Ikeda on Zen

In his interview with Tricycle magazine, Ikeda referred to the basic difference between Zen (and also Pure Land Buddhism) - and the Buddhism of the Lotus Sutra:

“The Zen practice of just sitting is representative of the kind of jiriki, or “self-power,” practice that makes no appeal to any kind of absolute truth or being beyond oneself.

On the other hand, the chanting of nembutsu, relying on and seeking salvation in Amida Buddha, is representative of the tariki, or “other-power,” approach.

Drawing upon the teachings of the Lotus Sutra, Nichiren declared that it was wiser to avoid leaning too much on either the “self-power” or the “other-power” approach.

Nichiren’s practice of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo leads us to discover a power and wisdom that exists within us and at the same time transcends us. It embraces aspects of both the self- and other-power practices”.