CategoryGosho Study

Buddhism primarily concerns itself with victory or defeat, while secular authority is based on the principle of reward and punishment. (“The Hero of the World,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 835) Ikeda Sensei’s Guidance Buddhism does not deny things of worldly or secular value. As practitioners, however, we will not be able

Background In August 1275, about a year after the first Mongol invasion of Japan, Nichiren addressed this letter to the infant girl Oto. Though addressed to her, the content was clearly meant for Oto’s mother, Nichimyo. She was an earnest believer living in Kamakura who, even after her husband died, maintained pure faith while raising

Since you now appear certain to attain Buddhahood, perhaps the heavenly devil and evil spirits are using illness to try to intimidate you. Life in this world is limited. Never be even the least bit afraid! (“The Proof of the Lotus Sutra,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 1109) Ikeda Sensei’s Guidance In

Background This letter was written in May 1273 while Nichiren was in exile on Sado Island. Despite the hardships he faced there, it was on Sado where he wrote some of his most important writings, including “The Opening of the Eyes” and “The Object of Devotion for Observing the Mind.” The title “On Practicing the

“Realize that the time will come when the truth will be revealed that both the person and the Law are unaging and eternal. There cannot be the slightest doubt about the sutra’s promise of ‘peace and security in their present existence.’” (“On Practicing the Buddha’s Teachings,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 392)

Background Nichiren Daishonin wrote this treatise in 1275 from Minobu and entrusted it to a believer named Yui who lived in Nishiyama of Suruga Province. Considered one of his 10 major works, it takes the form of a dialogue between himself and a hypothetical questioner. In the title, the word time refers to the Latter

“Neither the pure land nor hell exists outside oneself; both lie only within one’s own heart. Awakened to this, one is called a Buddha; deluded about it, one is called an ordinary person. The Lotus Sutra reveals this truth, and one who embraces the Lotus Sutra will realize that hell is itself the Land of

Background Nichiren Daishonin wrote this letter from Sado Island in May 1273 and addressed it to Sairen-bo, who was also in exile there. In the beginning of the letter, Nichiren writes about “the true aspect of all phenomena,” a phrase from the Lotus Sutra’s “Expedient Means” chapter. He writes that “all beings and environments in

Be diligent in developing your faith until the last moment of your life. Otherwise you will have regrets. For example, the journey from Kamakura to Kyoto takes twelve days. If you travel for eleven but stop with only one day remaining, how can you admire the moon over the capital? —“Letter to Niike,” The Writings of

“I wonder if you and I have not been pledged to each other as teacher and disciple from countless kalpas in the past.” (“Reply to Sairen-bo,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 309) Ikeda Sensei’s Guidance Although this statement is addressed specifically to Sairen-bo, we can read it to include all of us.

“My wish is that all my disciples make a great vow.” —“The Dragon Gate,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 1003 In Nichiren Buddhism, a vow is an earnest, indomitable wish and promise to achieve peace, happiness and enlightenment, and enable others to do the same.  To willingly share this wish or vow with

Even though you chant and believe in Myoho-renge-kyo, if you think the Law is outside yourself, you are embracing not the Mystic Law but an inferior teaching.”  —“On Attaining Buddhahood in This Lifetime,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 3 In one of his earliest works, “On Attaining Buddhahood in This Lifetime”—written in

Background At the time Nichiren wrote “Letter from Sado,” in March 1272, persecutions targeting his disciples in Kamakura were intensifying, and a growing number of people were abandoning their faith. Despite his own dire circumstances, Nichiren wrote this letter to encourage others. He urged them to summon up the heart of a lion king like

“Buddhism teaches that, when the Buddha nature manifests itself from within, it will receive protection from without.” (“The Three Kinds of Treasure,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 848) Ikeda Sensei’s Guidance Nichiren Daishonin explains … the “Buddha nature manifesting itself from within and bringing forth protection from without.” In other words, when

Strengthen your resolve more than ever. Ice is made of water, but it is colder than water. Blue dye comes from indigo, but when something is repeatedly dyed in it, the color is better than that of the indigo plant. The Lotus Sutra remains the same, but if you repeatedly strengthen your resolve, your color

Background Written on November 6, 1279, this letter was addressed to Nanjo Tokimitsu, a key disciple in Suruga Province. Like his late father, Tokimitsu looked up to Nichiren as his mentor and strove in faith under Nikko Shonin’s instruction. When he received this letter, he had already become a young leader among the believers in

A person of wisdom is not one who practices Buddhism apart from worldly affairs but, rather, one who thoroughly understands the principles by which the world is governed. —“The Kalpa of Decrease,”  The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 1121 Mahatma Gandhi once said, “[Religion] provides a moral basis to all other activities which

“That is why the Great Teacher Miao-lo stated, ‘The stronger one’s faith, the greater the protection of the gods.’ So long as one maintains firm faith, one is certain to receive the great protection of the gods. I say this for your sake. I know your faith has always been admirable, but now you must

The Contemplation of the Mind-Ground Sutra states: “If you want to understand the causes that existed in the past, look at the results as they are manifested in the present. And if you want to understand what results will be manifested in the future, look at the causes that exist in the present.” —“The Opening

Never seek this Gohonzon outside yourself. The Gohonzon exists only within the mortal flesh of us ordinary people who embrace the Lotus Sutra and chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. —“The Real Aspect of the Gohonzon,”The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 832 Henceforth I ask not good-fortune, I myself am good fortune,” Walt Whitman sings. Our lives