Monthly Archives: June 2018

buddhaseed

The Buddha’s Ultimate Compassion

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With the Odaimoku of Namu Myoho Renge Kyo the Buddha’s virtue of Ichinen Sanzen is transferred to us naturally. It is the Buddha’s way to save living beings in Mappō. Nichiren Shōnin understood this through his faith. It is the virtue of the Odaimoku left by the Buddha for those who are in Mappō. It is the Buddha’s ultimate compassion.

Buddha Seed: Understanding the Odaimoku

Daily Dharma

Daily Dharma – June 12, 2018

The merits of the [fiftieth] person
[Who hears this sūtra] are immeasurable.
Needless to say, so are the merits of the first person
Who rejoices at hearing it in the congregation.

The Buddha sings these verses to Maitreya Bodhisattva in Chapter Eighteen of the Lotus Sutra. This chapter includes a story of a person who hears the Wonderful Dharma, then explains it to the best of their ability to someone else. In this way there is a chain of fifty people who hear versions of this teaching modified by the capacities of those transmitting it. The effectiveness of this teaching does not depend on who delivers it. No matter what our capacity, any of us can teach the Lotus Sutra and practice it in our lives.

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

LS32

Day 10

Day 10 concludes Chapter 6, Assurance of Future Buddhahood, and opens Chapter 7, The Parable of a Magic City.

Having last month concluded Chapter 6, Assurance of Future Buddhahood, we open Chapter 7, with the story of Great-Universal-Wisdom-Excellence Buddha.

The Buddha said to the Bhikṣus:

“A countless, limitless, inconceivable, asaṃkhya number of kalpas ago, there lived a Buddha called Great-Universal-Wisdom-Excellence, the Tathāgata, the Deserver of Offerings, the Perfectly Enlightened One, the Man of Wisdom and Practice, the Well-Gone, the Knower of the World, the Unsurpassed Man, the Controller of Men, the Teacher of Gods and Men, the Buddha, the World-Honored One. His world was called Well-Composed; and the kalpa in which he became that Buddha, Great-Form.

“Bhikṣus! It is a very long time since that Buddha passed away. Suppose someone smashed all the earth-particles of one thousand million Sumeru-worlds into ink-powder. Then he went to the east[, carrying the ink-powder with him]. He inked a dot as large as a particle of dust [with that ink-powder] on the world at a distance of one thousand worlds from his world. Then he went again and repeated the inking of a dot on the world at every distance of one thousand worlds until the ink-powder was exhausted. What do you think of this? Do you think that any mathematician or any disciple of a mathematician could count the number of the worlds [he went through]?”

“No, we do not, World-Honored One!”

“Bhikṣus! Now all the worlds he went through, whether they were inked or not, were smashed into dust. The number of the kalpas which have elapsed since that Buddha passed away is many hundreds of thousands of billions of asaṃkhyas larger than the number of the particles of the dust thus produced. Yet I remember [the extinction of] that Buddha by my power of insight as vividly as if he had passed away today.”

The Introduction to the Lotus Sūtra offers this on the topic of previous existences and Three Methods of Expounding the Law:

[Chapter 7, The Parable of a Magic City,] has two distinct parts. The first is a story of the previous existence of a Buddha called Great-Universally-Excelling-Wisdom. The second consists of the parable for which this chapter is named, “The Magic City.” The concept of previous existences is a fundamental teaching in Buddhism. Its rationale is that there must be some prior meaning or conditions before something else can come into existence. (Nothing comes from nothing, and nothing takes place without a cause.) The story of a previous life here refers to a particular incident in the past which has led to the emergence of a present situation—that is, the origin of things. In the Lotus Sutra, Sakyamuni is said to employ three methods of expounding the law: logical explanations, parables, and stories of previous lives.

Introduction to the Lotus Sutra

Doctrines of Nichiren

Chief Object of Worship

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Just as the waters of a thousand rivers, entering the ocean, all mingle with each other and acquire one and the same flavour in spite of their individual differences, so all entities, when once brought together in the great ocean of Buddha’s Truth, and perceived by the eye of Buddha’s intellect, are instantly fused into one, and show themselves identical with that very intellect itself — the great intellect of the Buddha of Original Enlightenment. In this way Sakyamuni showed that the Mandala, or Chief Object of Worship, was his own body. But his idea, in all its truth and fullness, does not stop here. He went further, and taught that the body of any ordinary person, nay of any living creature, may be the object of worship, since it is identical with the body of Buddha himself, “What is the real substance of the [Lotus Sutra]?” asks Nichiren. “It is nothing else than a human being, who, born of human parents, believes in this [Lotus Sutra].”

Doctrines of Nichiren (1893)

Lotus Path

The Greatest Song

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When we chant the Odaimoku we are on one hand meditatively engaging in the recitation of the Sacred Title of the Lotus Sutra, we are also singing our praise of the teachings of the Buddha, which it contains. The greatest song we can sing is the Odaimoku that comes from joy within our lives. When we can chant with great joy, a joy that wells up from within then our entire life becomes a song. Our life can touch other’s lives through the beautiful music that is our unique life.

Lotus Path: Practicing the Lotus Sutra Volume 1

Daily Dharma

Daily Dharma – June 11, 2018

They felt lonely and helpless because they thought that they were parentless and shelterless. Their constant sadness finally caused them to recover their right minds. They realized that the medicine had a good color, smell and taste. They took it and were completely cured of the poison.

The Buddha explains his parable of the wise physician in Chapter Sixteen of the Lotus Sūtra. In the story, the physician’s children take poison by mistake. Some refuse the antidote provided by their father until he leaves home and sends word back that he has died. The children realized that they had to accept what their father had left for them, rather than continuing to refuse his cure. In the Lotus Sūtra the Buddha stops adapting to our minds and brings us into his mind. It is only when we use our suffering to increase our determination to reach enlightenment, rather than as an indicator of our shortcomings, can we recover our right minds and realize what the Buddha teaches.

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

LS32, WONS

Day 9

Day 9 covers Chapter 5, The Simile of Herbs, and introduces Chapter 6, Assurance of Future Buddhahood.

