本文将刊登在《创价人生》2019年1月号
覆弥三郎书
但唯决意耳！请以今年之世间为镜，死者不知若干，汝迄今犹得存生，非为欲遇此事乎？此正是渡宇治川之时，此正是渡势多之所。扬其名欤、污其名欤！（御书1527页）
白话文
要好好下定决心！请看看今年的世间情况，在众多人死去的当中，仍能存活到现在，为的就是要遇到这种事。这正是横渡宇治川的战场，也是跨越濑田川的战场。是名声远扬，还是污损声名？人生在此决定！
背景与大意
本篇御文是1277年8月，日莲大圣人56岁时，写给弟子弥三郎的书信，教导他面对法论时应抱持的态度。
关于弥三郎，详情不明，从书信内容推断，弥三郎应已具备与念佛僧侣法论的信心与教学程度，并拥有领地的身份。
大圣人书写本篇御文的1277年，正值疫病大流行，加上人民对蒙古可能再次来袭深感不安，世局混乱。与此同时，大圣人的弟子也遭受了严酷迫害。同年6月，四条金吾因周遭谗言，被主君逼迫"舍弃法华经"，大圣人为向邪恶反击，彰显正义，立即替四条金吾写了《赖基陈状》。当月，大圣人也为同样因皈依正法而遭受迫害的因幡法师日永撰写陈情书《覆下山书》。
接获本封书信的弥三郎抱持可能失去领地的觉悟，准备与念佛僧侣法论。由于处境严峻，大圣人告诉将进行法论的弥三郎，他有着何其重大的广布使命呢。
本篇御文的前半段，大圣人指示弥三郎在法论现场应该提出如下论述：因为日本民众将具备主师亲三德的释迦佛摆在一旁，却笃信阿弥陀佛，才会招来饥荒、疫病等大苦难。而且，大家对于说出这项实事的大圣人理应知恩报恩，却反而恩将仇报，将他处以流罪、死罪。
御文后半段里，大圣人推测法论问答的内容，并提出具体破折的方法，且以宇治川、势多（指濑田）川乃决胜负之地为喻，强调这场法论也是决定弥三郎的人生胜负的关键。进而教诲，弥三郎能大难不死，幸存至今，正是为了这场法论，所以不论遇到任何苦难，都要贯彻信心到底，以此结束本篇御文。
决意"要胜利！"
本篇御文是大圣人教导弟子弥三郎与念佛僧侣法论时应有的心态。在广布奋战上，最重要的，是自己要抱持"因为是正义，就绝对要获胜"如此强盛的信心一念。因此，大圣人教导：胜利的关键是"但唯决意耳"。
接着，大圣人说示："汝迄今犹得存生，非为欲遇此事乎？"意即，没有比能在末法此时幸逢妙法，彻底为广布而活的人生来得更为美好。
大圣人进而教导弥三郎，无论任何奋战都会有"最关键时刻"、"致命处"，此时此处若能获胜，就能决定胜负。防卫京都的要冲"宇治川"、"势多"正是担纲重要关键的军防重地，所以若在横渡宇治川、濑田川取胜，即是最大的功勋和荣耀。因此在决胜关键之处，果敢奋战，赢得胜利，就能广阔地开启自身的境界。
在本段御文之后，大圣人进一步教导弥三郎，为了在这场法论中取胜，要抱持： "释尊、多宝、十方的佛，请聚集前来，化入我身，来帮助我吧！"的坚定一念，强盛祈求。在根据对妙法的确信之祈求和行动中，会涌现无限的力量、无限的智慧和无限的福运。
户田先生曾说："信心，简单来说，就是下定决心。既然心意已决，就一定要'胜利'。"池田先生也曾引用这句话指导："首先决心'胜利'，然后付诸'行动'。下定决心，然后祈求、行动——让我们牢记这项胜利的方程式，在广宣流布的大奋战中，痛快地赢得胜利吧！"
无论环境如何严峻，让我们本着"此处即决胜负之处"、"绝对要获胜"的一念，在广宣流布的奋战中，天天迈进！
词语解释
此事：指因信奉法华经所蒙受的难。本文是指弥三郎将与念佛僧侣法论一事。
宇治、势多：从琵琶湖流出的濑田川与其下游的宇治川，自古以来被视为关东与畿内的分界，位于此处的濑田桥与宇治桥一带均属军事要冲。
不论治承年间的木曾义仲与源赖朝之战，或是承久之乱（公元1221年），对关东来说，此处都是攻陷敌军根据地前的兵家必争之地。若能够在此处取得胜利，就能立下先锋之功。
（转载自《教学研习》2017年7月号）
_______________________________________________
2019年1月份座谈会御书
要点分享
覆弥三郎书
但唯决意耳！请以今年之世间为镜，死者不知若干，汝迄今犹得存生，非为欲遇此事乎？此正是渡宇治川之时，此正是渡势多之所。扬其名欤、污其名欤！（御书1527页）
白话文
要好好下定决心！请看看今年的世间情况，在众多人死去的当中，仍能存活到现在，为的就是要遇到这种事。这正是横渡宇治川的战场，也是跨越濑田川的战场。是名声远扬，还是污损声名？人生在此决定！
以下是在拜读并明白刊登在《创价人生》2019年1月号座谈会御书的"背景和解说"之后，所要分享的要点。（包括在手册里）
要点
1自觉自己出生在这个世上的使命很重要
2要超越困难，鼓励非常重要
3巨大困难是宿命转换的契机
1．自觉自己出生在这个世上的使命很重要
大圣人在这篇写于1277年的御书中讲到这一年有很多人丧失了性命。
这是因为这一年日本发生了严重的饥荒及疫病大流行。
