Oko Lecture in Praise of Nichiren Daishonin
Reverend Shogu Kimura
February, 2010
The Significance of the Koshi-e Ceremony
The seventh day of this month is the memorial of the passing of Nikko Shonin, our Second High Priest. Today, I will focus on why Nichiren Daishonin chose Nikko Shonin as his successor and transferred the Heritage of true Buddhism to him.
Nikko Shonin was born on the eighth day of the third month of 1246. His father’s name was Ōi Kitsuroku. His mother’s name is unknown, but records show that she was the daughter of Kawai Nyudo. When Nikko Shonin was four or five years of age, his father died suddenly, and his mother remarried. Thus, Nikko Shonin was taken in under the guardianship of Kawai Nyudo. Shortly thereafter, he began his studies at Shijuku-in Temple in Kambara (present-day Fuji City in Shizuoka Prefecture). The objective of his entry into this temple was to receive an education, since no other educational system existed in Japan at the time. Nikko Shonin was determined to learn the principles of Buddhism and went to study at Jisso-ji Temple in Iwamoto (also in present-day Fuji City in Shizuoka Prefecture). It was at Jisso-ji Temple that he first met Nichiren Daishonin, who was visiting the temple library to research the lifetime teachings of the Buddha, in preparation for writing the Risshō ankoku-ron (On Securing the Peace of the Land through the Propagation of True Buddhism).
Nikko Shonin was 13 years old at the time. He was profoundly moved by Nichiren Daishonin, who was single-mindedly researching the sutras in his effort to eliminate suffering from the entire nation. He asked Nichiren Daishonin to let him become his disciple. Nichiren Daishonin recognized that, even though Nikko Shonin was young, he possessed a superior disposition and a solid determination. He accepted his request and allowed him to become his disciple. The Daishonin gave him the name Hoki-bo. Still later, he gave him the name Byakuren Ajari. Since Nikko Shonin was still midway through his curriculum of studies, the Daishonin allowed him to stay at Jisso-ji Temple until he completed his courses.
in Shizuoka Prefecture) as a result of his submission of the Risshō ankoku-ron to the authorities, he immediately gathered his belongings and hastened to join him there. From then on, he was constantly with Nichiren Daishonin and served him.
At the Tatsunokuchi persecution in the ninth month of 1271 and when the Daishonin was exiled to Sado in the tenth month, Nikko Shonin was always by his side. This meant that Nikko Shonin was an eyewitness to Nichiren Daishonin’s fulfillment of the predictions set forth in the Lotus Sutra. Furthermore, Nikko Shonin was able to correctly understand firsthand the true significance of the Goshos, “The True Object of Worship” (“Kanjin no honzon-shō”) and “The Opening of the Eyes” (“Kaimoku-shō”), since the Daishonin wrote them during his exile in Sado. Thus, Nikko Shonin was able to increasingly deepen his conviction that Nichiren Daishonin is the True Buddha of the Latter Day of the Law.
In the fifth month of 1274, Nikko Shonin accompanied Nichiren Daishonin when he went into seclusion in Minobu. From there, he conducted extensive propagation efforts in the regions that today are parts of Yamanashi and Shizuoka Prefectures. He traveled and propagated true Buddhism to numerous priests and secular individuals, including his relatives in the Oi and Kawai households, the priests at Shijuku-in Temple where he studied as a child, the priests at Jisso-ji Temple in Iwamoto, and those at Ryusen-ji Temple, located approximately four kilometers east of Jisso-ji. In particular, at Ryusen-ji, as a result of Nikko Shonin’s propagation efforts, priests including Shimotsuke-bo, Echigo-bo, Sho’u-bo and others came to follow Nichiren Daishonin and became his disciples. Furthermore, in the entire Atsuhara region, where Ryusen-ji was located, numerous peasants began to follow Nichiren Daishonin, based on Nikko Shonin’s propagation efforts. This led to the Atsuhara Persecution.
When this persecution occurred, Nikko Shonin immediately sent Nichiren Daishonin a detailed report. As soon as the Daishonin received this, he wrote the Gosho, “Reply to the Sages” (“Shonintō gohenji”), which states:
When they [Hokkeko believers in Atsuhara] were punished [by Hei no Saemon], they reportedly chanted Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo. Truly, this was no insignificant matter. No doubt, the ten demon daughters transformed themselves and took over the body of Hei no Saemon, to test the votaries of the Lotus Sutra. The votaries were tested in much the same way as Sessen Doji and King Shibi. Would the evil demons repeatedly enter his body? (Gosho, p. 1405)
Thus, Nichiren Daishonin sensed that the appropriate time had come, based on the solidarity manifested by the Hokkeko believers, who were introduced to Buddhism by Nikko Shonin and demonstrated the spirit of willing to give one’s life to propagate the Law. Nichiren Daishonin states in “On Persecutions Befalling the Buddha” (“Shōnin gonan ji”):
It took the Buddha forty-odd years, the Great Teacher Tiantai thirty-odd years, and the Great Teacher Dengyō twenty-odd years to accomplish the purpose of their advent. The great and severe persecutions that befell them during those years are indescribable. I, Nichiren, have already discussed this matter with you. It has taken me twenty-seven years. Indeed, you are all aware of each of the tremendous persecutions I encountered in those years. (Gosho, p. 1396)
In this passage, the Daishonin explains that the time has come to fulfill the purpose of his advent into this world.
