Test the truth of Buddhism now!

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!

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
The Selection of the Time
Written to Yui in 1275

The Buddhas and bodhisattvas of the ten directions and three existences are in you

You must never think that any of the eighty thousand sacred teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha's lifetime or any of the Buddhas and bodhisattvas of the ten directions and three existences are outside yourself. Your practice of the Buddhist teachings will not relieve you of the sufferings of birth and death in the least unless you perceive the true nature of your life. 5/2

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
On Attaining Buddhahood in This Lifetime
Written to Toki Jonin in 1255

Blessing recieved when offering to the votary of the Lotus Sutra

The Buddha taught that the blessings of a single offering to the votary of this sutra are a hundred, thousand, ten thousand, million times greater than those of offering countless treasures to Shakyamuni for eighty million kalpas. When one encounters this sutra, one will overflow with happiness and shed tears of joy. It seems impossible to repay one's debt to Shakyamuni. But by your frequent offerings to me deep in these mountains you will repay the merciful kindness of both the Lotus Sutra and Shakyamuni Buddha. 4/2

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Letter to Niike
Written to Niike Saemon-no-jo in February 1280

When great evil occurs, great good follows.

Great events never have minor omens. When great evil occurs, great good follows. Since great slander already exists in our land, the great correct Law will spread without fail. What could any of you have to lament? Even if you are not the Venerable Mahakashyapa, you should all perform a dance. Even if you are not Shariputra, you should leap up and dance. When Bodhisattva Superior Practices emerged from the earth, did he not emerge dancing? 3/2

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Great Evil and Great Good
Date and recipient unknown

The great vow of Daishonin

Here I will make a great vow. Though I might be offered the rulership of Japan if I would only abandon the Lotus Sutra, accept the teachings of the Meditation Sutra, and look forward to rebirth in the Pure Land, though I might be told that my father and mother will have their heads cut off if I do not recite the Nembutsu—whatever obstacles I might encounter, so long as persons of wisdom do not prove my teachings to be false, I will never yield! All other troubles are no more to me than dust before the wind. 2/2

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
The Opening of the Eyes
Written to Shijo Kingo in February 1272

Speak out instead of remain silent

If I remain silent, I may escape persecutions in this lifetime, but in my next life I will most certainly fall into the hell of incessant suffering. If I speak out, I am fully aware that I will have to contend with the three obstacles and four devils. But of these two courses, surely the latter is the one to choose. 1/2

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin,
The Opening of the Eyes
Written to Shijo Kingo in February 1272

Bring forth the great power of faith

Carry through with your faith in the Lotus Sutra. You cannot strike fire from flint if you stop halfway. Bring forth the great power of faith, and be spoken of by all the people of Kamakura, both high and low, or by all the people of Japan as "Shijo Kingo, Shijo Kingo of the Lotus school!" Even a bad reputation will spread far and wide. A good reputation will spread even farther, particularly if it is a reputation for devotion to the Lotus Sutra. 31/1

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Earthly Desires are Enlightenment
Written to Shijo Kingo on May 2, 1272

The power of the Lotus Sutra is supreme

My disciples, you should believe what I say and watch what happens. These things do not occur because I myself am respectworthy, but because the power of the Lotus Sutra is supreme. If I praise myself, people will think that I am boastful, but if I humble myself, they will despise the sutra. The taller the pine tree, the longer the wisteria vine hanging from it. The deeper the source, the longer the stream. How fortunate, how joyful! In this impure land, I alone enjoy true happiness and delight. 30/1

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
A Sage Perceives the Three Existences of Life
Written to Toki Jonin in 1275

Practitioners of the Lotus Sutra of the Latter Day of the Law

Understand then that the votary who practices the Lotus Sutra exactly as the Buddha teaches will without fail be attacked by the three powerful enemies. In the more than two thousand years that have passed since the Buddha's advent, Shakyamuni himself, T'ien-t'ai and Dengyo were the only three who perfectly carried out the Buddha's teachings. Now in the Latter Day of the Law, Nichiren and his disciples and lay believers are just such practitioners. 29/1

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
On Practicing the Buddha's Teachings
Written to all followers in May 1273

As long as you are praised by the Lotus Sutra, what cause have you for discontent?

