Guidance from Sixty-eighth High Priest Nichinyo Shonin
On the Occasion of the Shōdai Ceremony
July 1, 2016
Reception Hall, Head Temple Taisekiji
Good morning, everyone! As we do every year at the Head Temple, a daily one-hour Shōdai Ceremony will be conducted starting from today throughout the month of July. As a general rule, the one-hour Shōdai Ceremony will be conducted from 8 AM to 9 AM. However, on the 7th, 13th, and 15th, it will commence at 9AM, after the 7 AM Okō Ceremony has been conducted at the Mieidō. For those who are planning to participate in the Shōdai Ceremony, please take note of this schedule.
Today, Nichiren Shoshu is advancing, with unity between the priesthood and laity, based on the spirit of itai dōshin, as we aim toward our goal—to achieve a membership of 800,000 Hokkeko believers by 2021, the 800th Anniversary of the Advent of our Founder, Nichiren Daishonin. I trust that all of you are working diligently more than ever, day and night, for the achievement of your goals.
The Daishonin teaches the following in the Gosho, Reply to Sairen-bō (Sairen bō-gohenji):
You must neither discard your faith nor dishonestly live your lives. If you devote your life completely to the Lotus Sutra and practice precisely as stated in the golden words of the Buddha, you will, without fail, enjoy a long and healthy life, unaffected by misfortunes and illnesses. You will achieve the ultimate, supreme effect not only in your future lifetimes, but also in your current lives. Moreover, you will be able to attain the great aspiration of kōsen-rufu. (Gosho, p. 642)
“Discard one’s faith” in this Gosho passage refers to a person abandoning one’s Buddhist practice and backsliding in faith. In other words, it means one is not making any progress. The antonym of “discarding one’s faith” is “unwavering resolve.” This indicates that one’s benefits and good causes will increase during the course of one’s Buddhist practice. And, these benefits will never be lost. “Dishonestly live your lives” means that one is being sycophantic. One pretends to treat other people with respect and behaves in a deceptive manner.
The Daishonin teaches that we should devote ourselves to the practice for oneself and others, based on pure-hearted faith, entrusting our lives to the Dai-Gohonzon. Then, our life-span will be extended not only in the next lifetime, but also in this lifetime. We will be able to obtain an unshakable, supreme life condition and lead a happy life. Thus, our great aspiration of kōsen-rufu will be achieved without fail.
Therefore, we must take these golden words to heart and be convinced that not only our own happiness, but the happiness of many people around the world and the peace of the land only can be achieved through the secret Law that can save all living beings. This secret Law is the Buddhism of Nichiren Daishonin, the True Buddha in the Latter Day of the Law. What is most essential now is for the members of each chapter to unite, based on this solid faith, and courageously conduct shakubuku—refuting heresy and revealing the truth.
The Daishonin teaches the following in the Gosho, Questions and Answers on Embracing the Lotus Sutra (Jimyō hokke mondō-shō):
I believe that embracing Myoho-Renge-Kyo, which ensures “peace and security in this lifetime and good circumstances in the next,” is the only honor to pursue in this lifetime and is the guide to maintain enlightenment in the future. Single-mindedly chant Nam- Myoho-Renge-Kyo and encourage others to do the same. This will remain as your only memory from this present, human life. (Gosho, p. 300)
We must deeply revere these golden words. And now, the members of each chapter must make concerted efforts and powerfully move forward, overcoming innumerable difficulties, as we aim toward our goal of achieving a membership of 800,000 Hokkeko believers.
In the Gosho, Opening of the Eyes (Kaimoku-shō), the Daishonin teaches as follows.
Although I, Nichiren, and my disciples may face various difficulties, we will naturally reach the world of Buddhahood, as long as we do not harbor doubts. Do not doubt that the heavens will protect you. Do not be discouraged because your life is not easy and secure in this lifetime.
(Gosho, p. 574)
Our challenge of achieving a membership of 800,000 Hokkeko believers certainly will not be easy. As the saying goes, “Happy events tend to be accompanied by problems.” I believe that if all of us steadfastly chant Daimoku and devote ourselves to do shakubuku, based on the benefits, joy, and courage from chanting Daimoku, the guardian deities will protect us. Then, our goals will be achieved without fail. This is exactly what the Gosho passage says: “[Although I, Nichiren, and my disciples] may face various difficulties, we will naturally reach the world of Buddhahood, as long as we do not harbor doubts.”
I sincerely wish for your continued hard work and success more than ever.