Guardian Deity or Shugo-Jin

April 2022

SACRED WORDS

(Kegon Sutra says): When everyone is born, there are two heavenly divine messengers named, DOSHO and DOMYO TENS OR Gods of THE SAME BIRTH and SAME NAME with you. As your shadow always follows you, the two messengers will follow you at every moment. They take turns reporting all of your behavior, good or bad to the higher heavenly beings. Thus, your warm-hearted conducts are well known among the heavenly beings. I am very proud of you.

Nichiren "Dosho Domyo Gosho" at Ichinosawa, Sado

聖語

華厳経というお経に「全ての人が産まれる時には、同生同名という二人の天の使いがついていて、影がいつもついて回る如く、寸時も離れず、あなたの大罪・小罪・大功徳・小功徳も細大もらさず、かわるがわる天に昇って報告する」と釈尊が説かれておられます。あなた方のご厚志は諸天もすべてご承知のことですから頼もしく存じます。　

　　　　　　日蓮『同生同名御書』於：佐渡一の谷

Guardian deity or SHUGO-JIN

Rev. Shokai Kanai

This month's Sacred Word is a letter addressed to the wife of Kingo Shijo, who sent her husband to visit their exiled master, Nichiren Dai’Shonin on Sado Island in April 1272. It was very difficult for everyone to believe in the Lotus Sutra during the Mappo Era, but the couple continued to have their strong faith towards Nichiren and supported him from the bottom of their hearts. The saint showed his appreciation to Kingo’s wife for sending her husband on a difficult journey to Sado Island. Because the heavenly beings know all of their behaviors, Nichiren encouraged them to continue their devotion to the Lotus Sutra and Odaimoku.

By the way, the United States was founded in part by the Puritans, who incorporated their omniscient and omnipotent God as the guardian deity of the nation. We recite the Pledge of Allegiance before we start an important event and praise God and the nation. With monotheism, God of the region and the individual is the same. However, Buddhism teaches the Law of Cause and Effect, that all things appear and disappear because of their conditions. There are many gods who protect our country, region, buildings, families, and individuals. In Nichiren sect, gods who protect the followers of the Lotus Sutra and the practitioners of the sutra are called SHUGO-JIN or guardian deities.

There are many Shugo-jin in Buddhism, but there are differences in power of protection such as low, middle, and high levels. There is also a superior level, too. In Chapter 26 of the Lotus Sutra the five guardian deities gave us dharani spells to the expounder of the Dharma to protect him or her. They are Medicine-King Bodhisattva, Brave-In-Giving Bodhisattva, Vaisravana Heavenly King, World-Holding Heavenly-King, and Ten Rakasais with the Mother-Of-Devil (Kishimo-jin). All of them vowed to Sakyamuni Buddha to protect the good men or women who keep, read, or recited even a single gatha of the Lotus Sutra, understood the meaning of it or acted according to it.

In all Nichiren Missions of Hawaii and the Honolulu Myohoji, they enshrine Kishimo-jin and Deity Seisho-ko. Besides them, the Deity Daikoku and Deity Shichimen are also enshrined in the Hilo Nichiren Mission.

Well, who are your guardian deity besides DOSHO and DOMYO TEN? You do not need to know their names, but you are surely protected by your Shugo-jin day and night just like Mr. & Mrs. Kingo Shijo. Please realize that they and you are also blessed with the Source of the Universal Energy called “Myoho” 妙法 day and night.

All Nichiren Shu members often hold memorial services. Do you remember which ancestor took care of you the most? I believe these ancestors are also taking care of you from the spiritual realm. Show appreciation towards them, although you may never notice their presence just as you do not realize that your life is sustained by air (oxygen) and water.

守　護　神

金井勝海

　上記の聖語は文永９年（１2７２年）４月に四条金吾が鎌倉から佐渡に流罪中の大聖人を訪れ、その折四条氏にたくして、夫人に送られたお手紙です。濁悪の末法に法華経を信仰する事は難事ですが、夫妻が心を併せて強盛の信心をつづけ、はるか佐渡ケ島

まで夫を遣はされた妻の志の厚きを感謝し、諸天善神様が貴女方を見守っておられるから尚一層の精進をするよう勧められています。

　一般的には国家や地域や個人を護る神を守護神と言います。ピューリタンによって築きあげられたアメリカ合衆国の守護神は全知全能の神です。ですから、大事な行事を始める前には、必ず国歌を唄い神を讃えます。一神教ですから地域や個人の神も同じThe GODです。仏教は、全ての物は「縁により生じ、縁によって滅す」という因果応報の法則を説きますので、創造主としてのＧＯＤは信じませんが、私達の国や地域や建物や家族・個人を護る神々様の存在は信じています。また複数の神々がいますから、守護神も大勢います。日蓮宗では特に法華経と法華経信者を守護する諸天善神を守護神としています。

　法華経陀羅尼品第２６に説かれている薬王菩薩・勇施菩薩・毘沙門天・持国天・鬼子母神・十羅刹女等の守護神が法華経を持ち・読み・諳んじ・理解し・写経し・南無妙法蓮華経と唱える者を守護し、安穏にすると誓願を立てておられます。ハワイ日蓮宗別院には鬼子母神と清正公様が祀られており、ヒロ・ミッションでは、大黒様・七面大明神様も祀られています。これらのご守護神にはそれぞれ役目が違い、下級・中級・上級の違いもあります。最上級のご守護神がおられます。皆様方には、宇宙の根源の恩恵（妙法）のお陰で生かされている事に気づいて頂きたいです。

　さて、皆様のご守護神はどなたですか。あなたにもあなたと同じ誕生日であなたと同じ名前の同生同名天が毎朝晩お護りして下さっている事に感謝しましょう。それと、ご先祖様の中で、生前あなたを一番可愛がって下さっていた方はどなたですか。その方に今でも感謝していますか。その方は今でもあなたを見守っておられるのです。しかし、普段の私たちは空気や水のお陰で生かされている事に感謝する事を忘れています。それと同じように、ご先祖のご守護に感謝すると、守護の力がさらに強く感じるようになります。

A Letter to a Seriously Ill Woman

November 2021

SACRED WORDS

To begin with there are two kinds of illnesses: minor and major. Even a major illness can be cured, and the life span lengthened if a skillful physician is available to treat it immediately, to say nothings of a minor illnesses. Also, there are two kinds of karma: mutable karma and immutable karma. Even an immutable karma will inevitably disappear when fully atoned for, to say nothing of a mutable karma. The Lotus Sutra says in Chapter 23, “This sutra is a good medicine for the diseases of the people of the world.” . . . Therefore, when I prayed for the recovery of my ill mother through the Lotus Sutra, not only did she actually recover from her illness but also extended her life span by four years.

Nichiren Dai’Shonin "Kaen Jogo Sho"

聖語

　病には２種類あります。重病と軽病です。重病でも良い医者に早くかかれば完治し寿命を長らえる事ができます。軽病は、言うまでもありません。業にも２種類あります。定業（ジョウゴウ）と不定業です。定業（宿命的業）でも一生懸命に懺悔すれば必ず消えます。不定業は言うまでもない事です。法華経に「此ノ経ハ即チ閻浮提ノ人の病ノ良薬也」と説かれています。. . . 私日蓮は母の病気平癒を祈った結果、現実に病を癒やしたのみならず、四ケ年の寿命を延ばす事ができました。　

『可延定業御書』意訳

A LETTER TO A SERIOUSLY ILL WOMAN

Rev. Shokai Kanai

The above Sacred Words are parts of a letter from Nichiren Dai’Shonin addressed to Jonin Toki’s sick wife. He advises a good medical doctor, Shijo Kingo, to make a diagnosis using his strong faith in the Lotus Sutra. In addition, Nichiren Shonin describes an example of his sick mother’s and living another four years.

Eleven years before his mother became sick on April 28, 1253, Nichiren, at the age of 31, chanted “Namu Myoho Renge Kyo” in public and delivered his first sermon at Seicho-ji Temple. However, due to his bitter criticism on the Nembutsu faith, he received the hateful ire Tojo Kagenobu, an estate steward of Awa Kominato. Thus, he was excommunicated by his master Dozenbo and expelled from the Temple. Therefore, even if his father passed away, he could not return to his hometown.

The news of "Mother is critically ill!" caused Nichiren to go home. He returned to Awa at the risk of his life and met his seriously ill mother at her bedside. His mother who saw the appearance of her son for the first time in 11 years was filled with infinite emotion. In response, Nichiren nursed his mother from the bottom of his heart and prayed for her recovery from sickness. The result was as stated in the Sacred Word above.

The joyfulness of the mother/son reunion encouraged the mother who lay down on her sick bed to receive Nichiren's pure and sincere prayer, which finally brought about his mother's revival. She was able live another four years.

  I wake up before sunrise every morning, receive the reiki of the universe, and after chanting, I send the energy of the universe and radiances of O’Daimoku to all the believers in the Lotus Sutra in the state of Hawaii. During the morning service, I offer a memorial prayer to all their ancestors, recite the Dharani Spells to Deity Kishimojin, and pray, “Reject the plague of all members, heal the disease, and turn this great calamity into a small calamity, and small calamity turns into no calamity at all. NAMU MYOHO RENGE KYO!”

