500 Yojanas — Illustrated scenes from the Life of Nichiren Shōnin and the Lotus Sutra

500 Yojanas

Category: Nyonin

  • Table of Contents

    Below are the table of contents for the seven  volumes of the Writings of Nichiren  Shōnin and  Nyonin Gosho.  The  Nyonin Gosho listing identifies those letters not included in the seven volumes with “NOT IN WONS.”

    Doctrine 1

    1. Shugo Kokka-ron (ST doc. 15) (Treatise on Protecting the Nation) Page 1
    2. Sainan Kōki Yurai (ST doc. 20) (The Cause of Misfortunes) Page 81
    3. Sainan Taiji-shō (ST doc. 21) (Treatise on the Elimination of Calamities) Page 89
    4. Risshō Ankoku-ron (ST doc. 24) (Treatise on Spreading Peace Throughout the Country by Establishing the True Dharma) Page 105
    5. Ankoku-ron Soejō (ST doc. 48) (Covering Letter to the ” Risshō Ankoku-ron”)
    6. Ankoku-ron Gokanyurai (ST doc. 49) (The Reason for Submitting the ” Risshō Ankoku-ron”) Page 146
    7. Yadoya Nyūdō Sai-gojō (ST doc. 51) (Second Letter to Lay Priest Yadoya) Page 152
    8. Ankoku-ron Okugaki (ST doc. 69) (Postscript to the “Risshö Ankoku-ron” ) Page 154
    9. Ko Saimyōji Nyūdō Kenzan Gosho (ST doc. 71) (Meeting the Late Lay Priest Saimyöji Letter) Page 156
    10. Kingo-dono Go-henji (ST doc. 73) (A Reply to Lord Ota Jōmyō) Page 157
    11. Ankoku-ron Sōjō (ST doc. 108) (A Letter Requesting the “Risshō Ankoku-ron”) Page 160
    12. Musō Gosho (ST doc. 111) (Record of a Dream) Page 161
    13. Kassen Zai-Genzen Gosho (ST doc. 155) (A War Right Under Your Nose) Page 162
    14. Ken Risshō-i Shō (ST doc. 156) (A Tract Revealing the Gist of the “Risshō Ankoku-ron”) Page 163
    15. Shinkoku-ō Gosho (ST doc. 168) (Sovereigns of Our Divine Land) Page 167
    16. Senji-shō (ST doc. 181) (Selecting the Right Time) Page 187
    17. Gōnin-jō Go-henji (ST doc. 200) (Response to Gōnin’s Letter) Page 253
    18. Kangyō Hachiman-shō (ST doc. 395) (Remonstration with Bodhisattva Hachiman) Page 257

    Doctrine 2

    1. Jisshō-shō (ST doc. 81) (A Treatise on the Ten Chapters of the Great Concentration and Insight) Page 1
    2. Teradomari Gosho (ST doc. 92) (A Letter from Teradomari) Page 8
    3. Hasshū Imoku-shō (ST doc. 96) (A Treatise on the Differences of the Lotus Sect from Eight Other Sects) Page 15
    4. Kaimoku-shō (ST doc. 98) (Open Your Eyes to the Lotus Teaching) Page 29
    5. Toki-dono Go-henji (ST doc. 101) (A Response to Lord Toki) Page 118
    6. Shingon Shoshū Imoku (ST doc. 106) (The Differences between the Lotus Sect and Other Sects such as the True Word Sect) Page 120
    7. Kanjin Honzon-shō (ST doc. 118) (A Treatise Revealing the Spiritual Contemplation and the Most Venerable One) Page 126
    8. Kanjin Honzon-shō Soejō (ST doc. 119) (The Covering Letter of the “Kanjin Honzon-shō”) Page 168
    9. Kembutsu Mirai-ki (ST doc. 125) (A Testimony to the Prediction of the Buddha) Page 170
    10. Toki-dono Go-henji (ST doc. 126) (A Response to Lord Toki) Page 180
    11. Hakii Saburō-dono Go-henji (ST doc. 127) (A Response to Lord Hakii Saburō) Page 82
    12. Shōjō Daijō Fumbetsu-shō (ST doc. 136) (The Differences between Hinayana and Mahayana Teachings) Page 190
    13. Gochū Shujō Gosho (ST doc. 139) (“People in the World” Letter) Page 201
    14. Hokke Shuyō-shō (ST doc. 145) (A Treatise on the Essence of the Lotus Sutra) Page 204
    15. Risshō Kanjō (ST doc. 158) (A Treatise on Establishing the Right Way of Meditation) Page 218
    16. Risshō Kanjō Sōjō (ST doc. 165) (The Covering Letter to “A Treatise on Establishing the Right Way of Meditation’) Page 234
    17. Misawa-shō (ST doc. 275) (A Letter to Lord Misawa of Suruga) Page 238
    18. Shimon Butsujō-gi (ST doc. 277) (Listening to the One Buddha Vehicle Teaching for the First Time) Page 245
    19. Toki Nyüdō-dono Go-henji: Chibyō-shō (ST doc. 294) (A Response to Lay Priest Lord Toki: Treatise on Healing Sickness) Page 251
    20. Honzon Mondō Shō (ST doc. 307) Questions and Answers on the Honzon Page 258
    21. Toki Nyūdō-dono Go-henji: Hongon Shukkai-shō (ST doc. 310) (A Response to Lay Priest Lord Toki: Treatise on Overcoming Illusions of the Triple World by Provisional Teachings) Page 275
    22. Shokyō to Hokekyō to Nan’i no Koto (ST doc. 367) (The Difficulty and Easiness in Understanding the Lotus Sutra and Other Sutras) Page 281
    23. Sandai Hihō Honjō-ji (ST doc. 403) (The Transmission of the Three Great Secret Dharmas) Page 286

