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Record
of the Orally Transmitted
Teachings of Nichiren Daishonin
- Ongi Kuden -
Chapter 21: The Mystic Powers of the
Tathagata [Nyorai Jinriki]
The sutra states, "As the light of the sun and moon can banish all
obscurity and gloom, so this person as he passes through the world can wipe out
the darkness of living beings, causing immeasurable numbers of bodhisattvas in
the end to dwell in the single vehicle. Therefore a person of wisdom, hearing
how keen are the benefits to be gained, after I have passed into extinction
should accept and uphold this sutra. Such a person assuredly and without doubt
will attain the Buddha way." Myoho Renge Kyo is not the Mystic Law of Shakyamuni,
because when the events in this chapter take place, the essence of the sutra has
already been transmitted to Bodhisattva Jogyo. Generally speaking, this
entrustment of Myoho Renge Kyo to Bodhisattva Jogyo begins in the Ken Hoto [10th]
chapter [of the Lotus Sutra], becomes apparent with the Juryo [16th]
chapter [of the Lotus Sutra], and comes to an end with the Jinriki [21st] and Zokurui [22nd]
chapters [of the Lotus Sutra], . 'Thus Come One' refers to all living
beings, as has already been explained in the earlier Juryo [16th]
chapter [of the Lotus Sutra]. (Gosho
Zenshu p. 77 The sutra states, "The Buddha 'extended his long broad tongue
upward till it reached the Brahma heaven." The tongue being 'broad' indicates that the Mystic Law can save
all beings in the Ten Worlds, and the tongue being 'long'
indicates that the Law has existed from time without beginning. (Gosho Zenshu p. 77 The sutra states, "The living beings also saw Shakyamuni Buddha
and [Taho Buddha] seated together on a lion seat in the treasure tower."
The [first] 'shi' of shishi [lion] means 'master' and the
second 'shi' means disciple. (Gosho
Zenshu p. 771)
The sutra states, "All of the doctrines possessed by the Thus Come
One, all of the freely exercised supernatural powers of the Thus Come One , all
of the secret essentials of the Thus Come One , and all of the most profound
matters of the Thus Come One are proclaimed, revealed and expounded in this
sutra." 'This sutra' refers to the twenty-eight chapters of the Lotus Sutra. 'Four'
[of the four above essentials] signifies the four principles of name, function,
entity, and equality, and the most profound matters are the five characters of
the Daimoku. Transmission means to transfer Myoho Renge Kyo to Bodhisattva
Jogyo. The interpretation is clear. The Nam Myoho Renge Kyo that I,
Nichiren propagate today is the entity and the heart. (Gosho Zenshu p. 771)
The sutra states, "For this reason, after the Thus Come One has
entered extinction, you must single-mindedly accept, uphold, read, recite,
explain, preach, and transcribe it, and practice it as directed." The exercise of the great power of forbearance by the bodhisattvas of the
essential teaching in proclaiming and propagating Myoho Renge Kyo is
known as saha. 'Forbearance' means the Land of Eternally
Tranquil Light. This mind of forbearance is called Shakyamuni Buddha.
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