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Stand Tall and Advance Resolutely Today, on this occasion of the Risshu-e ceremony for our master Nichiren Daishonin, I am truly pleased to see that you have put forth great efforts to attend this ceremony on a weekend day such as this. I have earnestly recited the sutras and chanted Daimoku together with you. Moreover, I have sincerely prayed for you to eliminate your sins and negative karma from this and infinite past lifetimes; for you to redouble your faith; for you to enjoy a safe and long life; for peace and harmony to reign in your home; for all matters to proceed forth smoothly; and for the successful achievement of all your great objectives in this and future existences. In past years we scheduled the Myoshin-ji Chapter Hokkeko General Meeting to coincide with the Risshu-e Ceremony, but as you know, this year, the 4th Overseas Believers’ General Tozan Pilgrimage was held at the Head Temple, and many people from this temple were able to attend. For this reason, I have decided to hold the Chapter General Meeting in June, when we celebrate the anniversary of the establishment of Myoshin-ji Temple. I ask you all for your understanding on this matter. The Risshu-e Ceremony, which I just performed, celebrates the establishment of True Buddhism by Nichiren Daishonin, the True Buddha, on the 28th day of the 4th month of the 5th year of Kencho (1253). At the same time, the ceremony is an occasion when all the priests and lay believers of Nichiren Shoshu pledge to put forth ever-increasing efforts in their faith, practice, and study; to pray for the achievement of the great objective of kosenrufu; and to uphold their devotion to this faith without ever begrudging their lives. I have already spoken to you about the Risshu-e Ceremony at the last Okyo-bi Ceremony. Although I would be repeating a few things in my sermon today, I would like to provide you with a brief explanation once again. Before dawn on the 28th day of the 4th month of the 5th year of Kencho (1253), Rencho (Nichiren Daishonin) climbed to the peak of Kasagamori on top of Mt. Kiyosumi, as the world lay quietly under a cover of morning dew. He calmly waited for the sun to rise in the distant horizon on the Pacific Ocean. Then, at the very instant the morning sun extended its bright rays above the deep blue sea and enveloped his entire body in a brilliant golden light, Rencho faced the rising sun and the entire universe and he solemnly chanted the supreme Daimoku: “Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. (Daishonin shoden) From noon that day, at the southern end of Jibutsudo Hall in the Shobutsu-bo lodging temple of Seicho-ji Temple, the Daishonin commenced his teaching of the Great Law of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. This occasion is known as the “first turning of the wheel of the Law” (shoten horin). The following excerpt is from the “Letter to the Priests of Seicho-ji” (Seicho-ji daishu-chu): Yet I was determined to requite the favor of Bodhisattva Kokuzo. With this in mind, on the twenty-eighth day of the fourth month in the fifth year of Kencho (1253), I pointed out the errors of the various sects for the first time to a small audience including Joen-bo on the southern side of the image hall in Dozen-bo’s quarters in Seicho-ji Temple, located in Tojo Village in Awa Province. For more than twenty years since then, I have persisted in my declaration without retreating a step. (Shimpen gosho, p. 945; MW-2, p. 263) The Daishonin chose to perform his “first turning of the wheel of the Law” – that is, to commence his teaching of True Buddhism – at Seicho-ji Temple, where he first entered the priesthood, studied the Buddhist doctrine, and performed his Buddhist practices. He chose to do this because he was determined to return his debt of gratitude to Bodhisattva Kokuzo and to his master Dozen-bo. When the Daishonin practiced Buddhism as a common mortal, he held three questions in his heart. 1. Why was it that the Shingon sect, which propounded pacifism in the land, was bringing ruin to the nation? 2. Why was it that the practitioners of the Nembutsu and other sects manifested a dreadful appearance upon their death? 