the young Mao Pao, who later became a general of the Chin dynasty, was walking along the Yangtze River, he saw a fisherman catch a turtle and prepare to kill it. Moved to pity, he gave the fisherman his clothes in exchange for the turtle and thus saved its life. Later, Mao Pao was attacked by enemies. When he fled in retreat to the Yangtze River, the turtle he had saved in his childhood appeared and carried him on its back to the opposite shore.
23. The priests’ lodgings are probably part of the compound of Renge-ji temple located in Hanabusa, Saijo, Awa Province.
Renge-ji is said to have been a branch temple of Seicho-ji.
24. Tojo Kagenobu, the steward of Tojo Village in Awa Province. A strong Nembutsu believer, Tojo had attempted to have the Daishonin killed after the latter refuted the Nembutsu and declared the teaching of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo in 1253.
25. Dogi-bo Gisho was a priest at Seichoji temple, thought to have been either Dozen-bo’s elder brother or a priest senior to him. He opposed the Daishonin’s teaching.
26. Lotus Sutra, chap. 2.
