Gosho Passage 14
The worthy man Confucius held to his belief “Nine thoughts to one word,”which means that he reconsidered nine times before he spoke. Tan, the Duke of Chou, was so earnest in receiving callers that he would wring out his hair three times in the course of washing it, or spit out his food three times in the course of a meal [in order not to keep them waiting]. Consider this carefully so that you will have no cause to reproach me later. What is called Buddhism is found in this behavior.
Lecture: The Core of Buddhism Lies in Sincere Actions
Buddhism does not exist apart from reality. Concerned about Kingo’s disposition, the Daishonin shared historical accounts, including the story of Emperor Sushun, warning against openly displaying hatred toward others.
He also referenced Confucius, who was so prudent in speech that he thought nine times before speaking once, and the Duke of Zhou, who interrupted his bathing and meals multiple times to attend to guests without delay. Through these examples, the Daishonin illustrated the importance of prudence and sincerity.
The Daishonin urged Kingo to listen carefully to this advice. Overcoming personal weaknesses to build “treasures of the heart” was essential for Kingo to achieve lasting victory. Hence, the Daishonin declared: “Buddhism is found precisely in this.”
Buddhism culminates in human behavior. Just as Confucius and the Duke of Zhou translated their philosophies into conduct, the “treasures of the heart” revealed in Buddhism must be expressed through the practitioner’s daily behavior to demonstrate the validity of the teachings and spread them widely.
Thus, the letter concludes by emphasizing the paramount importance of “behavior as a human being.”