May 21, 2005
Life of Nichiren {2}
Childhood at Kominato
See Also: Life of Nichiren {1} Birth of a Saint/Sage
Zennichi-maro, Nichiren as a child, was raised in Awa province of Boso Peninusula. Awa was an old province of Japan, covering an area which is, today, a part of Chiba prefecture. It is on the tip of the Boso peninsula and was bordered by the old Kazusa province. There are plenty of loquat producing centers in the region. The loquat fruit is said to have been Zennichi's favorite. The loquat grow in clusters and they are oval, rounded or pear-shaped, 1 to 2 inches long, with a smooth or downy, yellow or orange, sometimes red-blushed skin, and tangy sweet to acidic flesh.
According to some accounts, Zinnichi's family lineage was said to be descended from Emperor Shomu {701-756}, the 45th imperial ruler of Japan. Shōmu, a patron of Buddhism, is known as the first emperor whose empress was not born into the Imperial Household. His wife, Kōmyō, was a Fujiwara woman. They had a son, who is said to have died in his childhood.
Emperor Shomu also commissined the famous Mahavairochana Daibutsu, of Todaiji, in Nara. He personally painted in the statue's irises at the opening ceremony in 752. He then declared himself a servant of the Buddha, the Buddhist Dharma, and the Buddhist Sangha. This is said to be the closest anyone ever came to declaring Japan a Buddhist nation.
It is also said that Nichiren's ancestors had dwelt at Nukina in Enshu, and, in Nichiren’s Father’s time, they were exiled to Awa, where they made their living by fishing. His Father’s name is given variously as Mukini no Tayo or Nukina Jiro Shigetada. I suspect he may have been loyal to the Imperial Household, and perhaps viewed both the Minamoto Shogunate and the Hojo Regency as usurpers. At any rate, it is evident that his family valued education, and were cognizant of the political situation. They were not run of the mill peasants.
Nichiren would later refer to himself, with an apparent measure of pride, as being from a Sendara {chandala}family. Buddhism began in India, where society was governed by the svadharma of the Veda. The chandala were untouchable social out-castes, lower than the sudra, the lowest noble social caste. Nichiren was unique among Kamakura era reformer era reformers in that the others came from highly placed families.
This implies that Nichiren would later attain some degree of social status, based on merit, rather than noble or well placed birth. However, Nichiren would also refer to himself, rather cryptically, as descended from the Sun Goddess, Tenjo Daishin {Amaterasu}.
The legends and stories indicate that young Zen-nichi-maro was different from other boys in the village; in the way he played, his general attitude, and his personal conduct. When he was 3 or 4 years old, some friends came to boast that they had caught sparrows, by using rice cakes, placed on a branch of a willow tree, as bait. Zennichi was apparently appalled by this behavior, but also felt compassion for the children, as well as the birds.
He responded by telling them a tale he had learned from his parents. An old man caught a sea turtle and was about to kill it. A nobleman saw this and felt pity for the creature. So he gave the old man some fine clothes, if he would only spare the turtle's life. Later, the noble's child fell into the sea. Sea Turtles saved the child by appearing and supporting her on their backs. In this way, Zennichi persuaded them to spare the sparrows. There are also stories of Zennichi taking meticuolous care of a sea shell collection.
In addition to social strife and political civil wars, Japan was enduring natural catastrophes at that time. There were immense unseasonable snow storms, flooding, frightening meteorites, and widespread famine. Young Zennichi-maro began to ponder the reasons for the cause of the peoples suffering. Moreover, his parents wisely cultivated his inherent intelligence and sensitive nature.
Modern Amatsu-Kominato has a rich history, with many Nichiren sites that are now tourist attractions. Sansui Hotel, known for locally produced seafood, faces the Pacific Ocean. The Nichiren Nativity Temple is located just in front. Kominato beach is now a well-known wintering site of Whooper Swans, and is designated as a national natural monument because of them. Recently, about 400-500 Whooper Swans winter at Kominato.
The next stop on our Life of Nichiren cyber journey shall be the Seichoji Temple at nearby Mt. Kiyosumi.
Posted by rbeck at May 21, 2005 05:18 PM