Opening the Eyes

I have made a vow. Even if someone says that he would make me the ruler of Japan on the condition that I give up the Lotus Sutra and rely upon the Amida Sutra for my salvation in the next life, or even if someone threatens me saying that he will execute my parents if I do not say “Namu Amida-butsu,” and no matter how many great difficulties fall upon me, I will not submit to them until a man of wisdom defeats me by reason. Other difficulties are like dust in the wind. I will never break my vow that I will become the pillar of Japan, I will become the eyes of Japan, and I will become the great vessel of Japan.

(Explanatory note)

Nichiren Shonin made a vow. Even if the ruler of Japan induces him saying that he would give him the kingship of Japan providing that he gives up the Lotus Sutra and believes in the Amida Sutra for the salvation in the next life, or threatens him saying that he will execute Nichiren’s parents if he does not say “Namu Amida butsu,” he will never submit himself to any kind of inducement or threat unless someone wiser than Nichiren Shonin himself appears and defeats him by reason. Any great difficulties other than that are like flying dust. Nichiren Shonin made his three great vows, “I will be come the pillar of Japan, I will become the eyes of Japan, and I will become the great vessel of Japan; “ and he was determined to keep them by all means.

Opening the Eyes

Filial piety of the Confucian School limits itself to this life. Since it does not help the parents in the future life, its sages and wise men are empty names without reality. Other non-Buddhist schools may know about past and future lives but they have no way of saving parents. Only Buddhism helps parents in their future lives. Therefore, those in Buddhism are worthy of the name of “sage and wise man.” Even in Buddhism, however, various scriptures and sects expounded before the Lotus Sutra were unable to help people obtain enlightenment themselves, much less their parents. They have only words without meaning. Only when the Lotus Sutra was expounded and said that women could obtain Buddhahood, our mothers’ obtaining Buddhahood became possible; and when it said that even a wicked man like Devadatta could obtain Buddhahood, our fathers’ obtaining Buddhahood also became possible. This is the sutra of filial piety among all Buddhist scriptures.

(Explanatory note)

After all, Confucianism is merely a school of moral teachings. Therefore its concept of filial piety is limited to this world, and it does not tell about filial piety of life in the future. However, unless one’s filial piety extends to his future life, he is not worthy of being called a sage or a wise man. If he is called so, he enjoys an empty name. Although philosophical schools of India tell about the past and future, they are in general concerned with a cold logic. Since they are not religions of warm faith, they do not expound filial piety in the future life. In this sense Buddhism is worthy of the teachings of the sage and wise man because it expounds filial piety in the future life as well as the way to attain Buddhahood. However, many schools of Buddhism which have their basis on sutras expounded before the Lotus Sutra for example Amida, Shingon and Zen Schools cannot obtain their own Buddhahood, much less helping parents obtain Buddhahood. No matter how wonderful they may sound, they are but empty words. When the Buddha expounded the Lotus Sutra and showed the attainment of Buddhahood by Dragon Princess as an example of a female obtaining Buddhahood and that of Devadatta as an example of a wicked person, it became clear that we can help our parents to obtain Buddhahood. In this sense the Lotus Sutra is indeed the most filial sutra among all the Buddhist scriptures.

A Letter to Monk Sairenbō

All my disciples and followers, considering the relationship among themselves to be the relationship between fish and water, should recite “Namu Myoho Renge-kyo” in one mind. This is the “blood” succession of the most important matter in our life and death. After all, this is what I, Nichiren, am trying to spread. If this is done, my great wish of disseminating the Lotus Sutra will be accomplished. Moreover, if there is anyone among Nichiren’s disciples who does not agree with others, he is like a defender of a castle who is breaking it from the inside.

(Explanatory note)

When all the disciples and followers of Nichiren Shonin discard individualistic egoism, believe in the inseparable relationship among themselves like the relationship between fish and water, and recite “Namu Myoho Renge-kyo” in one heart, there is the direct succession of the most important matter in our life and death, that is, faith directly related to the Eternal Buddha. After all, what Nichiren Shonin was trying to spread at the risk of his life was for the purpose of making all human beings know that they were directly related to the Eternal Buddha. If members of the Nichiren Sect unite themselves as members of a religiously blood-related one family, there is no doubt that Nichiren Shonin’s great wish of spreading the Lotus Sutra throughout the world will be achieved. If there is anyone among the followers of Nichiren Shonin who breaks this unity, he is like a traitor among the defenders of a castle who secretly helps the enemy to destroy the castle.

Letter to the Wife of Shijō Kingo

Is there anything which is brighter than the sun and the moon? Is there anything which is more pure than the lotus blossom? The Lotus Sutra is the sun and the moon and the lotus flower. Therefore, it is called the Sutra of the Lotus Flower of the Wonderful Law
I, Nichiren, am also like the sun and moon and the lotus flower.

(Explanatory note)

There is nothing which is brighter than the sun and moon. There is nothing which is purer than the lotus blossom. The content of the Lotus Sutra is indeed the brightness of the sun and moon and the pureness of a lotus blossom. Therefore, it is called the Sutra of the Lotus Flower of the Wonderful Law. The sun and moon and the lotus blossom are Nichiren’s life and soul. (This is indeed the origin of Nichiren’s name.)

Treatise on Spreading Peace throughout the Country by Establishing Righteousness

You should promptly convert your wrong faith to the belief in the true and one vehicle faith. Then this world will all become the land of the Buddha. Will the land of the Buddha decay? Ten directions Will become the “treasure land.” Will the “treasure land” be destroyed? When the land does not decay and is not destroyed, your body is safe and your heart tranquil. Believe these words and revere them.

(Explanatory note)

Presented to the ex-Regent of the Kamakura shogunate, Hōjō Tokiyori, the “Treatise on Spreading Peace throughout the Country by Establishing Righteousness” consists of questions and answers between a master of a house and his guest. The following is the master’s last advice to the guest to have faith:

You have to change your faith as soon as possible and convert yourself to the Lotus Sutra which is the supreme teaching of the Buddha. Then the Triple World — the entire world — will all become the land of the Buddha. How can the land of the Buddha decay? Also the ten directions — all the lands — will become the “treasure land.” How can the “treasure land” be destroyed?

If there is no decay or destruction of the land, the life of the inhabitants will be peaceful and their hearts will be tranquil and happy. This is not my arbitrary opinion, but it is based on Buddhist scriptures. It is as I explained it before, and you should have no objection. You should believe in my words open mindedly and respect them from your heart. It is the road to the right religion and peace of society.