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Study Lecture Reference Sheet For MARCH 2016 See March 2016 Living , pp. 28–38 NOTE: This is not intended as a prepared lecture. This only serves to offer supporting references for lecturers. THE BUDDHISM OF THE SUN: ILLUMINATING THE WORLD [2] “Letter to Shimoyama” Buddhism Exists for the Sake of People’s Happiness

BASIC POINTERS FOR PREPARING A LECTURE ON THE —General References— WRITINGS go to www.nichirenlibrary.org to access: • Read the writing several times through. à The Writings of Daishonin, vols. 1 & 2 • Read the lecture on the writing several times through. à The Dictionary of Buddhism • Create a concise explanation of the background: à The Lotus and Its Opening and Closing o when the letter was written, conditions of society and à The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings Nichiren’s life at the time, the intent in composing the writing, etc. • Make note of the title of the lecture—often the key message HELPFUL RESOURCES FOR THIS LECTURE is conveyed in the title. The Wisdom of the , vol. 5 • Make note of the opening section(s) of the lecture—the key “The Benefits of Responding with Joy,” “Supernatural points are often included in the opening. Powers of the Thus Come One” and “Entrustment” chapters • Are there terms or concepts that need explanation? • What are some key portions of the Gosho passage to BACKGROUND HIGHLIGHTS emphasize? • “Letter to Shimoyama” is considered one of Nichiren • How do these key portions and correlating points connect to our lives today? Daishonin’s ten major writings. • What points do you want members to go home with? • Nichiren composed the letter in June 1277 on behalf of his disciple Inaba-bo Nichiei, who had been expelled from Heisen-ji temple due to his conversion to Nichiren’s teachings. It’s addressed to Shimoyama Hyogo Goro Mitsumoto, the steward of Shimoyama District in Kai Province (located near Mount Minobu in present-day Yamanashi Prefecture), a devout Nembutsu follower who later converted to the Daishonin’s teachings, possibly as a result of this letter. • In this letter, Nichiren makes the case for why the Latter Day of the Law is the time to spread the essence of the Lotus Sutra—Nam-myoho-renge-kyo—and he states that in the Latter Day, Superior Practices will appear and propagate the essential teaching of the Lotus Sutra.

TERMS (search these terms in The Soka Gakkai Dictionary of Buddhism; online at www.Nichirenlibrary.org) • Three periods: Former, Middle and Latter Day of the Law • Three powerful enemies

KEY PASSAGE #1 These great scholars [such as , , Ashvaghosha, , Asanga, and of the second five-hundred-year period of the Former Day of the Law] not only understood the profound meaning of the Lotus Sutra, but they knew that the time for the propagation of the Lotus Sutra had not yet come. And since they had not been commanded by the Buddha to propound these great doctrines, though they preserved them in their minds, they did not allow their mouths to speak of them. (WND-2, 687–88)

See LB, p. 31 President Ikeda: Toward the end of this letter, Nichiren describes himself as “Nichiren, the votary of the Lotus Sutra who is more precious than Shakyamuni Buddha, the lord of teachings” (WND-2, 710). This represents one of the most significant statements in Nichiren’s life and is the reason why “Letter to Shimoyama” is listed among his ten major writings. • “Votary” can also be translated as “practitioner”—one who puts the teachings into practice. Shakyamuni preached the Lotus Sutra, but Nichiren put into practice what Shakyamuni preached and spread it in the Latter Day—the time when the sutra is to be spread—enduring the persecutions predicted in the sutra. President Ikeda: No one honored Shakyamuni more highly than the Daishonin. Yet, when viewed in light of the challenge of propagating the Lotus Sutra in the latter age after the Buddha’s passing, the votary of the Lotus Sutra of the Latter Day of the Law was incredibly important . . . Nichiren traces the history of the spread of Buddhism . . . he clearly demonstrates that in the Latter Day . . . his presence is more vitally important than Shakyamuni.

1 See LB, pp. 31–33 Why was it that these great , these great scholars, did not spread the Lotus Sutra? • The Daishonin gives two reasons in this letter: (1) “They knew that the time for the propagation of the Lotus Sutra had not yet come”; and (2) “They had not been commanded by the Buddha to propound these great doctrines” (WND-2, 687). • President Ikeda: There are two important points to note here. First, the Lotus Sutra is the scripture for all living beings in the evil age of the Latter Day of the Law to attain enlightenment—or more simply, the teaching that enables those suffering the most to become happy. Second, it is vital not to lose sight of who has the mission to propagate the Lotus Sutra. • The task of propagating the sutra was entrusted to Shakyamuni’s true disciples—the Bodhisattvas of the Earth. v Additional Resource: the Lotus Sutra as scripture for all in the Latter Day, see WLS-5, 121–27 v Additional Resource: the mission of the Bodhisattvas of the Earth, see WLS-5, 128–29

KEY PASSAGE #2 Now the world has entered the age [of the Latter Day of the Law] when the bodhisattva Superior Practices and the others of his group [the Bodhisattvas of the Earth] are destined to make their appearance. Even I with my untutored eyes can see the signs that this is about to occur. (WND-2, 688)

See LB, pp. 33–34 • Nichiren witnessed signs that the Latter Day was already underway: various Buddhist schools lost sight of the Buddha’s original intent and denigrated the Lotus Sutra, resulting in the “pure Law becoming obscured and lost.” • The Lotus Sutra predicts that just at such a time Superior Practices will appear to propagate the Lotus Sutra. • Who is functioning as Bodhisattva Superior Practices? Who is the true votary of the Latter Day of the Law?

See LB, p. 34 President Ikeda: Unless we know who is fulfilling the mission of the votary of the Lotus Sutra, struggling for the welfare of the people, we won’t understand the true meaning of Buddhism or the Lotus Sutra. • A votary of the Lotus Sutra triggers the onslaughts of the three powerful enemies—particularly that of arrogant false sages, who are revered by the people but only really care about their own benefit and maliciously try to harm the votary of the Lotus Sutra. • President Ikeda: Arrogant false sages are the most pernicious of the three powerful enemies and the hardest to detect. While putting on a show of compassion, such people actually despise and look down on others, and willfully distort the truth for personal gain, inflicting misery on others with no compunction. • Nichiren Daishonin, having fought against the three powerful enemies, clearly proved that he is the votary of the Lotus Sutra, in this letter detailed accounts of his struggles as the votary. He strove courageously against all manner of persecution out of a wish to bring true happiness to the people. v Additional Resource: slandering the votary of the Lotus Sutra, see WLS-5, 229–30

See LB, p. 35 President Ikeda: In modern times, the Soka Gakkai is carrying on the legacy of the votary of the Lotus Sutra in exact accord with Nichiren Daishonin’s writings. • Through discussion meetings and our various SGI activities, we are carrying out the practice of in the modern day. • The practice of Nichiren Buddhism is bodhisattva practice and the practice of the votary of the Lotus Sutra. • Discussion meetings are the only way to foster individuals with a solid commitment to faith. • SGI members around the globe are striving tirelessly for kosen-rufu in order to help all people become happy—dedicating themselves to this life of major good. • Each member, therefore, who does so, is a votary of the Lotus Sutra and a Bodhisattva of the Earth and embodies the ceremony of ‘entrustment’ of the Lotus Sutra. v Additional Resource: the benefits of sharing Buddhism with others, see WLS-5, 51–52

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