Daily Study - Letter to the Lay Priest Nakaoki

How do you like your eggs in the morning? Or rather, how do you like your Buddhist study material... My lovely Young Women's District leader has shared this wonderful podcast - ideal for those who like to listen while they learn.

http://abuddhistpodcast.com/2012/06/17/letter-to-the-lay-priest-nakaoki/

You can download the podcasts site at http://abuddhistpodcast.com/,  follow at Twitter, see the gosho at Letter to the Lay Priest Nakaoki and read the background below. Enjoy the study, in whichever format works for you!

Background

This letter was written at Minobu to the lay priest Nakaoki and his wife, believers who lived at Nakaoki on the island of Sado. Though the present work is traditionally titled Letter to the Lay Priest Nakaoki, it is addressed to Nakaoki’s wife. It would seem that Nichiren Daishonin wrote it for both of them when Nakaoki came to visit him at Minobu.

Nakaoki’s father, the lay priest Nakaoki no Jiro, had already passed away when this letter was written. Despite his own long-standing faith in the Nembutsu, he had apparently embraced the Daishonin’s teachings when they met during his exile and had protected him during his stay on the island. Later, one of his sons, the Nakaoki of this letter, also became the Daishonin’s follower, along with his wife. After the Daishonin was pardoned and went to live at Minobu, the young Nakaoki repeatedly made the journey from Sado to see him and bring him offerings.

In the beginning of this letter, the Daishonin describes how Buddhism was first introduced to Japan, and how erroneous teachings such as those of the Nembutsu and True Word have spread throughout the country. Because the Daishonin pointed out the errors of the various schools, he met with repeated persecutions, culminating in an abortive attempt to behead him at Tatsunokuchi and his subsequent exile to Sado Island. He continues, however, that he alone has made clear the underlying cause of recent disasters affecting the nation, urging people to abandon mistaken teachings and instead chant the daimoku of the Lotus Sutra. Therefore, he is “the most loyal subject in all of Japan.” Though the people may despise him and the authorities persecute him, because he embraces the Lotus Sutra, which all Buddhas cherish, he is certain to beprotected. In conclusion, the Daishonin praises the faith of the Nakaokis in supporting the votary of the Lotus Sutra, and assures them of great blessings in this life and the life to come.