Gosho: Consecrating Image of Shakyamuni by Shijo Kingo

Consecrating an Image of Shakyamuni Buddha Made by Shijo Kingo

In your diary you write that you have fashioned a wooden image of Shakyamuni Buddha. With regard to the eye-opening ceremony appropriate for such a statue, the Fugen Sutra states, "This Mahayana sutra is the treasure storehouse of all Buddhas, the eye of all Buddhas of the ten directions and the three existences." It also says, "This Mahayana sutra is the eye of all Buddhas because, through its teachings, they acquire the five types of vision."

Concerning the phrase "acquire the five types of vision" in this sutra, this refers to the eye of common mortals, the divine eye, the eye of wisdom, the eye of the Law and the eye of the Buddha. These five types of vision are naturally acquired by one who upholds the Lotus Sutra, just as the person who becomes the ruler of a state will naturally be obeyed by all the people of that state, or as the lord of the great ocean will as a matter of course be followed by ocean-dwelling fish.

The Kegon, Agon, Hodo, Hannya and Dainichi sutras may possess the five types of vision in name, but they do not possess them in reality. The Lotus Sutra possesses them in both name and reality. And even if it did not possess them in name, you may be certain that it would possess them in reality.

With regard to the three bodies or properties of a Buddha, the Fugen Sutra states, "The three enlightened properties of the Buddha's life arise from the Hodo. This seal of the great Dharma assures entry into the sea of nirvana. A Buddha's three pure properties arise from this vast ocean. These three properties are the fertile field of good fortune for all human and heavenly beings, and the object most supremely 'worthy of offerings.'"

The three properties or bodies are: first, the Dharma body of the Tathagata; second, the bliss body of the Tathagata; and third, the manifested body of the Tathagata. These three types of Tathagata bodies are invariably possessed by all Buddhas. If we use the moon as an illustration, we may say that the moon itself is comparable to the Dharma body, its light to the bliss body, and its reflection to the manifested body. Just as a single moon has these three different aspects, so a single Buddha possesses the virtues of these three different bodies.

These doctrines of the five types of vision and the three bodies are not expounded anywhere outside of the Lotus Sutra. Therefore the Great Teacher T'ien-t'ai has said, "The Buddha, throughout the three existences, consistently possesses the three bodies. But in the various teachings, he kept it secret and did not transmit it." In this passage of commentary, the phrase "in the various teachings" refers not only to the Kegon, Hodo and Hannya sutras, but to the entire body of sutras other than the Lotus Sutra. And the phrase "he kept it secret and did not transmit it" means that, in the entire body of scripture outside of the Juryo chapter of the Lotus Sutra, Lord Shakyamuni concealed this doctrine and nowhere expounded it. Therefore, in performing the eye-opening ceremony for painted or wooden Buddha images, the only authority to rely on is the Lotus Sutra and the Tendai sect.

In addition, the doctrine of ichinen sanzen is based on the concept of the three realms of existence. The three realms of existence are: first, the realm of living beings; second, the realm of the five components; and third, the realm of the environment. We will set aside the first two for the moment. The third, the realm of the environment, refers to the realm of plants and trees. And the realm of plants and trees includes those plants and trees from which are produced the five shades of pigment used in painting. From this pigment, painted images are created, and from trees, wooden statues are made.

It is the power of the Lotus Sutra that makes it possible to infuse such paintings and statues with a "soul" or spiritual property. This was the realization of the Great Teacher T'ien-t'ai. In the case of living beings, this doctrine is known as attaining Buddhahood in one's present form; in the case of painted and wooden images, it is known as the enlightenment of plants and trees. This is why [the Great Teacher Chang-an] wrote, "There has never been anything to compare to the brightness and serenity of shikan-style meditation," and why [the Great Teacher Miao-lo] stated, "They are nevertheless shocked and harbor doubts when they hear for the first time the doctrine that insentient beings possess the Buddha nature."

This doctrine [of ichinen sanzen] was never heard of in the ages [before the Great Teacher T'ien-t'ai], nor was it known in the ages that followed. And even if it did make its appearance, one may be certain that it had been stolen from him.

However, some two hundred years or more after the time of T'ien-t'ai, Shan-wu-wei, Chin-kang-chih and Pu-k'ung founded the so-called Shingon sect on the basis of the Dainichi Sutra. And then, although there is no mention of any such doctrine in the Dainichi Sutra as the Buddha expounded it, they stole the doctrine of ichinen sanzen from the Lotus Sutra and T'ien-t'ai's interpretation thereof, and proceeded to make it the very heart and core of the Shingon sect. Moreover, they pretended that the doctrine had originated in India, and in this way deceived and misled the latter-day scholars of China and Japan. No one knows the truth of the matter, but all alike assent to and put faith in the assertions of the Shingon sect. This has been going on now for more than five hundred years.

