October 05, 2006
Nichiren at Kashiwazaki 1274, Bishamon, and the Sanju Banshin
1272
Apr.: Transferred from Tsukahara to the residence of Kondo Kiyohisa at Ichinosawa on Sado.
1274
Feb: Government pardons Nichiren Shonin and officially terminates the exile to Sado Island.
Mar. 13: Departs Ichinosawa.
Mar. 15: Arrives in Kashiwasaki.
Life and legends of Nichiren
At Kashiwazaki March 14 1274
Sado Exile
Up until the Edo Period, what is now Niigata Prefecture was divided into Echigo Province {the coast} and Sado Province {the Island}. After the Tatsunokuchi Incident, Nichiren was eventually taken to Teradomari, Echigo; and, from there, by boat, to Sado. His initial Sado residence was a grave yard hut at Tsukuhara. Today, that is Niibo. The following spring, he was moved to more comfortable quarters at Ichinosawa, which is now Sawata.
In those days, Teradomari and Kashiwazaki were both part of Echigo Province. Teradomari was the provincial seat, a fairly bustling port, and compared to the surrounding area, a somewhat significant center of culture. Kashiwazaki is to the south of Teradomari. Back then, it was a treacherous land-fall.
"I left [my place of residence on] Sado on the thirteenth day of that month and reached a harbor called Maura, where I spent the night of the fourteenth. I should have arrived at the harbor of Teradomari in Echigo Province on the fifteenth, but a gale prevented my boat from making port. Fortunately, however, after two days at sea, we reached Kashiwazaki, and on the following day I arrived at the provincial seat of Echigo." -- Nichiren
After leaving Sado for Teradomari, Nichiren's boat was blown off course by a storm, and made landfall at Kashiwazaki instead.
Heavenly King Bishamon
According to the legend, the Heavenly King Bishamon appeared and guided the boat safely through dangerous reefs, to the shore at Tsunoda beach near Volumen Town.
"Origin: India. Sanskrit = Vaishravana or Vaisravana. ... Bishamonten is also known as Tamonten, the Guardian on the North, and the most powerful of the Four Heavenly Kings (Shitenno), the Guardians of the Four Directions. As a member of the Shitenno, he listens to sutras, protects holy places, carries a pagoda-shaped treasure house in his left hand, and a spear in his right. Associated with the color black (others say blue), Tamonten is the god of war and protector against demons. For many more details and photos:" -- Onmark
Buddhist Images World
Bishamon Hall
Kashiwazaki Myoko-j and the Banjindo
. The Sanju-banshin are a group of 30 benevolent deities {kami/jin}, also known as Shoten Zenjin, who are said to protect votaries of the Lotus Sutra.
"Nichiren claimed Tensho Daijin (Amaterasu) and the Great Bodhisattva Hachiman as central figures among the good deities protecting the True Dharma, but he also mentioned other deities as tutelaries of the Lotus Sutra, arguing that these tutelaries would abandon any realm where the True Dharma is not upheld, while returning to protect a country where the True Dharma is realized. This is known as the "doctrine of kami and heavenly beings" (jin-ten-ju hon-mon)." -- Hokke Shinto
Posted by rbeck at October 5, 2006 10:42 AM