June 18, 2006
Statue at Yuseiji in Kyoto 13th-14th Century
Statues, Drawings, & Paintings of Nichiren
Nippo & Statues of Nichiren
Life and legends of Nichiren
As you can see, the statue is darkened from centuries of incense & candle smoke. Also, it resembles another statue, one that is dated to the late 13th or early 14th Century, and is kept at Kamakura Myohonji {see Statue at Myohonji in Kamakura }
According to HBS, it is one of three carved by Nippo while Nichiren was alive, and, "This is also the statue on which Nichiren Shonin conducted an “Opening of the Eyes" ceremony to instill the spirit of the Odaimoku. In the early part of the Meiji Era, when Nissen Shonin entered Yuseiji Temple to carry on his religious practices, the statue was already a black looking antique." {see Why is the statue of Nichiren Shonin black?
Yuseji Temple in Kyoto is currently the Head Temple of Honmon Butsuryu {HBS}. While HBS is relatively new {see:Founding of the Honmon Hokke Shu & HBS: Ryuei.net}, Yuseiji actually might be an old temple, since it traces its origins to a Temple founded near Mobara by the disciple known as Echigo Nichiben. (1239-1311). It is said that the temple was moved several times.
I do not know how Echigo Nichiben got his name; as Echigo was the old province on the northeast coast of Honshu that included Teradomari and Kashiwazaki {see Nichiren at Kashiwazaki and Nichiren, Kashiwazaki, & the Demon Storm}: and is now part of Niigata Prefecture. Nichiben was born in Kai Province and was one of the three leading Monks of Ryusenji Temple at Atsuhara, in Suruga Province, who became Nichiren's disciples {see Atsuhara Persecutions .
HBS might also in possession of three Mandala Gohonzon{s} inscribed by Nichiren, but I can not confirm that. These may include the one inscribed for Nichiji Shonin, one of the six senior disciples, and the first overseas missionary, who left in 1295, to spread the Dharma in China. So it appears Nichiji may have entrusted his Mandala with Nichiben; and the statue may have been Nichiji's as well? Note that Nichiji was involved with the creation of the famous posthumous Statue at Ikegami Honmonji.
After the 1289 schism, it is thought that Echigo Nichiben was among those who joined with Nichiji, Toki Jonin, Nippo and others; in refusing to take sides with Nikko against Niko. He would also spread Hokke Shu teachings in Kazusa & Mutsu Provinces. From what I gather, it is said that Nichiben founded Seiryu-zushi Honmonji {now Kyoto Yuseiji}, near Mobara, in 1308 {see A Head Temple-Honzan .
Honmon Butsuryu Schools at Nichiren's Coffeehouse
Posted by rbeck at February 7, 2006 12:08 AM
Posted by rbeck at June 18, 2006 12:08 AM