Glossary of Terms

Anattā Pali term for the Sanskrit term anātman. According to Keown’s Dictionary of Buddhism (2003) this means non-self, the absence of self (ātman is Sanskrit for self or soul), and is a key Buddhist doctrine that states that both the individual and objects are devoid of any unchanging, eternal or autonomous substratum. It is one of the three ‘marks’ or attributes of all compounded phenomena. Keown suggests that some Buddhist schools, such as the tradition associated with the Nirvāṇa Sutra (which is cited by SGI as a key text that supports the claims of the Lotus Sutra) accept the existence of some form of transcendent self, often identified with Buddha-nature as the true self. Anātman See anattā above.

Beginner Term formerly used for newcomers to the FWBO and its practices/tech- niques of the self. Bodhisattva Damien Keown’s Dictionary of Buddhism (2003) defines this as the embodiment of the spiritual ideal of Mahāyāna Buddhism in contrast to the earlier Arhat ideal advocated by the so-called Hīnayāna. It literally means ‘enlightenment being’. The career of a bodhisattva begins by his/her generation of the aspiration to achieve enlightenment for the sake of all beings, from when s/he embarks on the path to enlightenment. Bodhisattvas of the earth In the Soka Gakkai Dictionary of Buddhism (2002) these are described as ‘An innumerable host of bodhisattvas who emerge from beneath the earth and to whom Shakyamuni Buddha entrusts the propagation of the Mystic Law, or the essence of the Lotus Sutra, in the Latter Day of the Law. Nichiren regarded his followers who embrace and propagate the Mystic Law as the Bodhisattvas of the Earth.’ This term is also used by members of SGI to describe themselves. Buddha This is not a personal name but an epithet of those who have achieved enlightenment, the goal of the Buddhist religious life. Buddhahood The state of being a Buddha, an enlightened one. Buddha-nature Within the context of SGI, this is the inherent Buddhahood of every sentient being. In this context, the task is not to achieve Buddhahood but to uncover it through practice of Nichiren Buddhism. Butsudan Literally ‘Buddha-house’. Cabinet used by Nichiren Buddhists to house the Gohonzon (see below).

Council of LBC The Council is the Board of Trustees of the charity that is the London Buddhist Centre (LBC). All of its members are Order members with specific

responsibilities. Its members include the Centre President, Centre Chairman, Centre Manager, Treasurer, outreach worker and the men and women’s mitra con- venors as well as representatives of the FWBO community businesses based around the LBC.

Daimoku The invocation of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo (see below), expressing devotion to the title (and according to Nichiren the essence) of the Lotus Sūtra. This is a central practice of Nichiren Buddhists. Dalit Member of the Indian castes formerly referred to as Untouchables, or member of one of India’s Scheduled Castes. The term Dalit is a self-chosen one by ex- Untouchables that means ‘oppressed’. Dharma (Sanskrit)/Dhamma (Pali) Throughout this book Dharma is used in its sense of the second main meaning given in Keown (2003: 24) as ‘the totality of Buddhist teachings’. Dharmic Colloquial term used within the FWBO for an approach based on the Dharma, i.e. a Buddhist approach. Dharmachari Male member of the Western Buddhist Order. Dharmacharini Female member of the Western Buddhist Order. Dharmachari(ni) Generic title for member of the Western Buddhist Order. Dzogchen The central teaching of one of the main schools of Tibetan Buddhism.

Esho funi Oneness of life and its environment.

Friend A Friend is anyone who attends FWBO activities to whatever extent. They have not made a formal commitment to the Movement. Most in this category are newcomers, beginners or regulars attending FWBO activities.

Gohonzon The maṇḍala (see below) to which Nichiren Buddhists chant daimoku (see above) and gongyō. Gongyō Twice daily recitation of portions of the Lotus Sūtra with prayers performed by Nichiren Buddhists. Gosho The individual and collective writings of Nichiren that form part of the scrip- tural canon of Nichiren Buddhists.

Hīnayāna Sanskrit for ‘small vehicle’. Pejorative term used by proponents of the Mahāyāna schools to describe the teachings of what is now known as the Theravāda school (see below). Because of its negative connotations, the preferred term Theravāda is used in this thesis.