the moon saved my life at Tatsunokuchi by appearing as a shining object, and the god of the stars descended four or five days ago to greet me.6 Now only the god of the sun remains, and he is certain to protect me. How reassuring! How encouraging! The “Teacher of the Law” chapter states, “I will dispatch persons magically conjured who will act to guard and protect them.” This passage leaves no room for doubt. The “Peaceful Practices” chapter reads, “Swords and staves will not touch him.”
The “Universal Gateway” chapter states, “The executioner’s sword will be broken to bits!” There is nothing false in these sutra passages. The strong and steadfast power of faith is precious indeed.
With my deep respect,
Nichiren
The twenty-first day of the ninth month in the eighth year of Bun’ei (1271)
Nichiren Daishonin wrote this letter to his loyal samurai follower Shijo Kingo in 1271, in the ninth month, on the twenty-first day, only nine days after the Tatsunokuchi Persecution. The Daishonin had been sentenced to exile on Sado Island under the supervision of Hojo Nobutoki, the constable of Sado. Originally it was intended that the Daishonin be escorted to Echi, to the residence of Homma Shigetsura, Hojo Nobutoki’s deputy; from here he was to be taken directly to Sado. But Hei no Saemon, a high government official and avowed enemy of the Daishonin, arbitrarily decided to have the Daishonin executed as he was being escorted to Homma’s residence. An attempt was made to behead the Daishonin at Tatsunokuchi, but it was unsuccessful. The Daishonin’s exile was later carried out as it had been originally planned.
The Daishonin here reveals something about his true identity, which he
later describes in greater detail in The Opening of the Eyes, also given to Shijo Kingo. Here he states, “Tatsunokuchi in Sagami Province is the place where Nichiren gave his life. Because he died there for the Lotus Sutra, how could it be anything less than the Buddha land?” Why is it that the Daishonin states, “he died,” when in fact he survived the attempted execution? The Opening of the Eyes explains this when it says, “On the twelfth day of the ninth month of last year, between the hours of the rat and the ox (11:00 P.M. to 3:00 A.M.), this person named Nichiren was beheaded. It is his soul that has come to this island of Sado” (p. 269). The Daishonin is implying that, though the ordinary person called Nichiren died at Tatsunokuchi, Nichiren, the Buddha of the Latter Day of the Law, reached Sado Island safely in order to fulfill his mission.
1. A place near Kamakura used as an execution site.
2. Lotus Sutra, chap. 2.
3. Ibid.
4. Hung Yen (d. 660 B.C.E.) was a loyal retainer in ancient China whose lord, Duke Yi, was slain in battle. Hung Yen sacrificed his own life to prevent the desecration of
