So, wherever we are living, in whatever circles we
move in, our own area is our personal province of kosen-rufu, and exactly where
we need to win. Nichiren Daishonin trusts us with this lofty mission, so let's
open up our hearts, and share this wonderful practice within our communities...
"I entrust you with the propagation of Buddhism
in your province. It is stated that 'the seeds of Buddhahood sprout as a result
of conditions, and for this reason they preach the single vehicle.'"
(The Properties of Rice - The Writings of Nichiren
Daishonin, page 1117) http://www.sgilibrary.org/view.php?page=1117 Selection
Source: "Kyo no Hosshin", Seikyo Shinbun September 15th, 2012
Background
Only a fragment of this letter remains, and its
recipient and the date of its writing are not known. It was once thought to
represent the concluding portion of The True Aspect of All Phenomena, written
on Sado Island in the fifth month of 1273, but in view of its style and content
it is now considered to be a fragment of a letter written after Nichiren
Daishonin moved to Mount Minobu. Likewise, it is thought that it may have been
sent to the lay priest Takahashi Rokuro Hyoe, who lived at Kajima in Fuji
District of Suruga Province. Takahashi’s wife was Nikko Shonin’s aunt, and
Takahashi and his family appear to have actively supported the propagation
movement in the Fuji area.
It is worthy of note that, in closing, the Daishonin
entrusts the letter’s recipient with the responsibility for propagation in his
province, suggesting that the recipient had strong faith and was a leading
figure among the believers in that area.
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