重病の信徒への手紙

金井勝海

　上記の聖語は、富木常忍の療養中の妻に宛てた日蓮大聖人からのお手紙の一部です。法華経への強い信仰と良き医者である四条金吾に診断をしてもらいなさいと助言をし、さらに大聖人の母上の病気平癒と寿命長久の実例を述べておられます。

　日蓮大聖人は満３１歳の１２５３年４月２８日に「南無妙法蓮華経」と公の場で唱え立教開宗されました。しかし念仏信仰の批判をした為に、法話の途中で地頭東條景信の怒りをうけ、師匠道善坊からは破門され、清澄寺から追放されてしまいました。従って父親が他界されても故郷へは帰ることができませんでした。

　「母危篤！」の知らせが日蓮聖人を帰郷にふみ切らせたました。命がけで安房へ帰り、重病の床にある母と対面されました。１１年振りに我が子の姿を見た病床の母は、無量の感慨に包まれました。それに答えた日蓮様は懸命の看護をし、平癒を祈念されました。その結果は上記の聖語の通りです。

　母子再会の喜びは、病の床に伏す母を勇気づけ、日蓮様の純粋で誠を尽くした祈りはついに母上の全快をもたらし、命を取り留めた母はさらに４年の長寿を保ちました。

　私は毎朝、日の出前に起き、大宇宙の霊気を頂き、唱題行の後、ハワイ州の全信徒に大宇宙のエネルギーとお題目の光を送っています。本堂での朝勤では、皆様のご先祖様に法味を捧げ供養し、鬼子母神堂では陀羅尼神呪を唱え「檀信徒皆様の災いを退け、病を癒やし、大難は小難に小難は無難に！」と毎日祈っております。

Prophet Nichiren, Savior of the Mappo Era (Rishho Ankoku Ron, True Expounder of the Lotus Sutra)

October 2021

SACRED WORDS

The Buddha preached in the Nirvana Sutra, “Various sufferings of all the people will be borne by Me alone.” Likewise, I now declare, “All the sufferings of all the people going to hell will all be borne by Nichiren alone.”

Kangyo Hachiman-Sho, Nichiren

聖語

涅槃経二云ワク「一切衆生ノ異ノ苦ヲ受クルハ、悉ク如来一人ノ苦ナリ」日蓮云ワク「一切衆生ノ同一苦（あらゆる苦しみ）ハ、悉ク是レ日蓮一人ノ苦ト申スベシ」

『諌暁八幡抄』

Prophet Nichiren, Savior of the Mappo Era

Rev. Shokai Kanai

From the February issue of this year, I have been writing about Nichiren Dai’Shonin almost every month in accordance with when he was being persecuted. October is the month when he passed away, but I have not yet mentioned a few important matters. They are the materialization of his prediction about foreign invasion described in Rissho Ankoku Ron which came eight years later and Nichiren Shonin becoming the real expounder of the Lotus Sutra.

In last month's issue, I mentioned that one of the reasons for the Tatsu-no-kuchi Persecution was his victory in challenging to make it rain, but another reason was that the prophecy of the attack from a foreign country in "Rissho Ankoku Ron” came to reality. A few official messengers from Mongolia came to Kamakura demanding tributes. Thus, Nichiren sent letters to eleven people, including the Kamakura Shogunate, Ryokan of Gokuraku-ji Temple and other high rank priests in Kamakura. It said, "If you do not immediately reconsider your faith in the Nembutsu and Zen and change to the Lotus Sutra, Mongolia will attack Japan and this country will be destroyed."

In response, the priests issued a false lawsuit to the shogunate, and the government decided to exile Nichiren to Sado Island. On the way, Yoritsuna, driven by with his own hatred, tried to execute Nichiren. But the execution was suddenly interrupted by a miraculous fireball which flew from Enoshima Island where a Deity Dragon is enshrined. The execution failed and the exile continued towards Sado Island.

From this miracle, Nichiren was awakened to the realization that he was the rebirth of Jogyo or Superior-Practice Bodhisattva predicted in Chapter 15 of the Lotus Sutra. Nichiren said in Kaimokusho, “A man called Nichiren was beheaded at Tatsu-no-kuchi, a little after midnight of the twelfth day of the ninth month of the last year. His soul remained and came here to the island of Sado.” This is similar to when Jesus Christ was crucified but resurrected three days later.

In Christianity, just as Jesus carried the sins of all men, Nichiren shouldered all the sins of the people in the Mappo Era as stated in this month’s Sacred Words. The great sins for which Nichiren bore were to speak ill of the Lotus Sutra, to ignore Sakyamuni Buddha and the Lotus Sutra, and to cause disturbance to the expounders of the Lotus Sutra. This means that all people who persecuted him will also be able to be saved if they chant the Odaimoku sincerely. Thus, it says, “We can expiate our past transgressions, do good deeds, and attain Buddhahood by the merit of this sutra. It does not matter whether we are wise or not, or whether we believe the sutra or slander it,” in Verses for Opening the Sutra.

In other words Nichiren was the Buddhist savior for all people in the Mappo Era.

I think we must be more aware of the greatness of Nichiren and seriously recite the Odaimoku. I hope everyone understands him much better than before.

予言者日蓮、末法時代の救世主日蓮

金井勝海

　今年２月号の月報より、ほぼ毎月日蓮大聖人が法難を受けられた月にあわせて日蓮大聖人の生涯を述べてきました。１０月は日蓮聖人がお亡くなりになられた月ですが、まだ大事な事を述べておりません。それは、『立正安国論』に予言された蒙古大襲来の予言的中と大聖人が末法時代の仏教の救世主であるいう事です。

　先月号で龍ノ口法難の理由の一つは雨乞いと申し上げましたが、もう一つの理由は『立正安国論』で他国から攻め寄せて来るという予言が８年後に的中し、蒙古より日本に貢物を差し出すよう使者が鎌倉へ現れた事です。日蓮聖人は鎌倉幕府と極楽寺の良寛はじめ高祖十一名に手紙を送り「直ちに念仏や禅の信仰を改めて法華経に帰依しないと蒙古が日本を攻めてこの国は亡びてしまう！」と諫めたからです。

これに対し高祖方は幕府に偽りの訴訟を出し、政府は大聖人を佐渡に流すことに決めました。その護送中に日蓮を亡き者にしようと平の左衛門頼綱によって龍ノ口断頭が企てられました。しかし、その打ち首の刑は龍神様が祀られている江ノ島の方よりマリの如く光るものが刑場の上を飛び、真夜中なのに急に辺りが明るくなったので、打ち首をする侍の眼がくらみ、稲妻が刀に落ち、刑は中止となって、後日佐渡ケ島に流罪されました。

　この怪奇現象を通して、日蓮大聖人は法華経に予言されている上行菩薩の再誕であるとの自覚をされたのです。それは正にイエスキリストが十字架にかかり死に到り、３日後に蘇ったと同じです。キリスト教では、イエス様が全ての人の罪を背負って十字架にかかられたように、日蓮大聖人は末法の人々の全ての罪を全部背負い肉体の日蓮様は龍ノ口法難で蘇生されたのです。大聖人にとって最大の罪とは「法華経の悪口を言い、法華経や釈迦牟尼仏をないがしろにすることです。つまり、お祖師様が法華経を弘めた為に大勢の人々が法華経を罵しり、法華経の説法をする法師を寺から追い出し、住まいに放火し、島流しにし、待ち伏せして殺そうとし、刑場に引っ張り出し殺そうとした人々の罪をも背負って逝かれたのです。その事を『開経偈』では「有智無智、罪を滅し善を生ず、もしは信もしは謗ともに仏道を成ぜん」と書かれているのです。

　また『開目鈔』には「日蓮といいし者は昨年９月１２日真夜中に頸を切られ、その魂魄（死者の魂）が佐渡の国にいる」と記されています。つまり、龍ノ口法難以後は蘇生（死からの蘇りであり上行菩薩―法華経を末法時代に弘める救世主）の再誕となられたです。

　私達は大聖人の偉大さをもっと認識して、真剣にお題目を唱えなければいけないと私は思います。そしてその事を皆様にも解って頂きたいと願っています。

The Challenge to Make It Rain (Severe drought of 1271)

September 2021

SACRED WORDS

I still remember vividly how you accompanied me to Tatsunokuchi holding a horse by the bridle, and breaking into tears when I was about to be beheaded there. I will never forget this no matter how many lifetimes come and go. If by chance you should fall into hell, I will refuse the invitation of Sakyamuni Buddha to become a Buddha. Instead, I will go to hell with you. If we both entered hell, how could it be possible that we would not find Sakyamuni Buddha and the Lotus Sutra there? Nichiren, Sushun Teno Gosho

聖語

　どう考えても、未だに忘れられない事は私が頸を切られそうになった時、貴殿は行列の供をして馬の手綱をとり泣き悲しんだ事は、いつになっても忘れられません。万一貴殿の罪障が深いために地獄に落ちたとして、「日蓮は仏に成るように」と釈迦牟尼仏に招かれたとしても私はそれに従うわけにはいきません。貴方と共に地獄に参りましょう。もし日蓮と貴殿が地獄に墜ちたとしたら釈迦仏も法華経も共に地獄に参られるでしょう。

日蓮『崇峻天皇御書」意訳

The Challenge to Make it Rain

Rev. Shokai Kanai

According to US Drought Monitor, ninety percent of the Western states are in severe drought. Farmers and ranchers are suffering. Everyone is facing water cutbacks. We live in Hawaii, a paradise with lots of rain. However, most of our food depends on the US mainland especially from these western states.