    Doctrine 3

    1. Hōon-jō (ST doc. 223) (Essay on Gratitude) Page 1
    2. Hōon-jō Sōmon (ST doc. 224) (Covering Letter to the “Hōon-jō”) Page 64
    3. Ichidai Shōgyō Tai-i (ST. doc. 10) (Outline of All the Holy Teachings of the Buddha) Page Page 66
    4. Kyōki Jikoku-shō (ST. doc. 29) (Treatise on the Teaching, Capacity, Time and Country) Page 96
    5. Ken Hōbō-shō (ST. doc. 31) (Clarification of Slandering the Time Dharma) Page 105
    6. Nanjō Hyōe Shichirō-dono Gosho (ST. doc. 38) (A Letter to Lord Nanjō Hyōe Shichirō) Page 138
    7. Soya Nyüdō-dono-gari Gosho (ST. doc. 170) (A Letter to Lay Priest Lord Soya) Page 147
    8. Shoshü Mondō-shō (ST doc. 5) (Questions and Answers on Other Schools) Page 175
    9. Hokke Jōdo Mondō-shō (ST doc. 94) (Questions and Answers on the Lotus and Pure Land Sects) Page 189
    10. Soya Nyüdō-dono Gosho (ST doc. 154) (A Letter to Lay Priest Lord Soya) Page 195
    11. Ōta-dono-gari Gosho (ST. doc. 159) (A Letter to Lord Ota) Page 197
    12. San Sanzō Kiu no Koto (ST. doc. 183) (Concerning the Prayer Services for Rain by Three Tripitaka Masters) Page 203
    13. Daigaku Saburō-dono Gosho (ST doc. 186) (A Letter to Lord Daigaku Saburō) Page 210
    14. Jikaku Daishi no Koto (ST doc. 361) (Concerning Grand Master Jikaku) Page 215
    15. Nizen Nijō Bosatsu Fusabutsu Ji (ST doc. 17) (Never-Attaining Buddhahood by the “livo Vehicles and Bodhisattvas in the Pre-Lotus Sutras) Page 218
    16. Nijō SabutsuJi (ST doc. 19) (Obtaining Buddhahood by the Two Vehicles) Page 224
    17. Ichidai Goji Keizu (ST doc. zu 20) (Genealogical Chart of the Buddha’s Lifetime Teachings) 237

    Volume 4, Faith and Practice

    1. Shō Hokke Daimoku-shō (ST. doc. 23) (Treatise on Chanting the Daimoku of the Lotus Sutra) Page 1
    2. Yakuō-bon Tokui-shō (ST. doc. 41) (The Essence of the “Medicine King Bodhisattva” Chapter) Page 27
    3. Hokke Daimoku-shō (ST. doc. 44) (Treatise on the Daimoku of the Lotus Sutra) Page 35
    4. Zemmui-shō (ST. doc. 46) (Treatise on Subhākarasimha) Page 49
    5. Kitō-shō (ST. doc. 1 13) (Treatise on Prayers) Page 57
    6. Shohō Jissō-shō (ST. doc. 122) (Treatise on All Phenomena as the Ultimate Reality) Page 74
    7. Nyosetsu Shugyō-shō (ST. doc. 124) (The Way of Practicing the Teaching of the Buddha) Page 81
    8. Mokue Nizō Kaigen no Koto (ST. doc. 138) (Opening the Eyes of Buddhist Images, Wooden Statues or Portraits) Page 89
    9. Hōkyō Hōjū Ji (ST. doc. 217) (Dharma Is More Precious Than Treasure) Page 94
    10. Jiri Kuyō Gosho (ST. doc. 230) (Phenomenal Offering and Noumenal Offering) Page 97
    11. Shishin Gohon-shō (ST. doc. 242) (The Four Depths of Faith and Five Stages of Practice) 100
    12. Ueno-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 246) (A Reply to Lord Ueno) Page 110
    13. Toki-dono Gosho (ST. doc. 255) (A Letter to Lord Toki) Page 115
    14. Sushun Tennō Gosho (ST. doc. 262) (The “Emperor Sushun” Letter) Page 119
    15. Ueno-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 276) (A Reply to Lord Ueno) Page 125
      16, Ueno-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 282) (A Reply to Lord Ueno) Page 127
    16. Dannotsu-bō Gohenji (ST. doc. 283) (Response to a Follower) Page 130
    17. Nichinyo Gozen Gohenji (ST. doc. 293) (A Response to My Lady Nichinyo) Page 132
    18. Myōhō-ama Gozen Gohenji (ST. doc. 301) (A Reply to My Lady, the Nun Myōhō) Page 140
    19. Sennichi-ama Gozen Gohenji (ST. doc. 302) (A Reply to My Land Nun Sennichi) Page 144
    20. Kurōtarō-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 317) (A Reply to Lord Kurōtarō) Page 152
    21. Zui-jii Gosho (ST. doc. 321) (The Sutra Preached in Accordance to [the Buddha’s} Own Mind) Page 154
    22. Ueno-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 350) (A Reply to Lord Ueno) Page 162
    23. Ota-dono Nyōbō Gohenji (ST. doc. 370) (A Response to the Wife of Lord Ota) Page 165
    24. Urabon Gosho (ST. doc. 374) (On the Ullambana Service) Page 171
    25. Ueno-dono Haha-ama Gozen Gohenji (ST. doc. 388) (A Response to My Lady the Nun, Mother of Lord Ueno) Page 177
    26. Hokke Shōmyō-shō (ST. doc. 429) (Treatise on the Testimony of the Lotus Sutra) Page 184