This being the case, the wooden and painted images that were made and consecrated before the time of the Shingon sect, [when the T'ien-t'ai practices were followed,] have manifested extraordinary powers, but those in temples and pagodas built after Shingon [practices were adopted for the eye-opening ceremony] produce very little benefit. Since there are many instances of this, I will not go into detail.

This Buddha of yours, however, is a living Buddha. It differs in no respect from the wooden image of the Buddha made by King Udayana, or that fashioned by King Bimbisara. Surely Bonten, Taishaku, the deities of the sun and moon, and the Four Heavenly Kings will attend you as a shadow accompanies a body and protect you always. (This is the first point I wish to make.)

Your diary also indicates that each year, during the ninety day period from the eighth day of the fourth month through the fifteenth day of the seventh month, you perform acts of devotion to the god of the sun. The god of the sun lives in a palace made of the seven kinds of gems. This palace occupies an area of 816 ri or 51 yojana. In the midst of it, the god of the sun dwells, attended by two consorts, Sho and Musho. To his right and left are ranged the seven luminaries and the nine luminaries, and in front of him stands the goddess Marishiten. The god of the sun rides in a chariot made of the seven gems and drawn by eight fine horses, and in the space of one day and one night he circles about the four continents, acting as an eye to all the living beings who dwell in them.

In the case of the other Buddhas, bodhisattvas and deities, we hear that they bestow superb blessing, but with our common-mortal eyes we have yet to see it. In the case of the sun deity, however, there can be no doubt, for his blessings are before our very eyes. Were it not for Shakyamuni, the lord of teachings, how could such blessings as these be bestowed? And were it not for the power of the wonderful sutra of the one vehicle, how could such marvels appear before us? It is wondrous to contemplate!

In inquiring how one can repay this deity for his favor, one finds that, in the ages before the appearance of Buddhism, people of a discerning nature all bowed before him or presented offerings, and all of them received evidence of blessings in return. At the same time, persons who turned against him were all punished.

Now if we consider what the Buddhist writings have to say, we may note that the Konkomyo Sutra states: "The god of the sun and the god of the moon, because they listen to this sutra, are able to obtain vitality in abundance." And the Saisho-o Sutra states: "Through the power of this sutra king, these luminaries are able to circle around the four continents."

You should understand, therefore, that it is the power of the Buddhist Law that enables the deities of the sun and moon to make their rounds of the four continents. The Konkomyo and Saisho-o sutras are mere expedient teachings leading to the Lotus Sutra. In comparison to the Lotus Sutra, they are like milk in comparison to ghee, or metal in comparison to precious gems. And yet, inferior as these sutras are, they enable the heavenly deities to circle the four continents. How much more power can these deities gain, then, by tasting the sweet ghee of the Lotus Sutra!

Therefore in the Jo chapter of the Lotus Sutra, we find that the deities of the sun and moon are ranged side by side with the god of the stars. And in the Hosshi chapter, it is predicted that the deity of the sun will attain the highest level of enlightenment and be known as the Fire-sustaining Tathagata.

In addition to all this, your late father initiated this worship of the sun deity, and you have succeeded him in the second generation, carrying on these ceremonies over a long period of time. So how could the deity possibly abandon you?

I, Nichiren, have also put my trust in this deity, and in this manner have carried on my struggles in Japan over the past several years. Already I have the feeling that I have achieved victory. Such clear blessings can only be attributed to this deity.

There are many other admirable points in your diary, but I cannot go into them all in this letter.

As for the thing that I admire most: in your letters in the past you have from time to time mentioned your concern for your parents. And when I read your present letter, I could not hold back my tears, so moved was I by pity at your sorrow over the thought that your parents might perhaps be in hell.

Among the Buddha's disciples was one called the Venerable Maudgalyayana. His father was named Kissen Shishi and his mother was named Shodai-nyo. His mother, after passing away, fell into the realm of hungry spirits. While Maudgalyayana was still an ordinary mortal, he was unaware of this fact, and so had no reason to grieve over it. But after he became a disciple of the Buddha, he achieved the status of arhat and, acquiring the divine eye, was able to perceive that his mother was in the realm of hungry spirits. When he became aware of this, he made offerings of food and drink to her, but these only turned into flame and increased her torment. Thereupon he rushed back to the Buddha and reported what had happened. Think how he must have felt at that time!

Now you are an ordinary mortal, possessing no more than the mortal eye, and so you cannot see what realm your parents now occupy and grieve at the thought that perhaps they are in hell. This in itself is a manifestation of filial devotion. Bonten, Taishaku, the deities of the sun and moon, and the Four Heavenly Kings are certain to look upon you with pity.

