Change Poison Into Medicine

“When great evil occurs, great good follows”

Great events never have minor omens. When great evil occurs, great good follows. Since great slander already exists in our land, the great correct Law will spread without fail. What could any of you have to lament? 

– Great Evil and Great Good Nichiren Buddhism Library p. 1119

Nagarjuna, the great Indian philosopher of Buddhism, referred to the Lotus Sutra, or specifically the Sanskrit word sad, translated as myo in the sutra’s title, as being “like a great physician who can change poison into medicine.” The Great Teacher Miao-lo remarks, “Because it can cure what is thought to be incurable, it is called myō, or wonderful.”

“The Daimoku of the Lotus Sutra,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 146.

When applied to our lives, changing poison into medicine means that, however deep or serious a problem we may face, or how intense our present suffering, as we persevere in chanting and engaging in activities for kosen-rufu, we will not only overcome our problem or suffering, but as a result of overcoming it, we will enjoy benefit and happiness far surpassing the degree of that suffering.

Great good can come of great evil. But this will not happen on its own. Courage is always required to transform evil into good. Now is the time for each of us to bring forth such courage: the courage of nonviolence, the courage of dialogue, the courage to listen to what we would rather not hear, the courage to restrain the desire for vengeance and be guided by reason.

“The Courage of Nonviolence” from the book One By One by Daisaku Ikeda