President Toda summed up the Daishonin’s life-condition with one simple word—hope. He said: “When we look at the lives of great people of the past, we find that they remained undefeated by life’s hardships, by life’s pounding waves, and that they held fast to hopes that seemed but fantastic dreams to most. Moreover, they let nothing stop or discourage them from realizing those aspirations. They were able to do this, I feel, because their hopes themselves were not limited to personal desire or self-interest, but were based on a wish for the happiness of humanity. This gave them extraordinary conviction and confidence.”
This guidance is an abstract from 'The World of Nichiren Daishonin Writings' with universal value and application
When viewed from the perspective of the Daishonin’s state of life, there was absolutely no room for confusion or worry, no matter what persecutions assailed him. Whatever authority attempted to attack him, they could not undermine in the slightest his immense state of life as the Buddha. The Daishonin perfectly fused his life with the Mystic Law that encompasses the entire universe and established a sure path to convey the joy of this infinite and boundless realm to all people. This in itself is an example of the great joy experienced by the Daishonin, a joy that surpasses all other kinds of fulfillment. He taught us the means by which we can achieve that same state of life. More remarkable still is how during his Sado Exile the Daishonin was able to write, unperturbed by his circumstances, such important works as “The Opening of the Eyes,” which clarifies the object of devotion in terms of the Person, and “The True Object of Devotion for Observing the Mind,” which elucidates the object of devotion in terms of the Law. It was in this place of exile that he clearly revealed the means for leading all people to enlightenment over the ten thousand years and more of the Latter Day of the Law. He resolutely opened the path to attaining Buddhahood for all. The Daishonin’s ability to endure the bitter circumstances of exile on Sado was itself evidence of his immense state of life. Rather than dwelling on his own situation, he was far more concerned about the wellbeing of his followers. At the same time, he prayed for the happiness of the authorities at whose hands he had been persecuted. His compassion knew no bounds. His actions far surpassed the mere endurance of hardship, and through his behavior he demonstrated the inherent greatness of the human being. The Daishonin says: “Buddhahood is the most difficult to demonstrate” (The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, p. 358). How true. Explaining this teaching to people of the present age may not be an easy task. But unless we challenge ourselves to find a way to spread understanding of this concept among people in today’s world, kosen-rufu will not advance. When we communicate with words that anyone can readily comprehend, kosen-rufu will advance with increasing speed. This is also one of the important roles of Buddhist study. |
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