Oko Sermon - Lecture in praise of Nichiren Daishonin
Reverend Shogu Kimura
October, 2009
Cultivating Individuals of Talent and Achieving Kosen-rufu
Our Conviction to Achieve Kosen-rufu
The achievement of kosen-rufu is the goal of all priests and lay believers of Nichiren Shoshu. It marks the lifelong objective of the True Buddha Nichiren Daishonin. Kosen-rufu is the condition of true happiness that can be achieved when people worldwide uphold the Dai-Gohonzon of the High Sanctuary of True Buddhism and chant Daimoku.
When we look at the harsh reality of confusion and delusion throughout the world, with ceaseless conflicts, violence, starvation, and poverty, some may wonder whether or not kosen-rufu could, in fact, be achieved.
Nichiren Daishonin stated the following in his Gosho, “The True Entity of Life” (“Shoho jisso-sho”):
Only I, Nichiren, at first chanted Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo, but then two, three, and a hundred followed, chanting and teachings others. Likewise, propagation will unfold this way in the future. Doesn’t this signify “emerging from the earth?” At the time of kosen-rufu, the entire Japanese nation will chant Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo, as surely as an arrow aimed at the earth cannot miss the target. (Gosho, p. 666; MW-1, p. 9)
The Daishonin’s great conviction is apparent in this passage. An arrow aimed at the ground cannot miss the target. Since these are the words of the Buddha, there is no mistake. It is of foremost importance for all priests and lay believers of Nichiren Shoshu to sincerely believe in these words of Nichiren Daishonin and have great conviction that kosen-rufu can be achieved without fail.
Nichiren Daishonin declared that he would lead the way, and true to his word, he first paved the way by initiating one-on-one shakubuku activities. Indeed, he went on to teach two, three, one hundred, two hundred people, and so on.
In “Questions and Answers on Embracing the Lotus Sutra” (“Jimyo hokke mondo sho”) Nichiren Daishonin wrote:
All the various teachings of the Buddha are spread by persons. (Gosho, p. 298; MW-5, p. 31)
Thus, Nichiren Daishonin’s doctrines are propagated from one person to another and from that person to still another, based on the faith of each individual. As such, there is endless potential. It all begins with the shakubuku of one person who is close to you. Each of you can imagine yourself to be like an only child—an only child of Buddhism—in your respective families. When you make the determination to bring salvation to your father and mother and the rest of your family and, furthermore, when you receive the cooperation of your parents, children, brothers, and sisters and shakubuku your relatives with great sincerity, you will be able to shakubuku not only your immediate family, but also your relatives and you entire extended family.
In Nichiren Daishonin’s Gosho, “The Property of Rice” (“Takahashi dono-gohenji”), he wrote:
I entrust you with the propagation of Buddhism in your province. (Gosho, p. 1242; MW-5, p. 9)
Thus, when the individuals of each country or region make a determination to achieve kosen-rufu in their respective areas, it will certainly be manifested before their very eyes as a tangible reality. At this time, let us each make a determination once again to stand up with the conviction to make kosen-rufu an absolute reality.
Who are Individuals of Talent?
The cultivation of individuals of talent is in no way specific to Nichiren Shoshu. It has been an essential, indispensable process from olden to modern times throughout the globe, in various industries and activities. However, the cultivation of individuals of talent in society at large is mainly focused on fostering a specific group of people who excel in a certain area. It seeks to create leaders who will survive and thrive through the competitive rigors of society. Accordingly, in the shadows of those bright stars are those who were unable to achieve leadership. These people would be considered the so-called “slow” group or the second-class citizens who were defeated in the competition.
Then, who are the individuals of talent in our Buddhist practice? In short, they are none other than individuals who do shakubuku. The following passage is contained in “One Hundred and Six Articles” (“Hyaku rokka-sho”), an essential transfer document of Nichiren Shoshu:
The Law does not spread by itself. Since a person must propagate it, both the person and the Law are equally revered. (Gosho, p. 1687)
Regardless of how precious a doctrine may be, it would become obsolete if there were no one to practice and propagate it. Even true Buddhism, the foremost doctrine in the entire Jambudvipa world, cannot be propagated if we sit idly and do nothing. The teachings of the Buddha are activated only when there are people to propagate it. Therefore, the Law and those who propagate it are revered equally.
Our Honorable Retired High Priest Nikken Shonin’s direction is for “each person to achieve one shakubuku.” Our current High Priest Nichinyo Shonin has continued in this tradition and referenced these instructions. The direction for each person to achieve one shakubuku is not only for a specific individual. This guidance is for all believers who uphold faith in Nichiren Shoshu—each and every Hokkeko member.