In 1271 extreme drought beset Japan. Due to a continuous drought, the Kamakura Shogunate ordered Ryokan-bo Ninsho of Gokurakuji Temple to pray for rain. Ryokan was a Buddhist priest who observed the 250 monastic precepts and constructed many roads and bridges. So, he was revered by the people as a living Buddha. The prayer for rain was scheduled for one week, Nichiren Shonin took advantage of the situation and sent a letter to the priest, “If you pray for rain and after seven days are successful; I, Nichiren, will become your disciple, take the 250 precepts, and cease saying that the Pure-Land teachings lead to the Hell of Incessant Suffering. If rain does not fall, you will become my disciple. I will teach you how to make it rain.” Not only was there no rain, but instead, a strong windstorm began to ravage the area instead. Nichiren gave him another seven days for him to make it rain. No sign of rain. Then, Nichiren took it upon himself and began to pray for rain near a pond asking for assistance from all the Dragon King Deities. That evening rain fell to nourish the dry earth and thirsty souls.

Defeated and having lost face, Ryokan spoke with the eminent priests of all the other schools. They submitted a false suit against Nichiren to the Shogunate. One of the charges was that Nichiren stored arms. When his samurai followers gathered to listen his Dharma Talks, they naturally carried their swords. But these high-ranking priests claimed it was a terrorist gathering.

On September 12, 1271, at 4 PM, Hei-no-Saemon-no-jo Yoritsuna, chief of military and police affairs, brought several hundred soldiers, attacked the hermitage and arrested Nichiren Shonin. It was officially decided to exile Nichiren to Sado Island; however, there was a private scheme to execute him along the way to the residence of Lord Honma, who oversaw Sado Island.

Nichiren Shonin was put astride a saddleless horse and paraded through the street like a common criminal. As they were about to pass the Tsurugaoka Hachiman Shrine, he requested the procession to stop. Facing the shrine he declared, “Here stands the sole practitioner for the Lotus Sutra who is about to be beheaded. Are you a real god who has promised to protect the practitioner for the Lotus Sutra? … Do something in hurry or I shall report to Lord Sakyamuni Buddha on Mount Sacred Eagle when I go there!”

Hearing that his master was to be executed, Shijo Kingo and his brothers rushed to Nichiren’s procession and seized the bridle. He already decided to commit seppuku to serve his master even after his death. The Sacred Words in this newsletter was given to Shijo Kingo on September 11th at Minobu seven years after the incident. These words show how Nichiren felt about his follower’s sincerity and appreciation. It is oneness with the master and the followers.

At 2 AM on September 13th, the entourage brought Nichiren to Tatsunokuchi Execution ground. They decided to execute him there.

Now, is this the end of Nichiren Shonin’s life? Please look forward to the Dharma Talk on Sunday, September 12th. Or please read page 2 of our last year September Newsletter.

龍ノ口法難の直接的な原因は雨乞い？

金井勝海

　USドラフト・モニターによると米国西部全州の９割が深刻な干ばつ状態にあり、農民や牧場主は苦しんでいるそうです。多くの住民は生活水の削減に迫られています。ハワイの楽園に住む私達の食料品の多くは、西部の各州や米国本土に依存しています。干ばつはハワイに住む私達にも既に影響を及ぼしています。

　日蓮大聖人ご存命の1271年に極端な干ばつが日本を襲いました。鎌倉幕府は、建長寺の良寛忍正に雨乞いの祈祷を命じました。良寛は250戒の戒律を厳守する律宗の僧侶で、道を作り川に橋を架けたり等色々な慈善事業をしていましたので多くの人々から「生き仏」と尊敬されていました。そこで良寛は1週間の雨乞いをすることを公表しました。日蓮大聖人はこの機会を利用して良寛和尚に手紙を送り「７日間以内に雨が降ったなら、日蓮はあなたの弟子になり250の戒律を守り“念仏を唱えると地獄に堕ちる”と言うのを止めましょう。 もし雨が降らなかったなら、貴殿は戒律を捨てて私の弟子になるが良いでしょう。」と挑戦しました。ところが、降雨の代わりに暴風がこの地域を荒らし始めました。日蓮大聖人は彼にもう1週間のチャンスを与えましたが、降雨の兆候はありません。そこで日蓮大聖人は、池のほとりに龍神を祀り雨乞いを始めました。その夜雨が降り、乾燥した大地と渇いた人々の魂を癒すことができました。

　雨乞いの挑戦にまけ、面子を失った良寛は他宗の高僧たちに話し、日蓮に対する１０の訴訟を鎌倉幕府に提出しました。容疑の一つは、日蓮が武器を保管していることでした。刀を差した大勢の武士の信者が聞法に集まればテロリストの集団とみなされたのでしょう

　1271年9月12日午後4時、平ノ左衛門尉頼綱が数百人の兵士を連れ、松葉ケ谷の草庵を奇撃し、日蓮様を逮捕しました。形式的な裁判は行われましたが、佐渡ケ島に追放することが決まりました。佐渡ケ島を監督していた本間重連の屋敷に一時あづかりとなりその護送中に日蓮を処刑にする頼綱の私的な計画がありました

　大聖人は一般の犯罪者と同じようにサドルの無い馬に乗せられ、暗い真夜中の道を連れまわされました。一行が鶴岡八幡宮を通り過ぎようとした時、日蓮様は行列を止めるように要求し、拝殿に直面して「いかに八幡大菩薩はまことの神か、日蓮、今夜切られて霊鷲浄土へ参ったなら、まず天照大神・正八幡こそ誓約を用いぬ神だと教主釈尊に申し上げるぞ。もしそれが嫌なら何か計い給え！」と正しい事をしていれば神様をも𠮟りつける自信が日蓮大聖人にはありました。

　日蓮様が裸馬に乗せられ刑場に向かっているとの知らせを聞いた四条金吾兄弟は、すぐさま行列に駆けつけ、馬の手綱を捕らえ、死後も主人に仕えるために切腹することを決めていました。

　今月号の聖言は、龍ノ口法難の６年後に大聖人が四条金吾宛に身延山で書かれお手紙です。この言葉は、恩師日蓮様に仕える為に殉死しようと覚悟していた四条金吾の真心に対する感謝と師弟愛を遺憾なく表現されておられます。逆説的な表現ですが、法華経とお題目、聖人と信徒との一体感を表しています。

９月１３日午前２時、日蓮聖人警護の者達は龍ノ口処刑場に到着しました。日蓮大聖人の生涯はこれで終わりなのでしょうか?

９月１２日(日)の法難会に是非参詣し結末をお楽しみにお待ちください。お参りできない方は昨年９月号の法話をお読み下さい。

Matsu-ba-ga-yatsu Persecution (August 27, 1960 attempt to assassinate Nichiren Dai'Shonin)

August 2021

SACRED WORDS

First of all, I, Nichiren, wrote RISSHO ANKOKU RON motivated by the severe earthquake which occurred in the eighth month of the first year of Shoka(1257).

I then submitted it to Hojo Tokiyori, lay-priest of the Saimyoji Temple, in the seventh month of the first year of the Bunno (1260). The Shogunate; however, did not question to me about it, nor accept my suggestion.

The people might have thought that it would not be a crime to kill such a monk of whom the Shogunate had no use. With the secret consent of monks and lay followers of the Pure Land Sect, as well as certain men in power, thousands of people attacked to kill me in my hut at night. However, I was somehow saved from the attack that night, and those who attacked me were not punished at all because they had acted under the secret consent of those in power. The Shogunate thus greatly erred in governing.

Nichiren, The Shimoyama Letter

聖語

正嘉元年(1257)８月に起こった大地震を動機として『立正安国論』一巻を著し、文応元年(1260)７月に、今は故人となった最明寺時頼入道にこの書を提出しました。しかし、幕府はそれについて何もお尋ねなく、また提案したことも取り上げませんでした。人々は幕府が用いない僧侶なのだから、かような者を殺しても罪にはならないとでも思ったのか、浄土宗の僧侶や在家の者たちが、権力ある人もひそかに同意したとかで、夜中数千人の者ども共に私を殺そうとして、草庵に押し寄せてきたのでした。その夜襲った者たちは権力者に同意を得てあったのか、皆罰を受ける事もありませんでした。幕府はこのようにして政道を誤ったのでした。

日蓮聖人『下山御消息』

Matsu-ba-ga-yatsu Persecution

Rev. Shokai Kanai

On August 27, 1260 a ruthless mob tried to assassinate Nichiren Shonin by torching his small hut at night. A legend states that before the arson, a white monkey appeared and tugged on the sleeves of the Saint's robe, so he followed the monkey and climbed into the mountains to safety. (The hut’s location is now AnkokuRon-Ji, where Rev. Chishin Hirai, the former chief minister of the Nichiren Sect Mission of Hawaii, is the resident priest. You can see the small hill behind the temple.) After a while, when the 38 year-old Nichiren Shonin looked back from whence he came, his hut was already in a sea of fire. This is the beginning of many persecutions that followed in the Saint’s life.

