Question: In the Hoben chapter of Volume One of the Lotus Sutra is the passage: "The true entity of all phenomena can only be understood and shared between Buddhas. This reality consists of the appearance, nature...and their consistency from beginning to end." What does this passage mean?

Answer: It means that all beings and their environments in any of the Ten Worlds, from Hell at the lowest to Buddhahood at the highest, are, without exception, the manifestations of Myoho-renge-kyo. Where there is an environment, there is life within it. Miao-lo states, "Both life (shoho) and its environment (eho) always manifest Myoho-renge-kyo."¹ He also states, "The true entity is invariably revealed in all phenomena, and all phenomena invariably possess the Ten Factors. The Ten Factors invariably function within the Ten Worlds, and the Ten Worlds invariably entail both life and its environment"² And, "Both the life and environment of Hell exist within the life of Buddha. On the other hand, the life and environment of Buddha do not transcend the lives of common mortals."³ Such precise explanations leave no room for doubt. Thus, all life in the universe is clearly Myoho-renge-kyo. Even the two Buddhas, Shakyamuni and Taho, are the functions of Myoho-renge-kyo who appeared to bestow its blessings upon mankind. They manifested themselves as the two Buddhas and, seated together in the Treasure Tower, nodded in mutual agreement.

No one but Nichiren has ever revealed these teachings. T'ien-t'ai, Miao-lo and Dengyo knew in their hearts but did not declare them aloud. There was reason for their silence: The Buddha had not entrusted them with this mission, the time had not yet come, and they had not been the Buddha's disciples from ages past. No one but Jogyo, Muhengyo and the other leaders of the Bodhisattvas of the Earth can appear during the first five hundred years of the Latter Day to spread the Law of Myoho-renge-kyo. Only they are qualified to inscribe the object of worship which physically manifests the ceremony of the two Buddhas seated together in the Treasure Tower. This is because both the Law and the object of worship are the reality of ichinen sanzen revealed in the Juryo chapter of the essential teaching.

The two Buddhas, Shakyamuni and Taho, are merely functions of the true Buddha, while Myoho-renge-kyo actually is the true Buddha. The sutra explains this as "the Tathagata's secret and his mystic power."⁴The "secret" refers to the entity of the Buddha's three properties and the "mystic power" to their functions. The entity is the true Buddha and the function, a provisional Buddha. The common mortal is the entity of the three properties, or the true Buddha. The Buddha is the function of the three properties, or a provisional Buddha. Shakyamuni is thought to have possessed the three virtues of sovereign, teacher and parent for the sake of us common mortals, but on the contrary, it is the common mortal who endowed him with the three virtues.

T'ien-t'ai explains the Tathagata as follows: "Nyorai is the title of the Buddhas of the ten directions and three existences, of the two Buddhas⁵and the three Buddhas,⁶ and of all the Buddhas, true and provisional."⁷Here the "true Buddha" is the common mortal, whereas "provisional Buddhas" means the Buddha. Nevertheless, there is a clear distinction between a Buddha and a common mortal, in that a common mortal is deluded while a Buddha is enlightened. The common mortal fails to realize that he himself possesses both the entity and the function of the Buddha's three properties. 

"All phenomena" in the sutra refers to the Ten Worlds, and the "true entity" is what permeates the Ten Worlds. Reality⁸is another expression for Myoho-renge-kyo; hence Myoho-renge-kyo is manifest in all phenomena. Hell appears hellish; that is the reality of Hell. When Hunger emerges, the reality of Hell is no longer present. A Buddha exhibits the reality of a Buddha, and a common mortal, that of a common mortal. All phenomena are themselves manifestations of Myoho-renge-kyo. This is the meaning of "all phenomena reveal the true entity." T'ien-t'ai states, "The profound principle of 'true entity' is the original law of Myoho-renge-kyo,"⁹thus identifying the phrase "true entity" with the theoretical teaching and "the original law of Myoho-renge-kyo" with the essential teaching. You should ponder this passage deep in your heart. 

Although not worthy of the honor, Nichiren was nevertheless the first to spread the Mystic Law entrusted to Bodhisattva Jogyo for propagation in the Latter Day of the Law. Nichiren was also the first to inscribe the Gohonzon, which is the embodiment of the Buddha from the remote past as revealed in the Juryo chapter of the essential teaching, of Taho Buddha who appeared when the Hoto chapter of the theoretical teaching was preached, and the Bodhisattvas of the Earth who emerged with the Yujutsu chapter. No matter how people may hate Nichiren, they cannot possibly alter the fact of his enlightenment.

