Robin Beck

Founding of Taisekiji

Fujimon

The Fuji School
Komon Ha -- Lineage of Nikko
During the early days of the Fuji School; Ueno & Koizumi were feudal villages of Fuji District in the old Suruga Province. According to Nikko School records, Taisekiji Temple was founded by Nanjo Tokimitsu (1259-1332) and Nikko Shonin (1246-1333) in October of 1290 or 1291. Tokimitsu, said to be a prominent lay follower of Nichiren {1222-1282}, was apparently the Feudal Steward of both Ueno & Koszumi Villages. Nikko had been one of six senior clerics designated by Nichiren to carry on his work. It appears that Nikko only served one day as the Founding Abbot at Taisekiji. He then designated Six 6 elder clerics and departed.

Among the 6 Taisekiji Elders, Niida Nichimoku (1260-1333), was designated the Chief Priest. Nichimoku was a member of both the Niida and Nanjo clans; he was Nanjo Tokimitsu's maternal nephew. His father was Niida Goro Shigetsuna; while his mother, Ren'a-ni, was an elder sister of Tokimitsu. His given name was Tora-o-maru. See also, Nichimoku's Omandala of 1279. Nikko transferred the position of Taisejiji Abbot to Renzo-bo Nichimoku via the Ozagawari Gohonzon.

The other five Taisekiji Eders were:

Jakunichi-bo Nikke (1252-1334}.
Shimotsuke-bo Nisshu {?-1329}
Sho-bo Nichizen {?-1331}
Joren-bo or Hyakkan-bo Nissen (1262-1357}
Kujo-bo Nichizon (1265-1345)

Nichimoku established his own residential Temple, the Renzo-bo. at the nearby Village of Koizumi. Meanwhile, Shimotsuke-bo Nisshu, who, by the way, apparently received Gohonzon #105, founded his own Rikyo-bo lodging temple at Taiseikiji. Most likely, the others founded their own lodging temples in the area.

It is unclear what Nikko did after that. Some say he retained an active role at Taisekiji. Others indicate that he retired to the countryside where he raised melons. In 1293, he moved to the nearby village of Omosu and began the task of constructing another new temple.

Mandala Gohonzon{s} at Taisekiji

Nichiren's Gohonzon for Practicing Kanjin

There are no authenticated Nichiren Mandala Gohonzon{s} listed as kept at Taisekiji. However, it appears they have possession of at least one; a Ten Worlds Great Mandala that Nichiren drew for Sho-bo Nichizen {?-1331} in 1280. Circumstances indicate it would not be in the Gohonzon Shu. This topic will be discussed under a separate heading. See: The Nichizen Mannen Kugo Great Mandala of 1280 at Kitayama

Posted by rbeck at May 6, 2006 01:23 AM

Posted by rbeck at June 1, 2006 01:23 AM