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The Meaning of Faith

BACKGROUND:

Nichiren Daishonin wrote this letter at Minobu on the eighteenth day of the fifth month in 1280, when he was fifty-nine years old. Its recipient, Myoichi-ama, was a relative of Nissho, one of the six senior priests, and lived in Kamakura. A few extant letters to her from the Daishonin indicate that she was an earnest believer and fairly well educated, though in poor health. Her husband was also a believer; their fief was confiscated because of their faith. Later her husband died, leaving Myoichi-ama to raise their two children alone. Yet despite her difficulties, she continually made offerings to Nichiren Daishonin. In this letter the Daishonin explains that faith is a natural expression of the human heart and urges her to chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with singleminded faith in the Lotus Sutra, that is, the Gohonzon, forsaking all provisional teachings.

Designed by Will Kallander