SGI-UK Study Department

Grade 2 Questions

All the study material can be accessed at www.guidestud.org.

Background to the Study Courses

Nichiren Daishonin made it clear that study is a very important part of our practice of Buddhism: “Exert yourself in the two ways of practice and study. Without practice and study, there can be no Buddhism.” [WND-1, p386] The main purpose of the Grade 2 study course is for members to meet together and study the material on five important topics. Through discussing the questions together, the significance of the material for our daily lives will become apparent. During the study course, answers to all the questions should be prepared. In the exam, only one question from each section will be set. In the Grade 2 study course, in addition to extracting the ‘key point or points’ for the particular answer, it is important to refer back to the study material set for the question.

Section A: Prayer

President Ikeda’s Lecture on ‘The Opening of the Eyes’ chapter 16

1. How do we need to practise in order to overcome our doubts and difficulties? You should base your answer on the material in President Ikeda’s lecture.

2. Nichiren Daishonin states that ‘we will as a matter of course attain Buddhahood’ [WND-1, p283]. How can we achieve this? You should base your answer on the material in President Ikeda’s lecture.

President Ikeda’s Editorial: Daimoku – a ‘Lion’s roar’ of happiness and victory

3. In the Gosho, Nichiren Daishonin declares, ‘Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is like the roar of a lion’ [WND-1, p412] and President Ikeda in his editorial says ‘daimoku is a lion’s roar’. What do these statements mean? You should base your answer on the material in President Ikeda’s editorial.

Section B: Shakubuku, from ‘The World of Nichiren Daishonin’s Writings part 17’

1. Why did Nichiren Daishonin urge his followers to engage in shakubuku when he knew that they would be likely to encounter persecution? You should base your answer on the material.

2. ‘Compassion and philosophy are the heart of shakubuku’. Explain this sentence and give the meaning of ‘jihi’. You should base your answer on the material.

3. Give an account of the practice of Bodhisattva Never Disparaging in the Lotus Sutra and explain why it is a model for the practice of shakubuku. You should base your answer on the material.

4. What are the benefits of shakubuku? You should base your answer on the material.

Section C: Itai Doshin – Many in Body, One in Mind

President Ikeda’s Lecture on ‘The Heritage of the Ultimate Law of Life’ part 8

1. How does Nichiren Daishonin describe the harmonious community of believers? You should base your answer on the material in President Ikeda’s lecture.

2. Based on the spirit of ‘many in body, one in mind’, what is the ‘key to victory’? You should base your answer on the material in President Ikeda’s lecture.

3. How can we realise the spirit of ‘many in body, one in mind’ in our lives and activities? You should base your answer on the material in President Ikeda’s lecture.

Section D: The Oneness of Mentor and Disciple

‘The New Human Revolution’ volume 17, ‘Main Bastion’ chapter

1. What is the key to starting each year? President Ikeda always returns to this point. Describe and explain these points together with their relevance for today. You should base your answer on the material in the section from ‘The New Human Revolution’.

2. President Ikeda illustrates the relationship of mentor and disciple through the Gosho and the lives of President Makiguchi, President Toda and himself. Describe and explain. You should base your answer on the material in the section from ‘The New Human Revolution’.

3. Talking to members of the Youth Division in 1973, President Ikeda gives key points regarding the importance of the mentor and disciple relationship. Describe the points he made at that time and explain their relevance for us today. You should base your answer on the material in the section from ‘The New Human Revolution’.

Section E: The Priesthood Issue

President Ikeda’s Speech: ‘Treasuring Each Individual is the Starting Point of Kosen-rufu’

1. In several of the letters to his disciples, including one he wrote to Matsuno Rokuro Saemon, Nichiren Daishonin clearly outlines the ways in which persecution will befall those who are practising the correct teaching. What are they? You should base your answer on the material in President Ikeda’s speech.

2a. Give examples of three ways in which the Soka Gakkai supported the priesthood in the decades before excommunication.

2b. Give examples of three ways in which the priesthood oppressed or obstructed the Soka Gakkai before excommunication.

You should base your answers on the material in President Ikeda’s speech.

3. The Daishonin wrote in detail about the nature of ‘arrogant, false sages’, the third of the three powerful enemies. What are the five characteristics of these arrogant, false sages? You should base your answer on the material in President Ikeda’s speech.

4. ‘Thoughtful and informed people around the globe also began to speak out in great numbers to support and defend the Soka Gakkai’

a. Give three objective impressions on the priesthood from these voices of support.

b. Give three objective impressions on the Soka Gakkai from these voices of support.

You should base your answers on the material in President Ikeda’s speech.