On the 12th day of the tenth month of the second year of Kōan (1279), Nichiren Daishonin established the Dai-Gohonzon of the High Sanctuary of the Essential Teaching, the reason for his advent into this world.
Three years following the Atsuhara Persecution, in the ninth month of 1282, Nichiren Daishonin wrote the “Document for Entrusting the Law that Nichiren Propagated throughout his Life” (“Nichiren ichigo guhō fuzokusho”), which states:
I, Nichiren, transfer the entirety of the Law that I have propagated throughout my life to Byakuren Ajari Nikko, and designate him the Great Master of Propagation of the Essential Teaching. When the sovereign embraces this Law, establish the [True] High Sanctuary of Honmonji Temple at Mount Fuji. You must await the time. This is the true Law of precepts. Above all else, my disciples must obey this document. The ninth month in the fifth year of Kō’an (1282) Nichiren (signature mark) The order of the Heritage: from Nichiren to Nikko (Gosho, p. 1675)
Nichiren Daishonin transferred the entirety of his teachings to Nikko Shonin. Furthermore, he appointed Nikko Shonin as the Great Master of Propagation of true Buddhism. On the 13th day of the tenth month of the same year, he wrote the “Minobu-san Transfer Document” (“Minobusan fuzokusho”), which states:
I transfer Shakyamuni Buddha’s fifty years of teachings to Byakuren Ajari Nikko. He is to be the chief priest of Minobu-san Kuonji Temple. Laity or priests who disobey him go against the Law.
The thirteenth day of the tenth month
in the fifth year of Kō’an (1282)
Ikegami, Bushū Province
Nichiren (signature mark)
(Gosho, p. 1675)
Nichiren Daishonin designated Nikko Shonin as the Chief Priest of Kuonji Temple in Minobu. The Daishonin then peacefully passed away.
Nichiren Daishonin selected Nikko Shonin only, and focused on him. He chose Nikko Shonin and transferred the Heritage of the Law to him precisely because, from the very beginning, he had correctly upheld Nichiren Daishonin as the True Buddha of the Latter Day of the Law.
It is a fundamental point of faith for priests and lay believers of Nichiren Shoshu that Nichiren Daishonin is the True Buddha of the Latter Day of the Law. He inscribed the Dai-Gohonzon of the High Sanctuary of the Essential Teaching in order to fulfill the purpose of his advent into this world—to enable all mankind in the Latter Day of the Law to attain enlightenment. Furthermore, the Lifeblood Heritage of the Law has been transmitted from Nikko Shonin to Nichimoku Shonin and on down to the successive High Priests just like water being poured from one vessel to another.
Nikko Shonin manifested the principle of the oneness of master and disciple (shitei funi) with Nichiren Daishonin. Thus, the Law has been correctly transmitted to us today.
On July 26 of last year, on the occasion of the General Meeting of the Great Assembly of 75,000 believers, our High Priest presented us with the following new objectives:
- By 2015, the 770th anniversary of the birth of Second High Priest Nikko Shonin, all Hokkeko chapters are to increase their membership by 50%.
- By 2021, the 800th anniversary of the birth of our master Nichiren Daishonin, we are to establish a membership of 800,000 Hokkeko believers.
If we uphold these objectives based on our faith, we will realize that doing shakubuku is the only way to repay our gratitude for the great benevolence shown by Nichiren Daishonin and Nikko Shonin. Furthermore, we have received three goals of practice this year for all overseas believers:
- To forge ahead toward kosen-rufu with the spirit of many in body, one in mind.
- To carry out shakubuku toward increasing the membership of all nations by 50% by the year 2015, when we will celebrate the auspicious occasion of the 770th anniversary of the birth of Second High Priest Nikko Shonin.
- To consistently do Gongyo and chant Daimoku, while fostering capable individuals.
Each and every believer worldwide should put these goals into actual practice, realizing that shakubuku is the only way to achieve world peace. I would like to conclude my sermon for this month by sincerely praying that you will all advance in your shakubuku efforts with conviction and a strong sense of mission.