3. Although the Shingon, Jodo, and Zen sects engaged in self-exaltation, why was it that they did not follow the teachings set forth by Shakyamuni? The Daishonin held these doubts in his heart, as he studied extensively in Kamakura, Kyoto, Nara, Mt. Hiei, and other locations. He then understood that the Lotus Sutra was, indeed, the supreme teaching, and he ultimately realized that he, himself, was none other than the reincarnation of Bodhisattva Jogyo, the leader of the Boddhisattvas of the Earth, who was expounded in the Lotus Sutra. The following passage is contained in The Mystic Powers (Nyorai jinriki; twenty-first) chapter of the Lotus Sutra: Just as the light of the sun and the moon can eliminate all gloom and darkness, this individual is able to remove the obscurity within all living entities, as he sets forth through the world. (Kaiketsu, p. 516) “This individual,” referred to in this passage, is none other than Nichiren Daishonin. His external manifestation was in the form of the reincarnation of Bodhisattva Jogyo, and his internal enlightenment was, in fact, the True Buddha of kuon-ganjo, infinite time without beginning or end. Thus, the establishment of True Buddhism by Nichiren Daishonin is fundamentally different from the arbitrary interpretations of Shakyamuni’s teachings, by the founders of other Buddhist sects. The Daishonin earnestly realized that his essential mission was to propagate the Mystic Law (Myoho) – which characterized his very entity – in the Latter Day of the Law. He determined that he must practice the Buddha’s teachings in order to propagate True Buddhism. Thereafter, the Daishonin encountered various major persecutions, but he never retreated from his determination. He worked his entire life to propagate True Buddhism, and he manifested the entity of the Buddha, as predicted in the Lotus Sutra. On this occasion of the Risshu-e Ceremony, we, as priests and lay believers of Nichiren Shoshu, must extend our true appreciation to the Daishonin for his great compassion. The essential significance of this ceremony lies in our sincere determination, as disciples and followers of the Daishonin, to stand tall and advance forth assiduously in our faith and practice. We all started our Buddhist practice due to someone’s shakubuku efforts. As a result, we have been able to embrace True Buddhism and chant Daimoku. Let us chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and perform shakubuku, so that we can do the same and bring salvation to many, many individuals. When the True Buddhism of the Daishonin is gradually propagated and we ultimately achieve kosenrufu, we can accomplish true world peace. Our High Priest Nichinyo Shonin stated the following at the Hokkeko General Meeting on March 28th: I am firmly convinced that, when we chant sincere Daimoku, when we pray, when we move to action, and when the entire Hokkeko manifests solid unity – characterized by different bodies but one mind – to advance forth to perform shakubuku, the guardian deities will move to action, without fail, and we will be able to accomplish shakubuku. As Hokkeko members of Myoshin-ji Temple, let us sincerely embrace these directions from our High Priest. As true disciples of the Daishonin, let us all increase our devotion and advance forth as individuals every day. Thank you very much for your attendance today. 7. Conclusion Sixty-eighth High Priest Nichinyo Shonin gave the following guidance at the General Meeting of the “Year to Stand Up and Take Resolute Action” at the Head Temple on January 3rd of this year: After all, with our absolute faith in the Dai-Gohonzon as our foundation, and in our capacity as the Buddha’s disciples, we must conduct shakubuku. It is here that we will find enlightenment. Again, we will be endowed with fortune for ourselves and for others and be able to live a truly worthwhile life. (Daibyakuho, 685) Only the teaching of Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo, which was first chanted by Nichiren Daishonin will save the people from the disasters and calamities breaking out all over the world. The Nichiren Shoshu priesthood and laity understand this reality. After he established True Buddhism, Nichiren Daishonin practiced shakubuku without begrudging his life (fushaku shinmyo). We must carry out the practice for oneself and others in order to fulfill our mission as the followers of the Bodhisattvas of the Earth. Let’s exert our utmost efforts with strong determination to accomplish our shakubuku goals without fail this year, the “Year to Stand Up and Take Resolute Action.” |