The benefit of the Lotus Sutra is such that even a single word of it embodies the threefold blessings of Shakyamuni, Many Treasures, and the Buddhas of the ten directions. To illustrate, it is like a wish-granting jewel. One such jewel is the same as a hundred such jewels. One wish-granting jewel can rain down countless treasures, and a hundred jewels can likewise produce inexhaustible treasures.
(Passage from “The Pure and Far-Reaching Voice”, The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, p328-335)
Background
This letter was written to Shijo Kingo on the ninth day of the ninth month in the year 1272 in Sado Island. It was prompted by the Daishonin’s gratitude for the offerings that Shijo Kingo had sent to the Daishonin via a messenger for Kingo’s mother’s third annual memorial service (held on the second anniversary of her death).
Explanation
In this passage, Nichiren Daishonin stressed on the great benefits of the Lotus Sutra (Mystic Law).
He said, “The benefit of the Lotus Sutra is such that even a single word of it embodies the threefold blessings of Shakyamuni, Many Treasures, and the Buddhas of the ten directions.” The Daishonin taught here about the great benefit of embracing the Mystic Law hidden in the depths of the Lotus Sutra, that is Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is the fundamental Law that led all Buddhas, including Shakyamuni Buddha, to attain enlightenment.
Since all Buddhas attained enlightenment through the Mystic Law, all the blessings and virtues of the Buddhas are embodied in the Mystic Law. By embracing the Mystic Law, one is able to enjoy all the benefits and blessings of all Buddhas.
The Daishonin used the example of a “wish-granting jewel” to illustrate the power of the Mystic Law.
It was a belief in Japan at that time that a wish-granting jewel has the power of producing inexhaustible treasures – as many as one desires.
Since one’s wish-granting jewel can produce boundless treasures, it will not make a difference whether one has one or numerous wish-granting jewels. Therefore, the Daishonin said, “One such jewel is the same as a hundred such jewels.”
Just as the example of the wish-granting jewel illustrates, by embracing the Mystic Law, all of one’s wishes in life will be fulfilled.
At the same time, no matter what difficulties one may encounter in life, the Mystic Law embodies the power to transform all sufferings into happiness.
For this reason, those who are deeply convinced of the greatness of the beneficial power of the Gohonzon and exert themselves in the practice for oneself and for others can advance fearlessly without being defeated by the obstacles in life.
The key that unlocks this great power of the Gohonzon is none other than the strength of our powers of faith and practice. The powers of Buddha and the Law embodied in the Gohonzon will be manifested in proportion to one’s power of faith and practice.
SGI President Ikeda said, “Without faith, there is no way to bring forth the boundless powers of the Buddha and the Law embodied within the Gohonzon. It is the SGI who has taught and enabled every individual member to arouse the powers of faith and practice from within their lives. For this reason, the SGI is an organisation that overflows with the genuine benefits.”
No prayers offered to the Gohonzon will go unanswered. There is no problem that cannot be resolved when one chants daimoku to the Gohonzon. Let every one of us arouse strong faith and courageously advance forward!
(Passage from “The Pure and Far-Reaching Voice”, The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, p328-335)
Background
This letter was written to Shijo Kingo on the ninth day of the ninth month in the year 1272 in Sado Island. It was prompted by the Daishonin’s gratitude for the offerings that Shijo Kingo had sent to the Daishonin via a messenger for Kingo’s mother’s third annual memorial service (held on the second anniversary of her death).
Explanation
In this passage, Nichiren Daishonin stressed on the great benefits of the Lotus Sutra (Mystic Law).
He said, “The benefit of the Lotus Sutra is such that even a single word of it embodies the threefold blessings of Shakyamuni, Many Treasures, and the Buddhas of the ten directions.” The Daishonin taught here about the great benefit of embracing the Mystic Law hidden in the depths of the Lotus Sutra, that is Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is the fundamental Law that led all Buddhas, including Shakyamuni Buddha, to attain enlightenment.
Since all Buddhas attained enlightenment through the Mystic Law, all the blessings and virtues of the Buddhas are embodied in the Mystic Law. By embracing the Mystic Law, one is able to enjoy all the benefits and blessings of all Buddhas.
The Daishonin used the example of a “wish-granting jewel” to illustrate the power of the Mystic Law.
It was a belief in Japan at that time that a wish-granting jewel has the power of producing inexhaustible treasures – as many as one desires.
Since one’s wish-granting jewel can produce boundless treasures, it will not make a difference whether one has one or numerous wish-granting jewels. Therefore, the Daishonin said, “One such jewel is the same as a hundred such jewels.”
Just as the example of the wish-granting jewel illustrates, by embracing the Mystic Law, all of one’s wishes in life will be fulfilled.
At the same time, no matter what difficulties one may encounter in life, the Mystic Law embodies the power to transform all sufferings into happiness.
For this reason, those who are deeply convinced of the greatness of the beneficial power of the Gohonzon and exert themselves in the practice for oneself and for others can advance fearlessly without being defeated by the obstacles in life.
The key that unlocks this great power of the Gohonzon is none other than the strength of our powers of faith and practice. The powers of Buddha and the Law embodied in the Gohonzon will be manifested in proportion to one’s power of faith and practice.
SGI President Ikeda said, “Without faith, there is no way to bring forth the boundless powers of the Buddha and the Law embodied within the Gohonzon. It is the SGI who has taught and enabled every individual member to arouse the powers of faith and practice from within their lives. For this reason, the SGI is an organisation that overflows with the genuine benefits.”
No prayers offered to the Gohonzon will go unanswered. There is no problem that cannot be resolved when one chants daimoku to the Gohonzon. Let every one of us arouse strong faith and courageously advance forward!