The great Saint left Kamakura, staying at the house of Jonin Toki, who was the lord of present-day Ichikawa City, Chiba Prefecture, and gave lectures for 100 days on the Lotus Sutra. This was also the reason for opening Dai Aragyo-Do 100 Days Ascetic Training at this location.

Two thousand years have passed since Buddha’s death; the Mappo Era has already started. It is said that there was no salvation of Buddhahood even though there are Buddhist scriptures. Most people in the Mappo Era thought that "This world was considered as defiled as dirty soil without the salvation of Buddha. So, Saint Honen thought there was no salvation through the scriptures except relying on chanting the name of Amida Buddha, who was the only savior for the people in the Mappo Era. On the other hand, Saint Dogen thought the scriptures did not lead to salvation but believed that the awakening was only obtained by an individual's psychological experience by doing zazen. Saint Nichiren thought that the Lotus Sutra explained the law of heaven and earth. The teachings of Myo-ho-ren-ge-kyo shows the Buddha’s ultimate awakening; therefore, to chant the title of that sutra was the ability to change disasters of nature into a more harmonious world. It was a teaching that when the people acted according to the laws, peace and happiness of all sentient beings would naturally awaken to reality.

Similarly, when it is hot, you wear light clothes while when cold you wear thick clothes. Wear a mask when the plague is spreading, wash your hands, and get vaccinated. These are the current laws. Reach out to those in need, and drive safely according to traffic rules, then you will be blessed with safety and happiness. “Namu Myo-ho Ren-ge Kyo” is a vow that "I shall follow righteousness!” Act accordingly with your body, talk honestly with your mouth, and think virtuously with your heart. This is the rationale that will automatically bestow peace and happiness within you and with nature.

Diseases, accidents, disasters, and epidemics all occur because human beings do not obey the law of harmony. These are the warning signs for us all. If we obey the right laws, we will be more harmonious and content.

松葉ケ谷法難

金井勝海

　松葉ケ谷法難とは、１２６０年７月１６日（聖寿満３８歳）冷酷な暴徒が夜半大聖人の住まいを放火して聖人を亡き者にしようと試みました。伝説によるとその放火の前に白い猿が現れ聖人の衣の袖を引っ張るので、猿に従うようにして山道を登って行きました。その場所はハワイ日蓮宗別院前主任平井智親上人が住職されているお寺で裏に小高い山があります。しばらくして今来た道を振り返ると草庵は火の海となっていました。これが今後続く大法難の始まりです。

　大聖人は今後も続くであろう難をさけ、しばらくの間鎌倉を去り、今の千葉県市川市の領主であった富木常忍の館に留まり、１００日間の法華経講義をされたのです。これが現在の日蓮宗大荒行堂が開かれる起源ともなりました。

 釈尊が滅度されてから２０００年を過ぎ、仏典はあっても仏の救いがないという末法時代で、「この世を仏の救いがない汚れた穢土として嫌い、西方往生を勧める念仏信仰、また経典を通してでは救われないが、座禅をすることによって個人の心理的体験により覚りを得るという禅信仰、とは大きく違い、日蓮聖人の宗教は天地の法則を説き明かす法華経、ブツダの覚りの究極を示す妙法蓮華経、一言に集約したお題目によって政治を変え、天変地変の災いを除き、人々が法則に従って行動し全人類の幸福を願う教えでした。

　簡単に言うと、宇宙の法則に従い暑い時には薄着をして、寒い時は厚着をし、疫病が蔓延している時にはマスクをして、手を洗い、ワクチン接種を受け、困っている人には手を差し伸べ、交通規則に従って安全運転をすれば、安全と幸福に恵まれるというわけです。南無妙法蓮華経とは「私は正しい法則を身で行い、口で行い、心で行います」という誓いです。そうすればあえて祈らなくても、自然のうちに平和と幸福がもたらされるという道理です。

　病気や事故や災害は皆、人間が調和の法則に従わない為に起こります。私達にとっては警告です。全人類が正法に従えば世界平和になり、幸せになるのです。

How Do We Live in the Age of the Mappo Era

July 2022

SACRED WORDS

In recent years, strange phenomena in the sky, natural calami-ties on earth, famines, and epidemics have occurred and spread over all the land of Japan. Oxen and horses lie dead at crossroads and the streets are filled with skeletons. Most of the population have perished and have been touched by grief.

“Rissho Ankoku Ron”

聖語

旅客来りょきゃくきたりて嘆なげきて曰いわく、近年きんねんより近日きんじつに至いたるまで、天変地妖飢饉疫病てんぺんちようききんえきびょう、偏あまねく天下てんかに満みち、広ひろく地上ちじょうにはびこる。牛馬巷ぎゅうばちまたにたおれ、骸骨路がいこつみちに充みてり。死しを招まねくの輩ともがら、既すでに大半たいはんに超こえ、悲かなしまざるの族敢やからあえて一人いちにんも無なし。

『立正安国論』

How do we live in the age of the Mappo Era?

Rev. Shokai Kanai

As you already may know, 1222 is the year Nichiren Dai’Shonin was born, and that 1052 was the beginning of the Mappo Era. Map-po means a period when only the Buddha’s teachings remained, the practices were no longer pursued, and Enlightenment was a mere word, therefore, no possibility of salvation. However, there are three ways to accept this era of Mappo:

1. In this world, when no one can be saved, it became trendy to seek happiness in the afterlife. The belief was that no training was necessary, so even both the good and the bad who chanted “Namu Amida Butsu,” would be taken to Gokuraku Jodo or the “Extreme Pure Land" after their death. This Idea became popular around the 10th century just before the Mappo Era began. This was a way of life of not worrying about their condition in this life since Amida Buddha will help them to the Pure Land.

2. Apart from that, the Zen idea of immersing yourself in zazen (meditation) training, "Not relying on scriptures, but having no purpose, thinking about nothing, and just sitting down" spread among intellectuals and samurais. This was another way of life focused on non-attachment to navigate the hardships brought on during the Mappo Era.

3. Seeing the great earthquakes, plagues, famines, and starvations that occurred at the beginning of those years, Nichiren looked for the causes and solution in Buddhist scriptures. After reading all the sutras for four years in search of a way to eliminate such calamities, Nichiren Dai’Shonin said, "The caus-es of these calamities were where the people of Japan neglected the Righteousness (the Lotus Sutra), burned the sutra, threw the statues of Sakyamuni Buddha in ocean, but worshiped the statues of Amida Buddha.” He found revealed in the sutras that if the truth were not circulated, a revolt would occur in the

country, and foreign countries would invade." This was July 16, 1260 (he was 39 years old) when he compiled his now famous treatise Rissho Ankoku Ron and submitted it to the Shogunate. That was 781 years ago from today. Do you think these warnings apply to this period of suffering with COVID-19 which has spread all over the world and caused over 3.8 million casualties as of June 12, 2021?

Rissho Ankoku means that, "If you obey the right laws, the world will become peaceful, and people will live in safety.” For those who do not understand this theory, Nichiren Dai’Shonin showed a simple way practicing righteousness through the chanting of the sacred title of the Lotus Sutra, “Namu Myoho Renge Kyo.” He was a reformer in the Mappo Era.

The above photo is the first page of "Rissho Ankoku Ron," donated to the Nichiren Mission of Hawaii. It is stored in a special box made of Hawaiian KOA wood. If you wish, you can view it. The sacred words in this month are the first four lines of the page.

