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Record
of the Orally Transmitted
Teachings of Nichiren Daishonin
- Ongi Kuden -
Chapter 3: Simile and Parable [Hiyu]
The fifth volume of the Hokke Mongu states, "The Buddha's
great compassion is never exhausted, his skillful wisdom operates without limit.
That is why the Buddha preaches parables. Moving the trees, he shows us the
wind; raising his fan, he reveals the moon. This is how he awakens us to the
truth." The [Buddha's] 'great compassion' is like the mercy and
compassion that a mother feels for her child. As Chang-an states, 'One who
rids the offender of evil is acting as his parent.' (Gosho Zenshu p. 72 The sutra states, "At that time, Shariputra's mind danced with
joy. Then he immediately stood up, pressed his palms together, gazed up in
reverence at the face of the World Honored One."
'Shariputra' represents the physical and spiritual activities of all
persons in the ten worlds. Now Nichiren and his disciples who chant Nam Myoho
Renge Kyo are all Shariputras. One 'dances with joy' when one
comes to the realization that the phenomena of the body and mind are the Mystic
Law. 'Pressing' refers to myo or Mystic, while 'palms'
refer to ho or the Law. 'Together' means the 'world of Buddhahood'
and 'palms' mean the other nine worlds. (Gosho Zenshu p. 722)
The sutra states, "But now I have heard from the Buddha what I
never heard before, a Law never before known in the past, and it has ended all
my doubts and regrets. My body and mind are at ease and I have gained a
wonderful feeling of peace and security." 'I have heard from the Buddha' refers to the disciples of Nichiren.
This passage explains the doctrines of 'threefold contemplation in a single
mind' and the 'three thousand realms in a single moment of life' whereby we
attain Buddhahood in our present form. Provisional teachings offer neither ease
nor peace. According to the orally transmitted teachings, 'my body and mind
are at ease' indicates the principle of 'earthly desires are enlightenment'
and the 'sufferings of birth and death are nirvana.' 'Body' here
indicates that the sufferings are nirvana and 'mind' that 'earthly
desires are enlightenment.' The joy of mouth is chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo.
The joy of mind arises from the elimination of the obstacle of darkness. (Gosho Zenshu p. 7 The sutra states, "When I heard the sound of this Law."
'Hearing' means to take faith in the Lotus Sutra and 'a voice'
indicates the voice and sound [i.e. rhythm] of all phenomena, which signifies
the Mystic Law. Regarding this 'voice,' the fourth chapter says 'we
will take the voice of the Buddha way and cause it to be heard by all.' 'All'
means human beings living in the phenomenal world, and 'voice' means Nam
Myoho Renge Kyo. (Gosho Zenshu p.
7 The sutra states, "This house has only one gate." (LS p. 56, 3LS p. 86)
Chapter Five of the Hokke Mongu states, 'This house has only one
gate' serves to illustrate [the meaning of] the earlier passage 'by means
of various teachings, I declare the Buddha way.' This gateway, moreover, has
two meanings. It is also the gateway out from the house and [also] the gateway
to the cart. The house represents birth and death, while the gateway is the
essential path of exit. [From this view,] it represents the conclusion of the
provisional teachings. The cart is the teaching of the Mahayana. The
gateway [viewed as opening into the Mahayana] represents the conclusion of the
perfect teaching. The five elements that make up the bodies of living beings, such as we, are
reflections of Myoho Renge kyo, and therefore we should use this Treasure Tower
chapter as our mirror. (Gosho Zenshu p.
724) The sutra Chapter states, "[The children will find constant
enjoyment] in mounting this jeweled vehicle and proceeding directly to the place
of practice." Embracing the Lotus Sutra is called 'proceeding directly to the place of
practice. [wisdom throne]' It is not the case that he [votary] leaves his
present place and goes elsewhere. Now the dwellings of Nichiren and his
disciples who chant Nam Myoho Renge Kyo, whether in the mountains,
valleys or the wide plains, is in every case the Land of Tranquil Light.
The 'one gate' [leading out of the burning house] means faith in the
Lotus Sutra. The [great white ox] cart indicates the Lotus Sutra itself.
The ox represents Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. The [burning] house
represents earthly desires. [Mounting the great white ox cart,] we travel the
cycle of birth and death secure upon the earth of our inherent enlightened
nature. (Gosho Zenshu p. 724)
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