Gosho 御義口伝上 Orally Transmitted teachings on the Lotus Sutra Part 1

変化人(へんげにん)とは竜(たつの)口(くち)守護の八幡大菩薩なり。

　The words “persons magically conjured” refer to beings such as the guardian and protector, the Great Bodhisattva Hachiman, who appeared at Tatsunokuchi.

　今日蓮等の類い南無妙法蓮華経と唱え奉りて信心に住する処が住在空中なり、

　Now when Nichiren and his followers chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and maintain their faith in it, they are “suspended in theair.”

虚空会(こくうえ)に住するなり。

　They are“suspended in” or participating in the Ceremony in the Air.

　今日蓮等の類(たぐ)い南無妙法蓮華経と唱え奉るは大風の吹くが如くなり。

　Now when Nichiren and his followers chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, they are like the blowing of a great wind.

　さて仏身を持つとは我が身の外に仏無しと持つを云うなり。

　To uphold the body of the Buddha means to uphold the belief that outside of our own bodies there is no Buddha.

　御義口伝に云く、此の法華経を持つ者は難に遇(あ)わんと心得て持つなり

　The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings says: One who upholds this Lotus Sutra should uphold it with the understanding that one will encounter difficulties.

　Those who uphold the Lotus Sutra must be prepared to enconter hardships.

されば即為疾(そくいしっ)得(とく)無(む)上仏道(じょうぶつどう)の成仏は今日蓮等の類(たぐ)い南無妙法蓮華経と唱え奉(たてまつ)る是なり云云。

And the attainment of Buddhahood referred to in the words “This way one will quickly attain / the unsurpassed Buddha way”—this is now what Nichiren and his followers attain when they chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.

In this present age, Nichiren and his disciples are are chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo, upholding this spirit. Thus, they can attain Buddhahood as described in the passage “instantly attaining the unsurpassed Buddha Way.”


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