末法の時代をどう生きるか？

金井勝海

既に皆様はご承知の通り、日蓮大聖人がお生まれになられた１２２２年は、仏滅後２千１７０年の末法時代の始まりでした 。この末法の時代を

どのように受け入れるか、次の３つの方法があります。

1. この世では何をしても救われない時代なら、死後の世で幸せを求めようという風潮になり、「修行などはいらない、悪人も善人も南無阿弥陀仏と唱えさえすれば極楽浄土へ往生する」という念仏信仰が末法が始まる前の１０世紀頃から流行しました。念仏さえ唱えれば、阿弥陀様が助けて下さるから心配ないという生き方です。

2. それとは別に「経典に頼るのではなく、何も目的を持たず、何も考えず、ただ座る」という座禅修行に没頭するという禅の思想が知識層や武家の間にひろまりました。末法思想に囚われない生き方です

3．日蓮大聖人は末法の初めに起こった大地震・疫病・飢饉・餓死を目の当たりに見て、何故このような災難が起こっているのか、その災難を除く方法を求めて、４年間にわたり一切経を読みこんだ結果、「真実の教え（法華経）が日本国から失われた事が原因であると説かれた経文を見つけ、正しい法を行う事により災難を退治することが出来る。さらに真実の教えが流布しないと国内に反乱が起こり、外国から侵略される」という経文も探しあてられました。その事を『立正安国論』にまとめ、幕府に提出されたのが、1260年（聖寿３９歳）」７月１６日でした。今から７８１年前の事です。近年世界中に蔓延している疫病コヴィッド１９（コロナウイルス）におびえた私達に似てい

ると思いませんか。

正しい法に従えば、自然の内にこの世が平和で安穏な世になる」という意味が立正安国です。むずかしいことが理解できない一般大衆には、簡単な修行方としてお題目を弘めたのです。日蓮大聖人は現代的に言うとリフォーマーでした

１頁の写真はハワイ日蓮宗別院に寄贈された『立正安国論』第１頁目です。ハワイ産のコア材で作られた特別な箱に保管されています。希望者は閲覧することができます。

Let Us Repay Our Favors (reciting the Lotus Sutra)

June 2021

SACRED WORDS - THE FOUR FAVORS

“Those who learn Buddhism must repay the four favors. 1. The favor received from all people = We vow to save all people in the Four Great Vows: “Sujo Muhen Seigando.” If we do not return the favor then, we cannot fulfill the vow. Among them, if there were no wicked men who persecuted me as a practitioner of the Lotus Sutra, how can I promote my practice as a Bodhisattva? 2. The favor received from one’s parents = All living beings have parents. If one’s parent was a murderer, a criminal, or a slanderer of the Righteous Law, the child may have to continue to carry the sin. However, my parents made me practice the Lotus Sutra. How precious their favors are! 3. The favor received from one’s lord = We are blessed with the rays of the sun, the moon, and stars and we also receive benefits from the earth which produces the five grains. These are all favors from the lord. I have been persecuted from the lord because of the Lotus Sutra; however, that persecution led me to attain Buddhahood. How could I dishonor the lord with such a small resentment! 4. The favor received from the Three Treasures (Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha) = … Without firewood, there would be no fire, and without the earth, plants would not live. Likewise, without a monk, the Buddha and the Dharma would not be spread. If you neglect the expounder of the sutra; the Buddha and the Dharma would not exist in the Mappo Era.

“Shi-On-Sho” Nichiren

聖語 四恩

仏法を習う者は必ず四恩に報いなければならない。一には一切衆生の恩、一切衆生がいればこそ、「衆生無辺誓願度」という限りなく衆生を救いたいというの願いをおこす事が出来る。又一切衆生のなかに法華経の行者を迫害する悪人がいなければ、菩薩として法華経修行の功徳を積むことはできない。二には父母の恩、およそ全ての生き物には父母がいる。もし殺し・盗み・犯罪・正しい法を謗る等をした親の家に生まれたなら、自分が罪を犯さなくても、その報いを受けなければならない。ところが今生の父

母は自分が法華経を信じる身にしてくれた。この恩はどれほど深いか計り知れない。三には国主の恩、日月星の三光に恵まれ、地の五穀に自分の命と安穏を営むことが出来るのは皆国主の恩である。その上、日蓮は法華経を信じるが故に国主から迫害されているが、かえって生死の苦しみから逃れる事が出来るのであるから、少しばかりの怨念を受けたとて国主をおろそかにはできない。四には仏・法・僧の三宝の恩、（中略）およそ、仏も法も僧によって弘まるのである。例えば薪がなければ火は起こらず、大地がなければ草木は生えない。（中略）僧の恩はそれほどに尊いものである。

四恩鈔

Let Us Repay Our Favors

Rev. Shokai Kanai

Nichiren Dai’Shonin recited O’Daimoku for the first time at Mt. Kiyosumi in April at the age of 31. After-wards, he stood at a crossroad in Kamakura and preached the teachings of the Lotus Sutra. He wrote “Rissho Ankoku Ron” or “Establishment of the Righteousness and Security of the Nation” to the Kamakura Shogunate at the age of 38 in July. The shogunate did not respond to it in any way, but a month later a mob torched his hut in Matsubagaya in Kamakura. Fortunately, he escaped from the arson and moved to Lord Toki’s home in Ichikawa and gave lectures on the Lotus Sutra to his followers for 100 days. Those people who thought he perished in the fire were extremely surprised to see Nichiren preaching in the streets again. This time, the government officials immediately captured him and exiled him to Izu Peninsula without any trial. This was May when he was 39 years old.

Nichiren was pleased with his adversity of being exiled! He expressed his feeling and appreciation in “Shi-On-Sho” or "Four Favors”. Why Four Favors? He wrote that during the last eight years, he was too busy preaching, meeting with many follow-ers, and consulting with his followers’ day and night. So, he had been reciting only one volume of the sutra a day or one chapter, or just Odaimoku chanting. However, during the last 240 days since May 12th, I have been delighted to have time to recite the entire Lotus Sutra day and night. He expressed his grateful feeling in the “Four Favors.” They are:

1．The favor from all the people = Nichiren was exiled for disturbing society but was grateful that he became a predicted preacher of the Lotus Sutra in the Mappo Era. He proved what the sutra said to be true.

2．The favor received from one’s parents = More than thanks to the parents by ordinary people, he was grateful for the fact that his parents made him believe in the Lotus Sutra. He had not actually lived with his parents since he left home at the age of 12. He was not able to attend his father’s funeral and could not visit his father’s grave. But it was possible for him to master Buddha’s Right Teachings, as a result his parents became Buddhas. This is him returning a great debt toward his parents.

3. The favor received from one’s lord = In addition to general favors to our country like loyalty to the country and paying taxes, Nichiren believed that his

way of repaying the country was to make Japan peaceful and secure by avoiding foreign invasion, civil war, and natural disasters. He wished peace, security, and protection from sufferings with the teachings of the Lotus Sutra.

4．The favor received from the Three Treasures = It is to devote ourselves to the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha. Nichiren saw that the Buddha was the Eternal Original Teacher revealed in the Chapter 16 of the Lotus Sutra. The act of slandering the Buddha, the Lotus Sutra, and the Preacher of the sutra was a great sin. This is revealed in Chapter 3 of the sutra. He believed that to block the way to hell was to chant the Lotus Sutra and to tell the world about it. He also thanked the government who exiled him. In fact, it was predicted in the sutra. These were the reasons why he was pleased with being persecuted.

While Nichiren Dai’Shonin accepted the difficulties with gratitude, he was displeased with the result that he had let the slanderers and the government authorities create such a great sin which could not be erased. His honest feeling of pleasure and displeasure made him write “SHI-ON-SHO!”

I sincerely wish YOU will understand Nichiren Dai’Shonin’s deep compassion.

恩に報いる

金井勝海

日蓮大聖人がお題目を唱え立教開宗されたのは満３１歳の４月でした。それから鎌倉の辻に立ち説法をされ、『立正安国論』を幕府に上書されたのは満３８歳７ケ月。幕府は何の反応も示しませんでしたが、１ケ月後には暴徒が松葉ガ谷の草庵を放火しました。難をのがれて百日間千葉・市川の富木常忍の館で法華経講義され、再び鎌倉で辻説法を始められましたが、直ちに役人に捉えられ、伊豆に流されたのが満３9歳の５月でした。

日蓮大聖人は伊豆流罪地での身の逆境を喜びとされました。その喜びを表現されたのが上記の『四恩鈔』です。何故なら、過去８年間、学問や辻説法、人々の信仰相談やら何やかやと法華経を読むのは１日１巻か1品又

はわずかお題目を唱えるだけの日々でありました。しかし、５月１２日以来『四恩鈔』を書くまでの２４０余日の間、昼も夜も法華経を読誦する時間ができた事を喜び「四恩」という言葉で感謝されています。

1．一切衆生の恩＝日蓮大聖人は世間を騒がせたという罪で流罪されましたが、その事が「法華経の行者」である事の証であるとお経に予言された通りになった事を感謝されたのです。

２．父母の恩＝一般的な父母への感謝以上に、法華経を信じる身として下さった事への感謝です。実際には１２歳で出家して以来両親と一緒に暮らした事はありません。お葬式にも出られず、墓参もしておりませんが、仏の道を究め「両親を成仏させることが出来る。」此れこそが真実の報恩であると述べられています。

3．国主の恩＝自分が産まれた国に対する忠誠とか税金を納める等の一般的恩以外に、外国からの侵略や主権争いや自然災害から法華経の教えで日本国を平和に、人々を安穏にすると事が真実の報恩と信じ実践されたのです。

４．三宝の恩＝仏法僧に帰依することです。日蓮聖人にしてみれば、法華経「寿量品」に説かれている久遠実成の釈迦牟尼仏と真実の教えである法華経を謗る事が地獄へ落ちると「譬喩品」に説かれているのです。地獄への道を塞ぐ方法が「南無妙法蓮華経」と唱える事であると堅

く信じ、その事を世界中に伝えるには、法華経に予言されている通りの災難を与えてくれた国主や迫害を加えた人々に感謝し法難を喜びとされたのです。

法難を法悦と受け止められた一方で、大聖人を流罪にした 謗法者には、消すことの出来ない悪業をつくらせてしまった事への腹立たしさを感じた結果がこの『四恩鈔」を書く理由となったのです。

こうした大聖人の心の内こそを皆様に理解して頂きたいのです。

Izu Exile Persecution (May 21, 1261) (the Difficulty of Retaining the Sutra)

May 2021

SACRED WORDS

On the twelfth of the fifth month (1261), I was marooned on a beach, the name of which was unknown to me. I suffered much, and you came to my rescue. What was the relation between you and me in our previous existence? Did you practice the teaching of the Lotus Sutra in your previous life? You are a man, and a man can be courageous. I was surprised that your wife was as brave as you in serving an exile. She gave me food, water, and many other necessities.

