Let Us Reach 'the Stage of Purity and Good'

By Honourable Rev. Nisso Uchino Archbishop of Nichiren Shu
Chief Abbot of Minobu-san Kuonji

At the beginning of the New Year, I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the constant services and contributions you are rendering to Minobusan, the Founder's mountain. At the same time，let me pray so that as you greet the New Year, even a small portion of the difficulties you may face in adverse situations，will be removed.

I also appreciate the holding of a grand party in September to commemorate my assumption of office in May as the 52nd Chief Abbot of Nichiren Shu and the president of Rissho University.

Looking over the world situation, we find uneasiness is growing in wide-ranging sectors of society， be it medicine, commodity price，welfare，education and so forth. Even the news reports seem to incite the social uneasiness.

Under the circumstances，I remember a phrase of the Lotus Sutra. It says in the sutra, “'Anyone who reads and recites the sutra in the future will be a true son of mine. He will live on the stage of purity and good." (Chapter XI: The Appearance of a Stupa of Treasures)

Although we are unenlightened, a virtuous mind of good will arise, but because we are unenlightened, it will soon disappear. We are unable to retain it. However, having faith in the Lotus Sutra, getting rid of delusions, becoming and continuing to be a man of good will, we will be able to reach the stage of purity and good.

I wish not only Minobusan, but Japan, the entire world and the universe will become such a place of purity and good. I will do whatever I can tonrealize this ideal.

Nichiren Shu is now promoting the Rissho Ankoku and Odaimoku Kechien Campaign. It aims at realizing a peaceful society in which people respect each other. I ask for your great support and cooperation.