Category Archives: Nyonin

WONS, 100 Days of Study, 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)
Blog, 100 Days of Study, Nyonin

Nyonin Gosho

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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