Funa-mori Yasaburo Gosho

聖語

日蓮は去る５月１２日流罪の時、その津につきて候しに、いまだ名をも聞き及び参らせず候ところに、船より上がり苦しみ候ところに、ねんごろにあたらせ給候し事は、いかなる宿習なるらん。過去に法華経の行者にてわたらせ給へるが、今末法に船守弥三郎と生まれかわりて日蓮をあわれみ給うか。たとひ男はさもあるべきに、女房に身として食を与え、洗足てうずその外さもねんごろなる事、日蓮はしらず不思議とも申すばかりなし。

『船守弥三郎許御書」

Izu Exile Persecution (May 21, 1261)

Rev. Shokai Kanai

The 800th Anniversary for Nichiren Shonin’s Birth is scheduled for January 23, 2022. We still have several months to go. During this time, I would like for everyone to know and understand who Nichiren Dai’Shonin was. This month I would like to talk about the Izu Exile Persecution.

The above picture is a scene from “The Pictorial Life of Saint Nichiren” published by Minobusan Kuonji Temple in 1973. This picture is from a pictorial scroll from the Kamakura era that has been directly transposed. The artist, Jikisai Uenaka, spent about 60 years researching to assure that this is truly an authentic Kamakura era print. If you would like to further study this and other pictures, you may find a copy of the book in our mansion library.

On the right side of the picture is that of Nichiro who was the youngest and the most devoted disciple hanging on the edge of the official government ship, asking an officer to take him together with his master. But one of the officers struck him with an oar and broken his right arm. Upon seeing this Nichiren rose on the stern and comforted Nichiro explaining exactly as the Lotus Sutra prescribes for all who challenge the world with its truth. He said, “Kamakura and Ito are located in the east and west separated by a bay. When the sun rises, I will think about you in Kamakura.

When the moon appears in the west, think about me in Ito.” Then Nichiren recited “Hoto-ge” or “The Difficulty of Retaining the Sutra,” “Shi Kyo Nan Ji, Nyaku Zan Ji Sha ….” while the ship rode the waves going far off shore. Thus, we read the “Hoto-ge” with special rhythm just like the ship going up and down with the waves.

On the left side of the picture is Nichiren on the chopping board rock sticking out of the ocean water. It was about 4 PM when he was dropped off on a reef still some distance from the shore at low tide. The government officers wanted to go back to Kamakura before dark, so told him, “At low tide you will see the way and walk to shore.” But it was fast approaching high tide and most of the reef was completely submerged.

Now, is this the end of Nichiren Shonin's life? Please look forward to the Dharma Talk on Sunday service on May 9th.

（１２６１年５月２１日）

金井勝海

　日蓮大聖人ご降誕800年ハワイ大会が来年１月２３日に開催されることになっています。まだ半年以上ありますが、それまでに日蓮大聖人を少しでも多くの方々に正しく理解していただきたく、今月は伊豆法難について述べます。

　１ページの挿絵の説明をいたします。身延山久遠寺発行の『日蓮聖人絵伝』からの引用です。ご覧になりたい方はいつでも図書室で学ぶことができます。

　今回は５１・５２番目の絵巻です。右側は、 幕府が世間を騒がしたという罪で日蓮大聖人を捉え、即刻島流にしてしまいました。船が浜を出る前に弟子の日朗は「我は流人日蓮の弟子、師に罪あらば弟子も同罪、その船に乗せ給え！」と大声で叫びました。護送の役人は怒りの声をあらわに御用船に狼藉致さばもの見せんと船のかいで打ったので日朗は右手を骨折してしまいました。聖人は船端に立ち「日朗よ、末法に法華経を弘めれば杖をもって打たれ遠くへ流されるとは勧持品の名文ではないか。この鎌倉と伊東は西東、海を隔てての距離は遠くても、朝日が東に昇れば日朗は鎌倉に居ると思う、月が西山に傾く時は日蓮が伊東に居ると知れ」と述べられ、宝塔偈「此経難事、若暫持者。。。」と船上から唱えられ波の間に遠のくのでした。この様子を頭に浮かべながら読むので一句は伸ばし一句は短くつまり、リズミカルに読むのです。

　左側の絵は、御用船が午后4時ごろ伊東の岬に近づき、役人は日が沈まない内に鎌倉へ帰らねばと考え「あの黒き茂みは伊東の浦、潮が引けば浜づたいに歩けばすぐだ」とばかり海中の孤岩に聖人を放ちそのまま漕ぎ去ってしまいました。潮は足をひたし始め膝にも及んできました。日蓮様は泰然として大声で読経唱題。すると一日の漁を終えて帰路につく漁人弥三郎は海原で尊い読経の声に驚き聖人を漁船の中に救いあげたのです。そこは、満ち潮になれば海中に没する俎板岩だったのです。

　この続きは5月９日の法難会の法話をお聞きください。

O'Daimoku and Nichiren Dai'Shonin (April 28, 1253, birth of the O'Daimoku

April 2021

SACRED WORDS

For the past 28 years since the 28th of the fourth month in the third year of Koan (1280), I have devoted myself to nothing but encouraging all the people in Japan to recite Namu Myoho Renge Kyo, the five- or seven-character title of the Lotus Sutra. This is exactly like the compassion of a mother trying to breast feed her baby. Now is the time for us to expound the teaching of the Lotus Sutra as predicted by the Buddha to be spread in the fifth 500-year period, the beginning of the Latter Age of Degeneration after His death.

Kangyo Hachiman Sho

聖語

日蓮ハ去ル建長５年４月２８日ヨリ、今弘安３年１２月ニ至ルマデ２８年ガ間、又他事ナシ。只妙法蓮華経ノ七字五字ヲ日本国ノ一切衆生ノ口ニ入レント励ム計リナリ。此れ即チ母ノ赤子ノ口ニ乳ヲ入レント励ム慈悲ナリ。此レ又時ノ当ラザルニアラズヤ。スデニ仏記ノ五々百歳（末法）ニ当レリ。

日蓮『諌暁八幡抄』

O’DAIMOKU and NICHIREN DAI’SHONIN

Rev. Shokai Kanai

April 28, 1253 is the birthday of the O’Daimoku, “NAMU MYO-HO-REN-GE-KYO. As the first streak of the golden rays of the morning sun broke through the horizon of the Pacific Ocean, Nichiren Dai’Shonin chanted the O’Daimoku for the first time, facing towards the rising sun at Mt. Kiyosumi, in present day Chiba Prefecture.

The era when he was born and expounded the O’Daimoku was the beginning of Mappo during the Kamakura Period. Mappo Era started two thousand years after Sakyamuni Buddha’s Pari-Nirvana (the fifth five hundred years after Buddha’s death), which was thought to be 1052 AD. During this period, Buddhist doctrine alone is still alive, but there is neither practice nor enlightenment; thus, there is no salvation for the people in during this era. Nichiren was born towards the beginning of Mappo or in the fifth 500-year period.

Japan was in political turmoil during this time. Thirty years before Nichiren was born, a samurai clan who were supposed to guard the emperors and support the court in Kyoto seized power for themselves and established the Kamakura Government in a new capital in eastern Japan in 1196. One year before Nichiren was born, the Kamakura Government exiled three ex-emperors to isolated islands in 1221.

Moreover, the country was besieged with earthquakes, epidemics, famines, and starvation year after year. No one seemed to save the people of Japan. Nichiren Dai’Shonin tried to save the nation and its people during this time of chaos, where the reverse was true, low dominates high, and social pandemonium resulted from natural disasters.

There are references to Mappo in the Lotus Sutra. “A Bodhisattva-mahasattva who wishes to expound this sutra in the evil world after my extinction,” Ch. 14. “Propagate this chapter throughout the Jambudvipa or the countries where the people live in the later five hundred years after my extinction lest it should be lost.” Ch. 23. “The latter five hundred years after my extinction” means the period at the start of Mappo Era. In addition, the phrase, “The later five hundred years after my extinction” appears in several places within the Lotus Sutra, which is not the case in any other sutras.

As you already know, “The true purpose of various teachings is difficult to understand” from Chapter 2, explains that the Lotus Sutra is extremely difficult to access and comprehend. However, Nichiren Dai’Shonin created the chant, “Namu Myo-ho Ren-ge Kyo” as a simple practice method that anyone could do. If you chant O’Daimoku, you can be freed from suffering and become a Buddha even during the challenging Mappo Era. He was able to simplify and encourage everyone to practice, just as a mother can feed her child.

Reminder: Nichiren’s 800th Birthday Anniversary Convention in Hawaii will be held on January 23rd next year.

