The Following Sermon was Read at the
Myoshinji Temple Okyobi April Ceremony:

Guidance from Sixty-eighth High Priest Nichinyo Shonin
On the Occasion of the January Kosen-rufu Shodai Ceremony
January 7, 2007 Reception Hall, Head Temple Taisekiji

 A Happy New Year to everyone. I would like to express my appreciation for your participation here today at the Head Temple for the first Kosen-rufu Shodai Ceremony of the year. This year is designated as the “Year of Action,” and we have another two years remaining until the celebration of the joyous occasion of the 750th Anniversary of Revealing the Truth and Upholding Justice through the Submission of the Rissho ankoku-ron in 2009. I trust that all of you have renewed your determination to work earnestly toward the achievement of our goals of “Doubling the number of the Bodhisattvas of the Earth” and “Gathering at the Great Assembly.”

As you know, a meeting was held last year at Head Temple Taisekiji for the Commemorative Department committee of the 750th Anniversary. It was decided that the Grand Ceremony, the Great Assembly of 75,000 believers, and the Commemorative General Tozan will be held in 2009.

 Today, all Hokkeko believers are working hard and progressing together with unity between priesthood and laity in order to achieve our goals for 2009. I believe this “Year of Action” is an important year that holds the key to the achievement of our goals.

The word “action” literally means “to act” or “to move.” Without action and movement, our goals will be impossible to achieve. As a matter of course, I believe that each one of you is aware of this point and making your utmost efforts. However, the question is how long you will be able to maintain your determination.

 Nichiren Daishonin states the following in “Conversation between a Sage and an Unenlightened Man” (Shogu mondo-sho):

 The human heart is like water that assumes the shape of whatever vessel it occupies, and the nature of beings is like the reflection of the moon undulating on the waves. Now you insist that you will be firm in this faith, but another day you are bound to waver. Though devils and demons may come to tempt you, you must not allow yourself to be distracted. The Devil of the Sixth Heaven hates the Buddha's Law, and the non-Buddhist believers resent the path of the Buddhist teachings. But you must be like the golden mountain that glitters more brightly when scraped by the wild boar, like the sea that encompasses all the various streams, like the fire that burns higher when logs are added, or like the kalakula insect that grows bigger when the wind blows. If you follow such examples, then how can the outcome fail to be good?   (MW-5, p. 119)

 The above passage states, “The human heart is like water that assumes the shape of whatever vessel it occupies, and the nature of beings is like the reflection of the moon undulating on the waves. Now you insist that you will be firm in this faith, but another day you are bound to waver.” This means that people’s hearts are fickle and easily change, just as water assumes the shape of any vessel it occupies. Therefore, it is often the case that even though we initially make a firm determination, we are ultimately not able to achieve our goals because of setbacks or temptations from evil influences.

Just as the Gosho teaches, we must build an unwavering faith that will not be defeated by any kind of obstacles. Nichiren Daishonin admonished us that no matter what kind of evil disturbances arise to hinder our faith, we must make use of this opportunity all the more to strengthen our faith. This is just like the examples of the wild boar and the golden mountain, the various streams and the sea, the log and the fire, and the wind and the kalakula insect mentioned in the Gosho passage.

 The passage, “you must be like the golden mountain that glitters more brightly when scraped by the wild boar,” refers to the wild boar who was filled with jealousy when he saw the golden mountain glitter so brightly. He scraped it, trying to rub off its shine. However, due to his aggressive scrapping, the golden mountain glittered more than ever. Likewise, if we exert ourselves in the correct faith and practice, it is certain that we will encounter great tribulations. However, we will then be able to further strengthen our faith precisely because of the adversities we face.

 Regarding the passage, “the sea that encompasses all the various streams,” Nichiren Daishonin stated the following in “A Ship to Cross the Sea of Suffering” (Shiichi shiro-dono gohenji):

 All rivers run to the sea, but does its fullness make the rivers flow backward? The currents of hardship pour into the sea of the Lotus Sutra and rush against its votary. The river is not rejected by the ocean; neither does the votary reject suffering. Were it not for the flowing rivers there would be no sea. Likewise, without tribulation there would be no votary of the Lotus Sutra. As T'ien-t'ai stated, “All rivers flow to the sea, and logs make a fire roar.”     (MW-1, p. 10)

 It is a rule of nature that all rivers flow into the sea. Likewise, the votary of the Lotus Sutra will certainly encounter persecutions, but it is precisely because of these persecutions that one is known as the votary of the Lotus Sutra.

 “The fire that burns higher when logs are added” refers to the fact that as we add more logs to a fire, its flames will get increasingly stronger. Furthermore, the phrase, “the kalakula insect that grows bigger when the wind blows,” refers to the legend of a microscopic insect called kalakula, whose body grows bigger when it comes into contact with the wind.

 These points are further clarified in the Gosho, “The Difficulty of Sustaining Faith” (Shijo Kingo dono gohenji):

 The votary of the Lotus Sutra is like the fire and the kalakula insect, while his persecutions are like the logs and wind. The votary of the Lotus Sutra is the Buddha of eternal life; no wonder his practice is hindered, just as the pine tree’s branches are bent or broken [to make them grow stronger]. From now on, you should always remember the words, “It is difficult to sustain faith in this sutra.”   (MW-1, p. 128)

 As the above passage states, the votary of the Lotus Sutra is bound to meet with great tribulations as he tries to strengthen his faith. However, if we can further encourage ourselves while confronting these adversities, we will definitely be able to overcome them based on our determination in faith, and this will lead us to further advance in our practice.

In other words, we have the great opportunity to use these occasions to further strengthen our faith and attain enlightenment in this lifetime. The Daishonin states in “On the Buddha's Behavior” (Shuju onfurumai Gosho):

 It is Devadatta who, more than anyone else, proved the validity of Shakyamuni's teaching. In this age as well, it is not one's friends but one's enemies who assist his progress.    (MW-1, p. 186)

 The above example of Devadatta shows us that the various difficulties that we face can help to further strengthen our faith and practice.

 Nichiren Daishonin foresaw that even though we may make a firm resolution to never slacken in our faith, in reality, when we are faced with adversities, we undoubtedly become distracted and distressed. The Daishonin taught that tribulations and adversities will appear without fail when we uphold the correct faith. He used the four examples of the golden mountain, the sea, fire, and the kalakula in order to enable us to overcome all obstacles by having absolute faith in the Dai-Gohonzon and persisting with our power of faith through believing and accepting the Mystic Law (Myoho).

 Today, we are making great efforts to progress toward the achievement of our goals for 2009, based on the unity between priesthood and laity. It is certain that, starting with the Ikeda Soka Gakkai, all kinds of obstacles and tribulations will appear to try and stop us.

 However, as stated in the Gosho passages above, whenever we encounter these various obstacles and tribulations, we must seize these great opportunities to strengthen our faith. We must have absolute faith in the great power and merit of believing and upholding the Mystic Law, and vigorously confront and break through the various difficulties that we encounter.

I hope that you will this keep in mind. I would like to conclude my address for today by praying that you will be able to overcome all kinds of obstacles through strengthening your faith. Let’s achieve our goals for 2009 based on unity between priesthood and laity.