January 20, 2025
LOTUS JEWELS（Nichiren Shu News NO240）
At any rate, as I ventured to speak up on such a grave matter, which seemed unreasonable to most of the people, I fully expected to be punished by death or banishment. I feel it indeed strange, however, that nothing has happened to me until today. Does it prove that what I insisted on was quite reasonable?
—Nichiren Shonin,Kingo-dono Gohenji ST 73
A Reply to Lord Ota Jomyo
Speaking up is notoriously hard to do. There is even a saying in Japan, “The nail that sticks up is hammered down.” We all live in societies where the dominant culture tells us what we can say and do. This is sometimes called “duty” or “politeness.” There are strong pressures to conform. We may even believe that our speaking up will only put us in danger and ultimately make no difference. We who know the truth of the Lotus Sutra, that everyone deserves respect, we must find the courage to speak the truth, even if we speak alone as our Founder Nichiren Shonin did. When we speak from the Wonderful Dharma of the Lotus Sutra, it can help others to find their voices, since these words resonate with their true reality. We will find that when we face our fears of speaking up, when we speak truth to our dominant cultures, we are living our vows as Bodhisattvas to benefit all beings.
—Rev. Shinkyo Warner