3 May 1275 (Age: 54)
On the second day of the fifth month. I received a horse-losl of taro, which had been thoroughly dried as hard as stones. From Ueno in Fuji you sent it all the way to the mountains of Minobu and accept it with deepest gratitude.
Among Shakyamuni Buddha’s ten major disciples there was one named Aniruddha. He was known as the foremost in divine insight and his abilities were on a par with those of Kashyapa, Shariputra, Maudgalyayana and Ananda.
Aniruddha was the second son of Dronodana, a grandson of King Simhahanu, and cousin to Shakyamuni Buddha. He had three names: Muhin, Nyoi and Muryo, meaning “no poverty,” “do anything at will” and “get meat without hunting” respectively. Each of these names was given for a profound reason.
Looking at his past lives, we see that once, in a time of famine, there lived a venerable Pratyekabuddha¹ named Rida who, like everyone else, was starving. When he had eaten nothing for seven days, Rida happened upon a hunter who lived deep in the forest. The hunter had a pot of cooked millet and when Rida begged for some, the hunter gave it all to him.
As a consequence of his virtuous act, the hunter was able to live a prosperous and meritorious life and for the next ninety-one kalpas, he was reborn again and again to a life of ease in the Worlds of Humanity and Rapture. Finally, he was born a prince, son of Dronodana.
Aniruddha’s golden rice bowl was never empty. He became an Arhat and acquired the power of divine insight enabling him to view all the major world systems at one time. In the fourth volume of the Lotus Sutra, Shakyamuni Buddha predicted that in the future, Aniruddha would become a Buddha called Universal Brightness (Fumyo). The Great Teacher Miao-lo commented on this as follows: “Although a bowl of millet is trivial, he offered all that he had and because the recipient of the offering was a venerable sage, he received meritorious consequences.” In other words, a bowl of cooked millet may be a trifle, but for the hunter who had nothing else to eat, it was precious. Because the hunter offered everything he had to the starving sage, he became an admirable man worthy of splendid rewards.
There are many stones here in the valley of Minobu, but there is no stone-like dried taro. It is summer now and people are occupied working in their fields. I hear that you are busy carrying out the orders to construct a shrine. Even at such a hectic time, you thought of me in this village on Mount Minobu, and have sent me these offerings.
I assume that you still miss your deceased father, and have made these offerings to Shakyamuni Buddha and the Lotus Sutra to show your appreciation for him. Bonten, Taishaku, the Gods of the Sun and the Moon and the Four Heavenly Kings have pledged to reside in the house of such a person. Naturally, a promise must be kept. Therefore, how could they break their pledge to the Buddha?
When the protection of the Heavenly Gods is nigh, those important to you may try to hinder your faith in the Lotus Sutra and great persecutions may befall you. Should that occur, you must have conviction that the Heavenly Gods are always protecting you and are making your faith and practice even stronger. Then, your father will truly attain Buddhahood and surely appear in order to protect you.
When faced with difficulties, make faith the foundation for all you do. Again, whenever someone hinders your faith in the Lotus Sutra, you should feel delighted.
With my deepest respect, The third day of the fifth month
Nichiren
Reply to Lord Ueno
Notes
1. A sage who awakens to the impermanence of all phenomena by perceiving the twelve links of causation. Corresponds to “Realization” of the Two Vehicles.
