Robin Beck

Map of the Prayer Gohonzon

The Nichiren Prayer Gohonzon aka Medicine Mandala is the famous Mandala Gohonzon of the Independent Movement. Thanks to Bruce & Stephanie Maltz, it is also one of four {4} original Nichiren Mandala Gohonzon{s} for which we have a detailed map. To view the map, link to Explanation of the Nichiren Prayer Gohonzon . There is also a detailed explanation.

Errata?

Some time ago, I started drafting a detailed study of this mandala. I decided there is no point in repeating the work. There, are, however, I think, three translation errors that may cause some confusion. In this regard, I expect there are some errors in the work I have done here. It is my hope that someday someone with more access to information will catch & correct them.

"G) Second Year of Kenji, April (1277)"
Actually, this should be: G) Second Year of Kenji, April (1276). I noticed that 1277 would put this one out of sequence. So I checked, and 1276 is the second year of Kenji.

"A) Daibadatta Ten no"

P. Jones wrote: "I checked ... [the] ... Prayer Gohonzon and the upper right 'king of heaven' does not say 'Devadatta'. It is the Sanskrit to Chinese transliteration for Dhritarastra, the 'Guardian of the Nation', a.k.a. Jikoku Tenno."

This makes sense, since Dai Jikoku-Tenno is one of the Four Heavenly Kings {Shi-Tenno}, while Devadatta, aka Daibadatta, is not.

"Translated as "Great Heavenly King Upholder of the Nation" or "Kingdom-Keeper Heavenly King," Dai Jikoku-Tenno is one of the Four Heavenly Kings. He lives halfway down the eastern side of Mount Sumeru and protects the eastern quarter." Dai Jikoku-tenno (Sanskrit Dhritarashtra) Gakkai-on-Line

"The four heavenly kings are the guardians of the world who reside on the slopes of Mt. Sumeru in the heaven named after them from whence they are each responsible for one of the four cardinal directions. Each leads an army of supernatural creatures who help them keep the fighting demons (asuras) at bay.

"This guardian king governs in the east and presides over the spring. He is 'He who maintains the kingdom (of the Law)'. 'the maintainer of the state'...He commands an army of celestial musicians (Gandharvas) and vampire demons (Pisaca)." (p. 246)... " -- Who's Who on the Gohonzon? by Rev. Ryuei Michael McCormick

Also, Dai Jikoku Tenno occupies this same position on every other Ten Worlds Dai Mandara which include the Shittenno. See Shutei Honzon Map -- 1. Dai Jikoku Tenno; SGI Gohonzon Diagram -- 13. Dai Jikoku-tenno — Great Heavenly King Upholder of the Nation (Skt. Dhritarashtra); and Nissho's Daimandara of 1280

19. Sengan Ten No (Sanskrit: Sahasrabhujavalokitesvara; English: Thousand Eyed King of Heaven)

Sahasra-bhuja-avalokitesvara is a name of Kuan Yin, in Sino-Japanese, Sengan Kanzeon. However, Indra, aka Taishaku, actually occupies this location on the Ten World's Great Mandala. As P. Jones wrote:

"Actually Sangen Tenno here is the 'Thousand-Eyed King of Heaven' (Sahasra Locana Deva Raja). Sahasra Bhuja would be 'Thousand Armed', but that is not what is literally written on this Prayer Gohonzon. This is a reference to Sakra Devanam Indra (Taishaku), who is sometimes called 'Thousand-Eyed' (a reference to mastery of the sense faculties or Jnanendriya), sometimes called 'Thousand Armed' (a reference to the mastery of the motor faculties or Karmendriya), and sometimes called both at the same time."

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Recent Portrait

Another Portrait of Nichiren

Statues, Drawings, & Paintings of Nichiren

Here is another Portrait of Nichiren. I have no information about its date or location. It is rather similar to the Joeiji 16th C. Portrait. It is also quite similar to the Portrait at Kyoto Myokenji {17th C} and the Honnonji 17th C. Portrait. I think new members of Nichiren Shu/NONA sometimes receive this painting.

As one can see, in the portrait, Nichiren has an open, but not extended scroll in his left hand; and something else in his right. The table, in front of him, holding the scrolls, is covered with a brightly colored cloth. The flower vase on the table appears to hold a kind of Lotus called Uptala. His robe is brown or gray, but he is wearing a shawl or something that is brightly colored.

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Posted by rbeck at February 28, 2006 02:37 PM

Portrait at Kyoto Myokenji 17th C

Updated 06-15-2006

Statues, Drawings, & Paintings of Nichiren

This is another of several nearly identical portraits painted in the 16th & 17th Centuries. This one is kept at Myokenji Temple in Kyoto. It appears be part of a set that includes portraits of Chih-I T'ien T'ai and Saicho, aka Dengyo Daishi. IIRC, the portraits were painted in the late 1600's.

