SGI-USA INTERMEDIATE EXAM REVIEW QUESTIONS
SGI-USA INTERMEDIATE EXAM REVIEW QUESTIONS
REPUDIATING THE ERRORS OF THE NICHIREN SHOSHU PRIESTHOOD UNDER NIKKEN
1. Who are “enemies of the Lotus Sutra,” and what sorts of acts do they commit? (See The Basics
of Nichiren Buddhism, pp. 118–19)
2. Of the “five cardinal sins,” ______________________________________________
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. This is the gravest offense that Nikken committed. (See Basics, 123)
3. 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? (See Basics, 123–24)
4. The Nikken Sect claims that the high priest is an infallible object of worship or veneration. 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? (See Basics, 123–24)
5. Nikken and his followers hold an erroneous view 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. In contrast, what is this heritage as
described by Nichiren Daishonin? (See Basics, 126)
6. How does Nichiren Buddhism view positions of hierarchy between clergy and laity? (See
Basics, 127)
7. 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? (See Basics, 128)
8. The Nichiren Shoshu priesthood excommunicated the SGI on November 28, 1991, which Soka
Gakkai members consider the day they achieved their spiritual independence. Freeing
themselves from the chains of the corrupt and misguided priesthood, Soka Gakkai members
have emerged around the globe, dedicating themselves to what? (See Basics, 129)
NICHIREN DAISHONIN AND THE LOTUS SUTRA
9. The truth or reality of all things that Buddhas, through their vast and profound wisdom, are
able to perceive is called the______________________________________________.
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)
10. What does the Lotus Sutra’s “Life Span of the Thus Come One” chapter reveal about
Shakyamuni’s enlightenment? (See Basics, 137)
11. After Shakyamuni’s passing, when will the Bodhisattvas of the Earth actually appear, and
what exactly is the great Law they will spread when they do? (See Basics, 139–40)
12. 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). Please write the same phrase in both blanks. (See Basics, 140)
13. 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 ______________________________________________. (See Basics, 141)
14. 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 ______________________________________________” (WND-1, 851–52). (See Basics, 142)
15. “Emergence of the Treasure Tower,” the Lotus Sutra’s 11th chapter, describes six difficult
and nine easy acts, which emphasize the great difficulty of accepting and spreading the sutra in
the time after Shakyamuni Buddha’s passing. 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? (See Basics, 143)
16. “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? (See Basics, 144)
17. How did Nichiren Daishonin prove the validity of Shakyamuni’s words in the Lotus Sutra?
(See Basics, 145)
18. So that all people of the Latter Day of the Law could attain enlightenment, in what form did
the Daishonin express his fundamental life state of Buddhahood and what was it modeled after?
(See Basics, 146)
THREE THOUSAND REALMS IN A SINGLE MOMENT OF LIFE
19. Regarding the principle of “three thousand realms in a single moment of life,” Ikeda Sensei
expresses this principle in describing the theme of his novel 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 this principle? (See Basics, 150)
20. What does the principle of the mutual possession of the Ten Worlds say about the potential of
anyone in any of the Ten Worlds? (See Basics, 152)
21. 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, ______________________________________________, to the ninth factor, ______________________________________________
.
For example, a life presently in the world of Buddhahood will have the _____________________________
of Buddhahood, the nature of Buddhahood, all the way through the _________________________________
of Buddhahood, and the same principle applies to each of the Ten Worlds. (See Basics, 152–55)
22. What does the principle of the “three realms of existence” teach us? (See Basics, 156)
EMBRACING THE GOHONZON IS IN ITSELF OBSERVING ONE’S OWN MIND
23. 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. (See
Basics, 158)
24. 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 ______________________________________.
(See Basics, 160)
25. Nichiren 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. (See Basics, 163)
26. 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). (See Basics, 165)
THE MISSION AND PRACTICE OF THE BODHISATTVAS OF THE EARTH
27. What passage from the Lotus Sutra articulates the abiding wish or the compassionate desire
of the Buddha? (See Basics, 167)
28. 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? (See Basics, 168)
29. 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? (See Basics, 169–70)
30. 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? (See Basics, 170–71)
31. 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? (See Basics, 172)
32. 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?
(See Basics, 174)
33. The Daishonin refers to a Buddhist principle called the “precept of adapting to local
customs.” What does this principle teach? (See Basics, 175)
THE LINEAGE AND TRADITION OF BUDDHIST HUMANISM
34. What did Shakyamuni, the founder of Buddhism, teach is the noblest and most admirable
way for people to live with true dignity? (See Basics, 178–79)
35. After examining various Buddhist sutras and finding the answer in the Lotus Sutra,
_____________________________________ 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)
36. The_____________________________________ 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. (See Basics, 182–83)
37. What are the three treasures of Buddhism? (See Basics, 183)
38. What does the treasure of the Buddhist Order refer to? (See Basics, 183)
STUDYING THE WRITINGS OF NICHIREN DAISHONIN
39. 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.” When we transform our hearts and minds, what
tenet or ideal should we base them on? (See Basics, 189)
40. Being able to see the true nature of our mind, or attain enlightenment, is not something
achieved through conceptual thought or meditative practice. That is why in “The Real Aspect of
the Gohonzon,” Nichiren writes, “This Gohonzon also is found
_____________________________________
_______________________.” (See Basics, 195)
