Study support pack with

sample exam questions for the

SGI-UK Grade 2 study course
 GR ADE 2 RESOUR CE PACK| 2

Introduction Contents

T
o support your study of the course material Section A, The Lotus Sutra
and help prepare you for the Grade 2 exam the (Study material parts 1 & 2) 3
study department has produced this support
pack with sample questions.
Alongside your own personal study of the course Section B, The Heritage of
material we hope that you will enjoy studying together, the Ultimate Law of Life
sharing experiences and deepening your faith with (Study material parts 3 & 4) 4
others in your local area. Please use these questions
as a starting point for your discussions.
All of the 11 questions in the actual exam will come Section C, The Three Kinds of Treasure
from this selection. (Study material part 5) 6
The markers will be instructed to be generous in
marking the exam paper. Marks will not be deducted
Section D, The priesthood issue
for spelling mistakes. Correct points not included in
(Study material part 6) 8
the marking guide from the study material can be
credited.
Exam participants can also freely express their
answers in their own words unless specifically asked
to use or complete a quotation from The Writings of
Nichiren Daishonin.
Please note that we have included a marking guide
for some of the questions, so you can see examples
of the way your exam answer would be marked and the
points you should aim to include. As you work through
this support pack, we hope it will be clear which
questions we have included a marking guide for, but in
case of any doubt, they are questions 2, 4, 5, 8, 10,
17, 19, 23, 25 and 28. ●

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4) Briefly explain how the 28 chapters of the Lotus

Sutra are divided into two halves – the theoretical
and essential teachings. (1 mark) State one
doctrine central to each one. (2 marks)
[Total = 3 marks]
(Theoretical teaching equates to the first 14
chapters of the Lotus Sutra.) Essential teaching
equates to the latter 14 chapters of the Lotus Sutra

Section A (p. 8) (1 mark for either or both)

Doctrines central to the theoretical teaching: ‘the
true aspect of all phenomena’ and ‘the attainment
The Lotus Sutra of Buddhahood by persons of the 2 vehicles’. (p. 8)
(Study material parts 1 & 2) (1 mark only for either)
Doctrines central to the essential teaching: ‘the
attainment of Buddhahood in the remote past’
(p.9) and ‘the appearance of the Bodhisattvas of
the Earth/ the entrustment of propagation of the
Mystic Law to the Bodhisattvas of the Earth’ (p.10)
1) The sutras preached before the Lotus Sutra taught (1 mark only for either)
that…. (Select three correct answers) (1 mark)
❑ Ordinary people cannot attain Buddhahood in 5) How does the Lotus Sutra describe the ‘three
this lifetime powerful enemies’ (the three kinds of people who
strongly oppress those who spread the sutra after
❑ Ordinary people stay in one of nine worlds other
Shakyamuni’s passing)? (3 marks)
than Buddhahood until they die and only then
move to another in rebirth • Arrogant lay people [who, ignorant of the
Buddhist teachings, attack the practitioners of
❑ If ordinary people wish to attain Buddhahood
the Lotus Sutra] (p. 13) (1 mark)
they have to carry out Buddhist practices
through numerous lifetimes until they eradicate • Arrogant priests [members of the Buddhist
all of their earthly desires and purify their lives clergy who persecute the practitioners of the
Lotus Sutra] (p. 13) (1 mark)
❑ When ordinary people attain Buddhahood all of
the nine worlds remain in their lives • Arrogant false sages [high ranking priests who
pass themselves off as sages or saints and
use their status and influence to persecute the
2) Which of the following is not included in the ‘six
practitioners of the Lotus Sutra] (p. 13) (1 mark)
difficult acts’ described in the 11th chapter of the
Lotus Sutra? (Select one correct answer) (Main points above in bold are sufficient for
each mark)
❑ to preach eighty-four thousand teachings
❑ to propagate the Lotus Sutra widely
6) Using the phrases below (some direct quotes,
❑ to recite it even for a short while some referring to concepts explained), briefly
❑ to teach it even to one person describe the Bodhisattvas of the Earth that appear
❑ to maintain faith in it in the ‘Emerging from the Earth’ chapter of the
Lotus Sutra. (5 marks)
3) During the Daishonin’s time, who best fitted the Phrases:
description and behaviour of the 3rd powerful • plain and unadorned ordinary people (p. 17)
enemy? (Select one correct answer) • countless (p. 10)
❑ Hei no Saemon • bodhisattvas in their appearance (cf. p. 16)
❑ Ryokan of Gokuraku-ji temple • in terms of their state of life they are in fact
❑ Hojo Tokiyori Buddhas (p. 16)
❑ Gyochi of Ryusen-ji temple • advance kosen-rufu in the Latter Day of the
Law (cf. p. 16)
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7) How does Section A part 2 of the study material

explain what ‘the earth’ in the term ‘Bodhisattvas
of the Earth’ represents? (1 mark)