The founder of this Temple was Nichizo (1269-1342), who was Nichiro's half-brother. It is said that Nichiren, on his deathbed at Ikegami, commissioned Nichizo with the task of converting the emperor in Kyoto. I am curious if this is an oral legend, actually recorded in the authenticated Shuso Gosenge Kiroku, or, perhaps, from the apocryphal transmission 'dox' kept at Ikegami?

Ryuei on Nichizo & Myokenji:

In 1333, Myokenji Temple joined in the prayers for Emperor Godaigo's success. Fortunately for Nichizo, the emperor was successful and the Kamakuran Shogunate fell in 1333. In 1334, the emperor recognized Myokenji Temple as an Imperial Prayer Temple. In this way, Nichiren Buddhism was finally given official recognition. Nichizo's lineage would later be known as the Shijo Lineage due to the location of Myokenji Temple in Kyoto. The Myokenji Temple was burned down by Tendai sohei (soldier-monks) from Mt. Hiei in 1387. It was rebuilt in 1398 and renamed Myohonji. It took the name Myokenji again in 1519." -- The Mission to Kyoto by Ryuei Michael McCormick

Nichiren's Gohonzon for Practicing Kanjin

Kyoto Myokenji is also home to at least five {5} original Mandala Gohonzons(s). These are:

Mandala # 019 dated January {and 1275 is inferred.} Early Gohonzon inscribed by Nichiren, [nearly] formal style.

Mandala # 027 dated November 1275 (Kenji 1). Early Gohonzon inscribed by Nichiren, formal style.

Mandala # 028 dated December 1275 (Kenji 1). Early Gohonzon inscribed by Nichiren, abbreviated style.

Mandala # 067 dated October 1279 (Koan 2). Mandala Gohonzon inscribed by Nichiren, formal style.

Mandala # 084 ... Mandala Gohonzon inscribed by Nichiren, formal style.

The Painting

It is similar in several respects to the Joeiji 16th C. Portrait . As one can see, in the portrait, Nichiren has an open, but not extended scroll in his left hand; and something else in his right. The table, in front of him, holding the scrolls, is covered with a brightly colored cloth. The flower vase on the table appears to hold a kind of Lotus called Uptala. His robe is brown with a brightly colored shawl{?} that matches the cloth on the table.

Here are some useful links:

Myokenji Temple
Myôkenji, the First Nichiren Temple
Hotoji Temple (Shichimen-san)
Nichiren: Kamakura Yakuoji
Daijozan Yakuoji
Daijozan Yakuoji

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17th C. Honnonji Nichiren Portrait

Updated 06-14-2006

Statues, Drawings, & Paintings of Nichiren
This portrait, from the 1600's, and kept at Honnon-ji Temple in Yamanashi Prefecture, is one of several very similar portraits of Nichiren painted in the 16th & 17th Centuries. See Joeiji 16th C. Portrait , Portrait at Kyoto Myokenji 17th C., Another Old Portrait. Made by Kano Genshun {1588-1672}, Momoyama period, 17th century, Hanging scroll, colors on paper 124.4X90.3cm.

More:

The Kanji for this temple's name, "honnon", translates literally as "long book." The temple also houses a 13th Century {1266} standing statue of Shakyamuni.

Nichiren's Gohonzon for Practicing Kanjin

According to my source, it appears that at least two original Nichiren Mandala Gohonzons are kept at Hon-non-ji.

The on-line Japanese Gohonzon Shu lists these two at Hon-non-ji.

# 025 No date. Early Mandala Gohonzon inscribed by Nichiren, abbreviated style. coffeehouse

# 029 No date. Early Gohonzon inscribed by Nichiren, abbreviated style. coffeehouse

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Joeiji 16th C. Portrait

Updated 06-12-2006

Statues, Drawings, & Paintings of Nichiren
This, from the 1500's, is one of several nearly identical portraits painted in the 16th & 17th Centuries. I think it is kept at the famous Eumzan Joeiji Temple, aka Botamochi-dera. Joeiji is built at the site of the Temple of the Nun Nichiei, who was Nissho's elder sister.

Muromachi period, 16th century, Hanging scroll, colors on silk 119.5X76.2cm. As one can see, in the portrait, Nichiren has an open, but not extended scroll in his left hand; and something else in his right. The table, in front of him, holding the scrolls, is covered with a brightly colored cloth. There appears to be a flower vase on the table. His robe is brown, but he is wearing a shawl or something that is brightly colored.

