Dedication of good to fellow-beings
To the end of his life, Nichiren never ceased to express these convictions in the strongest terms; but his faith in the destiny of Japan was in no way shaken, nor his self-confidence. On the contrary, the dangers threatening the country and the consternation of the people only strengthened his belief in his great cause and in his own mission. In one of the writings from his years of retirement, he says:
“So far as, and so much as, my – Nichiren’s – compassion is vast and comprehensive, the Adoration of the Lotus of the Perfect Truth shall prevail beyond the coming ages of ten thousand years, nay, eternally in the future. This is the merit I have achieved, which is destined to open the blind eyes of all beings in Japan (the world), and to shut off the ways to the nethermost Avici hell. These merits surpass those of Dengyō and T’ien T’ai, and are far beyond those of Nāgārjuna and Kāśyapa. Is it not true that one hundred years’ training in a heavenly paradise does not compare with one day’s work in the earthly world, and that all service done to the Truth during the two thousand years of the ages of the Perfect Law and the Copied Law is inferior to that done in one span of time in the ages of the Latter Law? All these differences are due, not to Nichiren’s own wisdom, but to the virtues inherent in the times. Flowers bloom in spring, and fruits are ripe in autumn; it is hot in summer, and cold in winter. Is it not time that makes these differences? Buddha announced, “This Truth shall be proclaimed and perpetuated in the whole Jambudvīpa, in the fifth five hundred years after my death; and it will avail to save all kinds of devils and demons, celestial beings and serpent tribes,” etc. If this prediction should not be fulfilled, all other prophecies and assurances will prove false, the Lord Śākyamuni will fall to the Avici hell, the Buddha Prabhūtaratna will be burned in the infernal fires, while all other Buddhas in the ten quarters will transfer their abodes to the eight great hells, and all Bodhisattvas will suffer from pains, one hundred and thirty-six in kind. How should all this be possible? If it is not, the whole of Japan (the world) will surely be converted to the Adoration of the Lotus of the Perfect Truth.
“Flowers finally return to the root, and the essence abides in the earth. Let all these merits be dedicated to the soul of the deceased master Dōzen (who had once instructed Nichiren, and is the earth which had nourished Nichiren’s wisdom). Adoration be to the Lotus of the Perfect Truth!”
This letter illustrates Nichiren’s idea that his best attainment should be dedicated to all those to whom he was in any way indebted. But he regarded any such dedication as vain, unless associated with, and practised as a part of, the highest ideal of his religion, the establishment of the Three Great Mysteries. Thus, preceding this conclusion, he reaffirms his own mission to achieve that great task, and expresses his confidence in the approaching fulfilment of his ideal.
Silent Prayer and Anxious Watching
The hope of the future and the present danger 112
The curse on the infidels 116
The curse and the sense of sinfulness, individual and national 117
Dedication of good to fellow-beings 119
Sense of indebtedness and fellowship 120
Nichiren's world-wide scheme 124
The Mongol invaders and their final defeat 125
The holy person and the holy place 129
NICHIREN: THE BUDDHIST PROPHET