June 6, 2015
THE LIFE OF NICHIREN DAISHONIN
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A PROPHECY ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
THE next year saw no lessening of natural calamities. A fire in January reduced Jufuku-ji temple and the Hachiman shrine at Tsurugaoka to ashes. A rainstorm which wiped out crops in August led to a shortage of food in 1259. Epidemics and famine stalked the city, and corpses began to litter the streets. People turned to priests of the leading sects. This too, proved futile.
NICHIREN DAISHONIN knew that the Lotus Sutra had said that those who believe in the true teaching will be able to enjoy peaceful lives. The conditions in Kamakura showed that the people were far fro enjoying peaceful lives, and the Daishonin attributed their sufferings to their belief in erroneous teachings. In an effort to clarify further the cause of these misfortunes, he went to Jisso-ji temple at Iwamoto in Suruga Province (presently eastern Shizuoka Prefecture ). He stayed there from the beginning of 1258 through the middle of 1260. As a major temple of the Tendai sect of eastern Japan. Jisso-ji housed many important sutra in its scripture library. The Daishonin pored over them all.
NICHIREN DAISHONIN devoted his time at Jisso-ji to tracing the root cause of misery as described in the sutras to help him explain the solution in Buddhism. As he read through the sutras, he wrote many short works,
but three proved to be preparatory to a greater treatise he would present to Kamakura officials in 1260. These were “The Petition for the Expulsion of Nembutsu Believers” (1259), “The protection of the Nation” (1259), and “The Remedy for Disaters” (February 1260).
THE doctrine of the three calamities and seven disasters * as delineated in various sutras provided the Daishonin with the answer he was seeking. It states as follows: If the correct belief is not upheld, indeed if it is slandered even though it has been proclaimed, the people and the nation will suffer various tragedies, including natural disasters, pestilence, famine, internal strife and foreign invasion. The Daishonin saw that the Japanese people not only cherished slanderous beliefs, but also had experienced all but two of the disasters—internal strife and foreign invasion.
ON July 16, 1260, he struck the decisive blow with the document that has come to be known as the starting and ending point of Nichiren’s Daishonin’s stuggle. This document marked the formal beginning of his efforts to propagate his Buddhism for the peace and happiness of society, a task he would pursue throughout his life. It is entitled the “RISSO ANKOKU RON” (On Securing the Peace of the Land through the Propagation of True Buddhism). It was written in scholarly but clear and concise Chinese, and to this day it is the one writing of Nichiren Daishonin’s by which he is most often judged. Critics quote it to imply that he was an abrasive fanatic; others find in it the courage of Nichiren Daishonin to express his convictions and thereby save troubled people.
THIS writing takes the form of a conversation between a host and a traveler on one of his stopovers. The host, of course, is Nichiren Daishonin, and the guest represents Jojo Tokiyori, at the time the retired regent but still the most influential member of the entire Hojo clan which virtually controlled the shogunate. (pp. 12-25)
* three calamities and seven disasters: The disasters described is various sutras. the three calamities occur in two forms: the three lesser calamities of high grain prices or inflation (particularly that caused by famine), war and pestilence; and the three greater calamities of fire, wind and water, which destroy the world. The seven disasters are generally held to arise as a result of slandering the True Law. The Yakushi Sutra defines them as pestilence, foreign invasion, internal strife, extraordinary changes in the heavens, solar and lunar eclipses, unseasonable storms and typhoons, and unseasonable droughts.
June 6, 2015
GM ——————” COURAGE, CAPACITY AND WISDOM” ——————
FORMER President Toda sometimes took what seemed too severe an attitude towards the leaders. He was especially strict in training youth. He often used to cite the example of the sea bass in the Sea of Genkai. Buffeted by the unusually rough currents there, they become lean and extra delicious. The same hold true with people. Men should undergo strict training while young.
TAKEDA SHINGEN, (1) a general of Japan’s civil war era, said “Men are the moats, the castle walls and the castle itself.” The Sokagakkai is a castle of capable people. Three qualities are required of a great individual: courage, capacity and wisdom. Become a person who embodies all three, so you can solve difficult problems calmly, regardless of whether you’re praised or censured. (pp. 126-127)
(1) TAKADA SHINGEN (1521-73) famous warlord from the province of Kai (present day Yamanashi). Tradition has it that unlike other great warlords of the day, he never built a castle, relying instead on the capabilities and unity of his men.
GM ——————————-” UNITY ” ———————————————
Our organization will never be destroyed by external forces. The Sado Gosho reads, Non-Buddhist or evil men can never destroy the Buddha’s true teachings, but the disciples of the Buddha definitely could. The parasite in the lion’s body devours him. …. Cold winds toughens one’s skin,
but a diseased organ will kill him. What matters is the internal unity of the
EVEN a massive tree can rot, as it is helpless against termites. It can endure harsh rain, and snow storms, but cannot combat those insects which bore from within. Many people die in traffic accidents, but even more die from internal diseases. Our organization will not be shaken in the least by any clamor from the outside world. Internal unity is crucial.
GM ——————————- ” TEAMWORK ” ———————————
IN the 1964 Olympics, the Japanese women’s volleyball team defeated the powerful Russian team. Player for player, the Japanese woman were physically weaker than the Russians, and their technique was probably not as polished. But they did have a burning determination to win no matter what, and in additional, they had splendid teamwork. Rigorous training and the power of unity gave victory to the Japanese team.
ULTIMATELY, whether or not one has confidence will decide the outcome of anything. Since we strive with confidence and unity, we can always win. On the stage of the universe, believers in the supreme Law will never be defeated, but will win a succession of victories in their ongoing struggle.
HARMONIOUS unity is the key to victory in any campaign. Victory or defeat hinges on unity. Everything accomplished so far in the Sokagakkai has been the result of unity. If unity is lacking or weak, good results cannot be achieved. (pp.126-129)
*GM. Refers to Guidance Memo*
The World Tribune Press 1975
*Chapter Three: Unity
*Guidance in1975, hold true today, in 2015*