Lecture in Praise of Nichiren Daishonin
December Oko Lecture
Published in the February 2024 Nichiren Shoshu Monthly
Letter from Sado
When an evil ruler tries to destroy the true Law, and heretical priests support his efforts to do away with a person of wisdom, one who maintains the heart of the lion king will definitely attain Buddhahood. This is true of Nichiren. I say this not out of arrogance, rather because I have a strong mind to protect the true Law that I hold so dear. Fear always arises in the hearts of arrogant people when they encounter a strong enemy. They are like the arrogant asura who shrank in terror and hid in a lotus flower in Lake Anavatapta when he was confronted by Heavenly King Taishaku. If one practices even a single character or phrase of the true Law in accordance with the time and capacity of the people, one definitely will attain Buddhahood. On the other hand, even though one masters a thousand sutras and ten thousand treatises, if the teaching does not accord with the correct time and capacity, it will never lead to enlightenment.
(Gosho, p. 579)
Background and Summary
This Gosho was written at Tsukahara in Sado, on the 20th day of the third month of the ninth year of Bunei (1272), when Nichiren Daishonin was 51 years old. Since the postscript note reads: “To all the disciples and followers of Nichiren,” this is considered to be a letter widely addressed to all his followers.
When the authorities of the Shogunate, who possessed immense power, and the slanderous evil priests combined their efforts, they tried to execute the Daishonin at the Tatsunokuchi Persecution and then exiled him thereafter to Sado. Among the disciples and believers who saw these great persecutions before their eyes, there were some who harbored doubts in the Daishonin’s teachings and renounced their faith. Thus, in “The Opening of the Eyes” (“Kaimoku-sho”), which the Daishonin wrote a month prior to this Gosho, he stated that he was, indeed, the true votary of the Lotus Sutra, who read the Lotus Sutra with his actions by enduring all the persecutions predicted in it. He further revealed that he was the Buddha possessing the three virtues who made his advent in the Latter Day of the Law, and that Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo was the one and only true Law.
Following the writing of “The Opening of the Eyes,” the Daishonin explains in this Gosho, the significance of the obstacles and devils that compete with one another to impede our progress, from the standpoint of Buddhism. Furthermore, he reveals how those courageously propagating true Buddhism will attain enlightenment, without fail. He encourages all his followers to enhance their faith and practice.
Essential Points of the Lecture
Let’s Do Shakubuku with the Heart of a Lion King
The Daishonin states in this passage:
…one who maintains the heart of the lion king will definitely attain Buddhahood.
(Gosho, p. 579)
We can see that “the heart of the lion king” is a heart of great courage and devotion that enables us to do shakubuku with boundless composure, to refute heresy and reveal the truth, regardless of unrelenting attacks from those upholding heretical teachings. The Daishonin writes the following about the heart of a lion king, in the Gosho, “On Persecutions Befalling the Buddha” (“Shonin gonan ji”):
Every one of you must rouse the courage of a lion from within and never cower to threats, regardless of how people may try to intimidate you. The lion king fears no other beast, and the same is true of its cubs.
(Gosho, p. 1397)
He instructs us that, when we do shakubuku, we may encounter various persecutions and threats from those who believe in heretical religions. However, we don’t need to falter but should confidently carry through our shakubuku efforts.
The following passage from the latter part of the Gosho we are studying explains the consequences of assiduously doing shakubuku with the spirit of not begrudging our lives:
By eradicating during this life our heavy karmic offenses from the past, we can avoid falling into the three evil paths in our future lives.
(Gosho, p. 580)
We are able to lessen our karmic retribution from our past slanders against the Law and eradicate our karmic offenses. Through the merit of lessening our heavy karmic retribution, we can expiate within our lifetime our negative karma and attain enlightenment without fail. When Sixty-Sixth High Priest Nittatsu Shonin presented a lecture on this Gosho, he said:
Someone who continues to do shakubuku for the sake of true Buddhism is a person of true strength.
(Complete Works of Nittatsu Shonin [Tatsu zen], 2-2-554)
Let us take these instructions to heart and do shakubuku with fearless courage, so that we can advance the propagation of the true Law.
