A TRACT REVEALING THE GIST OF THE RISHO ANKOKU RON
"Aside from these people, some of my disciples might not be spared from this
calamity of falling into the Hell of Incessant Suffering upon death. Those
who disdained and hurt the Never -Despising (Fukyo) Bodhisattva fell into
the Hell of Incessant Suffering upon death for as long as 1,000 kalpa. It
was due to their great sin of slandering the bodhisattva that they were paid
such a hard fate, although they had believed in, respected, followed, and
obeyed the bodhisattva while in this life.
Now, the same could be said of disciples of Nichiren. If they believe in,
respect, follow, and obey me in name only without heart, they will no doubt
suffer in the Hell of Incessant Suffering for the period of one, two, ten,
or one hundred, if not one thousand, kalpa. If you wish to be saved from
this, you should each practice just as the Medicine-King Bodhisattva did; he
set his arm afire to offer it as a light to the Buddha; or Gyobo Bonji, who
skinned himself to write the dharma on his own skin. Just as Sessen Doji
and Suzu Danno did, you should sacrifice your own life or serve your masters
from the bottom of your heart in search of the dharma. Otherwise, you
should beseech the Buddha for help, bowing to Him with your four limbs and
face touching the ground, dripping with sweat. Otherwise, you should pile
up rare treasures in front of the Buddha as an offering to Him. If that is
not possible, you must become servants to the upholders of the dharma. Or
you should practice some other ways according to the principle of the four
ways of teaching. Among my disciples those whose faith is shallow will show
at the moment of death the sign of falling into the Hell of Incessant
Suffering. Do not blame me for it then!"
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BACKGROUND
The addressee of this letter is Oto Gozen, but in reality it is believed to
have been written to her mother, Nun Nichimyo. When the nun took her
daughter, Oto Gozen, to Sado to see Nichiren Daishonin in exile in the 5th
month of the 9th year in the Bun'ei Era (1272), her daughter was still an
infant. It is assumed, therefore, that she was still a child when this
letter was written three years later, in the first year of the Kenji Era
(1275). Judging from a statement in this letter, "I would imagine Oto Gozen
has become matured and wise," it is only natural to assume that it was
addressed to her mother. Commending Nun Nichimyo, who had visited Nichiren
on Sado Island earlier all the way from Kamakura, for coming to see him
again on Mt. Minobu, Nichiren Daishonin explained the comparative
superiority between Mahayana and Hinayana sutras and provisional and true
sutras, comparing them with small and large ships and rocks and gold.
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OTO GOZEN GO-SHOSOKU (A Letter to Lady Oto)
"Prior to the introduction of Buddhism into China, books written by the Three
Emperors, Five Rulers, Three Kings, T'ai Kung-wand, Tan (The Duke of Chou),
Lao-tzu and Confucius were called "sutras" or "classics", through which
people learned the proprieties: children's indebtedness to their parents,
and the relationship between rulers and the ruled. The teachings of these
books were observed by the people, and heaven has accepted them. When one
didn't follow these dharma, he was punished as a disobedient child or an
outlaw. When Buddhism was introduced from India, there arose a dispute
between the two sides. One insisted that it should be accepted while the
other argued that it should be rejected. The emperor summoned the two sides
to debate the issue. The supporters of Buddhism refuted the anti-Buddhists.
Since then whenever they debated, anti-Buddhists were defeated just as the
sun melts ice, or water puts fire out. Eventually they no longer argued
against Buddhism.
As Buddhism was thus introduced into China, it became clear that some
scriptures were superior or more profound in content than others. That is
to say, they could be divided into Hinayana and Mahayana, exoteric and
esoteric, or provisional and true sutras. For example, all rocks are
inferior to any gold, and gold can be graded variously. No gold in the
human world, however, equals the gold mined from the Jambu River. Even the
gold from the Jambu River can never match the gold in the Brahma Heaven.
Likewise, all scriptures of Buddhism are like gold: some are superior to or
more profound than others.
Hinayana sutras are like small boats, which can accommodate a few people but
not hundreds or thousands. Moreover, they must stay close to this shore and
can't cross over to the other shore. They can only carry a small amount of
cargo. Mahayana sutras are like larger vessels, which can carry easily ten
to twenty people. Loaded with a large amount of cargo, they can sail from
Kamakura to as far as Kyushu or Mutsu Province (Aomori and Iwate
Prefectures) in northern Honshu.
The true sutra is beyond comparison to the other Mahayana sutras. It is
like an enormous ship which, loaded with hundreds or thousands of people and
a great amount of treasures, is able to sail as far as Korea. This is the
one-vehicle teaching of the Lotus Sutra.
