Introduction
The following is a statement based on my understanding of what I have received from my undoubtedly Guardian and/or Guiding Spirit. I cannot prove any of it as far as such other worldly beings are concerned. However, it is written in some of Mr. Shinji Takahashi’s books say that such occurrences would happen when practicing the Eightfold Right Path correctly. The key word here is “correctly” since I could have practiced it incorrectly by not reading his books enough to truly understand what he meant, at least in my mind if not by my heart and soul.
As I delved deeper into his writings、I found myself being drawn further into their depth and breadth. Mr. Takahashi authored over 13 or 14 books, each with intriguing titles such as Open Mind Eyes (written in Japanese as 心眼を開く), Mind Compass (心の指針), Origin of Mind (心の原点), the three-volume Discovery of Mind (心の発見 3部作), and the four-volume Nin Gen Shaka (人間釈迦), among others.
I started with a book titled Bad Spirit (悪霊). I must have been practicing correctly, as I soon moved on to Original Explanation – Prajna Sutra (原説-般若心経), which could have been the second book I read. As I mentioned in an earlier blog, I never studied traditional Buddhist texts, which might contain extensive philosophical discourse. Instead, I omitted them entirely and focused solely on Mr. Takahashi’s explanations, which were written in Japanese and easily understandable to me.
Discovering Buddhism Through Mr. Shinji Takahashi’s Teachings
The Buddhism I thought I knew from observing my stepfather’s beliefs was different from what I later came to understand. My stepfather practiced Nichiren Shu, a sect of Buddhism that followed the teachings of Nichiren, a Japanese monk from the 13th century. I never understood why it was called Nichiren Shu instead of simply Buddhism. Was it not Buddhism? If it was, why the distinction? Eventually, I stopped pondering this question, as I was already in my mid-40s and found it difficult to comprehend the logic behind it.
When I first opened Bad Spirit, its content resonated with me instantly. I must have purchased the next book without hesitation. This book detailed the life of Buddha, starting from the moment he left the palace. It even included specific details such as the name of the horse he rode that night, the young guard he threatened, and his horsekeeper, Chundaka. The horse’s name, if I remember correctly, was Tankuwa.
I often wondered how Mr. Takahashi knew all these details. Unless he had conducted extensive research, how could he have written such vivid descriptions? He claimed that these scenes appeared before him as visions, which he simply recorded. I had never heard of anyone writing a book purely based on visions, yet I had no choice but to take his words for it.
Despite being an amateur in Buddhist studies, Mr. Takahashi wrote extensively on the subject. He stated that he had nothing to lose if he made mistakes. However, seasoned monks and Buddhist scholars later confirmed many of his claims, bringing forth evidence that validated his writings. As his speeches and writings gained traction, more people followed him, and what started as a small gathering in his living room eventually became a significant movement during his lifetime.
My Journey with Mr. Takahashi’s Books
Since first encountering his books in a Tokyo bookstore in the mid-1990s, I have read some ten core books by Mr. Takahashi over 200 times. This is significant considering that I was never an avid reader outside of my business textbooks at San Diego State University’s Graduate Business School. Growing up in Japan, I read weekly manga magazines for fun and even considered becoming a manga artist. However, reading traditional Buddhist texts was never a part of my upbringing, despite my stepfather’s devotion to Nichiren Shu.
At home, we had several Nichiren Shu texts. I never opened them voluntarily, but I was required to chant with my stepfather during monthly visits from the local monk. These chanting sessions lasted nearly two hours, during which we had to sit in seiza (kneeling on a cushion on the tatami floor). This often left my legs numb.
As I grew older, around the age of 13 or 14, I began questioning our religious beliefs and practices. For instance, I always assumed that Buddha was Japanese, only to later learn that he was not. Furthermore, I never understood why our home religion was not simply called Buddhism. Only later did I learn that Nichiren brought the Lotus Sutra from China to Japan, yet I was never taught what it meant to believe in the Lotus Sutra.
Mr. Takahashi’s interpretation of the Lotus Sutra differed from traditional Buddhist explanations. He emphasized that Buddha would not have used philosophical language, as he aimed to save people who could neither read nor write. Such individuals would not have understood complex terminology. Instead, Buddha used metaphors and analogies to make his teachings accessible. I found this explanation more convincing than traditional interpretations, which often felt incomprehensible to me.
Practicing the Eightfold Right Path vs. Chanting Buddhist Texts
One of the most shocking things I learned from Mr. Takahashi’s lecture was his view of Nichiren Shu’s practice of chanting “Nam Myoho Renge Kyo” repeatedly for nearly two hours. He dismissed it as nothing more than a vocal exercise. It was true that I used to be forced to some degree to chant the same phrase over and over.
He humorously suggested that if Buddha were present, he would scold those chanting his words back at him, as he already knew their meaning since he knew best as he was the one who preached it. Instead, he argued that people should practice the teachings in their daily lives rather than merely reciting them.
This perspective resonated with me deeply. It led me to focus on practicing the Eightfold Right Path in my everyday life rather than engaging in ritualistic chanting. Through this approach, I felt that I was making real progress on my spiritual journey.
Conclusion
My exploration of subconsciousness and surface consciousness has been shaped significantly by Mr. Shinji Takahashi’s writings. His teachings provided me with clarity and a practical approach to Buddhism, distinct from the traditional practices I grew up with. By following the Eightfold Right Path as he explained it, I have gained insights that have transformed my understanding of life and spirituality.