To have exiled Nichiren to this remote island is therefore a sin that can never be expiated, even with the passing of countless aeons. A passage from the Hiyu chapter reads, "Not even an aeon would be time enough to explain the full gravity of this sin." On the other hand, not even the wisdom of the Buddha can fathom the blessings one will obtain by giving alms to Nichiren and by becoming his disciple. The Yakuo chapter reads, "Not even with the Buddha's wisdom can one measure these benefits."

Nichiren alone began to carry out the task of the Bodhisattvas of the Earth. He may even be one of them. If Nichiren should be a Bodhisattva of the Earth, then so must his disciples. The Hosshi chapter states, "If there is someone, whether man or woman, who secretly teaches to one person even a single phrase of the Lotus Sutra, let it be known that he is the envoy of the Buddha, sent to carry out the Buddha's work." Who else but us can this possibly refer to?

When one is praised highly by others, he feels there is no hardship he cannot bear. Such is the courage which springs from words of praise. The votary born in the Latter Day of the Law who propagates the Lotus Sutra will encounter the three powerful enemies, who will cause him to be exiled and even sentence him to death. Yet Shakyamuni Buddha will enfold in his robe of mercy those who nonetheless persevere in propagating. All gods will make them offerings, support them with their shoulders and carry them on their backs. They possess supreme good fortune and qualify as leaders of all mankind. Thus extolled by Shakyamuni Buddha, Taho Buddha and all of the other Buddhas and bodhisattvas, the seven ranks of heavenly gods and five ranks of earthly gods,¹⁰Kishimojin and her ten daughters, the Four Heavenly Kings, Bonten, Taishaku, King Emma, the gods of the waters and winds, the gods of the seas and mountains, Dainichi Buddha, Bodhisattvas Fugen and Monju and the gods of the sun and the moon, Nichiren has been able to endure countless harsh trials. When praised, one does not consider his personal risk, and when criticized, he can recklessly cause his own ruin. Such is the way of common mortals.

No matter what, maintain your faith as a votary of the Lotus Sutra, and forever exert yourself as Nichiren's disciple. If you are of the same mind as Nichiren, you must be a Bodhisattva of the Earth. And since you are a Bodhisattva of the Earth, there is not the slightest doubt that you have been a disciple of the Buddha from the remotest past. The Yujutsu chapter states, "I have taught these people since the remotest past." There should be no discrimination among those who propagate the five characters of Myoho-renge-kyo in the Latter Day of the Law, be they men or women. Were they not Bodhisattvas of the Earth, they could not chant the daimoku. Only I, Nichiren, at first chanted Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, but then two, three and a hundred followers, chanting and teaching others. Likewise, propagation will unfold, this way in the future. Doesn't this signify "emerging from the earth?" At the time of kosen-rufu, the entire Japanese nation will chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, as surely as an arrow aimed at the earth cannot miss the target.

But now you must build your reputation as a votary of the Lotus Sutra and devote yourself to it. Shakyamuni Buddha and Taho Buddha, seated in the Treasure Tower in the air, surrounded by all other Buddhas and bodhisattvas, nodded in agreement. What they decided upon was solely for the perpetuation of the True Law throughout the Latter Day. Taho Buddha had offered Shakyamuni Buddha a place beside him, and when they unfurled the banner of Myoho-renge-kyo, the two leaders of the entire multitude made their decision together. Could there have been anything false in their decision? Their ultimate purpose in meeting was to provide a way for all of us ordinary people to attain Buddhahood.

Although I was not at that ceremony, in looking at the sutra, this is crystal-clear. On the other hand, I may have been at the ceremony, but since I am a common mortal, it is beyond my power to know the past. There is no doubt, however, that in the present life I am the votary of the Lotus Sutra, and that in the future I will therefore reach the seat of enlightenment. Judging the past from this point of view, I must have been at the ceremony in the air. There can be no discontinuity between past, present and future.

Because I view things in this way, I feel immeasurable delight even though I am now an exile. Joy as well as sorrow brings us to tears. Tears express our feeling for both blessings and misfortune. The one thousand arhats shed tears in memory of the Buddha, and in tears Bodhisattva Monju chanted Myoho-renge-kyo. From among those one thousand arhats, the venerable Ananda replied in tears, "Thus I heard."¹¹ Thereupon the tears of all the others fell, wetting their inkstones, and they wrote "Myoho-renge-kyo" followed by "Thus I heard." I, Nichiren, now feel exactly as they did. I am now in exile because I spread the teaching of Myoho-renge-kyo. I spread this teaching because I, too, "heard thus": Shakyamuni Buddha and Taho Buddha left Myoho-renge-kyo for the Japanese and all people in the future.