大圣人在隔年2月写的《覆松野书其三》（别名"三界无安御书"）中描述："又从去年春天到今年的二月中旬，瘟疫蔓延全国。十家有五家、一百家有五十家，全都病死，或是身未染病，心却痛苦不堪，比得病的人更惊恐不安。"（御书1463页，白话文）
日莲大圣人在此是教导弥三郎，在这么多人死亡当中，你能够活下来，应该自觉自己在这个世上的使命。
"在众多人死去的当中，仍能存活到现在，为的就是要遇到这种事。"池田先生这么解释这节御文，说："在末法这个时候遇到妙法，作为创价学会员，作为创价师弟，一同走在世界广宣流布之道上，这本身就是最高的荣誉，是黄金辉耀的人生。
户田先生说：'在乱世中生活很苦，必须要思考我们是为了什么而出生。那是因为大家拥有受大圣人之命，要履行广宣流布的任务而出生的宿命。问题在于我们对此了解与否。'"
诚如池田先生和户田先生的指导般，自觉自己的使命很重要。
2.要超越困难，鼓励非常重要
在这一回的御文中所提到的"势多"是指濑田川。那是在日本西部的一条大河，上游的部分叫做濑田川，中途则叫做宇治川。
自古以来，这条河是作为政治中心京都的重要防线。
这篇御书是大圣人回答弥三郎提出，在跟念佛宗的僧侣进行法论之际，应该主张的内容和应有的精神准备。
大圣人以这条河为例子，来形容弥三郎即将展开的法论的意义。大圣人告诉他这回的法论就有如越过濑田川和宇治川去攻打敌人一样，是胜利而受到称赞，还是失败而被周围的人嘲笑。大圣人激励弥三郎，重要的是决意竭尽全力奋战，绝对要胜利。
这样的鼓励产生勇气。因此，组织里有能给予激励的同志很重要。
3.巨大困难是宿命转换的契机
运动选手因为有强大的对手，自己的能力才能够发挥。正因为对手强，才能超越自己的局限，变得更强。如果只是跟弱的对手比赛的话，自己的能力终究无法发挥。
同样的，有巨大的困难，为了超越它，通过唱题，能使自己大大成长，于是就能将宿命转变为使命。
池田先生有以下这个指导：
"参与广宣流布的言论战此重大的法战，能够用自己的身体、自己的声音、自己的行动来宣扬佛法，高呼师匠的正义。没有比这更高的荣誉了。"
先生也说："觉悟到艰巨的挑战正是转换的契机，而欢喜地挑战的，正是真正的勇者，是贤者的生活之道。"
让我们也决意，如今正是自己宿命转换的时候，而努力唱题及做折伏吧。
* * *
Discussion Meeting Gosho for January 2019
Key Points for Sharing
| Reply to Yasaburō You must simply make up your mind. Look at the world this year as a mirror. The reason that you have survived until now when so many have died was so that you would meet with this affair. This is where you will cross the Uji River. This is where you will ford the Seta. This will determine whether you win honor or disgrace your name. (The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol 1, p.829) |
The following key points are to be shared upon understanding and explaining the "Background and Explanation" published in the January 2019 issue of Creative Life. (Included in handout)
| Key Points 1. It is important to first be awakened to our mission in this world 2. Encouragement is important in order for one to overcome difficulties 3. Great adversity is an opportunity to transform one's karma |
1. It is important to first be awakened to our mission in this world
The Daishonin states in this Gosho that during the time when this letter was written in 1277, many lives were lost.
