Robin Beck

The Actual Dai-[Go]-Honzon?

On Nichiren's Gohonzon for Practicing Kanjin
Life and legends of Nichiren
Retirement to Minobu
The Ita-Dai-Go-Honzon Issue
Dai-Honzon of 1274

On the majority of the Great Mandalas inscribed by Nichiren, there are two side entries on the bottom. The 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".

The exact words are:

"Butsumetsugo ni-sen ni-hyaku san-ju yo nen no aida ichienbudai no uchi mizou no daimandara nari"

"In the twenty-two hundred and thirty years since the Buddha's passing, this all-embracing Great Mandala of Ichien Budai has never before been revealed." -- Nichiren Shoshu

There is a similar entry on the Dai-[Go]-Honzon of 1274. However, it is longer, starts on the lower left side {facing}, and there are some unique words that, to my knowledge, do not appear on any other known Nichiren Mandala.

Here are two translations:

"Since the Entrance into Extinction of the Great Enlightened World Honored One there have passed in succession more than two thousand two hundred and twenty years. Even so, among the Three Countries of India,Han [China] and Japan, there has not yet been this Great Object of Worship (dai honzon). Either they have known but not yet spread it or they have not known it. Our Compassionate Father, by means of the Buddha Wisdom, has hidden and retained it, leaving it for the Latter Age. At the time of the last five hundred years, the Bodhisattva Jogyo comes [or has come forth] forth in the world and for the first time spreads and proclaims it." -- Coffee House

"Following the Great Awakened World Honored One's reversion to extinguishment, more than two thousand two hundred and twenty years have passed. Even so, within the three countries: Gatsu, Kan and Nichi, this Daihonzon had yet to exist. Either they knew but did not propagate, or they did not know this at all. Our compassionate Father, by means of the Hotoke wisdom, hide and leave this for the future age of degeneration. At that time during the latter five hundred years, Bodhisattva Jogyo makes His appearance in the world, and for the first time, widely propagates this." -- Eddy Chai

Note that Nichiren wrote Dai-Honzon; "Great Worshipful Object", rather than Dai Mandara; "Great Mandala." This is why it is known as the "Dai-Honzon."

Also, "the Three Countries", "Our Compassionate Father", "Hotoke wisdom"; as well the phrase "Bodhisattva Jogyo comes forth [or has come forth] -- [makes His appearance in the world]" are unique.

Posted by rbeck at January 25, 2006 10:08 PM

Posted by rbeck at September 24, 2010 10:08 PM