2024 SGI-USA Intermediate Exam Review Questions

Who are "enemies of the Lotus Sutra," and what sorts of acts do they commit?

Those who deny or deprecate the sutra, impede the spread of the sutra, or oppress or harm practitioners of the sutra, thus opposing the ideals of respect for the dignity of life, the equality of all people, and the primacy of ordinary people. To engage in such acts is what it means to become an enemy of the Lotus Sutra. (See Basics, pp. 118-19)

What is the gravest offense (of the "five cardinal sins") that Nikken committed?

Causing disunity in the Buddhist Order, or actions that create disruption and division among the body of Buddhist practitioners, is extremely serious as it destroys the Buddha's teachings and deludes people, causing them to fall into unhappiness. (See Basics, 123)

A doctrine of the Nikken sect regards the high priest as infallible and an object of worship or veneration. What is correct faith in Nichiren Buddhism based on?

Correct faith is faith based upon the Gohonzon.

(See Basics, 123-24)

The Nikken Sect erroneously claims that the high priest is ___________________________.

an infallible object of worship or veneration

(See Basics, 123-24)

In Twenty-six Admonitions of Nikko, what does Nikko Shonin say about following those who go against the Buddha's Law and propound their own views?

"Do not follow even the high priest if he goes against the Buddha's Law and propounds his own views" (GZ, 1618)

(See Basics, 123-24)

What is the erroneous view about "The Heritage of the Law" that Nikken and his followers hold?

The erroneously believe that there is a mysterious and exclusive heritage passed on only from one high priest to the next and that the high priest is the single entity that embodies the oneness of the Person and the Law. (See Basics, 126)

In contrast to the Nikken sect's erroneous belief, what is this heritage as described by Nichiren Daishonin?

"The Heritage of the Ultimate Law of Life," the Daishonin writes, "Nichiren has been trying to awaken all the people of Japan to faith in the Lotus Sutra so that they, too, can share the heritage and attain Buddhahood" (WND-1, 217).In Nichiren Buddhism, the heritage is ultimately described as the "heritage of faith" (WND-1, 218), that is, as faith itself. (See Basics, 126)

How does Nichiren Buddhism view positions of hierarchy between clergy and laity?

The Daishonin clearly confirmed the equality of clergy and laity, saying, "For this reason, the Buddha surely considers anyone in this world who embraces the Lotus Sutra, whether layman or laywoman, monk or nun, to be the lord of all living beings" (WND-1, 463) and "Anyone who teaches others even a single phrase of the Lotus Sutra is the envoy of the Thus Come One, whether that person be priest or layman, nun or laywoman" (WND-1, 33). (See Basics, 127)

In contrast to the Nikken sect's assertion that funeral services must be conducted by priests for the deceased to attain Buddhahood, based on Nichiren's teaching, what determines one's attainment of Buddhahood?

Nichiren stressed that attaining Buddhahood depends on one's own faith and practice while alive. Eg, "Therefore, because your beloved departed father chanted Nam-myoho-renge-kyo while he was alive, he was a person who attained Buddhahood in his present form" (WND-1, 1064). (See Basics, 128)

The Nichiren Shoshu priesthood excommunicated the SGI on ____(date & year)____ , which Soka Gakkai members consider the day they achieved their ______________________.

November 28, 1991, spiritual independence

(See Basics, 129)

Freeing themselves from the chains of the corrupt and misguided priesthood, Soka Gakkai members have emerged around the globe, dedicating themselves to what?

Their mission to achieve kosen-rufu.

(See Basics, 129)

What is "the true aspect of all phenomena?"

The truth or reality of all things that Buddhas, through their vast and profound wisdom, are able to perceive. Once one perceives this reality, one understands that all phenomena and their true aspect are not two separate things but that all phenomena are in fact manifestations or expressions of the true aspect. Therefore, all phenomena and their true aspect can never be divided or separated. (See Basics, 134)

What does the Lotus Sutra's "Life Span of the Thus Come One" chapter reveal about Shakyamuni's enlightenment?

The "Life Span" Chapter revealed Shakyamuni to be the eternal buddha who had been enlightened since the remote past.

(See Basics, 137)

After Shakyamuni's passing, the Bodhisattvas of the Earth will actually appear in __________________________, and they will spread _____________________________.

the latter day of the law, the mystic law, or Nam Myoho Renge Kyo.

(See Basics, 139-40)

In "The True Aspect of All Phenomena," Nichiren Daishonin writes: "Now, no matter what, strive in faith and be known as a votary of the Lotus Sutra, and remain my disciple for the rest of your life. If you are of the same mind as Nichiren, you must be a ___________________. And if you are a ________________________, there is not the slightest doubt that you have been a disciple of Shakyamuni Buddha from the remote past" (WND-1, 385).

