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Record
of the Orally Transmitted
Teachings of Nichiren Daishonin
- Ongi Kuden -
Chapter 17: Distinction of Benefits [Funbetsu Kudoku]
Those [bodhisattvas] who had heard in the prior [Juryo] chapter about the Buddha's true identity as the Thus Come One are inherently endowed with the three enlightened properties whose life is eternal, themselves come to believe in and understand the "inherent three enlightened properties.' [This] chapter clarifies the benefit that these bodhisattvas accrue through their belief and understanding. In other words, when they believe and understand the three enlightened properties, they then recognize that the earthly desires of the three poisons innate to living beings in each of the ten worlds are the benefit of the Mystic Law. The benefit is that they awaken to the fact that their own life is inherently an entity of Nam Myoho Renge Kyo. (Gosho Zenshu p. 799)
The sutra states, "Hearing [in the Juryo-hon] that the Buddha's life is immeasurable, all beings are filled with joy." (LS p. 237, 3LS p. 261)
The object of worship is the entity of the life of the votary of the Lotus Sutra. (Gosho Zenshu p. 760)
The sutra states, "Who follow principle in understanding the Buddha's words." (LS p. 239, 3LS p. 263)
One who believes in the Gohonzon is in the stage of myoji-soku [second-stage of faith]. (Gosho Zenshu p. 760)
The sutra states, "Ajita, if there are living beings who, upon hearing [in the Juryo-bon] that the life span of the Buddha is of such long duration, are able to believe and understand it for even a moment, - the benefits they gain thereby will be without limit or measure." (LS p. 237, 3LS p. 261)
The word 'believe' [in this phrase] is the causal seed for obtaining all kinds of wisdom. It is the sword that can sever the final stage of delusion, the illusion of the fundamental darkness of life. In faith lies understanding, and in understanding lies faith. But faith is what determines our Buddhahood. (Gosho Zenshu p. 760-61).
The sutra states, "[I]f he holds onto the blessing of this single-mindedness, and with it seeks the unsurpassed way, saying: 'I will gain comprehensive knowledge and exhaust all states of meditation!'" (LS p. 238-39, 3LS p. 262)
This passage tells us that all practices and good acts are only for the purpose of manifesting the three bodies of the single mind of inherent Buddhahood. Because good and evil [in one's mind] are ultimately one, both constitute the blessings of this one mind, and Nam Myoho Renge Kyo is this one mind of blessings. (Gosho Zenshu p. 790)
The sutra states, "So I say, if after the Thus Come One enters extinction, there are those who accept, uphold, read and recite this sutra or preach it to others keep the precepts, practice forbearance, and display diligence, single mindedness and wisdom!" (LS p. 241, 3LS p. 265)
Precepts, meditation and wisdom are the Three Great Secret Laws of the Juryo [16th] Chapter. (Gosho Zenshu p. 760)
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