On the Occasion of the September Kosen-rufu Shodai Ceremony
Reception Hall, Head Temple Taisekiji
[Extracted]
Today, in the Latter Day of the Law, we must strongly teach Myoho-Renge-Kyo to those without the seed of Buddhahood and make them listen to it, so that they can form a poison-drum relationship with it. In other words, now is the time to make them form a reverse relationship….
The Daishonin teaches the following in the Gosho, Attaining Enlightenment
at the Initial Stage of Faith through the Lotus Sutra (Hokke shoshin jobutsu-sho):
In any case, one should strongly teach and make people listen to the teachings of the Lotus Sutra. Those who follow and take faith in it will be able to attain enlightenment, and even those who slander it will likewise attain Buddhahood in the end through the poison-drum relationship.(Gosho, p. 1316)
For those who slander the true Law, it is important to continue to persevere
with sowing the seed of Buddhahood into their lives and doing shakubuku. Even if they oppose it, which will create a poison-drum relationship, they eventually will be converted to true Buddhism.
Today, in the Latter Day of the Law, erroneous teachings are prevalent throughout the country. Because of this, many people unknowingly are deceived by evil influences, and they cannot escape from the life condition of unhappiness due to the poison of heresy. In order to save them, we should not use the method of shoju, which was employed during the Former and Middle Days of the Law.
Rather, we must use the method of shakubuku—refuting heresy and revealing the truth—which is the sole and best method. Shakubuku is the ultimate practice of compassion that can save all living beings in the Latter Day of the Law.
High Priest Nichinyo Shonin’s Guidance for September 2021