And you demons, by making this man [Nanjo Tokimitsu] suffer, are you trying to … become the archenemy of the Buddhas of the ten directions in the three existences? … Should you not cure this man’s illness immediately, act rather as his protectors, and escape from the grievous sufferings that are the lot of demons?
“The Proof of the Lotus Sutra,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 1109
In this letter, Nichiren Daishonin encourages Nanjo Tokimitsu, who is battling a serious illness, never to be intimidated by the threats of any devilish function. He sternly admonishes the negative functions assailing his young disciple, demanding that they immediately cure him and function instead as benevolent forces to protect him.
Later, Tokimitsu recovered, extending his life for another 50 years and carrying out his mission for kosen-rufu.
As practitioners of the Mystic Law, let’s live out our lives together with the Daishonin and cultivate a powerful life force that can vanquish the devil of illness. Let’s always encourage and support our fellow members.
Translated from the May 22, 2019, issue of the Seikyo Shimbun, the Soka Gakkai daily newspaper
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