October 2011 Discussion Meeting Gosho Study!

1.    Theme for Discussion Meeting:

• Unity in Faith Can Transform the World!
• Gosho:  Many in Body, One in Mind, WND-I-618.
• Reference:  Flow 511, pp. 4-6.

2.    Gosho Passage

Though numerous, the Japanese will find it difficult to accomplish anything, because they are divided in spirit.  In contrast, although Nichiren and his followers are few, because they are different in body, but united in mind, they will definitely accomplish their great mission of widely propagating the Lotus Sutra.  Though evils may be numerous, they cannot prevail over a single great truth, just as many raging fires are quenched by a single shower of rain.  This principle also holds true with Nichiren and his followers.

3.    Background

• When and to whom this letter was written is not very clear. 
• First half and second half said to have been from two different letters.
• First half portion we are studying this time thought to have been written to a disciple living in the Suruga Province (central part of present-day Shizuoka Prefecture), most probably addressed to the lay priest Takahashi. 
• Also assumed to have been written in the first year of Kenji (1275), but there are also other accounts.
• If written in 1275, it was the time when under the direction of Nikko Shonin, shakubuku and propagation was advancing with remarkable momentum in the Suruga area. 
• Gyochi, acting deputy chief priest of Ryusen-ji temple in Atsuhara felt threatened, and with backing from Kamakura authorities, plotted to persecute the Daishonin’s disciples. 
• This eventually culminated into the Atsuhara Persecution.

4.    Summary

• Daishonin teaches that if all disciples of Nichiren stand with the faith of many in body one in mind, they will be able to defeat evil and definitely achieve kosen-rufu.
• Further, the second-half of this gosho speaks of the imminence of a second Mongol invasion that may ultimately serve to excise slander against the Lotus Sutra and save the Japanese people.

5.    Main Points for Study

• Kosen-rufu is the struggle to open up the peace and happiness of all people! 
• This gosho passage teaches that the key point to the success of such struggle is "many in body, one in mind!"
• The Japanese people, though numerous in number, because they have no definite objective and are divided in their minds, will not be able to accomplish anything. 
• In particular, the authorities of Japan at that time and the priests of all the other sects, though they conspired to persecute the Daishonin and all his disciples, their hearts are scattered with jealousy and treachery.
• In contrast, the Daishonin declares that his disciples who are many in body but one in mind "will definitely accomplish their great mission of widely propagating the Lotus Sutra."
• The strength of the Mystic Law at that time when "Nichiren and his followers are few" has now expanded throughout the whole world through Soka Gakkai’s advancement of many in body one in mind. 
• The Daishonin’s teaching has now become the light of hope for humanity.
• No matter how mighty the authoritative power or how despicable the evil influence, they will not be able to destroy the one great good of the “solidarity of the common people,” the highest good kosen-rufu is aiming at. 
• This principle of absolute victory is what the Daishonin is sternly showing here.
• Toda Sensei: 

"many in body" means the different circumstances of each individual, making the best of our individuality in daily living.  "One in mind" is faith, our self-awakening towards the objective of kosen-rufu.

• Each and every person, while manifesting their individuality, challenges their practice of "faith equals daily living."
• To be one in mind with our mentor of kosen-rufu, encouraging our comrades and sending hope to society – through this superb balance of the centripetal force of “one in mind” and the centrifugal force of “many in body,” we will be able to advance on the track of happiness one with the Mystic Law.
• Ikeda Sensei: 

Soka Gakkai has surmounted all obstacles.  Why is this so?  
This is because we have won with faith, and with the principle of "many in body, one in mind."  
If we carry through with this principle of "many in body, one in mind," in Buddhism, there will never be any deadlock at all.  
Presently, I would like to sternly lay out the track for Soka Gakkai to prosper eternally.  
And, we must never deviate from this track.

• Let us together construct the victorious history where the people will eternally prosper!