The following will be published on the January 2019issue 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 strongfaith 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 ownfiefs.
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 schoolprepared 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, theyhad invited the great sufferings of starvation and pestilenceto 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 contentsof 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.
Not for Circulation. For the use of district leaders only.
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.
Nichiren Daishonin teaches Yasaburo here that having survived the ordeal when many had lost their lives, Yasaburoshould 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 becauseshould 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.
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