September 22, 2006
Nichiren and Nakayama Hokkekyo-ji
Life and legends of Nichiren
At Boso Hanto 1264-1267
Following the Ambush at Komatsubara, it is thought that Nichiren took up residence at the Hokkedo, which was located on the Nakayama {then Wakamiya Village, Katsushika District, Shimousa Province} estate of the lay follower Toki [Tsunenobu] Jonin (1216-1299).
Toki Jonin was the head of a Gozoku {prominent family)} in Shimosa Province. He had built the Hokkedo for Nichiren after the Matsubagayatsu Persecution of August 1260. At that time {1260}, Nichiren stayed there for about six {6} months, and converted many residents of Shimousa to the Hokke Shu.
Among these converts were Ota Jomyo {Ota Kingo, Ota Saemon-no-jo} (1222-1283), who was head of another Wakamiya Gozoku; Akimoto Taro, and Soya Jiro Hyoe-no-jo Kyoshin {Kyoshin-bo, Horen Nichirai} (1224-1291). Around that time, Ota Jomyo had built the Jibutsu-do on his property.
After Nichiren's passing in 1282, Toki Jonin became the self ordained Hokke Shu Minister known as Nichijo. He expanded Hokkedo, and renamed it Hokke-ji. Toki Nichijo also established the Shogyo-den, to preserve Nichiren's writings known as Gosho {Sacred Letters} or Goibun {Sacred Doctrine}.
"Toki Jonin was entrusted with more than forty Gosho letters. They included such important writings as: "The Essentials of the Lotus Sutra" (Hokke shuyo sho), "On the Four Stages of Faith and the Five Stages of Practice" (Shinshin gohon sho), ... the Rissho Ankoku Ron, [and] "The True Object of Worship" (Kanjin no honzon sho) ..." from "The Doctrines and Practice of Nichiren Shoshu"
"the Nakayama lineage was actually founded by Toki Jonin, who ordained himself as Nichijo. Toki Jonin was also responsible for collecting as many of Nichiren's writings as he could for posterity. Many of them are still treasured at Nakayama Hokekyoji. I should also point out that the assertion that the other disciples of Nichiren "physically discarded some of the Daishonin's important writings" is totally baseless, and in fact all of Nichiren's writings were valued. Toki Jonin's efforts being an example of how they cherished Nichiren's teachings." -- Rev. Ryuei
It is said that Nichiren' blessed the Jibutsu-do circa 1265. Later, in 1278, Ota Jomyo became a Nyudo {Lay Cleric} and was named Myonichi. He would rename the Jibutsu-do as Hon-myo-j. Nichiko, a son of Jomyo, who became a Hokke Shu Minister in 1275, later served as Abbot of both Hokke-ji and Hon-myo-ji.
The two temples, Hokkedo/Hokke-ji and Jibutsu-do/Hon-myo-j, were united as Hokkekyo-ji in 1545.
Gosho attributed and/or written from Boso Hanto 1264-1267
Encouragement to a Sick Person {Nanjo Hyoe Shichiro dono gosho} Written to Nanjo Hyoe Shichiro on 13 December 1264 {"A-T,C"}
Opening the Eyes of Wooden and Painted Images Written in 1264
The Essence of the "Medicine King" Chapter {Yakuoubon tokui sho} Written to Ueno-ama Gozen in 1265 {A-T}
Conversation between a Sage and an Unenlightened Man Written in 1265 {B?}
The Daimoku of the Lotus Sutra {Hokke daimoku sho} Written on 6 January 1266 {A-T}
Zenmui sho 1266 {A-T}
Reply to Hoshina Goro Taro -- Written to Hoshina Goro Taro on 5 December 1267
Links
Life and legends of Nichiren At Boso Hanto 1264-1267
Soseino Amulet of 1264
Nichiren at Hanabusa 1264
Nichiren and Nakayama Hokkekyo-ji
Nakayama Hokkekyo-ji Treasures