The Teachings for Victory, vol. 6

By Daisaku Ikeda

Nichiren Daishonin's writings provide a practical formula for enabling all people to achieve victory in every aspect of their lives and attain an unshakable state of happiness.This volume of Learning from Nichiren's Writings: The Teachings for Victory contains two commemorative lectures (November 18 and May 3) by SGI President Daisaku Ikeda in addition to lectures on seven of Nichiren's letters:“False Official Documents”“The Eight Winds”“The Wealthy Man Sudatta”“New Year's Gosho”“The Difficulty of Sustaining Faith”“Letter to the Sage Nichimyo”“The One-eyed Turtle and the Floating Log”President Ikeda elucidates the importance of studying Nichiren's writings as the foundation of Nichiren Buddhism as practiced by the Soka Gakkai International. His lectures bring Nichiren's immense wisdom, compassion, and courage into focus for the present age. In reading and studying these lectures, we learn how to apply in daily life Nichiren's profound philosophy for inner transformation and victory for both ourselves and others.The Teachings for Victory will empower you to develop the strength and wisdom to bring forth your inherent potential.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Independent Publishers Group
• Release date: Aug 1, 2020
• ISBN: 9781946635280

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ISBN: 978-1-944604-40-0

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CONTENTS

Editor’s Note

1 FALSE OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS

Each Person’s Victory Equals the Advance of Kosen-rufu

2 THE EIGHT WINDS

Walking the Path of Mentor and Disciple—the Path of the Wise

3 OUR MISSION AS BODHISATTVAS OF THE EARTH

4 THE WEALTHY MAN SUDATTA

Imparting Hope, Courage, and Inspiration to Each Person

5 NEW YEAR’S GOSHO

Ushering In a New Year Filled With Happiness and Hope

6 THE DIFFICULTY OF SUSTAINING FAITH

Nothing Can Defeat Courageous and Unwavering Champions of the Mystic Law

7 LETTER TO THE SAGE NICHIMYO

Winning in Life Through Striving for Kosen-rufu With an Unflagging Seeking Spirit in Faith

8 THE ONE-EYED TURTLE AND THE FLOATING LOG

Striving Courageously With Joy and a Sense of Mission as Lion Kings

9 THE HERITAGE OF THE ULTIMATE LAW OF LIFE

Uniting With Eternal Friends

EDITOR’S NOTE

This series of lectures by SGI President Daisaku Ikeda was published in SGI-USA’s Living Buddhism magazine from the July 2014 issue through the January 2015 issue and the March 2015 issue.

For Nichiren’s writings, please also see The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, as follows:

False Official Documents, (WND-2, pp. 877–78)

The Eight Winds, (WND-1, pp. 794–97)

The Wealthy Man Sudatta, (WND-1, pp. 1086–88)

New Year’s Gosho, (WND-1, pp. 1137–38)

The Difficulty of Sustaining Faith, (WND-1, pp. 471–72)

Letter to the Sage Nichimyo, (WND-1, pp. 321–27)

The One-eyed Turtle and the Floating Log, (WND-1, pp. 957–61)

The Heritage of the Ultimate Law of Life, (WND-1, pp. 216–19)

LSOC, page number(s)—refers to The Lotus Sutra and Its Opening and Closing Sutras, translated by Burton Watson (Tokyo: Soka Gakkai, 2009).

OTT, page number(s)—refers to The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, translated by Burton Watson (Tokyo: Soka Gakkai, 2004).

WND, page number(s)—refers to The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1 (WND-1) (Tokyo: Soka Gakkai, 1999) and vol. 2 (WND-2) (Tokyo: Soka Gakkai, 2006).

References to dates in The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin are from the lunisolar calendar that was used in thirteenth-century Japan, which differs from the current Gregorian calendar commonly used in the West.

CHAPTER

1

FALSE OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS¹

EACH PERSON’S VICTORY EQUALS THE ADVANCE OF KOSEN-RUFU

I have received five bundles of rice dumplings wrapped in leaves, ten bamboo shoots, and a bamboo container of sake.

