Risho Ankoku Ron

What is the "Risho Ankoku Ron"?

• A collection of Buddhist stories

• A treatise written by Nichiren Daishonin

• A historical account of Japan

• A Buddhist scripture from India

Answer explanation

The "Risho Ankoku Ron," also known as "On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land," is a treatise written by Nichiren Daishonin, urging the government and the people to adopt the Lotus Sutra as the foundation for ensuring peace and security

What was the main purpose of Nichiren Daishonin writing the Risho Ankoku Ron?

• To criticize other religions

• To propose a political revolution

• To warn of impending disasters if the correct Buddhist teachings were not followed

• To describe the history of Buddhism in Japan

Answer explanation

Nichiren Daishonin wrote the Risho Ankoku Ron to warn the rulers of Japan that disasters would continue to occur unless they embraced the teachings of the Lotus Sutra and abandoned erroneous beliefs

To whom did Nichiren Daishonin present the Risho Ankoku Ron?

• The common people of Japan

• His disciples only

• The ruling authorities of Japan

• Buddhist monks from other sects

Answer explanation

Nichiren Daishonin presented the Risho Ankoku Ron to the ruling authorities of Japan, specifically to the regent Hojo Tokiyori, to urge them to adopt the correct Buddhist teachings to bring peace to the land

What did Nichiren Daishonin predict would happen if Japan did not embrace the teachings of the Lotus Sutra?

• Japan would become a world power

• Japan would face natural disasters, internal strife, and foreign invasions

• Japan would experience a period of great prosperity

• Japan would lose its cultural heritage

Answer explanation

  Nichiren Daishonin predicted that if Japan did not embrace the teachings of the Lotus Sutra, the country would suffer from natural disasters, internal conflicts, and invasions by foreign forces

Which Buddhist teaching did Nichiren Daishonin advocate as the correct teaching for the peace of the land?

• The Four Noble Truths

• The Eightfold Path

• The Lotus Sutra

• The Pure Land Sutra

Answer explanation

Nichiren Daishonin advocated the Lotus Sutra as the correct teaching, believing that it was the only path to true peace and security for the nation

What was Nichiren Daishonin’s method for proving the validity of the Lotus Sutra in the Risho Ankoku Ron?

• Citing ancient Buddhist scriptures and prophecies

• Demonstrating miracles

• Using logical arguments only

• Relying on the approval of other religious leaders

Answer explanation

Nichiren Daishonin supported his arguments by citing ancient Buddhist scriptures and prophecies, showing that the predictions made in these texts were coming true due to the rejection of the Lotus Sutra

Which of the following best describes the tone of the Risho Ankoku Ron?

• Optimistic and light-hearted

• Neutral and academic

• Urgent and warning

• Humorous and entertaining

Answer explanation

The tone of the Risho Ankoku Ron is urgent and warning, as Nichiren Daishonin sought to alert the authorities to the dangers of ignoring the correct teachings and the potential consequences for the nation

What was the reaction of the ruling authorities to the Risho Ankoku Ron?

• They immediately adopted the Lotus Sutra

• They ignored the treatise and continued with their existing beliefs

• They persecuted Nichiren Daishonin for his warnings

• They held a debate to discuss its contents

Answer explanation

The ruling authorities reacted to the Risho Ankoku Ron by persecuting Nichiren Daishonin, as his direct criticism of existing religious practices and his call for reform were seen as a threat

How does the Risho Ankoku Ron reflect Nichiren Daishonin’s broader mission of kosen-rufu?

• It promotes isolation from society to achieve personal enlightenment

• It encourages spreading the Lotus Sutra widely to establish peace and security

• It suggests political revolt as the means to achieve kosen-rufu

• It focuses solely on monastic practices

Answer explanation

The Risho Ankoku Ron reflects Nichiren Daishonin’s broader mission of kosen-rufu by emphasizing the need to spread the Lotus Sutra widely as the foundation for achieving peace and security in society

How does Nichiren Daishonin use the concept of “mappo” (the Latter Day of the Law) in the Risho Ankoku Ron?

• To justify isolation and retreat from society

• To explain the increased challenges and need for the correct teaching during this period

• To argue that traditional practices should be strictly maintained

• To encourage the abandonment of all religious practice

Answer explanation

Nichiren Daishonin uses the concept of “mappo” to explain that the Latter Day of the Law is a time of great challenges, requiring the correct teaching of the Lotus Sutra to overcome the difficulties and achieve peace