December 01, 2005
Nichimoku's Omandala of 1279
On Nichiren's Gohonzon for Practicing Kanjin
Great Mandala, #60 in the Gohonzon Shu, was inscribed by Nichiren for Nichimoku at the Mt. Minobu hermitage, in February of 1279. It is housed at Juryo-ji Temple at Kuwana.
The lower left side transmittal inscription reads: 釈 Shakya 子 Ko; Child 日Nichi 目 Moku 授与 Juyo 之 this. “Bestowed upon the Son of Shakya, Nichimoku." T
he Lower Lower Left Side Memoranda {facing} is what I call, for lack of better terminology, the specific dedication; or memoranda, {memorandum?}. This entry usually tells the date {when} and, sometimes, the location {where} it was inscribed. It may also tell who received it, and why.
As one can see, this appears to be a full Ten Worlds Great Mandala, much like the "Shutei Honzon", #081 in the Gohonzon Shu, dated the of the 3rd month of 1280, kept at Chokozan Myohonji in Kamakura; or the "The Great Mandala for Transmitting the Dharma" issued to Nissho in the 11th month of 1280, #101 in the Gohonzon Shu, kept at Myohokkeji Temple Tamazawa, Mishima City, Izu, Shizuoka.
Also, the lower right side "Great Mandala Dedication" appears to be the same as on roughly 3/4 of the extant Mandala Gohonzons. This entry, on the lower right side {facing}, is usually a general dedication of sorts. This appears to be the same on most of them,, and states that this "Dai Mandara" had never before appeared in "Ichienbudai".
However, an astute observer might notice that the usual positions of Aizen & Fudo are reversed. Also, it does appear to bear the gain/loss inscriptions, as alleged by the Late Taisekiji Chief Priest Nittatsu; but not in the prominent position as seen on Fuji Style Great Mandala{s} {See Also} . These appear to be "special side inscriptions" or notes.
Posted by rbeck at December 1, 2005 04:12 PM