お題目と日蓮大聖人

金井勝海

　お題目が誕生したのは１２５３年４月２８日です。この日、日蓮大聖人は千葉県清澄山山頂で太平洋の水平線から昇ってくる太陽に向かって初めて「南無妙法蓮華経」と唱えられました。

　日蓮大聖人とお題目を理解するには、上記の聖語にあるように、「末法」という時代背景が強くかかわっています。末法とは、釈尊入滅後、時代が下るにつれて教えの影響力が次第に衰え、社会の混乱と退廃が起こり、ついに完全な破滅が到来する、と考える仏教の終末的歴史観です。末法時代は釈尊の滅後2千１年に始まり、教えはあっても修行する人もなく、覚りを得る者はいないから救済される人もいないと言われています。その末法初年は１０５２年と言われています。日蓮様がお生まれになられたのは仏滅後１７０年の１２２２年の鎌倉時代です。末法時代だからこそ鎌倉時代に初めて日本仏教が生まれたのです。

　政治的にみても、有史以来の天皇による支配が破滅し、天皇に仕えていた武士が実権を握ったのが１１９２年、源頼朝が征夷大将軍に任命され鎌倉幕府による武家政治の時代に大きく変わり、その３０年後に日蓮様がお生まれになられました。政治的にも混乱の時代が始まっていました。仏教の終末思想と主従が逆転した武家政治になった時代に日蓮大聖人がお題目を弘められたのです。

　妙法蓮華経の『安楽行品第１４』には「如来の滅後、末法の中においてこの経を説かんと欲せば、」とあり、『法師功徳品第１９』には 「悪世末法の時、よくこの経を持たん者は、」ともあります。さらに『薬王品第２３』には『我が滅度の後、後の五百歳の中に、広宣流布して、』と説かれているように、末法の初めの５００年に法華経を説く時と定めております。

　その他にも「末法」という言葉が法華経には数箇所で説かれています。法華経が広まるのは末法の時代だからこそ必要になる教えであると説かれているのです。それを実証されたのが日蓮大聖人です。

　皆様もご承知の通り『方便品第2』に「難解難入」と説かれている通り、法華経は大変理解しがたいお経です。そこで、誰にでもできる修行方法として「南無妙法蓮華経と唱えなさい。そうすれば、誰でも苦しみ悩みから解放され成仏できますよ！」と易行を勧められたのです。それは、母親が赤子に乳を飲ませるのと同じ慈悲です。

　日蓮大聖人ご降誕800年ハワイ大会は来年１月２３日開催の予定です。

800th Anniversary of the Birth of Nichiren Shonin

November 2020

800th ANNIVERSARY OF THE BIRTH OF NICHIREN SHONIN

Date: January 22nd and 23rd, 2022

Place: Nichiren Mission of Hawai’i Betsuin

Due to the severity of the Coronavirus pandemic, Hawaii’s 800th Anniversary of the Birth of Nichiren Shonin celebration was rescheduled from May 23, 2021 to January 22-23, 2022.

In preparation of our Hawaii celebration, the Executive Committee must prepare and make final decisions as soon as possible.

Below, you will find the proposed schedule of events. The Executive Committee appreciates and welcomes your suggestions on how we can enhance our celebration. Please contact Bishop Kanai as soon as possible.

Saturday, January 22, 2022

AM: TOKUDO (Ordination) Ceremony:

For US Born or Residents (9 years old and up)

Catered lunch to follow

PM: LECTURE: by US Born Nichiren Shu Minister in the Hondo

Sunday, January 23, 2022

AM: SHODAI ANGYA: (March from Honolulu Myohoji to Betsuin)

GRAND CEREMONY: Officiated by Archbishop Nissho Kanno

Odaimoku Banners: by two representatives from 5 Hawaii Missions

Ten Kinds of Offerings: Elementary age children to offer of flowers, incense, necklace of precious stones, powder incense, incense to skin, an incense burner, cloth, banner, musical instrument, and gassho.

Tachiwataru: by Myohoji Choir & Congregtation

Wasan: (Nichiren Shonin’s Birth and Tokudo) by any interested persons (Mrs. Kanai will teach)

Service:

Officiant: Archbishop Nissho Kanno

4 Vice Officants: Bishop Kanai & Rev. Yamamura, and 2 Representatives from Shumuin

Service Assisted by US Born Ministers and Shamis

Catered lunch to follow.

PM: SHODAI-GYO in the Hondo

CLOSING

Nichiren, the Real Practioner and Prover of the Lotus Sutra (He practices as the sutra teaches)

October 2020

SACRED WORDS

Even if it is dark at night, when a candle is lit, it becomes bright. Even dirty water, when the moon is reflected on its surface, the water looks clean. Nothing is brighter than the sun and moon. Nothing is purer than the lotus flowers. The Lotus Sutra is the teaching about the sun, moon, and lotus flower. Therefore, it is named the “Sutra of the Lotus Flower of the Wonderful Law.” I, Nichiren am also like the sun, moon, and lotus flower. When the water of your faith is pure, the moon of the Buddha’s blessing surely reflects upon you. So, you will have an easy delivery. The sutra says, “A pregnant woman will give an easy birth to a happy child.” “A letter to Wife of Kingo Shijo

聖語

　暗闇でも灯火をつければ明るくなります。濁った水でも月の光がうつれば澄んで見えます。日中の太陽と夜の満月の光に勝る物はありません。蓮の華に勝る清浄な物はありません。法華経は明らかなること日月の如く、浄きこと蓮華の如しですから、妙法蓮華経と名付けられたのです。私日蓮もまた日月と蓮華の如しです。信心の水が澄めば、利生（仏様の利益）の月は必ず宿って仏様がお護り下さるので、楽々と安産できるでしょう。法華経には「この経を持つ者は、安楽で福子が産まれる」と説かれています。

　　　　　　　　　　 『四条金吾女房御書』

Nichiren, the Real Practitioner and Prover of the Lotus Sutra

Rev. Shokai Kanai

Mr. & Mrs. Kingo Shijo had no children for many years. Since this was their first pregnancy, she worried greatly and sent her husband to their spiritual advisor, Nichiren Shonin who lived in Naetsu, Kamakura for advice. He was extremely happy to hear the good news that a new life will be able to carry on the spirit of Odaimoku. He immediately made a special gofuu or a special prayer medicine to go along with the above letter. Nichiren Dai’Shonin concluded the letter by giving her instructions on how to take the medicine and emphasized the importance of having a stronger faith in the Lotus Sutra.

By having great faith in the Lotus Sutra, Nichiren Dai’Shonin lived by its Teachings through his body and mind. He was able to prove the validity of Sakyamuni Buddha’s Words.

When he chanted Odaimoku for the first time at Mt. Kiyosumi, he changed his name to NICHI-REN from Rencho. The word nichi, meaning “sun” is referred to in the Chapter 21 of the Lotus Sutra where it says, “Will be able to eliminate the darkness of the living beings of the world where he walks about, Just as the light of the sun and the moon, Eliminates all darkness.” The word ren, meaning “lotus,” is referred to in chapter 15 of the same sutra where it says, “They are not defiled by worldliness, just as the Lotus flower, is not defiled by water.” NICHIREN reinforces living and working in this world to drive out the darkness (illusion) of all living beings; he proved the righteousness of the Lotus Sutra.

At Kiyosumi Temple when Nichiren Shonin criticized Nembutsu teachings, a local estate steward Tojo Kagenobu tried to kill him with a sword, Nichiren’s master Dozenbo excommunicated his disciple and chased him away from the temple. Chapter 13 of the Lotus Sutra says, “Or drive us out of our monasteries.” When Nichiren was preaching in street corners, some people threw pieces of wood or rocks; the same chapter says, “Ignorant people will speak ill of us, abuse us, and threaten us with swords, or sticks.” Chapter 20 says, “People would strike him with a stick, a piece of wood, a piece of tile or a stone.”

Even if his hut was set ablaze, even if he and his follows were ambushed, even if he was exiled twice, even if he was almost beheaded, he did not run away but accepted all of these persecutions. Why is that? Because Chapter 13 says, “We will endure all these evils. … Because we are your messengers.” Nichiren Dai’Shonin had strong determination ①as the person who proved the Lotus Sutra as correct, ②as a great practitioner of the Lotus Sutra ③as the re-birth of Superior-Practice Bodhisattva from Underground revealed in Chapter 15, ④as savior of Japan from foreign invasions, ⑤as a savior to make all people of Japan to attain Buddhahood.

Let us show our appreciation towards HIM by continuing his legacy through chanting Odaimoku day and night to save all living beings.