Having last month concluded Chapter 5, The Simile of Herbs, we begin Chapter 6, Assurance of Future Buddhahood and the prediction of future Buddhahood of Mahā-Kāśyapa.

Thereupon the World-Honored One, having sung these gāthās, said to the great multitude [of bhikṣus]:

“This Mahā-Kāśyapa, a disciple of mine, will see three hundred billions of Buddhas, of World-Honored Ones, make offerings to them, respect them, honor them, praise them, and expound an innumerable number of their great teachings in his future life. After that, on the final stage of his physical existence, he will become a Buddha, called Light, the Tathāgata, the Deserver of Offerings, the Perfectly Enlightened One, the Man of Wisdom and Practice, the Well-Gone, the Knower of the World, the Unsurpassed Man, the Controller of Men, the Teacher of Gods and Men, the Buddha, the World-Honored One. His world will be called Light-Virtue; and the kalpa in which he will become that Buddha, Great-Adornment. The duration of the life of that Buddha will be twelve small kalpas. His right teachings will be preserved for twenty small kalpas, and the counterfeit of his right teachings will be preserved also for twenty small kalpas. His world will be adorned, and not be defiled with tile-pieces, rubble, thorns or dirt. The ground [of his world] will be even, and devoid of pits and mounds. It will be made of lapis lazuli. Jeweled trees will stand in lines, and the roads will be marked off by ropes of gold. Jeweled flowers will be strewn all over the ground, and the ground will be purified. Many hundreds of thousands of millions of Bodhisattvas and innumerable Śrāvakas will live in that world. Although Mara and his followers also will live there, they will not do any evil but protect the teachings of the Buddha.”

Here’s something Nichiren offered about Mahā-Kāśyapa:

Venerable Mahā-Kāśyapa was the most honorable priest in the world Jambudvīpa), second only to the Buddha. As a layman he was a wealthy person with 60 warehouses, each of which contained 140 koku (about 500 metric tons) of gold. He owned other treasures, too numerous to count. Asked about the previous life of Mahā-Kāśyapa and how he became such a wealthy person, Śākyamuni Buddha answered, “With the merit of offering a bowl of rice mixed with barley to a pratyekabuddha during a famine in the past, Mahā-Kāśyapa was reborn in the Trāyastriṃsá Heaven 1,000 times. Then he encountered Śākyamuni in this life, becoming foremost among His disciples, and was guaranteed to be a Buddha named Light Buddha in the future.” Thus it is stated by Grand Master T’ien-t’ai in his Words and Phrases of the Lotus Sutra, fascicle one.

Nanjō-dono Gohenji, Reply to Lord Nanjō , Writings of Nichiren Shōnin, Volume 7, Followers II, Pages 12-13

History of Japanese Religion

A Religion of All-Embracing Love and Salvation

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The characteristic feature of Buddhism in Japan consists in the emphasis laid on the universal communion to be realized and the dedication of one’s own wisdom and merit to one’s fellow beings. This universalism was indeed an ideal never dreamt of before by the Japanese, and this religion of all-embracing love and salvation gave the people a wider and deeper comprehension of human life, an aspiration for an incomparably broader communion than had been taught by Shinto or Confucianism.

History of Japanese Religion

WONS, 100 Days of Study, Nyonin

Table of Contents

Below are the table of contents for the seven  volumes of the Writings of Nichiren  Shōnin and  Nyonin Gosho.  The  Nyonin Gosho listing identifies those letters not included in the seven volumes with “NOT IN WONS.”

Doctrine 1

  1. Shugo Kokka-ron (ST doc. 15) (Treatise on Protecting the Nation) Page 1
  2. Sainan Kōki Yurai (ST doc. 20) (The Cause of Misfortunes) Page 81
  3. Sainan Taiji-shō (ST doc. 21) (Treatise on the Elimination of Calamities) Page 89
  4. Risshō Ankoku-ron (ST doc. 24) (Treatise on Spreading Peace Throughout the Country by Establishing the True Dharma) Page 105
  5. Ankoku-ron Soejō (ST doc. 48) (Covering Letter to the ” Risshō Ankoku-ron”)
  6. Ankoku-ron Gokanyurai (ST doc. 49) (The Reason for Submitting the ” Risshō Ankoku-ron”) Page 146
  7. Yadoya Nyūdō Sai-gojō (ST doc. 51) (Second Letter to Lay Priest Yadoya) Page 152
  8. Ankoku-ron Okugaki (ST doc. 69) (Postscript to the “Risshö Ankoku-ron” ) Page 154
  9. Ko Saimyōji Nyūdō Kenzan Gosho (ST doc. 71) (Meeting the Late Lay Priest Saimyöji Letter) Page 156
  10. Kingo-dono Go-henji (ST doc. 73) (A Reply to Lord Ota Jōmyō) Page 157
  11. Ankoku-ron Sōjō (ST doc. 108) (A Letter Requesting the “Risshō Ankoku-ron”) Page 160
  12. Musō Gosho (ST doc. 111) (Record of a Dream) Page 161
  13. Kassen Zai-Genzen Gosho (ST doc. 155) (A War Right Under Your Nose) Page 162
  14. Ken Risshō-i Shō (ST doc. 156) (A Tract Revealing the Gist of the “Risshō Ankoku-ron”) Page 163
  15. Shinkoku-ō Gosho (ST doc. 168) (Sovereigns of Our Divine Land) Page 167
  16. Senji-shō (ST doc. 181) (Selecting the Right Time) Page 187
  17. Gōnin-jō Go-henji (ST doc. 200) (Response to Gōnin’s Letter) Page 253
  18. Kangyō Hachiman-shō (ST doc. 395) (Remonstration with Bodhisattva Hachiman) Page 257

