Robin Beck

For years, I thought Nichiren himself had added Nam' to the Chinese [Sino-japanese] Title of the Lotus Sutra, Myoho Renge Kyo. However, in the the "Totaigi Sho" {The Entity of the Mystic Law}, Nichiren wrote, "But even these great teachers [Nan-yueh and T’ien-t’ai] recited Namu-myoho-renge-kyo as their private practice, and in their hearts they understood these words to be the truth." -- Totaigi Sho

I always thought he meant that metaphorically. But he gives specific examples, and these can be verified.

For example he credits Saicho (767–822), aka Dengyo Daishi, with bringing the Namu Myoho Renge Kyo Mantra to Japan, from China. He wrote, "the document concerning the vow taken by the Great Teacher Dengyo on his deathbed carries the words Namu-myoho-renge-kyo."

The Shuzenji-ketsu {Transmissions at Hsiuch'an-ssu Temple} is a record of oral transmissions received by Saicho during his journey to China. It reads, in part, "The 'threefold contemplation in a single mind as encompassed in the Dharma container' is precisely Myoho-renge-kyo.... At the time of death, one should chant Namu-myoho-renge-kyo. Through the workings of the three powers of the Wondrous Dharma [subsequently explained in considerable detail as the powers of the Dharma, the Buddha, and faith], one shall at once attain enlightened wisdom and will not receive a body bound by birth and death."

In the "Totaigi Sho" {The Entity of the Mystic Law}, Nichiren wrote, "Thus the Great Teacher Nan-yueh in his Hokke sempo [The Lotus Sutra Method of Repentance] employs the words Namu-myoho-renge-kyo. The Great Teacher T'ien-t'ai employs the words Namu-byodo-daie-ichijo-myoho-renge-kyo [single-minded devotion to the one vehicle -- the Lotus of the great impartially-perceiving wisdom], Keishu-myoho-renge-kyo [I bow my head before the Lotus Sutra], and Kimyo-myoho-renge-kyo [I dedicate my life to the Wondrous Dharma {White} Lotus Flower Sutra]."

"Hokke Sempo" is another name for the " Fa-Hua San-Mei Ch'an-I" and is actually attributed to Chih-I {T’ien-t’ai} {538-597 CE}. The 'Fa-Hua San-Mei Ch'an-I' has been translated by Peter Johnson as The Confessional Samadhi of the Lotus Sutra . Peter wrote, "This work, written by Chih-I, describes the liturgical practice of faith that he used. ... This seminal work describes the object of worship that was later revealed pictorially as the Gohonzon of Nichiren. This is also the earliest work that expresses the mantra [Namu Myoho Renge Kyo] later promulgated by Nichiren."

And Nichiren also wrote: "This mandala is in no way my invention. It is the object of devotion that depicts Shakyamuni Buddha, the World-Honored One, seated in the treasure tower of Many Treasures Buddha ..." The Real Aspect of the Gohonzon

So here we have both the Honzon and Daimoku being taught by the Chinese TianTai School, as part of a 21 day Confessional Practice, in the 6th Century of the current era, some 600-700 years before Nichiren.

It seems fairly clear that April 28 1253 was not the first time Nichiren had chanted the Daimoku. And he certainly was not the first person to chant Namu Myoho Renge Kyo. Nor is it likely, as of this early date, that he had intended to found a new school.

Okay so then who was the first to chant this and where and when was it done?

Nice!!!

Mark

Hi Robin,

The images are beautiful!

Thanks,

Aaron

Thanks Robin,

We'd all be immeasurably poorer without your valuable work. The O-Daimuku is very lovely...

Aberrant Hokkeko

BTW, they will download with 600 pixels X 400 - 480
pixels.

Robin,

Thanks for posting these gorgeous,inspiring paintings!

Michele