apart from the central teaching of Buddha’s Noble Eightfold Path.

Other divergent behaviors is the veneration given to the principal object of worship, termed the “true buddha relic” or shinsei-busshari, which is said to be an entombed bone fragment of the Buddha which supposedly corresponds with the mystical belief as housing his spirit. It is believed that when conducting the noyi hoju-ho in conjunction with this relic; one is able to achieve happiness, good fortune, and the insight to break free from karma which again challenges the orthodox Buddhist position which sees these emotional desires as attachments in producing craving which is incongruent towards the process of being liberated in order to achieve nirvana by breaking the cycle of rebirth.

Another controversial practice is a process that is said to deliver an individual from karma through the attainment of supernatural powers of awakening by the means of chakras or spiritual centers within the body in practicing kundalini yoga which some professional psychologists claim can cause mental problems in certain cases or individuals known as the kundalini syndrome.

Finally I do applaud this groups effort to establish projects for the pursuit of world peace but I respectfully challenge the notion that this religious vehicle is a necessary means to the ends in accomplishing this agenda as there are secular organizations which are also attempting to accomplish this very same goal. In conclusion I personally do not see the overall benefit of this particular religious worldview especially if it does not convincingly correspond with reality and thus it appears to merely be just another preference among many of the other varieties of religious expressions or fads that is cropping up on this fertile and diverse religious landscape of Japanese soil. In closing I apologize if it seems that I have been overly critical of this establishment but I hope and pray that you become consciously and intuitively aware of some of these internal inconsistencies and shortcomings of this sect as questioning its validity towards making absolute truth claims.

Lastly I would like to offer you another opportunity towards an Asiatic and Eastern person who has given compassion as speaking truth in establishing unity with God not under the task of upholding to the rigorous and elaborate religious practices but in such a way as to freely liberate others in healing them not only from the practical aspect of social ills but more importantly in bringing us peace with God as removing the barriers and hindrances of evil. In closing I would simply ask you to meditate on this saying of Jesus as opening your heart up to Him along with reading my post on “How to have a relationship with God”

Mt:11:28-30

²⁸“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

How to have a relationship with God

How to know God

Soto Zen Buddhist Resources

Thursday, October 4th, 2012

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Soto

Saturday, September 29th, 2012

Dogen Zenji developed what is known today as the Soto sect of Japanese Zen Buddhism as taken from the Chinese Caodong school of thought. Dogen Kigen was originally a practitioner of Tendai and like Myoan Eisai travelled to China to find the true path of Buddhism. His quest led him to study Chan which involved the use of Koans which he eventually became disenchanted with leading him to search out a different style of Chan under the tutelage of Rujing. This form of deviant Zen would take the expression of Zazen or Shikantaza which is a seated meditation that involves no objects, anchors or content in allowing streams of thoughts to freely come and go without interference which if practiced is said to be equivalent to enlightenment. Amazingly these two men were basically contemporaries that had both travelled to China for nearly the same reasons and even studied the same religion of Chan but came up with two completely different methods or systems for attaining enlightenment. Whereas Myoan Eisai focused on the use of Koans; Buppo Dogen emphasized the practice of Zazen which both believed were critical instruments for enlightenment. Thus my question is which was right if either?

