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

一念三千も信の一字より起り三世の諸仏の成道(じょうどう)も信の一字より起るなり、

The truth of three thousand realms in a single moment of life too has its origins in this single word “belief” or “faith,” and it is through this single word “belief” that the Buddhas of the three existences of past, present, and future attained their enlightenment.

Ichinen sanzen (three thousand realms in a single life-moment) is based on the single character faith. The attainment of Buddhahood of all Buddhas of the three existences also arises from the single character faith.

此の信の字元品(がんぽん)の無(む)明(みょう)を切る利剣なり

This word “belief” is a sharp sword that cuts off fundamental darkness or ignorance.

This character faith is the sharp sword that can cut through fundamental darkness.

其の故は信は無疑(むぎ)曰信(わっしん)とて疑惑を断破(だんぱ)する利剣なり

Therefore with regard to belief, Words and Phrases says, “Belief means to be without doubt.” It is a sharp sword that cuts away doubt and perplexity.

Faith means to have no doubt and is the sword that can sever all doubts and delusions.

解(げ)とは智慧(ちえ)の異名なり

“Understanding” is another name for wisdom.

Enlightenment is another word for wisdom.

信は価(あたい)の如く解(げ)は宝の如し

Belief represents the value or price we attach to a jewel or treasure, and understanding represents the jewel itself.

Faith is the means to obtain the treasure while enlightenment is the treasure itself.

三世の諸仏の智慧をかうは信の一字なり

It is through the one word “belief” that we are able to purchase the wisdom of the Buddhas of the three existences.

It is through faith that one can acquire the wisdom of all Buddhas of the three existences.

智慧とは南無妙法蓮華経なり、

That wisdom is Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.

Wisdom is Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo.

　　　　つづく　continued

解説 Commentary

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