October 16, 2006
Nichiren's Training at Seicho-ji
Life and legends of Nichiren
Posted by rbeck at October 16, 2006 09:55 AM
October 10, 2006
Minobu: Nichiren & the Red Dragon
Life and legends of Nichiren
At Minobu 1274-1282
Shichimen Daimyojin
When Nichiren would conduct services and deliver sermons, on the Lotus Sutra, at Mount Minobu; a beautiful, regally dressed maiden often appeared, and listened intently. This created quite a stir. One day, Nichiren paused to enquire who she was, where she was from, and why she was there. She replied that she was a 'hiten' {or ten-nyo}, a kind of celestial nymph, and that she dwelt in a pond at Mount Shichimen. She explained that it was her wish to repent her sins and take faith in the Dharma Flower Sutra; so that she might overcome all manner of sorrow and suffering.
However, Nichiren suspected that she was really a being he had met before. So he surreptitiously held up a shiny vase, to serve as a mirror. Her reflection on the surface revealed that she was actually a shichimen, a red dragon with seven {7} heads. Nichiren then asked her to return to her pond and serve as the Daimyojin, or guardian deity of Kuonji. Having been exposed and shamed, she humbly complied with the Shonin's request.
Another version: While Nichiren was conducting services, a dragon in a dark cloud emerged from the body of a woman who had disturbed his devotions.
This tale is an example of Shinto-Buddhist fusion; with the Shinto kami/jin serving as protectors of the Buddha Dharma. In the oldest form, this is known as Ryobu Shinto or Shingon-Shinto Honji Suijaku, which is a fusion of Mikkyo with Shinto. However, many Nichiren Temples will also have shrines or halls dedicated to kami; and this is known as Hokke-Shinto Honji Suijaku. These beings are not actually worshipped, not in the western sense; although their beneficial power is invoked, and prayers of appreciation are apparently offered to them.
In the story, a Shichimen {or hichimen, a seven headed dragon} tries to pose as a kind of Buddhist celestial maiden-nymph-angel, known as hiten or shiten {femimine -- ten-nyo}. From what I can gather, these celestial mermaid, faerie, or cherub-like beings dwell in the Heaven of the Four Guardian Kings; which is the lowest of the Six Heavens in Realm of Kama {Lusty Desire}.
At least one source dates this legend to October of 1277. Of course, some of the versions that I have read make mention of Kuonji, which was not constructed on Minobu until November of 1281. It might be that this story incorporates several legends and blends them into one.
*Link: Legends of the Dragon Goddess
October 30, 2005 04:48 AM
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
October 03, 2006
Coming Attractions
I think, for now, I am going to focus on "Life and legends of Nichiren" along with "Nichiren's Gohonzon for Practicing Kanjin." I have one, possibly two or three more on "At Boso Hanto 1264-1267." But I may get back to that later on.
At some point, I am going to present all of this in chronological order at nichirenpix.
Why do this? The simple anwser is; it has always interested me. As of now, I have the time and resources. The approach? At this point, I am trying to just report objectively and let the readers decide how to spin it. I will say I think
the life and legends are dramatizations of real events, with elements of myth and even fantasy.
Where to next? I shall see where the muse takes me.
I may back up to 1253, to the time when Rencho returned from the Kansai region. I was born in 1953 and turned 53 'western age' on September 29. Every time I think to look at the clock, it seems like it us **:53.
According to some accounts; Rencho stopped in Kamakura at the Hachimanguji, before procceding on to Awa for the Rissho-e aka Rikkyo Declaration. There are some other things to cover; and at least one legend.
I have several other, less covered trails in mind as well. There is also Rencho as a student in Kamakura (1239-1242) {1 legend}. Also, 1274, final remonstration in Kamakura, moves to Minobu {5 legends}. We shall see.
October 01, 2006
Treasures of Guhoji
Mama Guhoji, Iyo-bo Nitcho, and Toki Jonin
Nichiren and Nakayama Hokkekyo-ji
Life and legends of Nichiren
At Boso Hanto 1264-1267
The Hondo and Gohonzon
IIRC, the Gohonzon in the Main Hall is a style known as "One Buddha and Four Attendents" {Isson Shishi}. The central Buddha statue is 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."
This is a form of the object of worship in terms of the Person {Nin-Honzon}; whereas the Mandala Gohonzon is an example of the object of worship in terms of the Dharma (Ho-no-honzon), since it centers on the Daimoku; which is the Dharma-Kaya of the Eternal Shakyamuni.
As you can see in the detail, the Shakuson at Guhoji is seated and has his hands in an interesting mudra. It appears to be either a double Surya or double Varuna Mudra.
Statue of Kan'non
The statue of Kan'non {Kanzeon} overlooking the cemetery at Guhoji is interesting.
It meets the exact description of 'He Jang/Joined Palms Ganyin,' which is #29 of the 33 popular, non-esoteric transformations of Guanyin in Chinese Art; forms loosely based on the Lotus Sutra. 
This form, #29, is dressed like a Brahmin and stands 'in namaste' on a lotus pedastal. However, Avalokitesvara Iconography is quite convoluted; so this one might be known by a different name.
Daikokuten with a Sword
Though of Indic origins, Daikokuten is one of Japan's Shichifukujin {Seven Kami of Good Fortune}. He usually carries a wooden hammer, which pounds up money, and has a sack of treasure slung over his shoulder. 
This depiction with a sword is connected to a legend of Nichiren either at, or on the way to, Minobu.
Origins of Daikokuten
" Daikokuten's identity is said to have originated in the Indian deity Mahakala, ... described as an incarnation of Shiva {Daijizaiten} known for destruction, or else ... as a god of war. In these forms, Daikokuten was sometimes depicted as a figure with three scowling faces and six arms.
On the other hand, ... Buddhist temples in India enshrined Daikokuten on kitchen pillars as a god of fortune, depicting him as a black-colored, two-armed figure holding a sack. It was this [form] of Daikokuten which the Tendai ... [Shu] ... founder Saicho; introduced to Japan.
As esoteric Buddhism was transmitted to China and Japan, Daikokuten came to be depicted with a pleasant facial expression ... Further, the development of concepts of shinbutsu shugo [or Honjishin Suishakujin] led to the association of Daikoku with the native kami Okuninushi, based on the homophonic resemblance of the [kanji] used in their names." -- from The online Encyclopedia of Shinto Daikokuten
So this is another case of an ill tempered, distructive divinity, who converted to Buddhism, and reformed.
Nichiren's Gohonzon for Practicing Kanjin
There is at least one {1} original Nichiren Mandala Gohonzon kept at Mama Guhoji.
Mandala #075. LBIS Link . 'Late' Thick Brush Stroke} Mandala Gohonzon inscribed by Nichiren, formal style -- ravaged from Time. Coffehouse Gohonzon Shu Link