Bodhisattva of the Earth, Bodhisattva of the Earth

(See Basics, 140)

Bodhisattva Never Disparaging consistently venerates everyone he encounters, no matter who they are, including those who attack or persecute him, bowing in respect and reciting to each a phrase known as _______________________.

the 24-character Lotus Sutra

(See Basics, 141)

Nichiren Daishonin states: "The heart of the Buddha's lifetime of teachings is the Lotus Sutra, and the heart of the practice of the Lotus Sutra is found in the 'Never Disparaging' chapter. What does Bodhisattva Never Disparaging's profound respect for people signify?

The purpose of the appearance in this world of Shakyamuni Buddha, the lord of teachings, lies in his behavior as a human being" (WND-1, 851-52). (See Basics, 142)

"Emergence of the Treasure Tower," the Lotus Sutra's 11th chapter, describes six difficult and nine easy acts. What is the purpose of describing these?

"The Six Difficult and Nine Easy Acts" emphasize the great difficulty of accepting and spreading the Lotus Sutra in the time after Shakyamuni Buddha's passing. (See Basics, 143)

The Buddha calls on bodhisattvas to make a great vow to propagate the sutra in the Latter Day of the Law. Why is it so difficult to propagate the Lotus Sutra?

Propagating the sutra in the latter Day of the Law invites very real hardships in the form of opposition and persecution. (See Basics, 143)

"Encouraging Devotion," the Lotus Sutra's 13th chapter, contains a passage known as the twenty-line verse describing the "three powerful enemies." Among the three powerful enemies, what is the third powerful enemy and what do they do?

Arrogant false sages (See Basics, 144)

How did Nichiren Daishonin prove the validity of Shakyamuni's words in the Lotus Sutra?

By reading the Lotus Sutra with his very life (by fulfilling the predictions made in the sutra) the Daishonin proved the sutra itself was no way false. (See Basics, 145)

So that all people of the Latter Day of the Law could attain enlightenment, the Daishonin expressed his fundamental life state of Buddhahood in the form of a ________________, the ____________________, modeling it after _________________________________.

mandala, Gohonzon, the Ceremony in the Air in the Lotus Sutra (See Basics, 146)

Ikeda Sensei wrote in THE HUMAN REVOLUTION, "A great human revolution in just a single individual will help achieve a change in the destiny of a nation and, further, will enable a change in the destiny of all humankind." How does his statement relate to the principle of "three thousand realms in a single moment of life"?

Life at each moment contains limitless potential. When one transforms the state of one's life at this moment, the environment that surrounds it also changes, which can even result in a change in the entire world. Thus, the doctrine of 3000 realms in a single moment of life is a teaching of hope and transformation. (See Basics, 150)

What does the principle of the mutual possession of the Ten Worlds say about the potential of anyone in any of the Ten Worlds?

The mutual possession of the 10 worlds means that a life now manifesting any one of the 10 worlds possesses all of the 10 worlds. Buddhists and all people of the 9 worlds are equally endowed with all the 10 worlds and are therefore essentially equal. (See Basics, 152)

Among the "ten factors of life," the tenth and final factor, "consistency from beginning to end," means that all the other factors are consistent from the beginning to end, from the first factor, __(1)______, to the end, to the ninth factor, ______(2)_________. For example, a life presently in the world of Buddhahood will have the __(1)_____ of Buddhahood, the nature of Buddhahood, all the way through the ______(2)________ of Buddhahood, and the same principle applies to each of the Ten Worlds.

(1) appearance, (2) manifest effect

(See Basics, 152-55)

What does the principle of the "three realms of existence" teach us?

A change in the state of one's heart and mind will effect a change in every aspect of one's own life and once environment. (See Basics, 156)

Nichiren Daishonin cites the analogy of bird in a cage singing, attracting birds in the sky who gather around, causing the caged bird to strive to get out. Explain what this symbolizes.

Nam myoho renge kyo is the name of the world of Buddhahood inherent in one's own life and in all things. When 1 believes in the gohonzon and chants Nam myoho renge kyo, one awakens and summons the world of Buddhahood within one's life and further, one calls forth the world of buddha hood from within all things in the universe. In other words, one opens up the limitless potential of one's own life and activates the functions of the buddha, bodhisattvas, and heavenly beings that is, the protective forces in one's environment. (See Basics, 158)

The Gohonzon reflects the world of Buddhahood within ordinary people and allows them to observe it and bring it forth. This is why it is often viewed as a ____________________________.

clear mirror

(See Basics, 160)

Nichiren Daishonin called the Gohonzon the "____________________________," because it exemplifies the intent of the Buddha to spread the Mystic Law in the evil age after his passing and the spirit to open the way for kosen-rufu.

