The Ten Major Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

Nikko Shonin designated ten of Nichiren Daishonin's writings as the most important of his works. Listed in chronological order, these ten are briefly described in the following paragraphs, including the background and main points.

1. ON CHANTING THE DAIMOKU OF THE LOTUS SUTRA. (Gosho Zenshu. pp. 1-16)

This Gosho was written at Matsubagayatsu, the Daishonin's residence at the time, and was dated May 28, 1260. It maintains that Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is the teaching for the Latter Day of the Law, the current era roughly beginning 2,000 years after Shakyamuni's death. Presented in a form of fifteen questions and answers, it establishes the supremacy of the Lotus Sutra over the provisional teachings.

It asserts that during this time period shakubuku, leading another to the correct Buddhist teaching by refuting his attachment to heretical views, is preferable to shoju gradually leading another to the true teaching without refuting his misconceptions. The recipient is unknown. This writing has not yet been translated into English.  Status:  Unavailable.

2. RISSHO ANKOKU RON (MW-2, pp. 3-51):

Submitted in remonstration to the retired regent, Hojo Tokiyori, on July 16, 1260, this Gosho is written in the form of a dialogue between a guest and his host. It attributes the disasters befalling Japan at the time to the people's slander of the Lotus Sutra and belief in false forms of Buddhism, particularly the Pure Land (Nembutsu) sect. It predicts that two further disasters, internal strife and foreign invasion, would occur if the country continues its support of mistaken teachings and heretical priests. The disasters predicted by the Daishonin ultimately occurred several years later. Status:  Available.

3. THE OPENING OF THE EYES (MW-2, pp. 71-222):

Nichiren Daishonin wrote this thesis over a two-year period while in exile on Sado Island. Dated February 1272, it was written for all his followers and was entrusted to Shijo Kingo, a samurai and a disciple of the Daishonin. Nichiren Daishonin reveals himself here to be the Buddha of the Latter Day of the Law who possesses the three virtues of parent, teacher and sovereign. The treatise concludes that the ultimate Law is hidden in the depths of the Juryo (sixteenth) chapter of the Lotus Sutra. It is known as the work that defines the true object of worship in terms of the Person.

Regarding this Gosho Nichiren Daishonin wrote, "I wanted to record the wonder I had experienced, in case I should be beheaded. The essential message in this work, which I entrusted to Shijo Kingo's messenger, is that the destiny of Japan depends solely upon me. A house without pillars collapses and a man without a soul is dead. I am the soul of the people of Japan" (MW-1, p.189). Status:   Available in Two Parts:  I & II.

4. THE TRUE OBJECT OF WORSHIP (MW-1, pp. 45-88):

Also written on Sado Island over a two-year period and dated April 25, 1273, this Gosho was entrusted to Toki Jonin, a government official and an early convert to the Daishonin's teachings. It is known as the work that defines the object of worship in terms of the Law because it sets forth the theoretical basis for the Gohonzon as the object of worship for attaining Buddhahood in the Latter Day. It teaches the principle of juji soku kanjin, which means that embracing the Gohonzon is in itself enlightenment. Status:  Available.

5. THE ESSENTIALS OF THE LOTUS SUTRA: (Gosho Zenshu, pp. 331-338)

Also entrusted to Toki Jonin, this Gosho, dated 1274, was written at Mount Minobu, where the Daishonin settled following his release from Sado Island. It defines Nam-myoho-renge-kyo as the essence of the Lotus Sutra and the true Law to be propagated in the Latter Day. It has not yet been translated into English. Status:  Unavailable.

6. THE SELECTION OF THE TIME (MW-3, pp. 79-191):

Written in 1275 from Mount Minobu, this Gosho was entrusted to Yui Nyudo, a follower of the Daishonin's living in Nishiyama in Suruga Province. It explains that there is a correct teaching for each of the three periods of the Former, Middle and Latter Days of the Law and that in the Latter Day the true Law of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is the correct teaching to be propagated. Status:  Available.

7. REPAYING DEBTS OF GRATITUDE (MW-4, pp. 171-280):

Written at Mount Minobu and dated July 21, 1276, this treatise was written in appreciation for the Daishonin's late teacher Dozen-ho. He sent it to his former senior priests Joken-bo and Gijo-bo at Seicho-ji temple, where he had previously studied. From the point of view of Buddhist doctrine, it discusses the vital importance of repaying debts of gratitude, especially to a teacher, and concludes that the way to repay such obligations fully is to embrace and propagate the Mystic Law. Status:  Available.

8. THE FOUR STAGES OF FAITH AND FIVE STAGES OF PRACTICE (Gosho Zenshu, pp. 338-343):

Dated April 10, 1277 and written at Mount Minobu to Toki Jonin, this Gosho discusses the four stages of faith and the five stages of practice indicated in the Funbetsu Kudoku (seventeenth) chapter of the Lotus Sutra. It defines the chanting of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo as the direct way of enlightenment in the Latter Day. Status:  Available.

9. LETTER TO SHIMOYAMA (Gosho Zenshu pp. 343-364):

This Gosho was written at Mount Minobu in June 1277 to Shimoyama Hyogo Goro Mitsumoto, the steward of Shimoyama in Kai Province. Inaba-bo Nichiei, one of the Daishonin's disciples who lived in Shimoyama, had tried to convert Mitsumoto and met with extreme opposition. Under Inaba-bo's name, Nichiren Daishonin wrote this treatise to the steward on behalf of his disciple. It points out the errors of the various sects and their deleterious effect upon the country. It also outlines the Daishonin's teachings and the reasons for his actions and urges Mitsumoto to abandon the Pure Land (Nembutsu) teachings and take faith in the Mystic Law. It has not yet been translated into English. Status:  Unavailable.

10. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ON THE OBJECT OF WORSHIP (Gosho Zenshu, pp. 365-374):

Written at Mount Minobu in September 1278 and sent to Joken-bo at Seicho-ji temple, this Gosho refutes the objects of worship of the various sects, particularly those of the Shingon sect. It established in terms of the sutras that the Daimoku of the Lotus Sutra, Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, is the true teaching for the Latter Day of the Law. It has not yet been translated into English. Status:   Unavailable.

THE TEN MAJOR WRITINGS OF NICHIREN DAISHONIN

(Source: Seikyo Times 6/89)

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