    Volume 5, Biography and Disciples

    1. Fudō-Aizen Kanken-ki (ST. doc. 3) (Record of Seeing Fudō and Aizen Myōō) Page 1
    2. Rondan Tekitai Gosho (ST. doc. 32) (On Religious Debate and Confrontation) Page 2
    3. Gyōbin Gohenji (ST. doc. 83) (Response to Gyōbin) Page 3
    4. Gyōbin Sojō Goetsū (ST. doc. 84) (Understanding Gyōbin’s Petition) Page 5
    5. Toki-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 86) (Reply to Lord Toki) Page 10
    6. Shōtō Shiji Gosho (ST. doc. 121) (Writing about the Right Time Now) Page 12
    7. Hokke Gyōja Chinan-ji (ST. doc. 140) (Difficulty of the Practicer of the Lotus Sutra) Page 13
    8. Mikyōtenchō Gosho (ST. doc. 143) (Mikyōtenchō Letter) Page 17
    9. Toki-dono Gosho (ST. doc. 144) (A Letter to Lord Toki) Page 18
    10. Shōnin Chi-sanze-ji (ST. doc. 157) (The Sage Knows the Three Periods) Page 19
    11. Shuju Onfurumai Gosho (ST. doc. 176) (Reminiscences: from Tatsunokuchi to Minobu) Page 21
    12. Kōnichi-bō Gosho (ST. doc. 213) (A Letter to Nun Kōnichi) Page 47
    13. Ha Ryōkan-tō Gosho (ST. doc. 236) (A Letter Refuting Ryōkan-bō and Others) Page 54
    14. Gense Muken Gosho (ST. doc. 239) (Hell of Incessant Suffering in This Life) Page 63
    15. Shimoyama Goshōsoku (ST. doc. 247) (The Shimoyama Letter) Page 65
    16. Yorimoto Chinjō (ST. doc. 249) (Yorimoto’s Letter of Explanation) Page 99
    17. Ajichi Shūfuku-sho (ST. doc. 268) (Repairing the Hermitage in Minobu) Page 113
    18. Kōan Kaigen-ji (ST. doc. 278) (Changing the Year Name to Kōan) Page 114
    19. Shonin Gohenji (ST. doc. 280) (Reply to the Followers) Page 115
    20. Ichidaiji Gosho (ST. doc. 334) (A Letter to a Matter of Importance) Page 116
    21. Shōnin Gonan Ji (ST. doc. 343) (Persecution Befalling Nichiren Shōnin) Page 117
    22. Taifū Gosho (ST. doc. 404) (A Letter Regarding Two Typhoons) Page 121
    23. Jibiki Gosho (ST. doc. 416) (Leveling the Ground Letter) Page 122
    24. Rōbyō Gosho (ST. doc. 417) (Letter of Old Age and Sickness) Page 124
    25. Minobu-san Gosho (ST. doc. 432) (Mt. Minobu Letter) Page 125
    26. Hakii-dono Gohō (ST. doc. 433) (Letter to Lord Hakii) Page 132
    27. Musashi-dono Goshōsoku (ST. doc. 13) (A Letter to Venerable Priest Musashi) Page 134
    28. Jūjū Bibasha Ron Tazune Idashi Gosho (ST. doc. 14) (A Letter Requesting for a Copy of the Commentary on the Ten Stages) Page 135
    29. Mikoshi Buri Gosho (ST. doc. 64) (Intimidation with the Portable Shrine) Page 137
    30. Ben-dono Goshōsoku (ST. doc. 65) (A Letter to Ben Acarya) Page 139
    31. Hōmon Mōsaru-beki-yō no Koto (ST. doc. 70) (The Way to Refute the Evil Teaching) Page 140
    32. Gonin Tsuchirō Gosho (ST. doc. 88) (A Letter co Five Disciples in the Dungeon) Page 153
    33. Ben-dono Goshōsoku (ST. doc. 109) (Letter to Ben Ācārya Nisshō) Page 155
    34. Ben-dono Ama Gozen Gosho (ST. doc. 129) (A Letter to My Lady the Nun of Ben-dono) Page 156
    35. Shōmitsu-bō Gosho (ST. doc. 148) (A Letter to Shōmitsu-bō) Page 158
    36. Bettō Gobō Gohenji (ST. doc. 149) (A Reply to the Head Priest) Page 165
    37. Jōrem-bō Gosho (ST. doc. 184) (A Letter to Jōrem-bō) Page 167
    38. Seichōji Daishü-chü (ST. doc. 205) (A Letter to the People Of the Seichōji Temple) Page 174
    39. Kakushō Gobō Gohenji (ST. doc. 436) (A Reply to Kakushō Gobō) Page 178
    40. Takenoko Gosho (ST. doc. 216) (Bamboo Shoot Letter) Page 179
    41. Kakushō-bō Gohenji (ST. doc. 221) (A Reply to Kakushō Gobō) Page 180
    42. Ben-dono Goshōsoku (ST. doc. 222) (A Letter to Nisshō Shōnin) Page 181
    43. Iwamoto Nitchū Shōnin Gohenji (ST. doc. 263) (A Reply to Iwamoto Nitchū Shōnin) Page 183
    44. Jissōji Gosho (ST. doc. 271) (A Letter to Buzen-kō at the Jissōji Temple) Page 185
    45. Rin’u Gosho (ST. doc. 289) (Letter of a Long Rain) Page 189
    46. Echigo-kō Gobō Gohenji (ST. doc. 437) (A Response to Echigo-kō Gobō) Page 190
    47. Hōki-dono Gosho (ST. doc. 342) (A Letter to Reverend Nikkō) Page 191
    48. Hōki-dono narabini Shonin Onchū (ST. doc. 438) (A Letter co Reverend Nikkō and Others) Page 192
    49. Hōki-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 344) (A Reply to Reverend Nikkō) Page 193
    50. Ryūsenji Mōshijō (ST. doc. 345) (Letter Of Explanation by Priests of the Ryüsenji Temple) Page 195
    51. Hendoku Iyaku Gosho (ST. doc. 346) (Letter on Changing Poison into Medicine) Page 202
    52. Ryōnin Onchū Gosho (ST. doc. 385) (Letter Addressed to the Two) Page 204
    53. Chimyō-bō Gohenji (ST. doc. 393) (A Reply to Chimyō-bō) Page 206
    54. Hōkiko Gobō Shōsoku (ST. doc. 428) (Letter to Reverend Nikkō) Page 209