"Minamoto Yoritomo reportedly set up a platform on the hill at the back of this temple to get a view of the distant Yuigahama Beach. The temple is also called "Botamochi-dera", based on the legend that a Botamochi - glutinous rice ball covered with Azuki bean jam - presented by Sazikini (nun) of the wife of Saemonnojou-Sukenobu responsible for the miracle that saved the life of Nichiren while he was being taken to an execution ground. This temple was founded in 1606 by Nichiyu in commemoration of this story, and belongs to the Nichiren sect." -- Joeiji Temple kamakura.kanagawa.jp/eng/stroll/scene/

Posted by rbeck at February 8, 2006 12:41 AM

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Nichiren Portrait 15th/16th C. at Minobusan

15th Century 'Mizukagami' Portrait at Minobusan

15th century Nichihonji Temple Statue

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Statues, Drawings, & Paintings of Nichiren

Nichihonji

This is an old temple at Tako Town. It appears that it was fouinded by Nichijo of Nakayama in 1319. A well-known Buddhist school stood there until 1872.

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Myohokkeji Nichiren Portrait 14th Century

Updated 06-09-2006

Statues, Drawings, & Paintings of Nichiren

This painting is dated to the late Kamakura Era, the early 14th Century {1300's}.

It is kept at Myohokkeji Temple Tamazawa, Mishima City, Izu, Shizuoka. Myohokkeji was originally Nissho's Hokkeji Temple at Hama, Kamakura. Nissho took up residence at Hama after Tatsunokuchi. Hokkeji was officially founded by Nissho in 1284 and transfered to a Nichiyu in 1317. The Temple was moved to Izu and renamed Myohokkeji by Oman-no-kata in 1621.

Myohokkeji is home to Six {6} National Treasures of Japan.

Note that I am reading and trying to interpret from a Japanese Web Page. These national treasures appear to include:

1. The Ministers' Quarters
2. What are likely scrolls of a version of the Senji Sho.
3. Nichiren's annotated scrolls of the Lotus Sutra {Chu Hokekyo}, See Also Distribution of the Mementos?.
4. An early Pictorial Mandala Gohonzon.
5. Statues of Guardian Deities?
6. The early 14th Century {1300s} Painting of Nichiren.

Nichiren's Gohonzon for Practicing Kanjin

Myohokkeji houses Four {4} authenticated original Nichiren Gohonzons. These are:

*The Nichiren Prayer Gohonzon aka Medicine Mandala of April 1276 (Kenji 2), #37 in the Gohonzon Shu, conferred upon Nissho. See Also Coffeehouse

*Mandala #62 dated April 8, 1279 (Koan 2). See Also Coffeehouse

*Mandala #78 {no info} See Also Coffeehouse

*The Great Mandala for Transmitting the Dharma issued to Nissho in the 11th month of 1280; #101 in the Gohonzon Shu See Also Coffeehouse

The Painting

I am told the painting represents a recollection of Nichiren teaching the Lotus Sutra to a son of Lord Hakiri {aka Hakii Rokuro Sanenaga, Nambu Sanenaga, or Nichien Nyudo} and wife, at Minobu-san Kounji, in 1281 or 1282.

Also, note that the Gohonzon in the painting is a Shakyamuni Statue flanked by standing statues of the Four Boddhisattvas of the Earth. There is a record that Toki Jonin had such a statue arrangement at Nakayama before 1280.

Dr. Stone wrote:

"The "one Buddha and four attendants" came into fairly widespread use among Nichiren's followers as a honzon almost immediately after his death. There was also a more complex configuration consisting of the two Buddhas, Sakyamuni and Many Jewels, seated together in the jeweled stupa and flanked by the four bodhisattvas (itto ryoson shishi). The earliest attested grouping was made by Jogyoin Nichiyu (1298-1374) of the Nakayama lineage in 1335."

See: See Dr Stone on the Gohonzon -- Download .pdf @ Dharma_Study_Group. Also, for discussions of Nichiren related art {and more}, pleae check out: nichirenpix · Nichiren Buddhist Art & Culture . To access the web features of nichirenpix and Dharma_Study_Group, one must join with a valid Yahoo ID. See Yahoo! Groups

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Posted by rbeck at February 20, 2006 09:49 PM

Statue at Kyoto Honmanji 13th-14th Century

Updated 06-08-2006
Statues, Drawings, & Paintings of Nichiren

This unique statue of Nichiren was carved during the latter part of the Kamakura Era; from the late 13th to the early 14th Century. It is kept at Honmanji in Kyoto.

