The following will be published on the September 2019 issue of Creative Life:
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The Three Kinds of Treasure
Live so that all the people of Kamakura will say in your praise that Nakatsukasa Saburō Saemon-no-jō is diligent in the service of his lord, in the service of Buddhism, and in his concern for other people. More valuable than treasures in a storehouse are the treasures of the body, and the treasures of the heart are the most valuable of all. From the time you read this letter on, strive to accumulate the treasures of the heart! (WND-1, p 851)
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Background and Outline
This letter was written at Minobu on September 11, 1277 when Nichiren Daishonin was fifty-six years old, and addressed to Shijo Kingo, a leading disciple in Kamakura.
In June of the same year, Sammi-bo, a priest-disciple of the Daishonin, soundly defeated Ryuzo-bo, a protégé of Ryokan, the chief priest of Gokuraku-ji temple in Kamakura who was hostile towards the Daishonin, in a religious debate known as the Kuwagayatsu Debate. Afterward, Ema, the feudal lord whom Kingo served as a samurai retainer, was falsely informed by Kingo's jealous fellow retainers that an armed group led by Kingo had burst in and disrupted the proceedings. This led Ema to order Kingo to write an oath renouncing his faith in the Lotus Sutra—failure to comply would result in his lands being confiscated.
Kingo sent the Daishonin a letter in which he voiced his resolve never to submit such an oath. While praising Kingo for his determination, the Daishonin composed a letter of petition on Kingo's behalf to explain the true situation to Ema. Besides clarifying Kingo's innocence in the petition, the Daishonin pointed out the erroneous and evil ways of Ryokan and Ryuzo-bo.
Not long after that, Lord Ema fell ill, and Kingo, applying his medical skills, helped cure him. This letter was composed when the Daishonin received a report about the progress.
The Daishonin warns against what might seem to be an opportunity for Kingo to regain trust from his lord. This would also induce envy and resentment from his jealous colleagues, which entails life-threatening risks. Hence, the Daishonin repeatedly cautions Kingo and instructs him on the best course of action in these trying circumstances.
At the outset of this letter, the Daishonin explains that if it wasn't for Ema's consideration, Kingo would not have been able to sustain offerings to the Lotus Sutra or persevere in faith. As such, the fortune and benefits Kingo has accumulated will also return to Ema.
Next, the Daishonin explains one of the key Buddhist principles of "the Buddha nature manifesting itself from within and bringing forth protection from without". In other words, when we activate the Buddha nature inside us, it will induce the protective functions of life to work from without.
In light of this principle, the Daishonin teaches that those with steadfast faith will surely be able to bring forth protection from the heavenly gods and that truth and righteousness will be proven without fail.
Recalling how Kingo remained by his side during the Tatsunokuchi Persecution prepared to give his life alongside his mentor, the Daishonin praises Kingo's strong, unwavering faith manifested at the crucial moment. The Daishonin hen emphasises that the most important thing in life is to accumulate the "treasures of the heart".
Finally, by making historical references to Emperor Sushun, the Daishonin reveals that the ultimate conclusion of Buddhism is to help us live wisely as a human being.
Accumulating the Treasures of the Heart
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Key Learning Points of the Gosho Passage: ✧ Striving to become indispensable, trusted individuals where we are right now is itself a great actual proof of our victory. ✧ We need to make accumulating the treasures of the heart our fundamental purpose in life. ✧ When we base ourselves on the treasures of the heart, the true value and worth of treasures of the storehouse and the body also become apparent in our lives.
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Explanation
In this passage, Nichiren Daishonin specifically teaches Shijo Kingo, who was struggling to overcome the adverse situation surrounding him, to become a person who excels in the three aspects of "service of his lord", "service of Buddhism", and "concern for other people" and win the praise of the people.
In our context today, these three aspects correspond to "our workplace and society", "kosen-rufu activities", and "our interaction with people with whom we come into contact ".
The Daishonin states in this passage: "Live so that all the people of Kamakura will say in your praise." Just as the Daishonin teaches here, striving to become indispensable, trustworthy individuals where we are right now in our communities is itself a great actual proof of our victory.
The Daishonin goes on to list down the three kinds of treasure in this Gosho – namely, the "treasures in a storehouse", "treasures of the body", and "treasures of the heart", and teaches that the most supreme way of life is found in striving to accumulate the "treasures of the heart".
"Treasures in a storehouse" indicates material assets; "treasures of the body" means such things as health, acquired skills and social status; and "treasures of the heart," on one level, means an inner richness, wealth, or abundance, and on another, more fundamental level, it means faith and the brilliance of the Buddha nature that is polished through faith.
This inner abundance of our lives forged through our practice of faith is what enables us to remain undefeated no matter what happens. It is therefore, an unsurpassed treasure that remains indestructible throughout the three existences of life.
SGI President Ikeda once wrote: "[W]hen we base ourselves on the treasures of the heart, the true value and worth of treasures of the storehouse and the body also become apparent in our lives. In short, we need to make accumulating the treasures of the heart our fundamental purpose in life. If we lose sight of this elemental objective, but seek to accumulate the treasures of the storehouse and the body, it will only give rise to attachment. When that happens, fear of losing such material or physical treasures can become a cause of suffering. It is therefore important above all to accumulate the treasures of the heart. This reflects a correct sense of purpose in life."
All our Gakkai activities in its entirety are themselves practice for accumulating the "treasures of the heart". Setting our gaze on November 18, 2020, which markes our 90th anniversary, let us joyfully advance kosen-rufu with ever greater vigour!
(Translated and adapted from the November 2018 issue of The Daibyakurenge, the Soka Gakkai's monthly study journal.)
| SGI President Ikeda's Guidance
Our Heart Is Our Unsurpassed Treasure in Life
"The treasures of the heart are the most valuable of all," Nichiren Daishonin says. "Strive to accumulate the treasures of the heart!" (WND-1, 851). This is the message he imparted to his embattled disciple Shijo Kinjo. It contains the most vital key for winning in life. Our heart is our unsurpassed treasure in life. It is endowed with incredible potential and supreme nobility. Its depth and breadth can be expanded infinitely, and its strength can be developed without bound…. How can we expand the inner realm of our life, develop inner strength, and accumulate the treasures of the heart so that we can lead better lives? The answer is found in practicing the Mystic Law. In the latter part of this writing, "The Three Kinds of Treasure," the Daishonin teaches that "the treasures of the heart are the most important of all" (WND-1, 851). The ultimate treasure in terms of achieving genuine victory in life is our Buddha nature manifesting from within through faith in the Mystic Law. This is a crucial teaching of which we must never lose sight. Two months before this letter was written, Shijo Kingo faced the grave crisis of having his estate confiscated by his lord Ema. Kingo chose the course of upholding his faith in the Lotus Sutra, even if it meant losing his estate. The Daishonin praised him for this stance, and offered this caution: "However wretched a beggar you might become, never disgrace the Lotus Sutra" (WND-1, 824). In fact, these words teach Kingo the essential criteria he should follow as a practitioner—namely, that faith (a treasure of the heart) is far more important than his estate (a treasure of the storehouse) or his position as a samurai (a treasure of the body).
(From SGI President Ikeda's study lecture series, "The Teachings for Victory") |
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