    Volume 6, Followers 1

    1. Toki-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 2) (Response to Lord Toki) Page 1
    2. Monchü Tokui-shō (ST. doc. 66) (Writ of Summons as Our Rare Opportunity) Page 2
    3. Toki dono Goshōsoku (ST. doc. 67) (A Letter to Lord Toki) Page 4
    4. Toki-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 131) (Response to Lord Toki) Page 5
    5. Toki-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 162) (Response to Lord Toki) Page 6
    6. Onkoromo narabini Hitoe Gosho (ST. doc. 195) (Thank-you Note for a Clerical Robe and an Unlined Kimono) Page 8
    7. Sonrei Gobodai Gosho (ST. doc. 198) (Enlightenment Attained by the Soul of the Deceased) Page 10
    8. BōjikyōJi (ST. doc. 212) (Leaving the Personal Copy of the Lotus Sutra Behind) Page 11
    9. Dōjōjin Shugo-ji (ST. doc. 232) (Protective Deities for the Place of Practicing Buddhism) Page 15
    10. Nezumi Iruka no Koto (ST. doc. 251) (A Harbor Porpoise Letter) Page 17
    11. Toki Nyüdō-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 351) (A Reply to Lay Priest Lord Toki) Page 19
    12. Toki Nyüdō-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 364) (A Reply to Lay Priest Lord Toki) Page 20
    13. Toki-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 389) (A Reply to Lord Toki) Page 21
    14. Toki Nyüdō-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 413) (Response to Lay Priest Lord Toki) Page 23
    15. Esshū Chakunan narabini Saini no Koto (ST. doc. 414) (Legitimate Son of the Governor of Echigo and the Son’s Nun Wife) Page 27
    16. Teniü Kyōju Hōmon (ST. doc. 89) (Lightening the Karmic Retribution) Page 28
    17. Ōta Nyūdō-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 197) (A Reply to Lay Priest Lord Ota) Page 32
    18. Jobyō Gosho (ST. doc. 201) (Reporting the Recovery from Sickness) Page 38
    19. Jōmyō Shōnin Gohenji (ST. doc. 243) (A Reply to Holy Priest Ota Jōmyō) Page 39
    20. Jōmyō Shōnin Gohenji (ST. doc. 337) (A Reply to Venerable Jōmyō) Page 41
    21. Hōren-shō (ST. doc. 175) (Letter to Hōren) Page 42
    22. Soya Jirō Nyūdō-dono Gohō (ST. doc. 408) (Response to Lay Priest Lord Soya Jirō) Page 64
    23. Kyōdai-shō (ST. doc. 174) (A Letter to the Ikegami Brothers) Page 71
    24. Hyōesakan-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 248) (Answer to Lord Ikegami Munenaga) Page 85
    25. Hyōesakan-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 254) (Answer to Lord Ikegami Munenaga) Page 86
    26. Hyōesakan-dono Gosho (ST. doc. 260) (A Letter to Lord Ikegami Munenaga) Page 88
    27. Hyōesakan-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 266) (Answer to Lord Ikegami Munenaga) Page 91
    28. Hyōesakan-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 291) (Answer to Lord Ikegami Munenaga) Page 96
    29. Hyōesakan-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 296) (Reply to Lord Ikegami Munenaga) Page 99
    30. Hyōesakan-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 318) (Reply to Lord Ikegami Munenaga) Page 100
    31. Kōshi Gosho (ST. doc. 328) (A Letter to the Filial Sons) Page 103
    32. Tayūsakan-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 396) (Reply to Lord Ikegami Munenaga) Page 105
    33. Hachimangū Zōei no Koto (ST. doc. 405) (Concerning the Construction of the Hachiman Shrine) Page 109
    34. Shijō Kingo-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 112) (Response to Lord Shijō Kingo) Page 112
    35. Zuisō Gosho (ST. doc. 166) (Writing on Omens) Page 120
    36. Ōshajō-ji (ST. doc. 173) (Town of Rājagṛha) Page 126
    37. Shijō Kingo Shakabutsu Kuyō-ji (ST. doc. 220) (Opening the Eyes Service of Shijō Kingo’s Statue of Śākyamuni Buddha) Page 130
    38. Shijō Kingo-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 245) (A Reply to Lord Shijō Kingo) Page 137
    39. Shijō Kingo-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 250) (A Reply to Lord Shijō Kingo) Page 141
    40. Nakatsukasa Saemonnojō-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 295) (A Reply to Lord Nakatsukasa Saemonnojō) Page 145
    41. Fukō Gosho (ST. doc. 313) Intoku Yōhō Gosho (ST. doc. 331) (A Letter on Unfilial Children—A Letter on a Stealthy Benefaction and a Good Reward) Page 148
    42. Shijō Kingo-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 340) (A Reply to Lord Shijō Kingo) Page 150
    43. Shijō Kingo-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 424) (A Reply to Lord Shijō Kingo) Page 154
    44. Daigaku Saburō Gosho (ST. doc. 322) (A Letter to Daigaku Saburō) Page 156
    45. Kō Nyüdō-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 172) (A Reply to Lord Lay Priest of Kō) Page 158
    46. Ichinosawa Nyūdō Gosho (ST. doc. 178) (A Letter to Lay Priest of Ichinosawa) Page 160
    47. Hitatare Gosho (ST. doc. 133) (A Letter on the Hitatare Kimono) Page 168
    48. Daizen Daiaku Gosho (ST. doc. 167) (A Letter on the Great Virtue and Worst Vice) Page 169
    49. Hakumai Wakame Gosho (ST. doc. 204) (A Letter of Polished Rice and Wakame Seaweed) Page 170
    50. Butsugen Gosho (ST. doc. 259) (A Letter On the Buddha-eye) Page 171
    51. Jügatsu-bun Tokiryō Gosho (ST. doc. 309) (A Letter of Food Expenses for the Tenth Month) Page 172
    52. Daizu Gosho (ST. doc. 387) (A Letter on Soybeans) Page 173
    53. Naiki Sakon Nyudō-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 425) (A Reply to Lay Priest Lord Naiki Sakon) Page 174
    54. Haru no Hajima Gosho (ST. doc. 427) (Greetings of the New Year) Page 176
    55. Kawai-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 441) (A Reply to Lord Kawai) Page 177
    56. Oke Hisago Goshōsoku (ST. doc. 442) (Pails and Gourds Letter) Page 178

