A Reply to Shijō Kingo

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If we are to confront and discuss both the teachings that are derived from the external events of Shākyamuni’s life and work (shakumon) along with those of the original archetypal state (honmon), then we see that the teachings that are derived from the external events of the Buddha Shākyamuni’s life and work entail all the implications of when Shākyamuni was first enlightened under the bodhi tree in India (which induces various social prejudices). These impediments do not exist in the teaching of the original archetypal state. Nevertheless, compared with the five ideograms for the title, it does not correspond to the propensities of the sentient beings of the final period of the doctrine of Shākyamuni. But the recitation of Nam Myōhō Renge Kyō is for all sentient beings a real esoteric means of forestalling their mental and material problems.

Nichiren

This letter is thought to date from around the third year of Kenji (1277).

Shijō Kingo dono gohenji
Goshō Zenshū, p. 1170