Friday, February 19, 2021

Gosho Passage - February 19, 2021

"The large carriages drawn by white oxen described in the Lotus Sutra are the carriages that we and others who are votaries of the Lotus Sutra ride in. These carriages are described in detail in the “Simile and Parable” chapter of the Lotus Sutra. But when Kuma-raji-va translated that passage in the sutra he somewhat abbreviated the original, and the description is thus not given in full. The Sanskrit text from India describes in greater detail the adornments on the carriages and similar matters as well as the seven kinds of treasures—hearing the correct teaching, believing it, keeping the precepts, engaging in meditation, practicing assiduously, renouncing one’s attachments, and reflecting on oneself. [...] Those persons who come after me will ride in these carriages and journey to Eagle Peak. And I, Nichiren, riding in the same kind of carriage, will come out to greet them."

From Gosho "On the Large Carriages Drawn by White Oxen" (The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin Volume II, page 976)