"banner of propagation of the Lotus Sutra"

(See Basics, 163)

The Daishonin writes: "Shakyamuni's practices and the virtues he consequently attained are all contained within the five characters of Myoho-renge-kyo. If we _______________ these five characters, we will naturally be granted the same _______________ as he was" (WND-1, 365).

believe in, benefits

(See Basics, 165)

What passage from the Lotus Sutra articulates the abiding wish or the compassionate desire of the Buddha?

"At all times I [Shakyamuni] think to myself how can I cause living beings to gain entry into the unsurpassed way and quickly acquire the body of a Buddha?"

(See Basics, 167)

Based on the Lotus Sutra's 15th chapter, who are the Bodhisattvas of the Earth? And in the sutra's 21st chapter, what do they do?

The Bodhisattvas of the Earth are those qualified to be entrusted with the task of propagating the Lotus Sutra. In the same spirit as their mentor, they make a vow to teach and spread among the people the fundamental Law for attaining Buddahood. (See Basics, 168)

Nichiren Daishonin awakened to the Law within his own life—the Law of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, which is the essence of the Lotus Sutra—and he vowed to become the "pillar," the "eyes" and the "great ship" to protect, support and guide all people to enlightenment. Regarding this task, what did the Daishonin urge his followers to do?

To take up the same task, "My wish is that all my disciples make a great vow" and entrusted them with the mission of achieving kosen-rufu. (See Basics, 169-70)

The Soka Gakkai has emerged in modern times in accord with the Buddha's intent and has taken responsibility to fulfill the vow for kosen-rufu, succeeding to the will of Nichiren Daishonin as Bodhisattvas of the Earth. How can the Bodhisattvas of the Earth be described in today's world?

They are people who live to fulfill the mission of transmitting the fundamental law for attaining Buddhahood in the midst of the most troubled times and social circumstances, allowing those burdened with the greatest misery and hardship to tap the power to build genuine happiness.

(See Basics, 170-71)

The stronger one's faith and practice becomes, the more strongly the three obstacles and four devils and the three powerful enemies will emerge to interfere. What can we do for obstacles to cease functioning as devils?

Through summoning even stronger faith and using the wisdom gained from the Daishonin's writings, one can clearly perceive devilish functions for what they are. They will at that point cease to function as devils. (See Basics, 172)

In order to attain Buddhahood, it is not enough to simply refrain from committing slander oneself. It is also important to strictly admonish and challenge the slander of others, endeavor to correct them and free them from the path to suffering. What practice does this effort describe?

This is the compassionate practice of shakubuku, spreading the teachings while challenging and defeating slander.

(See Basics, 174)

The Daishonin refers to a Buddhist principle called the "precept of adapting to local customs." What does this principle teach?

One should respect and abide by the culture and traditions of each country and region, as well as the by the customs of the times, to the extent that they do not violate the fundamental teachings of Buddhism. (See Basics, 175)

What did Shakyamuni, the founder of Buddhism, teach is the noblest and most admirable way for people to live with true dignity?

To awaken to the eternal and universal law within them and return to their original pure state of life that is free of fundamental ignorance or darkness. (See Basics, 178-79)

What did Nichiren do after examining various Buddhist sutras and finding the answer in the Lotus Sutra?

He vowed to identify and carry on the Buddhist teachings capable of realizing genuine happiness for all people and took action in exact accord with its teachings, even at the risk of his life. (See Basics, 180)

__________________ rediscovered the tradition of humanistic philosophy and practice originating with Shakyamuni and inherited by Nichiren Daishonin, recognizing it and treasuring it as the very essences of Buddhism.

The Soka Gakkai (See Basics, 182-83)

What are the three treasures of Buddhism?

The treasure of the Buddha, the treasure of the Law, and the treasure of the Buddhist order (community of believers). (See Basics, 183)

What does the treasure of the Buddhist Order refer to?

The gathering of people who believe in and practice that teaching. (See Basics, 183)

"The tenets that we hold in our heart."

In "On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land," Nichiren says that the way by which people can resolve their suffering and bring peace and security to society is by reforming "the tenets that we hold in our heart." (See Basics, 189)

"The single good doctrine"

The ultimate good taught in the Lotus Sutra - the principle that all people can bring forth their inherent Buddha nature and attain enlightenment. (See Basics, 189)

in "The Real Aspect of the Gohonzon," Nichiren writes, "This Gohonzon also is found __________________________."

only in the two characters for faith (See Basics, 195)