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N the ninth month of the eighth home. Whenever he saw the moon rise Iyear of Bun’ei (), with the cycli- in the east, he would console himself cal sign kanoto-hitsuji, I incurred the by thinking that the same moon must wrath of the ruler and was exiled to be shining above Mount Mikasa in Sado Island in the northern sea. While his native province, and that the peo- I was living in in Sagami ple there must even at that moment Province, I somehow longed for Awa be gazing at it. Just when I was over- Province since it was my birthplace. whelmed by similar longings for home, Yet though it was my homeland, some- I received from my native province the thing about how the people there felt robe you had entrusted to someone toward me made it difficult for me journeying to Sado Island. Su Wu’s life to be on close terms with them, so I was sustained by a mere letter tied to a rarely went to visit. I then incurred the wild goose’s leg, while I actually re- ruler’s wrath and was to have been put ceived such clothing! His joy could not to death, but instead I was banished possibly have compared to mine. from . It seemed that, The people of this country are con- unless some extraordinary circumstance tinually deceived by the Nembutsu arose, I could never return to Kama- priests, or by the Zen, Precepts, or True kura, and therefore I would never again Word schools. Thus they act outwardly be able to visit my parents’ grave. As I as though they revere the Lotus Sutra, continued to think this way, I was con- but in their hearts they do not believe sumed by remorse, feeling that I want- in it. Therefore, although I, Nichiren, ed to go there immediately. Why, I do not think that I have done anything lamented, before finding myself in this particularly wrong, when I assert the predicament, had I not crossed seas and supremacy of the Lotus Sutra, they all traversed mountains every day, or even resent me, just as the people in the once a month, to visit my parents’ Latter Day of the Law of Awesome grave and to inquire after my teacher?1 Sound King Buddha detested Bodhi- Su Wu2 was a prisoner in the land of sattva Never Disparaging. From the the northern barbarians for nineteen ruler on down to the common people, years. He envied the wild geese as they they hate even to hear my name, let migrated southward. Nakamaro3 went alone see me. Therefore, although I to T’ang China as an emissary of the was innocent of any wrongdoing, once Japanese imperial court. Years passed, exiled, I could not possibly be par- but he was not permitted to return doned. To compound matters, I had

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LETTER TO KONICHI-BO denounced the Nembutsu—which the presence and forsake the votary of the people of revere more deeply Lotus Sutra? Even if you fail to protect than their own parents and more high- me, Nichiren, I will have no regrets, ly than the sun and moon—as the no matter what may happen to me. karmic cause that leads to the hell of Remember, however, what you each incessant suffering. I attacked the Zen solemnly pledged in the presence of school as the invention of the heavenly Shakyamuni Buddha, the Thus Come devil, and the True Word school as an One Many Treasures, and the Buddhas evil doctrine that will ruin the nation, of the ten directions. If you abandon and insisted that the temples of the me instead of protecting me now, will Nembutsu, Zen, and Precepts priests you not be making a great lie out of be burned down and the Nembutsu the Lotus Sutra, in which the Buddha priests and the others beheaded.4 I even declared that he was ‘honestly discard- went so far as to assert that the two ing expedient means’?6 You will have deceased lay priests of Saimyo-ji and deceived all the Buddhas throughout Gokuraku-ji5 had fallen into the Avi- the ten directions and the three ex- chi hell. Such was the gravity of my istences, an offense even graver than offense. Having voiced such serious Devadatta’s outrageous falsehoods and charges to all people both high and surpassing the Venerable Kokalika’s de- low, whether or not I had spoken in ceptions. Now you may be respected error, I could never again rise in the as the great heavenly king Brahma and world. Even worse, I repeated such live atop the world of form, or be re- things morning and evening and dis- vered as the Thousand-Eyed God7 and cussed them day and night. I also stern- dwell on the summit of Mount Sume- ly informed Hei no Saemon and several ru. But if you discard me, Nichiren, hundred officers that, no matter what you will become firewood to feed the punishment I might incur, I would flames of the Avichi hell and be for- not stop declaring these matters. There- ever confined to the great citadel of the fore, even if a boulder at the bottom hell of incessant