Even an individual at cross purposes with himself is certain to end in failure. Yet a hundred or even a thousand people can definitely attain their goal, it they are of one mind. Though numerous, the Japanese will find it difficult to accomplish anything because they are divided in spirit. In contrast, although Nichiren and his followers are few, because they are different in body but united in mind, they will definitely accomplish their great mission of widely propagating the Lotus Sutra. Though evil may be numerous, they cannot prevail over a single truth, just as many raging fires are quenched by a single shower of rain.
(The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin Vol 1, p618)
This letter is generally thought to have been written around 1275 when Nichiren Daishonin was living in Minobu and presented to the lay priest Takahashi in the province of Suruga.
Around this time, Nikko Shonin was leading the propagation movement in the Fuji district of Suruga and achieving momentous results.
Alarmed and threatened by the number of people taking faith in the Daishonin’s teachings, Gyochi, the deputy chief priest of Ryusen-ji Temple (a major temple in the Fuji area), collaborated with Hei no Saemon, the mastermind behind most of the Daishonin’s major persecutions who wielded tremendous power, schemed to oppress the Daishonin’s disciples in the Atsuhara region in Fuji area.
This plot eventually culminated into what is known as the Atsuhara Perscution in 1279.
In this letter, the Daishonin taught lay priest, Takahashi, who was a leading figure among the lay believers in the Suruga area, that if the community of the Daishonin’s disciples stand up in unity with faith based on the spirit of “many in body, one in mind”, they would certainly be able to triumph over the perpetrators who are obviously “one in body but different in mind” (disunited).
In other words, it stresses the importance of unity in the face of the numerous evil arrayed against the Daishonin’s followers.
************************************
Solid unity is the key to achieving success in all endeavours. The Daishonin declared in his writings that in a battle against a formidable enemy of the Buddha, the key to victory lies in the spirit of unity, “If the spirit of many in body but one in mind prevails among the people, they achieve all their goals.” (WND-1,p618).
The phrase “many in body” (or different in body”) in the term “many in body, one in mind” means that we each have our own unique personalities and are in our own way a unique entity.
“One in mind” (or “one in heart”) means different individuals, each with his or her unique personality, coming together and united in one heart by a shared commitment.
In contrast, “one in body but different in mind” refers to a situation where the group may superficially appear to be united, but in fact their hearts are not united as one.
Likewise, the same can hold true in the context of one single individual. If the mind of an individual is overcome by illusion, doubts or fear, and remains confused and indecisive, he or she should not be able to accomplish anything.
On the other hand, a hundred or even a thousand people can definitely achieve something remarkable if their hearts are united.
In this passage, the Daishonin said that “though numerous, the Japanese will find it difficult to accomplish anything, because they are divided in spirit”. In other words, they are “one in body, but different in mind”.
The Daishonin continued, “In contrast, although Nichiren and his followers are few, because they are different in body, but united in mind, they will definitely accomplish their great mission of widely propagating the Lotus Sutra.”
What the Daishonin is teaching here is that even though the forces of evil may appear to be strong and numerous, the foundation for their unity is grounded either on self-interest, compulsion or egoism and as a result, they would never be able to prevail over the forces of good who are united with the shared commitment to realize kosen-rufu, which is the supreme good.
Now the question is, what should we do so that we can unite in the spirit of many in body, one in mind?
It is definitely not easy for different people with different characters and views to be united in spirit. In fact, it is more likely for disagreements and conflicts to occur among diverse individuals.
Since we are seeking to achieve the greatest good of kosen-rufu, it is also inevitable that devilish functions within and outside our lives will manifest to obstruct us by causing disunity.
In order to achieve unity, each one of us must stand up alone to make our mentor’s heart our own. It is only when we develop faith that is based on the spirit of mentor and disciple to achieve kosen-rufu that no matter how great the difficulties, will we be able to overcome egoistic tendencies and transcend individual differences.
In other words, only by brnging forth one’s Buddha nature can we harness the wisdom and life force needed to win over our negativities that seek to destroy unity.
In order to forge the spirit of “many in body, one in mind”, it is important to make a vow that is grounded on the spirit of the oneness of mentor and disciple.
Based on this premise, we should regard one another as comrades of faith and extend mutual encouragement and respect, even when there are disagreements.
On top of this, all should chant strong daimoku with one heart – a shared commitment.
