Gosho Quote for May 2024
Letter to Abutsu-bo
(“Abutsu-bo gosho”)
In the Latter Day of the Law, there is no treasure tower other than the men and women who embrace the Lotus Sutra. If this is true, then regardless of one’s rank or class, when one chants Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo, one’s life manifests itself as the treasure tower, and at the same time, one is endowed with the virtue of Taho Buddha. There is no treasure tower other than Myoho-Renge-Kyo. The Daimoku of the Lotus Sutra is the treasure tower; the treasure tower is Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo. Now, Abutsu shonin’s [Abutsu-bo’s] entire life is comprised of the five elements—earth, water, fire, wind, and space. These five elements correspond to the five characters of the Daimoku. Thus, Abutsu-bo is the treasure tower himself, and the treasure tower itself is Abutsu-bo. No matter how hard one tries to find some other way, it will be of no value. Abutsu-bo’s life is the treasure tower endowed with the seven kinds of treasure: listening, believing, observing the precepts, concentration, practicing assiduously, selfless devotion, and self-reflection. (Gosho, p.792)