When your deceased husband chanted Nam-myoho-renge-kyo at the end on his deathbed, the evil deeds of a lifetime, and from the beginningless past, changed into the seeds of Buddhahood. This is what is meant by the teachings called “earthly desires are enlightenment,” “the sufferings of birth and death are nirvana,” and “attaining Buddhahood in one’s present form.”
And because you are the beloved wife of such a man, the teaching of women attaining Buddhahood without doubt also applies to you.
“The Importance of the Moment of Death,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 2, p. 760
Nichiren Daishonin sent this encouragement to a disciple [the lay nun Myoho] who was recently widowed. He praises the triumphant life of her late husband, who had remained steadfast in his faith until the very end, and indicates that the surviving family members of such individuals will also attain Buddhahood.
The Mystic Law enables us to transform any negative karma into the “seeds of Buddhahood.” Therefore, no matter what happens, there’s no need for us to be perturbed or daunted.
Through chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, we can overcome the sorrow and pain of losing a loved one and ascend together eternally on the path of security, hope and good fortune.
Translated from the September 18, 2020 Seikyo Shimbun, the Soka Gakkai’s daily newspaper.
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