GOSHO STUDY 221 The earth moves in response to how the peoples six sense organs are affected. Depending on the extent of this influence, the six different ways* in which the earth moves will vary in intensity. The sutras preached prior to Lotus Sutra seem to extinguish peoples earthly desires [associated with their six sense organs], but in reality they do not. In contrast, the Lotus Sutra conquers the fundamental darkness [from which all earthly desires originate]. Hence the earth shakes severely. Moreover, there are many more evil people in this latter age than during the Buddhas lifetime. It was for these reasons that the Buddha taught and showed that the omens that would appear in the Latter Day of the Law would be still greater than those in his own time. On Omens - WND-1, 646 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Six ways: Generally, the rising and falling of earth in one of the four directions. This passage indicates the close connection between life and its environment. The six auspicious happenings (also called the six omens), one of which was a great shaking of the earth, heralded the preaching of the Lotus Sutra and signified the great significance of the event. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This letter was written at Minobu in 1275. As the closing part of this letter is missing, the identity of its recipient is uncertain, but it is generally thought to have been addressed to Shijo Kingo, a samurai and one of the Daishonin’s most loyal followers. Shijo Kingo was at this time facing opposition from his lord and his fellow samurai on account of his faith.
Posted on: Sat, 24 Jan 2015 04:51:00 +0000
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