8) The Bodhisattvas of the Earth are described as

emerging ‘breaking through the earth’. What does
this symbolise for the individual? (1 mark) What

Section B
does this symbolise for society? (1 mark)
[Total = 2 marks]
• The Bodhisattvas of the Earth are eternal
activists who base themselves on the Mystic
Law; theirs are lives of eternal advancement. The Heritage of the Ultimate Law of
Our summoning forth the bounding energy of Life (Study material parts 3 & 4)
these bodhisattvas constitutes the ‘emergence
of the Bodhisattvas of the Earth’ within our own
being. (p. 16) (1 mark) When we do this, we
can break through the shell of the small self
that has hitherto constrained our lives. (p. 16) 10) Based on the following quotation from the Gosho
(1 mark) and the accompanying material in Section B,
• …It comes down to people revolutionising their please explain what is needed for ‘the correct
state of life. (p. 17) (1 mark) From a broad flow of the heritage of the ultimate Law of life and
perspective, our efforts to cause countless death’ (3 marks) and also the factors which will
Bodhisattvas of the Earth to emerge – to help prevent that flow. (3 marks) [Total = 6 marks]
many people revolutionise their lives – amount
to a struggle to change the state of life of ‘All disciples and lay supporters of Nichiren should
society at large. It is a struggle to elevate the chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with the spirit of
state of all humankind. (p. 17) (1 mark) Isn’t many in body but one in mind, transcending all
this the transformation that ‘breaking through differences among themselves to become as
the earth’ symbolises? inseparable as fish and the water in which they
swim. This spiritual bond is the basis for the
(Up to 2 marks can be given in total – 1 for either universal transmission of the ultimate Law of life
of the first 2 points relating to the individual, and and death. Herein lies the true goal of Nichiren’s
1 for either of the remaining points for society. propagation. When you are so united, even the
Answers are drawn from the text but can be great desire for widespread propagation [kosen-
expressed in the candidate’s own words.) rufu] can be fulfilled. But if any of Nichiren’s
disciples disrupt the unity of many in body but one
9) Bodhisattvas of the Earth are described as in a in mind, they would be like warriors who destroy
state of ‘incomplete completeness’. Please briefly their own castle from within.’ (WND-1, p. 217)
explain this concept. (1 mark)
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Marking guide The heritage of the ultimate Law of life and death,
he says, flows in the lives of those who chant
Needed for the correct flow (Main points in bold with Nam-myoho-renge-kyo – a practice for both oneself
supporting references) and others – based on this spirit of equality and
unity. (p. 23)
Oneness of mentor and disciple/ The shared vow
of mentor and disciple (Up to a total of 3 marks. NB – these points can
The correct flow of the heritage of the ultimate Law be made in the participants’ own words. Other
of life and death is contingent on the struggle of valid points can be credited.)
mentor and disciple to realise kosen-rufu. (p. 23)
Kosen-rufu in the Latter Day of the Law is a battle Needed for preventing the correct flow (Main points in
between the Buddha and devilish functions. Without bold with supporting references)
a harmonious community of practitioners that is
solidly united in purpose and brimming with the A negative ego-driven or discriminatory mind-set
spirit of mentor and disciple, we cannot hope to What the Daishonin specifically means here
triumph in that endeavour. (p. 23) are feelings of antagonism, discrimination, and
When we embrace the great vow of the Buddha selfishness that arise from the tendency to see
as our own, chanting daimoku and undertaking self and others, or diverse phenomena or events,
the Buddha’s work for the happiness of humanity as separate and disconnected – a tendency that
and the realisation of kosen-rufu, [we can come to obstructs empathy and understanding. The heritage
appreciate that all our fellow members are people of the Buddha will not exist in such a negative, ego-
worthy of the greatest respect who, like us, are driven mind-set. (p. 23)
leading lives of supreme mission. This forms the It is all too easy for the human heart to succumb
basis of a vibrant relationship of camaraderie to egoism and self-interest when one is tempted
and inspiration that is above antagonism or by power, prestige, or personal profit, strongly
discrimination]. (p. 24) attached to status and position, or obsessed with
When we advance in the united spirit of ‘many in fame and fortune. Faith is ultimately a struggle with
body but one in mind’ based on chanting daimoku our own self-centredness. (p. 23)
for the realisation of kosen-rufu, we generate a No matter how high a person’s leadership position
powerful forward impetus and the energy to secure or what fine-sounding things they may say, if
victory. Everyone who shares in this spirit will be they have lost their faith and are motivated by
able to work together harmoniously and feel joy self-serving ends, they will find it impossible to
even in the midst of difficult struggles. Unity of remain in the pure and harmonious community of
purpose holds the key to creating such a rhythm of practitioners who share the great vow or desire for
victory, a rhythm of dynamic activity. (p. 25) kosen-rufu. (p. 23)
In other words, the ‘rhythm of the Mystic Law’ Disrupting the unity of many in body, one in mind
emerges when all unite their hearts with the
Indeed, in this writing, the Daishonin refers to those
heart of the Buddha, with the great vow for
practitioners who disrupt the unity of ‘many in body
kosen-rufu. Because everyone’s life resonates
but one in mind’ as being ‘like warriors who destroy
with the Buddha’s lofty spirit, it leads to growth,
their own castle from within’. (WND-1, p. 217) In
development, joy, and victory. It also gives rise
other words, they are like ‘worms within the lion’s
to an indestructible bastion of creative talent,
body’, destroying the kosen-rufu movement from the
happiness, and peace, where people are linked
inside. Hence, the Daishonin instructs his followers
together by deep bonds far surpassing ordinary ties
on the importance of ‘transcending all differences
of friendship. (p. 25)
among themselves’. (p. 23)
Unity of many in body, one in mind
…he urges his followers to transcend all differences
(Up to a total of 3 marks. Other valid points can
among themselves, to become as inseparable as
be credited.)
fish and water, and to unite in the spirit of ‘many in
body but one in mind’.
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Sample full mark answers:

a) For the correct flow of the heritage of the ultimate
Law of life and death it is necessary to align your
heart with the mentor and dedicate your life for
the sake of kosen-rufu (in the spirit of oneness of
mentor and disciple). It is also essential to respect
one’s fellow members’ individual personalities
and characteristics and unite in the spirit of ‘many
in body one in mind’. The factors that would
prevent the flow will be feelings of antagonism,
discrimination and selfishness, losing the desire
Section C
for kosen-rufu and disrupting the harmonious The Three Kinds of Treasure
community of believers (practising with the unity of (Study material part 5)
many in body one in mind).
b) For the correct flow of the heritage of the ultimate
Law of life and death, it is necessary to have the
faith to (a) believe that the Buddha, the Law, and
the people are all embodiment of the Mystic Law,
(b) to uphold and sustain faith in Lotus Sutra
throughout the three existences, and (c) to practise
with faith of ‘many in body one in mind’. The factors
that would prevent the flow will be (i) to distrust 15) Complete this quotation from The Writings of
and slander the Law and (ii) to disrupt the unity by Nichiren Daishonin: (2 marks)
practising ‘many in body, many in mind’. The heart of the Buddha’s lifetime of teachings
is the ...................., (two words) and the heart
11) What is meant by ‘many in body’? (1 mark). Why it
of the practice of the .................... (2 words) is
is important for our movement? (1 mark) found in the .................... (2 words) chapter.
[Total = 2 marks] What does .............................. (3 words)
profound respect for people signify? The purpose
of the appearance in this world of Shakyamuni
12) What three key points are made regarding ‘one in
Buddha, the lord of teachings, lies in ....................
mind’ or ‘unity of purpose’ as the key to victory?
.............................. (6 words)
(3 marks)