Refuting Heretical Doctrines is an Act of Compassion
During the Daishonin’s lifetime, there were some among his disciples who criticized his way of denouncing heresy:
Priest Nichiren is our teacher, but he is too harsh. We will propagate the Lotus Sutra in a softer, more malleable way.
(“Letter From Sado” [“Sado-gosho”], Gosho, p. 583)
However, the Daishonin declared the following against such critics:
It is comparable to fireflies laughing at the sun and the moon.
(ibid.; Summarized)
Refuting slanders against the Law is characterized in the following way:
If your only child suffers from a serious illness, wouldn’t you seek his recovery with moxa cautery?
(“The Opening of the Eyes” [“Kaimoku-sho”], Gosho, p. 577)
Much like a parent’s caring for a child, refuting slander is an act of compassion that arises from a single-minded determination to unconditionally save the people. As disciples and followers, we should keep in mind that the Daishonin’s shakubuku of refuting heresy and revealing the truth based on his great compassion is the highest form of Buddhist practice that will lead all people, ourselves and others, to attain enlightenment. It is essential for us to apply this in our daily lives.
Guidance From High Priest Nichinyo Shonin
When it comes to shakubuku, the person will not join if they are not persuaded. What persuades them is our character, our compassionate heart, and our resolve….When we chant resolute Daimoku, it will naturally polish our faith and character. From there, the courage, wisdom, and power to take action will well forth, allowing you to do determined shakubuku with a compassionate heart.
(Dainichiren, August 2023)
Conclusion
First and foremost, we must devote ourselves to chanting sincere Daimoku. We will gain wisdom and courage from the Gohonzon and launch ourselves into doing shakubuku. Most significantly, it is essential to move, to take action. By continuing to amass this action, we can successfully achieve our personal shakubuku as well as the goals for our chapter. As priesthood and laity, let us form a solid unity and an indestructible solidarity of the Hokkeko, based on itai doshin – many in body, one in mind. Furthermore, let us prioritize our shakubuku efforts and advance together with devotion.
Footnote:
Explanation of Gosho
When an evil ruler tries to eradicate true Buddhism, and when heretical priests give him support to destroy a person of wisdom, a person with the heart of a lion king will attain enlightenment without fail. Such is the case with Nichiren. I say this not from arrogance but because of my strong conviction in true Buddhism. A man of arrogance will cower in fear, when he encounters a formidable enemy. He is like the arrogant asura who, when he was reprimanded by Heavenly King Taishaku, shrank himself inside a lotus flower blooming in Lake Anavatapta. If individuals uphold a word or phrase of true Buddhism that suits the age and the people’s capacity, they will be led onto the path of Buddhahood. Although people may study a thousand sutras and ten-thousand doctrines, they cannot achieve enlightenment, if the teachings are not appropriate for the times and the capacity of the people.
Explanation of the Major Terms
- Lion king: Lion, the king of beasts. The Daishonin uses this reference to illustrate the superiority of the Lotus Sutra and the Buddha and also the inferiority of the pre-Lotus Sutra teachings. He also compares the sermons presented by the Buddha to the voice of the lion and characterizes it as the “lion’s roar.” The following passage is in the Emerging from the Earth (Juji yujutsu; fifteenth) chapter of the Lotus Sutra: “The power of the Buddhas that has the lion’s ferocity.” (Hokekyo, p. 418; The Lotus Sutra, Watson, p. 218)
- The arrogant asura who shrank in terror and hid himself in a lotus flower…when he was confronted by Heavenly King Taishaku: This is expounded in the Sea of Meditation on the Sutra of the Buddha (Kambutsu zanmaikai kyo) (Taisho, #15, p. 647). It is a story about the king of asuras who challenged Heavenly King Taishaku, but then encountered a counteroffensive. He escaped into a hole in a lotus plant.
- Lake Anavatapta: A lake devoid of sweltering heat. According to the Buddhist teachings, it is located at the center of Jambudvipa (this world), and it is the source of the four great rivers. It is also called a cold lake, Lake Munetchi, a heat-free lake.
