Two priests lived in Ōshü. Kōshō, a priest of the Gangōji Temple, recited the Saishōōgyō [Sūtra of the Sovereign Kings of the Golden Light], while Hōren, a priest of the Kōfukuji Temple, recited the Hokekyō. Both priests had left their native places and their original temples. After many years of difficult ascetic practices, the two priests were aged, but still pursued the Way.
Kōshō once said to Hōren, “Why don’t you abandon the Hokekyō and join me in reciting the Saishōōgyō, which is primary among all sūtras of most profound meaning. This is why the sūtra was named the Saishōōgyō, the Most Victorious King Sūtra. The emperor and the court nobles display their faith in it by holding the great annual service, the Gosaie Meeting, at the imperial palace. In the local provinces, the repentance ceremonies called the Kisshō Vow are observed with lectures on the Saishōōgyō. Besides, the Saishōe Meeting is held at the Yakushiji Temple with lectures on the sūtra. So, you see, this sūtra is respected by everyone. The profundity of this sūtra permits no doubt. You should definitely rely on this sūtra!”
Hōren replied, “I wonder which is more noble. Especially when both contain the Buddha’s words. Adhering to my karmic relationship, I have been devoted to the Hokekyō. Why should I suddenly abandon the Hokekyō for another sūtra?” Kōshō repeated his recommendation of the Saishōōgyō in vain and finally remained silent.
However, from time to time, Kōshō, relying on the power of his sūtra, continued to press Hōren, trying to convert him. Kōshō finally proposed, “We should have a test to determine which sūtra is more effective. If your sūtra, the Hokekyō is superior, I will abandon my sūtra and rely on yours. But if the power of my sūtra, the Saishōōgyō, surpasses that of the Hokekyō, you will abandon your sūtra and join me in supporting mine.” Horen ignored Kōshō’s proposition.
Later Kōshō again suggested to Hōren, “Let’s each cultivate one square chō of rice and determine which sūtra is superior by comparing the quality of the yield from these rice fields!”
Now each of the two priests obtained his own rice field. Kōshō immediately did his ploughing and irrigating, and prayed to the Saishōōgyō, “By the power of the sūtra, may I have a good crop of rice without planting seeds and seedlings.” As soon as Kōshō’s prayer ended, seedlings suddenly began to grow all over his rice field. As days and months passed, the seedlings grew into plants with abundant grain. On the contrary, Hōren’s rice field was neither cultivated nor irrigated, and contained weeds, and idle horses and cows. Naturally the people respected the Saishōōgyō priest, but dispised the Hokegyō priest.
In the beginning of the seventh month, a gourd seedling suddenly grew in the central part of Hōren’s field until its branches spread in all directions and covered the entire field. The trunk was lofty and strong. In a few days, the tree bloomed and bore numerous gourds, each as large as a pot. Hōren took a gourd in his hand and opened it. Beautiful white grains of rice filled the gourd. Each gourd contained nearly five tō of rice. Hōren offered the first rice to the Hokekyō and Buddhas and then shared it with the other priests. He also sent a few gourds with rice to priest Kōshō, who was appalled to see the rice in the gourds. He thought it most extraordinary, no longer dispised Hōren, and finally decided to follow him.
Kōshō immediately went to Hōren and repented for his errors by putting his forehead to the ground. Since then, Kōshō became faithful to the Hokekyō, copied and dedicated services to it, deliberated on it, and recited it.
Priest Hōren distributed the rice in the gourds widely throughout the province. All the people including the priests, the laymen, and humble ones as well as those in the streets, took the rice as they wished. Yet the rice in the gourds in Hōren’s field was never exhausted. Even when the cold twelfth month arrived, the gourds did not wither, but grew again as they were gathered. Those who took gourds from the branches not only escaped poverty and suffering but also gained piety.
Thus Hōren benefitted all the people by practicing the Buddhist Way with the inexhaustible rice from his field. Hōren always remained modest, and never developed a contemptuous attitude. He engaged in difficult ascetic practices, and finally died of old age. (Page 74-76)
Miraculous Tales of the Lotus Sutra from Ancient Japan