As usual, the rain has been falling forever, and the summer days are long. And just when, since the mountains² are deep and the paths overgrown with grasses, no one could push their way through, your single voice reached me along with the song of the cuckoo. How grateful I was!

Now with regard to the incident at Atsuhara, perhaps you have realized the truth. What happened before was also a matter of lies.

The ruler, the lord of Sagami,³ who went along with people’s slander without asking for details and sent this priest into exile, regretted it and pardoned me. After that, how could he possibly punish us again without a clear offense?

Though at heart retainers of the ruler are enemies of the Lotus Sutra, they are concerned about slandering us to their lord. Thus when they actually used the situation in Atsuhara as a pretext to persecute us, their own earlier lies came to light instead.

I guessed that this matter was based on a falsified official document without even seeing it. Even when I was in exile on Sado Island they forged official documents no less than three times.

Thus I can only feel pity for the ruler and for the country of Japan. Just as the insects protected by a tree’s shade eat away at the tree and topple it, and the worms in a lion’s body eat away at and kill it, those who make their ways in the world protected by the lord of Sagami, under cover of his authority, threaten everyone, causing them suffering and distress.

In addition, claiming that it is at the order of the ruler, they attempt to wipe out the teachings of the Lotus Sutra, causing the downfall of the nation and inviting the ruin of their lord. How foolish that, in the end, they destroy their own lives.

I am lowborn, but since the sutra is one that Brahma, Shakra, the gods of the sun and moon, the four heavenly kings, the Sun Goddess, and Great Bodhisattva Hachiman protect, those who persecute believers in the Lotus Sutra are surely only swallowing their own swords, or grasping flames in their hands.

Therefore your ever-strengthening faith is admirable, admirable indeed! (WND-2, 877)

LECTURE

On September 8, 1957, my mentor, second Soka Gakkai president Josei Toda, delivered his Declaration for the Abolition of Nuclear Weapons at the Mitsuzawa Stadium in Yokohama. It was an event that became the starting point of the SGI’s activities for peace. Although a movement calling for a ban on the testing of nuclear weapons has arisen around the world, he said, it is my wish to go further, to attack the problem at its root. I want to expose and rip out the claws that lie hidden in the very depths of such weapons. ⁴ Condemning nuclear weapons as the embodiment of absolute evil, a threat to the very survival of the human race, he asserted, Anyone who jeopardizes that right [an inviolable right to live] is a devil incarnate, a fiend, a monster.⁵ His stirring declaration still rings in my ears today. Because he entrusted us, the members of the youth division, with the elimination of nuclear weapons as the first of his final instructions for the future, I have dedicated my life to making this a reality.

In his declaration, President Toda focused his attention on the struggle against the demonic nature that resides deep within the human heart. The SGI’s human revolution movement seeks to vanquish this innate darkness that devalues life and human dignity. It seeks to build, through grassroots dialogue, a society that values life, respects human rights, and nurtures a culture of peace. Transforming the human heart—which guides and shapes all human endeavors, including government and commerce—is a crucial revolution, an eternal struggle that will decide the destiny of all humankind.

The Greatness of Human Beings

September marks the anniversaries of the Tatsunokuchi Persecution⁶ and the arrest of Nichiren Daishonin’s believers during the Atsuhara Persecution.⁷ Nichiren overcame these and countless other hardships. His life itself was a towering declaration of the victory of the human spirit, proclaiming just how great human beings are and that nothing can shackle their noble spirit.

Buddhism seeks to help all people realize their full potential. In contrast, the devilish nature of authority fears the people’s awakening. There are those in power who forget to serve the people and instead exploit them, wielding authority for self-serving ends. These people see the presence of individuals who can discern their insidious nature and who stand against them as a hindrance and inconvenience. That’s why the powerful do everything they can to crush them.

The Daishonin waged a ceaseless struggle against devilish functions—the devilish nature of authority and the tendency to devalue life—which seek to enslave the people.