On Nichiren's Gohonzon for Practicing Kanjin

The same temple is listed as housing two {2} authenticated Nichiren Mandala Gohonzon{s}. These are

Mandala #038 dated August 13, 1276 (Kenji 2)
038@nichirenscoffeehouse

Mandala #106
106@nichirenscoffeehouse

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Posted by rbeck at February 4, 2006 12:01 AM

Statue at Yuseiji in Kyoto 13th-14th Century

Statues, Drawings, & Paintings of Nichiren
Nippo & Statues of Nichiren
Life and legends of Nichiren
As you can see, the statue is darkened from centuries of incense & candle smoke. Also, it resembles another statue, one that is dated to the late 13th or early 14th Century, and is kept at Kamakura Myohonji {see Statue at Myohonji in Kamakura }

According to HBS, it is one of three carved by Nippo while Nichiren was alive, and, "This is also the statue on which Nichiren Shonin conducted an “Opening of the Eyes" ceremony to instill the spirit of the Odaimoku. In the early part of the Meiji Era, when Nissen Shonin entered Yuseiji Temple to carry on his religious practices, the statue was already a black looking antique." {see Why is the statue of Nichiren Shonin black?

Yuseji Temple in Kyoto is currently the Head Temple of Honmon Butsuryu {HBS}. While HBS is relatively new {see:Founding of the Honmon Hokke Shu & HBS: Ryuei.net}, Yuseiji actually might be an old temple, since it traces its origins to a Temple founded near Mobara by the disciple known as Echigo Nichiben. (1239-1311). It is said that the temple was moved several times.

I do not know how Echigo Nichiben got his name; as Echigo was the old province on the northeast coast of Honshu that included Teradomari and Kashiwazaki {see Nichiren at Kashiwazaki and Nichiren, Kashiwazaki, & the Demon Storm}: and is now part of Niigata Prefecture. Nichiben was born in Kai Province and was one of the three leading Monks of Ryusenji Temple at Atsuhara, in Suruga Province, who became Nichiren's disciples {see Atsuhara Persecutions .

HBS might also in possession of three Mandala Gohonzon{s} inscribed by Nichiren, but I can not confirm that. These may include the one inscribed for Nichiji Shonin, one of the six senior disciples, and the first overseas missionary, who left in 1295, to spread the Dharma in China. So it appears Nichiji may have entrusted his Mandala with Nichiben; and the statue may have been Nichiji's as well? Note that Nichiji was involved with the creation of the famous posthumous Statue at Ikegami Honmonji.

After the 1289 schism, it is thought that Echigo Nichiben was among those who joined with Nichiji, Toki Jonin, Nippo and others; in refusing to take sides with Nikko against Niko. He would also spread Hokke Shu teachings in Kazusa & Mutsu Provinces. From what I gather, it is said that Nichiben founded Seiryu-zushi Honmonji {now Kyoto Yuseiji}, near Mobara, in 1308 {see A Head Temple-Honzan .

Honmon Butsuryu Schools at Nichiren's Coffeehouse

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Posted by rbeck at February 7, 2006 12:08 AM

Nichiren Image at Hokkeji in Matsumae

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Statues, Drawings, & Paintings of Nichiren

This statue is vaguely reminiscent of the Statue at Kyoto Honmanji. The face is similar to those at Myohon-ji and Yusei-ji. It is also dated to the Kamakura Era {late 1200's, early 1300's}.

The statue is evidently kept in the Founder's Hall of the Pagoda at Hokke-ji Temple, located in Esashi Town, Matsumae District of Hokkaido. It appears to have been at that location since 1886. It might have been salvaged from the ruins of an older temple in Hyogo prefecture. The original Matsumae Hokke-ji Temple is said to have been founded by Nichiji Shonin, who was one of Nichiren's six {6} designated successors. The current structures at Esashi Town date to the Muromachi period {1333 - 1573}.

"Twenty four years after leaving Sado Island together with his Master, Nichiji Shonin attended the 13th Annual Memorial Service commemorating the passing of Nichiren Daishonin. In the following year of 1295, when Nichiji was 45 years old, he set out on a journey to spread the teachings of the Lotus Sutra abroad. The first records mentioning his travels are seen in the Nichiren Shu Chronicles of 1735. His desire to travel abroad to spread the Dharma was inspired by Nichiren Daishonin's own wishes that faith in the Lotus Sutra be propagated in the nation of Japan's Buddhist teachers, in China and the land of origin of Buddhism itself, in India."

Links

Esashi Town Guide

pulsedes/matsumaebunka

Nichiji propagated faith amongst the indigenous Ainu people.

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Statue at Myohonji in Kamakura 13th-14th Century

Updated 06-02-2006

Statues, Drawings, & Paintings of Nichiren
This statue has been recently dated to the late 1200's or early 1300's {see Sankei Shimbun article - nichiren/gallery}. It is one of several similar ones attributed to Nippo, who was maybe the same person as the disciple Izumi-ko Nippo. There is a legend that Izumi-ko Nippo carved three statues from a single log {see Legends of Nippo [pending serious revision]}.

