"I Nichiren and my disciples will eventually attain Buddhahood as long as we maintain resolute faith despite our difficulties. Day and night I told my disciples never to hold doubts even should they lack heavenly protection or a peaceful life. Still they fail to listen and harbor doubts in their heart. In the face of stark reality, the foolish will forget the promises they have made."
WARE NARABI-NI WAGA DESHI SHONAN ARITOMO UTAGAU KOKORO NAKUBA JINNEN-NI BUKKAI-NI ITARUBESHI. TEN-NO KAGO NAKI KOTO-WO UTAGAWA-ZARE. GENSE-NO AN-NON NARAZARU KOTO-WO NAGEKA-ZARE. WAGA DESHI-NI CHOSEKI OSHIE SHIKADOMO UTAGAI-WO OKOSHITE MINA SUTEKEN. TSUTANAKI MONONO NARAI-WA YAKUSOKU-SESHI KOTO-WO MAKOTO-NO TOKI-WA WASURURU NARUBESHI.
Another English translation of this passage is as follows:
ReplyDeleteI Nichiren and my disciples can eventually attain Buddhahood unless we hold doubts about true Buddhism. You should never doubt the protection of the Buddhist gods. You should never be sorry that you are not leading a peaceful life. Although I have taught this to my disciples day and night, many deserted the Lotus Sutra. At a crucial moment the foolish will often forget what they have promised.
GMW called a list of leaders into his office one at a time to recite this. A great memory I have
ReplyDeleteWARE NARABI-NI WAGA DESHI SHONAN ARITOMO UTAGAU KOKORO NAKUBA JINNEN-NI BUKKAI-NI ITARUBESHI. TEN-NO KAGO NAKI KOTO-WO UTAGAWA-ZARE. GENSE-NO AN-NON NARAZARU KOTO-WO NAGEKA-ZARE. WAGA DESHI-NI CHOSEKI OSHIE SHIKADOMO UTAGAI-WO OKOSHITE MINA SUTEKEN. TSUTANAKI MONONO NARAI-WA YAKUSOKU-SESHI KOTO-WO MAKOTO-NO TOKI-WA WASURURU NARUBESHI.
I still remember it.
The second translation is far better
ReplyDeleteJacqueline Stone is an excellent translator. Seems that the first translation is from someone who doesn't speak perfect English.
ReplyDeletenot the translation I am familiar with, which emphasizes that one should maintain their faith, even if they fail to receive protection from heavenly deities. That's important, IMO. because many times, Nichiren addressed why he was in dire straights, despite his correct faith - "protection from the heavenly deities" can also be appreciated as one maintaining their faith and not being swayed by arrogant false sages...
ReplyDelete