I cannot hold back my tears when I think of the great persecution confronting me now, or when I think of the joy of attaining Buddhahood in the future. Birds cry, but never shed tears. I, Nichiren, do not cry, but my tears flow ceaselessly. I shed my tears not for worldly affairs but solely for the sake of the Lotus Sutra. So indeed, they must be tears amrita.¹²

The Nirvana Sutra states that while the tears one sheds throughout his many existences on the death of his parents, brothers, sisters, wives, children and followers may surpass the quantity of water in all the seas, he weeps not a drop for Buddhism. One becomes a votary of the Lotus Sutra by virtue of his practice in past existences. It is karmic relationships that determine which among so many of the same kind of trees are made into images of Buddha. It is also because of karma that some Buddhas are born as provisional ones.

In this letter, I have written my most important teachings. Grasp their meaning and make them part of your life. Believe in the Gohonzon, the supreme object of worship in the world. Forge strong faith and receive the protection of Shakyamuni, Taho and all the other Buddhas. Exert yourself in the two ways of practice and study. Without practice and study, there can be no Buddhism. You must not only persevere yourself; you must also teach others. Both practice and study arise from faith. Teach others to the best of your ability, even if only a single sentence or phrase. Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.

With my deep respect,

Nichiren 

The seventeenth day of the fifth month 

Postscript: I have already passed on to you many of my important teachings. Those I have reveled to you in this letter are especially important. Is there not a mystic bond between us? Are you not the embodiment of one of the Four Bodhisattvas of the Earth headed by Jogyo who led bodhisattvas equal in number to the sands of the sixty thousand Ganges Rivers? There must be some profound reason for our relationship. I have given you some of the most important teachings relating to my own life and practice. Nichiren may be one of the countless Bodhisattvas of the Earth, for I have been chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo out of my desire to guide all the men and women in Japan. Hence the phrase of the sutra: "Among the bodhisattvas are four who led the entire multitude: The first is called Jogyo; [the second, Muhengyo; the third, Jyogyo; and the fourth, Anryugyo.] They are the four highest leaders."¹³Our deep relationship in the past has made you one of my disciples. By all means keep these matters to yourself. Nichiren has herein committed to writing the teachings of his own enlightenment. I will end here. 
--
Major Writings of Nichiren Daishonin Vol. I, page 89.

Pitanje: U poglavlju Hoben u Prvom delu Lotos Sutre je ovaj odeljak: "Prava suština svih pojava može biti shvaćena i ovo shvatanje razmenjeno jedino među budama. Ta stvarnost se sastoji od pojave, prirode… i njihove konsistentnosti od početka do kraja".

Odgovor: To znači da su sva bića i njihovo okruženje u svakom od Deset Svetova, od Pakla kao najnižeg do Budastva kao najvišeg, bez izuzetka, manifestacije Mjoho-renge-kjoa. Gde god postoji neko okruženje, postoji život u njemu. Miao-lo drži da "i život (šoho) i njegovo okruženje (eho) uvek manifestuju Mjoho-renge-kjo".¹ On takođe smatra da je "prava suština nepromenljivo otkrivena u svim pojavama i da sve pojave nepromenljivo poseduju Deset Faktora. Deset Faktora nepromenljivo funkcionišu unutar Deset Svetova, a Deset Svetova nepromenljivo iziskuju i život i njegovo okruženje.² I dalje, "i život i okruženje Pakla postoje unutar Budinog života. S druge strane, život i okruženje Bude ne transcendiraju živote običnih smrtnika".³ Takva precizna objašnjenja ne ostavljaju mesta sumnji. Prema tome, sav život u univerzumu je čist Mjoho-renge-kjo. Čak su i dvojica buda, Šakjamuni i Taho, funkcije Mjoho-renge-kjoa koje su se pojavile da daruju svoj blagoslov čovečanstvu. Manifestovale su se kao dvojica buda i, sedevši zajedno u Tvrđavi s blagom, klimali su glavama u međusobnoj saglasnosti. 