On Nichiren's Gohonzon for Practicing Kanjin

Myohonji is also home to at least seven {7} original Nichiren Mandala Gohonzon{s}:

Mandala #021 ... No date... Early Gohonzon inscribed by Nichiren, formal style.
Mandala # 030 ... dated December 1275 (Kenji 1)... Early Gohonzon inscribed by Nichiren, formal style.
Mandala #080 ... Mandala Gohonzon inscribed by Nichiren, formal style.
Mandala #081 dated the 3rd month of the 3rd year of Koan, Kanoe-tatsu (1280). This Great Mandala is now designated as the Shutei Honzon or the "Gohonzon Authorized by the Nichiren School." ... Mandala Gohonzon inscribed by Nichiren
Mandala #083 ... Mandala Gohonzon inscribed by Nichiren, formal style.
Mandala # 108 ... Mandala Gohonzon inscribed by Nichiren, formal style.
Mandala # 109 ... Mandala Gohonzon inscribed by Nichiren, formal style.

The Temple
In August of 1260. Nichiren fled the Matsubagayatsu Persecution to Toki Jonin's compound in the old Shimousa Province. The following spring, he returned and stayed with Nichiro {1245-1320} and others at what is now Myohonji. On May 12, 1261, the Regent Hojo Nagatoki {(1229-1264) (r. 1256-1264)} at the urging of his father Hojo Shigetoki {1198-1261}, had Nichiren seized at this location and exiled, without trial, to Izu Hanto.

...

"Upon returning to Kamakura in 1274, Nichiren Shonin put Nichiro in charge of a new temple at Hikigayatsu, Kamakura. This was the Myohonji Temple. Because it was Nichiro's main base of operations in Kamakura, Nichiro's lineage is also known as the Hikigayatsu Lineage. ... Nichirin later took over Myohonji Temple and Honmonji Temple." -- Ryuei

The Statue

The statue is kept in the Soshido (Founding Priest's Hall} at Chokozan Myohonji in Kamakura, a head Temple of the Nichiro lineage of Nichiren Shu. This nine square meter hall was rebuilt in the Edo Period (1603-1868). It is said to also house statues of Nichiro Shonin and his wife{?}, Yoshikazu Hiki and his wife {Yoshimoto's parents}, Nichirin Shonin (1297-1359) [One of the Nine Senior Disciples (Kurosu) Nichiro designated to continue his propagation efforts], Yoshimoto Hiki and wives.
From Myohonji -- asahi-net: "This wooden statue was fashioned in the 14th century by Priest Nippo (1259-1341), Nichiren's disciple and an excellent sculptor, while Nichiren was alive, and is among the three that were made out of a single wood-block. The other two are enshrined at Kuonji in Minobu, Yamanashi Prefecture (the head temple of all Nichiren sect) and at Honmonji in Ota ward, Tokyo, where Priest Nichiren passed away." -- Myohonji -- A Guide to Kamakura

This information is not entirely accurate. It mentions a statue at Minobusan Kuonji, but I can not find any authenticated information on any historic statue kept there {see: First Statue of Nichiren at Minobu? }. It also mentions the one at Ikegami, {see Statue at Ikegami Honmonji}, but that one was carved posthumously in 1288.

As can be seen in the images, as with the Ikegami Statue, the carver exaggerated the size of Nichiren's ears. Of this, Brian Holly wrote:

"... elongated pierced ears are a traditional feature of the Buddha in Buddhist iconography -- representing how his ears were stretched by the fabulous earrings Shakyamuni wore as a prince and then abandoned. I would think that portraits of Nichiren with such ears indicate an attempt to depict him as a Buddha or Bodhisattva, just as death scenes showing him lying on his side, echoing parinirnavan depcictions of Shakyamuni, do. "- Brian {irgosho Message 11730 of 11751}

Also: Big Ears?: "Buddhas and bodhisattvas are always portrayed as having large, pendulous ears. In Western culture small ears close to the head are thought to be the most beautiful, but in the Orient large ears are looked upon as auspicious because they indicate wisdom and compassion. So, the Buddha is depicted as having big ears because he is the compassionate one. He hears the sound of the world - hears the cries of suffering beings - and responds. The important thing for us is not how large our ears are, but how open are our "mind ears." " -- Zen Master Dae Kwang

This tendency of Nichiren's other early followers to glorify or idealize his images is likely what Nikko referred to when he wrote:

"About the images of Shonin. five priests or lay believers have made images and statues (of Nichiren Shonin). So there are a lot (of such images and statues) in various places. All of them have different features from each other. I, Nikko, say that the objective of drawing the image (of Nichiren Shonin) is to let people in the future know (the visage of Nichiren Shonin). So we should draw it as it is without considering it is good-looking or not. Thinking like this, the lay persons or monks following Nikko and persons who met Shonin once discussed together and drew ( figures of Nichiren Shonin). As a whole the drawings were not so different from the features of Nichiren Shonin but mostly of poor quality. So I made notes on the back of the drawings. " - See Nikko's comments on Images of Nichiren

For a collection of links about Chokozan Myohonji at nichirenpix Click Here

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Nichiren Image at Taisekiji

Updated 06-07-2006
Fujimon

Statues, Drawings, & Paintings of Nichiren
This image of Nichiren is housed at Taiseki-ji Temple in Fujinomiya City of Shizuoka Prefecture.

Nichiren's Gohonzon for Practicing Kanjin

There are no authenticated Nichiren Mandala Gohonzon{s} listed as kept at Taisekiji. However, it appears they have possession of at least one; a Ten Worlds Great Mandala that Nichiren drew for Sho-bo Nichizen {?-1331} in 1280. Circumstances indicate it would not be in the Gohonzon Shu. The existence of the Nichizen Mandala was disclosed by the infamous Kawabe Memo.

Nikko's comments on Images of Nichiren circa 1310-1330:

These comments are from Nikko's notes on the "Fuji isseki monto zonchi no koto" {Guidelines for Believers of the Fuji School}. This work was started by Jakusen-bo Nitcho (1262-1310), the first CP of Omosu Seminary, in 1309, but never completed. IIRC, the manuscript, with Nikko's annotations, survives.

1. About the images of Shonin. Five priests or lay believers have made images and statues (of Nichiren Shonin). So there are a lot (of such images and statues) in various places. All of them have different features from each other.

Any of them could not be told to have resemblance, but one piece in Nichijun's book of drawings which was drawn in the second year of Sho-wa (1313) had the visage (of Nichiren Shonin) when compared to other drawings, though I cannot say it has a resemblance. So I made a note "Doesn't have resemblance" on the back of the drawing in order to make people in the future judge rightly among a lot of images. ("Fuji isseki monto zonchi no koto", Gosho Zenshu pp. 1603-1604,translated by K.K)

The Portrait

"That image on your page here is the one kept at Taiseikiji and which is displayed each year at Omushibarai-e. In real life when you view it it is very brown and almost impossible to detect anything I am afraid. Next time I attend Omushibarai I wil try and see it better. I did think it was done during the Daishonin's lifetime but I cn't remember off the top of my head. I have somewhere a sheet with all the info I received about it at Omushibarai-e but would have to search for it." -- Posted by: jussi at February 5, 2006 08:02 PM

My Questions & Comments.

1. How was it made, medium etc? Is it a drawing, wood block print etc?

2. The perpective, looking to our right {his left}, indicates it is a portrait done while Nichiren was alive. However, this convention was not strictly observed.

3. It is somewhat similar to the original 13th Century Nichiren Mizukagami Portrait kept at Joko-in of Hokekyoji Temple, Nakayama, Ichikawa City, Chiba Prefecture.

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First Statue of Nichiren at Minobu?

Updated 06-05-2006

Statues, Drawings, & Paintings of Nichiren

Recently at irgosho, KK presented us with the first full translation of Hara Dono Gohenji. You can find it: The translation of The Reply to Hara dono. There are two lines that caught my eye.; that I had not seen before. It appears other translators glossed them over.

First, keep in mind that this is a letter written by Nikko to "Hara" and dated 12-16-1288. It is thought this was soon after Nikko departed Minobu. As an aside, this seems to indicate that Nikko was maybe still there when Nissho, Nichiro, & Nichiji arrived for the 7 year anniversary of Nichiren's passing.

In the letter, Nikko was explaining to Hara his reasons for leaving. Most likely Hara was a son of Hakiri. Here Nikko is relating a conversation he had with Nichien Nyudo [Lay Priest Nichien] aka Hakiri {Hakii} Rokuro Sanenaga aka Nambu Sanenaga. Nikko indicates he had told Hakiri:

"You should write a letter to promise sincerely to come back to the right teachings and should offer it to the Sage's statue."

