I have seen in America from both the SGI and Nichiren Shoshu Priest a dumbing down of the Buddhist Teachings in America.
In America even in Jr. high school we are asked to write about subjects that we study. When I started Buddhism in Memphis we would delve into Buddhist study and debates at Mr. Joe Thomas house. This lack of study of Buddhist teachings in America goes against the spirit of the Daishonin.
The True Buddha Nichiren Daishonin writes in the Gosho, The true aspect of all phenomena;
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Exert yourself in the two ways of practice and study. Without practice and study, there can be no Buddhism. You must not only persevere yourself; you must also teach others. Both practice and study arise from faith. Teach others to the best of your ability, even if it is only a single sentence or phrase."
66th High Priest Nittatsu Shonin emphasized to Nichiren Shoshu Priests as well as to Nichiren Shoshu lay members regarding the importance of study. High Priest Nittatsu Shonin said
"In the past, at the Rissho, ( a well-known school run by the Minobu sect), Buddhist study was introduced at the high school level. Even the Rissho Ankoku Ron was taught to the High school students. Today, however, such a lecture is unavailable until one reaches the university level. That is why the people of the past had a clear understanding of general Buddhism. Today, for the most part, Buddhist study has been neglected. For this reason, please attend a university even now and absorb the available lectures on Buddhist studies, even if they involve other sects. Redouble your efforts to study the teachings of our sect to correctly prepare yourselves."
Click on picture to read High Priest Nittatsu Shonin March 31, 1979 Speech.
The True Buddha Nichiren Daishonin said to "Exert" yourself in the two ways of practice and study. How can we have Buddhist scholarship in America if we are not studying and writing about Buddhism? This lack of study and writings of the Buddhist teachings allows a "Culture of Buddhist Ignorance" to prevail in America. I was at the Nichiren Shoshu Temple at Taisekiji Japan and Tony a Buddhist leader in New York said
" any information that did not come from a Nichiren Shoshu Priest was not real."
"please attend a university even now and absorb the available lectures on Buddhist studies, even if they involve other sects. Redouble your efforts to study the teachings of our sect to correctly prepare yourselves."
Again, 66th Hight Priest Nittasu Shonin where my Gohonzon came from wrote:
Anthony "Amp" Elmore 36 year practicing Nichiren Shoshu Buddhist
Being a Proud Black man in America I searched for Black history in Buddhism. Since the Japanese avoided teaching this history I researched and I begin teaching Black History in Buddhism. This is not against the teaching of Nichiren Daishonin. The Japanese are going to leave the Black history out this is why you need a Proud Black Buddhist website.
One of the reasons that I left the SGI Buddhist sect was because Daisaku Ikeda wrote that the Buddha was an Aryan. Daisaku Ikeda was wrong. We have in Nichiren Shoshu Priest who do not have a clue about Black History. We must take them head on to teach what is correct. I once asked Rev. Murata who was my chief Priest in Chicago and is now the Chief Priest in Washington D.C. about the history of the largest and oldest Buddhist statue in Japan which is that of a "Black Buddha." Rev. Murata told me that he does not deal in Racism. This is not racism, this is clear-cut Buddhist history. Priest or no Priest they should be challenge with facts. Black people at the Washington D.C. temple do not have the guts to challenge Rev. Murata to teach what is correct. Washington D.C. have a real scholar in Alan Billups and he is treated with disrespect.
When Rev. Murata left Chicago and came to Washington D.C. Rev. Iwaki became our Chief Priest in Chicago. I called Rev. Iwaki and explained to him that no Priest had visited my home in 12 years. I also explained to him about the history of Memphis, Tennessee. I explained that Dr. Martin Luther King was Killed in Memphis and that he should visit the Martin Luther King Civil Rights Museum and offer Prayers for world Peace. Rev. Iwaki hated what I suggested and he and Black leader Gerald Hopkins planned a meeting and were not going to tell me. Rev. Iwaki further stripped away Black culture from the meetings. While the world honored Dr. Martin Luther King and the President to Nelson Mandala pays respect this Nichiren Shoshu Priest disrespects Black people. Priest or no Priest I will not be disrepected. I would not deliever African/Americans to this Priest or Priest like Rev. Murata who cannot give you a straight answer.
Memphis, Tennessee where I live is the poorest big city in America. We have the highest infant mortality rate in the nation worst than many 3rd world countries. Memphis is the 2nd worst crime written city in America. I 1st hand witness how Rev. Murata and Rev. Iwaki with their Japanese strong hands destroyed Buddhism in Memphis forcing their dominate Japanese cultural way of teaching Buddhism. Memphis just a few years ago had the largest African/America Buddhist group in Nichiren Shoshu in America. Today you cannot find more than one or two families practicing Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism in Memphis. People are not happy.
Anthony "Amp" Elmore 36 year practicing Nichiren Shoshu Buddhist
Anthony "Amp" Elmore 36 year practicing Nichiren Shoshu Buddhist