“Gotama Buddha: A Biography Based on the Most Reliable Texts” by Hajime Nakamura is sold by the Nichiren Buddhist International Center under the heading “General Buddhism.”
If the point of the book wasn’t clear in the subhead – A Biography Based on the Most Reliable Texts – the author makes his intent in writing this book explicit when he opens his Preface with:
“My central concern in this volume is to elucidate how Gotama Buddha, or Sakyamuni, the historical figure revered as the teacher of humankind, lived his life and taught his doctrine.”
Having read this book, I’m at a loss to understand why the official Nichiren Shu organization tasked with the promotion of Nichiren Buddhism in the English-speaking world would find this book appropriate.
Keeping in mind that all Nichiren Buddhists view the Lotus Sūtra as Śākyamuni’s great vehicle capable of carrying everyone to the other shore, why does a Nichiren organization promote a book that has this to say of Mahāyāna Buddhists:
“In one sense Buddhism is a ‘founded religion,’ and in another sense it is not. Mahāyāna Buddhists rely on the one who teaches the Dharma, whether it be the bodhisattva Maitreya, Buddha Amitābha, or some other figure. They do not rely on Śākyamuni the individual. It was on this philosophical foundation that Mahāyāna Buddhism was able to declare its orthodoxy as the Buddha’s teaching.”
Page 261
The Lotus Sūtra does not rely on Śākyamuni, the individual?
The NBIC Book Store’s other offering in this category, The Beginnings of Buddhism by Kōgen Mizuno, is a much better exploration of early Buddhist teachings.
There were a few tidbits in “Gotama Buddha: A Biography Based on the Most Reliable Texts” that I felt merited keeping.
The Mahābodhi Society built a large modern temple at Sārnāth, called the Mūlagandha-kutī Vihāra, in 1931. Just coincidentally that’s the same year five families in Sacramento founded their Nichiren Church. In addition, a Japanese artist, Kōsetsu Nousu, was invited to paint the murals depicting the life of the Buddha. This task required four years.
This is the description of the interior of the temple:
The central part of the temple enshrines relics discovered in Taxila. The innermost altar contains a replica of the fifth-century statue of the seated Buddha delivering his first discourse discovered in Sārnāth. (The original is in the Archaeological Museum in Sārnāth.) It is surrounded by banners and offerings of flowers and candles. There are also relics from Mirpur Khas and Nāgārjunakovda. Placed below the pedestal of the statue to the left is a long, narrow plaque inscribed with the words “Homage to the Lotus Sutra.”
Page 268
Namu Myoho Renge Kyo, indeed.
Also of interest was this quote:
[The naga king Muchalinda sheltered the Buddha from rain for seven days while he was deep in meditation. When the storm had passed the naga] appeared in the form of a youth, venerating the Blessed One with the palms of his hands together and standing before him. Then the Blessed One, understanding the meaning of it, recited the following verse of uplift: “His solitude is happy, he who is content, who has heard the teachings, who has seen the Truth. Happy is freedom from malice toward others and self-restraint toward all living beings. Happy it is to be rid of all creed toward the world and to transcend all desires. The greatest happiness is control of the pride that comes of the thought ‘I am!’ ”
Page 222
Two points of interest. First is the “verse to uplift” itself. Reading these are what make such books interesting. The second point is the idea of a naga as a deity in the form of a cobra, with a great hood that shielded the Buddha from the rain. The Sanskrit means “serpent” but, as I’ve read before, the Chinese, not knowing what to make of this idea, transformed the naga into dragons. Of course, that gets picked up Japan. Nichiren, in discussing the Dragon King’s Daughter, says, “The Buddha helped a small snake, who was actually a daughter of the dragon king, attain Buddhahood with her present body.” (Sennichi-ama Gozen Gohenji, A Reply to My Lady Nun Sennici, Writings of Nichiren Shōnin, Faith and Practice, Volume 4, Pages 146-147)
Finally is the discussion of Śākyamuni’s visit home and his response when his father, the king, chides him for embarrassing his family by begging:
“Your lineage, O King, is the lineage of kings, but ours is that of the buddhas, extending from Dīpaṃkara and Koṇḍan͂n͂a down to Kassapa. These, and thousands of other buddhas, have begged for alms and lived on their alms alone.” And standing in the middle of the road, he recited this verse:
“Rouse yourself! Be not idle!
Follow the Good Way!
One who acts correctly rests in ease
In this world and the next.”
When Gotama had finished reciting that verse, the king attained the first stage of the sage. He attained the second stage on hearing this verse:
“Follow the Good Way!
Do not that which is evil!
One who acts correctly rests in ease
In this world and the next.”