Writings of Nichiren Shonin Doctrine 2

This volume, the ninth project of the English Translation Committee of the Nichiren Shu Overseas Propagation Promotion Association (NOPPA), constitutes all twenty-three writings of Buddhist reformer Nichiren Shōnin (1222-1282) included in the Nichiren Shōnin Zenshū, Complete Writings of Nichiren Shōnin, Volume 2: Theology 2, published in Tokyo in 1996.

The Nichiren Shōnin Zenshū is a modern Japanese version of Nichiren's original writings, translated and edited with annotations by modern scholars of Nichiren Buddhism. Despite its all-inclusive title, the Zenshū is highly selective in that it takes into account only writings considered bibliographically authentic, namely those attested to by original manuscripts. Among such texts, those included in the Shōwa Teihon Nichiren Shōnin Ibun, Writings of Nichiren Shōnin Standardized in the Shōwa Period, compiled by the Institute of Nichiren Buddhist Studies and published in four volumes by Minobusan Kuonji Temple between 1951 and 1959, are considered the most authoritative, and they provide the basic texts for this volume.

Table of Contents

1. Jisshō-shō (ST 81)1

A Treatise on the Ten Chapters of

the Great Concentration and Insight

2. Teradomari Gosho (ST 92)7

A Letter from Teradomari

3. Hasshū Imoku-shō (ST 96)14

A Treatise on the Differences between the Lotus Sect

and Eight Other Sects

4. Kaimoku-shō (ST 98)28

Open Your Eyes to the Lotus Teaching

5. Toki-dono Gohenji (ST 101)116

A Response to Lord Toki

6. Shingon Shoshū Imoku (ST 106)118

The Differences between the Lotus Sect and Other Sects

such as the True Word Sect

7. Kanjin Honzon-shō (ST 118)124

A Treatise Revealing the Spiritual Contemplation

and the Most Venerable One

8. Kanjin Honzon-shō Soejō (ST 119)165

The Cover Letter to the Kanjin Honzon-shō

9. Kembutsu Mirai-ki (ST 125)167

A Testimony to the Prediction of the Buddha

10. Toki-dono Gohenji (ST 126)177

A Response to Lord Toki

11. Hakii Saburō-dono Gohenji (ST 127)179

A Response to Lord Hakii Saburō

12. Shōjō Daijō Fumbetsu-shō (ST 136)187

The Differences between Hinayana and Mahayana Teachings

13. Gochū Shujō Gosho (ST 139)198

People in the World Letter

14. Hokke Shuyō-shō (ST 145)201

A Treatise on the Essence of the Lotus Sutra

15. Risshō Kanjō (ST 158)215

A Treatise on Establishing the Right Way of Meditation

16. Risshō Kanjō Sōjō (ST 165)232

The Cover Letter to the Treatise on Establishing

the Right Way of Meditation

17. Misawa-shō (ST 275)236

A Letter to Lord Misawa of Suruga

18. Shimon Butsujō-gi (ST 277)243

Listening to the One Buddha Vehicle Teaching

for the First Time

19. Toki Nyūdō-dono Gohenji: Chibyō-shō (ST 294)249

A Response to Lay Priest Lord Toki:

Treatise on Healing Sickness

20. Honzon Mondō Shō (ST 307)256

Questions and Answers on the Honzon

21. Toki Nyūdō-dono Gohenji: Hongon Shukkai-shō (ST 310)272

A Response to Lay Priest Lord Toki: Treatise on Overcoming

Illusions of the Triple World by Provisional Teachings

22. Shokyō to Hokekyō to Nan'i no Koto (ST 367)278

The Difficulty and Ease of Understanding the Lotus Sutra

and Other Sutras

23. Sandai Hihō Honjō-ji (ST 403)283

The Transmission of the Three Great Secret Dharmas

Glossary289

Japanese Equivalents366