    Volume 7, Followers II

    1. Ueno-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 147) (Reply to Lord Ueno) Page 1
    2. Ueno-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 153) (Reply to Lord Ueno) Page 3
    3. Haru no Iwai Gosho (ST. doc. 161) (New Year’s Greetings) Page 7
    4. Ueno-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 177) (Reply to Lord Ueno) Page 9
    5. Nanjo-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 185) (Reply to Lord Nanjō) Page 12
    6. Nanjō-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 206) (Reply to Lord Nanjo) Page 15
    7. Nanjō-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 215) (Reply to Lord Nanjo) Page 17
    8. Ueno-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 252) (Reply to Lord Ueno) Page 22
    9. Tokimitsu-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 300) (Reply to Lord Tokimitsu) Page 24
    10. Ueno-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 314) (Reply to Lord Ueno) Page 27
    11. Ueno-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 325) (Reply to Lord Ueno) Page 29
    12. Ueno no Gōsu-ra Gohenji (ST. doc. 326) (Reply to Lord Ueno and Others) Page 31
    13. Ueno-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 338) (Reply to Lord Ueno) Page 32
    14. Ueno-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 357) (Reply to Lord Ueno) Page 34
    15. Ueno-dono Gohenii (ST. doc. 359) (Reply to Lord Ueno) Page 36
    16. Ueno-dono Gohenii (ST. doc. 372) (Reply to Lord Ueno) Page 37
    17. Ueno-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 377) (Reply to Lord Ueno) Page 39
    18. Nanjō-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 380) (Reply to Lord Nanjō) Page 40
    19. Nanjō-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 391) (Reply to Lord Nanjo) Page 41
    20. Ueno-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 394) (Reply to Lord Ueno) Page 43
    21. Ueno-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 402) (Reply to Lord Ueno) Page 46
    22. Ueno-dono Gosho (ST. doc. 406) (Letter to Lord Ueno) Page 48
    23. Nanjō-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 439) (Reply to Lord Nanjo) Page 49
    24. Ueno-dono Haha-ama Gozen Gosho (ST. doc. 74) (Letter to My Lady the Nun, Mother of Lord Ueno) Page 50
    25. Nanjō-dono Nyōbō Gohenji (ST. doc. 290) (Reply to the Wife of Lord Nanjo) Page 52
    26. Ueno-dono Goke-ama Gozen Gosho (ST. doc. 379) (A Letter to My Lady the Nun, Widow of Lord Ueno) Page 54
    27. Ueno-ama Gozen Gohenji (ST. doc. 400) (Response to My Lady, the Nun of Ueno) Page 56
    28. Ueno-ama Gozen Gohenji (ST. doc. 415) (Response to My Lady the Nun of Ueno) Page 58
    29. Ueno-dono Haha-ama Gozen Gohenji (ST. doc. 418) (Response to My Lady, the Nun Mother of Lord Ueno) Page 62
    30. Matsuno-dono Goshōsoku (ST. doc. 207) (Letter to Lord Matsuno) Page 64
    31. Matsuno-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 274) (Response to Lord Matsuno) Page 68
    32. Matsuno-ama Gozen Gohenji (ST. doc. 272) (Reply to My Lady, the Nun of Matsuno) Page 71
    33. Matsuno-dono Nyōbō Gohenji (ST. doc. 336) (Reply to the Wife of Lord Matsuno) Page 72
    34. Takahashi Nyūdō-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 187) (A Response to Lay Priest Lord Takahashi) Page 74
    35. Takahashi-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 189) (Reply to Lord Takahashi) Page 82
    36. Chie Bōkoku Gosho (ST. doc. 203) (Evil Wisdom Destroying the Country) Page 84
    37. Kubo-ama Gozen Gohenji (ST. doc. 288) (A Response to My Lady, the Nun of Kubo) Page 88
    38. Kubo-ama Gozen Gohenji (ST. doc. 297) (A Response to My Lady, the Nun of Kubo) Page 90
    39. Kubo-ama Gozen Gohenji (ST. doc. 333) (A Response to My Lady, the Nun of Kubo) Page 91
    40. Jimyō-ama Gozen Gohenji (ST. doc. 349) (A Response to My Lady, the Nun Jimyō) Page 93
    41. Kubo-ama Gozen Gohenji (ST. doc. 356) (A Response to My Lady, the Nun of Kubo) Page 95
    42. Kubo-ama Gozen Gohenji (ST. doc. 369) (A Response to My Lady, the Nun of Kubo) Page 96
    43. Kubo-ama Gozen Gohenji (ST. doc. 420) (A Response to My Lady, the Nun of Kubo) Page 97
    44. Nishiyama-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 238) (In Response to Lord Nishiyama) Page 99
    45. Nishiyama-dono Goke-ama Gozen Gohenji (ST. doc. 422) (A Response to My Lady, the Nun Widow of Lord Nishiyama) Page 100
    46. Myōshin-ama Gozen Gohenji (ST. doc. 191) (A Response to My Lady, the Nun Myōshin) Page 102
    47. Myōshin-ama Gozen Gohenji (ST. doc. 192) (A Response to My Lady, the Nun Myoshin) Page 105
    48. Myoshin-ama Gozen Gohenji (ST. doc. 365) (A Response to My Lady, the Nun Myōshin Page 106
    49. Niita-dono Gosho (ST. doc. 368) (A Letter to Lord Niita) Page 108
    50. Omonsu-dono Nyōbō Gohenji (ST. doc. 399) (A Reply to the Wife of the Lord of Omonsu) Page 109
    51. Toki-ama Gozen Gohenji (ST. doc. 146) (A Reply to My Lady, the Nun Toki) Page 111
    52. Kaen Jōgō Gosho (ST. doc. 163) (Writing about Lengthening the Life Span) Page 112
    53. Toki-ama Gozen Gosho (ST. doc. 211) (A Letter to My Lady, the Nun Toki) Page 116
    54. Toki-dono Nyōbō-ama Gozen Gosho (ST. doc. 352) (A Letter to My Lady, the Nun Wife of Lord Toki) Page 119
    55. Shijō Kingo-dono Nyōbō Gohenji (ST. doc. 160) (A Reply to the Wife of Lord ShijŌ Kingo) Page 120
    56. Nichigen-nyo Shakabutsu Kuyōji (ST. doc. 327) (Construction of a Statue of Śākyamuni Buddha by Lady Nichigen) Page 123
    57. Hyōesakan-dono Nyōbō Gohenji (ST. doc. 353) (A Response to Wife of Ikegami Munenaga) Page 127
    58. Sajiki Nyōbō Gohenji (ST. doc. 179) (A Response to the Lady of Sajiki) Page 128
    59. Sajiki Nyōbō Gohenji (ST. doc. 401) (A Response to the Lady of Sajiki) Page 130
    60. Myōichi-ama Gohenji (ST. doc. 120) (A Response to Nun MYōichi) Page 131
    61. Myōichi-ama Gozen Goshōsoku (ST. doc. 180) (A Letter to My Lady, the Nun Myōichi) Page 133
    62. Nichimyō Shōnin Gosho (ST. doc. 107) (A Letter to Nichimyō Shōnin) Page 136
    63. Oto-gozen no Haha Gosho (ST. doc. 132) (A Letter to the Mother of Lady Oto) Page 142
    64. Ōnichi-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 397) (A Response to Lord Onichi) Page 144
    65. Nii-ama Gozen Gohenji (ST. doc. 164) (A Response to My Lady, The Younger Nun) Page 146
    66. Ō-ama Gozen Gohenji (ST. doc. 382) (A Reply to My Lady, the Older Nun) Page 151
    67. Kōnichi-ama Gohenji (ST. doc. 381) (A Reply to Nun Kōnichi) Page 152
    68. Kōnichi Shōnin Gohenji (ST. doc. 409) (A Reply to Rev. Kōnichi) Page 153
    69. Izumo-ama Gozen Gosho (ST. doc. 440) (A Letter to My Lady, the Nun Izumo) Page 157
    70. Sennichi-ama Gohenji (ST. doc. 371) (A Reply to Sennichi-ama) Page 158
    71. Kō no Ama Gozen Gosho (ST. doc. 182) (A Letter to My Lady, the Nun of KŌ) Page 165
    72. Nakaoki no Mandokoro Nyōbō Gohenji (ST. doc. 244) (A Reply to the Wife of Mandokoro Officer Nakaoki) Page 168
    73. Zenichi-ama Gosho (ST. doc. 284) (A Letter to Nun Zenichi) Page 169
    74. Nambu Rokurō-dono Gosho (ST. doc. 80) (A Letter to Lord Nambu Rokuro) Page 170
    75. Nyonin-bō Gohenji (ST. doc. 99) (In Response to a Female Follower) Page 172
    76. Suzumono Goshōsoku (ST. doc. 299) (A Letter [of Gratitude for] Various Donations) Page 173
    77. Imo Ichida Gosho (ST. doc. 304) (A Letter of Gratitude for a Horse-load of Taros) Page 176
    78. Hatsuho Gosho (ST. doc. 311) (First Ears of Rice Letter) Page 177
    79. Shokumotsu Santoku Gosho (ST. doc. 319) (On the Three Utilities of Food) Page 178
    80. Shishiō Gosho (ST. doc. 320) (King of Lion Letter) Page 180
    81. Ejiki Gosho (ST. doc. 323) (Clothing and Food Letter) Page 183
    82. Mushimochi Gosho (ST. doc. 324) (Steamed Rice Cake Letter) Page 184
    83. Hōe Sho (ST. doc. 398) (Writing on Vestments) Page 185
    84. Mushiro Sammai Gosho (ST. doc. 430) (A Letter of Three Straw Mats) Page 187
    85. On-Koromonuno Tamaisōrō Gohenji (ST. doc. 435) (A Reply for the Donation of Fabric for a Clerical Robe) Page 189
    86. Gosho Gohenji (ST. doc. 443) (A Reply to Gosho) Page 190

