Gosho Passage 8
Probably you are well aware of it, but let me cite the Buddha’s prediction about what the latter age will be like. In essence he states: “It will be a muddied age in which even sages will find it difficult to live. They will be like stones in a great fire, which for a while seem to endure the heat but finally char and crumble into ashes. Worthy persons will advocate the five constant virtues, but they themselves will find it hard to practice them.” Thus the saying goes, “Do not remain in the seat of honor too long.”
Many people have plotted to undo you, but you have avoided their intrigues and emerged victorious. Should you lose your composure now and fall into their trap, you will be, as people say, like a boatman who rows his boat with all his might only to have it capsize just before he reaches the shore, or like a person who is served no hot water at the end of his meal.
Lecture: Wise Buddhists Who Triumph over Hard Realities
In his letters to Shijo Kingo, the Daishonin frequently cites the conduct of wise persons to encourage Kingo to lead a prudent life. Having clear models helps one’s life state expand rapidly.
Here, the Daishonin points out that even wise persons find it difficult to dwell in the Latter Day, encouraging Kingo to stand up with deep resolve.
He quotes the adage, “Vacate the highest seat.” Being entrusted with treating his lord’s illness was no reason to become conceited.
Kingo’s breakthrough was the fruit of earnest effort and steadfast faith based on the Daishonin’s guidance. Yet in society, creating causes for defeat during moments of victory is common. If one causes friction and provokes enemies through lack of discretion, all prior efforts toward victory will be undone. The analogies of a boat capsizing near the shore and lacking hot water after a meal emphasize the necessity of maintaining prudent conduct to the very end. Continuing to fight throughout life ensures one’s final success. One must never slacken midway, but advance cheerfully to attain the life state of absolute happiness.
To protect Kingo from being swayed by the “eight winds” and ensure his success, the Daishonin provides further detailed security advice:
- While staying in the quarters provided by your lord, you may be safe, but enemies will still target you. Exercise great caution at home—by the side doors, in the family altar room, beneath the floorboards, and above the ceiling.
- Their plots will become more sophisticated. There are no allies more reliable than the night watchmen of Egara in Kamakura. No matter how disagreeable you may find them, maintain friendly relations with them.
The Daishonin warns Kingo to remain alert when entering and leaving his estate and within his residence. He mentions crawlspaces beneath floors and ceilings where enemies could hide. Having survived numerous attacks himself, the Daishonin understood the vital importance of caution. Buddhism is a philosophy for winning in actual daily life.
The Daishonin repeatedly emphasized caution in his letters to Kingo:
- “Be cautious, be cautious; your enemies will surely target you all the more.”
- “Exercise caution a hundred, a thousand, ten thousand, a million times more than before.”
- “First of all, exercise deep caution in your heart.”
Later, when Kingo was ambushed by powerful enemies, he emerged unscathed. The Daishonin attributed this victory to Kingo’s “prior caution.” Had he not heeded his mentor’s warnings, he might have lost his life.
Next, the Daishonin refers to the “four night watchmen.” While details about them are limited, it appears they lost their residences under their lord due to upholding the Daishonin’s teachings. The Daishonin advised Kingo to welcome them to his home, noting that their presence would deter enemies from attacking.
However, Kingo did not have smooth relations with these four fellow practitioners. The Daishonin patiently guided Kingo on this matter as well.
He instructed Kingo: “No matter how disagreeable you find them, interact with them harmoniously.”
Regarding relations with other practitioners and brothers, the Daishonin advised:
- Overlook minor faults.
- Maintain harmony with fellow practitioners, practicing restraint in what you see, hear, and say.
These instructions represent enduring guidelines for all practitioners: maintain unity and cherish fellow members. Ironclad unity enables practitioners to overcome negativity and advance kosen-rufu. Devilish forces constantly attempt to divide us. Engaging in petty disputes resembles the “strife between the snipe and the clam,” only benefiting the enemy.
The Daishonin wrote to another disciple: “Those who uphold the Lotus Sutra are without exception Buddhas.” Slandering fellow practitioners equates to slandering the Buddha.
Leaders, in particular, must expand their life state to embrace everyone. Remembering the Daishonin’s image, Shijo Kingo continued to move forward.