Gosho: The individual and collective writings of Nichiren Daishonin, True Buddha and founder of Nichiren Shoshu. Goshos are generally divided into letters of personal encouragement, treatises on Buddhism and recorded oral teachings. Go is an honorific prefix and sho means writing(s).
November Gosho passage
Letter to Myomitsu Shonin
(Myomitsu Shonin-goshosoku)
March 5, 1276 (Age 55)
I am profoundly upholding the teaching that the Lotus Sutra reigns supreme above all the sutras the Buddha has preached, now preaches, and will preach. I have been chanting the Daimoku, the essence of the Lotus Sutra, myself, and encouraging others [to do the same]. The winding mugwort grows straight when it is planted in a hemp field. A crooked tree can be cut into straight lumber by following the sumi ink mark. Likewise, when you chant the Daimoku exactly as taught in the Lotus Sutra, your heart will never go astray. As a matter of course, you must understand that if the Buddha’s heart did not enter our bodies, we would not be able to chant the Daimoku.
(Gosho p. 967 / Nichiren Shoshu Monthly November 2024
Print or download November 2024 Gosho passage.
October Gosho passage
Two Kinds of Faith
(Ueno dono-gohenji
February 25, 1278 (Age 57)
Among contemporary believers in the Lotus Sutra, there are some who have faith like fire and others who have faith like flowing water. Those with faith like fire fervently burn with passion when they listen to the teachings of the Lotus Sutra, but when alone, they are apt to forsake their faith. On the other hand, those with faith like flowing water always persist in their practice of the Lotus Sutra, never discarding their faith. Because you continue to visit me, regardless of your circumstances, it can be said that your faith resembles flowing water. This deserves my genuine respect.
(Gosho p. 1206 / Nichiren Shoshu Monthly October 2024)
Print or download October 2024 Gosho passage.