April 16, 2006
Mandarin Duck Gohonzon & Honkokuji
On Nichiren's Gohonzon for Practicing Kanjin
The Mandarin Duck Mandala Gohonzon, 056 in the Gohonzon Shu, is one of at least nine {09}kept at Honkoku-ji in Kyoto. It is so named, "Mandarin Duck" for the pattern on the mounting.
As one can see, it is an "abbreviated" Great Mandala. That means that not all of the Ten Worlds are represented. Also, the lower right side "Great Mandala Dedication" appears to be the same as on roughly 3/4 of the extant Mandala Gohonzons. On the majority of the extant 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 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. The lower left side {facing} memorandum on this one, if I read correctly, indicates that it was conferred upon Nichiro on October 19 1278.
Honkokuji and its association with the Ashikaga Family is an interesting story.
In 1263, when Nichiren returned to Kamakura from Izu, he briefly stayed at the residence of Nagakatsu Ishii, a lay follower. Ishii then founded Honshoji Temple there, as a branch of nearby Chokozan Myohon-ji. Chokozan Myohonji was the residence of Yoshimoto Hiki and the location where Nichiren had been arrested May 12 1261. It became Nichiro's first temple and the Head Temple of his lineage.
After Nichirô died in 1320, Nichi-in of Honshoji seceded from Myohon-ji. Nichi-in's successor in 1327, Nichijô (1298-1369), was Ashikaga Takauji's (1304-1358) uncle. In 1333, Ashikaga Takauji had headed the Hojo Clan Army that was defeated by Godaigo's General Nitta Yoshisada. (1301-1338). This happened, in part, because Takauji had switched sides at the last minute, and backed Yoshisada.
Nitta Yoshisada (1301-1338) himself had been a Kamakura retainer for the Hojo Clan, and helped defeat Go-Daigo's armies on 1331. But, the following year, Nitta Yoshisada switched sides to back Godaigo. He then led the army that attacked and defeated the Kamakura Shogunate. So, in 1333, power shifted to the Imperial Court {that is, to Godaigo} in Kyoto. At that point, Ashikaga Takauji backed Nitta and Go-Daigo.
However, In 1336, Ashikaga Takauji turned against Godaigo again; and attacked Kyoto. Nitta Yoshisada and Go-Daigo were forced to flee the capital. Takauji then made himself Shogun, and established a "Puppet Emperor" at Kyoto. Meanwhile Yoshisada Nitta set up Go-Daigo, to the south, at Yoshino. This created rival Imperial Courts, a Northern Alliance at Kyoto and the Southern Alliance.
Nichijo would then go to Kyoto and found Honkokuji. "Nichijô (1298-1369), entered Kyoto in 1341, and founded Honkokuji Temple in 1345, under the patronage of Ashikaga Takauji. Nichijô announced that Honkokuji was not a new temple but a new name given to Honshôji ..." -- Murano
There appear to be at least nine {9} Nichiren Mandalas kept at Kyoto-Honkoku-ji:
Mandala # 034 dated April 1276 (Kenji 2). This is one of the early, pre-1278, Ten Worlds Great Mandalas, with 4 columns of characters, flanking the Daimoku on each side, instead of three. The extra two represent the Emanation Buddhas and Virtue Buddhas of the Ten Directions. Zentoku Nyorai {the Virtue Buddha of the Eastern direction} is on the right side {facing}, between Jogyo and Taho; while Jippo Bunshin {Emanation Buddhas}is on on the left, between Jyogyo and Shakyamuni.
Mandala # 041 dated February 1277 (Kenji 3). Early Gohonzon inscribed by Nichiren, formal style
Mandala # 046 dated November 1277 (Kenji 3). Early Gohonzon inscribed by Nichiren, formal style, damaged by Time.
Mandala # 051 dated July 5, 1278 (Koan 1). Gohonzon inscribed by Nichiren, formal style. This is one of the earliest "middle" style Ten Worlds Great Mandalas, with only three {3} columns of characters, flanking the Daimoku on each side. The earliest extant of these is # 048 from April of 1278.
Mandala # 056 dated October 19, 1278 (Koan 1). Mandala inscribed by Nichiren, abbreviated style. Called the Mandarin Duck Gohonzon..
Mandala # 090 ... Simple Mandala or perhaps a letter from Nichiren.
Mandala # 091 ... Mandala inscribed by Nichiren, abbreviated style.
Mandala # 107 ... Mandala inscribed by Nichiren, formal style.
Mandala # 123 ... Mandala inscribed by Nichiren, formal style.
According to some sources, an unpublished Prayer Gohonzon, issued to Nichiro in 1276, may also be housed there. "A similar Gohonzon is housed at Honkokuji Temple in Kyoto. The Gohonzon at Honkokuji was inscribed for Nichiro." -- Explanation of the Nichiren Prayer Gohonzon