日蓮大聖人

金井勝海

　四条金吾とその妻には久しい間子供がいませんでした。やっと夫人は初めて懐妊しました。新しい生命が誕生する前の母親の心は、いまだ体験したことのない不安と希望に溢れていたに違いありません。その不安のなかで力となるのが、信仰です。すがるべき人は日頃信頼している日蓮様でした。そこで鎌倉の名越に居られる聖人に夫を使いとして安産の祈願をお願いされたのです。お師匠様も大変喜ばれ、早速安産の護符をしたため、上記の手紙を添えて四条金吾に渡されたのです。

　大聖人は護符を授けられましたが、法華経への信心が大切であることを強調されておられ、この手紙の末尾に護符についての詳しいことは金吾殿に申し含めてあるから、夫を仏様の使いと思って、信心に励みなさいと結んでおられます。

　日蓮大聖人は法華経に説かれた教えを心に刻んで、法華経に説かれた通りの事を実行し、いかに法華経に説かれている事が正しいかを不惜身命に実践され、法華経の正しさを証明された方です。

　立教開宗の折、僧名蓮長から日蓮と改名されました。「日」は法華経神力品の「日月ノ光明ノ能ク諸ノ幽冥ヲ除クガ如ク、コノ人世間ニ行ジテ能ク衆生ノ闇ヲ滅ス」、「蓮」は法華経従地湧出品の「世間ノ法ニ染マザルコト、蓮華ノ水ニ在ルガ如シ」から自身を日蓮と命名されたからこそ「私日蓮もまた日月と蓮華の如しです」と述べられたのです。

　清澄寺での初転法輪の折には、念仏を批判して地頭東條景信に切られそうになった時に師匠である道善坊から破門されました。勧持品には「塔寺ヲ遠離サレン」と書いてあります。鎌倉での辻説法中には、ののしられたり石や杖でたたかれました。勧持品には「悪口・罵ラレシ、及ビ刀杖ヲ加ウル者アラン」、また常不軽菩薩品に「杖木、瓦石ヲ以ッテ之ヲ打ツ」等、法華経の説法者には迫害があると経典には説かれています。

　たとえどんな法難がやってきても「是ノ経ヲ説カンガ為ノ故ニ、此ノ難事ヲ忍バン」とも勧持品に説かれています。何故でしょう？「我ハ是レ世尊ノ使ナリ、衆ニ処スルニ恐ルル所ナシ」とも説かれており、それは法難に会うだびに①法華経の真実性を立証し、②法華経の行者としての自覚、③地涌の上行菩薩の再誕としての自覚、④蒙古軍の攻めから日本を守らなければならない、⑤法華経で全ての人々を成仏してもらいたいからこそ、どんな法難にも耐えることが出来たのです。

　私達にはそんな法難はおこりません。何故なら大聖人自身が法難をうける事により後世の人々の難を除いたからです。さあ皆さん、朝昼晩、遠慮なくお題目をお唱えして日蓮大聖人に感謝申し上げましょう。

Nichiren Dai'Shonin Declares to Deity Hachiman (You, Hachiman have not fulfilled your oath)

September 2020

Sacred Words

Oh, Hachiman! Art thou really a divine being? When the Great Master Dengyo (in Japan) gave lectures on the Lotus Sutra of Truth, thou dishonored him by offering a purple robe. Now, I, Nichiren, am the one, the supreme one, who lives the life of the Lotus Sutra. There is no fault in me, but I am proclaiming the Truth, simply in order to save all the people of this country from falling down to Avici hells because of their degrading the Lotus Sutras of Truth. Should the Mongols subjugate this county, wouldst thou, O Hachiman, together with the Sun-Goddess, alone be safe? Moreover, when our Lord Sakyamuni revealed the Lotus Sutra of Truth, all the Buddhas came together from the ten quarters; and when innumerable hosts, including the deities and saints of India, China, and Japan, were present in the congregation, each of you took oath to guard those who should work to perpetuate the Truth. Now thou ought to come here and fulfil thy oath, and why dost thou not do it!... When, tonight, I Nichiren, shall be beheaded and go the Mt. Sacred Eagle, I shall declare before our Lord Sakyamuni that thou, Hachiman, and the Sun-Goddess have not fulfilled your oaths. Art thou not afraid of that?

NIchiren, Shuju Ofurumai Gosho

Nichiren Dai’Shonin Declare to Deity Hachiman!

Rev. Shokai Kanai

The above “Sacred Words” was spoken by Nichiren Dai’Shonin facing directly to Deity Hachiman enshrined at Tsurugaoka, Kamakura. It was when he was on horseback late at night on September 11th, 1271, on the way to Tatsu-no-kuchi Execution Ground about two miles from the military capital city. He commanded the guard to stop the horse. Then the prisoner monk dismounted and stood facing to the shrine dedicated to Hachiman. He was not afraid to accuse even a deity. It may be hard for you to understand but try to read it, imaging Nichiren Dai’Shonin declaring these words to Hachiman at midnight before his execution.

Hachiman is a deity for military victory and protects warriors. The eastern Minamoto Clan prayed to Hachiman for defeating the western He’i’ke Clan at Dan-no-ura 1185. The Emperor certified Minamoto no Yoritomo as the first Shogun ruling eastern Japan and recognized Kamakura as the military capital of Japa 1192. Therefore, all people in Kamakura also worshipped Hachiman.

By the way, when Sakyamuni Buddha revealed the Truth, all deities and gods from the ten directions gathered to listen to the Buddha and promised to protect the practitioners of the Lotus Sutra after the Buddha’s extinction. Among them Hachiman and Goddess Amaterasu from Japan were in attendance. Thus, Nichiren Dai’Shonin inscribed their names on the Mandala Gohonzon of the Ten Realms while he as exiled on Sado Island.

Because the two major Japanese deities promised to protect all true believers in the Lotus Sutra, Nichiren stopped to warn Hachiman to do something if he is indeed truly a real deity. If he was executed and went to Mt. Sacred Eagle and met the Buddha, he would surely tell the Buddha that Hachiman did not live up to his vow to Sakyamuni and be branded a liar!

At the execution ground, Shuju Ofurumai Gosho continues, “Something bright, like a ball of fire, flew from the southeast to northwest, and everyone’s face was clearly visible in its light. The executioner became dizzy and fell. Soldiers were panic-stricken, some running away.” The execution was no longer possible.

After he was exiled to Sado Island, Nichiren wrote that he arose from death. In other worlds he was reborn as a more spiritual Nichiren vs. the physician Nichiren.

Please attend or join in on Zoom for the Tatsu-no-kuchi Persecution Service, to show our appreciation to Nichiren Dai’Shonin at 10 a.m. on Sunday, September 13th.

Nichren Dai'Shonin's Birthday Celebration and Tokudo Ceremony

February 2020

Sacred Words

I, Nichiren, was born in the first year of Jou-Ou, the Year of the Horse at Tojo Ward, Nagasa County, Awa Province. It was 2071 years after Sakyamuni Buddha passed away.

Letter to Lord Hakii (written on Oct 7, 1282)

Nichiren Dai’Shonin’s Birthday Celebration and Tokudo Ceremony

By Shokai Kanai

February 16th is Nichiren Dai’Shonin’s birthday. He was born as a fisherman’s son in Awa, Kominato located on the outskirts of present-day Boso Peninsula in Chiba Prefecture in 1222. At the age 11, he entered the nearby Kiyosumi Temple and at 15, he received Tokudo or “Bestowing the Priesthood Precept” and Received a new name, Rencho.

Later, he prayed and vowed, “Let me be the wisest man in Japan!” to Kokuzo or Wisdom Bodhisattva. He lasted for 21 days. This began his quest in studying all sutras to find the one that “could save all people in Mappo Era (the period of more than 2,000 years after the disappearance of Sakyamuni Buddha).” He concluded that, “it is only the Lotus Sutra that is the most important teaching among all the other sutras.” Thus, he preached that anyone can be saved if they advocated the sutra and chant the title of the sutra, “Namu Myoho Renge Kyo.” It was Nichiren Dai’Shonin who endured many difficulties and sufferings for the sake of the people in the Mappo Era, so he accepted many repeated persecutions joyfully. Through his many brave encounters, he brought happiness and peace to us in the 21st century.

In celebration of this holy birthday, two senior teachers from Japan will come to teach us Shomyo (Hymns) and how to perform a Tokudo Ceremony for us from February 14th to 16th. On the evening of the 14th, we will have a DOJO-GE and BU-SO hymn class. Anyone can attend. On the morning of the 15th, we will practice for the Tokudo Ceremony. Then on the 16th we will celebrate our founder’s birth. This will be more like a rehearsal for the 800th Anniversary of Nichiren Dai’Shonin’s Birth, which will be held on May 16, 2021.

On this auspicious occasion, Kalei Kini, 63 who has been serving as a member of Betsuin for more that a decade, will receive Tokudo by his own will. The ceremony begins with him taking an oath, clipping his hair and changing into monk’s robes. We then continue with Nichiren Shonin’s Birthday Ceremony.

The Tokudo Ceremony is a vow to “keep the precets as a Nichiren sect monk and let the person receive training in becoming a priest.” After this, he must attend another ceremony at Kiyosumi Temple where Nichiren Shonin received his Tokudo, which will recognize him as an official apprentice, allowed to be trained and eventually become a priest after finishing the 35 days SHINGYO DOJO at Kuonji Temple, Minobu in later years.

As this service will also be a rehearsal for next year’s big ceremony at the Prince Hotel Waikiki. All Nichiren Shu members in Hawaii are welcome to attend this service at Nichiren Mission of Hawaii on February 16th.