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Reply to Lord Matsuno
- Matsuno-dono Gohenji -
BACKGROUND:
Nichiren Daishonin
wrote this letter at Mount Minobu to Lord Matsuno Rokuro Zaemon, one of his
followers, who lived in Matsuno Village in Ihara District, Suruga Province. Lord
Matsuno had apparently been introduced to the Daishonin's teaching by his
daughter, the wife of Nanjo Hyoe Shichiro and the mother of Nanjo Tokimitsu. His
second son, Nichiji, later became one of the six senior priests. Lord Matsuno
often sent offerings to Nichiren Daishonin and visited him at Minobu from time
to time. In this letter, the Daishonin expresses his appreciation for Matsuno's
offerings and encourages him to chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with earnest faith
throughout his life; in this way, he will be able to attain the state of
Buddhahood at the moment of his death.
In the Daishonin's teaching, the moment of death marks both the final
reckoning of accounts for this lifetime and the point of departure for the next;
it is a moment of great significance. By establishing firm faith in this
lifetime, one can awaken to the eternity of life and realize the state of
happiness that transcends both birth and death; one can face death with
equanimity.
Nichiren Daishonin taught that faith in the Gohonzon enables one to attain
Buddhahood in the present world. However, because of the prevalence of teachings
emphasizing salvation in the next world, such as those of Honen's Pure Land
sect, and because Lord Matsuno was concerned about his next life (he in fact
died the following year), the Daishonin here emphasizes the blessings that one
who chants Nam-myoho-renge-kyo will experience at life's final moment. The
wording of the major part of this Gosho is very similar to that of the last
paragraph of "The Fourteen Slanders"
Designed by Will Kallander