    Nyonin Gosho
    NICHIREN AND WOMEN
    LETTERS ADDRESSED TO FEMALE FOLLOWERS

    1. A Letter on Menstruation (ST. doc. 34) Page 22 NOT IN WONS
    2. A Response to the Nun, Widow of Lord Ueno (ST. doc. 39) Page 44 NOT IN WONS
    3. A Letter to the Wife of Shijō Kingo (ST. doc. 78) Page 58 NOT IN WONS
    4. A Letter to the Nichimyō Shōnin (ST. doc. 107) Page 64 (Volume 7, Followers II, Nichimyō Shōnin Gosho (ST. doc. 107) (A Letter to Nichimyō Shōnin) Page 136)
    5. A Response to Lord Ueno (ST. doc. 147) Page 84 (Volume 7, Followers II, Ueno-dono Gohenji (ST. doc. 147) (Reply to Lord Ueno) Page 1)
    6. A Reply to the Wife of Lord Shijō Kingo (ST. doc. 160) Page 88 (Volume 7, Followers II, Shijō Kingo-dono Nyōbō Gohenji (ST. doc. 160) (A Reply to the Wife of Lord ShijŌ Kingo) Page 120)
    7. A Response to Lady Sajiki (ST. doc. 179) Page 96 (Volume 7, Followers II, Sajiki Nyōbō Gohenji (ST. doc. 179) (A Response to the Lady of Sajiki) Page 128)
    8. A Letter to My Lady, the Nun of Kō (ST. doc. 182) Page 100 (Volume 7, Followers II, Kō no Ama Gozen Gosho (ST. doc. 182) (A Letter to My Lady, the Nun of KŌ) Page 165)
    9. A Letter to Lady Oto (ST. doc. 190) Page 110 NOT IN WONS
    10. A Response to My Lady Nichinyo (ST. doc. 293) Page 150 (Volume 4, Faith and Practice, Nichinyo Gozen Gohenji (ST. doc. 293) (A Response to My Lady Nichinyo) Page 132
    11. A Response to the Wife of Lord Ōta (ST. doc. 256) Page 130 NOT IN WONS
    12. A Response to My Lady Nichinyo (ST. doc. 265) Page 144 NOT IN WONS
    13. A Reply to Nun Myōhō (ST. doc. 293) Page 150 (Volume 4, Faith and Practice, Nichinyo Gozen Gohenji (ST. doc. 293) (A Response to My Lady Nichinyo) Page 132)
    14. A Reply to the Wife of Lord Matsuno (ST. doc. 305) Page 176 NOT IN WONS
    15. A Response to the Wife of Lord Ikegami Munenaga (ST. doc. 336) Page 228 (Volume 7, Followers II, Matsuno-dono Nyōbō Gohenji (ST. doc. 336) (Reply to the Wife of Lord Matsuno) Page 72)
    16. A Response to My Lady, the Nun Myorchi (ST. doc. 353) Page 234 (Volume 7, Followers II, Hyōesakan-dono Nyōbō Gohenji (ST. doc. 353) (A Response to Wife of Ikegami Munenaga) Page 127)
    17. A Response to the Wife of Lord Matsuno (ST. doc. 378) Page 242 NOT IN WONS
    18. A Letter to My Lady the Nun, Widow of Lord Ueno (ST. doc. 379) Page 246 (Volume 7, Followers II, Ueno-dono Goke-ama Gozen Gosho (ST. doc. 379) (A Letter to My Lady the Nun, Widow of Lord Ueno) Page 54)
    19. A Response to My Lady the Nun, Mother of Lord (ST. doc. 388) Page 250 (Volume 4, Faith and Practice, Ueno-dono Haha-ama Gozen Gohenji (ST. doc. 388) (A Response to My Lady the Nun, Mother of Lord Ueno) Page 177)
    20. A Response to My Lady, the Nun of Ueno (ST. doc. 400) Page 272 (Volume 7, Followers II, Ueno-ama Gozen Gohenji (ST. doc. 400) (Response to My Lady, the Nun of Ueno) Page 56)
    21. A Response to My Lady, the Nun of Ueno (ST. doc. 415) Page 280 (Volume 7, Followers II, Ueno-ama Gozen Gohenji (ST. doc. 415) (Response to My Lady the Nun of Ueno) Page 58)
    22. A Response to My Lady the Nun, Mother of Lord (ST. doc. 418) Page 294 (Volume 7, Followers II, Ueno-dono Haha-ama Gozen Gohenji (ST. doc. 418) (Response to My Lady, the Nun Mother of Lord Ueno) Page 62)