This is because in this year, Japan was plagued by serious famine and widespread epidemic.
The Daishonin describes this epidemic that broke out in this year in the Gosho titled, "No Safety in the Threefold World", that he wrote in February the following year in this manner:
"Moreover, from the spring of last year through the middle of the second month of this year, epidemics have spread throughout the country. In five families out of ten, in fifty households out of a hundred, all the members have died from disease. Others have escaped illness but are suffering from great spiritual distress, and thus are in even greater agony than those who are ill." (WND-1, p 891)
Nichiren Daishonin teaches Yasaburo here that having survived the ordeal when many had lost their lives, Yasaburo should deeply realize the profundity of his mission in this world.
In his explanation of the statement, "The reason that you have survived until now when so many have died was so that you would meet with this affair", Ikeda Sensei says as follows:
"Being able to encounter the Mystic Law in the Latter Day and walk the path of worldwide kosen-rufu together as SGI members, united in the shared struggle of mentor and disciple, is itself an unsurpassed honour. It is a brilliant, golden life.
"Mr Toda said, 'When life in this troubled world is hard, we are forced to ask ourselves why we were born. It is due to our karma from past existences that we were born in this world with the mission to carry out kosen-rufu in response to the Daishonin's decree. It all comes down to whether we are aware of this or not.'"
As what Ikeda Sensei and Toda Sensei teach here, it is important to be awakened to one's mission in this existence.
2. Encouragement is important in order for one to overcome difficulties
In this Gosho passage that we studying this month, the Daishonin mentions the word, "Seta". This refers to the Seta River. It is a huge river located in the western part of Japan. The upstream of the river is known as "Seta River" and half way through the river from its middle reaches, it is known as the Uji River.
Since ancient times, the river marked a critical line of defense for Kyoto, which was the political capital of Japan.
This letter is the Daishonin's reply to Yasaburo's question asking what is the correct attitude with which he should engage in the religious debate with a priest from the Nembutsu School and what should his key emphasis be in the debate.
The Daishonin uses the example of this river to describe the significance of the upcoming debate that Yasaburo was going to engage in. The Daishonin tells Yasaburo that the upcoming debate is as crucial as crossing the Uji River or fording the Seta because should Yasaburo win the debate, he will receive great praises from the public while he will be looked down upon by the people should he be defeated in the debate. For this reason, the Daishonin encourages Yasaburo to give his utmost best for the debate and to make a firm resolve to win no matter what before anything else.
Such encouragement gives rise to courage. For this reason, it is indeed important to offer wholehearted encouragement to fellow members in our organization.
3. Great adversity is an opportunity to transform one's karma
For athletes, it is strong opponents that will help them grow further. Precisely because one's opponent is strong, one is able to breakthrough one's limitations and become better. Should one only play against opponents who are weak, then one will never be able to manifest one's true potential to the fullest.
In the same way, because we encounter great adversities, we chant daimoku earnestly to overcome them and by so doing, we are able to forge our lives and change our karma into mission.
Ikeda Sensei says as follows: "There is no greater source of pride than being able to engage in a crucial struggle for the sake of Buddhism—to engage in the struggle of words for kosen-rufu, using our body, our voice, and our actions to promote the correct teaching of Buddhism and convey the integrity of our mentor."
Sensei also says, "The key is seeing times of great challenge as opportunities for great positive change, and joyfully tackling the situation. This is the hallmark of true champions and the way of life of people of genuine wisdom."
Let us resolve that now is the moment to transform our karma, exert ourselves in chanting daimoku and in sharing Buddhism with others.
***
The following will be published on the January 2019 issue of Creative Life:
Reply to Yasaburō
You must simply make up your mind. Look at the world this year as a mirror. The reason that you have survived until now when so many have died was so that you would meet with this affair. This is where you will cross the Uji River. This is where you will ford the Seta. This will determine whether you win honor or disgrace your name.
(The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol 1, p.829)
Background and Outline
This letter was written in the eighth month of the third year of Kenji (1277) when Nichiren Daishonin was 56 as a reply to his disciple Yasaburō on how to prepare himself for an upcoming religious debate.
Details regarding Yasaburō are not clear. However, from the contents of this letter, we can see that he possessed strong faith and was well verse enough in Buddhist study to engage in a religious debate with a priest of the Pure Land school. We can also understand that he had the social status to own fiefs.
