The Gospel of the Lotus

The “Lotus” is a gospel of universal salvation and its purpose is to interpret the life and personality of the historical Buddha Sākya-muni as a manifestation of eternal truth (Dharma) working ever to bring all beings without exception into the all-embracing way (Eka-yāna) of salvation and enlightenment. His power of saving all is likened to the rainwater which, being one and homogeneous in itself, nourishes all plants and herbs of diverse sorts according to their respective natures and capacities. Not only was Buddha himself an example of Buddhist perfection but he also guides and inspires everyone who is ready to follow him. His working is not limited to his lifetime. He is an eternal and omnipresent Lord of the Universe, and besides his own direct instruction and inspiration, he sends innumerable saints, Bodhisattva, for the salvation of all throughout the ages. Thus we can see why Prince Shōtoku selected this book as the central theme of his lectures. His life was an emulation of this work of Buddha, and considering himself to be a Bodhisattva, he derived inspiration from those passages where Buddha’s saints were depicted as working incessantly for perfecting themselves by saving others and inducing others to take the same way to perfection.

History of Japanese Religion

Day 62 of 100

Although you two have a difference in status, if you [Munenaga] were greedy and crooked in mind and had not understood the reason behind everything, your elder brother’s disinheritance would never have been lifted. Your elder brother, Munenaka may become a Buddha due to his fervent belief in the Lotus Sūtra. However, your father would certainly go to hell for disinheriting his own son, who is a practicer of the Lotus Sūtra. In this case you would lose your older brother and father and become like Devadatta. However, as you are born wise and without greed unlike those born in the Latter Age of Degeneration, three of the Ikegami family attained Buddhahood together, saving everyone on the father’s side as well as the mother’s side.

Hyōesakan-dono Gohenji, Answer to Lord Ikegami Munenaga, Writings of Nichiren Shōnin, Volume 6, Followers I, Page 97

As you and your elder brother were born in the Latter Age of Degeneration in an outlying country and have faith in the Lotus Sūtra, I was sure that demons would possess the nation’s ruler or your parents and persecute you. But as I expected, despite your father disowning you repeatedly, you two brothers held onto your faith. Are you the reincarnation of Princes Pure Store and Pure Eyes, who led their father King Wonderful Adornment? Or is this through the discretion of Bodhisattva Medicine King and Bodhisattva Superior Practice [sic]? Your father’s disinheritance was revoked in the end and you were able to carry through with filial piety as before. Are you not filial sons in the truest sense of the word? I am sure the various heavenly beings are pleased, and the ten female rākṣasa demons, protectors of the Lotus Sūtra, accept your aspiration. Moreover, there is something heartfelt about you. When my doctrine spreads as widely as predicted in the Lotus Sūtra, I hope to share the joy with you.

Kōshi Gosho, A Letter to Filial Sons, Writings of Nichiren Shōnin, Volume 6, Followers I, Page 103-104

The letters in the first half of Volume 6, the first of the Followers collections, were written to one or the other of the two Ikegami brothers, Munenaka and Munenaga, or their wives.

Munenaka, also called by Nichiren Emon no Tayūsakan, was a warrior who lived in the Ikegami District of Musashi Province (Tokyo today). His warrior father, Yasumitsu (Saemonnotayū), was a devoted follower of Ryōkan-bō Ninshō, whom Nichiren criticized harshly. Yasumitsu twice disowned Munenaka in an effort to persuade the brothers to abandon Nichiren. Munenaga stood to gain his brother’s inheritance if he renounced the Lotus Sūtra. But the brothers remained steadfast. Eventually, Yasumitsu was convinced to change his own faith and became a follower of Nichiren Shōnin.

This would make a wonderful plot outline for a movie or at least a novel.

100 Days of Study

Daily Dharma – May 1, 2018

You, the World-Honored One, are our leader.
You give peace to gods and men.
Hearing that you assured us of our future Buddhahood,
We are relieved and satisfied.

These verses are sung by Maha-Prajāpatī Bhikṣuṇī, Yaśodharā Bhikṣuṇī, and their attendants in Chapter Thirteen of the Lotus Sūtra. In our lives we have many desires, some of which we may not recognize. We believe that when these desires are met, only then can we be happy and peaceful. At the foundation of these desires is the desire for liberation. These women recognize that with this desire we have to become enlightened, just knowing that it will be fulfilled is enough to bring joy.

The Daily Dharma is produced by the Lexington Nichiren Buddhist Community. To subscribe to the daily emails, visit zenzaizenzai.com