animal dressed in priestly robes,” a thief who has stolen the title of priest.
The Daishonin concludes by instructing Matsuno how to practice his teaching as a lay believer. He encourages the lay priest to chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, provide support for the priests, and, in accord with the
Lotus Sutra, put effort into spreading the Law. Clearly, in light of the preceding paragraphs, “priests” here indicates not any priest, but the Daishonin’s disciples— those who are practicing in accord with the spirit elucidated in this letter.
1. Nichigen (d. 1315) was a priest of Jissoji temple, which belonged to the Tendai school. He became a disciple of Nichiren Daishonin after the Daishonin’s move to Mount Minobu. Later, he returned to Jisso- ji and converted other priests. He also built temples in Musashi and Suruga provinces.
2. Lotus Sutra, chap. 13.
3. The source of this statement is not known, but “monks and nuns with the hearts of dogs” is described in the Accumulated Treasures Sutra.
4. Presumably this indicates the first section of the “Expedient Means” chapter, which ends with “The true aspect of all phenomena can only be understood and shared between Buddhas. This reality consists of the appearance . . . and their consistency from beginning to end.”
5. Chapter 3 of the Lotus Sutra says that one should not expound this sutra among the foolish in order to protect them from committing the evil of slandering the sutra.
6. This “one scholar” has been identified as the Dharma Characteristics scholar, Tz’u-en, by Ts’ung-i in his Supplement to T’ien-t’ai’s Three Major Works. The attribution, however, is dubious. Tz’u-en in his Praising the Profundity of the Lotus Sutra mentions slanders, but does not enumerate or enlarge upon them.
7. Paraphrase of a passage in chapter 10 of the Lotus Sutra.
8. Lotus Sutra, chap. 28.
9. The Diamond Scalpel.
10. This is mentioned in chapter 2 of the Lotus Sutra.
11. Paraphrase of a passage in chapter 10 of the Lotus Sutra.
12. Lotus Sutra, chap. 28.
13. In the “Treasure Tower” chapter of the Lotus Sutra, Shakyamuni Buddha assembles all the Buddhas from throughout the universe and then opens the treasure tower. Many Treasures Buddha invites him to share his seat, and the Ceremony in the Air begins.
14. Nirvana Sutra.
15. Mandarin ducks: A symbol of conjugal happiness. The male and female are said to remain faithful to each other throughout their lives.
16. Lotus Sutra, chap. 13.
17. Ibid., chap. 16.
18. The Annotations on the Nirvana Sutra.
19. The eight paths lead in eight directions, that is, toward the eight points of the compass.
20. Mandarava, great mandarava, manjushaka, and great manjushaka flowers. Fragrant red and white flowers that, according to Indian tradition, bloom in heaven.