  • Nyonin Gosho

    NyoninGoshoCover
    This book is available for purchase from NBIC

    As an addendum to my 100 Days of Study I’m reproducing here the introductory essay by Professor Yutaka Takagi of Risshō University that appears in Nyonin Gosho, a volume of Nichiren’s letters addressed to women. This sampling of 22 of Nichiren’s letters contains 8 letters not included in the seven volumes of the Writings of Nichiren Shōnin. The letters in this volume were translated by Nichiren Shū priests in America, including two letters translated by Ven. Kenjo Igarashi.

    Nichiren and Women

    1. Women Followers of Nichiren
    In pre-modern Japan, women in general were referred to as me, omina, onna, nyonin or nyōbō. Occasionally the term fujin was used but josei does not seem to have been in use. Another term menoko was used for women, but it also meant girls like me—no-warawa. The Chinese characters joshi or saishi were read as meko, and joshi (read as meko) seems to have meant girls. Of these, nyonin was by far the most commonly used.

    In Nichiren’s writings, too, the term nyonin is found most often. Apart from these general terms for women, there are characteristic ways of addressing a woman in ancient and medieval Japan: upperclass women such as imperial princesses, women of upper aristocratic, and upper samurai families were referred to by individual names. For instance, the wife of Minamoto Yoritomo was referred to as Hōjō Masako. It should be remembered, however, that, as seen here, women retained their original names after marriage. In modern terms a man and his wife had separate family names.

    Thus, individual names of those women belonging to the upper echelons of society are occasionally known to us, but those of lowerclass women are rarely known. However, as individual names should have been necessary for differentiating one from another in daily life, there must have been individual names. Nevertheless, it is a fact that it was extremely rare for such names to appear in historical documents.

    How then were letters for women addressed in those days? Among the Kamakura Buddhist monks, Nichiren wrote the most letters to women, which was an outstanding characteristic in propagation and acceptance of his religion. Considering this, let me enumerate some examples showing the way Nichiren addressed the women to whom he wrote or who were mentioned in his letters:

    1. My Lady Oto
    2. Wife of Lord Shijō Kingo
      Wife of Lord Ōta Wife of Lord Hyōe-sakan
      Lord Nitta and His Wife
      Wife of Lay Priest Lord Inagawa
    3. My Lady, Mother of Lord Ueno
      Mother of My Lady Oto
    4. My Lady, Nun of Matsuno My Lady, Nun of Kubo
      My Lady the Nun, Mother of Lord Ueno
      My Lady, Nun Abutsubō
      My Lady, Nun Myōichi
      My Lady, Nun Myōshin
      Nun Zenichi

    As you can see in this list, no one was addressed by a proper noun, e.g. Hōjō Masako. That is to say, for one, none of those women, who received Nichiren’s letters, belonged to the upperclasses, because as we pointed out above only upperclass women were identified by personal names in those days.

    Next “My Lady Oto” under (I), seemed to be an unmarried woman, as her mother was addressed “Mother of My Lady Oto” under (3). A woman addressed as ‘ ‘Lady Nichigen” by Nichiren may also have been unmarried. However, such unmarried women are small in number, with the greater number of married women called ‘ ‘wives”; (2) illustrates this. As in the case of “Wife of Lord Ōta,” the honorific suffix “lord” was fixed to the husband, not to the wife; an expression in which a wife seems to be regarded as an appendix to her husband. Under (3) are mothers, names of whose children—Lord Ueno (i.e., Lord Nanjō) and My Lady Oto—are used for identification.

    Under (4) each is a nun; though they all lived as nuns, it does not necessarily mean that they resided in nunneries, renouncing families, as monks renounced their families. There seems no doubt that they lived the same as the laity. Nevertheless, they were called nuns. Why? For one, it was perhaps because of their peculiar hair style called amasogi, cutting the hair straight below the eyebrows. Cutting hair (including amasogi) or shaving the head was the proof of having entered the Buddhist order in those days. So it is possible that women with the amasogi hair-do were recognized as nuns even if they lived as laity. For another, these nuns probably observed the precept of refraining from sexual relations: abstention from sexual relations is one of the precepts required of Buddhist monks and nuns. Male counterparts of women, who were called nuns while living as laity, were those men who were called lay priests. An example of a lay priest and a nun living together as husband and wife is that of Lay Priest Toki, the greatest lay-supporter of Nichiren Shönin, and his wife, Nun Toki. However, many of those who were addressed as nuns seem to have been single. Probably they became nuns after their husbands passed away. Accordingly the motive for their becoming nuns might have been to pray in behalf of their late husbands, that is, to offer the merit of entering the priesthood in praying for the repose of their deceased husbands. Some wives probably became nuns for similar reasons: to pray for the recovery of their husbands from serious illnesses. The Jöei Code, the basic law of samurai society at the time of Nichiren, stipulated that it was the duty of widows to pray for their deceased husbands. Accordingly, this, together with not remarrying, was the chastity required of women in those days.