The Kegon Sutra says, "Those who do not understand their obligations will in many cases meet with an untimely death." And the Kambutsu Sokai Sutra says, "This [failure to repay a debt of gratitude] is the cause that leads to rebirth in the Avichi Hell." But now you have already manifested a sincere concern for your parents, and the heavenly gods are certain to heed your prayers. (This is the second point I wish to stress to you.)

In your letter, you also mention certain things which, on thoroughly considering the heart of the matter, I believe you ought not to do. I, Nichiren, am hated by the people of Japan. This is entirely due to the fact that the lord of Sagami regards me with animosity. I grant that the government has acted quite without reason, but even before I encountered my difficulties, I foresaw that troubles of that kind would occur, and I resolved that, whatever might happen to me in the future, I must not bear any hatred toward others. This determination has perhaps acted as a kind of prayer, for I have been able to come safely through any number of trials. And now I am faced with no such difficulties.

Whose aid was it that allowed me to escape death from hunger when I was exiled to the province of Sado, or that makes it possible for me to recite the Lotus Sutra here in the mountains as I have up until now? It is your aid alone. And if we inquire who has made it possible for you to offer this aid, we would have to say that it is the lord Ema Nyudo. Though he himself is not aware of this fact, it has undoubtedly acted as a kind of prayer on my behalf. And if that is so, then your lord's prayer has also become a kind of prayer on your behalf as well.

Moreover, it is thanks to your lord that you have been able to fulfill your obligations to your parents. Regardless of what might happen, it would not be right to leave the service of someone to whom you are so indebted. If he repeatedly rejects you, then there is no help for it. But you yourself must not abandon him, no matter how your life may be placed in danger.

In the passage from the sutra that I quoted above, it says that those who do not understand their obligations may meet with an untimely death. Conversely, those who discharge their filial duties will not meet with such a death.

The bird known as a cormorant is capable of eating iron, but though its insides can digest iron, they do no harm to the embryo chicks in the body of the mother. There are fish that eat pebbles, but this does not kill the unspawned young in the fish's body. The tree called sandalwood cannot be burned by fire, and the fire in the heavens of purity cannot be quenched by water. The body of Shakyamuni Buddha could not be burned, though thirty-two strong men applied torches to it, and when fire emanated from the Buddha's body, the dragon deities of the threefold world all poured down rain in an effort to put it out, but it would not be extinguished.

Now you have aided Nichiren in his acts of merit. Therefore, it will be very difficult for evil persons to do you harm. And if by chance something should happen to you, then you may be certain that it is a retribution in this present life for the hatred that you manifested in some previous existence toward a votary of the Lotus Sutra. Retribution of that kind can never be avoided, no matter how deep one may be within the mountains or how far away at sea. That is why Bodhisattva Fukyo was attacked with staves and sticks, and why the Venerable Maudgalyayana was killed by a group of Brahmans of the Bamboo Staff school. Therefore, what cause have you to grieve?

To avoid unforeseen troubles, it is best to endure patiently. After you read this letter, during the hundred days that follow, you must not heedlessly go out drinking at night with your associates or others at places besides your own home. If your lord should summon you during the daytime, then go to him with all haste. If the summons should come at night, then plead some sudden illness for the first three times he calls you. If he persists in calling you more than three times, then inform your retainers or someone else and have them watch out for trouble at the crossroads before you set out to answer the summons.

If you conduct yourself in this circumspect manner, and the Mongols attack our country in the meantime, then people's feelings toward you will change from what they were in the past, and they will no longer think of attacking you as they would an enemy.

With regard to what you have written me, even if you should be at fault, you should not think lightly of leaving your lord's service - even less so if you are guilty of no error. In that case you must pay no heed, regardless of what others may say.

As for your desire to become a lay priest, there will be plenty of time to do that later. Even then, if circumstances should arise that do not suit you in body or mind, evil influences will again seek to work upon you. These days there are women who become nuns in order to deceive others, and men who become lay priests and commit great evil. You must never become involved in such matters.

Even though you are suffering from no illness, you should receive moxibustion treatment on one or two places on your body so that later you can plead illness if it should become necessary. And if some kind of disturbance should occur, for the time being send someone else to observe what is going on.

It is difficult to write in detail all that I would like to tell you. That is why I have not gone into matters of doctrine here. As for the sutra, I will copy it out for you when the weather gets a little cooler.

With my deep respect,
Nichiren

The fifteenth day of the seventh month in the second year of Kenji (1276), cyclical sign hinoe-ne

Major Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol. 6, page 159.

Designed by Will Kallander