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Address to the Myoshinji
Temple Hokkeko Believers The 68th High Priest Nichinyo Shonin has designated 2006 as “The Year to Stand Up and Take Resolute Action” Based on this year’s slogan, let us (Nichiren Shoshu believers around the world) vow to sincerely exert utmost effort to stand up and follow the High Priest’s guidance, with unity between priesthood and laity. This means we should double the membership and gather at the great assembly in 2009 at the 750th Anniversary of Revealing the Truth and Upholding Justice through the Submission of the Rissho Ankoku Ron (On Securing the Peace of the Land through the Establishment of the Correct Buddhist Law). Of course, it is impossible to consider yourself united with the priesthood and a Buddha’s disciple unless you stand up and take concrete action. Now, I would like to explain a little bit about the reason why Nichiren Daishonin submitted the Rissho Ankoku Ron on July 16th 1260 to the most powerful person within the Kamakura Shogunate, the retired regent, Hojo Tokiyori. The four Kanji characters for “Rissho Ankoku” clearly describe Nichiren Daishonin’s intentions. Rissho means “Establishment of the Correct Buddhist Law.” Ankoku means “Securing the Peace of the Land.” This exactly describes Nichiren Daishonin’s ultimate purpose, and all of His daily activities were nothing more than for the accomplishment of this purpose. In the body of the Rissho Ankoku Ron, Nichiren Daishonin clarified that the fundamental cause of people’s suffering was adherence to the heretical sects and doctrines of the day, which were in opposition to orthodox Buddhism. Lastly, He explained the Establishment of the Correct Buddhist Law. In those days, the Japanese were besieged with unusually frequent natural disasters and other calamities, including earthquakes, epidemics, and famine, which reflected their attachment to erroneous beliefs. Having heard the pain-filled outcry of the people, Nichiren Daishonin warned the government that internal strife and foreign invasion would also occur without fail. After Nichiren Daishonin’s predictions came true, he told the government to immediately discard their attachment to heretical teachings and convert to the correct law. He also participated in formal debates with Nembutsu believers to correct their slander and urged the government to hold open religious debates to determine the proper Buddhist faith. Thereafter, Nichiren Daishonin sent eleven more letters to the government and monks of the major temples urging them to do the same. However, not only did they reject the Daishonin’s strict warnings, they decided to suppress him. They were shocked and angered by the letters. The Daishonin was arrested and sent to the execution ground in Tatsunokuchi. This episode is called the “Tatsunokuchi Persecution”. After the failed execution attempt at Tatsunokuchi, the government exiled Daishonin to Sado Island. Nichiren Daishonin was never defeated by the heretical sects and their doctrines but, rather, devoted his life entirely for the sake of the people through the Establishment of the Correct Buddhist Law. The Rissho Ankoku Ron is Nichiren Daishonin’s fundamental actual practice and reflects His purpose. Therefore, in Nichiren Shoshu, we say that a correct practice begins with the Rissho Ankoku Ron and ends with the Rissho Ankoku Ron. Nichiren Daishonin’s last lecture to his disciples before his passed away was based on the Rissho Ankoku Ron. Moreover, we, the priesthood and laity, must sincerely channel our utmost effort into a practice that reveals the truth of the treatise “On Securing the Peace of the Land through the Propagation of True Buddhism” in order to repay our debt of gratitude to the true Buddha. As we look toward the near future, we must stand up and take the same kind of action toward the great celebration in 2009. Now, as to the issue of attitude in faith, I feel sorry when I meet those in the Hokkeko who have self-serving attitudes like “I have enough faith and believe in the Gohonzon.” – “I don’t need to be involved in any Hokkeko activity.” or “I’m not interested in the Nichiren Shoshu movement.” If you know of anyone with these attitudes, please remind them about the correct faith of a Nichiren Shoshu Hokkeko believer. Do they follow the guidance of the priesthood about faith and practice to learn the teachings of Buddhism? Do they take correct action in their practice? Are they unable to recognize that they still have an SGI self-righteous perspective mind? If you truly believe you are a disciple of Nichiren Daishonin, you must vow to sincerely put forth your utmost effort to follow the High Priest who has asked us to double the membership by the time of the 750th Anniversary of Revealing the Truth and upholding Justice through the Submission of the Rissho Ankoku Ron. Furthermore, nurturing a younger generation of Hokkeko believers is dependent upon on each of you possessing a correct faith and practice. That is to do Gongyo and Daimoku every morning and night. If we compare our body to a tree, a tree grows strong and the branches follow. In the same way, Daimoku will create life-force and nourish growth in others. Our Buddhist practice will be reflected in our life. For example, a person’s language can reflect dignity. “Without proper language, one can not be called dignified.” In other words, through a correct Buddhist practice a person can reflect dignified beauty and kindness through language. However, no one can master proper language skills within a few days. It is a lifetime effort. In the same way, a person’s dignified appearance and personality will not grow within a day or a few years, if anything it takes many days, months and years. Alternatively, there are those who are arrogantly satisfied with their own practice and chant only for themselves and what they want to get. This kind of attitude is exactly the same as an SGI or a cult mind. Nichiren Daishonin stated in the Gosho (The Fourteen Slanders) “In like manner, there are many people who set their hearts on enlightenment, but only a few who continue their practice and in fact attain the true way. The aspiration for enlightenment in common mortals is often hindered by evil influences and easily swayed by circumstances.” Even though you are a Nichiren Shoshu member, if you keep a self-righteous practice, you are not following the correct path. As a result, it may be easy to get upset with another member because of a trivial matter, stop going to the temple, and eventually stop practicing. On the other hand, a person with a pure heart based on a correct Buddhist practice will naturally possess dignity, grace and proper language. So let’s think seriously how to polish our heart and language. Actual beauty exists deep within our self and is different from the inherited beauty or the beauty of youth, which often doesn’t last long and tends to increase arrogance. Don’t you think it will be great for your dignity and beauty to grow with age? Of course, this does not mean beauty without any white hair. What I mean is that our white hair and wrinkles will beam with joy from the kind of attitude we posses by overcoming the sadness and suffering that we experience throughout the ups and downs of life. It doesn’t matter if a person has a smooth or tough life. Even though people are living in a favorable environment, they will become ugly in appearance from complaints and dissatisfaction as they grow older. If you see people like that around you, then please mention something to them about it. Nowadays, we are facing much darkness in the world. However, If we believe in the Daimoku of Nam Myoho Renge Kyo, which is the soul of True Buddha Nichiren Daishonin, and use it like fertilizer to energize our life and if we exert our utmost effort in practice, we will possess a level of dignity and beauty that is as deep as our age and bright like oxidized silver. I see many Hokkeko member here today who are getting older, so please do a lot of Daimoku and experience the joy of your own bright light from inside of your life. I, myself, would like to grow older this way. Thank you for coming today and I will pray for your health and happiness. |