Also Eihei Dōgen supposedly sought to restore Buddhism to its original and pristine state and yet it is not even historically orthodox to the more traditional form of buddhism known as Theravada but rather supports the Mahayana branch of devotion. Joyo Daishi also deviates from the religious practice of Chinese Chan by formulating his own brand of buddhism as incorporating faith in one’s master and the Buddha along with the study of the sutras apart from the zen teaching that stresses self realization. This movement was further altered and degenerated by the influential teaching and practices of Keizan Jōkin also known as Taiso Jōsai Daishi who brought in a mixture of expression which incorporated such matters as Tendai esotericism along with Dogen’s monastic rules and rigorous meditation which seems to move further away from the practice of “zazen alone” for enlightenment. Keizan’s disciple Gasan Joseki, in a popularity campaign, further joined the elements of shamanism and religious folklore such as the belief in divinities to protect the welfare of sacred sites. This along with attaining worldly benefits such as prosperity, fertility and safety during travel is a compromise from the traditional practices of Zen. This movement was further influenced by the superstitious practices of Keizan who used such mysticism as finding religious authority through dreams, astrology and the invocation of the local gods including his preeminent devotion to the bodhisattva Kannon which shows how far this group has gotten of course in straying from the truth of its original journey to China as it has evolved through the ages of time in incorporating the syncretism of which Dogen was trying to eliminate in the first place and which stands contrary to his original enlightenment. If that weren’t enough even the very thing he opposed and rejected was the practice of the Koans which was studied by this group during the medieval ages. Finally it underwent yet another revision by the monk Otori Sesso who modernized buddhism to eliminate the dissonance between traditional monasticism and secularization among monks/laypersons by producing an abbreviated version of Dogen’s teaching as a source of guidance for the lay practitioner known as shushogi which does not even mention zazen but emphasizes a life of gratitude and penitence which has resulted in several associated lay movements or kyodan.

My question is based on all of these models by whose supreme authority does any of this really represent a pure teaching on enlightenment or satori especially as it stands in contrast to the brotherhood of other Buddhist organizations as well as its own internal inconsistencies? Who knows maybe a future leader may change things again which calls to question if enlightenment is standardized as being foundational or is it in a constant sate of flux? If enlightenment can be attained through various means and paths then why the need to practice under an exclusive movement of Sotoshu? If the patriarchal figures of Koso and Taiso aren’t in complete agreement then essentially what hope is there for you and in what or whom do you base your confidence in? Furthermore how ironic is it that the majority of the people who associate with this movement don’t even take their organization seriously as they only attend the temples for the observation of funerary rites which is a commentary that calls to question the efficacy amongst it own adherents towards enlightenment.

Anyway regarding the philosophy of zazen here are some snippets in how the this practice is viewed which is said to be free of thoughts, directed to no object, and attached to no particular content. It is regarded as a defocalized method as giving attention to the entire screen of consciousness in a non attached way without reaction or elaboration just a randomness that is open to the flow of mental contents but does not think about them or get carried away by them as it is a non thinking, themeless practice. However, how can you follow this procedure wholeheartedly or with single mindedness when you have distractions which may really be a valid indication that you do have anchors and how do you know if these stronger ties or associations are really contrary to enlightenment in favor of this unnatural practice of disassociations.

Also just to say that this is an unique experience or a different train of thought does not necessitate or qualify this experience as enlightening no more than embracing a contradiction. Essentially how do you know this is enlightening except to agree or accept what you have been taught as a blind leap of irrational or illogical faith?

Moreover once you have mastered this technique then what if you get off track do you then lose enlightenment only to have to regain it again? In other words does neglecting this meditative practice undo the doer resulting in unenlightenment? If this is possible then the next question is whether a person really had it to begin with.

So what confidence can you put in such a procedure which has to be continually practiced as a post enlightenment experience of cultivation or shushu Itto and shotaichoyo in order to be realized and sustained and whose to say that you will properly maintain or nurture this to the end of life?

More importantly this deviant practice is not livable nor is it consistent with a persons lifestyle as it requires cognitive associations to manage basic life functions and decisions even as regulated through the simplicity of a monastic lifestyle. Furthermore to use the phrase to put on this so called monkey mind is a derogatory statement towards your humanity and is even slanderous to chimps who are able to make simple rational choices based on intelligible thoughts.

So on one hand to daily act or live as a walking and thinking unenlightened being is not practicing what you preach and is likened to the equation that 1-1=0 as there is no positive result as these factors cancel one another out through their counterintuitive and unsustainable practice as trying to allow your meditation to be random while your non-meditative state of thinking to be determinative.