Doctrine 2

  1. Jisshō-shō (ST doc. 81) (A Treatise on the Ten Chapters of the Great Concentration and Insight) Page 1
  2. Teradomari Gosho (ST doc. 92) (A Letter from Teradomari) Page 8
  3. Hasshū Imoku-shō (ST doc. 96) (A Treatise on the Differences of the Lotus Sect from Eight Other Sects) Page 15
  4. Kaimoku-shō (ST doc. 98) (Open Your Eyes to the Lotus Teaching) Page 29
  5. Toki-dono Go-henji (ST doc. 101) (A Response to Lord Toki) Page 118
  6. Shingon Shoshū Imoku (ST doc. 106) (The Differences between the Lotus Sect and Other Sects such as the True Word Sect) Page 120
  7. Kanjin Honzon-shō (ST doc. 118) (A Treatise Revealing the Spiritual Contemplation and the Most Venerable One) Page 126
  8. Kanjin Honzon-shō Soejō (ST doc. 119) (The Covering Letter of the “Kanjin Honzon-shō”) Page 168
  9. Kembutsu Mirai-ki (ST doc. 125) (A Testimony to the Prediction of the Buddha) Page 170
  10. Toki-dono Go-henji (ST doc. 126) (A Response to Lord Toki) Page 180
  11. Hakii Saburō-dono Go-henji (ST doc. 127) (A Response to Lord Hakii Saburō) Page 82
  12. Shōjō Daijō Fumbetsu-shō (ST doc. 136) (The Differences between Hinayana and Mahayana Teachings) Page 190
  13. Gochū Shujō Gosho (ST doc. 139) (“People in the World” Letter) Page 201
  14. Hokke Shuyō-shō (ST doc. 145) (A Treatise on the Essence of the Lotus Sutra) Page 204
  15. Risshō Kanjō (ST doc. 158) (A Treatise on Establishing the Right Way of Meditation) Page 218
  16. Risshō Kanjō Sōjō (ST doc. 165) (The Covering Letter to “A Treatise on Establishing the Right Way of Meditation’) Page 234
  17. Misawa-shō (ST doc. 275) (A Letter to Lord Misawa of Suruga) Page 238
  18. Shimon Butsujō-gi (ST doc. 277) (Listening to the One Buddha Vehicle Teaching for the First Time) Page 245
  19. Toki Nyüdō-dono Go-henji: Chibyō-shō (ST doc. 294) (A Response to Lay Priest Lord Toki: Treatise on Healing Sickness) Page 251
  20. Honzon Mondō Shō (ST doc. 307) Questions and Answers on the Honzon Page 258
  21. Toki Nyūdō-dono Go-henji: Hongon Shukkai-shō (ST doc. 310) (A Response to Lay Priest Lord Toki: Treatise on Overcoming Illusions of the Triple World by Provisional Teachings) Page 275
  22. Shokyō to Hokekyō to Nan’i no Koto (ST doc. 367) (The Difficulty and Easiness in Understanding the Lotus Sutra and Other Sutras) Page 281
  23. Sandai Hihō Honjō-ji (ST doc. 403) (The Transmission of the Three Great Secret Dharmas) Page 286

Doctrine 3

  1. Hōon-jō (ST doc. 223) (Essay on Gratitude) Page 1
  2. Hōon-jō Sōmon (ST doc. 224) (Covering Letter to the “Hōon-jō”) Page 64
  3. Ichidai Shōgyō Tai-i (ST. doc. 10) (Outline of All the Holy Teachings of the Buddha) Page Page 66
  4. Kyōki Jikoku-shō (ST. doc. 29) (Treatise on the Teaching, Capacity, Time and Country) Page 96
  5. Ken Hōbō-shō (ST. doc. 31) (Clarification of Slandering the Time Dharma) Page 105
  6. Nanjō Hyōe Shichirō-dono Gosho (ST. doc. 38) (A Letter to Lord Nanjō Hyōe Shichirō) Page 138
  7. Soya Nyüdō-dono-gari Gosho (ST. doc. 170) (A Letter to Lay Priest Lord Soya) Page 147
  8. Shoshü Mondō-shō (ST doc. 5) (Questions and Answers on Other Schools) Page 175
  9. Hokke Jōdo Mondō-shō (ST doc. 94) (Questions and Answers on the Lotus and Pure Land Sects) Page 189
  10. Soya Nyüdō-dono Gosho (ST doc. 154) (A Letter to Lay Priest Lord Soya) Page 195
  11. Ōta-dono-gari Gosho (ST. doc. 159) (A Letter to Lord Ota) Page 197
  12. San Sanzō Kiu no Koto (ST. doc. 183) (Concerning the Prayer Services for Rain by Three Tripitaka Masters) Page 203
  13. Daigaku Saburō-dono Gosho (ST doc. 186) (A Letter to Lord Daigaku Saburō) Page 210
  14. Jikaku Daishi no Koto (ST doc. 361) (Concerning Grand Master Jikaku) Page 215
  15. Nizen Nijō Bosatsu Fusabutsu Ji (ST doc. 17) (Never-Attaining Buddhahood by the “livo Vehicles and Bodhisattvas in the Pre-Lotus Sutras) Page 218
  16. Nijō SabutsuJi (ST doc. 19) (Obtaining Buddhahood by the Two Vehicles) Page 224
  17. Ichidai Goji Keizu (ST doc. zu 20) (Genealogical Chart of the Buddha’s Lifetime Teachings) 237

