May 17, 2006
Dubious Transmission Documents
On the Events After Nichiren's Passing
In The Real Transfer Dox Revised 5-3-2006 I discuss some of the authenticated documents that provide clues about the events after Nichiren's passing. There are also several oft quoted "dox" which are of dubious origins.
Two of these are from the Ikegami Temple of the Nichiren Shu Nichiro Lineage :
1. The "Go-ibutsu-haibun-cho" {Distribution of the Mementos} kept at Ikegami.
2. The "Minobusan-shuban-cho" {Minobusan Guard Rotation} kept at Ikegami.
These were apparently discredited in 1997, following the 1993 public release of the "Shuso Gosenge Kiroku". I have read references on the Web to two Nichiro Lineage Transfer Documents which were discovered to be forged by later followers. These might be "The Distribution of the Mementos" and "The Minobusan Guard Rotation Notes." Some unrevised, older scholarly texts still treat these as authentic.
There are also several dubious Taisekiji Documents that Nichiren Shoshu continues to insist are authentic:
1. The "Nichiren Ichigo Guho Fuzoku Sho" {MinobuTransfer Document} kept at Taisekeji.
2. The "Ikegami-sojo-sho" {The Ikegami Transfer Document} kept at Taisekeji.
Together, those are known as the Two Transfer Documents. They were likely fabricated circa 1482.
3. Ryo Kechimyaku sho’ : two writings supposedly written by Nichiren, but which scholars believe to be forgeries from the Edo Era. These are the ‘Hyakku Rokka Sho.’ {One Hundred and six articles}." and "Honin Myo Sho" {On the Mystic Principle of the True Cause}.
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There are several others that contain what appear to be internal inconsistencies as well as anachronisms. The most important are:
4. On Refuting the Five Priests {Gonin-shoha-sho}. This is allegedly a completion of Jakusen-bo Nitcho's draft of "Guidelines for Believers of the Fuji School". "On Refuting the Five Priests" is attributed to Sammi Nichijun, second chief instructor of Omosu Seminary at Kitayama/Omosu Honmonji. My best guess is that it was fabricated in the 17th Century at the earliest. There is no original; but I do not know when the extant version was recorded. It is dated 1328.
5. The Twenty six Admonitions of Nikko {Nikko-yuikai-okibumi} aka The Twenty-six Warning Articles. Attributed to Nikko and dated 01/13/1333, less than a month before his death. I think there was an original but it has been revised many times. I suspect the bulk of the current version dates to the 17th Century at the earliest.
6. Transfer Document to Nichimoku {Nikko Ato Jojo no Koto} aka Articles Regarding the Succession of Nikko aka Articles to be Observed after Nikko's Passing.
7. The Nikko Shonin Yui Ato no-Koto. This, IIRC, is alleged to be "Nichimoku's receipt." It might be a hoax.
Here is a possible partial translation: "That (DaiGohonzon which is described {sic} in the Nikko Ato-joujou no koto, the Transfer Document from Nikko to Nichimoku) which was entrusted upon the person of Nikko (in the 2nd year of Koan) is the Plank Gohonzon. It is now here at this temple (Taisekiji). The Hall is where the Plank Gohonzon is.... 3rd Month, 2nd Year of Shoukei (1333) Nichimoku Seal"
8. The Nippo Den. The Taisekiji story of the origin of their 'Daigohonzon' comes from a letter allegedly written by Nichiren in 1282. It is called Jogyo Shoden-sho, Matsunodono Gosho, or Biography of Nippo {Nippo Den}. It also contains anachronisms.
One more: "Sanshi Goden Dodai" {Biographies of the Three Teachers} which includes biographies of Nichiren Daishonin, Nikko Shonin & Nichimoku Shonin. It was allegedy authored by Niida Nichido (1283 - 1341). the Third Abbot/CP of Taisekiji. He was the second son Niida {Nitta}Goro Jiro Yoritsuna of Izu Province; IOW, Nichimoku's nephew.
More:
'Seven articles and fourteen important points of the object of devotion.'
‘The Threefold Orally Transmitted Teaching,’
'Seven Articles for Transcribing the Gohonzon (Honzon Shichika no kuden)'
'Important Points for Transcribing the Gohonzon” (Honzon Hippo)
'The Transmission of Seven Teachings on the Gohonzon (Gohonzon Shichika Sojo)'
'The Transmission of Three Points on the Gohonzon (Honzon Sando Soden)'