Letter to the Brothers excerpt 1

The Lotus Sutra is the heart of the eighty thousand teachings and the core of the twelve divisions of the scriptures. The Buddhas throughout the three existences attain enlightenment because they take this sutra as their teacher. The Buddhas of the ten directions guide living beings with the teaching of the one vehicle as their eyes.


Commentary:
Nichiren emphasizes the superiority of the Lotus Sutra over all others. He says that all Buddhas attained enlightenment by taking the Lotus Sutra as their teacher and they also expounded the Lotus Sutra to others. 

Letter to the Brothers Intro

"The great undertaking of kosenrufu is a struggle against devilish functions. We cannot afford to cower at their onslaughts. If we allow them to defeat us, humanity will be forever enveloped in darkness." This declaration by Josei Toda carries an important message for posterity. Mr. Toda wished to rid the world of suffering and misery; therefore, he strove tirelessly to vanquish all negative forces that inflicted pain and torment on people. Although suffering from illness when the Soka Gakkai was nearing its 750,000 membership goal, he fought on, undaunted. He overcame his health threat and handed the baton of kosenrufu to the youth division in March, 1958. He passed away peacefully on April 2.

The announcement of the attainment of 750,000 membership occurred at the December 1957 HQ leaders meeting. Mr. Toda presented what became known as "three eternal guidelines of the Soka Gakkai": faith for a harmonious family, faith for each person to become happy, faith for surmounting obstacles. In 2003 President Ikeda added two more: faith for health and long life, faith for absolute victory.

"Letter to the Brothers" is a crucial text for learning the correct attitude in faith. Nichiren Daishonin teaches his followers to triumph over all devilish functions and attain Buddhahood. He urges them to do so by striving in faith with the same commitment as his and uniting solidly with their fellow believers. 

This writing could be called the basis of the five eternal guidelines. Unless we win in the struggle against devilish functions, we cannot achieve true harmony, happiness, health, longevity or victory.

The letter is addressed to Munenaka and Munenaga Ikegami in response to news of Munenaka's disownment (a really big deal) by their father, Yasumitsu, who was a leading construction contractor for the government. As an ardent supporter of Ryokan, chief priest of the Gokurakuji temple, he was opposed to their practice and had disowned Munenaka in oredr to tempt Munenaga who could become the heir if only he would abandon his faith. He teaches that the obstacles confronting them are due to their faith in the Lotus Sutrs and that the path to Buddhahood lies in battling devilish functions in accord with the sutra.