Volume 4, Faith and Practice

  1. Shō Hokke Daimoku-shō (ST. doc. 23) (Treatise on Chanting the Daimoku of the Lotus Sutra) Page 1
  2. Yakuō-bon Tokui-shō (ST. doc. 41) (The Essence of the “Medicine King Bodhisattva” Chapter) Page 27
  3. Hokke Daimoku-shō (ST. doc. 44) (Treatise on the Daimoku of the Lotus Sutra) Page 35
  4. Zemmui-shō (ST. doc. 46) (Treatise on Subhākarasimha) Page 49
  5. Kitō-shō (ST. doc. 1 13) (Treatise on Prayers) Page 57
  6. Shohō Jissō-shō (ST. doc. 122) (Treatise on All Phenomena as the Ultimate Reality) Page 74
  7. Nyosetsu Shugyō-shō (ST. doc. 124) (The Way of Practicing the Teaching of the Buddha) Page 81
  8. Mokue Nizō Kaigen no Koto (ST. doc. 138) (Opening the Eyes of Buddhist Images, Wooden Statues or Portraits) Page 89
  9. Hōkyō Hōjū Ji (ST. doc. 217) (Dharma Is More Precious Than Treasure) Page 94
  10. Jiri Kuyō Gosho (ST. doc. 230) (Phenomenal Offering and Noumenal Offering) Page 97
  11. Shishin Gohon-shō (ST. doc. 242) (The Four Depths of Faith and Five Stages of Practice) 100
  12. Ueno-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 246) (A Reply to Lord Ueno) Page 110
  13. Toki-dono Gosho (ST. doc. 255) (A Letter to Lord Toki) Page 115
  14. Sushun Tennō Gosho (ST. doc. 262) (The “Emperor Sushun” Letter) Page 119
  15. Ueno-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 276) (A Reply to Lord Ueno) Page 125
    16, Ueno-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 282) (A Reply to Lord Ueno) Page 127
  16. Dannotsu-bō Gohenji (ST. doc. 283) (Response to a Follower) Page 130
  17. Nichinyo Gozen Gohenji (ST. doc. 293) (A Response to My Lady Nichinyo) Page 132
  18. Myōhō-ama Gozen Gohenji (ST. doc. 301) (A Reply to My Lady, the Nun Myōhō) Page 140
  19. Sennichi-ama Gozen Gohenji (ST. doc. 302) (A Reply to My Land Nun Sennichi) Page 144
  20. Kurōtarō-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 317) (A Reply to Lord Kurōtarō) Page 152
  21. Zui-jii Gosho (ST. doc. 321) (The Sutra Preached in Accordance to [the Buddha’s} Own Mind) Page 154
  22. Ueno-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 350) (A Reply to Lord Ueno) Page 162
  23. Ota-dono Nyōbō Gohenji (ST. doc. 370) (A Response to the Wife of Lord Ota) Page 165
  24. Urabon Gosho (ST. doc. 374) (On the Ullambana Service) Page 171
  25. Ueno-dono Haha-ama Gozen Gohenji (ST. doc. 388) (A Response to My Lady the Nun, Mother of Lord Ueno) Page 177
  26. Hokke Shōmyō-shō (ST. doc. 429) (Treatise on the Testimony of the Lotus Sutra) Page 184

Volume 5, Biography and Disciples

  1. Fudō-Aizen Kanken-ki (ST. doc. 3) (Record of Seeing Fudō and Aizen Myōō) Page 1
  2. Rondan Tekitai Gosho (ST. doc. 32) (On Religious Debate and Confrontation) Page 2
  3. Gyōbin Gohenji (ST. doc. 83) (Response to Gyōbin) Page 3
  4. Gyōbin Sojō Goetsū (ST. doc. 84) (Understanding Gyōbin’s Petition) Page 5
  5. Toki-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 86) (Reply to Lord Toki) Page 10
  6. Shōtō Shiji Gosho (ST. doc. 121) (Writing about the Right Time Now) Page 12
  7. Hokke Gyōja Chinan-ji (ST. doc. 140) (Difficulty of the Practicer of the Lotus Sutra) Page 13
  8. Mikyōtenchō Gosho (ST. doc. 143) (Mikyōtenchō Letter) Page 17
  9. Toki-dono Gosho (ST. doc. 144) (A Letter to Lord Toki) Page 18
  10. Shōnin Chi-sanze-ji (ST. doc. 157) (The Sage Knows the Three Periods) Page 19
  11. Shuju Onfurumai Gosho (ST. doc. 176) (Reminiscences: from Tatsunokuchi to Minobu) Page 21
  12. Kōnichi-bō Gosho (ST. doc. 213) (A Letter to Nun Kōnichi) Page 47
  13. Ha Ryōkan-tō Gosho (ST. doc. 236) (A Letter Refuting Ryōkan-bō and Others) Page 54
  14. Gense Muken Gosho (ST. doc. 239) (Hell of Incessant Suffering in This Life) Page 63
  15. Shimoyama Goshōsoku (ST. doc. 247) (The Shimoyama Letter) Page 65
  16. Yorimoto Chinjō (ST. doc. 249) (Yorimoto’s Letter of Explanation) Page 99
  17. Ajichi Shūfuku-sho (ST. doc. 268) (Repairing the Hermitage in Minobu) Page 113
  18. Kōan Kaigen-ji (ST. doc. 278) (Changing the Year Name to Kōan) Page 114
  19. Shonin Gohenji (ST. doc. 280) (Reply to the Followers) Page 115
  20. Ichidaiji Gosho (ST. doc. 334) (A Letter to a Matter of Importance) Page 116
  21. Shōnin Gonan Ji (ST. doc. 343) (Persecution Befalling Nichiren Shōnin) Page 117
  22. Taifū Gosho (ST. doc. 404) (A Letter Regarding Two Typhoons) Page 121
  23. Jibiki Gosho (ST. doc. 416) (Leveling the Ground Letter) Page 122
  24. Rōbyō Gosho (ST. doc. 417) (Letter of Old Age and Sickness) Page 124
  25. Minobu-san Gosho (ST. doc. 432) (Mt. Minobu Letter) Page 125
  26. Hakii-dono Gohō (ST. doc. 433) (Letter to Lord Hakii) Page 132
  27. Musashi-dono Goshōsoku (ST. doc. 13) (A Letter to Venerable Priest Musashi) Page 134
  28. Jūjū Bibasha Ron Tazune Idashi Gosho (ST. doc. 14) (A Letter Requesting for a Copy of the Commentary on the Ten Stages) Page 135
  29. Mikoshi Buri Gosho (ST. doc. 64) (Intimidation with the Portable Shrine) Page 137
  30. Ben-dono Goshōsoku (ST. doc. 65) (A Letter to Ben Acarya) Page 139
  31. Hōmon Mōsaru-beki-yō no Koto (ST. doc. 70) (The Way to Refute the Evil Teaching) Page 140
  32. Gonin Tsuchirō Gosho (ST. doc. 88) (A Letter co Five Disciples in the Dungeon) Page 153
  33. Ben-dono Goshōsoku (ST. doc. 109) (Letter to Ben Ācārya Nisshō) Page 155
  34. Ben-dono Ama Gozen Gosho (ST. doc. 129) (A Letter to My Lady the Nun of Ben-dono) Page 156
  35. Shōmitsu-bō Gosho (ST. doc. 148) (A Letter to Shōmitsu-bō) Page 158
  36. Bettō Gobō Gohenji (ST. doc. 149) (A Reply to the Head Priest) Page 165
  37. Jōrem-bō Gosho (ST. doc. 184) (A Letter to Jōrem-bō) Page 167
  38. Seichōji Daishü-chü (ST. doc. 205) (A Letter to the People Of the Seichōji Temple) Page 174
  39. Kakushō Gobō Gohenji (ST. doc. 436) (A Reply to Kakushō Gobō) Page 178
  40. Takenoko Gosho (ST. doc. 216) (Bamboo Shoot Letter) Page 179
  41. Kakushō-bō Gohenji (ST. doc. 221) (A Reply to Kakushō Gobō) Page 180
  42. Ben-dono Goshōsoku (ST. doc. 222) (A Letter to Nisshō Shōnin) Page 181
  43. Iwamoto Nitchū Shōnin Gohenji (ST. doc. 263) (A Reply to Iwamoto Nitchū Shōnin) Page 183
  44. Jissōji Gosho (ST. doc. 271) (A Letter to Buzen-kō at the Jissōji Temple) Page 185
  45. Rin’u Gosho (ST. doc. 289) (Letter of a Long Rain) Page 189
  46. Echigo-kō Gobō Gohenji (ST. doc. 437) (A Response to Echigo-kō Gobō) Page 190
  47. Hōki-dono Gosho (ST. doc. 342) (A Letter to Reverend Nikkō) Page 191
  48. Hōki-dono narabini Shonin Onchū (ST. doc. 438) (A Letter co Reverend Nikkō and Others) Page 192
  49. Hōki-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 344) (A Reply to Reverend Nikkō) Page 193
  50. Ryūsenji Mōshijō (ST. doc. 345) (Letter Of Explanation by Priests of the Ryüsenji Temple) Page 195
  51. Hendoku Iyaku Gosho (ST. doc. 346) (Letter on Changing Poison into Medicine) Page 202
  52. Ryōnin Onchū Gosho (ST. doc. 385) (Letter Addressed to the Two) Page 204
  53. Chimyō-bō Gohenji (ST. doc. 393) (A Reply to Chimyō-bō) Page 206
  54. Hōkiko Gobō Shōsoku (ST. doc. 428) (Letter to Reverend Nikkō) Page 209