suffering. If you dread of the sea that requires a thousand men committing this offense, make haste to move it were to surface by itself, to manifest some sign to the country, or if rain falling from the sky should so that I may be permitted to return fail to reach the ground, I, Nichiren, home!” still could not possibly have returned Then in the eleventh month, shortly to Kamakura. after my arrest on the twelfth day of Nevertheless, I encouraged myself the ninth month, a rebellion broke by thinking that, if the teaching of the out,8 and on the eleventh day of the Lotus Sutra was indeed true and the second month in the following year, gods of the sun and moon did not several generals, mighty protectors of abandon me, I might yet have an op- Japan, were killed in vain. It was clear portunity to return to Kamakura and that heaven had meted out its punish- also visit my parents’ grave. Climbing a ment. Apparently shaken by this inci- high mountain, I would shout these dent, the authorities released my im- words aloud: “What has happened to prisoned disciples. Brahma and Shakra, the gods of the However, I myself had not yet been sun and moon, and the four heavenly pardoned, so I continued to berate the kings? Are the Sun Goddess and Great heavenly gods all the more vehemently. Bodhisattva Hachiman no longer in Then one day, a white-headed crow this country? Do you intend to break flew overhead. I remembered that the vow you made in the Buddha’s Prince Tan of Yen had been released

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LETTER TO KONICHI-BO when a horned horse and a white- opportunity to return home in tri- headed crow appeared,9 and recalled umph, and that I would wait until such the Honorable Nichizo’s poem:10 time to visit my parents’ grave. Because “Even the mountain crow’s head / Has I feel deeply about this, I have yet to turned white. / The time for my re- travel to my birthplace. But I am so turn home / Must have come at last.” I homesick that, whenever someone says was now convinced that I would be re- that the wind is blowing from the east, leased before long. As I had expected, I rush out from my dwelling to feel the government issued a letter of par- it, and if told that clouds are gathering don on the fourteenth day of the sec- in the eastern sky, I stand in the garden ond month in the eleventh year of to watch them. With such emotions, Bun’ei (), which arrived in the my heart warms even toward those province of Sado on the eighth day of with whom I would not otherwise the third month. be friendly if they are from my native I left my dwelling on Sado on the province. Imagine, then, how beside thirteenth day of that month and myself I was with joy at receiving your reached a harbor called Maura, where letter! I opened and read it in great I spent the night of the fourteenth. I haste, only to learn that you had lost should have arrived at the harbor of your son Yashiro the year before last, Teradomari in on the on the eighth day of the sixth month. I fifteenth, but a gale blew us off course. had been delighted before I opened Fortunately, however, we reached Ka- your letter, but then, upon reading the shiwazaki after two days at sea, and sad news, I wished I had not opened on the following day I arrived at the it in such a hurry. I felt regret such provincial seat of Echigo. Thus, after as Urashima Taro13 must have experi- traveling for twelve days,11 I finally enced upon opening his casket. returned to Kamakura on the twenty- I never think lightly of the people sixth day of the third month. On the from my native province, nor do I eighth day of the fourth month, I had cease to care about what happens to a meeting with Hei no Saemon. As I them, even if they have caused me sor- had expected all along, my warnings row or treated me cruelly. Your son went unheeded. I now had remonstrat- especially impressed me. His handsome ed with the authorities three times12 appearance made him stand out among for the sole purpose of saving Japan the others, and in his thoughtful air from ruin. Mindful that one whose there seemed no trace of obstinacy. I warnings are thrice ignored should re- first saw him during one of my lectures tire to a mountain forest, I left Kama- on the Lotus Sutra. Since there were kura on the twelfth day of the fifth many strangers present, I did not ven- month. ture to address him. When my lecture I had thought at the time of going ended, my listeners left, as did your to my birthplace to visit my parents’ son. But later he sent a messenger to grave once again. However, it is the convey the following. tradition of both Buddhism and the “I am from a place called Amatsu in secular world that one should return the province of Awa. Since my child- home in glory. Had I returned without hood, I have always greatly admired any honor worthy of mention, would I your commitment. My mother also not have proven myself an unfilial son? thinks highly of you. I may be speaking Since I had already overcome such with undue familiarity, but there is hardships and returned to Kamakura, I something about which I would like thought that I might still have some to seek your counsel in confidence. I

