Robin Beck

Yakuo-bo at Seichoji

Nichiren's Training at Seicho-ji
Life and legends of Nichiren

Zennichi’s exceptional aptitude is said to have caught the attention of Oama, a,k,a, lay nun of Ryoke, the Lady of the local manor, where his family lived. She was the hereditary estate {shoen} proprietor. It was most likely her patronage that enabled him to enter the nearby Seicho-ji Temple, aka Kiyosumi-dera. Oama is thouht to have been friends with Nichiren’s family since before he was born.

In addition to Seicho-ji, the domain of Oama likely included the Ise Shrine-Temple at Tojo Village, and another area temple called Futama. There was also the Tendai-Hokke Renge-ji Temple at Saijo-Hanabusa.

Oama’s husband was Hojo Tomotoki {1193-1245}, the feudal lord or Steward {Jito} of Nagasa District in Awa, and later, a member of the Supreme Court of the Shogunate. He was the younger brother of the third Regent to the Shogun {Shikken}, Yasutoki [{1183-1242, r. 1224-1242}]. Tomotoki had a son named Ema Mitsutoki {Hojo Mitsutoki; Nagoe Mitsutoki}. Oama and Tomotoki also had a son or grandson who would later marry Nii-ama of Tojo Village .

A priest called Fushigi (Wondrous) founded Seichoji Temple on Mount Kiyosumi in 771. He is said to have carved a statue of Bodhisattva Kokuzo, using an oak tree, and enshrined the statue in a small hut. He prayed to the statue, which resulted in miraculous events. Jikaku Daishi [{Ennin} {794 - 864}] restored the original hut during the Hieian period. Seichoji gradually expanded around the hut. It was apparently affiliated with Enryakuji, Koyasan, and maybe Onjoji at various times. Most likely, it was aligned with Enryakuji when Nichiren enrolled there. It was converted to Nichiren Shu on February 16, 1949.

On May 12th, 1233, at the age of 12, Zennichi ascended the mountain, accompanied by his father. Seichoji temple is near Kominato, in Asahigamori Forest on Mt. Kiyosumi, the second highest mountain of Boso Peninsula. The elevation of Kiyosumi is only 383 meters, but it is rather steep.

When Zennichi-maro said, “Father, I am going to really study hard and become a great priest.” His father responded, “Zennichi-maro, there is one thing that you must never forget. There are many in this world who call themselves great. However, there is still no one who is regarded as being truthful. You must become a person of the truth.” -- NST

After taking the precepts {jukai} as an acolyte, Zennichi was given the dharma name Yakuo-bo. Much of Yakuo’s actual instruction was carried out by two junior disciples named Joken-bo and Gijo-bo. Master Do-zen-bo, the Chief Instuctor of Seicho-ji, would guide his training. Many years later, in 1278, Nichiren would write:

“I, Nichiren, am indebted solely to my late teacher, Dozen-bo, for my having become the votary of the Lotus Sutra and my being widely talked about now, in both a good and bad sense.” -- [The four debts of gratitude are the debts owed to all living beings, to ones father and mother, to ones sovereign and to the three trea-sures - the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha.] --Major Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol. 5, page 3

Posted by rbeck at December 5, 2006 12:40 AM