February 11, 1272 (Bun’ei 9)
Nichiren, at age 51
A letter sent to Sairen-bo.
Written by Nichiren.
I have read your letter in great detail.
In the first place, the “Heritage” (Lineage) that flows through the most critical issue of “Birth and Death”—the cycle of being born and dying, and dying and being born again—is nothing other than “Myo-ho-ren-ge-kyo.” This is because ever since the two Buddhas, Shakyamuni and Many Treasures, were seated together within the Treasure Tower and entrusted this to Bodhisattva Superior Practices, the leader of the Bodhisattvas of the Earth, these five characters of “Myo-ho-ren-ge-kyo” have been the heritage flowing continuously without a moment’s separation, from the infinite past until today.
“Myo” represents death, and “Ho” represents life. These two laws of Life and Death (Shoji) are the true entity of our lives, which possess the Ten Worlds (Jikai – from Hell to Buddhahood). We also call this the “Lotus of the Entity” (Totai Renge). The Great Teacher T’ien-t’ai stated, “You should understand that the causes and effects of both the Environment (Eho) and the Living Being (Shoho) are all the law of the Lotus.” This “Environment and Living Being” (Esho) refers to Life and Death. Since there is Life and Death, it is clear that their cause and effect are also the law of the Lotus. The Great Teacher Dengyo stated, “The two laws of Life and Death are the Mystic Workings (Myoyu) of the Single Mind (Isshin), and the two paths of Existence (Yu – Life) and Non-existence (Mu – Death) are the True Virtues (Shintoku) of innate enlightenment.” Heaven and earth, yin and yang, the sun, moon, and five stars, and everything from Hell to Buddhahood—there is nothing that is not encompassed by the two laws of Life and Death. Thus, our life and death are simply the Life and Death of Myo-ho-ren-ge-kyo itself. T’ien-t’ai stated in Great Concentration and Insight (Maka Shikan), “Arising (Ki) is the manifestation of the essential nature of phenomena, and Ceasing (Metsu) is the essential nature returning to its original tranquility.” The two Buddhas, Shakyamuni and Many Treasures, also represent these two laws of Life and Death.
Therefore, realizing that there is absolutely no difference among these three: “Shakyamuni Buddha” (The Buddha) who attained enlightenment in the distant past, the “Lotus Sutra” (The Law) that leads all people to enlightenment, and we “Living Beings” (The Practitioner); and chanting Nam-myo-ho-ren-ge-kyo—this is what is called the “Heritage of the Ultimate Law of Life.” It is precisely this that is the most important essential (Kan’yo – ultimate secret) for Nichiren’s disciples and lay believers. Embracing the Lotus Sutra means exactly this.
Ultimately, resolve that “your last moment is in this present moment,” arouse powerful faith, and chant Nam-myo-ho-ren-ge-kyo. The Lotus Sutra teaches that for such a person, “when their life ends, a thousand Buddhas will extend their hands, freeing them from fear and preventing them from falling into the evil paths.” How delightful this is! It is not just One Buddha or Two Buddhas (Ichibutsu Nibutsu). It is not just a Hundred Buddhas or Two Hundred Buddhas (Hyakubutsu Nihyakubutsu). It is said that a thousand Buddhas will come to greet you and take your hand. I cannot hold back tears of joy. Conversely, for those who disbelieve the Lotus Sutra, it is taught that “when such a person dies, they will fall into the Hell of Incessant Suffering (Avici Hell).” Surely, the Wardens of Hell (Gokusotsu) will come to seize their hands. How wretched and pitiful! The Ten Kings (Juo) will judge their sins, and the Same-Birth Spirits (Kushojin) who record a person’s life will reprimand them sternly. Now, for Nichiren’s disciples and lay believers who chant Nam-myo-ho-ren-ge-kyo, imagine that the way a thousand Buddhas extend their hands to protect you is like the way a melon or a bottle gourd extends its vines.
Because you formed a deep bond with the Lotus Sutra in past lifetimes (Kako-se), you are able to embrace this Sutra in this present lifetime. Therefore, there is absolutely no doubt that you will attain the enlightenment of the Buddha in the future. Never being separated from the Lotus Sutra throughout the cycle of birth and death in the Three Existences (Sanze) of past, present, and future—this is what is called the “Heritage of the Lotus Sutra” (Hokke no Kechimyaku Sojo). Regarding those who slander or disbelieve the Lotus Sutra, it is taught that “they will cut off the seeds of Buddhahood in all worlds.” As this passage states, because they themselves cut off the seeds for becoming a Buddha, they do not possess the Heritage of the Ultimate Law of Life.
