There are all sorts of websites with information about Nichiren and his disciples out there. How accurate they are is another matter. Recently I've been having some nice discussions with people who have been digging. Some of whom even know what they are talking about. The result is that we are learning about the beginnings of the Nichiren Schools and how they evolved. We are also learning how the partisan spin developed and the early conflicts led to later problems.
It turns out that Nichirenism thought it was coming close to achieving Kosenrufu during the 1300's. Some of even the Imperial House became Nichiren Monks and Nichirenism achieved legal status. The "Southern Court" and Emperor Go-Daigo were part of this. Nichirenism had tangled relations with the Tendai School but both were united in devotion to the Lotus Teachings. Both were divided over "Mikkyo" or Japanese Tantra. Yet Nichirenism can be seen as granting ordinary people the insights and methods of Japanese Tantra while retaining the openness of the lotus sutras vow to "save them all" and that Salvation can be for everyone.
But they failed to create Kosenrufu. Part of that is that Buddhism is not some magic formula that guarantees invincibility in battle and Go-Daigo was not up to the task of defeating the treacherous generals who had helped him overthrow the Hojo's.
The issue never was that the Hojo's were evil or that peace could be restored by mere surface acceptance of Nichirens teachings. The corruption in Buddhism was in the culture itself and in the surface understandings of those embracing Buddhism. And even though Nichirenism became popular it failed to have the society transforming effect it desired because human nature didn't change and those who practiced didn't change their behavior much. Go-Daigo was betrayed by The Ashikagas and civil war raged for the next two hundred years. And Nichirenism came to be caught up in the pervasive wars that swept the country.
To read more:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/irgosho/message/11390
I followed the link to see the many twists and turns the centuries have churned out regarding Nichiren inscribed Gohonzons. One thing seems certain to me - no one really knows the absolute truth of the authenticity of the so-called Dai-Gohonzon that was alleged to have been inscribed on October 12, 1279. I find it fascinating that there is no specific reference to the Dai-Gohonzon in the gosho and that the camphor wood mandala pops up a couple of centuries later.
It seems highly advantageous for a sect to be in possession of "the" original mandala inscribed by the founder for the attainment of world peace.
I think it's important to note that Shakyamuni and Nichiren attained enlightenment without a Gohonzon or mentors, per se. The Gohonzon is a meditational expedient, but is not essential for enlightenment. Nichiren claimed that all that was necessary was to chant daimoku - even one time for this possibility to occur. The way I see it, that shoots the hell out of eternal dependence on a master or a mandala and makes an obvious case for people having a direct connection to the Law and the universe.
Charles
Posted by: Charles at February 1, 2005 04:42 PMI too found the truth more fascinating than all the yarns put out as dogma. The Wooden Dai-Gohonzon at Taisekiji may or may not be the one referred to in the Nippo legend, but it should not matter.
Nichiren did have mentors. When he was young he had two senior priests who helped him and a priest named Dozenbo who was formally of the Tendai School but was practicing Nembutsu and carving statues of Amida. We know this because one of Nichiren's greatest Gosho's the "Ho-On sho" was written to him.
We also know that Nichiren had mentors to a limited extent when he travelled. His later day disciples claimed that he'd studied under one of the patriarchs of the Tendai School at Mt. Hiei. None of those mentors was the kind of awe inspiring, fearless leader, sort that a cult would advocate people dedicate too.
The focus of Buddhism is the Buddha and the Law. The buddha is he who has awakened to the law and no more. Shakyamuni is honored for being the first in this line of existence on our Earth. It is silly to attach too blindly to individuals who may or may not be able to hold on to their own enlightenment. But it is also foolish to reject advice, love, friendship and tender loving attention.
Posted by: Chris at February 2, 2005 03:05 PM"Nichiren did have mentors. When he was young he had two senior priests who helped him and a priest named Dozenbo who was formally of the Tendai School but was practicing Nembutsu and carving statues of Amida. We know this because one of Nichiren's greatest Gosho's the "Ho-On sho" was written to him."
Everyone knows that Chris, I implied that he attained enlightenment himself as a young boy while praying before a statue of Kokuzo. Nichiren had teachers, yes, but no one like PI.
Charles
Posted by: Charles at February 2, 2005 04:36 PM