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Guidance from Sixty-eighth High Priest Nichinyo Shonin On the occasion of the July Kosen-rufu Shodai Ceremony, which has been scheduled a day earlier due to the Hokkeko Summer Study Tozan, I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to the large number of participants here today. Half of this year, the “Year of Action” has passed, and as we enter into the month of July, I trust that all of you are striving hard day and night for the accomplishment of our pledge. The Teachers of the Law (Hosshi; tenth) chapter of the Lotus Sutra states: [Verse]: Medicine King, now I say to you, I have preached various sutras, and among those sutras the Lotus is foremost!
At that time, the Buddha
spoke once more to the bodhisattva and Mahasattva Medicine King, saying:
"The sutras I have preached number immeasurable thousands, ten thousands,
millions. Among the sutras I have preached, now preach, and will preach,
this Lotus Sutra is the most difficult to believe and the most difficult
to understand. The phrase, “I have preached” indicates the various teachings preached by Shakyamuni Buddha during the first forty years or so of his preaching career. The phrase, “now preach” refers to the Sutra of Infinite Meaning (Muryogi), which is the prologue to the Lotus Sutra, and the phrase, “will preach” refers to the Nirvana Sutra. The above passage from the Teachers of the Law chapter cites the three teachings of the past, present, and future and states that, among all these teachings, the Lotus Sutra is the most difficult to believe and most difficult to understand. The reason why the Lotus Sutra is the most difficult to believe and most difficult to understand is explained in the Gosho, “The True Object of Worship”:
The Theoretical Teaching, the
teachings of the first four periods, the Muryogi Sutra and the
Nirvana Sutra were all preached according to the capacities of the people.
They are, therefore, easy to believe and easy to understand. In contrast,
the Essential Teaching reveals the Buddha's own enlightenment, and
therefore, is difficult to believe and difficult to understand. The Lotus Sutra, which is the true teaching based on the Buddha’s own enlightenment, is the most difficult to believe and difficult to understand while the various sutras preached before it are expedient teachings that are easy to believe and easy to understand. Expedient teachings refer to the doctrines that the Buddha taught according to the capacities of the people in order to lead them to the true teaching. The true teaching was expounded by the Buddha based on his own enlightenment, regardless of the capacities of the people. The Lotus Sutra, therefore, is not the teaching that was expounded according to the people’s aptitudes. Rather, it is the true teaching, which was taught based on the true intent of the Buddha. That is why it is the teaching that is the most difficult to believe and difficult to understand. Nichiren Daishonin discussed the principle of “difficult to believe and difficult to understand” in the Gosho, “The Difficulty of Sustaining Faith” (Shijo Kingo dono gohenji). He quoted the passage, “It is difficult to sustain faith in this sutra,” and gave the following explanation: According to Nissho, you said to him, “I have been practicing this sutra correctly since last year, when you told me that those who embrace this sutra will enjoy peace and security in this life and good circumstances in the next. But instead I have been deluged by hardships.” Is this true, or did he give me a false story? In either case, I will take advantage of this opportunity to resolve any doubts you may have. A passage from the Lotus Sutra reads, “[This sutra is] difficult to believe and difficult to understand.” Many hear about and accept this sutra, but few continue and uphold their faith in the face of great obstacles. To accept is easy; to continue is difficult. But Buddhahood lies in continuing faith. Those who embrace this sutra should be prepared to meet difficulties. It is certain, however, that they will “quickly obtain the supreme enlightenment.”
…Another part of the sutra
reads, “It is difficult to sustain faith in this sutra. One who embraces
it even for a short time will delight me and all other Buddhas.” A fire
burns higher when logs are added, and a strong wind makes the gura
swell. The boughs of the long-lived pine tree become bent and twisted as
it grows older. The votary of the Lotus Sutra is like the fire and the
gura, 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. From now
on, you should always remember the words, “It is difficult to sustain
faith in this sutra.” The Lotus Sutra is the teaching that is difficult to believe and difficult to understand. If one continues to sustain faith in this teaching, one will surely face great difficulties. However, it is precisely because the Lotus Sutra is difficult to believe and difficult to understand that great difficulties occur. The more difficulties that occur, the more we must have the conviction that this is the correct Law. If we continue to uphold faith in the Mystic Law (Myoho), we can eradicate our negative causes from the infinite past and obtain the great benefit of attaining Buddhahood in our present form. Therefore, in order to be able to uphold faith in this Mystic Law (Myoho) now, in the Latter Day of the Law, we must be convinced that this is the Law that is difficult to sustain faith in, and we must be prepared to endure all kinds of difficulties. This is crucial. Today, the priesthood and laity are working hard toward the achievement of our goals of “Doubling the number of the Bodhisattvas of the Earth” and “Gathering at the Great Assembly of 75,000 believers” in 2009. However, it is certain that we will be confronted by difficulties from interference, obstruction, defamation, and persecutions from various sources, including the Ikeda Soka Gakkai. Also, there may be cases when evil functions arise in our own lives if we become negligent in our faith. However, if each and every one of us remains unfazed by all kinds of difficulties and obstacles, has resolute conviction, stays in itai-doshin, and moves ahead with courage, we will definitely be able to achieve our objectives. The Gosho states:
We can feel comfort when we
confront hardships. When we can establish strong faith, we will be able to break through all kinds of difficulties and obstacles through the immense merit and boundless benefit of the Dai-Gohonzon, and we can obtain true happiness. The Daishonin states the following:
Though enemies
lurk in wait for you, your resolute faith in the Lotus Sutra has
forestalled persecutions before they could begin. Realizing this, you
should strengthen your faith more than ever. We must deeply reflect on the Daishonin’s intent. The important point is that we must have strong faith in order to overcome all kinds of difficulties. We have another two years remaining for the achievement of our pledge in 2009. I would like to conclude my address today by praying that you will forge ahead strongly and courageously toward our objectives and overcome all kinds of great difficulties and obstacles with strong faith. Please remember what I have said today.
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