Volume 6, Followers 1

  1. Toki-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 2) (Response to Lord Toki) Page 1
  2. Monchü Tokui-shō (ST. doc. 66) (Writ of Summons as Our Rare Opportunity) Page 2
  3. Toki dono Goshōsoku (ST. doc. 67) (A Letter to Lord Toki) Page 4
  4. Toki-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 131) (Response to Lord Toki) Page 5
  5. Toki-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 162) (Response to Lord Toki) Page 6
  6. Onkoromo narabini Hitoe Gosho (ST. doc. 195) (Thank-you Note for a Clerical Robe and an Unlined Kimono) Page 8
  7. Sonrei Gobodai Gosho (ST. doc. 198) (Enlightenment Attained by the Soul of the Deceased) Page 10
  8. BōjikyōJi (ST. doc. 212) (Leaving the Personal Copy of the Lotus Sutra Behind) Page 11
  9. Dōjōjin Shugo-ji (ST. doc. 232) (Protective Deities for the Place of Practicing Buddhism) Page 15
  10. Nezumi Iruka no Koto (ST. doc. 251) (A Harbor Porpoise Letter) Page 17
  11. Toki Nyüdō-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 351) (A Reply to Lay Priest Lord Toki) Page 19
  12. Toki Nyüdō-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 364) (A Reply to Lay Priest Lord Toki) Page 20
  13. Toki-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 389) (A Reply to Lord Toki) Page 21
  14. Toki Nyüdō-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 413) (Response to Lay Priest Lord Toki) Page 23
  15. Esshū Chakunan narabini Saini no Koto (ST. doc. 414) (Legitimate Son of the Governor of Echigo and the Son’s Nun Wife) Page 27
  16. Teniü Kyōju Hōmon (ST. doc. 89) (Lightening the Karmic Retribution) Page 28
  17. Ōta Nyūdō-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 197) (A Reply to Lay Priest Lord Ota) Page 32
  18. Jobyō Gosho (ST. doc. 201) (Reporting the Recovery from Sickness) Page 38
  19. Jōmyō Shōnin Gohenji (ST. doc. 243) (A Reply to Holy Priest Ota Jōmyō) Page 39
  20. Jōmyō Shōnin Gohenji (ST. doc. 337) (A Reply to Venerable Jōmyō) Page 41
  21. Hōren-shō (ST. doc. 175) (Letter to Hōren) Page 42
  22. Soya Jirō Nyūdō-dono Gohō (ST. doc. 408) (Response to Lay Priest Lord Soya Jirō) Page 64
  23. Kyōdai-shō (ST. doc. 174) (A Letter to the Ikegami Brothers) Page 71
  24. Hyōesakan-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 248) (Answer to Lord Ikegami Munenaga) Page 85
  25. Hyōesakan-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 254) (Answer to Lord Ikegami Munenaga) Page 86
  26. Hyōesakan-dono Gosho (ST. doc. 260) (A Letter to Lord Ikegami Munenaga) Page 88
  27. Hyōesakan-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 266) (Answer to Lord Ikegami Munenaga) Page 91
  28. Hyōesakan-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 291) (Answer to Lord Ikegami Munenaga) Page 96
  29. Hyōesakan-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 296) (Reply to Lord Ikegami Munenaga) Page 99
  30. Hyōesakan-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 318) (Reply to Lord Ikegami Munenaga) Page 100
  31. Kōshi Gosho (ST. doc. 328) (A Letter to the Filial Sons) Page 103
  32. Tayūsakan-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 396) (Reply to Lord Ikegami Munenaga) Page 105
  33. Hachimangū Zōei no Koto (ST. doc. 405) (Concerning the Construction of the Hachiman Shrine) Page 109
  34. Shijō Kingo-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 112) (Response to Lord Shijō Kingo) Page 112
  35. Zuisō Gosho (ST. doc. 166) (Writing on Omens) Page 120
  36. Ōshajō-ji (ST. doc. 173) (Town of Rājagṛha) Page 126
  37. Shijō Kingo Shakabutsu Kuyō-ji (ST. doc. 220) (Opening the Eyes Service of Shijō Kingo’s Statue of Śākyamuni Buddha) Page 130
  38. Shijō Kingo-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 245) (A Reply to Lord Shijō Kingo) Page 137
  39. Shijō Kingo-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 250) (A Reply to Lord Shijō Kingo) Page 141
  40. Nakatsukasa Saemonnojō-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 295) (A Reply to Lord Nakatsukasa Saemonnojō) Page 145
  41. Fukō Gosho (ST. doc. 313) Intoku Yōhō Gosho (ST. doc. 331) (A Letter on Unfilial Children—A Letter on a Stealthy Benefaction and a Good Reward) Page 148
  42. Shijō Kingo-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 340) (A Reply to Lord Shijō Kingo) Page 150
  43. Shijō Kingo-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 424) (A Reply to Lord Shijō Kingo) Page 154
  44. Daigaku Saburō Gosho (ST. doc. 322) (A Letter to Daigaku Saburō) Page 156
  45. Kō Nyüdō-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 172) (A Reply to Lord Lay Priest of Kō) Page 158
  46. Ichinosawa Nyūdō Gosho (ST. doc. 178) (A Letter to Lay Priest of Ichinosawa) Page 160
  47. Hitatare Gosho (ST. doc. 133) (A Letter on the Hitatare Kimono) Page 168
  48. Daizen Daiaku Gosho (ST. doc. 167) (A Letter on the Great Virtue and Worst Vice) Page 169
  49. Hakumai Wakame Gosho (ST. doc. 204) (A Letter of Polished Rice and Wakame Seaweed) Page 170
  50. Butsugen Gosho (ST. doc. 259) (A Letter On the Buddha-eye) Page 171
  51. Jügatsu-bun Tokiryō Gosho (ST. doc. 309) (A Letter of Food Expenses for the Tenth Month) Page 172
  52. Daizu Gosho (ST. doc. 387) (A Letter on Soybeans) Page 173
  53. Naiki Sakon Nyudō-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 425) (A Reply to Lay Priest Lord Naiki Sakon) Page 174
  54. Haru no Hajima Gosho (ST. doc. 427) (Greetings of the New Year) Page 176
  55. Kawai-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 441) (A Reply to Lord Kawai) Page 177
  56. Oke Hisago Goshōsoku (ST. doc. 442) (Pails and Gourds Letter) Page 178