Devadatta once was a most evil man, but he became a Buddha called Heavenly
King Tathagatha by putting faith in the Lotus Sutra. King Ajatasatru was a
wicked king who killed his father, but he later was saved by listening to
the Lotus Sutra. Dragon Lady, a woman with a reptilian body, attained
Buddhahood after listening to Manjursri's lecture on the Lotus Sutra.
Besides, the Buddha declared that it was a gift of the Buddha to each man
and woman of the Latter Age of the Decadent Dharma. The Lotus Sutra is the
one-vehicle ship as great as Chinese ships.
Consequently, it can be said that all Buddhist scriptures in comparison to
non-Buddhist scriptures are like gold against rock. When we compare all
Mahayana sutras such as the Flower Garland Sutra, Great Sun Buddha Sutra,
Meditation on the Buddha of Infinite Life Sutra, Amitabha Sutra, and Wisdom
Sutras to the Lotus Sutra, they are like the glow of fireflies in front of
the sun and moon, or ants' nests against the great mountain of Hua-shan.
As some sutras are superior to others, practicers of certain sutras are
superior to those of other sutras. Comparison between Shingon esoterists,
who have faith in the Great Sun Buddha Sutra, and practicers of the Lotus
Sutra is as meaningless as matching fire against water or morning dew
against wind. It is said that if a dog barks at a lion, his intestines will
be torn out; and if an asura demon shoots an arrow at the sun, his head will
be broken into seven pieces. All the esoterists are like the dog or asura,
while the practicers of the Lotus Sutra are like the sun or the lion.
Ice, before the sun rises, is as hard as gold. Fire, when there is no
water, is as hot as iron in a furnace. However, hard ice can easily be
melted by the sun in summer and fire can be extinguished by water. In the
same fashion, although esoterists appear to be noble and wise, they are like
those who rely on the hardness of ice, without seeing the potential of the
sun, or fire without considering water.
You remember how arrogant people today were before the Mongol invasion of
Japan, but ever since last October, no one has been haughty. As you heard,
I, Nichiren, was the only one who predicted the foreign invasion. If they
attack this country again, no one will have the courage to face them. They
will act as a monkey facing a dog, or a frog running into a snake.
This is solely because this nation let the priests of Shingon, Pure Land,
and Ritsu Sects criticize me, who is the messenger of Sakyamuni Buddha and
the practicer of the Lotus Sutra. As a result, this nation has hurt itself,
has been disliked by heaven, and all its people have become utter cowards.
They are like fire afraid of water, a tree scared of metal (a saw), a
pheasant losing courage at a glance of a hawk, or a mouse frozen in front of
a cat. No one will be safe. What shall we do?
In a battlefield the Grand General represents the spirit of the whole army.
If the Grand General is a coward, then all his soldiers turn to be nothing
but cowards. Likewise, a husband is the spirit of his wife. Without him,
she will be spiritless. Even married women seem to have difficulties living
in this world, but you, without a husband, have never lost your spirit and
do better than married women. Moreover, you, who keep faith in gods and
revere Buddhas, are a woman superior to all others.
In Kamakura, setting aside Pure Land Buddhists, I could not see how deep the
faith of individuals was among followers of the Lotus Sutra. When I was
exiled to Sado as a prisoner of the Kamakura shogunate, I hardly had any
visitors. However, you proved to be an exceptional woman by not only
sending many offerings but also personally visiting me over there. I
thought that I was dreaming or seeing an illusion when you appeared; and
this time you visited me here. I have no words to express my gratitude. I
am certain that the gods will protect you and the ten female raksasa demons
will have compassion on you. The Buddha promised that the Lotus Sutra would
serve woman as a lantern in the darkness, a ship in the sea, and a guardian
in dangerous places.
When Tripitaka Master Kumarajiva brought the Lotus Sutra to China, the
Heavenly King Vaisravana dispatched countless soldiers to escort him safely
over the Pamirs. When Priest Dosho read the Lotus Sutra in a waste land,
innumerable tigers came together to protect him. You will also be protected
in the same way; the thirty-six earthly deities and the twenty-eight
heavenly gods will protect you. Moreover, two heavenly gods always
accompany each person just as a shadow follows the body. One is called God
Dosho, and another is God Domyo. Both protect a person by accompanying him
on both his shoulders, so that Heaven will not punish the innocent by
mistake, not to speak of a lady with virtue like you. Grand Master Miao-le
has stated: "As long as one has strong faith, he certainly will receive
greater protection." It means that the stronger one's faith is, the greater
the gods protection.
Let me say this for your sake. I am aware of your long-standing faith, but
you must strengthen it. Then you will find the greater protection of the
ten female raksasa demons. You need not look afar for an example; although
all the people in Japan, from the ruler to common people, tried to harm me,
I have survived until today due to my firm faith.
