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. 258–60.
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.
econd Soka Gakkai President Josei Toda said: “It is natural for us to fall ill. At the same time, we possess within us the power to cure our own illness.” This was a message he often shared.
Nichiren Daishonin states that birth, aging, sickness and death are “the aspect or characteristics of the threefold world” (The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, p. 127). Illness itself is just one aspect of human life. Falling ill is by no means a sign of defeat in life. Moreover, it would be utterly lacking in compassion to presume that someone’s faith is weak simply because they have gotten sick. Offering heartfelt encouragement to those who are battling illness is an expression of genuine caring. Whenever one of his followers fell ill, the Daishonin would encourage that person with all his heart and being.
The “lion’s roar” of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is the ultimate weapon for battling illness. We must absolutely never forget the Daishonin’s words “Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is like the roar of a lion. What sickness can therefore be an obstacle?” (“Reply to Kyo’o,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 412).
To use the struggle against illness to develop an even greater sense of fulfillment and inner richness is to lead a life of value creation. That is why it is so important to have the “heart of a lion king” with which to fight through to the end against all obstacles. We must possess an indomitable and unyielding spirit. It is for this very reason that we need to exert ourselves in faith and practice every day, chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo for both ourselves and others, and forge a strong determination grounded in faith that will remain steadfast and unwavering in the face of any attack by the devil of illness.
When the lay nun Toki, the wife of Toki Jonin, became seriously ill, the Daishonin repeatedly sent her letters of encouragement, seeking to impart hope and strength.[1] “Do not burden your mind with grief” (“The Bow and Arrow,” WND-1, 656), he tells her. The important thing is to have a fighting spirit, to possess the spirit of a votary of the Lotus Sutra. He also says, “Take care of yourself” (WND-1, 656). It is vital that we take practical steps toward restoring our health when we are ill.
No one intends from the outset to be defeated by illness. But should a particular illness interfere with our daily activities or our work, or cause us to lose courage and self-confidence, we may gradually be overtaken by despair. In the case of the lay nun Toki, she may have begun to feel a sense of resignation because of her slow recovery. The Daishonin urges her to summon the resolve to live out her life to the fullest.
Of course, there are people who have strong faith but who die young. However, there is definitely some profound meaning behind this. The value of one’s life is not determined by the number of years one has lived. The Daishonin asserts, “It is better to live a single day with honor than to live to 120 and die in disgrace” (“The Three Kinds of Treasure,” WND-1, 851).
August 14, 2026 World Tribune, p. 3
References
- Nichiren Daishonin writes: “You also are a practitioner of the Lotus Sutra, and your faith is like the waxing moon or the rising tide. Be deeply convinced, then, that your illness cannot possibly persist, and that your life cannot fail to be extended! Take care of yourself, and do not burden your mind with grief” (“The Bow and Arrow,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 656). ↩︎
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