Volume 7, Followers II

  1. Ueno-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 147) (Reply to Lord Ueno) Page 1
  2. Ueno-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 153) (Reply to Lord Ueno) Page 3
  3. Haru no Iwai Gosho (ST. doc. 161) (New Year’s Greetings) Page 7
  4. Ueno-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 177) (Reply to Lord Ueno) Page 9
  5. Nanjo-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 185) (Reply to Lord Nanjō) Page 12
  6. Nanjō-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 206) (Reply to Lord Nanjo) Page 15
  7. Nanjō-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 215) (Reply to Lord Nanjo) Page 17
  8. Ueno-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 252) (Reply to Lord Ueno) Page 22
  9. Tokimitsu-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 300) (Reply to Lord Tokimitsu) Page 24
  10. Ueno-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 314) (Reply to Lord Ueno) Page 27
  11. Ueno-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 325) (Reply to Lord Ueno) Page 29
  12. Ueno no Gōsu-ra Gohenji (ST. doc. 326) (Reply to Lord Ueno and Others) Page 31
  13. Ueno-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 338) (Reply to Lord Ueno) Page 32
  14. Ueno-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 357) (Reply to Lord Ueno) Page 34
  15. Ueno-dono Gohenii (ST. doc. 359) (Reply to Lord Ueno) Page 36
  16. Ueno-dono Gohenii (ST. doc. 372) (Reply to Lord Ueno) Page 37
  17. Ueno-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 377) (Reply to Lord Ueno) Page 39
  18. Nanjō-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 380) (Reply to Lord Nanjō) Page 40
  19. Nanjō-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 391) (Reply to Lord Nanjo) Page 41
  20. Ueno-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 394) (Reply to Lord Ueno) Page 43
  21. Ueno-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 402) (Reply to Lord Ueno) Page 46
  22. Ueno-dono Gosho (ST. doc. 406) (Letter to Lord Ueno) Page 48
  23. Nanjō-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 439) (Reply to Lord Nanjo) Page 49
  24. Ueno-dono Haha-ama Gozen Gosho (ST. doc. 74) (Letter to My Lady the Nun, Mother of Lord Ueno) Page 50
  25. Nanjō-dono Nyōbō Gohenji (ST. doc. 290) (Reply to the Wife of Lord Nanjo) Page 52
  26. Ueno-dono Goke-ama Gozen Gosho (ST. doc. 379) (A Letter to My Lady the Nun, Widow of Lord Ueno) Page 54
  27. Ueno-ama Gozen Gohenji (ST. doc. 400) (Response to My Lady, the Nun of Ueno) Page 56
  28. Ueno-ama Gozen Gohenji (ST. doc. 415) (Response to My Lady the Nun of Ueno) Page 58
  29. Ueno-dono Haha-ama Gozen Gohenji (ST. doc. 418) (Response to My Lady, the Nun Mother of Lord Ueno) Page 62
  30. Matsuno-dono Goshōsoku (ST. doc. 207) (Letter to Lord Matsuno) Page 64
  31. Matsuno-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 274) (Response to Lord Matsuno) Page 68
  32. Matsuno-ama Gozen Gohenji (ST. doc. 272) (Reply to My Lady, the Nun of Matsuno) Page 71
  33. Matsuno-dono Nyōbō Gohenji (ST. doc. 336) (Reply to the Wife of Lord Matsuno) Page 72
  34. Takahashi Nyūdō-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 187) (A Response to Lay Priest Lord Takahashi) Page 74
  35. Takahashi-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 189) (Reply to Lord Takahashi) Page 82
  36. Chie Bōkoku Gosho (ST. doc. 203) (Evil Wisdom Destroying the Country) Page 84
  37. Kubo-ama Gozen Gohenji (ST. doc. 288) (A Response to My Lady, the Nun of Kubo) Page 88
  38. Kubo-ama Gozen Gohenji (ST. doc. 297) (A Response to My Lady, the Nun of Kubo) Page 90
  39. Kubo-ama Gozen Gohenji (ST. doc. 333) (A Response to My Lady, the Nun of Kubo) Page 91
  40. Jimyō-ama Gozen Gohenji (ST. doc. 349) (A Response to My Lady, the Nun Jimyō) Page 93
  41. Kubo-ama Gozen Gohenji (ST. doc. 356) (A Response to My Lady, the Nun of Kubo) Page 95
  42. Kubo-ama Gozen Gohenji (ST. doc. 369) (A Response to My Lady, the Nun of Kubo) Page 96
