Letter to Priest Nichiro in Prison
Tomorrow, I am to leave for the province of Sado. In
the cold tonight, I think of how it must be for you in
prison, and feel pity for you. How admirable, that
you have read the entirety of the Lotus Sutra with
both body and mind! You will therefore be able to
save your father and mother, your six kinds of
relatives, and all living beings. Others read the
Lotus Sutra with their mouths alone, reading only
the words, but do not read it with their hearts. And
even if they read it with their hearts, they do not
read it with their actions. Praiseworthy indeed are
those like you who read the sutra with both body
and mind! The Lotus Sutra says [concerning one
who reads this scripture]: "The young sons of the
heavenly deities will attend and serve him. Swords
and staves shall not touch him, and poison will have
no power to harm him." Thus no injury will befall
you. When you are released from prison, come to
me quickly. I look forward eagerly to seeing you
again.
With my deep respect,
Nichiren
The ninth day of the tenth month in the eighth