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LETTER TO KONICHI-BO know that I should wait until after we and months pass. Yet although death is have met several times and are better sorrowful in any case, for parents to die acquainted. However, as I am in the and their children to live on is the natu- service of a certain warrior, I have little ral course of things. It is pitiful indeed time to spare, and the matter is quite for an aged mother to be preceded by urgent. Therefore, while fully aware her child in death! You may well feel that I am being rude, I ask that you resentment toward both the gods and grant me an interview.” Buddhas. Why did they not take you In this way he courteously asked to instead of your son? Why did they let consult with me. Moreover, since he you survive only to be tormented by was from my native province, I told such grief ? It must be truly hard to him he need not stand on ceremony bear. and invited him to my residence. He Even animals of little intelligence talked in great detail about the past and cannot endure parting from their future. Then he said, “Impermanence young. The golden pheasant at Bam- is the way of the world. No one knows boo Grove Monastery plunged into when one may die. Moreover, I am flames and died to save her eggs.14 The committed to a warrior’s service, and I stag at Deer Park offered himself to the cannot avoid a challenge to combat king to save a female deer’s unborn that I have lately received. I dread what fawn.15 How much greater, then, must may await me in my next life. I beg be the love of human beings toward you to help me.” their children! Thus, Wang Ling’s moth- I gave him instruction, quoting sutra er smashed her own skull [and died passages. Then he lamented, saying, “I to prevent her son from becoming a can do nothing for my deceased father. traitor],16 and the consort of Emperor But should I die before my widowed Shen Yao had her abdomen cut open mother, I would be an unfilial son. for the sake of an unborn prince.17 Should anything happen to me, please When you consider these examples, I ask your disciples to look after her.” am certain you must feel that you In this respectful way, he made his would not hesitate to plunge into fire request. Am I right in assuming that yourself, or to smash your own skull nothing untoward happened on that if, by so doing, you could see your occasion, but that some later incident son again. In imagining your grief, my brought about his death? tears do not cease. No one born human, whether high You say in your letter, “Because my or low, is free from sorrow and distress. son killed others, I would like you to Yet troubles vary according to the time tell me into what kind of place he may and differ according to the person. In be reborn.” A needle sinks in water, this respect, sorrow is like illness: no and rain will not remain in the sky. matter what malady one may suffer Those who kill even an ant are des- from, as it worsens, one will think that tined for hell, and those who merely no illness could be more dreadful. cut up dead bodies cannot avoid the There is the sorrow of parting from evil paths. All the more must those one’s lord, of parting from one’s parent, who kill human beings suffer. How- and of parting from one’s spouse, none ever, even a large rock can float on the of which can be lightly dismissed. sea when carried aboard a boat. Does However, one may serve another lord not water extinguish even a great fire? or find comfort in remarrying. But the Even a small error will destine one to sorrow of having lost one’s parent or the evil paths if one does not repent of child seems only to deepen as the days it. Yet even a grave offense can be

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LETTER TO KONICHI-BO eradicated if one repents of it sincerely. massacred countless disciples of the The monk who stole millet was Buddha. Due to his accumulated mis- reborn as an ox for five hundred con- deeds, on the fifteenth day of the sec- secutive lifetimes.18 The person who ond month, the very day on which the plucked water oats fell into the three Buddha was to pass away, virulent boils evil paths.19 The more than eighty thou- broke out in seven areas of his royal sand kings, including Rama, Bhadrika, body, a sign that he would fall into the Viruchin, Nahusha, Karttika, Vishakha, hell of incessant suffering. The king Moonlight, Light Bright, Sunlight, writhed in agony; he felt as if he were Craving, and