Talk:Hokkeko

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Most of the information on this page is patently false:

  • Hokkeko was not started in 1992—the current national Hokkeko umbrella organization, officially Hokkeko Rengo Kai (Federation of Hokkeko), was incorporated under Japanese law in 1962.[1]; further, there are historical references to Hokkeko or Hokkeko-like groups dating as far back as the 14th century.
  • The writer says the priesthood (of Nichiren Shoshu) "alleges" that Nichiren coined the term himself. In fact, in his 12th-century writings, Nichiren referred to his lay followers as the Hokke-shu (strictly transliterated: Hokke-shū; 法華衆), from which the current name stems. Hokke means "Law of the Lotus" and is a reference to the Lotus Sutra; shū means a group of people.
  • The notion that Nichiren Shoshu priests are by nature authoritarian and abusive has been spread mainly by Soka Gakkai and its adherents, especially since a split resurfaced between Nichiren Shoshu and Soka Gakkai around 1991–92. Most allegations are unsubstatiated.
  • The ko of Hokkeko (or, more formally, Hokkekō) does not mean child or children (which is written 子 and pronounced ko[2]; i.e., with a short vowel). The kō[3] of Hokkeko means lay group or congregation.
  • The writer alleges that Hokkeko is in decline. To my knowledge, it is neither experiencing explosive growth nor decline; I believe that organization is growing slowly, but I have no figures to substantiate this; in any case, the assertion that it is in decline is also unsubstantiated.

While saying what Hokkeko isn't, this article fails to mention what it is; namely, the name that congregations of Nichiren Shoshu temples (over 600 in Japan and several outside) have traditionally been known by. Hokkeko is also used loosely in reference to the national federation and overseas affilliations, with each temple's group being called, for purposes of semantic differentiation, a chapter.

Hokkeko groups tend to be organized fairly loosely and are generally unregimented. Whereas some members are very active in temple-based propagation and other activities, others come only for a monthly service called o-kō (御講: "sermon ceremony"), officially gohōon-kō (御報恩講: "sermon ceremony to show grattitude to the Buddha") and other events.

In light of the above, I would like to suggest that this page, as it stands, be removed. (I don't feel that I am placed to do so unilaterally, especially as I'm still getting used to Wikipedia.) If I can find the time, I will write something myself sometime soon.

[edit] Ichinen Sanzen

Is this group "Ichinen Sanzen" part of Hokkeko? Can anyone verify for me? TY.Gammadion 17:06, 25 October 2005 (UTC)