Also to have thoughts come and go as not holding on to them by allowing the mind to be emptied of all discrimination and attachments is contrary to even Dogens reasoning as he questioned the very nature of sitting in providing a range of different possibilities yet he was determined and discriminatory in his solution as selecting a particular form to represent this art of sitting. If we rightly applied his methodology it would seem to lead to a relativistic view of skepticism and a degree of nihilism as nothing can be rightly determined or known except to say that there are many ideas floating around and to act otherwise is to behave contrary to the theory as making concrete associations. Conclusively, that is why I think that one of the main reasons this whole methodology falls apart and should be challenged or questioned is that it just doesn’t correspond with a universal reality.

This anti-intellectual approach to life which Dogen espoused in taking on a distinctly nonattached or non clinging kind of action, that is, an activity completely unconcerned with benefits or the accomplishment of ulterior goals as being self seeking is also not consistent with its own ideal as reaching the goal of enlightenment. Moreover, for this practice to be regarded as a silent illumination is antithetical to the position of Dogen as the ‘dropping off’ of sensations and thoughts has lead to the “dropping into” the minds of others. Thus it has failed to purge the mind of all concepts and notions but has succeeded to clutter the thoughts of it practitioners.

So in closing I would simply ask to meditate on what I have said but not in a disconnected way but as making a connection with the intent of a more rational approach which may lay beyond your present religious experience. Likewise I challenge to take on the pioneering spirit of Dogen himself who was dissatisfied and sought enlightenment beyond his geographical boundaries as looking farther than the cultural venue as defined by Japanese buddhist expression.

Finally his method of sitting straight without any effort essentially takes great effort as disciplining oneself under this demanding practice which requires diligence as well as alertness. This isn’t daydreaming which is more descriptive as being effortless but rather it is an arduous practice of nonthinking which perhaps has wearied and worried you as being unsure about your meditative efforts and Jesus provides a solution to enlightenment through Himself as He states:

Matthew 11:28-30 ²⁸“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

How to have a relationship with God

How to know God

Rinzai Buddhist Resources

Wednesday, September 19th, 2012

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Rinzai

Saturday, September 15th, 2012

The Zen buddhist sect known as Rinzai or Rinzai-shu school was originally established in Japan by Myoan Eisai (Eisai Zenji) as an eclectic movement.

Eisai Zenji was but one among other Tendai practitioners who saw the corruption of Buddhism during his time in respect to the political/military influence and recognized the need to reform/revitalize Buddhism by returning it to a pure and pristine condition which he sought to do by means of traveling to China.

However instead of bringing back to Japan a purified Buddhism, which he initially intended, he ended up being persuaded to adapt to a more syncretistic practice as incorporating Chan resulting in a blend of combining Tendai esotericism along with elements from the foreign influence of the Linji school. It would only be latter that the Rinzai leaders would remove this admixture of beliefs in finding a separate identity as definitively differentiating themselves among other competing religious movements by erecting its own school as uniquely Zen.

Anyway Myoan Eisai’s form of buddhism would be further altered and systematized to fit his unique and non traditional way of doing Buddhism which seems to cloud his primary reason to restore buddhism to its original state. Moreover it was marketed in such a way to be accepted among the mainstream Buddhist association apart from any purist Zen movement such as what Nonin pursued.

One of the main controversial ways in which he adapted this new expression of Buddhism, which again seems to be conflicting to his original position, was to accommodate the warrior class or Samurai for the purpose of protecting the state apart from the concern for enlightenment among the common Japanese citizen or general public as it was only reserved for the elitist juxtaposed to ordinary society which also excluded women. I find this difficult to reconcile or swallow as primarily being attentive to the interests of the imperial class as relating to shoguns and emperors along with these militants while neglecting the ordinary individual rights to find spiritual achievement and fulfillment. So on what basis or authority does the modern or contemporary practitioner find confidence regarding its presumptuous application today in light of its pre-qualified historical position? If it was contrived for the elitist from its beginning then what would be it pertinence today for the masses?