Holder of Many People, being burned by a great fire or doused all ascended the throne by killing their with boiling water. His six ministers fathers. As they did not encounter good presented themselves before him and teachers, their offenses could not be insisted that he should summon the six eradicated, and in the end they fell into non-Buddhist teachers in order to have the Avichi hell. them cure his foul sores. This was just There was a wicked man named Aji- like the people of Japan today relying ta in the city of Varanasi. Falling in love on leaders of the Zen and Precepts with his own mother, he killed his schools or priests of the Nembutsu and father and made her his wife. When True Word schools as good teachers the arhat who had been his father’s in the belief that the prayers of these teacher admonished him, he killed that men can subdue the Mongols and arhat, and when his mother took an- help them in their next life. Moreover, other man for a husband, he killed her Devadatta, whom Ajatashatru regarded as well. Thus he committed three of as his primary teacher, had memorized the five cardinal sins. Shunned by his the sixty thousand non-Buddhist and neighbors, he had no place to turn. He eighty thousand Buddhist teachings. went to Jetavana Monastery and sought His understanding of both secular and admittance to the Buddhist Order, but religious matters was as clear as the the monks refused. The evil in his heart sun, the moon, or a burnished mirror. grew more rampant than ever, and he He was like the learned priests of burned down many of the monks’ quar- the Tendai school in the world today ters. Finally, however, he met Shakya- who are well versed in both the exo- muni Buddha and was permitted to teric and esoteric teachings and know become a monk. all the Buddhist scriptures by heart. There was a kingdom called Small Because Ajatashatru was guided by Stones in northern India that was ruled such teachers and ministers, he had re- by a king named Dragon Seal.20 Drag- fused to become the Buddha’s follower. on Seal killed his father, but later, hor- And for this reason, his country, Ma- rified by his own act, he abandoned gadha, had suffered repeated distur- his country, presented himself before bances in the heavens and frequent the Buddha, and repented of his wrong- strange occurrences on earth, being doing; thereupon the Buddha forgave ravaged incessantly by violent winds, him. severe droughts, famines, and epidem- King Ajatashatru was by nature giv- ics. Moreover, it had been attacked by en to the three poisons of greed, anger, another country. Now, in addition to and foolishness, and was forever com- all this, he was suffering from virulent mitting one or another of the ten evil boils, and his kingdom appeared to be acts. Moreover, he killed his father, on the verge of ruin. It was at this time attempted to take his mother’s life, and, that he suddenly presented himself accepting Devadatta as his teacher, before the Buddha and repented of his

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LETTER TO KONICHI-BO evildoings, and his offenses were eradi- the enemies of the Lotus Sutra, no cated. matter how earnestly they may read In any event, even though the par- it. If you do not know your enemies, ents may be evildoers, if the child is you will be deceived by them. How I good, the parents’ offenses will be for- wish I could see you personally and given. On the other hand, although talk to you about these matters in de- the child may be an evildoer, if the tail! Whenever you see Sammi-bo or parents are good persons, their child’s Sado-ko,21 who will visit your area faults will be pardoned. Hence, even from Minobu, have them read this let- though your late son, Yashiro, commit- ter to you. Place it in the custody of ted evil, if you, the mother who gave Myoe-bo.22 Those lacking in wisdom birth to him, grieve for him and offer would no doubt mock me or criticize prayers for him day and night in the this letter as mere clever words on presence of Shakyamuni Buddha, how my part. Or they would compare me could he not be saved? Moreover, be- with others, saying, “This priest could cause he believed in the Lotus Sutra, never match the Great Teacher Kobo, he may have become the one who will or surpass the Great Teacher Jikaku!” lead his parents to Buddhahood. Consider those who say such things Those who believe in the Lotus ignorant. Sutra should beware of and guard Nichiren themselves against the sutra’s enemies. You should know that the Nembutsu Written in the third month in the priests, the observers of the precepts, second year of Kenji (), cyclical and the teachers of the True Word sign hinoe-ne, in the mountains of school—in fact, all those who refuse Hakiri Village in the Nambu area to chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo—are of .

