Gosho 極楽寺良観への御状 Letter to Ryoukan of Gokuraku-ji

この趣(おもむき)を鎌倉殿を始め奉り、建長寺等其の外(ほか)へ披露(ひろう)せしめ候。

I have written letters to the regent, the lord of Kamakura, and to the head priest of Kenchō-ji and of other temples informing them of my views on this matter.

I have written letters to Kenchoji and the other temples including the Lord Kamakura for informing them of my views on this matter.

所詮(しょせん)本意(ほんい)を遂げんと欲せば対決に如(し)かず。

In effect, if my original intentions are to be realized, I think there is no better solution than for all of us to meet in public debate.

In effect, if we hope to achieve our original intentions, there is no better way than having a showdown in debate.

即(すなわ)ち三蔵浅(せん)近(ごん)の法を以て、諸経中王の法華に向かふは、江河と大海と華山(かざん)と妙(みょう)高(こう)との勝劣(しょうれつ)の如くならん。

In terms of relative worth and superiority, the shallow doctrines set forth in the Tripitaka teachings are, when compared to the Lotus Sutra, which is the king of all the sutras, like streams and rivers in comparison to the great ocean, or like Mount Hua in comparison to Mount Sumeru.

In other words, the comparison between the Lotus Sutra of the king in the various sutra and the Law of superficial and shallow Buddhism sutra reveals the superiority and the inferiority, for example, these are river and the ocean or are Mt. Hua Shan and Mt. Chomolungma.

蒙古国調伏(じょうぶく)の秘法は定めて御(ご)存知(ぞんち)有るべく候か。

Are you sure to know the secret Law that will overcome and subdue the Mongol nation?

Do you know the secret Law that will pray to overcome the Mongol nation emphatically?

日蓮は日本第一の法華経の行者、蒙古国対冶(たいじ)の大将たり。「於(お)一切衆生中亦(やく)為(い)第一」とは是なり、

I, Nichiren, am the foremost votary of the Lotus Sutra in all of Japan, a great general who can defeat the forces of the Mongol nation, for, as the Lotus Sutra says, “A person who can accept and uphold this sutra is likewise foremost among all living beings.”

I, Nichiren, am the foremost votary of the Lotus Sutra in all of Japan and am a general who can defeat the Mongol nation, because, the Lotus Sutra says, “the person likewise foremost among all living beings”.

文言多端、理を尽(つく)す能(あた)わず併(しかし)ながら省略せしめ候、恐恐謹言。

There is much more I would like to say, but it is impossible here to explain it in full, and I will therefore omit further discussion.

There is much more I would like to say, but it is impossible here to explain it in full, and I will therefore omit further opinion.

　　　　　　　　　　　　　With my deep respect.

　　　　　　　　　　　　　Very truly yours.

文永五年戊辰十月十一日 　　日蓮 花押

The eleventh day of the tenth month in the fifth year of Bun’ei [1268], cyclical sign tsuchinoe-tatsu.

The eleventh day of October in the fifth year of Bun’ei [1268].　

　Nichiren

謹上(きんじょう) 極楽寺長老良観聖人御所

Respectfully presented to the Sage Ryōkan, the elder of Gokuraku-ji

Respectfully presented to the saint Ryoukan, the senior priest of Gokurakuji Temple

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