Gosho 開目抄 Opening of the Eyes

日蓮といゐし者は去年九月十二日子丑の時に頚はねられぬ、

　On the twelfth day of the ninth month of last year, between the hours of the rat and the ox (11:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m.), this person named Nichiren was beheaded.

　A man by the name of Nichiren was beheaded [as a common mortal ] between the hours of the Rat and Ox on the twelfth day of the ninth month of the previous year.

　此れは魂魄・佐土の国にいたりて返年の二月・雪中にしるして有縁の弟子へをくればをそろしくて・をそろしからず・みん人いかに・をぢぬらむ、

　It is his soul that has come to this island of Sado and, in the second month of the following year, snowbound, is writing this to send to his close disciples. Terrible, but nothing to be frightened about. Others reading it will be terrified.

　His soul reached Sado Island, where this letter was authored, while surrounded by deep snow, in February of the following year. If this is sent to my close disciples, they might feel terrified, though to me this is nothing to fear.
Anyone [whose faith is not stable] will be extremely horrified after reading this text.

　此れは釈迦・多宝・十方の諸仏の未来日本国・当世をうつし給う明鏡なり、

　This scriptural passage is the bright mirror that Shakyamuni, Many Treasures, and the Buddhas of the ten directions left for the future of Japan, and in which the present state of the country is reflected.

　This writing is a mirror reflecting the future of Japan, namely, the present world, which was projected by Shakyamuni Buddha, Taho Buddha, and various Buddhas in ten directions.

　かたみともみるべし。

　It may also be regarded as a keepsake from me.

　Thus, this letter should be taken as my will.

　つづく　Continued　

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