In the third year of Kenji (1277) when this letter was written, an epidemic had spread throughout the nation. And, there was also the uneasiness that the Mongols would attack Japan again and the entire society was in a state of chaos. Around the same time, the Daishonin's disciples were severely persecuted. Shijo Kingo, was reproached by his lord to discard his faith in the Lotus Sutra due to ill-intended rumours spread by his peers. This happened in the sixth month of the same year. In an effort to refute evil and speak out for justice, the Daishonin, immediately wrote "The Letter of Petition from Yorimoto" on behalf of Shijo Kingo. In the same month, the Daishonin wrote the petition, "Letter to Shimoyama," on behalf of Inaba-bō Nichiei who was also persecuted because of his faith in the Daishonin's teachings.
Yasaburō, who received this letter, must have been preparing his religious debate with a priest of the Pure Land school prepared to lose his fiefs in the worst scenario. Amidst such circumstances, the Daishonin impresses upon Yasaburō, who was courageously preparing himself for the religious debate, how great his mission for kosen-rufu is.
In the first half of this letter, the Daishonin instructs Yasaburō to clearly state during religious debate that because all the people in Japan had disregard Shakyamuni Buddha who possesses the three virtues of sovereign, teacher, and parent, and revere instead, Amida Buddha, they had invited the great sufferings of starvation and pestilence to befall. And, instead of appreciating the Daishonin who spoke out for the truth, they punished him with exile and attempted execution.
In the second half, the Daishonin hypothesises the contents of the questions and answers in the religious debate and touches specifically on how to refute the opponent. On top of this, the Daishonin uses the example of winning decisively by "crossing the Uji River" and "fording the Seta" to emphasise the point that this religious debate will be the decisive victory in Yasaburō life. In concluding this letter, the Daishonin teaches Yasaburō that the reason for him to have survived until now was so that he could engage in this religious debate, and that he should carry through with his faith no matter what difficulties he may face.
Determine to Win No Matter What!
This Gosho passage teaches Yasaburō, the Daishonin's disciple, on how to prepare himself for his upcoming debate with a priest of the Pure Land school. In the struggle of kosen-rufu, the most important thing is to "determine to win no matter what for the sake of justice" and stand up with a powerful resolve based on faith. The Daishonin teaches that the key to victory is to "simply make up your mind."
Next, the Daishonin teaches, "The reason that you have survived until now … was so that you would meet with this affair." Nothing is more wonderful than encountering the Mystic Law in the Latter Day of the Law and to dedicate one's life for kosen-rufu.
Further to this, the Daishonin teaches that in any struggle, there will be "critical moment" and "vital point of defense." They refer to a critical point or moment that determines our victory or defeat depending on whether we can successfully overcome that moment. The Uji River and the Seta are critical strategic points of defense in Kyoto that represent such "critical moment" or "vital point of defense". Therefore, for warriors, "crossing the Uji River" and "fording the Seta" was the highest merit and honour. In the same way, if one can courageously take on the challenge and wage a battle during such critical moment, we can elevate and open forth our life-state boundlessly.
In the paragraph the comes after this Gosho passage, the Daishonin teaches Yasaburō to "pray intently that Shakyamuni, Many Treasures, and the Buddhas of the ten directions will all gather and take possession of your body to assist you" with a powerful determination. Offering prayers and taking actions grounded on an absolute conviction in the Mystic Law will help to bring forth immeasurable power, wisdom, and good fortune from the depths of one's life.
Second Soka Gakkai President Toda once said, "Faith, simply speaking, means to make up one's mind. And as long as you're going to make up your mind, make up your mind to succeed!" Quoting this guidance by Mr Toda, SGI President Ikeda said: "First, decide that you're going to win. Then take action to make it a reality. Decide, chant daimoku, and take action—with this formula for success in our hearts, let's win exhilarating victories in our great struggle for kosen-rufu."
No matter how severe our circumstnaces, let us first decide that "this is the critical moment that will decide my victory" and that "I must win no matter what" and advance day by day in our struggle for kosen-rufu!
(Translated from the June 2017 issue of The Daibyakurenge, the Soka Gakkai's monthly study journal.)
Footnotes:
1. Uji River: The middle reaches of the Seta River, which originates at the southern edge of Lake Biwa and flows through Kyoto Prefecture, eventually emptying into Osaka Bay. In ancient times, it marked the southeastern line of defense for Kyoto, the capital, and was the site of several famous battles. Because of its strategic importance, whether or not one succeeded in crossing the Uji River determined one's troops' victory or defeat. Seta, the area facing the site where this river emerges from the lake, was another strategic point of defense. Thus, "crossing the Uji River" and "fording the Seta" have the identical meaning: winning decisively.