  43. Kubo-ama Gozen Gohenji (ST. doc. 420) (A Response to My Lady, the Nun of Kubo) Page 97
  44. Nishiyama-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 238) (In Response to Lord Nishiyama) Page 99
  45. Nishiyama-dono Goke-ama Gozen Gohenji (ST. doc. 422) (A Response to My Lady, the Nun Widow of Lord Nishiyama) Page 100
  46. Myōshin-ama Gozen Gohenji (ST. doc. 191) (A Response to My Lady, the Nun Myōshin) Page 102
  47. Myōshin-ama Gozen Gohenji (ST. doc. 192) (A Response to My Lady, the Nun Myoshin) Page 105
  48. Myoshin-ama Gozen Gohenji (ST. doc. 365) (A Response to My Lady, the Nun Myōshin Page 106
  49. Niita-dono Gosho (ST. doc. 368) (A Letter to Lord Niita) Page 108
  50. Omonsu-dono Nyōbō Gohenji (ST. doc. 399) (A Reply to the Wife of the Lord of Omonsu) Page 109
  51. Toki-ama Gozen Gohenji (ST. doc. 146) (A Reply to My Lady, the Nun Toki) Page 111
  52. Kaen Jōgō Gosho (ST. doc. 163) (Writing about Lengthening the Life Span) Page 112
  53. Toki-ama Gozen Gosho (ST. doc. 211) (A Letter to My Lady, the Nun Toki) Page 116
  54. Toki-dono Nyōbō-ama Gozen Gosho (ST. doc. 352) (A Letter to My Lady, the Nun Wife of Lord Toki) Page 119
  55. Shijō Kingo-dono Nyōbō Gohenji (ST. doc. 160) (A Reply to the Wife of Lord ShijŌ Kingo) Page 120
  56. Nichigen-nyo Shakabutsu Kuyōji (ST. doc. 327) (Construction of a Statue of Śākyamuni Buddha by Lady Nichigen) Page 123
  57. Hyōesakan-dono Nyōbō Gohenji (ST. doc. 353) (A Response to Wife of Ikegami Munenaga) Page 127
  58. Sajiki Nyōbō Gohenji (ST. doc. 179) (A Response to the Lady of Sajiki) Page 128
  59. Sajiki Nyōbō Gohenji (ST. doc. 401) (A Response to the Lady of Sajiki) Page 130
  60. Myōichi-ama Gohenji (ST. doc. 120) (A Response to Nun MYōichi) Page 131
  61. Myōichi-ama Gozen Goshōsoku (ST. doc. 180) (A Letter to My Lady, the Nun Myōichi) Page 133
  62. Nichimyō Shōnin Gosho (ST. doc. 107) (A Letter to Nichimyō Shōnin) Page 136
  63. Oto-gozen no Haha Gosho (ST. doc. 132) (A Letter to the Mother of Lady Oto) Page 142
  64. Ōnichi-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 397) (A Response to Lord Onichi) Page 144
  65. Nii-ama Gozen Gohenji (ST. doc. 164) (A Response to My Lady, The Younger Nun) Page 146
  66. Ō-ama Gozen Gohenji (ST. doc. 382) (A Reply to My Lady, the Older Nun) Page 151
  67. Kōnichi-ama Gohenji (ST. doc. 381) (A Reply to Nun Kōnichi) Page 152
  68. Kōnichi Shōnin Gohenji (ST. doc. 409) (A Reply to Rev. Kōnichi) Page 153
  69. Izumo-ama Gozen Gosho (ST. doc. 440) (A Letter to My Lady, the Nun Izumo) Page 157
  70. Sennichi-ama Gohenji (ST. doc. 371) (A Reply to Sennichi-ama) Page 158
  71. Kō no Ama Gozen Gosho (ST. doc. 182) (A Letter to My Lady, the Nun of KŌ) Page 165
  72. Nakaoki no Mandokoro Nyōbō Gohenji (ST. doc. 244) (A Reply to the Wife of Mandokoro Officer Nakaoki) Page 168
  73. Zenichi-ama Gosho (ST. doc. 284) (A Letter to Nun Zenichi) Page 169
  74. Nambu Rokurō-dono Gosho (ST. doc. 80) (A Letter to Lord Nambu Rokuro) Page 170
  75. Nyonin-bō Gohenji (ST. doc. 99) (In Response to a Female Follower) Page 172
  76. Suzumono Goshōsoku (ST. doc. 299) (A Letter [of Gratitude for] Various Donations) Page 173
  77. Imo Ichida Gosho (ST. doc. 304) (A Letter of Gratitude for a Horse-load of Taros) Page 176
  78. Hatsuho Gosho (ST. doc. 311) (First Ears of Rice Letter) Page 177
  79. Shokumotsu Santoku Gosho (ST. doc. 319) (On the Three Utilities of Food) Page 178
  80. Shishiō Gosho (ST. doc. 320) (King of Lion Letter) Page 180
  81. Ejiki Gosho (ST. doc. 323) (Clothing and Food Letter) Page 183
  82. Mushimochi Gosho (ST. doc. 324) (Steamed Rice Cake Letter) Page 184
  83. Hōe Sho (ST. doc. 398) (Writing on Vestments) Page 185
  84. Mushiro Sammai Gosho (ST. doc. 430) (A Letter of Three Straw Mats) Page 187
  85. On-Koromonuno Tamaisōrō Gohenji (ST. doc. 435) (A Reply for the Donation of Fabric for a Clerical Robe) Page 189
  86. Gosho Gohenji (ST. doc. 443) (A Reply to Gosho) Page 190

