On the Opening of the Eyes: Annotated Translation with Glossary of the Kaimoku-sho

The essay On the Opening of the Eyes (Kaimoku-sho) is one of the five essential writings of Nichiren Daishonin (1222-1282), Japan's most controversial Buddhist teacher. Nichiren challenged the political and religious establishment of his day through his insistence that unsurpassable and perfect spiritual awakening, buddhahood, is accessible to all people if they simply hear, accept, and rejoice in the teaching of Shakyamuni Buddha found in the Lotus Sutra. As a result, in 1271 he was almost executed by the shogunate and then sent to Sado Island to die in exile. During his exile, Nichiren wrote On the Opening of the Eyes as a spiritual last will and testament to his followers. On the Opening of the Eyes surveys the development of Confucianism, Hinduism, and Buddhism culminating in the teaching of the Lotus Sutra that all people can attain buddhahood. It also describes how, according to the Buddha's teachings, anyone propagating the Lotus Sutra in the dark age after the Buddha's passing would encounter the kinds of hardships Nichiren and his disciples had faced and would continue to face. For the Nichiren Buddhist tradition, this writing is considered Nichiren's testimony regarding his identity as the foremost practitioner of the Lotus Sutra, the "appearance" of Superior Practice Bodhisattva, and the exemplar of all those who continue to uphold and practice the Lotus Sutra. If you would like to know more about the context and meaning of On the Opening of the Eyes, then please check out Ryuei's commentary on this essay entitled Open Your Eyes: A Nichiren Buddhist View of Awakening.