Following today’s Kaji Kito service, Ven. Kenjo Igarashi offered a chalkboard lesson on the need to subdue our passion and use the sword of wisdom to cut through our delusions. Or that’s what I came away with. Someone really needs to record these lessons. And before I continue I apologize if I’ve messed this up in my translation.

The central player in this lesson is Fudo Myo-o. Fudo Myo-o is depicted on the Mandala Gohonzon on the right side in the center. According to Rev. Ryuei McCormick’s book Lotus World, Fudo Myo-o is one of two esoteric deities on the Mandala Gohonzan who are the kings of mystic knowledge and represent the power of the buddhas to vanquish blind craving. They are known as “kings of mystic knowledge” because they wield the mantras, mystical spells made up of Sanskrit syllables imbued with the power to protect practitioners of the Dharma from all harm and evil influences. They appear in terrifying wrathful forms because they embody the indomitable energy of compassion that breaks down all obstacles to wisdom and liberation.

The image at right is standard depiction. For Ven. Igarashi’s lesson, the flames in the background are our worldly passions. The rope represents the Six Paramitas, with which we are able to bind up those passions. The sword represents the wisdom gained from chanting Namu Myoho Renge Kyo. That wisdom cuts through the delusions.

The three parts – Six Paramitas, the dharma (Namu Myoho Renge Kyo) and wisdom – are required to subdue delusions.

In a postscript to last week’s blog post, the photo from the April 28, 1934, dedication of the Sacramento Nichiren Buddhist Church has been hung on the wall of the church below the photo of Nichiren Shonin’s Mausoleum at Minobu and next to the Nichiren Shu Creed.