Letter to the Lord Toki 土木殿御返事

Letter to the Lord Toki

Japanese

■Writing date: July 6, 1273 (A.D.), 52 years old.

■Place of writing: Ichiya, Sado Island, at the residence of Ichinosawa Nyudo.

■The book was written in reply to an offering of two thousand coppers to Daishonin on Sado Island made by Toki Jonin and Ota Jomyo.

　Daishonin first told the faithful that the exile on Sado Island was about to last two years, "You must not grieve that the punishment I have incurred at the hands of the shogunate has not been forgiven. Things will surely develop just as I have written in my warning [Rissho Ankoku-Ron]. He also admonished them not to lament, saying, "Though it may be uncertain whether I, Nichiren, will live or die, there can be no doubt about the spread of the five characters of the Myoho-renge-kyo in the future.

　Moreover, he asserts, "In the more than 2,220 years since the Buddha's passing, neither the Buddha of the 'Life Span' chapter nor the five characters that are its essence have been spread," suggesting that Daishonin would disseminate in the Latter Day of the Law that embody the Myoho-renge-kyo.

　Also, Iyo-bo, whom Toki Jonin sent to Daishonin, was adopted by Toki Jonin after his mother remarried, and was ordained at an early age. In his later years, he became the headmaster of Omosu Honmonji Temple, following Nikko Shonin.

■The autograph is in the collection of Nakayama Hokekyo-ji Temple (Important Cultural Property).

[ Letter to the Lord Toki. Text.]

　I have received two thousand copper coins. I am delighted at the sincerity of faith in you and lord Ota. Iyobo certainly has great abilities. This year I am having him stay here with me.

　　You must not grieve that the punishment I have incurred at the hands of the shogunate has not been forgiven. I have no doubt that present-day Japan will encounter difficulties soon. Things will surely develop just as I have written in my warning. Though it may be uncertain whether I, Nichiren, will live or die, there can be no doubt about the spread of the five characters of Myoho-renge-kyo in future.

The Great Teacher Dengyo strove to propagate his true intention, the perfect teaching of the Buddha Law, in Japan. And although the teachings concerning perfect meditation and perfect wisdom were propagated during his lifetime, the perfect precepts were established only after his death. Perhaps it was because this latter was a matter that required concrete form that he faced even greater difficulties. In the more than 2,220 years since the Buddha’s passing, neither the Buddha of the “Life Span” chapter nor the five characters that are its essence have been propagated. When I consider my present good fortune, I wonder whether they do not perhaps exceed even those of Dengyo and Tendai, and surpass even those of Ryuju and Tenjin. If I had no scriptural or doctrinal proof for this, how could there possibly be any greater arrogance?

The Great Teacher Shoan praised Tendai, saying, “Even the great scholars of India cannot compare with him, and the Chinese teachers—well, one need hardly mention them. This is not a glorification. It is this doctrine of the Buddha Law that makes it so.” Exactly the same may also be said of Nichiren. Even Ryuju and Tenjin are not in a class with him. This is not a glorification. It is this doctrine of the Buddha Law that makes it so. That is why the Great Teacher Tendai, referring to Nichiren, made such a statement as “In the last five-hundred-year period, the great Law will spread and benefit humankind far into the future.” The Great Teacher Dengyo said to yearn for our present age, “The Latter Day of the Law is near at hand.”

It is indeed a matter of joy that my situation perfectly fits the sutra passage that reads, “Again and again we will be banished.” How delightful I am! How gratifying I am!

Since I write this as a reply to several people, I will refrain from going into detail here.

Respectfully yours,

Nichiren

The sixth day of the seventh month

Reply to the Lord Toki

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