SGI President Ikeda said, “The spirit of ‘many in body, one in mind’, in a sense, represents the ultimate manifestation of the ‘strategy of the Lotus Sutra’, which is chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo to the Gohonzon – specifically, chanting with a shared commitment for kosen-rufu.
No plans or strategies for kosen-rufu will succeed without such united prayer. Strong prayer based on unity will also give rise to tremendous momentum. When we advance in the united spirit of ‘many in body but one in mind’ based on chanting daimoku for the realization of kosen-rufu, we generate a powerful forward impetus and the energy to secure victory.
Everyone who shares in this spirit will be able to work together harmoniously and feel joy even in the midst of difficult struggles. Unity of purpose holds the key to creating such a rhythm of victory, a rhythm of dynamic activity.”
With earnest prayers based on unity, lets generate a powerful rhythm of victory through courageous action.
Keypoints:
1. When different people come together, two things can happen. Firstly, they can become “one in body but different in mind”, which means that the group may superficially appear to be united, but in fact their hearts are not. Alternatively, they can become “different in body but united in mind”, which means that although each person is different, they are united with the same heart or mind. Of the two, the former is most likely to occur because of the egoistic tendencies and negativities within human life. But if such negative tendencies can be overcome, then a united group of diverse individuals with different capabilities can accomplish the most remarkable achievement.
2. This principle of unity is what Nichiren Daishonin declared to be the key in achieving the seemingly impossible goal of kosen-rufu. The Daishonin taught that while the devilish forces obstructing Buddhism may be strong and many, they are disunited. The Daishonin’s disciples may be few but they can definitely overcome these devilish forces and achieve kosen-rufu if they are united in the spirit of “many in body, but one in mind”.
3. In order to achieve such solid unity, we must develop faith that is based on the spirit of mentor and disciple to achieve kosen-rufu. Only then will we be able to transcend individual differences. Only by harnessing the wisdom and life force of one’s Buddha nature can one win over the negativities that seek to destroy our unity. To forge the spirit of “many in body, but one in mind”, it is important to make a vow that is grounded on the spirit of oneness of mentor and disciple. Based on this, we should regard one another as comrades of faith and extend mutual encouragement and respect, even when there are disagreements. On top of this, all should chant strong daimoku with one heart – a shared commitment.
Translated and adapted from the March 2007 issue of The Daibyakurenge, the Soka Gakkai’s monthly study journal.
(The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin Vol 1, p618)
This letter is generally thought to have been written around 1275 when Nichiren Daishonin was living in Minobu and presented to the lay priest Takahashi in the province of Suruga.
Around this time, Nikko Shonin was leading the propagation movement in the Fuji district of Suruga and achieving momentous results.
Alarmed and threatened by the number of people taking faith in the Daishonin’s teachings, Gyochi, the deputy chief priest of Ryusen-ji Temple (a major temple in the Fuji area), collaborated with Hei no Saemon, the mastermind behind most of the Daishonin’s major persecutions who wielded tremendous power, schemed to oppress the Daishonin’s disciples in the Atsuhara region in Fuji area.
This plot eventually culminated into what is known as the Atsuhara Perscution in 1279.
In this letter, the Daishonin taught lay priest, Takahashi, who was a leading figure among the lay believers in the Suruga area, that if the community of the Daishonin’s disciples stand up in unity with faith based on the spirit of “many in body, one in mind”, they would certainly be able to triumph over the perpetrators who are obviously “one in body but different in mind” (disunited).
In other words, it stresses the importance of unity in the face of the numerous evil arrayed against the Daishonin’s followers.
************************************
Solid unity is the key to achieving success in all endeavours. The Daishonin declared in his writings that in a battle against a formidable enemy of the Buddha, the key to victory lies in the spirit of unity, “If the spirit of many in body but one in mind prevails among the people, they achieve all their goals.” (WND-1,p618).
The phrase “many in body” (or different in body”) in the term “many in body, one in mind” means that we each have our own unique personalities and are in our own way a unique entity.
“One in mind” (or “one in heart”) means different individuals, each with his or her unique personality, coming together and united in one heart by a shared commitment.
In contrast, “one in body but different in mind” refers to a situation where the group may superficially appear to be united, but in fact their hearts are not united as one.