    The names of these nuns are of two types: first, “My Lady, the Nun of Matsuno” and “My Lady, the Nun of Kubo,” were called by the names of places they resided; names of other nuns, such as “Nun Myōichi” and “Nun Myōhō” were Buddhist names taken probably from the Myōhō Renge-kyō. “Nun Zenichi” must have been a Buddhist name including “Nichi” taken from “Nichiren.” Notations on existing mandalas, hand written by Nichiren and given to his followers, show that he granted them Buddhist names including

    the character nichi. By granting such names Nichiren hoped that a sense of belonging to one family would be strengthened among his followers. Putting it another way in modern terms, he hoped to promote cohesion of those with the same faith. At the same time, such Buddhist names were believed to be granted also to those who were identified by their residence. Nevertheless, it is not clearly known why they were identified by the names of the places they resided.

    2. What Women Followers of Nichiren Expected

    Why did Nichiren write to so many women? Even to women, who were married, and called “wives,” Nichiren wrote as individuals independent of their husbands. That is to say, he wrote to self-supporting, independent women, who had their own properties and were capable of acting on their own, based on their financial power. In concrete and simple terms, these women, independent of their husbands or on their own, were able to send offerings to Nichiren. They sent, on their own, indeed, such various offerings to Nichiren as rice, wheat, laver (non), seaweed (wakame), taro, devil’s-tongue (konnyaku), persimmons, citron, sake, candy, coins, hemp-garments, and robes. They could be divided into food-stuff (mostly rice and wheat), coins and clothes.

    The food—stuff was harvested from their farms and gardens on their homesteads, which indicates that those women owned such farms and vegetable gardens, and perhaps many of them were engaged in agriculture. At any rate, they more or less owned properties or farmlands, apart from those of their husbands, products of which were offered to Nichiren. Thus, it was possible for those women to be initiators for making offerings to Nichiren or requesting him to conduct Buddhist services. Therefore Nichiren, who received the offerings and was requested to conduct services, wrote letters in order to express his gratitude to them directly and answer their questions. Women’s economic independence based on separate ownership of property between husband and wife helped women to be independent parishioners of Nichiren just like men.

    Then what did these women expect of Nichiren and what did they ask him?

    First of all they expected him to pray for the repose of the deceased. Nichiren recited the Lotus Sutra and chanted the daimoku for the bliss of the deceased and to ensure that they fared better in their next lives. The deceased for whom those women wanted to pray were their parents, husbands, and children. Though it seems very rare for siblings to pray for each other, there is an instance of an elder brother sending offerings to Nichiren to pray for his younger brother. At any rate, those women as children, wives and mothers prayed for the repose of their late parents, husbands and children, as well as being able to make offerings for having prayers said because of their own wealth. Being filial to parents, chaste to husbands, and compassionate to children, those women served them even after each of them had passed away.

    Regardless whether they were girls, wives, widows, mothers, or nuns who continued family-lives of lay people, those women all hoped to attain Buddhahood. In Buddhism it had been regarded that women were creatures incapable of attaining Buddhahood. It was a matter of discrimination against women in Buddhist philosophy, which maintained that women are incapable of attaining Buddhahood because of their inherent five hindrances, including being unable to become a Buddha. A woman called Nun Sen’nichi of Sado wrote to Nichiren saying: “1 am concerned with the sins of women. In your sermon you have said that attainment of Buddhahood by women takes precedence in the Lotus Sutra. So I am totally depending on you.” It shows what was sought after not only by her but also all women, who were regarded inherently incapable of becoming Buddhas. They expected to find above all the solution to this problem in the person of Nichiren. Regarding the way of life for women in those days, the “three bonds” (the Confucian moral that they should obey fathers at home, husbands when married, and children when widowed) and “five hindrances” (which regarded them incapable of becoming Brahma Heavenly King, Indra, king of devils, Wheel-Turning Noble King, and Buddha) were stressed. Especially, ‘five hindrances” are mentioned in the “Devadatta” chapter of the Lotus Sutra. Therefore, as the sutra gained in popularity from the Heian Period, women became religiously aware of them. However, attainment of Buddhahood by women is also possible according to the “Devadatta” chapter, in which it is mentioned that a daughter of a Dragon King became a Buddha. The “Devadatta” chapter, which guarantees the attainment of Buddhahood by Devadatta, the Evil, as well as by women, has been revered by both men and women as the basis of attaining Buddhahood. Thus, central to the faith in the Lotus Sutra prevalent during the Heian Period was faith in the “Devadatta” chapter. Doubtless to say that Nichiren made use of it. For instance he wrote to Nun Kōnichi saying: “Three bonds that tied you have been cut in this life; the cloud of five hinderances has already been cleared. The moon in your heart has no cloud to cover it, and the dirt on your body has all been wiped off. You are a Buddha as you are. What a blessing!”

    Buddhist orders in the Kamakura Period, both old and new, tried to save the people or lead them to Buddhahood, and people were dead serious about attaining it. Under such circumstances, women with independently disposable properties spent them to pray for the repose of the deceased. It also provided an economic foundation for supporting the monastic order of Nichiren and his disciples. In this sense, women capable of independently being engaged in religious activities were among a larger group of women who meekly submitted to parents or husbands. Nichiren’s letters addressed to his female followers point this out, and his letters reflect his sincerity with which he tried to solve these women’s problems and console them in their sadness. In writing a history of Japanese women, these letters of Nichiren for women are indispensable as historical documents.

    Yutaka Takagi, Professor
    Risshō University, Tokyo, Japan