Gosho Passage 7
While your foes busy themselves plotting against you, your lord places greater confidence in you than before. Therefore, although they appear to have quieted down, inwardly they are no doubt seething with hate.
Lecture: Never Succumb to a Society Rife with Jealousy in the Latter Day
The Daishonin’s brush turns to the psychology of those surrounding Kingo. Kingo was now relied upon by Lord Ema even more than before. To those plotting his ruin, this was unbearable. Therefore, though appearing calm outwardly, they burned with intense jealousy inside. The Daishonin understood Kingo’s circumstances deeply. In the impure world of the Latter Day, where people are driven by greed, anger, foolishness, arrogance, and doubt, jealousy easily leads to slander and destructive plots.
The Daishonin himself had triumphed over jealous clerics and their followers. Nothing is more formidable than a life consumed by jealousy.
Jealousy is an inversion of cowardice and anxiety—a projection of inner weakness. The philosopher Kiyoshi Miki wrote: “Jealousy is always insidious. It rarely seeks to elevate oneself to the level of the rival, but rather tries to drag the rival down to one’s own level. Jealousy stems from a lack of genuine selfhood.”
Once we recognize that the essence of attempts to obstruct the advance of Buddhism is the energy of jealousy, we have nothing to fear. What matters is our courage, wisdom, and sensible behavior. “Behavior as a human being” is the key to victory.
Following this, the Daishonin continues to offer minute guidance:
- Avoid drawing the attention of those consumed with envy. Show greater respect than before to the members of the Ema clan. When the lord’s sons are visiting, refrain from attending him even if summoned.
- If asked by the lord’s family members or ladies-in-waiting about his condition, bow deeply and reply politely: “My skills are insufficient, but because my lord insistently commands it, I am attending to him as part of my service.”
- Do not dress elaborately or wear vibrant robes; maintain a modest appearance and exercise patience for the time being.
Knowing Kingo’s tendencies and blind spots, the Daishonin gave these concrete instructions.
Buddhism enables individuals to live freely and vigorously. Yet practicing careful, sensible behavior at crucial moments is also an integral part of Buddhist practice. Exercising the necessary wisdom to create maximum value while remaining steadfast at one’s core is the middle-way wisdom of Buddhism.