The Prison Letter

Tsuchiro Gosho 土籠御書

日連は明日佐渡國へまかるなり。今夜のさむきに付ても、ろう（牢）のうちのありさま、思やられていたはしくこそ候へ。あはれ殿は、法華經一部色心二法共にあそばしたる御身なれば、父母六親一切衆生をもたすけ給べき御身也。法華経を除人のよみ候は、口ばかりことば（言）ばかりはよめども心はよまず。心はよめども身によまず。色心二法共にあそばされたるこそ貴く候へ。天諸童子 以爲給使 刀杖不加 毒不能害と説れて候へば、別事はあるべからず。籠をばし出させ給候はば、どく〱きたり給へ。見たてまつり、見えたてまつらん。恐恐謹言。

I, Nichiren, will be leaving for Sado Province tomorrow. Regarding the coldness tonight, I can only imagine what it must be like for you in prison, and it pains me greatly. My lord, because you have read the entire Lotus Sutra and attained the two aspects of form and mind, you are a person who can save your parents, six relatives, and all sentient beings. Those who read the Lotus Sutra without faith, even if they recite it with their mouths, their minds will not understand it. [Even if] their minds know it, their bodily [actions] don't follow it. It is truly noble that you have read it with both form and mind. Since it is said, “Heavenly pages will serve him. He will not be struck with swords or sticks. He will not be poisoned,” nothing else should make a difference to you. When you are released from prison, please come to see me as soon as you can. We must see each other. With deepest respect.

⽂永八年粹十月九日

日蓮花押

筑後殿

9th day of the 10th month, Bun’ei 10 (1271)

Nichiren (signature)

To Chikugo-dono