16) Complete this quotation from The Writings of

13) Referring to key points from Section B of the
Nichiren Daishonin: (2 marks)
study material that inspire you, please explain
why the unity of ‘many in body one in mind’ is so More valuable than treasures ..............................
important. (5 marks) (3 words) are the treasures ..............................
(3 words) and the treasures..............................
(3 words) are the most valuable of all. From the
14) Based on your study of the material in Section B,
time you read this letter on, strive to accumulate
please briefly describe and explain the relationship
the ................................... ! (4 words)
between the mentor and disciple in Nichiren
Daishonin’s Buddhism and the SGI. (5 marks)
17) What does President Ikeda explain is the meaning
of first Soka Gakkai President Makiguchi’s
guidance ‘If you become deadlocked, return to the
prime point’? (1 mark)
To which incident did this specifically refer for
Shijo Kingo? (1 mark)
Based on your study of this material, briefly
describe in one paragraph your own ‘prime point’.
(2 marks)
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Marking guide We can put this into practice today through our
(The Lotus Sutra is based on the spirit of) oneness efforts to deeply respect the lives of others/ share
of mentor and disciple. (1 mark) the practice with them no matter how they might
The Daishonin’s Buddhism, too, is a teaching respond to us (1 mark)
of mentor and disciple. Our prime point as Any experience based on faith (1 mark)
practitioners, therefore, is our vow to struggle An experience connected with shakubuku/striving to
together with our mentor. If we constantly return respect others (2 marks)
to this prime point of mentor and disciple, we will
never become deadlocked. (p. 35)
20) ‘Do not go around lamenting to others how hard
(For Shijo Kingo) It took place during the it is for you to live in this world.’ (WND-1, p. 850)
Tatsunokuchi Persecution (1 mark) Why does the Daishonin admonish Shijo Kingo that
As the Daishonin was being taken to the execution self-pity and complaint are to be avoided? Please
grounds, Shijo Kingo gripped the reins of his base your answer on the material in Section C.
mentor’s horse and declared that he was prepared (2 marks)
to die at his side. (p. 35)
21) Nichiren Daishonin gave Shijo Kingo guidance to
For personal ‘prime point’ (see text box on p. 35):
win the praise of all the people of Kamakura. How
• Any experience based on faith (1 mark) did he encourage him to do it? (3 marks) Why
• An experience connected with the ‘oneness of was this important? (2 marks) Please base your
mentor and disciple’ (2 marks) answer on the material in Section C.
[Total = 5 marks]
18) ‘Hell can instantly be transformed into the
Land of Tranquil Light.’ What is the meaning of 22) In his letter ‘The Three Kinds of Treasure’ how
this principle? (1 mark) How was this principle does Nichiren Daishonin encourage Shijo Kingo
‘demonstrated’ in the lives of the first two to win in his human revolution and accumulate
presidents of the Soka Gakkai? (1 mark) treasures of the heart? (5 marks)
Please base your answer on at least three points
19) Briefly describe the behaviour and practice of that particularly inspire you from your study of the
Bodhisattva Never Disparaging. (2 marks) How material in Section C.
can SGI members put this into practice today?
(1 mark) 23) How do we, in the SGI, construct a society in
Please briefly share your own experience of which harmonious coexistence and humanism
challenging to follow the practice of Bodhisattva prevail? (1 mark) What are our actions based
Never Disparaging. (2 marks) upon? (1 mark)
[Total = 5 marks] • intercultural and interfaith dialogue (p. 42)
• transcending all differences, surmounting
Marking guide barriers of ethnicity and nationality, constructing
a realm of broad and open exchange between
Bodhisattva Never Disparaging bowed to each human beings (p. 42)
person he met and addressed them as Buddhas. (1 mark for any of these points)
(1 mark) (cf. p. 41)
• based on the Lotus Sutra’s teaching (p. 42)
Even if they cursed or attacked him, he retreated to
• showing respect for others through our actions
a safe distance and continued to bow and address
(p. 42)
them as Buddhas. (1 mark) (cf. p. 41)
• all change begins from within ourselves/
Deeply apprehending the truth that everyone is a
accumulating the treasures of the heart (p. 42)
Buddha when viewed from the most fundamental
perspective of life, Bodhisattva Never Disparaging (1 mark for any of these points)
continued to bow in reverence to all whom he (up to a total of 2 marks)
met, no matter how much he was persecuted and
attacked. (p. 40)
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practitioners of the sutra is to oppose the ideals

of respect for the dignity of life, the equality of all
people, and the primacy of ordinary people. To
engage in such acts is what it means to become an
‘enemy of the Lotus Sutra’.
…from the Daishonin’s lifetime…a prime example
of an enemy of the Lotus Sutra is Ryokan (of
Gokuraku-ji temple.) (p. 44) (1 mark)