Nyonin Gosho
NICHIREN AND WOMEN
LETTERS ADDRESSED TO FEMALE FOLLOWERS

  1. A Letter on Menstruation (ST. doc. 34) Page 22 NOT IN WONS
  2. A Response to the Nun, Widow of Lord Ueno (ST. doc. 39) Page 44 NOT IN WONS
  3. A Letter to the Wife of Shijō Kingo (ST. doc. 78) Page 58 NOT IN WONS
  4. A Letter to the Nichimyō Shōnin (ST. doc. 107) Page 64 (Volume 7, Followers II, Nichimyō Shōnin Gosho (ST. doc. 107) (A Letter to Nichimyō Shōnin) Page 136)
  5. A Response to Lord Ueno (ST. doc. 147) Page 84 (Volume 7, Followers II, Ueno-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 147) (Reply to Lord Ueno) Page 1)
  6. A Reply to the Wife of Lord Shijō Kingo (ST. doc. 160) Page 88 (Volume 7, Followers II, Shijō Kingo-dono Nyōbō Gohenji (ST. doc. 160) (A Reply to the Wife of Lord ShijŌ Kingo) Page 120)
  7. A Response to Lady Sajiki (ST. doc. 179) Page 96 (Volume 7, Followers II, Sajiki Nyōbō Gohenji (ST. doc. 179) (A Response to the Lady of Sajiki) Page 128)
  8. A Letter to My Lady, the Nun of Kō (ST. doc. 182) Page 100 (Volume 7, Followers II, Kō no Ama Gozen Gosho (ST. doc. 182) (A Letter to My Lady, the Nun of KŌ) Page 165)
  9. A Letter to Lady Oto (ST. doc. 190) Page 110 NOT IN WONS
  10. A Response to My Lady Nichinyo (ST. doc. 293) Page 150 (Volume 4, Faith and Practice, Nichinyo Gozen Gohenji (ST. doc. 293) (A Response to My Lady Nichinyo) Page 132
  11. A Response to the Wife of Lord Ōta (ST. doc. 256) Page 130 NOT IN WONS
  12. A Response to My Lady Nichinyo (ST. doc. 265) Page 144 NOT IN WONS
  13. A Reply to Nun Myōhō (ST. doc. 293) Page 150 (Volume 4, Faith and Practice, Nichinyo Gozen Gohenji (ST. doc. 293) (A Response to My Lady Nichinyo) Page 132)
  14. A Reply to the Wife of Lord Matsuno (ST. doc. 305) Page 176 NOT IN WONS
  15. A Response to the Wife of Lord Ikegami Munenaga (ST. doc. 336) Page 228 (Volume 7, Followers II, Matsuno-dono Nyōbō Gohenji (ST. doc. 336) (Reply to the Wife of Lord Matsuno) Page 72)
  16. A Response to My Lady, the Nun Myorchi (ST. doc. 353) Page 234 (Volume 7, Followers II, Hyōesakan-dono Nyōbō Gohenji (ST. doc. 353) (A Response to Wife of Ikegami Munenaga) Page 127)
  17. A Response to the Wife of Lord Matsuno (ST. doc. 378) Page 242 NOT IN WONS
  18. A Letter to My Lady the Nun, Widow of Lord Ueno (ST. doc. 379) Page 246 (Volume 7, Followers II, Ueno-dono Goke-ama Gozen Gosho (ST. doc. 379) (A Letter to My Lady the Nun, Widow of Lord Ueno) Page 54)
  19. A Response to My Lady the Nun, Mother of Lord (ST. doc. 388) Page 250 (Volume 4, Faith and Practice, Ueno-dono Haha-ama Gozen Gohenji (ST. doc. 388) (A Response to My Lady the Nun, Mother of Lord Ueno) Page 177)
  20. A Response to My Lady, the Nun of Ueno (ST. doc. 400) Page 272 (Volume 7, Followers II, Ueno-ama Gozen Gohenji (ST. doc. 400) (Response to My Lady, the Nun of Ueno) Page 56)
  21. A Response to My Lady, the Nun of Ueno (ST. doc. 415) Page 280 (Volume 7, Followers II, Ueno-ama Gozen Gohenji (ST. doc. 415) (Response to My Lady the Nun of Ueno) Page 58)
  22. A Response to My Lady the Nun, Mother of Lord (ST. doc. 418) Page 294 (Volume 7, Followers II, Ueno-dono Haha-ama Gozen Gohenji (ST. doc. 418) (Response to My Lady, the Nun Mother of Lord Ueno) Page 62)
Daily Dharma

Daily Dharma – June 10, 2018

Thereupon the Buddha said to the great multitude including Bodhisattvas and others, “Good men! Understand my sincere and infallible words by faith!”

With these words, the Buddha prepares those gathered to hear him teach in Chapter Sixteen of the Lotus Sūtra. “Understanding by faith” can be a difficult idea for those of us who believe faith is opposed to understanding; that it means believing something even though we do not understand it. The Buddha does not ask us to set aside our curiosity or our comprehension to practice his highest teaching. But he does say that it takes more than understanding to reach the wisdom he attained. As we apprehend more of what the Buddha teaches us, our confidence in him grows. As we set aside our doubts about the benefits of the Buddha Dharma, we increase our ability to see the world for what it is.

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