Background This letter was written at Minobu in Konichi-bo expressing anxiety about the third month, , to Konichi-bo, the fact that her son, as a , had a widow who lived in Amatsu in Awa killed others and asking what would Province. Her son, Yashiro, had con- happen to him in his next life. The verted earlier to Nichiren Daishonin’s Daishonin encouraged her by saying teachings, and through him she became that Yashiro had converted her to faith a believer herself. While the Daishonin in the Lotus Sutra and could be saved was in exile on Sado Island, she sent from the evil paths by her strong faith. him robes and other articles, and con- Konichi-bo overcame her deep sorrow tinued to make offerings to him after and remained a sincere believer in the he took up residence at Mount Mino- Daishonin’s Buddhism throughout her bu. She enjoyed the Daishonin’s trust life. and received several works from him, The former part of this letter chroni- including The Actions of the Votary of the cles some of the events that took place Lotus Sutra. from the ninth month of , when Some time after Konichi-bo’s con- Nichiren Daishonin incurred the wrath version, Yashiro died. This letter is of the government and was exiled to the Daishonin’s reply to a letter from Sado Island, to , when he was

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LETTER TO KONICHI-BO pardoned and retired to Mount Mino- eradicated if one repents of it sincere- bu. In the next part, the Daishonin ly.” Citing the examples of Ajita and who received the news of the death King Ajatashatru, he assures Konichi- of Yashiro recounts his impressions of bo that even though her late son, Yashiro and expresses his deep sympa- Yashiro, committed evil, if she offers thy for Konichi-bo’s sorrow. In reply to prayers for him day and night in the her question, the Daishonin explains presence of Shakyamuni Buddha, he the Buddhist principle of repentance, can be saved, and that he will surely or acknowledging and striving to cor- lead his parents to Buddhahood. Final- rect one’s past misdeeds, by saying, ly, the Daishonin cautions her against “Even a small error will destine one to being influenced by any enemy of the the evil paths if one does not repent Lotus Sutra. of it. Yet even a grave offense can be

Notes 1. “My teacher” refers to Dozen-bo, a ing to his On Establishing the Correct Teach- priest of Seicho-ji temple in Tojo Village of ing for the Peace of the Land, beheading the , where Nichiren Daishonin priests of the provisional teachings actually entered the priesthood. means to cease making offerings to them. 2. Su Wu (– B.C.E.) was a minister 5. The two deceased lay priests refer to of Emperor Wu of the Former Han Hojo Tokiyori, the fifth regent of the dynasty. Su Wu was imprisoned, and Wu’s Kamakura shogunate, and Hojo Shigetoki, successor, Emperor Chao, demanded Su the cosigner to the regent Tokiyori. Wu’s release, but his captors falsely reported 6. Lotus Sutra, chap. . that he had already died. Then one of Su 7. The Thousand-Eyed God is another Wu’s retainers instructed the emperor’s name for Shakra. He is called the “Thou- envoy to tell the barbarians that the emper- sand-Eyed God” because, according to the or had shot down a wild goose near the Miscellaneous Agama Sutra, in a previous capital and that tied to its leg was a letter life as a human being, his vast wisdom had reporting that Su Wu was still alive. Finally, enabled him to discern and fathom a thou- the chief of the northern barbarians was sand meanings in a single moment. compelled to return Su Wu nineteen years 8. Exactly what incident this refers to is after his imprisonment. uncertain. “The eleventh day of the second 3. Nakamaro is Abe no Nakamaro (– month in the following year” mentioned ), who went to T’ang China as a stu- subsequently refers to a conspiracy to seize dent envoy in  and later served Emperor power on the part of Hojo Tokisuke, an Hsüan-tsung as an official of the Chinese elder half brother of the regent Hojo Toki- government. In  he attempted to return mune. His plot was uncovered, and two of to Japan, but the T’ang authorities would his conspirators, Nagoe Tokiaki and Nagoe not permit it. Later, he obtained permission Noritoki, were put to death on that day. to return, but his ship was wrecked and he Tokisuke himself was beheaded on the fif- was forced to go back to China, where he teenth. In the wake of the attempted coup, died. five generals were beheaded for having exe- 4. This radical statement was made cuted as a conspirator someone who proved intentionally as a strict warning of the nega- to have been innocent. This rift in the rul- tive results arising from devotion to the ing clan bore out the Daishonin’s earlier provisional teachings. Nichiren Daishonin prophecy of internal strife. did not mean it literally, but challengingly 9. This story appears in Records of the urged the authorities to hold an open Historian and its commentaries. When debate between him and the leading priests Prince Tan was taken hostage in Ch’in, he of the four major schools mentioned here. begged the king there to release him. But He insisted it was irrational for the authori- the king said to him, “When a crow’s head ties to reject his teachings and punish him becomes white and a horse grows horns, I without listening to both parties. Accord- will permit you to return home.” When

