41. Way to get over the great persecution.

　　　Japanese Edition

In the house of the funeral in Sado, Nichiren gave lectures on the Lotus Sutra to his disciples.

Nichiren spread the Lotus Sutra on the sutra desk.

A sutra scroll was accumulated high in the alcove. These were brought with them when they left Kamakura. There were also various teachings and Ryuju's Daichidoron (Commentary on the Hannya Sutra) sent from Jonin Toki.

Nichiren devoted himself to researching because he was exiled and his missionary work, which was the key point, was not realized. Though Nichiren never told his disciples in order to prevent their mind from getting lost, but in his mind, he was convinced that the day when he could return to Kamakura would come soon.

Though Hoki-bo Nikko did not hesitate to listen to Nichiren's sermons so as not to miss a single word, some of his disciples began to sleep, perhaps because they were tired from their unfamiliar jobs such as picking wild vegetables and firewood every day.

Nichiren continued his lecture regardless of them.

"In Buddhism, the first thing to do is to win or defeat, and in politics, rewards, merit and punishments are the basis. This exile will bring disaster to this country. The recompense of the ascetic of the Lotus Sutra for his persecution will always be revealed as result. Otherwise, it is not Buddhism. Otherwise, it's not worth chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo."

Fortunately, food and copper coins sent by believers such as Shijo Kingo arrived in Sado.

Nichiren wrote a letter of thanks to Shijo Kingo. He was concerned about his disciples and supporters who were even further away. How are they now that Nichiren raised them with care? He writes it with a strong prayer. Sado, a solitary island in the rough Sea of Japan, and Kamakura, a place overlooking the Pacific Ocean, a vast expanse of water, had strong feelings for each other.

“When I was exiled to this place, I assumed that no one would come to visit me. Moreover, I have more than seven or eight persons with me here, and if it were not for your consideration, I do not know how we could manage to keep the whole group in provisions. I am certain that this is because the words of Lotus Sutra have changed their place into your bodies in order to help us. No matter how troubled the times may become, the Lotus Sutra and the demon’s ten daughters will help all of you. I am praying strongly as though to produce fire from damp wood, or to obtain water from parched ground. There are many other matters to discuss, but I will stop writing here.” ‘Expiating Sins by Criticizing Slander to the Buddha Law.’

On the other hand, bonfires were glowing in the Kyoto Imperial Palace.

A shrine maiden danced in the light.

A girl with light makeup dances with clothes in white and red. It was the elegance of the capital that Kamakura did not have.

The musicians played sacred music.

Court nobles and samurai in Kyoto were watching the dance.

The most famous samurai was Tokisuke Hojo, Tokimune's half-brother.

He left Kamakura and was assigned to the chief of the administrative and judicial agency in Rokuhara, Kyoto, which administered the court nobles. This was a kind of a banishment from the Kamakura shogunate. But now he smiled and enjoyed his daughters' dancing and drinking.

The girls looked at Tokisuke with a seductive look.

A court noble who is heavily made up whispers to Tokisuke.

"I really enjoyed tonight. It was a great pleasure to meet you, Mr. Tokisuke."

Tokisuke knew that was a flattery to the Hojo clan, but his cheeks were loose and he smiled.

"This Tokisuke Hojo becomes a bridge between Kyoto and Kamakura, and is ready to devote himself to the peace of the country. Thank you for inviting me tonight."

The court nobles were impressed.

"Lord Tokisuke is really a modest man. You are too modest, even though you are in a position to become a successor to the Shogunate. The emperor must think that you are very reliable."

The samurai serving as inspector coughed to keep both of them in check. He watched Tokisuke's movements and reported them to Kamakura.

"I guess you can't explain your true feelings if you have an inspector."

The court noble smiled gracefully, rising up his sleeve to mouth and said sarcastically as if he was talking to himself. Court nobles standing side by side also looked at each other and smiled slightly.

Tokisuke was completely drunk.

"Please don't make jokes. Although I am an older brother of regent Tokimune, I am not the heir. Excuse me, but from Kamakura's point of view, the Rokuhara office is no rank or title".

The court noble saw Tokisuke with glancing upwards.

"But tomorrow, no one knows. The political decision on the Mongolian case is also said to be wavering. If anything happens to Kamakura..."

An inspector coughed again, but the court nobles did not care.

"The emperor may then have Tokisuke's back..."

Court nobles laugh jokingly.

The officer watching couldn't stand it and whispered to Tokisuke.

"Sir, please be ready to go home."

Tokisuke nodded twice or three times as soon as he understood.

"Thank you for inviting me today. One final word. I have no intention whatsoever of succeeding Tokimune. Because If I were to become the leader of a samurai family, I would have no time to enjoy this pleasure."

The court noble murmured his excuse.

"Sir, that was just a joke at a drinking party. I'm afraid to be taken seriously."

The assembled courtiers now all laughed uproariously.

Tokisuke left the court as if nothing had happened.

Tokisuke returned to the residence of Rokuhara and entered the room on the wooden floor alone.

There is no one.

Only the wick was unreliably lit in the room.

Tokisuke's smiling face darkened instantly and became a mask of Deva King. Then suddenly he shouted and drew his sword. He wandered about the room, slashing the air crosswise, and brandishing his great sword.

"Even court nobles are making fun of me!"

The sound of a sword cutting through the air rings with "hissing".

It was hopeless anger.

He was treated coldly by his father, Tokiyori, from the time he was born, and his successor's position was taken away by the younger brother. Besides, after Tokimune became regent, he could not stay in Kamakura and was driven away. The shogunate would not recognize the regent's older brother at all. In addition, it was a humiliation tonight. He was even ridiculed by the nobles who bowed down to the Shogunate.

But now, Tokisuke has no choice but to brandish his sword. If he revolts against Tokimune here, he will be killed as if he was waiting for. He will follow the same fate as Minamoto no Yoshitsune. He was frustrated because he knows it.

To be Continued

Life of Nichiren. Vol. 2. Contents