99. A Guide who Knows Hades.

‘Reply to the nun Kou.’ Autograph: In the collection of Myosen-ji Temple, Sado.

Nichiren always declared that the day of the Buddha's pickup would definitely come to those who had strong faith. He also said that he would definitely appear at the deathbed of those who had faith in him. Nichiren said that he would be present at the time of death. It was as if he was the lord of the underworld.

He repeatedly explained this in his letters to his disciples.

“In the next life I will use this sword as my staff. The Lotus Sutra is the cane that helps all the Buddhas of the three existences as they set their minds on enlightenment. Please rely on Nichiren like a cane and pillar. When one uses a staff, one will not fall on treacherous mountain paths or rough roads, and especially when led by the hand, one will never stumble. Nam-myoho-renge-kyo will be your cane to take you safely over the mountains of death. The Buddhas Shakyamuni and Taho, as well as the four Bodhisattvas headed by Jogyo, will lead you by the hand on your journey. If I, Nichiren, go ahead of you, I will come to meet you. If you go earlier than me, I will be sure to report King Enma in detail about you. These are never falsehoods at all. According to the Lotus Sutra, Nichiren is the guide who knows the passes and gorges along the way. You must devote yourself single-mindedly to faith with the aim of reaching Spirit Eagle Mountain.” ‘Reply to Hojo Yagenta’

“If you find that you miss me, always look at the sun rising in the morning and the moon rising at night. At any time, I will be reflected in the sun and the moon. And in our next life, let us come across the Pure Land of Spirit Eagle Mountain. Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.” ‘Reply to nun Kou.

If at that time you should lose your life, you must bear no resentment toward the Lotus Sutra. When you are brought before King Yama in his palace, what should you say? At that time, though you may feel foolish in doing so, you should declare that you are a lay supporter of Nichiren.” ‘Writing to Ichinosawa Nyudo’

“No matter what may happen on the road between this life and the next, he should declare himself to be a disciple of Nichiren. Although Japan is a tiny country, if one announces that one is a vassal of the lord of Sagami, people will unaccountably fear one. I am the most unreasonable priest in Japan, but with regard to believing in the Lotus Sutra, I am the foremost sage in the whole world. My name resounds throughout the pure lands of the ten directions, and heaven and earth no doubt know it. If your husband claims to be a disciple of Nichiren, you can be sure that no evil demon will say that he does not know my name.” ‘Reply to the nun Myoshin.’

“Though we live in impure land, our hearts reside in Spirit Eagle Mountain. Merely seeing each other’s face would in itself be insignificant. It is the heart that is important. Someday let us meet at Spirit Eagle Mountain, where Shakyamuni Buddha dwells. Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.” ‘Reply to the nun Sennichi.’

“I do not know how long I or anyone else may live. But at the time of your last, I will go there and welcome you between this life and the next without fail. All Buddhas, past, present and future, attain enlightenment at a very moment of the tiger's hour and the calf's hour [A.M 3:00 to A.M 5:00]is over.” ‘The Experience of the “Encourage Devotion” Chapter’

“Thus, these large vehicles drawn by white oxen are able to fly at will through the sky of the enlightenment. Those persons who come after me will ride in these vehicles and journey to Spirit Eagle Mountain. And I, Nichiren, riding in the same vehicle, will be going out to pick you up. Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.” ‘The Large Vehicle of White Oxen’

“Point Seven, in the passage “Now you must press forward diligently, so that together you may all reach the place where the treasure is.”

The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings says: The word “all” refers to the Ten Worlds. The word “together” refers to the words of the Buddha in chapter two, Expedient Means “hoping to make all persons equal to me, without any distinction between us.” The word “reach” means to arrive at the level of the highest result, the state of Buddhahood. “The place where the treasure is,” the treasure land, is the Spirit Eagle Mountain.

Nichiren and his followers, those who chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, one and all will “together reach the place where the treasure is.” This one word “together” means that, as long as they are together with Nichiren, they will reach the treasure land. But if they are not together with him, they will fall into the great citadel of the Avīchi hell.” ‘Chapter Seven: The Parable of the Phantom Castle. Seven important points.’

The disciples were inspired to read these letters. In life, we follow Nichiren; in death, we see Nichiren. It is only with this certainty of death that the present life is fulfilled.

The twenty-eighth chapter of the Lotus Sutra, "Bodhisattva Fugen," explains as follows.

“If there are persons who accept, uphold, read, and recite the sutra and understand its principles, when the lives of these persons come to an end, they will be received into the hands of a thousand buddhas, who will free them from all fear and keep them from falling into the evil paths of existence. Immediately they will proceed to the Tusita heaven, to the place of Bodhisattva Maitreya. Bodhisattva Maitreya possesses thirty-two features and is surrounded by a multitude of great bodhisattvas. He has hundreds, thousands, ten thousands, millions of heavenly women attendants, and these persons will be reborn in their midst. Such will be the benefits and advantages they will enjoy.”

For those who believe in the Lotus Sutra, a thousand Buddhas will come to greet them at the time of their death and extend their hands. They will not be afraid and will not let them fall into evil ways. They are not the hands of one or two Buddhas, but the hands of a thousand Buddhas who will scoop them up. The strong believers of that time firmly believed that Nichiren would lead these thousand Buddhas to his deathbed.

On the other hand, those who disbelieved and slandered teachings of Buddhism, a prison guard would come for them.

“If this person should slander a sutra such as this, or on seeing those who read, recite, copy, and uphold this sutra, should despise, hate, envy, or bear grudges against them, the penalty this person must pay—listen, I will tell you now: When his life comes to an end he will enter the Avichi hell, be confined there for a whole kalpa, and when the kalpa ends, be born there again. He will keep repeating this cycle for a countless number of kalpas. Though he may emerge from hell, he will fall into the realm of beasts.” ‘Chapter 3. Simile and Parable.”

Those who disbelieve in the Lotus are said to be captured and sent to hell. What harshness!

To be continued.