Gosho 善無畏三蔵抄 The Tripitaka Master Shan Wu Wei

例せば此(こ)の道善御房の法華経を迎へ、釈迦仏を造らせ給う事は日蓮が強(ごう)言(げん)より起る、

As an example, I may point to the fact that Dōzen-bō has embraced the Lotus Sutra and fashioned an image of Shakyamuni Buddha, actions that came about because I spoke harshly to him.

For example, Dozen-bō, following Nichiren’s strict words, embraced the Lotus Sutra and created statues of Shakyamuni Buddha.

日本国の一切衆生も亦(また)復(また)是くの如し、

And the same thing holds true for all the people of Japan.

This also holds true with all living beings in Japan.

当世・此(こ)の十余年已(い)前(ぜん)は一向(いっこう)念仏者にて候いしが、十人が一二人は一向に南無妙法蓮華経と唱へ、二三人は両方になり、

Ten or more years ago, virtually everyone was reciting the Nembutsu. But now, out of ten persons, you will find that one or two chant only Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, while two or three recite it along with the Nembutsu.

Until ten-odd years ago, everyone was a Nembutsu believer in this land. Now, one or two out of ten exclusively chant Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo, while two to three chant both the Daimoku and the Nembutsu.

Until ten-odd years ago, everyone was a Nembutsu believer. But now, out of ten persons, we will find that one or two persons chant only Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, and two or three persons chant it along with the Nembutsu.

又一向念仏申す人も疑(うたがい)をなす故に心中に法華経を信じ又釈迦仏を書き造り奉る、

And even among those who recite the Nembutsu exclusively, there are those who have begun to have doubts and so in their hearts believe in the Lotus Sutra; some have even begun to paint or carve images of Shakyamuni Buddha.

Even those who used to exclusively chant the Nembutsu harbor doubts [about Nembutsu] and in their minds secretly take faith in the Lotus Sutra. Some even make paintings of Shakyamuni Buddha or create statues of him.

And even among those who chant the Nembutsu exclusively, there are those who have begun to doubt and so their minds believe in the Lotus Sutra; some person makes paintings of Shakyamuni Buddha or even they create statues of him.

是れ亦日蓮が強言より起る、

All this, too, has come about because I have spoken harsh words.

All of this happens because of Nichiren’s strong words.

This, too, has happened because of Nichiren's strong words.

譬(たと)えば栴檀(せんだん)は伊(い)蘭(らん)より生じ、蓮華は泥より出でたり、

This response is like the fragrant sandalwood trees that grow among the groves of foul-smelling eranda trees, or lotus blossoms that rise from the mud.

For instance, sandalwood is derived from an eranda tree, while a lotus flower grows out of the mud.

For instance, sandalwood comes up from the eranda tree, a lotus flower grows out of the mud.

而(しか)るに念仏は無(む)間(けん)地獄に堕(お)つると申せば、当世牛(ぎゅう)馬(ば)の如くなる智者どもが日蓮が法門を仮染(かりそめ)にも毀(そし)るは、糞(やせ)犬(いぬ)が師子王をほへ癡(こ)猿(ざる)が帝釈(たいしゃく)を笑ふに似たり。

Thus, when I proclaim that the followers of the Nembutsu will fall into the hell of incessant suffering, the “wise men” of our day, who are in fact no wiser than cattle or horses, may venture to attack my doctrines. But in truth they are like scavenger dogs barking at the lion king, or foolish monkeys laughing at the god Shakra.

Thus, at this time when Nichiren declares that chanting the Nembutsu will lead one to the hell of incessant suffering, men who are perceived to be wise slander Nichiren’s doctrines. These men are no wiser than cows or horses. Even if they do this thoughtlessly, they are like feeble dogs barking at a lion, or foolish monkeys laughing at Heavenly King Taishaku.

Thus, at this time when Nichiren declares that chanting the Nembutsu will lead people to the hell of incessant suffering, people who are said to be wise slander Nichiren's doctrines. These people are no wiser than cows or horses. Even if they slander thoughtlessly, they are like lean dogs barking at a lion, or foolish monkeys laughing at the god Shakra.

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