September 23, 2006
Nakayama Hokkekyo-ji Treasures
Nichiren and Nakayama Hokkekyo-ji
Life and legends of Nichiren
At Boso Hanto 1264-1267
The Kishimojin Hall
According to a legend, Nichiren is said to have carved a statue of Kishimojin, shortly after the Komatsubara attack. This is kept in the Kishimojin-do at Nakayama Hokkekyoji. I am not sure which form this is, as I now have conflicting information. I believe it is the fierce, demon troll form.
See: On the Kishimojin Statues
Statues, Drawings, & Paintings of Nichiren
Nakayama Hokekyo-ji Temple is home to two well known statues of Nichiren; a cast standing outdoor statue; and a carved wooden seated altar statue. The seated Nichiren is holding an extended scroll of the Lotus Sutra and is enshrined in the Founder's Hall. IIRC, both date to the Edo Era.
The Reverend Zuiun Matsuda, a Nichiren Shu Minister & owner/sculptor of Buddhist Images World, has carved a replica of the Founder's Hall Statue: Cypresswood Saint Nichiren, Hokekyo-ji Temple in Nakayama model Nichiren statue (This Nichiren image is modeled after the Nichiren statue in Hokekyoji temple with the extended scroll of sutra). Link Here
Nakayama Joko-in, one of the sub-temples and shrines associated with Hokekyo-ji Temple, houses the 13th Century Mizukagami Portrait.
Another related Temple, Nichihonji, owns a 15th C seated statue.
Shaka Great Buddha Statue at Nakayama Hokkekyo-ji
This is not the same as the Amida Great Buddha of Kamakura or the Dainichi Great Buddha of Nara. Despite the revisionist claims of Taisekiji and SGI, Nichiren actually encouraged his followers to carve statues of Shakyamuni. The statues are concecrated as either the "recompense body" {sambhoga-kaya or hojin} of the Eternal Shakyamuni described in the Lotus Sutra; or as "Shakyamuni Buddha, the lord of teachings, eternally endowed with the three bodies."
The "recompense body" {sambhoga-kaya or hojin} of the Eternal Shakyamuni, aka the Celestial or Ascended Shakyamuni Buddha, bridges the gap between the Transformational Body {Nirmana Kaya; Ojin} aka the historical Gotama/Shakyamuni; and the uncreated, impersonal Law Body {Dharma Kaya, Hoshin}. In one sense, the Celestial or Ascended Shakyamuni Buddha embodies the idealized personal or subjective qualities of the historical Gotama/Shakyamuni, such as compassion and wisdom. On another level, he is the personification of the impersonal or objective Dharma.
The Shakyamuni Great Buddha of Nakayama was cast in 1819. This Shaka Daibutsu is seated in the Padmasana {Blue Lotus Posture} with his hands in the Samadhi-Dhyana Mudra {Meditative Absorption Gesture}.
Nichiren's Gohonzon for Practicing Kanjin
There appear to be at least two {2} original Nichiren Mandala Gohonzon{s} kept at Nakayama:
Mandala # 047. LBIS Link. Dated March 16, 1278 (Koan 1). This appears to bear personal side notes. Coffehouse Gohonzon Shu Link. Mandala inscribed by Nichiren, very abbreviated style.
Mandala #064. LBIS Link. Dated June 1279 (Koan 2). Coffehouse Gohonzon Shu Link. 'Later' {Thick Brush Stroke; Emanation Buddhas not present} Great Mandala Gohonzon inscribed by Nichiren, formal style.
In addition, Joko-in, one of the sub-temples and shrines associated with Hokekyo-ji Temple, houses at least one {1} original Nichiren Mandala Gohonzon:
Mandala #059. LBIS Link. Dated February 2, 1279. This is one of six {6} authenticated and published Nichiren Mandalas that appear to bear the "Gain & Loss Inscriptions." Unlike on the Taisekiji transcriptions, these inscriptions are NOT in a prominent position. They are NOT located in the top row, on either side of the Daimoku, outside of {flanking}, the two Buddhas and four Bodhisattvas. They appear to be side inscriptions or personal notes. Coffehouse Gohonzon Shu Link.. 'Middle' {Fine Brush Stroke; Emanation Buddhas not present} Great Mandala Gohonzon inscribed by Nichiren, formal style.
Kyoto Honpo-ji: Nisshin of the Nakayama Lineage founded Kyoto Honpo-ji circa 1429 . There are at least four {4} original Nichiren Mandala Gohonzon{s] kept there:
Mandala #088. LBIS Link. Coffehouse Gohonzon Shu Link. 'Later' {Thick Brush Stroke; Emanation Buddhas not present} Great Mandala Gohonzon inscribed by Nichiren, formal style.
Mandala #095. LBIS Link. Coffehouse Gohonzon Shu Link. 'Later' {Thick Brush Stroke} Mandala Gohonzon inscribed by Nichiren, abbreviated style.
Mandala #104. LBIS Link. Coffehouse Gohonzon Shu Link. 'Later' {Thick Brush Stroke; Emanation Buddhas not present} Great Mandala Gohonzon inscribed by Nichiren, formal style.
Mandala #113. LBIS Link. Coffehouse Gohonzon Shu Link. 'Later' {Thick Brush Stroke} Mandala Gohonzon inscribed by Nichiren, abbreviated style.
Sakai Myokoku-ji, [Link Myokoku-ji Temple's Cycad] is a Nakayama Lineage Temple located at Sakai City in Osaka Prefecture. It was founded in 1562.
This temple is associated with the "Sakai-jiken"(contention) which occurred in 1868 (a French soldier was killed by soldiers of the Tosa clan). As punishment, the eleven clansmen involved in the incident were forced to commit harakiri in this temple. The incident was the theme of the novel "Sakai jiken," written by Mori Ogai, a great literary figure of the Meiji Period (1868-1912).
Sakai Myokoku-ji is home to at least three {3} original Nichiren Mandala Gohonzon{s]:
Mandala #020. LBIS Link. Dated April 1275 (Bunei 12)Coffehouse Gohonzon Shu Link. Early Mandala Gohonzon inscribed by Nichiren, formal style.
Mandala #071. LBIS Link. Coffehouse Gohonzon Shu Link. 'Later' {Thick Brush Stroke; Emanation Buddhas not present} Great Mandala Gohonzon inscribed by Nichiren, formal style.
Mandala #121. LBIS Link. Coffehouse Gohonzon Shu Link. 'Later' {Thick Brush Stroke} Mandala Gohonzon inscribed by Nichiren, abbreviated style.
Nisshuku Shonin, a cleric from Nakayama Hokkekyo-ji, founded Kyoto Chomyo-ji Temple in 1673. Kyoto Chomyo-ji [Link] houses two {2} original Nichiren Mandala Gohonzon{s]:
Mandala #007. LBIS Link. No date. Coffehouse Gohonzon Shu Link. Early Mandala inscribed by Nichiren, very abbreviated style.
Mandala #050.LBIS Link. Dated July 5, 1278 (Koan 1). Coffehouse Gohonzon Shu Link. 'Middle' {Fine Brush Stroke; Emanation Buddhas not present} Great Mandala Gohonzon inscribed by Nichiren, formal style.
I am not sure if Tenjusan Chomyo-ji is the same temple as Kyoto Chomyo-ji. I think Tenjusan Chomyo-j might be in Chiba Prefecture.
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