Study Materials

Showing Actual Proof of Victory in Society and Daily Living!

“Carry through with your faith in the Lotus Sutra. You cannot strike fire from flint if you stop half-way. Bring forth the great power of faith, and be spoken of by all the people of Kamakura, both high and low, or by all the people of Japan, as Shijo Kingo, ‘Shijo Kingo of the Lotus school!’ Even a bad reputation will spread far and wide. A good reputation will spread even farther, particularly if it is a reputation for devotion to the Lotus Sutra.”

Background

This letter is said to have been written by Nichiren Daishonin on Sado Island in the fifth month of the ninth year of Bun’ei (1272) and is addressed to Shijo Kingo, the leader of the Daishonin’s disciples in Kamakura.

At that time, the Daishonin’s followers were subjected to severe oppression by the Kamakura government and Shijo Kingo was desperately protecting the believers in Kamakura who were suffering under these persecutions.

At the beginning of this Gosho, the Daishonin expresses his deep appreciation to Shijo Kingo for his determination in coming all the way to visit the Daishonin on Sado Island. And, the Daishonin teaches that since great persecutions determine our attainment of Buddhahood, we should be rejoicing.

Next, regarding the reason why persecutions arise, the Daishonin teaches that it is because the Nam-myoho-renge-kyo expounded by him seems limited compared to the theoretical “three thousand realms in a single moment of life” expounded by T’ien-t’ai and Dengyo, but it is extremely profound. Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is indeed the fundamental wisdom. It is the teachings of “earthly desire are enlightenment” and “the sufferings of birth and death are nirvana.” That is, it is the principle for transforming all sufferings in the reality of our life.

Further, the Daishonin praises Shijo Kingo as “How wondrous! How extraordinary!” is his faith as he met with persecution similar as that of his mentor, as a votary of the Lotus Sutra. Finally, the Daishonin encourages Shijo Kingo to bring forth his great power of faith and be spoken of by all the people of Japan as “Shijo Kingo of the Lotus School!”

Carrying through Our Faith to the Very End!

The Buddhism of Nichiren Daishonin is the Buddhism for gaining victory in our actual reality. Since we embrace faith in this Buddhism, we must become such persons as to be trusted and praised by those around us. This will prove the greatness of this Buddhism.

In this Gosho, the Daishonin teaches, “Be spoken of by all the people of Japan as ‘Shijo Kingo of the Lotus School!’” At the time when this Gosho was written, the Daishonin’s disciples were exposed to the headwind of severe persecutions. That is why the Daishonin strongly encourages all his disciples to establish the actual proof of absolute victory in the reality of their society at that time.

The expression of “Shijo Kingo of the Lotus School” can be interpreted as the Daishonin’s great expectations towards his favourite disciple. All of us also need to be spoken of and praised by all as, “That person of Soka Gakkai is truly praiseworthy! When we look at that person, we know the greatness of Soka Gakkai! We know the greatness of his mentor!”

Of course, the actual proof of a victorious life, even if we are practising faith, cannot be shown just in a single day. Basing on our tenacity towards victory and prayer of conviction, we need to put in doubly more efforts than others, be honest through and through, make the most of our efforts and manifest our wisdom.

Even then, there may be severe days of “winter” that we need to endure. And, because of our faith, we may come under harsh and heartless criticisms. However, if we carry through our faith to the very end, the “spring of victory” will come a calling!

The most important thing is to “carry through” no matter what! The “torch of conviction” must never die out in our bosom! The Daishonin teaches Shijo Kingo to “carry through his faith in the Lotus Sutra!” Indeed, at times of adversity, we should be burning with the great power of faith!

SGI President Ikeda once said that faith is to show the actual proof of victory as an undeniable fact in the reality of society and our daily life!

Contributed by SGM Study Department