At various Oko ceremonies and Tozans priests have made careless anti-Islamic remarks that require apologies.
Reverend Nagasaka and Reverend Kawabe have made several referrals to "the armies of Islam" that invaded India, slaughtered monks and nuns, and destroyed Buddhism in India. These assertions are historically inaccurate and unfairly cast Islam as a militaristic religion.
Reverend Kosho Mizushima, the Vice Chief of the Nichiren Shoshu Study Department, referred to Allah as "a heartless and uncharitable god" and "a mere figment of the imagination." Mizushima described Islam as an "arrogant faith that lacks compassion" and stated that the loss of many lives in the Mid-East is a "direct manifestation of the tragic harm that is brought about by Islam."
In contrast Buddhists have much to learn from Islam. Islam has been responsible for the flowering of the arts, sciences and intellect throughout much of modern history. It has been able to unite diverse cultures throughout the world.
Questions for Jisei Nagasaka:
Is every religion and philosophy outside of Nichiren Shoshu a misleading and erroneous teaching?
If all other teachers are erroneous, how can the actions of great people who attibute their success to their religions, people such as Gandhi, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., be explained?
How can people of the world take us seriously if we claim exclusive rights to the truth? How can we become a world-wide religion befitting the new century?
How can we be seen as good neighbors and at the same time lash out at other religions?
Have the NSTNY priests responded to any of the petitions and letters they received from Muslims?
