Chapter1(Acknowledging the Great Debt of Gratitude to One’s Lord)

Main Text

I HAD been anxious about you because I had not heard from you in so long. I was overjoyed to receive your messenger, who arrived with your various offerings. I am going to bestow the Gohonzon on you for your protection.

About the problem of your transfer to another estate: I have studied your lord’s letter to you and your letter to me, and compared them. I anticipated this problem even before your letter arrived. Since your lord regards this as a matter of the utmost importance, I surmise that other retainers have spoken ill of you to him, saying: “He shows a lack of respect for you in his unwillingness to move to a new estate. There are many selfish people, but he is more selfish than most. We would advise you to show him no further kindness for the time being.” You must beware and act cautiously.

As vassals, you, your parents, and your close relatives are deeply indebted to your lord. Moreover, he showed you great clemency by taking no action against your clan when I incurred the wrath of the government and the entire nation hated me. Many of my disciples had their land seized by the government and were then disowned or driven from their lords’ estates. Even if he never shows you the slightest further consideration, you should not hold a grudge against your lord. It is too much to expect another favor from him, just because you are reluctant to move to a new estate.

Lecture

This letter was written by Nichiren Daishonin at the age of 56 while he was at Minobu in the third year of Kenji (1277). It is also known as “The Eight Winds” because it teaches that a wise person should not be moved by the “eight winds”.

Shijo Kingo was deeply devoted to his lord, and the lord’s trust in him was originally very high. However, among the other retainers, many were jealous of Kingo and slandered him to the lord. Consequently, in September 1276, Kingo was ordered to accept a pay cut and a transfer to Echigo. By 1277, his detractors urged the lord to confiscate Kingo’s lands entirely if he continued to refuse the transfer. Kingo was driven into a corner.

When Kingo reported this to the Daishonin, he apparently expressed a desire to sue his colleagues or confront his lord. In response, the Daishonin encouraged him: “Lord Ema has been your benefactor for many years. Do not let others provoke you into a legal battle or harbor unreasonable resentment.” He taught that rather than alternating between joy and sorrow, Kingo should remain a person of wisdom—unswayed by the “eight winds”. If he served with strong faith, the heavenly deities would surely protect him. Furthermore, the Daishonin emphasized that for prayers to be answered, the “oneness of mentor and disciple” (shitei fuji) is essential.

The Daishonin carefully observed the shogunate’s attitude toward his followers and provided detailed guidance that respected Kingo’s position as a samurai. He strictly instructed Kingo to put faith first, serve his lord—even one who opposed his faith—and become a model warrior. This is a fundamental principle for all who practice Buddhism: faith must manifest in one’s character and success within society.

Because Shijo Kingo followed this rigorous guidance, he eventually became respected by the people of Kamakura as “Shijō Kingo of the Lotus school!” a man of unparalleled integrity. It was because he possessed such potential that the Daishonin gave him such challenging and precise guidance.