KANJIN HONZON SHO

When the sun shines bright in the sky, everything is made clearly visible on the earth. In the same manner, when one knows the teachings of the Lotus Sutra, he will understand the meaning of the occurrences in the world. For the sake of those who live in the Latter Age of the Declining Law, who are too infantile to understand the Lotus or the Perfect Truth, and who are ignorant of the treasure of the truth of the “Three Thousand Existences in One Thought ” the Eternal Buddha will hang the treasure of the five characters (Myo-Ho-Ren-Ge-Kyo) around people’s necks. The four great Bodhisattvas who are apostles will protect the keepers of the five letters, as T’ai Kung-wang and Duke of Chou supported the young ruler Chen-wang, or as the four elders attended Emperor Hui-ti in China.

(Background : April 25, 1273, 51 years old, at Sado, Showa Teihon, p.720)

Explanatory note

The Buddha Sakyamuni directs His great compassion to us who live in the Latter Age of the Declining Law.

T’ien-t’ai of China discovered the truth of the “Three Thousand Existences in One Thought.” Thus he clarified the value of the Lotus Sutra. But it is difficult for us as novices to understand the principle of the “Three Thousand Existences in One Thought.”

Nichiren Daishonin sought the answer for us. It is to keep Odaimoku, “Namu Myoho Renge Kyo,” which contains the treasure of the “Three Thousand Existences in One Thought.” When we believe in it, we will be enveloped by the protection of all Buddhas, all Bodhisattvas, and all deities. We are warmly bundled with such compassion. We just accept frankly and seriously the unlimited salvation in the Lotus Sutra.

Let us appreciate the great compassion of the Buddha Sakyamuni and believe in Odaimoku and chant it for His great salvation. Thus, we become one with the Buddha’s Enlightenment, the Lotus Sutra.

Rev. Kanai

Zui-Ji-I GOSHO

The Lotus Sutra is the true teaching because the Buddha Sakyamuni preached it from the bottom of his heart exactly as he was enlightened. Other sutras were taught according to listeners’ level of understanding. The Buddha teaches righteousness. The chanting of the sutra will lead us to righteousness unconsciously. For example, the creeping mugwort grass among the hemp will grow straight, or the body of a snake will become straight if it goes into a straight pipe, or if one has good friends, his attitudes will become good. Likewise, one who believes in the Lotus Sutra will attain Buddhahood.

(Background : 1278, 56 years old, at Minobu, Showa Teihon, p.1611)

Explanatory note

The Lotus Sutra reveals the true spirit of the Buddha Sakyamuni and teaches us to follow the sutra. Because the Buddha’s spirit is sacred and noble, even those who do not fully understand the meaning of the sutra will have infinite merits by just reading the sutra.

The creeping mugwort grass among the hemp will grow straight. The snake inside a pipe will straighten its coil. A man who associates with a wise person will find his attitude, actions, and words changing for the better. It is the same with the Lotus Sutra.

Nichiren Daishonin expounded the simplest way which is to chant Odaimoku, “Namu Myoho Renge Kyo,” throughout his life. For if the teachings of the Buddha were taught in a complicated manner, a normal person would never be able to understand them, and they would be in a maze. To chant Odaimoku, is very simple and easy. If we, with faith, follow this simple method revealed by Daishonin, we shall be able to understand the teachings of the Buddha unconsciously and to accept the salvation of the Lotus Sutra.

Rev. Igarashi

MYOICHI AMA GOZEN GOHENJI

Faith is nothing special. A wife loves her husband, the husband devotes his life to her, parents do not give away their children, and children do not desert their mother. Likewise, believe in the Lotus Sutra, the Buddha Sakyamuni, the Buddha Taho, all Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and deities. Then chant “Namu Myoho Renge Kyo.” This is faith.

(Background : May 18, 1280, 58 years old, at Minobu, Showa Teihon, p.] 749)

Explanatory note

This letter is impressive. Nichiren Daishonin always explained religious practice in daily life. Myoichi Arna must have imprinted on her subconcious to remember her master’s words in these simple daily matters. We do not know about her for certain, but it is said that she lived near Kamakura and lost her husband in her early married life. It is very hard for a wife to accept her husband’s death, because she still loves him even after he is gone. Nichiren Daishonin advised her to turn her love to faith in the Lotus Sutra.

