A sword will be useless in the hands of a coward. The mighty sword of the Lotus Sutra must be wielded by one courages in faith. Then he will be strong as a demon armed with an iron staff.
Reply to kyo'o (MW-I-120)
Explanation:
Although a premium sharpedged sword is in hand, but if the person wielding it lacks any courage, the sword is of no use at all. Similarly, the mighty sword of the Lotus Sutra can only manifest its usefulness and power to those who maintain steadfast faith and who are courages, much like the saying, "a tiger with endowed wings".
Reply to Kyo'o is a letter written by Nichiren Daishonin in 1273 to Shijo Kingo while on exile to Sado Island. Althougth the letter is addressed to Shijo Kingo's infant daughter, Kyo'o, it seems likely that it was intended for her parents, Shiji Kingo and Nichigennyo.
Courage Determines Victory or Defeat in One's Life
There is nothing more important than courage in life. Courage is the linchpin of life's victory or defeat. Behind many successful man, there is a wealth of experience of countless courages challenge against obstacles. No matter how grand the ideals, if there is no courage, all is but mere words. Similarly, in the world of faith, if there is no courages practice, it is as if we returned from a treasure tower empty-handed though we have found the path to attain Buddhahood.
Courage, is none other than the spirit of dauntlessly forging ahead and advancing forward. To be able to persist with such a spirit is the cornerstone of courage. The first step in faith starts from the moment we decide to take up faith and challenge our own karma with courage.
On courage, as proclaimed by the great writer, Goethe, "It doesn't matter if money and fame are lost, because you could get them back once you get up and fight again. However, if courage is lost, you have lost everything."
Furthermore, there is a saying, "Courageous men fear not." being fearless is the supreme state of happiness. To be undaunted no matter what happens in life is to have attained the life state of Buddhahood.
Nichiren Daishonin point out: "If one cannot get cross a river ten feet wide, how can he cross one that is a hundred or two hundred feet?" Our practise in faith runs in the same vein. If we don't even have the courage to challenge and overcome problems like traffic jam, time management, relationship problems, how can we hope to overcome the powerful enemies of Buddhism, and to achieve worldwide kosenrufu and world peace?
Having courage means having the power to propel ahead, the power to initiate and motivate, thus leading one towards the path of victory and happiness. To illustrate: When we are suffering at the mercy of one's karma, we must determine to take courage in one's hand and challenge them. This courage that we mustered, will bring us the power of faith and the power of practice. This in turn will lead to the manifestation of our great life force from within, the working of the profound power of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.
Daimoku is the 'Engine' of courage
From a practical standpoint, the lifetime that inflames and propels the 'engine' of courage is none other than Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. Daimoku propels courage. Therefore, to be able to summon up the determination to chant daimoku is already displaying courage. Not succumbing to any threat and persecution for the sake of our belief is the greatest courage of all. Those who act on behalf of one's conviction in faith are heroes among heroes.
Extracted from Cosmic March 1999