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Tan looked up toward heaven, grieving was located in Rajagriha, India. over his misfortune, a white-headed crow 15. This story appears in The Record of appeared, and when he flung himself to the the Western Regions and elsewhere. The lord ground lamenting, a horse grew horns. As of Varanasi once hunted and killed many a result, the king had no choice but to let deer on a certain tract of land. The deer him go home as he had promised. king implored him to stop the unnecessary 10. Nichizo (n.d.) was a priest of the killing and promised that each day he him- Dharma Characteristics school who lived self would give the lord the number of deer at Ryumon-ji temple in the province of he required. One day, he was faced with Yamato. This poem is not actually Nichizo’s the necessity of sending a pregnant deer. but appears in the fourth imperial antholo- Rather than sacrifice her and her unborn gy The Later Collection of Gleanings as the fawn, the deer king went to the lord to work of the priest Zoki. It seems possible, offer his own flesh instead. The lord was so therefore, that the Daishonin simply wrote moved by the deer king’s compassion that the abbreviated form, “the Honorable Zo,” he gave him the land; therefore, it came to in the original manuscript, which no longer be called Deer Park. exists, and this was mistakenly transcribed 16. Wang Ling (d.  B.C.E.) was a high as “the Honorable Nichizo.” official of the Former Han dynasty. When 11. That is, twelve days between the day Hsiang Yü of Ch’u fought with Liu Pang of the Daishonin’s departure from Sado and of Han for the rulership of China, he cap- the day of his arrival in Kamakura. tured Wang Ling’s mother in order to force 12. The first time was when the Dai- Wang Ling to become his ally. However, shonin submitted On Establishing the Correct the mother secretly sent a messenger to her Teaching to Hojo Tokiyori in . The son urging him to maintain his loyalty to second was when he admonished Hei no Liu Pang. Then she killed herself. Saemon shortly before the Tatsunokuchi 17. Consort of Emperor Shen Yao was a Persecution in , and the third was the wife of Li Yüan (–), the founder of meeting mentioned here. the T’ang dynasty, who was later called 13. A figure from Japanese legend. After Shen Yao. She is said to have been skilled spending three pleasure-filled years in the in writing and painting and endowed with sea god’s palace at the bottom of the sea, both wit and beauty. Urashima returned home to find that he 18. This story appears in The Annota- could not recognize anyone in his native tions on “The Words and Phrases of the Lotus village. In his bewilderment and distress, he Sutra.” Gavampati, one of Shakyamuni’s opened a casket he had been given in the disciples, stole millet in a past existence sea god’s palace but instructed never to and, because of this, was reborn as an ox open. A cloud of white smoke rushed out, for five hundred consecutive lifetimes. It is his hair turned completely white, and in an said that, even after he became the Bud- instant he became a withered old man. In dha’s disciple, he behaved in an ox-like reality, several hundred years had passed manner. while he was away. 19. Source unknown. 14. Source unknown. A similar story 20. This story appears in the Nirvana appears in The Treatise on the Great Perfection Sutra, but little is known about the country of Wisdom. According to this version, when Small Stones or its king Dragon Seal. a fire broke out near Kushinagara in India, 21. Sado-ko was another name for Niko a pheasant immersed its wing feathers in a (–), one of the Daishonin’s six se- stream and used them to extinguish the nior priest-disciples. flames, sacrificing its life in order to save its 22. Myoe-bo was one of the Daisho- relatives. Bamboo Grove Monastery was nin’s followers who had some connection built by King Bimbisara as an offering to with Seicho-ji temple. Little else is known Shakyamuni Buddha, which was one of the about him. major centers of Shakyamuni’s preaching. It

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