Reply to Lord Shijo Kingo

四條金吾殿御返事 Shijo Kingo-dono Gohenji

一切衆生南無妙法蓮華經と唱るより外の遊樂なきなり。經云衆生所遊樂云云。此文あに自受法樂にあらずや。衆生のうちに貴殿もれ給べきや。所とは一閻学提なり。日本國は閻浮提の内なり。遊樂とは我等が色心依正ともに一念三千自受用身の佛にあらずや。法華經を持奉より外に遊樂はなし。現世安穩・後生善處とは是なり。ただ世間の留難來るとも、とりあへ給べからず。賢人聖人も此事はのがれず。ただ女房と酒うちのみて、南無妙法蓮華經ととなへ給へ。苦をば苦とさとり、樂をば樂とひらき、苦樂ともに思合て、南無妙法蓮華經とうちとなへゐ（唱居）させ給へ。これあに自受法樂にあらずや。いよ〱强盛の信力をいたし給へ。恐恐護言。

All sentient beings have no other joy than chanting “Namu Myoho Renge Kyo.” The sutra says, “…the sentient beings in that place are enjoying themselves…” Isn't this passage about the self-enjoyment of the bliss of the Dharma? Among all sentient beings, should you not also be included? “That place” is Jambudvipa. Japan is located within Jambudvipa. Isn’t “enjoying themselves” the buddha of the self-enjoyment body, in whom our form, mind, circumstantial recompense, and direct recompense are all the three thousand realms in a single thought-moment. There is no joy outside of upholding the Lotus Sutra. This is what is meant by “peace and security in this life, and rebirth in a good place in their next life.” Even if the world brings difficulties, do not be discouraged. Not even sages and saints can escape this. Just drink sake with your wife and chant, “Namu Myoho Renge Kyo.” Realize suffering as suffering, accept the enjoyable as enjoyable; consider suffering and joy together [as inseparable parts of life] and chant Namu Myoho Renge Kyo. How could this not be the self-enjoyment of the bliss of the Dharma? May your faith grow ever stronger. With deepest respect.

建治二年子丙六月三十七日

日蓮花押

四條金吾殿御返事

27th day of the sixth month, Kenji 2 (1276), yang fire rat

Nichiren (signature)

Reply to Lord Shijo Kingo