Additionally another characteristic to this movement is it’s violation with the basic Buddhist principles which does not support such militant and patriotic measures such as the unorthodoxical approach of aggression in reverting to the martial arts and sword fighting which is antagonistic to the original principles of Buddhism’s five precepts and thus should be excluded as a meaningful expression of the Buddhist religion.

Grievously this contradictory philosophy resulted in the development of a warrior government or bakufu which has found criticism as contributing to the prewar nationalism and imperialism of Japan as the aggressor against China in World War II.

It was in part the theoretical sponsorship of Rinzai which propagated this idea of leading Japan into the ideal of prosperity and security for the nation which unfortunately supported this action leading to its demise. Perhaps this is an analogy or application towards its spiritual truth claims as well.

Adding to the controversy are the use of Koans under the Rinzai reformer Hakuin and his philosophy of Kensho as to see ones nature as it really is. Hakuin uses the methodology of utilizing riddles and parables or Koans as a way of questioning logic so that the practitioner would doubt every aspect of his life which ironically should include the very program and values regarding Rinzai thought itself. Just to propositionally present this concept is inherently flawed as emptying oneself of personal goals, agendas, predisposition’s, presumptions, biases, etc. is equally fallacious to its own system which has a unique criteria that is not neutral to preferences such as circumventing or defeating dualistic thought. Additionally to state that all conceptualization is wrong is equally questionable regarding its own position regarding its conceptualization towards enlightenment with regards to its unconventional attitude.

Furthermore this methodology is impossible to attain and even though you can change your mind it is never completely empty including the very mindset of using these procedural practices as coinciding with a drive or desire to achieve tranquility with the final culmination of satori or enlightenment.

Conclusively how do you really know that this is a vehicle for achieving enlightenment and how livable is it to defy logic? Moreover this philosophy is not even realistic as it is both unlivable and unattainable as conflicting with even the most basic functions of life.

This whole concept of using Koans as a path towards enlightenment should give you great doubt as going against the instinctual and intuitive conclusions of the common sense of logic in favor for some abstract riddle or parable as a means to the ends. After all for the mind to play with convoluted ideas in a head game sort of way may not accomplish anything except a headache and perhaps the westerner really sees through this facade as stating there is no real answer here in that this mental workout of equations only leads to nowhere just like contemplating infinite sets of numbers.

Additionally to use a boot camp methodology that is more consistent with military training as utilizing shouts or katsu and blows/slaps delivered by the master along with a question and answer routine of mondo coupled with these paradoxical statements or koan as a way to effectively shock someone in breaking their will in being instrumental as ultimately awakening an individual is also characteristic of cults who use mind control or brain washing techniques by hypnotically subduing someone into their way of thinking as being subjected to a spiritual master or teacher.

www.apologeticsindex.org/5934-brainwashing-and-mind-control-in-religious-cults-and-elsewhere

Such feelings as nihilism and anxiety or zen sickness should be a strong indicator in the same way an earthquake or tsunami is in that the end result of “shock” is not always desirable or beneficial.

This brain dump technique of confusion is intended to awaken insight that transcends logical distinctions and yet to divorce yourself from the human society of rational thinking is dangerous as well as intellectually suicidal as this head trauma will never leave you the same as it distorts reality bringing you into this make believe land of enchanted enlightenment.

In closing I apologize if I offended you through my rational approach of questioning as my heart and intentions is meant to reawaken you but not in an abusive matter but rather as an honest challenge for you to rethink or reconsider your position.

Lastly in the same way that Eisai travelled to China to look for inspiration and truth I too would ask if you would take a small journey by looking deep into your soul by simply praying and meditating on these matters along with contemplating this saying of Jesus.

Mt:11:28-30

How to have a relationship with God

How to know God

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How to know God