Priest Chōzen had lived in Mount Hiei since his youth and wished to learn about the Law. However, being slow by nature, he could not practice the Way well. Following his master’s instructions, Chōzen learned about the sūtra and served Buddha. In the daytime, he recited the sūtra in the main quarter, and at night, he visited the worship hall to pray to Buddha. Finally, he memorized a copy of the sūtra.

On one occasion, a soothsayer came and explained good and bad omens for the people gathered at the worship hall. The soothsayer saw Chōzen and said to him, “You were a white horse in your previous life. A Hokekyō reciter travelled astride your back. On account of this merit, you left the status of an animal, and were born as a human being. You recited the sūtra and came to know about the Law. Your white complexion is due to the white hair of your body in your former life, and your loud voice resembles the hoofbeats of a galloping horse.”

Although Chōzen heard what the soothsayer had said about his former life, Chōzen would not believe it at all. Chōzen continued to visit the worship hall and practiced the repentance rites with utmost sincerity. He prayed that he would learn the truth about his former existence.

One night, Chōzen dreamed that an old priest said to him, “What the soothsayer told you was all correct. The effects of good and evil follow one just like one’s shadow. Only merits of the Hokekyō reciter who mounted you enabled you to be reborn into the human world and recite the Hokekyō. Just think how effective it will be if you maintain the sūtra’s teachings yourself and recommend that others support it. You should further devote yourself to its recitation and never be negligent.”

The awakened Chōzen felt ashamed of his former status, but rejoiced that he knew the Law and continued to uphold and practice it. (Page 62-63)