Niko osim Ničirena nikada nije otkrio ova učenja. Tjen-taju, Miao-lou i Dengju su ona bila poznata u srcima, ali ih nisu naglas objavili. Postojao je razlog njihovom ćutanju: Buda im nije poverio tu misiju, vreme još nije bilo došlo i, nisu bili Budini učenici iz ranijeg perioda. Niko sem Đogja, Muhengja i ostalih vođa Bodisatvi Zemlje ne može se pojaviti tokom prvih pet stotina godina Potonjeg Dana da širi Zakon Mjoho-renge-kjoa. Samo su oni kvalifikovani da ispišu predmet poštovanja koji fizički manifestuje ceremoniju dvojice Buda koji sede zajedno u Tvrđavi S Blagom. To je stoga jer su i Zakon i predmet poštovanja stvarnost ičinen sanzena otkrivena u Đurjo poglavlju suštinskog učenja.

Dvojica buda, Šakjamuni i Taho, su samo funkcije istinskog Bude, dok je Mjoho-renge-kjo zapravo pravi Buda. Sutra ovo objašnjava kao "tajnu Takodošavšeg i njegovu mističnu moć".⁴ "Tajna" se odnosi na suštinu triju Budinih svojstava, a "mistične moći" na njihove funkcije. Suština je istinski buda i funkcija, privremeni buda. Običan smrtnik je suština triju svojstava, ili istinski buda. Buda je funkcija triju svojstava, ili privremeni buda. Šakjamuni je mislio da ima tri vrline vladara, učitelja i roditelja za dobro nas običnih smrtnika, ali naprotiv, običan smrtnik je taj koji ga je obdario trima vrlinama.

Tjen-taj objašnjava Takodošavšeg ovako: "Njorai je ime Budâ deset pravaca i tri postojanja, dvojice Buda⁵ i trojice Buda⁶ i svih Buda, istinskih i privremenih".⁷Ovde je "istinski Buda" običan smrtnik, dok "privremeni Buda" znači Buda. I pored toga, postoji jasna razlika između jednog bude i običnog smrtnika u tome što je običan smrtnik obmanut a buda prosvetljen. Običan smrtnik ne shvata da ima i suštinu i funkciju budina tri svojstva.

"Sve pojave" u sutri se odnose na Deset Svetova, a "prava suština" je ono što ih prožima. Stvarnost⁸ je još jedan izraz Mjoho-renge-kjoa; otuda je Mjoho-renge-kjo manifestan u svim pojavama. Pakao se pokazuje kao paklenost; to je stvarnost Pakla. Kada izbija Glad, stvarnost Pakla nije više prisutna. Buda prikazuje stvarnost jednog bude, a običan smrtnik stvarnost običnog smrtnika. Sve pojave su same manifestacije Mjoho-renge-kjoa. To je značenje izraza "sve pojave otkrivaju pravu suštinu". Tjen-taj tvrdi: "Duboki princip 'prave suštine' je izvorni zakon Mjoho-renge-kjoa",⁹ izjednačavajući tako izraz "prava suština" sa teorijskim učenjem, a "izvorni zakon Mjoho-renge-kjoa" sa suštinskim učenjem. Treba da proučiš ovaj deo duboko u svom srcu.

Mada nije vredno pomena, Ničiren je ipak bio prvi u širenju Mističnog Zakona, što je povereno Bodisatvi Đogju da ga propagira u Potonjem Danu Zakona. Ničiren je takođe bio prvi koji je ispisao Gohonzon, koji je utelovljenje Bude iz daleke prošlosti, kao što je otkriveno u Đurjo poglavlju suštinskog učenja, Taho Bude koji se pojavio kada Hoto poglavlje teorijskog učenja beše propovedano i, Bodisatvi Zemlje koji su iskrsli sa Juđutsu poglavljem. Bez obzira koliko ljudi mogu da mrze Ničirena, ne mogu obezvrediti činjenicu njegovog prosvetljenja. 

Izgnati Ničirena na ovo daleko ostrvo je stoga takav greh koji nikada ne može biti okajan, čak ni posle bezbrojnih eona. Odeljak iz Hiju poglavlja kaže: "Čak ni ceo jedan eon ne bi bilo dovoljno vremena da se objasni puna težina tog greha". S druge strane, čak ni mudrist Bude ne može premeriti dubinu blagoslova koje će neko steći davanjem milodara Ničirenu i ako postane njegov učenik. Jakuo poglavlje piše: "Niko, čak ni budinom mudrošću, ne može izmeriti te dobrobiti".

