Diligent Practice

TOKIDONO GOSHO

Nichiren’s followers must strive to attain Buddhahood by shortening sleeping hours and by cutting the time for rest. If not, you will repent forever.

(Background: August 23, 1277, 55 years old, at Minobu, Showa Teihon, p.1373)

Explanatory note

Nichiren himself reached the realization that he is the manifestation of the Bodhisattva Visista Charitra (Jogyo Bosatsu) through his understanding and practice of the Lotus Sutra and through the four major and numerous lesser persecutions.
The above quotation is from the last section of his letter to Lord Toki, in which Daishonin shows what is expected of his followers. He says, “Do not sleep too long and do not waste time; concentrate on the attainment of Buddhahood at all times.”

How strict he was!

Such an intensity is required if we are to live for our faith. As we reflect on our behavior, we notice that some of us gladly torture ourselves to pass examinations, or we don’t complain of hardships if they were for the attainment of our business goals. But these are only transient goals. Our true goal has to be the perfection of ourselves as human beings. It is a difficult task indeed to keep the above oath in mind all the time. We must, however, continuously reaffirm the religious goal and never let it escape from our mind.

Rev. Ikuta

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