‘The Selection of the Time’

“Even if it seems that, because I was born in the ruler’s domain, I follow him in my actions, I will never follow him in my heart.” (WND-1, 579)

COMMENTARY

In carrying out his struggle for justice and the happiness of all people, Nichiren Daishonin was persecuted in various ways, including being exiled to the remote island of Sado, a punishment in those days equal to the death penalty. As the fear of a second Mongol invasion intensified, however, he was suddenly pardoned.

Returning to Kamakura, rather than back down, he remonstrated with the country’s rulers for a third time in April 1274. He had been summoned by Hei no Saemon, the powerful official who was behind his attempted execution and subsequent exile to Sado. Nichiren remained unbowed, telling him, “Even if it seems that, because I was born in the ruler’s domain, I follow him in my actions, I will never follow him in my heart.”

It was a bold statement expressing the ideals of freedom of religion and freedom of thought rarely heard in 13th-century Japan. Interestingly, these words were included in a United Nations anthology celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.^[1]

Although our body may be constrained, our minds and our sense of justice need never be shackled. Nothing and no one could suppress Nichiren’s selfless, fighting spirit. The three founding Soka Gakkai presidents inherited this spirit and have fought against the devilish functions of authority when those functions have threatened the people’s spiritual freedom. As SGI members, we are heirs to this same noble spirit, and it is our mission to work to realize a world of justice and peace.

—Prepared by the SGI-USA Study Department

PASSAGE 2

“Little streams come together to form the great ocean, and tiny particles of dust accumulate to form Mount Sumeru. When I, Nichiren, first took faith in the Lotus Sutra, I was like a single drop of water or a single particle of dust in all the country of Japan. But later, when two people, three people, ten people, and eventually a hundred, a thousand, ten thousand, and a million people come to recite the Lotus Sutra and transmit it to others, then they will form a Mount Sumeru of perfect enlightenment, an ocean of great nirvana. Seek no other path by which to attain Buddhahood!” (WND-1, 579–80)

COMMENTARY

All it takes is one person. Nichiren stood up alone, “like a single drop of water or a single particle of dust,” to show people the way to transform their sufferings into happiness and this suffering-plagued world into one of peace. A great struggle of one awakened practitioner of the Lotus Sutra can spread to two, then to a hundred, a thousand and a million people, eventually transforming the world.

Here, Nichiren urges his disciples to join together with him. A single genuine disciple following the mentor’s footsteps can create a peaceful and happy society. In fact, Nichiren asserts that we should not seek a path to Buddhahood anywhere apart from sharing in the Buddha’s work to achieve peace and the happiness of all people. Each in our own way, whatever our circumstances, can advance with pride and in high spirits to fulfill our mission for kosen-rufu.

—Prepared by the SGI-USA Study Department

PASSAGE 3

“Therefore, I say to you, my disciples, try practicing as the Lotus Sutra teaches, exerting yourselves without begrudging your lives! Test the truth of Buddhism now!” (WND-1, 583–84)

COMMENTARY

Nichiren concludes this letter by urging his disciples to follow in his footsteps in the noble work of kosen-rufu. According to the sutra, when we propagate Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, obstacles will inevitably appear. Nichiren was fully aware of this but began his struggle anyway. And because of that, we can enjoy the benefit of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and reciting the sutra today.

Just before this passage, Nichiren writes, “Those who can uphold the Lotus are foremost among living beings” (WND-1, 583). There is no doubt that we can attain the great life state of a Buddha if we strive in our practice convinced of this passage. That’s why Nichiren urges us to “test the truth of Buddhism.”

“Without begrudging your lives” means not hesitating to give of ourselves and to do so with appreciation, however much we can. It means to happily devote ourselves to the cause of peace and happiness because we want to, not because someone tells us to. Nichiren willingly gave of himself and waged a selfless struggle to help his disciples find genuine happiness no matter the difficulties they faced. If we exert ourselves in the same way, we, too, can definitely win over our challenges and prove the power of Buddhism for all to see.

—Prepared by the SGI-USA Study Department