Thursday, November 25, 2010

Without tribulation there would be no votary of the Lotus Sutra

The greater the hardships befalling him, the greater the delight he feels, because of his strong faith. Doesn't a fire burn more briskly when logs are added? All rivers flow into the sea, but does the sea turn back their waters? The currents of hardship pour into the sea of the Lotus Sutra and rush against its votary. The river is not rejected by the ocean; nor does the votary reject suffering. Were it not for the flowing rivers, there would be no sea. Likewise, without tribulation there would be no votary of the Lotus Sutra. 28/4

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
A Ship to Cross the Sea of Suffering
Written to Shiji Shiro on April 28, 1261

No comments: