The Farther the Source, the Longer the Stream


Then how does one recognise the sage of the Lotus Sutra in this latter age? The sutra states that one who “can preach this sutra” or who “uphold this sutra” is “the envoy of the Thus Come One”. In other words, one who embraces the eight volumes, or a single volume, chapter, or verse of the Lotus Sutra, or who chants the daimoku, is the Thus Come One’s emissary. Also, one who perseveres through great persecutions and embraces the sutra from beginning to the end is the Thus Come One’s emissary.

(Passage from “The Farther the Source, the Longer the Stream”, The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, p942)


Background
This letter was written on the fifteenth day of the ninth month in the year 1278 to Shinjo Kingo.

When Kingo tried to convert his lord, Ema, in September 1274, he incurred the lord’s wrath. False accusations made against Kingo by jealous colleagues aggravated the situation and brought great agony to him. In June 1277, Lord Ema ordered Kingo to abandon his faith in the Daishonin’s teachings or face the consequence of having his service to the Ema family terminated.

However, Kingo continued to struggle based on faith in exact accordance with the Daishonin’s guidance. As a result, Kingo achieved great victory at the end. Eventually, Ema could clearly perceive Kingo’s sincere and dedicated service and renewed his trust in him. Ema bestowed upon Kingo a fief far larger than the one he already has. He reported this news to the Daishonin immediately. This letter was written in response to Kingo’s report.

Explanation
In this passage, Nichiren Daishonin quoted from the Lotus Sutra to explain in simple terms what “a sage of the Lotus Sutra is, in the Latter Day of the Law.

The Lotus Sutra explains that “a sage of the Lotus Sutra” is an envoy of the Thus Come One, the Buddha and is a person who can preach the Lotus Sutra and also uphold it.

In the present day context, “one who embraces the eight volumes, or a single volume, chapter, or verse of the Lotus Sutra, or who chants the daimoku” refers to anyone who upholds faith in the Gohonzon and shares the benefits of practising the Daishonin’s Buddhism.

The Daishonin also stated, “One who perseveres through great persecutions and embraces the sutra from beginning to the end is the Thus Come One’s emissary.” The true envoys of the Buddha are those who maintain their faith no matter what sort of hardships they encounter.

In light of this passage, SGI members – who embrace the Daishonin’s correct teachings and exert themselves for the sake of others – are the noble envoys of the Buddha.

Social position and wealth do not determine how noble we are. True nobility is determined by the philosophy we choose to uphold, the kind of action we take and by how we live our lives. People who uphold the Mystic Law and strive earnestly in the frontlines of kosen-rufu activities are worthy of the greatest respect.

It is essential, therefore, that we have heartfelt respect for one another and treat one another with utmost kindness and care. By cherishing our fellow members, we are also raising our own state of life and accumulating good fortune.

SGI President Ikeda explained this point in his guidance, “SGI members who are earnestly striving for the realisation of kosen-rufu are the Daishonin’s envoys and the Buddha’s heirs. By praising the members, one accumulates benefits for oneself and strengthens one’s Buddhahood. In fact, though one is praising the other person, one is, in effect, praising one’s own Buddhahood. This is the Buddhist principle of the oneness of oneself and others – that we and others are one and indivisible.”

Let us forge ahead together in the spirit if mutual respect and harmony for the attainment of kosen-rufu.