“It is a matter of profound satisfaction to me,” began his reverence Nichirin, smiling blandly at his audience, “to see so many gentlemen and ladies gathered together here this day, in the fidelity of their hearts, to do honour to the feast of Kishimojin."[84]

[Footnote 84:  Kishimojin, a female deity of the Buddhists.]

“Nammiyo! nammiyo!” self-depreciatory, from the congregation.

“I feel certain that your piety cannot fail to find favour with Kishimojin.  Kishimojin ever mourns over the tortures of mankind, who are dwelling in a house of fire, and she ever earnestly strives to find some means of delivering them.

“Nammiyo! nammiyo!” grateful and reverential.

“Notwithstanding this, it is useless your worshipping Kishimojin, and professing to believe in her, unless you have truth in your hearts; for she will not receive your offerings.  Man, from his very birth, is a creature of requirements; he is for ever seeking and praying.  Both you who listen, and I who preach, have all of us our wants and wishes.  If there be any person here who flatters himself that he has no wishes and no wants, let him reflect.  Does not every one wish and pray that heaven and earth may stand for ever, that his country and family may prosper, that there may be plenty in the land, and that the people may be healthy and happy?  The wishes of men, however, are various and many; and these wishes, numberless as they are, are all known to the gods from the beginning.  It is no use praying, unless you have truth in your heart.  For instance, the prayer Na Mu is a prayer committing your bodies to the care of the gods; if, when you utter it, your hearts are true and single, of a surety your request will be granted.  Now, this is not a mere statement made by Nichiren, the holy founder of this sect; it is the sacred teaching of Buddha himself, and may not be doubted.”

“Nammiyo! nammiyo!” with profound conviction.

“The heart of man is, by nature, upright and true; but there are seven passions[85] by which it is corrupted.  Buddha is alarmed when he sees the fires by which the world is being consumed.  These fires are the five lusts of this sinful world; and the five lusts are, the desire for fair sights, sweet sounds, fragrant smells, dainty meats, and rich trappings.  Man is no sooner endowed with a body than he is possessed by these lusts, which become his very heart; and, it being a law that every man follows the dictates of his heart, in this way the body, the lusts of the flesh, the heart, and the dictates of the heart, blaze up in the consuming fire.  ‘Alas! for this miserable world!’ said the divine Buddha.”

[Footnote 85:  The seven passions are joy, anger, sadness, fear, love, hatred, and desire.]

“Nammiyo! nammiyo!” mournful, and with much head-shaking.

“There is not so foul thing under heaven as the human body.  The body exudes grease, the eyes distil gums, the nose is full of mucus, the mouth of slobbering spittle; nor are these the most impure secretions of the body.  What a mistake it is to look upon this impure body as clean and perfect!  Unless we listen to the teachings of Buddha, how shall we be washed and purified?”