Guessed Nichiren did not read enough all the Sutras and texts. He just glanced through important Sutras and texts to find his answers, to find out what's the ultimate goal of Shakyamuni's Buddhahood? As no one can read 80,000 writings less than 20 years from 1233 to 1253 AD. He only studied Tiantai teachings for a few years.
Found the ichinen-sanzen concept in Tiantai Buddhism has more than what's simply explained in the Soka's and Nichiren Shoshu's explanation. We don't need to emphasize too many texts of Tiantai teachings, just the 3 main texts so popularly, one need to spend a whole lot of time studying, research and analyzing. What has briefly found out actually all the 3 main texts or even more texts centred around ichinen-sanzen, so you need to study all to have the better understanding before you know why Master Tiantai came to form the framework of ichinen-sanzen, which it can be said very much complicated. Maybe Nichiren found no need to study all, just briefly know what's ichinen-sanzen will do, but if so, I wish to ask Nichiren if he's still alive, if we don't understand ichinen-sanzen then how to understand that the title of Sutra is the complete enlightenment??
Actually if you read from Lotus Sutra the first chapter it's actually a continuation from previous sutras, then later Shakyamuni explained about enlightenment in the Sutra, actually all the disciples already knew what happened in the previous sutras, so then they came to appreciate the Wonderful Law of the Lotus Sutra. But Nichiren told us no need to know and study too much pre-Lotus Sutra teachings, as not necessary!! Are you sure, Nichiren?? Knowledge extra can only be helpful, where got say not necessary?? Then Shakyamuni what for explained so many years, if I'm not wrong 40 years right? Then before he explained Lotus Sutra, then he must as well explain Lotus Sutra first?? But then Shakyamuni scared the disciples may not understand the whole thing about Lotus Sutra, so he used all expedient means to explain other sutras first.
That means what I wish to say even all the expedient teachings not important for enlightenment, but cannot say it's not so necessary?? How can we know Daimoku (title of sutra) is enlightenment?? So Nichiren said it's actual proof to prove chanting is definitely OK, which we have proven in daily practice, but Nichiren you cannot stop people to study other expedient teachings, right?? Can treat study expedient teachings as a mean of extra knowledge and in comparison with Lotus Sutra. So now who we believe?? It should be believe in our own studies and practice to the ultimate goal so we know what we studied is truly to the enlightenment. Now it's like we are relying on the person Nichiren to continue our practice!! If we chanted and got actual proof then it shows Nichiren is correct definitely, but then we know nothing ourselves if it's true or wrong, because we rely on a person's words that it should be correct!!
That's why all the while I have tried to emphasize the importance of study but Soka leaders just brushed aside saying study a little will do as not so necessary, just continue to chant, even as a common mortal we don't have time to live like monk, how to study? Chanting will compensate the lack of studies!! Soka leaders are you sure?? Then it has become blind faith!!
Maybe it was only Soka that's saying it's not necessary to study all other sutras and teachings but I have no proof if Nichiren Shoshu did practice? Could also be from Nichiren himself never study all the teachings, only important ones, before he concluded research and proclaimed the Daimoku as ultimate goal. Some researchers found Nichiren Buddhism was from lineage of Tiantai Buddhism, but if he himself never finished studies all Tiantai teachings, how can justify that Nichiren's Buddhism from Tiantai or Tendai??
Think Nichiren though said to be originally a Tendai priest actually did not study enough Tendai teachings, he only wished to find the faults in other Sutras. If his Buddhism really linked from Tendai then he should glorify Master Tiantai so he can continue to highlight the good sides of Lotus Sutra, but we read in every part of his Gosho he's only interested to criticize other sutras hoping the listeners can believe in the Lotus Sutra. I'm more interested in what Master Tiantai wished to transmit us his discoveries in ichinen-sanzen. It was said he became monk in Tendai temple Seicho-ji but soon he set off to other cities study in other temples. However he studied at a famous Tendai temple in Kyoto but also soon went to a Shingon temple to study, so I don't think he's very interested in what Master Tiantai wished to teach, he's only interested finding faults in other sutras so to prove his points that Lotus Sutra should be highest Buddhist teaching!! If I have time I really wish to study the main 3 texts of Master Tiantai so to see any links of ichinen-sanzen with Lotus Sutra.
~~Picture: Nichiren had studied at Tendai temple called Seicho-ji.
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