Reply to Rokurō Jirō

Reply to Rokurō Jirō

Background

IHAVE received the three to of polished rice and one bamboo container of oil that you sent. This is not the first time you have shown such kindness and I do not know how to thank you. Not only am I, Nichiren, delighted, but I am sure that Shakyamuni Buddha is delighted as well. As the Lotus Sutra says, “I will surely rejoice and so will the other Buddhas.”1

Tomorrow I will be sending the priest Sammi-bō on an errand, and I will entrust him with detailed instructions for you.

Respectfully,

Nichiren

The nineteenth day of the third month in the third year of Kenji [1277], cyclical sign hinoto-ushi

To

Rokurō Jirō

Jirō Hyōe

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Background

Nichiren Daishonin wrote this letter at Minobu on the nineteenth day of the third month in 1277 and addressed it to two persons, Rokurō Jirō and Jirō Hyōe. Both are thought to have been close relatives of the lay priest Takahashi Rokurō Hyōe, who lived in Kajima of Fuji District, Suruga Province. In the letter, the Daishonin expresses gratitude for offerings of rice and oil the two have sent. The instructions he says he is going to relay to them may pertain to their efforts to spread his teaching in their area.

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Note

1. Lotus Sutra, chap. 11.

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