5.The persecution of Komatsubara.

5.The persecution of Komatsubara.

The vast comet appears in the sky in July of 1264 (the Bun'ei first year), and the uneasiness of the world increases still more. November of that year, Nichiren was attacked from Kagenobu Tojo of the estate steward at Komatsubara of Awa country. (Persecution in Komatsubara). Nichiren was cut brow and broke left arm. However, he deepened the conviction again that himself was the votary of the Lotus Sutra in the latter day of the Law because he proved the prediction that great calamity would befall on the votary of the Lotus Sutra.

“On the eleventh day of November of this year, on the main street called Komatsubara, in Tojo in Awa Province, between the hours of the monkey and the rooster (around 5:00 p.m.), several hundred Nembutsu believers ambushed me. At that time, I, Nichiren, was accompanied by approximately ten people, out of whom only three or four men were able to fight. Arrows fell on us as like rain, and swords descended like lightning. One of my disciples was slain in a moment, and two men of others were gravely wounded. Although I, myself, was cut by a sword and was struck, for some unknown reason, the enemy failed to kill me. Thus, I have survived until today. This has strengthened my faiths of the Lotus Sutra. The fourth volume of the Lotus Sutra teaches, 'Even the present of the Buddha still had much jealousy. To say nothing of after Buddha'. The fifth volume of the Lotus Sutra states,'In this world, one will encounter much grudges; and it will be difficult to believe in the Lotus Sutra'. In Japan there are many who read and learn the Lotus Sutra. There are many who are killed for chasing someone's wives or stealing into houses. There is, however, not a single person who was killed for the sake of the Lotus Sutra. Therefore, holders of the sutra in Japan are not yet worthy of these texts' words. Nichiren alone is reading the sutra with own very life. 'I do not have an affection for my body or life but only cherish the crowning teachings'. It is this meaning. I am therefore the foremost votary of the Lotus Sutra in Japan”.

Continued

Life of Nichiren. Compact edition.