It is easy to talk about faith but hard to understand it. An ordinary person is able to grasp the real meaning of faith through love.
In order to receive salvation, Buddhists must have a strong aspiration to Buddhas and deities in the Lotus Sutra with the same love found among husband, wife, and their children. When one is drowning, he must wish someone’s help very strongly. To have faith in the Lotus Sutra is just like that : having a strong aspiration.

Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and deities surely protect those who have faith in the Lotus Sutra and who chant “Namu Myoho Renge Kyo.” That is Nichiren Daishonin’s teaching.

Rev. Kanai

SHOHO JlSSO SHO

Have faith in the Great Mandala Gohonzon, the most superlative in the world. Endeavor! Endeavor to strengthen your faith, so that you may be blessed with the protective powers of all Buddhas. Learn and practice to strengthen your faith. Without learning and practicing there is no Buddhism. To learn and to practice are a part of faith. Follow these yourself and influence others to do the same. Even if only a word or a phrase, spread it to others.

(Background : 1273, 51 years old, at Sado, Showa Teihon, p.728)

Explanatory note

It is most important for us who follow the teachings of Nichiren Daishonin to believe obediently in the Great Mandala Gohonzon. It is an object of faith and worship. It symbolizes the salvation revealed in the Lotus Sutra.

When the Buddha Sakyamuni preached the Lotus Sutra, the Buddha Taho proved its truth, and Sakyamuni’s funjin (manifestations), who had been preaching in all other worlds, praised Him. Furthermore, all deities who had been deeply impressed by listening to the teachings of the Lotus Sutra promised to protect the people who would believe in the sutra.

When we wish to receive this protection, we must do two things — to learn and to practice.

We often distinguish learning from practicing. But we must learn while we devote ourselves putting the teachings of the sutra into practice. Nichiren Daishonin teaches us that it is impossible to be a true and faithful follower without learning and practicing.

Rev. Ogawa

SADO GOKANKI SHO

I, Nichiren, vowed to learn and to master Buddhism and to attain Buddhahood so that I would be able to save the people from whom I had received favors. To attain Buddhahood, one must not think selfishly even at the cost of his life.

(Background : October 10, 1271, 49 years old, at Echi, Showa Teihon, p.510)

Explanatory note

With the protection of guardian deities of the Lotus Sutra, Nichiren Daishonin narrowly escaped the execution at Tatsu-no-kuchi on September 12, 1271. But a month later, he was exiled to Sado Island in the Japan Sea. The above quotation was a part of a letter written by Daishonin before leaving for exile.

Most people see Nichiren’s vigorous actions which have appeared externally, but they do not try to see his religious point which has come from within his inner self.

For Nichiren Daishonin, “Ho-on” or gratitude was the nucleus of his religion. “Ho-on” means to show appreciation that you are living because of others. Any society is formed with each individual depending on others, so that we must show appreciation of all people. But if the appreciation is referred to only in our daily living, it is not real gratitude, or “Ho-on”.

According to Nichiren Daishonin, the real gratitude is to lead all people to the faith in the teachings of the Lotus Sutra, which was revealed by the Buddha Sakyamuni.

Nichiren might have received all sorts of earthly kindness from many people. But he never tried to return their kindness with worldly matters. Rather, in order to have real salvation for them, Daishonin preached Buddha’s teachings by sacrificing his own life. He cast away all attachments, even his own life. Daishonin’s four major persecutions and many other minor persecutions proved his willingness to sacrifice his own life. We, as his followers, should not be afraid of any obstacles to living in truth; then, we will be given power to overcome such obstacles.

Rev. Kanai

MATSUNO DONO GOHENJI

There are thousands of fish eggs, but few become fish. Hundreds of mango blossoms bloom, but few become fruit. It is the same with human beings, because most people are turned aside by evil distractions. There is an army of warriors wearing armor, but few are able to fight bravely. Many people search for truth, but few attain Buddhahood

(Background : December 9th, 1276, 54 years old, at
Minobu, Showa Teihon, p.1269)

Explanatory note

Before the above quotation, Nichiren Daishonin said to Lord Matsuno that there was no difference between Odaimoku, “Namu Myoho Renge Kyo,” chanted by Daishonin himself and by his followers. Therefore, he encouraged us to believe that if one chanted Odaimoku, he or she was surely able to reach the same stage as Daishonin.

