May 10, 2005
Life of Nichiren {1}
Birth of a Saint/Sage
Nativity & Synchronicity.
Picture: From the top, left to right: Sky over a lagoon near Kominato, Kokuzo with Cinta Mani, Mother's Dream, Sunrise at sse Boso Hanto, Ebisuten holding Tai, Sky over Kominato Bay, Nichiren Nativity Scene, Moon over Kominato, Blue Lotus.
Miraculous birth legends are often associated with religious figures, and Nichiren is no exception.
Nichiren was born 2-16-1222, in the village of Kominato in Awa Province of Boso Hanto, in an area now known as Minami or Minamoto-Boso. A two year study on going study, in which I am considering the Dai-Shonin's life, in the context of 13th Century Japan, with the aid of images, has clarified my understanding and appreciation of his Bodhisattva mission. Unfortunately, Nichiren was apparently largely unknown to, or ignored by, his own contemporary historians. Because of this; rich traditions, legends, and his own writings, some of which are disputed as to authenticity, are the main sources of biographical material.
Boso Peninsula or Bôsô-hantô is a peninsula of Chiba prefecture Japan. It separatesTokyo Bay from the Pacific Ocean. Most of the peninsula is hilly, with some points as high as 400 m above sea level. Nichiren's father was a fisherman named Mikuni no Tayu Shigetada, Mikuni no Taifu, or Shigetada Nukina Jiro. His mother was called Umegiku-nyo. The family resided in a modest cottage on the beach, at Kominato Bay/Pacific Ocean.
In the land of the Rising Sun, the Sun rises first in southeasten Boso Hanto. To the Japanese, the sight of the sun emerging from the sea evokes feelings of sacred or mystic insight. What about conspicuous miracles? Do you believe in miracles? Three unusual natural phenomenon are said to have coincided with his nativity. Were these miracles? A school of taifish surfaced, blue lotus bloomed, and a hot spring appeared. The symbolic meaning of these auspicious events foretell his mission as the Messenger of Juryo Chapter Great Physician Parable and Bodhisattva Superior Practices (Jogyo)
The kami/angel Ebisu, whi is strongly asscociated with Japanese Buddhism, is often depicted with a seabream. The Red sea bream, called Tai, has long been considered king among fish in Japan. It is frequently confused with the Red Snapper. The True Tai, Pagrus Major, is a member of the Sparidae family of Porgies. In March and April, large schools of Tai move close to Japan's eastern shores to spawn. When a school is caught up in the current and pushed near the surface, the waters swell slightly. The local fishermen call these swells, or fish islands, uojima, a term that is also used to refer to the spawning season.
According to legend, the Tai run of 1222 occurred early at Tainoura Kominato Bay, in February. On the 16th of the month, a large school rose to the surface at the beach, as if in honor of the advent of a Daishonin or Mahamuni (Great Sage/Saint). Also, in February 1222, lotus beds mystically appeared on the Beach. At dawn on February 16, pure blue padma lotus flowers bloomed out of season, near the Nukina cottage. It is said that Kominato villagers gazed in wonder at this auspicious event.
There are 5 species of asian water lilies known as Lotus. The lotus flower is a common symbol in Buddhist Art, much like the Rose of Sharon in Christian Art. The exquisite Lotus flower grows from the murky mud, representing moha or delusion, up to the clear sunlight, representing Bodhi or Awakening. Also, the padma, pundarika, renge, or lotus flower is the only plant to fruit and flower simultaneously. This symbolizes the synchronicity of inherent cause (in) and effect (ka), or In-Ga-Gu-Ji.
"Of all the flowers, [the Buddha] selected the lotus blossom to symbolize the Lotus Sutra. ... when one's hand takes it up, that hand immediately attains Buddhahood, and when one's mouth chants it, that mouth is itself a Buddha --" Nichiren Daishonin
On the eve of the Daishonin's birth, Umegika-nyo was said to have had a prophetic dream. She was sitting atop Mt. Hiei and was washing her hands in Lake Omi, when a miniature sun, wrapped in the petals of a lotus blossom, entered her womb. Just then, she was awakened at dawn, giving birth to a boy, their fourth son. Meanwhile, a hot spring welled up in a garden just outside the cottage. This spring provided just enough hot spring water to give the newborn baby his first bath.
So three omens coincided with the birth of the Shonin (Saint/Sage). These sacred places are now preserved near Kominato Tanjoh- (Nativity) Ji (Temple) as Renge-ga-fuchi (Lotus Bed), Tae-no-ura, (Seabream Bay) and Tanjo-ido (Birth Spring). The boy was given the childhood name Zennichi-maro (Splendid Sun Child, Boy of the Sun of Goodness, Virtuous Sun Boy, Sun Mind). In addition to the Mother's waking dream, both parents had dreams they would recall, at a conspicuous moment, more than 30 years later.
nichirenpix · Nichiren Buddhist Art & Culture
A _Virtual_ Life _of_ NichirenDaishonin vln_01_1222-1233 _kominato
Awa Kominato
Sankizui
Nichiren Nativity Temple