Ničiren je sam počeo da sprovodi zadatak Bodisatvi Zemlje. On čak može biti i jedan od njih. Ako Ničiren treba da bude jedan Bodisatva Zemlje, onda to moraju biti i njegovi učenici. Hoši poglavlje tvrdi: "Ako postoji neko, bilo da je muškarac ili žena, ko tajno podučava nekog drugog čak i jednom jedinom izrazu iz Lotos Sutre, neka bude znano da je on poslanik Bude, poslan da izvrši Budino delo". Na koga bi se drugog osim na nas to moglo odnositi?

Ako je neko mnogohvaljen od strane drugih, on oseća da nema te teškoće koju ne bi mogao podneti. Takva je kuraž koja izvire iz reči hvale. Sledbenik rođen u Potonjem Danu Zakona koji propagira Lotos Sutru će se susresti sa tri moćna neprijatelja, koji će učiniti da bude izgnan i čak osuđen na smrt. Ali Šakjamuni Buda će sviti pod svoj plašt milosti one koji uprkos svemu istraju u propagiranju. Svi će im bogovi prinositi ponude, štititi ih svojim ramenima i nositi na svojim leđima. Takvi su u posedu najviše dobre sreće i osposobljeni su da budu vođe čitavog čovečanstva. Tako uznesen od strane Šakjamuni Bude, Taho Bude i svih drugih buda i bodisatvi, sedam kategorija nebeskih bogova i pet kategorija zemaljskih,¹⁰ od Kišimođin i njenih deset kćeri, Četiri Nebeska Kralja, Bontena, Taišakua, Kralja Emaa, bogova voda i vetrova, bogova mora i planina, Dainiči Bude, bodisatvi Fugena i Monđua i bogova sunca i meseca, Ničiren je bio sposoban da podnese bezbrojna uvredljiva iskušenja. Kada je neko hvaljen, onda ne razmišlja o ličnom riziku, a kada je kritikovan može lakomisleno prouzrokovati sopstvenu propast. Tako je to sa običnim smrtnicima.

Bez obzira na bilo šta, radi na očuvanju svoje vere kao sledbenika Lotos Sutre i zauvek se valjano trudi kao Ničirenov učenik. Ako si istih pogleda kao Ničiren, onda mora da si Bodisatva Zemlje. A pošto si Bodisatva Zemlje, nema ni najmanje sumnje da si u dalekoj prošlosti bio Budin učenik. Juđutsu poglavlje tvrdi: "Podučavao sam ove ljude još od davnih vremena". Ne treba da bude diskriminacije među onima koji propagiraju pet karaktera Mjoho-renge-kjoa u Potonjem Danu Zakona, bilo da su u pitanju žene ili muškarci. Da nisu Bodisatve Zemlje, ne bi mogli da recituju dajmoku. Jedino sam ja, Ničiren, isprva recitovao Nam-mjoho-renge-kjo, a zatim je dvoje, troje, pa stotinu sledbenika recitovalo i podučavalo druge. Na isti način će se propagiranje odvijati i u buduće. Zar to ne znači "iskrsavanje iz zemlje"? U vreme kosen-rufua, čitav japanski narod će recitovati Nam-mjoho-renge-kjo, i to je tako sigurno kao što strela naciljana u zemlju ne može da promaši metu.

Ali sada moraš izgraditi svoj ugled kao poklonik Lotos Sutre i posvetiti joj se. Šakjamuni Buda i Taho Buda, sedevši u Tvrđavi S Blagom u vazduhu, okruženi svim budama i bodisatvama, klimahu glavama u saglasnosti. Ono što su gore odlučili beše samo u cilju ovekovečenja Istinskog Zakona tokom Potonjeg Dana. Taho Buda je ponudio Šakjamuni Budi mesto pored sebe i kada razviše barjak Mjoho-renge-kjoa, dvojica vođa čitavog ovog mnoštva doneše svoju zajedničku odluku. Da li je moglo biti ičega lažnog u njihovoj odluci? Konačna svrha njihovog sastanka beše da se pribavi način dostizanja budastva za sve nas obične ljude.

Mada nisam bio na toj ceremoniji, gledajući na sutru, ovo je kristalno jasno. S druge strane, može biti da sam bio na toj ceremoniji, ali pošto sam običan smrtnik to je izvan moje moći da znam prošlost. Nema sumnje, međutim, da sam u sadašnjem životu poklonik Lotos Sutre i da ću stoga u budućnosti dostići sedište prosvetljenja. Prosuđujući o prošlosti sa ove tačke gledišta, mora da sam bio na ceremoniji u vazduhu. Ne može biti diskontinuiteta između prošlosti, sadašnjosti i budućnosti.