Let others hate you if they will. What have you to complain of, if you are cherished by Shakyamuni Buddha, Many Treasures Buddha, and the Buddhas of the ten directions, as well as by Brahma, Shakra, and the gods of the sun and the moon? As long as you are praised by the Lotus Sutra, what cause have you for discontent? 28/1

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
The Unity of Husband and Wife
Written to Nichigen-nyo on January 27, 1275

And if the mind of faith is perfect, then the water of wisdom, the great impartial wisdom, will never dry up

If a vessel is free of these four faults of overturning, leaking, being defiled, and being mixed, then it can be called a perfect vessel. If the embankments around a moat do not leak, then the water will never escape from the moat. And if the mind of faith is perfect, then the water of wisdom, the great impartial wisdom, will never dry up. 27/1

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Letter to Akimoto
Written to Akimoto Taro Hyoe-no-jo on January 27, 1280

Which is the belief that has the text of the scriptures and with reason?

One should not be intimidated by the fact that so many hold such beliefs. Nor does the truth of a belief depend on whether it has been held for a long or short time. The point is simply whether or not it conforms with the text of the scriptures and with reason.,. 26/1

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
The Tripitaka Master Shan-wu-wei
Written to Joken-bo and Gijo-bo in 1270

When the Buddha nature manifests itself from within, it will receive protection from without

Buddhism teaches that, when the Buddha nature manifests itself from within, it will receive protection from without. This is one of its fundamental principles. 25/1

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
The Three Kinds of Treasure
Written to Shijo Kingo on September 11, 1277

Great disaster without fail changes into great fortune

I explained the teachings of the Lotus Sutra to you before. Matters of minor importance arise from good, but when it comes to a matter of great importance, great disaster without fail changes into great fortune. 24/1

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
A Warning against Begrudging One's Fief
Written to Shijo Kingo in July 1277

Lotus Sutra the 'aid' to enlightenment

A wisteria vine, by twining around a pine, may climb a thousand fathoms into the air; and a crane, because it has wings to rely upon, can travel ten thousand ri. It is not their own strength that allows them to do these things. This applies likewise in the case of the priest Jibu-bo. Though he himself is like the wisteria vine, because he clings to the pine that is the Lotus Sutra, he is able to ascend the mountain of perfect enlightenment. 23/1

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
On Offerings for Deceased Ancestors
Written to Jibu-bo Nichii's grandmother on July 13, 1279

Propagation in the Latter Day of the Law

A hundred years of practice in the land of Perfect Bliss cannot compare to the benefit gained from one day's practice in the impure world. Two thousand years of propagating Buddhism during the Former and Middle Days of the Law are inferior to an hour of propagation in the Latter Day of the Law. This is in no way because of Nichiren's wisdom, but simply because the time makes it so. In spring the blossoms open, in autumn the fruit appears. Summer is hot, winter is cold. The season makes it so, does it not? 22/1

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
On Repaying Debts of Gratitude
Written to Joken-bo and Gijo-bo on July 21, 1276

The Problem to Be Pondered Night and Day

I hope all those who are serious in their resolve will gather in one place and listen to this letter. 21/1

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
The Problem to Be Pondered Night and Day
Written to Toki Jonin on August 12, 1275

Repeatly strenghten your faith, the more blessings you recieve

Strengthen your resolve more than ever. Ice is made of water, but it is colder than water. Blue dye comes from indigo, but when something is repeatedly dyed in it, the color is better than that of the indigo plant. The Lotus Sutra remains the same, but if you repeatedly strengthen your resolve, your color will be better than that of others, and you will receive more blessings than they do. 20/1

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin,
The Supremacy of the Law
Written to Oto and her mother, Nichimyo, on August 4, 1275

Never doubt the Buddha' words

It is certain that, even if there were an age when the sun rises in the west, or a time were to come when the moon emerges from the ground, the Buddha's words would never prove false. Judging from this, there cannot be the least doubt that your late father is now in the presence of Shakyamuni Buddha, the lord of teachings, and that you will receive great blessings in your present existence. How wonderful, how splendid! 19/1

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin,
Good Fortune in This Life
Written to Nanjo Tokimitsu on January 19, 1276

Many in Body, One in Mind

If the spirit of many in body but one in mind prevails among the people, they will achieve all their goals, whereas if one in body but different in mind, they can achieve nothing remarkable. 18/1

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Many in Body, One in Mind
Written to the lay priest Takahashi on August 6, year unknown