 |
|
 |
 |
 |
|
| |
8. October 2005: The Three
Power Enemies – Part 1 |
|
|
|
Shin Yatomi
SGI-USA
Study department leader
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
Kosen-rufu
is a struggle to spread the Lotus Sutra. Obstacles
and devilish forces of every imaginable kind are
sure to assail the votaries of the Lotus Sutra.
The spirit to battle powerful enemies is the heart
of the lion king. As long as we possess the readiness
and courage to confront these negative forces, we
can manifest our inherent Buddhahood.
Cowardice is a state in which people have succumbed
to inner devilish functions.
Ultimately, unless we undertake the same resolve
as our mentor in faith, we will be defeated by devilish
functions. |
 |
 |
|
Kosen-rufu is a struggle to spread the
Lotus Sutra so that all people in the evil age of the
Latter Day of the Law can attain enlightenment.
Obstacles and devilish forces of every imaginable kind
are sure to assail the votaries of the Lotus Sutra who
take up this challenge. In particular, the three powerful
enemies will appear without fail as a concrete manifestation
of the devilish nature inherent in life.
To win over obstacles and devilish functions is the true
path of mentor and disciple dedicated to accomplishing
kosen-rufu in the Latter Day of the Law.
The spirit to battle powerful enemies is the heart of
the lion king. As long as we possess the readiness and
courage to confront these negative forces, we can manifest
our inherent Buddhahood and bring forth the necessary
fighting spirit, wisdom and life force to achieve victory.
For that reason alone, we have nothing to fear.
Cowardice is a state in which people have succumbed to
inner devilish functions. This can progress to such a
profound level that they eventually lose their vitality
and wisdom and even find their whole lives tumbling inexorably
toward defeat. The Daishonin sternly warns that we should
not let this happen to us.
Ultimately, unless we undertake the same resolve as our
mentor in faith, we will be defeated by devilish functions.
This is why the Daishonin’s call to his disciples
to rise into action with a vow equal to his resonates
throughout this treatise.
 |
 |
 |
 |
What are the three powerful
enemies and how are they different? |
 |
|
|
Why is it important to fight
against these devilish functions? |
 |
The Great Teacher Miao-lo of China later classified the
persecutors into three groups and named them the “three
powerful enemies.”
The first enemy is arrogant lay people. Ignorant of Buddhism,
they curse and speak ill of the practitioners and attack
them with swords and staves, thus persecuting them through
both verbal and physical violence.
The second enemy is arrogant priests. These are priests
of an evil age who possess perverse wisdom and are fawning
and crooked, who suppose they have attained enlightenment
when they have not and who are attached to their own preconceived
ideas and beliefs.
The third enemy is arrogant false sages. These are people
who try to pass themselves off as sages.
The Daishonin called forth each of the three powerful
enemies and overcame them all.
In “The Opening of the Eyes,” the Daishonin
ends his discussion in this section by indicating that
the appearance of the three powerful enemies offers conclusive
proof that he is the votary of the Lotus Sutra in the
Latter Day of the Law.
The Lotus Sutra predicts that persecution will befall
its votaries in the evil age to come, even describing
in detail that it will be carried out by arrogant lay
people, arrogant priests and arrogant false sages.
The Lotus Sutra states that arrogant false sages, proud
of their authority, “despise and look down on all
humankind.” This is the exact opposite of the spirit
of the Lotus Sutra, which teaches respect for all people.
|
(from Living Buddhism,
October 2005)
|
|
|
|
|
