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On Itai Doshin
I have received the white winter robe and the thick-quilted one, as well
as one kan of coins, through the offices of Hoki-bo. Hoki-bo and Sadobo and the believers at Atsuhara, united in their courageous faith,
proved the true strength of itai doshin.
If itai doshin (many in body, one in mind) prevails among the people,
they will achieve all their goals, whereas in dotai ishin (one in body,
different in mind), they can achieve nothing remarkable. The more
than three thousand volumes of Confucianism and Taoist literature are
filled with examples. King Chou of Yin led 700,000 soldiers into battle
against King Wu of Chou and his 800 men. Yet King Chou's army lost
because of disunity while King Wu's men defeated him because of
perfect unity. Even an individual at cross-purposes with himself is
certain to end in failure. Yet a hundred or even a thousand people can
definitely attain their goal if they are of one mind. Though numerous,
the Japanese will find it difficult to accomplish anything, because they
are divided in spirit. On the contrary, I believe that although Nichiren
and his followers are few in number, because they act in itai doshin,
they will accomplish their great mission of propagating the Lotus Sutra.
Many raging fires are quenched by a single shower of rain, and many
evil forces are vanquished by a single great truth. Nichiren and his
followers are proving this.
You have served the Lotus Sutra with devotion for many years, and in
addition, you demonstrated remarkable faith during the recent incident
at Atsuhara. Many people including Hoki-bo and Sado-bo have told me
so. I have listened carefully and reported everything to the god of the
sun and to Tensho Daijin.
I should have replied to you earlier, but there was no one who could
bring this letter to you. Nissho left here so quickly that I had no time to
finish writing before his departure.
Some people may be wondering whether the Mongols will really attack
again, but I believe that invasion is now imminent. An invasion would
be deplorable--it would mean the ruin of our country--but if it does not
happen, the Japanese people will slander the Lotus Sutra more than
ever and all of them will fall into the hell of incessant suffering.
The nation may be devastated by the superior strength of the Mongols,
but slander of Buddhism will cease almost entirely. Defeat would be

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like moxa cautery, which cures disease or acupuncture, which relieves
pain. Both are painful at the moment but bring happiness later.
I, Nichiren, am the emissary of the Lotus Sutra, while the Japanese are
like King Mihirakula who eliminated Buddhism throughout India. The
Mongol Empire may be like King Himatala of the Snow Mountains, a
messenger from heaven sent to punish those hostile to the votary of
the Lotus Sutra. If the Japanese repent, they will be like King
Ajatashatru who became a devout follower of Buddhism, thereby
curing his own leprosy and prolonging his life by forty years. Like
Ajatashatru, they will profess faith in spite of their earlier disbelief, and
awaken to the entity of life.
With my deep respect,

Nichiren
The sixth day of the eighth month