In summary, when Nichiren’s disciples and lay believers chant Nam-myo-ho-ren-ge-kyo with the spirit of “Many in Body, One in Mind” (Itai Doshin)—transcending all differences of self and others, this and that, like fish and the water they swim in—this is precisely where the “Heritage of the Ultimate Law of Life” flows. Moreover, the ultimate purpose of the teachings Nichiren is spreading lies in this point. If you proceed along this path, the Great Vow (Daigan) for Kosen-rufu will surely be fulfilled. However, if there are those among Nichiren’s disciples who are “Many in Body, Different in Mind,” it is like warriors destroying their own castle from within the castle.
I intended to lead all people in Japan to believe in the Lotus Sutra and enable them to inherit the lineage of Buddhahood. However, as a result, this instead subjected Nichiren to various persecutions (Nan) and finally exiled me to this island (Sado).
Yet, the fact that you, Sairen-bo, follow Nichiren and are also encountering persecution (Nan)—the suffering of this pierces my heart, and I cannot help but feel deeply pained. Gold (Kin) does not burn or disappear even in a Great Fire (Taika), nor does it drift away or rot even in a Great Flood (Taisui). However, Iron (Tetsu) cannot withstand either fire or water. A Wise Person (Kenjin) is like gold, while a Foolish Person (Guin) is like iron. Are you not indeed True Gold (Shinkon)? Is it because you embrace the “Gold” of the Lotus Sutra? The Lotus Sutra states, “Just as Mount Sumeru (Shumisen) is foremost among the many mountains, so is this Lotus Sutra also foremost.” It also states, “[The person who embraces the Lotus Sutra] fire cannot burn them, and water cannot drift them away.”
Did a deep karmic bond from Past Lifetimes (Kako-se) chase after you, leading you to become Nichiren’s disciple at this time? That is something Shakyamuni Buddha and Many Treasures Buddha (Taho Nyorai) must surely know well. The passage in the Lotus Sutra stating, “In all the Buddha lands, they are constantly reborn together with their master,” is certainly no lie.
Above all, your question on this occasion regarding the “Heritage of the Ultimate Law of Life” (Shoji Ichidaiji no Kechimyaku Sojo) is a noble question unheard of in previous ages, without precedent (Zenre) in history. It is truly noble, truly noble. I have written exhaustively about this in this letter. Please engrave this deeply in your heart and keep it there. Believe single-mindedly that “Nam-myo-ho-ren-ge-kyo is the very True Entity (Shotai) of the heritage entrusted by Shakyamuni Buddha and Many Treasures Buddha to Bodhisattva Superior Practices (Jogyo Bosatsu),” and strive diligently in your practice.
Fire takes burning things and illuminating the surroundings as its function (Hataraki). Water takes washing and purifying filth as its function. Wind takes blowing away dust and grime as its function, and also becoming the soul (breath) of people, animals, and plants as its function. The Great Earth takes producing and nurturing plants as its function. Heaven takes moistening and nourishing all things as its function.
The function of the five characters of Myo-ho-ren-ge-kyo is also the same as this. This is precisely the Benefit (Riyaku / Kudoku) brought by the Bodhisattvas of the Earth (Jiyu no Bosatsu) who are the Original Disciples (Honke). The sutra text states that “Bodhisattva Superior Practices (Jogyo Bosatsu) should appear in this present age of the Latter Day of the Law (Mappo) to propagate this Teaching (Homon).” Now, how is the Reality (Genjitsu)? Has Bodhisattva Superior Practices appeared, or has he not appeared? In any case, Nichiren, before anyone else, has virtually propagated this Mystic Law.
Steadfastly solidify your mind, make a firm resolution, arouse the power of strong and great faith, and pray: “I want to chant Nam-myo-ho-ren-ge-kyo through to the end and meet my death in the state of Buddhahood without hesitation.” You must never seek the Heritage of the Ultimate Law of Life apart from this strong faith. The meaning of “Earthly desires are enlightenment” and “The sufferings of birth and death are nirvana” is precisely this. If there is no heritage of faith, even if you embrace the Lotus Sutra in form only, there will be no benefit (merit). I will speak of the details again and again. Respectfully yours.
February 11, the ninth year of Bun’ei (1272)
Nichiren [Kao]
Reply to Sairen-bo Shonin
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Next is the “Modern Translation of the Heritage of the Ultimate Law of Life + Lecture.” Please look forward to it!
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