Three Kinds of Treasure Study Points

(1) “The Three Kinds of Treasure”
The following study point is related to the following passage: “Over and over I recall the moment, unforgettable even now, when I was about to be beheaded and you accompanied me, holding the reins of my horse and weeping tears of grief. Nor could I ever forget it in any lifetime to come” (The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 850).

The Oneness of Mentor and Disciple At the crucial moment, Shijo Kingo, without hesitation, resolved to die with Nichiren, the sublime path of mentor and disciple.
Kingo overcame his fear of death and carried out faith, which was based on the oneness of mentor and disciple. This indicates that Kingo could open a path of life filled with wisdom, and is the reason Nichiren praises Kingo’s faith. (See Study Guide, pp. 24–25, or January–February 2007 Living Buddhism, pp. 52–53.)

The following study point is related to the following passage: “If you should fall into hell for some grave offense, no matter how Shakyamuni Buddha might urge me to become a Buddha, I would refuse; I would rather go to hell with you. For if you and I should fall into hell together, we would find Shakyamuni Buddha and the Lotus Sutra there. It would be as if the moon were illuminating the darkness, as if cold water were pouring into hot, as if fire were melting ice, or as if the sun were ispelling the darkness” (WND-1, 850).

Transforming Hell Into the Land of Tranquil Light If people allow themselves to be controlled by their fundamental darkness, they will commit one evil after another and eventually manifest the life-condition of the hell of incessant suffering.
Fundamental darkness can be overcome through faith in the Mystic Law. Nichiren shows us that faith based on the spirit of the oneness of mentor and disciple is
equivalent to faith in the Mystic Law. Even if both mentor and disciple fall into
hell, through the power of the Mystic Law, they immediately transform it into the Land of Tranquil Light. (See Study Guide, p. 26, or January–February 2007 Living Buddhism, p. 54.)

The following study point is related to the following passage: “But if you depart rom my advice even slightly, do not blame me for what may happen” (WND-1, 850).

Practicing as Nichiren Taught If we were to depart from our faith—our sense of oneness with the mentor, Nichiren—we would stray from the path of transforming evil
into good and hell into the Land of Tranquil Light. (See Study Guide, p. 27, or January–February 2007 Living Buddhism, p. 55.)

The following study point is related to the following passage: “But it is better to live a single day with honor than to live to 120 and die in disgrace. Live so that all the people of Kamakura will say in your praise that Nakatsukasa Saburo Saemon-no-jo is diligent in the service of his lord, in the service of Buddhism, and in his concern for other people” (WND-1, 851).

The True Meaning of Actual Proof
The true meaning of actual proof in Nichiren Buddhism lies in developing our character as we develop our faith. When we show actual proof in this sense, we can truly “live with honor”—worthy of the esteem of others. (See Study Guide, p. 29, or January–February 2007 Living Buddhism, p. 57.)

The following study point is related to the fllowing passage: “More valuable than treasures in a storehouse are the treasures of the body, and the treasures of the heart are the most valuable of all. From the time you read this letter on, strive to accumulate the treasures of the heart!” (WND-1, 851).

Strive To Accumulate the Treasures of the Heart Nichiren teaches that what is most important to acquire in life are the treasures of the heart, which refer to the spiritual richness we cultivate within. These ultimately point to our faith in the Gohonzon and the good fortune we accumulate through that faith. Our efforts for kosen-rufu constitute the supreme practice to accumulate the treasures of the heart. As we do so, we can freely enjoy the treasures of the body and the treasures of the storehouse. The treasures of the storehouse refer to material wealth, while the treasures of the body include such qualities as good health and our various acquired skills and abilities. These treasures are necessary in some respects to improve our lives, but they alone will not enable us to win in life. (See Study Guide, p. 30, or January–February 2007 Living Buddhism, pp. 57–58.)