Section D (While outwardly garnering respect from people of

the time, many of whom revered him as a ‘living
Buddha’,) Ryokan covertly harboured animosity
The priesthood issue towards the Daishonin, who was striving to spread
(Study material part 6) Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, the essence of the Lotus
Sutra, and conspired to have him persecuted.
(p. 44) (1 mark)
24) In his treatise ‘On Establishing the Correct In contemporary times…., it is Nikken who
Teaching for the Peace of the Land’, Nichiren accords with the definition of an enemy of the
Daishonin writes, ‘Rather than offering up ten Lotus Sutra. (p. 44) (1 mark) …..by scheming to
thousand prayers for remedy, it would be better destroy the Soka Gakkai, the organisation working
simply to outlaw this one evil’ (WND-1, p. 15) and to accomplish the Daishonin’s will of kosen-rufu.
‘The only thing to do now is to abandon the evil (p. 44) (1 mark)
ways and take up those that are good, to cut off
this affliction at the source, to cut it off at the 26) Briefly describe the events surrounding
root.’ (WND-1, p. 17) ‘Operation C’ (3 marks)
What is the meaning of evil in Buddhism? (1 mark)
27) Please identify two doctrines of the Nikken sect
25) The Daishonin writes, ‘However great the good (2 marks) and briefly explain why/how they are
causes one may make, or even if one reads disputed by the Soka Gakkai (2 marks).
and copies the entirety of the Lotus Sutra a [Total = 4 marks]
thousand or ten thousand times, or attains the
way of perceiving three thousand realms in a
28) What is the true meaning of ‘heritage of the Law’
single moment of life, if one fails to denounce the
in Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism? (2 marks). How
enemies of the Lotus Sutra, it will be impossible to
is this understood differently in the Nikken sect?
attain the way.’ (WND-1, p. 78)
(2 marks) [Total = 4 marks]
What does it mean to be ‘an enemy of the Lotus
Sutra’? (1 mark)
‘Heritage’ or ‘lineage’ in Nichiren Buddhism has
Who accorded with this definition in Nichiren
always been something open to all people, not
Daishonin’s time? (1 mark)
the exclusive possession of an elite few. (p. 47)
Why? (1 mark) (1 mark)
Who accords with this definition in contemporary …in ‘The Heritage of the Ultimate Law of Life’,
times? (1 mark) the Daishonin writes, ‘Nichiren has been trying to
Why? (1 mark) awaken all the people of Japan to faith in the Lotus
[Total = 5 marks] Sutra so that they too can share the heritage and
The ‘enemies of the Lotus Sutra’ refers to those attain Buddhahood.’ (WND-1, p. 217).
who encourage people to abandon the Lotus Sutra In Nichiren Buddhism, the heritage is ultimately
and thereby close off the path to Buddhahood for described as the ‘heritage of faith’ (WND-1, p. 218),
all people. (p. 44) (1 mark) that is, as faith itself. (p. 47) (1 mark)
…to deny or deprecate the sutra, to impede On the other hand, the Nikken sect claims a
the spread of the sutra, or to oppress or harm mysterious, exclusive heritage that, upon receipt,
 GR ADE 2 RESOUR CE PACK| 9

automatically makes one a Buddha regardless of

faith or practice. (p. 47) (1 mark)
(This is far removed from the essential meaning
of the heritage of faith, the heritage taught by the
Daishonin.)
…Nikken and his followers hold an erroneous view
of heritage which is the source of their notion that
the high priest is absolute.
That view is as follows: There exists a mysterious
heritage or lineage that is passed on only from
one high priest to the next. Simply by receiving
that lineage, one exclusively inherits the Buddha’s
enlightenment and the essence of the Buddha’s
Law itself. (p. 47) (1 mark)
...the Nikken sect states that the transmission
of the ‘heritage of the Law’ entrusted to only one
person is surely the entity that embodies the
‘oneness of person and Law’.

(Up to 4 marks can be given in total. A candidate

can get full marks even if they focus their answer
on just one aspect of the heritage of the Law
and how it is explained differently in Nichiren
Daishonin’s Buddhism compared with the Nikken
sect. Answers are drawn from the text but can be
expressed in the candidate’s own words.)