Likewise, the same can hold true in the context of one single individual. If the mind of an individual is overcome by illusion, doubts or fear, and remains confused and indecisive, he or she should not be able to accomplish anything.
On the other hand, a hundred or even a thousand people can definitely achieve something remarkable if their hearts are united.
In this passage, the Daishonin said that “though numerous, the Japanese will find it difficult to accomplish anything, because they are divided in spirit”. In other words, they are “one in body, but different in mind”.
The Daishonin continued, “In contrast, although Nichiren and his followers are few, because they are different in body, but united in mind, they will definitely accomplish their great mission of widely propagating the Lotus Sutra.”
What the Daishonin is teaching here is that even though the forces of evil may appear to be strong and numerous, the foundation for their unity is grounded either on self-interest, compulsion or egoism and as a result, they would never be able to prevail over the forces of good who are united with the shared commitment to realize kosen-rufu, which is the supreme good.
Now the question is, what should we do so that we can unite in the spirit of many in body, one in mind?
It is definitely not easy for different people with different characters and views to be united in spirit. In fact, it is more likely for disagreements and conflicts to occur among diverse individuals.
Since we are seeking to achieve the greatest good of kosen-rufu, it is also inevitable that devilish functions within and outside our lives will manifest to obstruct us by causing disunity.
In order to achieve unity, each one of us must stand up alone to make our mentor’s heart our own. It is only when we develop faith that is based on the spirit of mentor and disciple to achieve kosen-rufu that no matter how great the difficulties, will we be able to overcome egoistic tendencies and transcend individual differences.
In other words, only by brnging forth one’s Buddha nature can we harness the wisdom and life force needed to win over our negativities that seek to destroy unity.
In order to forge the spirit of “many in body, one in mind”, it is important to make a vow that is grounded on the spirit of the oneness of mentor and disciple.
Based on this premise, we should regard one another as comrades of faith and extend mutual encouragement and respect, even when there are disagreements.
On top of this, all should chant strong daimoku with one heart – a shared commitment.
SGI President Ikeda said, “The spirit of ‘many in body, one in mind’, in a sense, represents the ultimate manifestation of the ‘strategy of the Lotus Sutra’, which is chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo to the Gohonzon – specifically, chanting with a shared commitment for kosen-rufu.
No plans or strategies for kosen-rufu will succeed without such united prayer. Strong prayer based on unity will also give rise to tremendous momentum. When we advance in the united spirit of ‘many in body but one in mind’ based on chanting daimoku for the realization of kosen-rufu, we generate a powerful forward impetus and the energy to secure victory.
Everyone who shares in this spirit will be able to work together harmoniously and feel joy even in the midst of difficult struggles. Unity of purpose holds the key to creating such a rhythm of victory, a rhythm of dynamic activity.”
With earnest prayers based on unity, lets generate a powerful rhythm of victory through courageous action.
Keypoints:
1. When different people come together, two things can happen. Firstly, they can become “one in body but different in mind”, which means that the group may superficially appear to be united, but in fact their hearts are not. Alternatively, they can become “different in body but united in mind”, which means that although each person is different, they are united with the same heart or mind. Of the two, the former is most likely to occur because of the egoistic tendencies and negativities within human life. But if such negative tendencies can be overcome, then a united group of diverse individuals with different capabilities can accomplish the most remarkable achievement.
2. This principle of unity is what Nichiren Daishonin declared to be the key in achieving the seemingly impossible goal of kosen-rufu. The Daishonin taught that while the devilish forces obstructing Buddhism may be strong and many, they are disunited. The Daishonin’s disciples may be few but they can definitely overcome these devilish forces and achieve kosen-rufu if they are united in the spirit of “many in body, but one in mind”.
3. In order to achieve such solid unity, we must develop faith that is based on the spirit of mentor and disciple to achieve kosen-rufu. Only then will we be able to transcend individual differences. Only by harnessing the wisdom and life force of one’s Buddha nature can one win over the negativities that seek to destroy our unity. To forge the spirit of “many in body, but one in mind”, it is important to make a vow that is grounded on the spirit of oneness of mentor and disciple. Based on this, we should regard one another as comrades of faith and extend mutual encouragement and respect, even when there are disagreements. On top of this, all should chant strong daimoku with one heart – a shared commitment.
Translated and adapted from the March 2007 issue of The Daibyakurenge, the Soka Gakkai’s monthly study journal.
