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On Flowers and Seeds
- Keka Joju Gosho -
I have not heard from either of you since that time. But I was very pleased to learn that you read at Kasagamori the two
letters I wrote in the Kenji era in memory of the saint Dozen-bo.
If a tree is deeply rooted, its branches and leaves will never wither. If the spring is inexhaustible, the stream will
never run dry. Without wood, the fire will burn out. Without earth, plants cannot grow. Nichiren is like the plant, and my
master, the earth. I, Nichiren, am indebted solely to my revered teacher, Dozen-bo, for the fact that I have become the votary
of the Lotus Sutra and that now I am widely talked about, both in a good and bad sense.
There are four leaders of the Bodhisattvas of the Earth: The first is called Jogyo...and the fourth, Anryugyo. If Bodhisattva
Jogyo appears in the Latter Day of the Law, so must Bodhisattva Anryugyo.
The rice plant flowers and bears grain, but its spirit remains in the soil. Therefore, the stalk sprouts to flower and
bear grain once again. The blessings which I, Nichiren, obtain from propagating the Lotus Sutra will return to Dozen-bo. How
sublime! It is said that if a master has a good disciple, both will attain Buddhahood, but if a master fosters a bad disciple,
both will fall into hell.
If master and disciple are not of the same mind, they cannot accomplish anything. I will elaborate on this point later.
You should always talk with one another and surmount the sufferings of life and death to attain the pure land of Eagle
Peak, where you may agree to speak in one mind.
The sutra reads , "They will display the three poisons and
appear to cherish misleading philosophies. This is the means by which my disciples save the people."
Be sure to keep in mind what I have stated thus far.
Respectfully,
Nichiren
The fourth month in the first year of Koan (1278)
It has always been a dream of mine to be able to see the sun rise from my bedroom window.
Well, it came true.
Click on the above picture to see January 1, 2007 sunrise.
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