Gosho 四条金吾殿御返事(此経難持御書) The Difficulty of Sustaining Faith

　此の経をき(聞)きう(受)くる人は多し、まことに聞き受くる如くに大難来(きた)れども憶持(おくじ)不忘(ふぼう)の人は希(まれ)なるなり。

Many hear about and accept this sutra, but when great obstacles arise, just as they were told would happen, few remember it and bear it firmly in mind.

Many people accept the Lotus Sutra upon hearing it. However, it is rare to find those who“remember and never forget [what they have been taught]” when the great hardships that they have heard about actually befall them.

受くるは・やす(易)く持(たも)つはかた(難)し・さる間(あいだ)・成仏は持つにあり。

To accept is easy; to continue is difficult. But Buddhahood lies in continuing faith.

Accepting is easy, but continuing is difficult. Even so, one must maintain one’s faith in order to attain Buddhahood.

此の経を持たん人は難に値(あ)うべしと心得て持(たも)つなり。

Those who uphold this sutra should be prepared to meet difficulties.

Those who uphold this sutra must be prepared to undergo hardships.

「則為(そくい)疾(しつ)得(とく)・無上(むじょう)仏道(ぶつどう)」は疑(うたがい)なし。

It is certain, however, that they will “quickly attain the unsurpassed Buddha way.”

However there is no doubt that,“they will be able to instantly attain the unsurpassed Buddha way.”

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