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three thousand conditions on the mast of the Middle Way doctrine,
driven by the fair wind of "all phenomena reveal the true entity," [8]
the vessel surges ahead, carrying all believers who can enter
Buddhahood by their pure faith. Shakyamuni Buddha is the helmsman,
Taho Buddha mans the sails, and the four Bodhisattvas led by Jogyo
strain in unison at the creaking oars. This is the ship in "a ship to make
the crossing," the vessel of Myoho-renge-kyo. Those who board it are
the disciples and followers of Nichiren. Believe this wholeheartedly.
When you visit Shijo Kingo, please have an earnest talk with him. I will
write you again.
With my deep respect,
Nichiren
The twenty-eighth day of the fourth month
Footnotes:
1. Shih K'uang and Li Lou: Legendary figures in China famed,
respectively for their extraordinary hearing and vision.
2. Maka Shikan, vol. 5
3. Lotus Sutra, chap. 2
4. The opposite shore: It represents the shore of enlightenment or
nirvana, while this shore where we live represents that of illusion.
5. This quotation from the Hokke Mongu Ki is followed by the
sentence, "Only the ship of Myoho-renge-kyo enables one to
cross the sea of suffering." But a sentence to the same effect
appears at the beginning of the next page and, if translated
literally, it will interrupt the flow of meaning. This is why the
sentence is omitted here.
6. Lotus Sutra, chap. 23
7. Using both right and wrong: Both good and evil are eternally
inherent in life. Provisional sutras hold that wicked people cannot
attain enlightenment, but the Lotus Sutra reveals that no matter
how evil one's life, he simultaneously possesses the Buddha
nature.
8. Lotus Sutra, chap. 2