Some people complain that they are unable to do shakubuku because they are elderly, or because they just recently took faith in true Buddhism, or because they are too busy at work. In reality, shakubuku is the most difficult of all difficult deeds. It is extremely challenging to successfully accomplish shakubuku. However, when we look at those who have done shakubuku, we find that there are people of various backgrounds and circumstances—those who are elderly, those who have just joined as new believers, and those who work long hours until late into the night.
There is a believer at a branch temple in Japan who achieves the most shakubuku at his temple. He is a man who has been disabled since birth and has been confined to a wheelchair all his life. He has achieved at least one shakubuku every year without fail, and this year, on the occasion of the Commemorative General Tozan of 500,000 believers, he was able to go on tozan with an entire bus full of 40 believers, all of whom were his shakubuku.
Nichiren Daishonin has taught us the principle of uniqueness exemplified by the cherry, plum, peach, and damson flowers (o bai to ri). The way in which each individual in each respective life circumstance puts forth his or her utmost efforts, is indeed a characterization of this principle of uniqueness.
The Daishonin wrote the following in “The True Entity of Life” (“Shoho jisso-sho”):
Exert yourself in the two ways of practice and study. Without practice and study, there can be no Buddhism. You must not only persevere yourself; you must also teach others. Both practice and study arise from faith. (Gosho, p. 668; MW-1, p. 95)
Thus, since both practice and study arise from faith, we can conclude that those who uphold faith are all individuals of talent. Indeed, they must become individuals of talent. A frail grandmother with a bent back or a man with a grave illness requiring long-term hospitalization could eminently be individuals of talent, and they could consequently be champions of shakubuku. In our world in the Latter Day of the Law, characterized by delusion and evil, those who chant Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo are all none other than bodhisattvas of the earth. Therefore, let us all advance with the conviction that we are all individuals of talent for the achievement of kosen-rufu.
Concrete Means
There is a common saying that two people could constitute an organization. Our faith and practice are characterized by activities that we perform together as an organization, with many fellow believers. Our High Priest Nichinyo Shonin also uses the phrase “organizational challenge” in his directions. This shows how significant focused attention is in an organization. Those who are in a position to lead others should be mindful of the following issues:
- To constantly uphold the guidance of the teacher priest.
- To constantly advance as a leader in shakubuku activities, based on the following golden words from the Gosho: “If a commanding general is fainthearted, his soldiers will become cowards.” (“The Unity of Husband and Wife”; MW-5, p. 157).
- To always strive to achieve unity characterized by different bodies but one mind (itai doshin).
- To always self-reflect to be sure that selfish conceit and arrogance never arise.
- To always uphold the Gohonzon with sincere appreciation.
There are certainly many more issues we must be mindful of and those that would be edifying to us. In society at large, we can hear many wonderful messages of inspiration from those who have succeeded and those who have rendered distinguished service. The five points mentioned above are basic issues to use as a reference.
There were numerous believers during the lifetime of Nichiren Daishonin. Of these individuals, Lord Shijo Kingo and Lord Nanjo Tokimitsu were two model believers. Both men upheld pure and sincere faith. They put forth great propagation efforts. As a result of their shakubuku activities, they suffered great hardships and persecution. Furthermore, they both overcame tremendous obstacles through upholding strong faith. We must emulate their exemplary faith and practice. They were not, however, exemplary models from the very beginning. Both of them were nurtured and trained by Nichiren Daishonin. When anything of consequence occurred, they immediately reported the news to the Daishonin. They constantly sought guidance and advice from him, and each time, the Daishonin gave them detailed, precise directions and encouraged them. Based on this exchange of trust with Nichiren Daishonin, these two men were able to overcome the great difficulties that they encountered. They were always conscientious in their practices of reporting, communicating, and seeking guidance. For the cultivation of individuals of talent, these tasks of reporting, communicating, and seeking guidance are truly indispensable, so please carry them out assiduously.
All people who practice true Buddhism are individuals of talent. The common factors among them are their performance of Gongyo and their daily offering of services. There is an old poem that describes this process:
To attain for oneself,
The merits of the Lotus Sutra,
He must offer his service,
To collect the kindling wood,
To gather the edible greens,
And to fetch the water.
Indeed everyday, we must make offerings of water and food to the Gohonzon. We must clean the area around the altar and do Gongyo. As a result, our faith naturally will be strengthened and our sense of gratitude toward the Gohonzon will increase. Then our faith will become pure and free of doubt. Based on such faith, we will advance in our practice and study.
The other essential factor is action. High Priest Nichinyo Shonin gave the following directions at the recent guidance meeting for kotos and vice-kotos:
No matter what, action is essential. You must first stand tall and spring into action….Without action, your wisdom will not well forth. (Daibyakuho, Vol. 771)
Taking action will definitely lead to the cultivation of individuals of talent. Only a short while is left until the end of this year. Based on our great conviction to achieve kosen-rufu, let us continue to be active, together with the Hokkeko believers throughout the world, and open our life condition to attain enlightenment.