Letter to Ben

Main Text

As a rule, you should learn of such doctrinal matters from those who have received instruction in them directly from me. That way my disciples can learn to instruct one another.

Letter to Ben

Background

IF there are things you do not understand, do not argue among yourselves, but write to me about them.

The enclosed treatise is a secret work of great importance. I have written in outline form concerning matters that were not dealt with in my earlier teachings. I want you to understand these doctrines before they are passed on to others. As a rule, you should learn of such doctrinal matters from those who have received instruction in them directly from me. That way my disciples can learn to instruct one another.

With my deep respect,

Nichiren

The twenty-sixth day of the seventh month

To Ben, Āchārya Daishin, and Sammi-bō

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Background

Nichiren Daishonin wrote this letter on the twenty-sixth day of the seventh month of 1272 at Ichinosawa on Sado Island. He sent it to three of his senior disciples—Ben, also known as Nisshō, Āchārya Daishin, and Sammi-bō—in Kamakura. The Daishonin refers to an important treatise that he had apparently enclosed with this letter in order to convey doctrines he revealed only after his exile to Sado. Because the Daishonin wishes them to know about and understand such doctrines as quickly as possible, he urges them also to learn from other disciples who have received instruction directly from him, no matter what their seniority, in order that his followers develop the ability to learn from and instruct one another.

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