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Rissho Ankoku in the 21St
By Bishop Tansei Iwama - The Rissho Ankoku Ron (Treatise for Creating a Peace/ul and Secure Country through Establishing the Correct Teachings of Buddhism) is one of Nichiren Shonin's most representative works. Nichiren Shonin's life's work began and ended with the Rissho Ankoku Ron, to such an extent that Nichiren Shonin's entire life of religious propa¬gation was based on the spirit of the Rissho Ankoku Ron. The Kamakura era in Japan, when Nichiren Shonin began propa¬gating the Lotus Sutra, was beset with continuous natural disasters, famine, plague, and other calamities that caused great suffering to the general populace. When Nichiren Shonin witnessed the condi¬tions throughout his society, he questioned himself, "Why are so many continuous disasters occuring?" and "Why do the people suf¬fer so?" These questions became the underlying reasons for Nichiren Shonin's research and later policies, as he thought all of Japan must be saved from this suffering as soon as possible. In response to this, Nichiren Shonin' first of all, began reading all of the Buddha's sutras which resulted in him authoring the Rissho Ankoku Ron and at the age of 39, submitting it to the authorities of the Kamakura gunate. However, this resulted in Nichiren Shonin having to also endure numerous hardships and persecutions, all for the sake of the Dharma. So what are the contents of what Nichiren Shonin was attempting to teach all of us throughout the Rissho Ankoku Ron? He taught us, by first establishing and adhering to the correct teachings of Buddhism that the people and entire country would begin to enjoy security. Spiritual incorrectness brings about disharmony in the environment and natural disasters occur because evil demons are able to creep into the crevices and live in the people's arrogant hearts. Furthermore, if the principle of human morality is abandoned, society falls into confusion - just as when the body bends, its shadow follows. If correct principles are lost, a peaceful society will undoubtedly fall into disar¬ray. The terms of "Rissho" (Establishing the Correct [Teachings of Buddhism] ) and "Ankoku" (a Peaceful and Secure Country) are one entity and not to be taken as opposing entities. If the correct Dharma of Buddhism is established with its society, then that nation will become stable and secure. If you seek a tranquil country, then you must first convert the heart of all of its society into the realm of correct Buddhist teachings. The significance of the existence of Buddhism lies here. These are the main ideals behind the RisshoAnkoku Ron. Happiness and unhappiness through¬out the world, it is not simply a matter of examining a single person's heart, but an issue that applies to the society at large. When faced with the reality of the world facing natural disasters, calamities and war, society itself becom¬ing ill, and all society being forced to equally endure suffering, it makes no sense to simply attempt to save a single individual. To save all the world, it becomes necessary to plant correct principles in society as well as in poli¬tics. As long as politics are not based on correct principles, a truly peaceful and secure country and society will not come about. Based on this theorem, Nichiren Shonin remonstrated with the highest authority of the Kamakura government in an attempt to spiritually revolutionize all society, starting from the top. This spirit, found throughout the Rissho Ankoku Ron, is based on Nichiren Shonin's great compassion and heart of empathy for all mankind. He especially felt much empathy for all those around him. Nichiren Shonin took on the suf¬ferings of society and all individuals around him as his own, and it is in the Rissho Ankoku Ron that puts strong emphasis on the Buddhist principle of compassion which he repeated through¬out his entire life. Shortly before passing away and while ill in bed, Nichiren Shonin summoned his disciples and lec¬tured on the Rissho Ankoku Ron, which demonstrates the importance of this treatise to Nichiren Shonin. The Rissho Ankoku Ron is not merely a classical literary work from 740 years ago, and should not be approached as such. It is instead, a work that should be continually read from the standpoint of modern times. Taking faith only due to natural disasters, while overemphasiz¬ing the importance of protective deities or demons and hell, or combining reli¬gion with political authority, is nothing other than superstition and self impor¬tance. Don't just laugh at Buddhism as being nonsense in comparison to modern civ¬ilization. Even the high caliber of our 21st Century which developed the sci¬entific civilization of today, have not been able to resolve the following issues of: the environment and humankind, desires and happiness, correct principles (or righteousness) vs. evil ways, society and religion. In actuality, we must real¬ize that our world has deteriorated far worse than even the 13th Century world of Nichiren Shonin. The Rissho Ankoku Ron faces these issues head on and presents us with solutions, and illustrates the necessity for us to once more re-examine the dangerous condi¬tions of our modern world. We are striving throughout all of Nichiren Shu today to actualize the principles contained within the Rissho Ankoku Ron, praying for the wellbeing of all life throughout the planet, using the theme of protecting "Environment- Peace - Life" as we promote the chant¬ing of the Odaimoku. We do this as each and every one of us cares for the earth, as each and every one of us erects peace as the basis of our hearts, and as each and every one of us treasures the dignity of all life. This is something that any one can do, and I hope that you all will indeed encourage those around you to do the same. Nichiren Shonin stated in the Itai Doshin Ji, "Nothing can be accom¬plished by a person who is at cross-pur¬poses with him or herself, let alone to say of hundreds of thousands of peo¬ple. However, if united in spirit, your objective will, without a doubt, be obtained." Even though the country we live in is different, we have all embraced and carry on the very heart of our Founder, Nichiren Shonin. Now is the time for all of us to chant the Odaimoku with strong faith and make great strides for¬ward in our Buddhist faith and prac¬tice, as well as in daily life. In closing, please allow me to offer my prayers to all to join hands together and strive to accomplish Kaiki Myoho (all beings under the heavens and within the four seas returning to Myoho Renge Kyo), the spirit of the Rissho Ankoku Ron and peace throughout this world. Namu Myoho Renge Kyo |