THIS is addressed to Āchārya Daikoku and Uemon no Tayū Sakan.1
It was my understanding that the priests’ quarters inhabited by the late Āchārya Daishin2 would be disposed of according to instructions from you two gentlemen. But now I find to my surprise that no one is living there.
If there were no document regarding disposition of the building, we might discuss among ourselves what to do with it. But I find on looking into the matter carefully that a document was drawn up entrusting it to the care of Āchārya Ben.
I do not believe that you will have any special objection to my plan—or is there some particular reason why you have not abided by the document that was drawn up? If there is not, then, in accordance with instructions from you, Āchārya Daikoku and Uemon no Tayū, the building in question should be dismantled and moved to the quarters of Āchārya Ben. Āchārya Ben is a man wise in understanding and must be wondering what is being done about this matter. When the dismantled quarters are used to repair and enlarge the quarters now occupied by Āchārya Ben so that the roof no longer leaks, the place will serve as a precious building for the use of persons connected with our endeavors.
In winter, buildings are often destroyed by fire. If we were to allow this building to be destroyed in such a way, we would not only suffer its loss, but others would view us with ridicule.
When you receive this letter, please settle this matter within the following two or three days and write me individually to inform me of the decision in the matter.
With my deep respect,
Nichiren
The twentieth day of the tenth month
To both of you
Please abide by the document that has been drawn up.
Background
Sometime before the ninth month of 1278, an elderly priest named Daishin passed away. He had been a disciple of Nichiren Daishonin and had encouraged and guided believers in Kamakura while the Daishonin was in exile in 834Sado. This letter, written at Minobu on the twentieth day of the tenth month in 1279, conveys the Daishonin’s instructions to the priest Nichirō (Āchārya Daikoku) and the lay supporter Ikegami Munenaka (Uemon no Tayū Sakan) concerning what to do with Daishin’s former residence. Little is known about the situation other than what can be gleaned from this letter, which seems to indicate that Daishin had left written instructions that it should be given over to Nisshō (Āchārya Ben). But the two recipients of this letter had failed to dispose of the building accordingly. The Daishonin therefore instructs the two to confer with the priest Nisshō, dismantle the structure, and use the materials to repair and expand Nisshō’s quarters. He asks both to report separately to him in writing as to how the matter is to be settled.
Notes
1. Āchārya Daikoku is another name for Nichirō, one of the six senior priests designated by the Daishonin, and Uemon no Tayū Sakan is the title of Ikegami Munenaka, the elder of the Ikegami brothers.
2. A priest and disciple of the Daishonin. He and Nisshō, another of the six senior priests referred to in the next paragraph as Āchārya Ben, taught and guided the believers in Kamakura while the Daishonin was in exile on Sado Island.