Hi Everyone!
So this a day late, but on October 13th, 1282, Nichiren Daishonin peacefully passed away at his residence in Ikegami. According to Nikko Shonin’s record of the Daishonin’s passing, he passed away at 8:00 in the morning, surrounded by his close disciples who were single-mindedly chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo. It is said that when he passed away, there was an earthquake followed by out of season blooming of cherry blossoms.
We all owe a great debt of gratitude to Nichiren Daishonin. Without the Daishonin’s advent into this world, and his revelation of the Three Great Secret Laws (sandai-hiho), we would not be able to attain Buddhahood. For the sake of protecting the true Law, the Daishonin and his disciples underwent severe, life-threatening persecutions, embodying with their lives the passage in the Juryo Chapter of the Lotus Sutra,
For the sake of the enlightenment of all beings, Nichiren Daishonin embodied his inner enlightenment (naisho) in the Dai-Gohonzon of the High Sanctuary of the Essential Teaching, which is the one great secret law (ichidai-hiho). The Daishonin states in “Reply to Kyo’o” (“Kyo’o dono-gohenji”),single-mindedly yearning to see the Buddha, they do not begrudge their lives
The last lecture the Daishonin gave was on the Rissho Ankoku Ron. Because of this it is said that the Daishonin’s teachings began and ended with the Rissho Ankoku Ron. This treatise embodies the spirit of Nichiren Daishonin’s life, which is to establish the truth for the sake of all beings. Throughout his entire life, the Daishonin devoted himself to propagating the correct Law throughout Japan. Though this particular treatise is not extremely detailed, if one reads carefully, one can see that all of the Daishonin’s profound teachings exist within this writing.I, Nichiren, have inscribed my life in sumi, so believe in the Gohonzon with your whole heart. The Buddha's will is the Lotus Sutra, but the soul of Nichiren is nothing other than Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo.
(Gosho, p. 685)
Currently with the Covid-19 pandemic, now more than ever should we reflect on Daishonin’s life and take to heart the meaning of the Rissho Ankoku Ron. The Daishonin taught that every aspect of our life is our practice of the Lotus Sutra, so simply being a kind and compassionate friend in these difficult times can be seen as our practice of true Buddhism. Both practice for ourselves and practice for the sake of others are essential in Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism. In conclusion, I will leave the following gosho passage from "Questions and Answers on Embracing the Lotus Sutra" ("Jimyo hokke mondo-sho"),
I believe that embracing Myoho-Renge-Kyo, which ensures “peace and security in this lifetime and good circumstances in the next,” is the only honor to pursue in this lifetime and is the guide to maintain enlightenment in the future. Single-mindedly chant Nam Myoho-Renge-Kyo and encourage others to do the same. This will remain as your only memory from this present, human life.
(Gosho, p. 300)
Nichiren Daishonin and his disciples praying for rain
likewise, many thanks 