This appears to indicate that a statue of Nichiren was enshrined at Minobu, prior to Nikko leaving. There are several stories about this. Some accounts have it being one of a set of three. According to some of these accounts, Nikko took it with him. Unfortunately, I can not find any reliable information about an old statue of Nichiren at Minobusan Kuon-ji. Here are some links:

Minobu-San Kuonji Temple

Minobusan Kuonji Official Home Page in Japanese

Links > E. Mt. Fuji Minobu Izu Area > Minobusan Kuonji

An Image Hall of Nichiren apparently was one of the first three buldings completed at Omosu {Kitayama} Honmonji in 1298. {Click Here } appears to list the treasures kept at Kitayama Honmonji, but it is in Japanese, and I can make out some of it, but do not have a good translation.

Honmon Shoshu at Yokohama has an interesting take on this. They have a life like statue of Nichiren, which they say Nikko had made by mixing Nichiren's ashes with clay. They believe this was enshrined at Minobu, and Nikko took
it with him when he departed.

Posted by rbeck at December 31, 2005 09:59 PM

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Statue at Ikegami Honmonji from 1288

Updated 06-06-2006

Statues, Drawings, & Paintings of Nichiren

The statue of Nichiren at Ikegami Honmonji is maybe the best documented of those dated to the late 13th or early 14th Century {Kamakura Era}. Several sources link this one to the legend of Izumi-Ko Nippo (1259{?}-1341{?}) carving three statues from a single camphor log, while Nichiren was still alive. However, the Ikegami Statue is clearly 'posthumous', and was carved from 1288 to 1289.

On Nichiren's Gohonzon for Practicing Kanjin

Ikegami Honmonji also houses Mandala # 102 ... Mandala inscribed by Nichiren, formal style.

The Statue

According to Reverend Tarabini:

"During the 7th anniversary of Nichiren Daishonin's passing, Nichiji Shonin, Nichijo Shonin, Nichigyo Shonin and Nichimyo Shonin met to discuss requesting the famous Kamakura Buddhist sculptor Nippo Shonin to carve an image of their master. They decided on entrusting the sculptor with the project. After its completion, it was enshrined in the temple of Ikegami Honmonji. Inside the statue a copper container was inserted containing some of Nichiren Daishonin's ossuary relics. A tassle of Nichiren Daishonin's mother's hair (presented to the Master by his mother) was attached to hossu that that the statue holds in its right hand. ... Nichiji Shonin's signature can be seen on the base of the statue." -- Nichiji Shonin, the first missionary

From Timeline of Nichiren Daishonin's life: " June 8, 1288: In commemoration of the 7th anniv. of his passing, Nichiji Shonin and Nichijo Shonin have statue of Nichiren Daishonin carved by Nippo Shonin and erected at Ikegami."

From NICHIREN AND HONMONJI TEMPLE: "Going up the front steps and walking through the Nio-mon (a gate with two guardian gods), the visitor comes to the Soshido hall where the statue of Nichiren is enshrined. This statue, the only embodiment of Nichiren in the temple, was made by his disciples on the seventh anniversary of his death. It is designated an important cultural property of Japan."

The Town

"For most city residents, at least, the little town of Ikegami probably represents the furthest southern limit of what they call "Edo" [Tokyo]. Ikegami is much like any other small farming town in the area, with a few large shops and other buildings lining the main road, clusters of wooden farmhouses with thatched roofs, and extensive fields of rice and vegetables stretching down to the banks of the Tama river... On top of the steep, flat-topped hill which looms over the town sits a vast temple complex known as Ikegami Honmonji. This is the main temple of one of Edo's strongest Buddhist orders, the so-called Hokke, or "Lotus" sect. The main temple and the multitude of smaller temples, shrines and monestaries dominate the entire town." -- Ikegami Honmonji

Zuiun's Image

From Buddhist Images World, Cypresswood Saint Nichiren (Buddhist image): "This Nichiren image is modeled after the Nichiren statue in Honmonji temple which is the national treasure."

Posted by rbeck at February 2, 2006 02:27 PM

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Deathlessness

Those who uncover
The significance of these words
Shall not taste death.
If your guides claim
that liberation is in the sky,
The birds of the sky will be there before you.
If they say it is in the sea,
The fishes of the sea will be there before you.
The buddha's land is within you and without you.

Know what is before you.
That which is hidden shall be revealed.
This meditative heaven shall pass away
and that above shall pass away.
The dead have no longer lived,
the living no longer die.
Form does not differ from emptiness,
emptiness does not differ from form.
That which is form is emptiness,
that which is emptiness form.

You shall receive
what no eye has seen,
No ear heard, no hand touched
nor any heart received.
In emptiness no form, no sensation,
no perceptions, no impulses, no consciousness.
Blessed are those who stand
at the beginning, for they understand
the end without tasting death.
No eyes, no ears, no nose, no tongue, no body, no mind;
no color, no sound, no smell, no taste, no touch,
no object of mind

No ignorance and also no extinction of it,
and so on until no old age and death
and also no extinction of them.
No suffering, no origination,
no stopping, no path, no cognition,
also no attainment with nothing to attain.