If a steersman handled his boat carelessly, everybody in the boat could be
killed. No matter how strong a man physically is, he is unable to use his
abilities effectively if he lacks faith.
Even though there are many wisemen in Japan, they can't utilize their wisdom
because the shogunate cannot steer a true course. We do not know how many
tens of millions of warriors and civilians in Iki, Tsushima, and Kyushu were
killed, captured, drowned or thrown off cliffs by Mongols. If they come to
attack again, it will be worse, with Kyoto and Kamakura experiencing the
tragedy of Iki and Tsushima. You had better get ready to escape somewhere.
Thence, those who never wanted to see or listen to me will put their hands
together in gassho and take faith in the Lotus Sutra. Even the adherents of
Pure Land and Zen Buddhism will chant "Namu Myoho Renge Kyo."
According to the Lotus Sutra, the Buddha carries on His shoulders and back
men and women who have firm faith in the sutra. Tripitaka Master Kumarayana
is said to have been carried on the back of a wooden statue of Sakyamuni
Buddha. As for myself, the Buddha took my place to save my life at
Tatsunokuchi. This has always been true, today as in the past. You are my
followers. How can you each fail to attain Buddhahood? No matter whom you
remarry, do not follow him if he does not believe in the Lotus Sutra. Have
a stronger affirmation than ever.
Ice is made of water, but it is colder than water. Blue colored cloth is
colored by indigo, but it will be bluer than indigo when dyed repeatedly.
In the same fashion, if you pile up your faith in the Lotus Sutra, you will
be filled with more vitality and blessings than other people.
A tree can be burnt by fire, but a margoso tree will not be. Fire can be
extinguished by water, but the fire of Buddha's cremation will not. Flowers
can be scattered by wind, but the flowers in the Heaven of Pure Inhabitants
will not. Water can evaporate in a severe drought, but not when it enters
the Yellow River. A wicked King named Dammira did not receive any
punishment when he beheaded Indian monks. When he beheaded Venerable
Aryasimha, however, the king's sword and hand fell to the ground at the same
time. When King Pusyamitara burnt the Kukkutarama Temple, his head was
broken by the sticks of the twelve heavenly generals. Now, the people of
Japan have become enemies of the Lotus Sutra, destroying themselves as well
as their country.
Some people, who do not understand me, may call me self-conceited for what I
say. I am not self-conceited. As a practicer of the Lotus Sutra, I must
speak out. When what I say is proven to be true in the future, people will
believe me. I write this now because I am certain that people in the future
will recognize my wisdom.
It is said in the Nirvana Sutra that the dharma is more important than our
lives, so we should propagate the dharma at the cost of our lives. My life
is insignificant; I have been struck and hated by the people. Nevertheless,
because the dharma is important, it will inevitably spread. With the Lotus
Sutra spreading I should be more revered after I die than when I am alive.
If my remains should be revered, then they should be beneficial to the
people. If my remains should be beneficial, I should be revered just as
Great Bodhisattva Hachiman. You should know that all men and women who
support me will then be respected just as Ta-kenouchi-no-Sukune, who served
Great Bodhisattva Hachiman, or his young prince.
The merit of opening the eyes of a blind man is beyond description. How
much more does it take to open the eyes of all sentient beings in Japan?
Moreover, what does it take to open the eyes of all blind people throughout
the world?
The fourth scroll of the Lotus Sutra states: "Anyone who understands the
meaning of this sutra after My death will be the eyes of the world of gods
and men." It means that those who have firm faith in the Lotus Sutra are
the eyes of all gods and men; wherefore those in Japan who are hostile to me
are picking the eyes of all heavenly and human beings. Hence, it is natural
for heavenly gods to get angry and cause disasters day after day, while
earthly deities cause calamities month after month.
Indra in heaven, who respected a fox and learned the dharma from him, was
reborn as Sakyamuni Buddha. Sessen Doji, who honored a demon as his
teacher, has become the lord of the threefold world. Sages in the past were
not concerned about their form, and they never abandoned the dharma. I,
Nichiren, today may be stupid, but I am not inferior to either a fox or a
demon. People today may be noble, but they are not superior to Indra or
Sessen Doji. Because of my humble position in society, however, they simply
reject my good words, so this country is about to be destroyed. How sad it
is! I am also sad as I am unable to save my disciples who express sympathy
to me.
Should any calamity befall you, you must come to this place promptly. I
will welcome you. Let us starve together on this mountain.
I suppose Oto Gozen has become matured and wise. I will write you again.
Nichiren
4th of the 8th month
To My Lady Oto
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