FOREWORD
It is my greatest pleasure to publish The Life of Nichiren Daishonin on the occasion of commemorating the 800th anniversary of the advent of our Founder, Nichiren Daishonin.
The biographical writings of Nichiren Daishonin have been published in large numbers from various quarters including the other Buddhist sects. But, many of them do not correctly understand the Daishonin, and in most cases they describe the Daishonin merely as a bodhisattva who propagated the Lotus Sutra after many years of hardships and sufferings.
It is truly meaningful for the Overseas Department of Nichiren Shoshu to present The Life of Nichiren Daishonin so that our founder Nichiren Daishonin will be correctly recognized as the True Buddha in the Latter Day of the Law, for eternity.
The advent of Nichiren Daishonin in the Latter Day of the Law meets the Buddha’s prophesy, and the purpose of his advent is to lead each and every one of those without the seed of Buddhahood to enlightenment.
In the Gosho, Letter to Jakunichi-bo (Jakunichi bo-gosho), it is taught as follows:
The sutra states, “Just as the sunlight or the moonlight dispels the darkness, this person will practice [Myoho-Renge-Kyol in the world and eliminate [the fundamental] darkness of all living beings.” Carefully ponder on the meaning of these words.
“This person will practice [Myoho-Renge-Kyo) in the world” means that Bodhisattva Jogyo makes his advent in the first five hundred years of the Latter Day of the Law, reveals the light of the five characters of Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo, and illuminates the fundamental darkness and the darkness of earthly desires.
(Gosho, p. 1393)
The Daishonin made his advent in the Latter Day of the Law as the reincarnation of Bodhisattva Jogyo (Superior Practice). His status as Bodhisattva Jogyo, however, is a provisional identity in every regard. From the standpoint of the profound mystery of his inner realization, the Daishonin is the reincarnation of the Buddha with the property of intrinsically perfect wisdom from the infinite past of kuon-ganjo.
The Twenty-sixth High Priest Nichikan Shonin stated the following in his writing, The Meaning Hidden in the Depths (Montei hichin-sho):
From the superficial perspective of his external status, he is Nichiren, the reincarnation of Bodhisattva Jogyo. Based on the profound mystery of his inner realization, he is Nichiren, the reincarnation of the Buddha with the property of perfect wisdom. Thus, you should understand that his original identity is the Buddha with the property of perfect wisdom, his provisional identity is Bodhisattva Jogyo, and his true identity is Nichiren.
(Six-Volume Writings, p. 49)
Thus, it is most essential that we, the priesthood and laity of Nichiren Shoshu, revere our Founder Nichiren Daishonin as the True Buddha in the Latter Day of the Law, and unite in the spirit of many in body, one in mind, strictly following his teaching. Furthermore. we must devote ourselves to propagate Myoho-Renge-Kyo in order to achieve true world peace and the happiness of all mankind.
I would like to conclude my foreword by sincerely praying that all of you will read this book which was just issued, and make further efforts in your practice for yourself and others.
Nichinyo Hayase
The Sixty-eighth High Priest of Nichiren Shoshu
February 16, 2021
EDITORIAL PREFACE
In conjunction with the 800th anniversary of the advent of o Founder, Nichiren Daishonin, as one of the commemorative proje by our Commemorative Committee, the Nichiren Shoshu Overse Department compiled the writings related to the life of Nichi Daishonin based on The Authentic Biography of Nichiren Daish (Nichiren Daishonin Shoden) and Introduction to Nichiren She (Nichiren Shoshu Nyumon) and completed the English translation for publication.
For interpretations of the Gosho passages quoted, the Translation Committee used the Japanese version published in the Heisei Shimge Nichiren Daishonin Gosho. Furthermore, the guidance and lecture by the successive High Priests were consulted in order to convey th correct meaning of the passages.
The titles of the Gosho and other literary works are renderem in English. In most cases, the Japanese titles follow in parentheses Buddhist terminology is presented in English and rendered in lowe case, with a few exceptions, such as the “Latter Day of the Law.”
Although Japanese transliterations were given in the past wit macrons over the long vowels, the style of using macrons was now applied in this book, in order to maintain an overall consistency.
Chinese proper names and titles are rendered in Pinyin, instead o the older Wade-Giles system. Thus, the old spellings of T’ien-t’ai and Miao-lo are now rendered as Tiantai and Miaole.
We will be overjoyed if this translation of the life of our Founder Nichiren Daishonin helps the English-speaking believers carry out their faith and practice, while providing an opportunity to learn about Nichiren Daishonin, the True Buddha, and his teachings.
The Commemorative Committee for the 800th Anniversary
of the Advent of the Founder Nichiren Daishonin
February 16, 2021