When you make two into one
and what is within like what is without,
and what is without like what was within.
And what is above like what is below,
and when you unite male and female in one
So that the male is no longer male,
and the female is no longer female,
When you make eyes in place of an eye
and a hand in place of a hand,
and a foot in place of a foot
and an image in place of an image,
Then you shall enter.

We stood
In the midst of the world,
and found everyone drunk
and none thirsty.
They cannot realize that they have come
empty into the world,
and must leave it empty.
Those who
received the keys of understanding, hid them.
They did not enter, nor allowed entrance to those
who so wished.

So people think
This world is in a great fire,
The end is coming.
But really this world is peaceful.
It is filled with gods and good people.
Its gardens, forests, and palaces
Are adorned with treasures;
Gem trees have fruits and flowers;
Living beings are enjoying themselves;
And the gods are beating heavenly drums.
Pouring music and mandarava blossoms,
On the Buddhas and all beings.

form is emptiness, emptiness is form.
Form is not other than emptiness.
Emptiness is not other than form.
The same is true of sensations, perceptions,
metal formations, and consciousness

This land is pure and indestructible.
But people think
It is full of sorrow, fear and pain,
and will soon burn away.
When will begin the ascension?
And when will the new age appear?
Be wise as serpents,and innocent as doves.
The salvation you expect is here,
Although you cannot recognize it.
Split wood and it is there.
Raise a stone and you will find it.

Those who seek shall find
and the doors will be opened to them.
Who knock.

The heavens will be rolled back, and the earth unfurled
before your eyes. The Loving One sees
neither death nor fear

It will never come if you are
expecting it. Nobody will say look here
or look there. Yet it
is spread throughout the earth and no one sees it.

Adapted & arranged

From Gospel of Thomas --Translator Nancy Johnson
The Heart Sutra
The Lotus Sutra

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Founding of Taisekiji

Fujimon

The Fuji School
Komon Ha -- Lineage of Nikko
During the early days of the Fuji School; Ueno & Koizumi were feudal villages of Fuji District in the old Suruga Province. According to Nikko School records, Taisekiji Temple was founded by Nanjo Tokimitsu (1259-1332) and Nikko Shonin (1246-1333) in October of 1290 or 1291. Tokimitsu, said to be a prominent lay follower of Nichiren {1222-1282}, was apparently the Feudal Steward of both Ueno & Koszumi Villages. Nikko had been one of six senior clerics designated by Nichiren to carry on his work. It appears that Nikko only served one day as the Founding Abbot at Taisekiji. He then designated Six 6 elder clerics and departed.

Among the 6 Taisekiji Elders, Niida Nichimoku (1260-1333), was designated the Chief Priest. Nichimoku was a member of both the Niida and Nanjo clans; he was Nanjo Tokimitsu's maternal nephew. His father was Niida Goro Shigetsuna; while his mother, Ren'a-ni, was an elder sister of Tokimitsu. His given name was Tora-o-maru. See also, Nichimoku's Omandala of 1279. Nikko transferred the position of Taisejiji Abbot to Renzo-bo Nichimoku via the Ozagawari Gohonzon.

The other five Taisekiji Eders were:

Jakunichi-bo Nikke (1252-1334}.
Shimotsuke-bo Nisshu {?-1329}
Sho-bo Nichizen {?-1331}
Joren-bo or Hyakkan-bo Nissen (1262-1357}
Kujo-bo Nichizon (1265-1345)

Nichimoku established his own residential Temple, the Renzo-bo. at the nearby Village of Koizumi. Meanwhile, Shimotsuke-bo Nisshu, who, by the way, apparently received Gohonzon #105, founded his own Rikyo-bo lodging temple at Taiseikiji. Most likely, the others founded their own lodging temples in the area.

It is unclear what Nikko did after that. Some say he retained an active role at Taisekiji. Others indicate that he retired to the countryside where he raised melons. In 1293, he moved to the nearby village of Omosu and began the task of constructing another new temple.

Mandala Gohonzon{s} at Taisekiji

Nichiren's Gohonzon for Practicing Kanjin

There are no authenticated Nichiren Mandala Gohonzon{s} listed as kept at Taisekiji. However, it appears they have possession of at least one; a Ten Worlds Great Mandala that Nichiren drew for Sho-bo Nichizen {?-1331} in 1280. Circumstances indicate it would not be in the Gohonzon Shu. This topic will be discussed under a separate heading. See: The Nichizen Mannen Kugo Great Mandala of 1280 at Kitayama

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Posted by rbeck at May 6, 2006 01:23 AM