The following is from The World of Nichiren Daishonin’s Writings, vol. 3, published in Japanese in March 2005. It can be found in The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 1, revised edition, chapter 8, installment 5, pp. 260–61.
Illness is not a sign of defeat or misfortune. For those dedicated to the Mystic Law, the drama of birth, aging, sickness and death is also the joyous stage for a life of eternity, happiness, true self and purity.
The Daishonin speaks of “the treasure of faith” (“On Prolonging One’s Life Span,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 955), emphasizing to the lay nun Toki the importance of rousing the will to go on living, or, we might say, enthusiasm for life.[1]
For us, each day of life is a day that we can directly contribute to kosen-rufu; our efforts each day lead directly to the fulfillment of the great vow for kosen-rufu. Therefore, we absolutely must not be defeated by illness or any other obstacle.
The Daishonin says that illness is “the Buddha’s design,” because it can spur us to arouse the “resolve to attain the way” (“The Good Medicine for All Ills,” WND-1, 937).[2]
The ultimate purpose for living long and healthy lives is so that we can take compassionate action to benefit others who are struggling amid the realities of society. It is only natural, of course, that we chant for good health and longevity for our own sakes as well. Needless to say, to ruin one’s health on account of immoderate habits or plain neglect runs entirely counter to a way of life of value creation.
We have to exercise wisdom in our daily lives—for example, taking time to refresh ourselves and resting if we become fatigued. Good health is something we have to secure for ourselves by acting with prudence and good sense. Health is the badge of honor of the wise.
What is the purpose of striving for good health and longevity? It is so that we can use our lives to the fullest to work for the sake of the Law, for the happiness and welfare of our families, our fellow members, and our fellow human beings, and to accomplish our individual missions and realize the great vow for kosen-rufu.
It is vital therefore that we actively take on the challenges of the sufferings of birth, aging, sickness and death amid our efforts for kosen-rufu. Doing so is actual proof that the four noble virtues of Buddhahood—eternity, happiness, true self and purity—exist eternally within us.
The sufferings of birth, aging, sickness and death are not causes for lamenting. Rather, they together form the brilliant stage of life upon which we enact a drama that resounds with the triumphant strains of eternity, happiness, true self and purity. Through this drama of birth, aging, sickness and death, we perform a joyous play of human victory.
August 21, 2026 World Tribune, p. 2
References
- Nichiren Daishonin writes: “Life is the most precious of all treasures. Even one extra day of life is worth more than ten million ryo of gold. … So you must hasten to accumulate the treasure of faith and quickly conquer your illness” (“On Prolonging One’s Life Span,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 955). A ryo was a unit of weight in ancient Japan. One ryo was equivalent to about 1.25 ounces, though the exact weight differed according to the historical period. ↩︎
- Nichiren writes: “And could not this illness of your husband’s be the Buddha’s design, because the Vimalakirti and Nirvana sutras both teach that sick people will surely attain Buddhahood? Illness gives rise to the resolve to attain the way” (“The Good Medicine for All Ills,” WND-1, 937). ↩︎
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