Stoga što tako gledam na stvari, osećam neizmerno uživanje čak i ako sam sada u izgnanstvu. Radost kao i patnja, dovode nas do suza. Suze izražavaju naša osećanja i blagoslova i nesreće. Hiljadu arhata lije suze u sećanju na Budu, a Bodisatva Monđu u suzama recituje Mjoho-renge-kjo. Usred te hiljade arhata, uvaženi Ananda odgovaraše u suzama: "Tako sam čuo".¹¹ Odmah zatim suze ostalih krenuše, kvasivši  njihove mastionice i oni ispisivahu "Mjoho-renge-kjo" praćeno sa "Tako sam čuo". Ja, Ničiren, osećam se sada isto tako kao i oni tada. Sada sam u izgnanstvu zato što širim učenje Mjoho-renge-kjoa. Širim to učenje stoga što sam, takođe, "tako čuo": Šakjamuni Buda i Taho Buda ostavili su Mjoho-renge-kjo japancima i svim ljudima u budućnosti.

Ne mogu zadržati suze kada mislim o ovom velikom proganjanju sa kojim sam sada suočen ili kada mislim na radost dostizanja budastva u budućnosti. Ptice plaču, ali nikada ne liju suze. Ja, Ničiren, ne plačem, ali moje suze teku neprestano. Lijem suze ne zbog zemaljskih stvari, već jedino zbog Lotos Sutre. To svakako mora da su suze besmrtnosti [amrita]¹².

Nirvana Sutra kaže da neko lije suze tokom mnogih svojih egzistencija zbog smrti svojih roditelja, braće, sestara, žena, dece i sledbenika, i da njihova količina može prevazići količinu vode u svim morima, ali ne prolije ni jednu kap zbog budizma. Neko postaje poklonik Lotos sutre vrlinom svog praktikovanja u prošlim postojanjima. Karmički odnosi su ti koji određuju koja su stabla od mnogih iste vrste izrađena u lik Bude. Takođe je stvar karme zašto su neke bude rođene kao prolazna bića.

U ovom pismu, zapisao sam svoja najvažnija učenja. Shvatite njihov smisao i učinite ih delom svog života. Verujte u Gohonzon, vrhovni predmet poštovanja na svetu. Iskujte snažnu veru i primite zaštitu Šakjamunija, Tahoa i svih drugih buda. Ulažite napor u praktikovanje i proučavanje. Bez ova dva puta, praktikovanja i izučavanja, ne može biti budizma. Ne smete biti obuzeti samo vlastitim nastojanjima; morate podučavati druge, takođe. I praksa i proučavanje proizlaze iz vere. Podučavajte druge najbolje što možete, čak jednoj jedinoj rečenici ili izrazu. Nam-mjoho-renge-kjo, Nam-mjoho-renge-kjo.

S dubokim poštovanjem,

Ničiren.

Sedamnaesti dan petog meseca.

Postscriptum: Već sam ti predao mnoga od mojih važnih učenja. Ova koja sam ti otkrio u ovom pismu su osobito važna. Zar ne postoji neka mistična veza među nama? Zar nisi utelovljenje jednog od Četiri Bodisatve Zemlje predvođenim Đogjom koji vodi bodisatve čiji je broj jednak broju zrna peska iz šezdeset hiljada reka Gang? Mora da postoji neki dubokoznačeći razlog našem odnosu. Dao sam ti neka od najvažnijih učenja koja se odnose na moj vlastiti život i praktikovanje. Ničiren može biti jedan od bezbrojnih Bodisatvi Zemlje zato što sam recitovao Nam-mjoho-renge-kjo iz zadovoljstva da vodim sve žene i muškarce Japana. Otuda recenica Lotos Sutre: "Među bodisatvama su dvojica koja vode celo mnoštvo: prvi se zove Đogjo; [drugi, Muhengjo; treći, Đjogjo; a četvrti Anrjugjo.] Oni su četvorica najviših vođa.¹³ Naš dubok odnos u prošlosti načinio te je jednim od mojih učenika. Svim sredstvima zadrži ove stvari za sebe. Ničiren je u njima izvršio zapis učenja vlastitog prosvetljenja. Ovde ću da završim.