I didn’t “propose” it. I simply asked, theoretically, if it could be done. To my mind, there’s a difference.Queequeg wrote: ↑Thu Sep 06, 2018 11:13 pmDepends on the perspective.dharmapdx wrote: ↑Thu Sep 06, 2018 9:54 pmIncorrect? Or a distinction?Queequeg wrote: ↑Wed Sep 05, 2018 10:17 pm
This is true. However, a distinction is made between the practice of calling on Avalokitesvara and the main teaching/practice of the sutra. In the East Asian Lotus traditions, the Lotus has two main messages - First, the Buddha Nature of all beings including arhats, pratyekabuddhas, and icchantikas, and Second, the Buddha's life span. Calling on Avalokitesvara is an ancillary practice based on Avalokitesvara's vow to protect those who uphold the Lotus. So, its not considered the same, especially in Nichiren schools.
For Nichiren, calling on Avalokitesvara is not an appropriate practice for the Degenerate Age.
Hairs can be split all day, but what you are proposing, chanting Om Mani Padme Hum to the Gohonzon would be proscribed by Nichiren in the strictest terms. As I wrote above, if you understood what these things mean, this question would not occur to you.
I understand what NMRK means. And it’s a bit insulting to be told that I don’t. I also understand that Nichiren said that all Buddhist practices are contained in NMRK. From that perspective, wouldn’t “Om Mani Padme Hum” be included as well? It’s weird to be told that a question wouldn’t occur to me…. Um. What?