The Three Obstacles and Four Devils

Daily Wisdom

From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Tuesday, November 20, 2012

 

You should not have the slightest fear in your heart. It is lack of courage that prevents one from attaining Buddhahood, although one may have professed faith in the Lotus Sutra many times since innumerable kalpas ago.

The Three Obstacles and Four Devils
Written to Ikegami Hyoe no Sakan Munenaga on November 20, 1277

The Three Obstacles and Four Devils

Daily Wisdom
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Tuesday, June 19, 2012:

It is an undeniable fact that fire can at once reduce even a thousand-year-old field of pampas grass to ashes, and that the merit one has formed over a hundred years can be destroyed with a single word.

The Three Obstacles and Four Devils
Written to Ikegami Hyoe no Sakan Munenaga on November 20, 1277

Daily Wisdom -The three obstacles and four devils

From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Monday, April 16, 2012:

[T'ien-t'ai writes:] "As practice progresses and understanding grows, the three obstacles and four devils emerge in confusing form, vying with one another to interfere. . . . One should be neither influenced nor frightened by them. If one falls under their influence, one will be led into the paths of evil. If one is frightened by them, one will be prevented from practicing the correct teaching." This statement not only applies to me, but also is a guide for my followers. Reverently make this teaching your own, and transmit it as an axiom of faith for future generations.

Letter to the Brothers
Written to Ikegami Munenaka and Ikegami Munenaga on April 16, 1275

When the three obstacles and four devils appear, and the wise will rejoice while the foolish will retreat

There is definitely something extraordinary in the ebb and flow of the tide, the rising and setting of the moon, and the way in which summer, autumn, winter and spring give way to each other. Something uncommon also occurs when an ordinary person attains Buddhahood. At such a time, the three obstacles and four devils will invariably appear, and the wise will rejoice while the foolish will retreat. 21/11

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
The Three Obstacles and Four Devils
Written to Ikegami Hyoe no Sakan Munenaga on November 20, 1277

Neither influenced nor frightened by the three obstacles and four devils

[T'ien-t'ai writes:] "As practice progresses and understanding grows, the three obstacles and four devils emerge in confusing form, vying with one another to interfere. . . . One should be neither influenced nor frightened by them. If one falls under their influence, one will be led into the paths of evil. If one is frightened by them, one will be prevented from practicing the correct teaching." This statement not only applies to me, but also is a guide for my followers. Reverently make this teaching your own, and transmit it as an axiom of faith for future generations. 16/4

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Letter to the Brothers
Written to Ikegami Munenaka and Ikegami Munenaga on April 16, 1275

Overcoming the three obstacles and four devils to be a Buddha

Even though one may encounter a wise teacher and the true sutra and thereby embrace the correct teaching, when one resolves to break free from the sufferings of birth and death and attain Buddhahood, one will inevitably encounter seven grave matters known as the three obstacles and four devils, just as surely as a shadow follows the body and clouds accompany rain. Even if you should manage to overcome the first six, if you are defeated by the seventh, you will not be able to become a Buddha. 23/2

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Letter to Misawa
Written to Misawa Kojiro on February 23, 1278