In this chapter, we will study one of the Daishonin’s letters addressed to the lay nun of Kubo, titled False Official Documents. In it, he uses the example of the Atsuhara Persecution to explain the formula by which the authorities persecute the practitioners of the Lotus Sutra. He also underscores the importance of battling negative functions that aim to obstruct our practice of Buddhism. Such devilish functions are bound to arise in the course of our efforts to advance kosen-rufu. But by seeing them for what they are and consistently challenging them, we are certain to achieve victory not only for ourselves but for all people. Let us study this important principle together.

Profound Gratitude for a Follower’s Sincerity

I have received five bundles of rice dumplings wrapped in leaves, ten bamboo shoots, and a bamboo container of sake.

As usual, the rain has been falling forever, and the summer days are long. And just when, since the mountains [here at Minobu] are deep and the paths overgrown with grasses, no one could push their way through, your single voice reached me along with the song of the cuckoo. How grateful I was! (WND-2, 877)

In the realm of Buddhism, those with an earnest seeking spirit will always be victorious. Those who persevere sincerely and staunchly in their Buddhist practice and establish a sound life will win in the end. Disciples who aspire to deepen their understanding of Buddhism seek out the guidance and instruction of their teacher and always long for self-improvement. When disciples make their way in life with their teacher always in their hearts, they have nothing to fear.

According to this letter, the lay nun of Kubo presented the Daishonin with an offering of rice dumplings wrapped in leaves, ten bamboo shoots, and a bamboo container of sake. The letter conveys his profound gratitude. The exact date is unknown but is thought to have been written one summer in the early part of the Koan era (specifically, the period between 1278–80).

Nichiren wrote many letters to the lay nun of Kubo. He repeatedly praised her resolve and sincerity in faith. In this letter, he expresses admiration for her ever-strengthening faith. In another letter, he writes, How deep are the roots of your faith (WND-2, 755). And in yet, he says, How great was your kindness [in sending offerings] (WND-2, 816).

These passages attest to her seeking spirit and how she strove with pure-hearted faith. The details of her life remain unclear, but from the Daishonin’s letters, it seems she was a widow, caring for a young daughter on her own. We can surmise from her frequent offerings that she was a dedicated practitioner of his teachings.⁸

The Daishonin greatly trusted the lay nun, who was undoubtedly an important follower in Suruga Province.⁹ This region fell under the direct control of the ruling Hojo clan [many of whom were extremely hostile to the Daishonin and his disciples], which is a prime reason that the Atsuhara Persecution took place there. In the very midst of this persecution, the Daishonin sent this heartfelt letter explaining why such persecution occurs.¹⁰

Discerning the True Nature of Devilish Functions

Now with regard to the incident at Atsuhara, perhaps you have realized the truth. What happened before was also a matter of lies.

The ruler, the lord of Sagami [the eighth regent Hojo Tokimune] who went along with people’s slander without asking for details and sent this priest into exile, regretted it and pardoned me. After that, how could he possibly punish us again without a clear offense? (WND-2, 877)

Mr. Toda said: This is the most troubled time since the beginning of our country. Prepare yourselves, and stand up with strong faith! Don’t let the tides of the times sweep you away!

Faith provides the strength to triumph in troubled times. It also enables us to cultivate the insightful wisdom to discern the essence of things and events.

In a tumultuous age, negative forces are powerful. Unscrupulous people conspire and act cunningly behind the scenes. We must never allow ourselves to be deceived by such people. We must see the true nature of devilish functions. That is the message in this letter.

This section begins with the words Now with regard to the incident at Atsuhara, perhaps you have realized the truth. What happened before was also a matter of lies. Here, the Daishonin refers to the role played by questionable official documents or orders in the ongoing Atsuhara Persecution. During his exile on Sado Island, Hojo Nobutoki had issued similar documents at the urging of Pure Land (Nembutsu) school followers.

An influential figure in the Kamakura military government, Hojo Nobutoki was the governor of Musashi and the constable of Sado. While exiled in Sado the Daishonin was under his official custody. In response to claims from Ryokan¹¹ and Nembutsu adherents, Nobutoki sent a private order dated December 7, 1273, to his retainer Homma Shigetsura,¹² the deputy constable of Sado, calling for a crackdown on the Daishonin’s followers on the island. He did this three times.

The regent Hojo Tokimune pardoned the Daishonin and released him from exile because he regretted having unjustly punished him based solely on false accusations made by the powerful deputy chief of the Office of Military and Police Affairs Hei no Saemon¹³ and others. The Daishonin says that, because of this, it is inconceivable that Tokimune would punish him or his disciples again. He reiterates this message in On Persecutions Befalling the Sage:

The lay priest of Saimyo-ji [Hojo Tokiyori, the retired fifth regent],¹⁴ now deceased, and the present ruler [regent Hojo Tokimune] permitted my return from my exiles [to Izu and Sado, respectively] when they found that I was innocent of the accusations against me. The present ruler shall no longer take action on any charge without confirming its truth. (WND-1, 997)

The Daishonin’s indomitable struggle to establish the correct teaching for the peace of the land gradually awakened the nation’s rulers to the truth, and the true nature of the corrupt forces opposing the Daishonin was slowly being exposed.

The Daishonin asserts that Tokimuni did not order the Atsuhara Persecution but rather that others borrowed his authority without his knowledge and hatched the plot. This is the Daishonin revealing the truth of the matter to his followers in Suruga.

The Atsuhara Persecution as a Pivotal Event in the History of the Common People

Let us take this opportunity to review the Atsuhara Persecution’s timeline and significance.

What the Daishonin refers to as the incident at Atsuhara here was the persecution of his followers in Suruga’s Fuji District,¹⁵ carried out over several years and reaching a peak in 1279.

Just before the persecution began, many local farmers had come to embrace and practice the Daishonin’s teachings at the urging of the Daishonin’s disciples. Gyochi,¹⁶ the deputy chief priest of Ryusen-ji temple in the area, feared the growing numbers of the Daishonin’s followers, and he conspired with other influential local figures to threaten these new believers. As a result, twenty of these farmers were suddenly arrested on trumped-up charges on September 21, 1279.

The prisoners were taken to Kamakura, where they endured harsh interrogation tantamount to torture and were pressed to recant their belief in the Lotus Sutra. Not a single one did so, however, all remaining true to their faith in the Mystic Law. In the end, the three brothers Jinshiro, Yagoro, and Yarokuro¹⁷ were executed, while the other seventeen were banished. (It is thought the execution took place either on October 15, 1279, or the following April.)

From the perspective of the history of the common people, the Atsuhara Persecution contains profound meaning. It represents the emergence, from among the people, of independent, strong-willed individuals who refused to let the oppression of authority and power defeat them.

By the Kamakura period, more than seven centuries had passed since Buddhism arrived in Japan [in the mid-sixth century]. During that time, faith in the Buddhist teachings had come to permeate the lives of the Japanese. On the whole, however, their faith focused mainly on attaining immediate benefit, or alternatively, on escaping this world’s harsh reality and seeking salvation after death. But in the Atsuhara Persecution, nameless, ordinary farmers remained faithful to the Buddhist teachings they embraced and refused to be intimidated by the ruthless oppression. Set in thirteenth-century feudal Japan, this truly pioneering struggle for human rights will shine forever in history.

A passage from the Daishonin’s treatise The Selection of the Time appears in a UNESCO publication titled Birthright of Man—a collection of inspiring quotes on human rights compiled to commemorate the twentieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (in 1968). It is the passage from his encounter with Hei no Saemon upon his return to Kamakura after his exile on Sado: Even if it seems that, because I was born in the ruler’s domain, I follow him in my actions, I will never follow him in my heart (WND-1, 579).¹⁸

Addressing an all-powerful government figure, the Daishonin thus declared courageously to the effect: You can condemn me to death or sentence me to exile, but you can never imprison my spirit; I will never become a slave to the authorities.

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