Myōtatsu was a resident priest of the Fuyama-Ryūgeji Temple of the Takawa District of Dewa Province. Being pure in mind and conduct, he was not spoiled by the vulgarities of life. He firmly followed the precepts, always feared sins and crime, and recited the Hokekyō. He avoided idleness, was filled with mercy, and always enjoyed offering blessings and benefits to others.

In the ninth year of Tenryaku, Myōtatsu, with no particular illness or pain, suddenly passed away holding a copy of the Hokekyō in his hand and arrived at the King Yama’s palace. King Yama descended from his seat and paid homage to Myōtatsu, saying, “You are not called here because of the termination of your life span, but on account of your devotion to the Hokekyō and your deep knowledge of both the Buddhist and Chinese writings. You are the guardian of the Correct Law in these degenerated times. I have invited you here to urge you to explain good and evil deeds to all the people in Japan. So Holy Man, Myōtatsu, benefit your people by encouraging their practice of good deeds and by discouraging their practice of evil deeds. The effect on the good and the bad souls shall be recorded in separate writings.”

Seven days later, Myōtatsu revived, and told others about his experiences in King Yama’s Palace, explaining about the Land After Death. All who listened were awestruck, abstained from evil deeds, and entered Buddhahood. They practised good deeds, made Buddhist images, copied the sūtras, and constructed halls and pagodas. Their numbers were countless. This was all due to hearing and believing Myōtatsu who once died and brought King Yama’s message.

Myōtatsu respected the Hokekyō during his entire life and achieved the Way. In his last moments, with an incense burner in his hand, Myōtatsu single-mindedly paid homage to the Three Treasures as well as to the various Buddhas for one-hundred-and-eight times. Paying his last homage, he touched the ground with his forehead, his palms pressed together over his head, and passed away. (Page 37-38)

Priest Ichiei had observed and venerated the Hokekyō for a long time. One day he was on his way to visit Kumano and stayed on Mount Shishigase. Late at night he heard someone reciting the Hokekyō. The voice sounded so noble that Ichiei was deeply moved, and he thought that someone else must be staying at the same place. The voice finished reciting the first chapter of the sūtra, paid homage to the Buddha, and asked forgiveness for many sins. By the time the voice had recited the whole sūtra, it was already dawn.

In the morning Ichiei looked about the place and saw a skeleton covered with green moss. It must have been lying there for years, but the bones were still preserved and joined together. Ichiei looked at the skull and saw a healthy fresh red tongue in the mouth hole. Ichiei recollected himself, paid his respects to the skull, and could not help but feel overwhelmed. He stayed at the same place for another night.

Late that night Ichiei heard the same voice reciting the sūtra just as before. When dawn broke, he went near the skull and asked, “You have already recited the sūtra. How is it possible that the Divine Heart has not responded? I would like to ask you about your past life.”

The spirit of the skull replied, “I’m Enzen, a priest, who once lived at Toto on Mount Hiei. During my ascetic practices, I came to this place and died. But while still alive, I made a vow to recite the chapters of sixty thousand copies of the sūtra, but I have finished only half. So I am staying here to recite the remainder. I don’t have many chapters to finish now, so I will soon fulfill my vow. I will stay here all this year; later I will be reborn in the Tosotsu Heaven, where I will be delivered by the Bodhisattva Miroku.

After hearing this, Ichiei revered the skull and left for Kumano. Sometime later Ichiei returned to the same place and looked for the skull but could not find it. It is said that he shed tears of ecstatic joy. (Page 42-43)