People are volatile, quick to warm up and to cool down, but Nichiren Daishonin advised Lord Matsuno to have a constant faith like water, not short, enthusiastic faith like fire. It must be difficult to keep faith constantly. Nichiren is advising us that it is important to realize our own Buddha-nature within ourselves and to endeavor constantly at perfecting ourselves.

Rev. Kanai

MYOHO AMA GOZEN GOHENJI

I, Nichiren, have learned Buddhism since I was a child. One’s life is uncertain. Even if you exhale, you are not sure that you can inhale next. One dies quicker than the dew vanishes in the wind. The wise and the fool, the young and the old, are under the law of the transient life. Therefore, one should always know death comes to everyone and should accept it solemnly and spend the valuable life meaningfully.

(Background : July 14, 1278, 56 years old, at Minobu, Showa Teihon, p.1535)

Explanatory note

Nichiren Daishonin said, “One should always know death comes to everyone and should accept it solemnly and spend the valuable life meaningfully.” He meant that we should accept transiency of life and strive for positive works, and that the value of one’s life will be confirmed at the moment of his or her death.

The above quotation was the response of Nichiren Daishonin to a letter from Myoho Ama. According to her letter, her husband was sick but still chanted the Lotus Sutra day and night. Just before his death, he chanted “Namu Myoho Renge Kyo” twice loudly.

Nichiren assured her that the last chanting of Odaimoku by her husband changed his wrong karma not only In this life but also in his previous lives to Buddhahood. Moreover, Nichiren assured her that since Myoho Ama’s husband carried through his faith in the Lotus Sutra, he was able to go calmly to Mt. Sacred Eagle, where the Buddha Sakyamuni is continuously preaching the Lotus Sutra.

To accept “death” solemnly helps us to resist our temptation to commit evil acts. This earnest attitude is the first step in becoming Buddhists.

Rev. Kanai

I established Myokakuji Betsuin Temple, a Nichiren Buddhist temple, in San Jose, California, U.S.A. five years ago. At that time, I made several trips to the U.S.A. visiting various Buddhist temples in America, including non-Nichiren temples, in order to grasp the real situation of their activities. I was greatly impressed to see generally beautiful temple buildings in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and other cities with ministers engaged in active missionary work. I learned, however, that they had one problem in common: a generation change in membership. Young members hardly understand Japanese. Consequently, more and more of them stay away from Buddhist temples, where Japanese is the means of communication and propagation. Aged, non-English speaking ministers are incapable of attracting young members. As the first- and second-generation members die, there are hardly any young members ready to take their place.

Confronted by such a serious problem, while thinking about our Founder Nichiren Daishonin’s slogan to “spread Odaimoku throughout the world,” I felt that we had not an inch to lose. Nichiren ministers stationed in North America agreed with me that we had to move, even one or two steps, forward. We all realized the need of active propagation in the English language. However, there hardly existed any English translations of writings of Nichiren Daishonin, which could form the basis for English language propagation.

I, therefore, was almost overjoyed to hear about the plan of Nichiren ministers in North America to translate “A Saying A Day” compiled by Dr. Hoyo Watanabe as an English language teaching material. So I proposed that our Overseas Propagation Promotion Association help them to implement the plan. It was agreed that the English translation be made by ministers in North America, that it be scrutinized by experts in Nichiren Buddhism, and that it be published and distributed by the association.

I hope in this way Nichiren Daishonin’s letters and tracts will gradually be translated and introduced to followers of Nichiren Buddhism in America, so that they will be able to deepen their correct understanding of Nichiren Daishonin’s true faith and salvation.

In accordance with the importance in aim and significance, the draft of the English translation made by ministers in America was sent to Japan, where it was strictly scrutinized by the English Translation Committee established by the Nichiren Shu Overseas Propagation Promotion Association. The committee meetings, attended by Dr. Hoyo Watanabe and other experts in Nichiren Buddhism as well as Reverends Ryusho Matsuda and Shokai Kanai from America, tried hard to polish up the draft. I believe that the finished product in the form of this booklet is solid in content, readable for English speaking people, and correct in interpretation. My special thanks go to ministers abroad and members of the English Translation Committee for their time to make this publication possible.
Last but not least I would like to express my gratitude to Nichiren Shu Shumuin (Administrative Office) and its Sogozaidan (General Foundation) for their generous donations. Without their help this publication would not have been possible.

Reverend Shingaku Oikawa
President, Nichiren Shu Overseas Propagation Promotion Association