Robin Beck

Defending Nichiren Shu?

It has been noted that I am seldom critical of Nichiren Shu; while I often pick on Nichiren Shoshu. In fact, I often find myself defending the "Shu." There are four reasons for this:

1. Taisekiji's three aberrant teachings are relatively well known in the west. As a result, many think that Nichiren's Buddhism is intended to supercede Shakyamuni's Buddhism. That is not the mainstream view even in Nikko's lineage. Wikipedia and others have modified their entries on Nichiren because of grass roots efforts.

2. As a Soka Gakkai member, I want SGI to "get it right."

3. A lot of the attacks on Nichiren Shu; such as those concerning the veneration of Daikoku-ten and Kishimo-jin, are straw men. There is no effort to understand these traditions in context. In this connection, I also defend Christians if I think they are unfairly smeared.

4. I follow the facts where they lead me. I have refuted some straw man attacks
on Nichiren Shoshu too. No one other than Ryuei seems to mention that.

That said, there is one Nichiren Shu tradition I would like to see them lose. I shall cover that soon ...

Also, I have several more things in the hopper:

1. "Daikokuten with a Sword" at Mama Guhoji Temple is connected to a legend of Nichiren either at, or on the way to, Minobu. I am looking for more data on that.
Also, other sword legends connected with Nichiren.

2. I have several more entries to complete "Nichiren and Nakayama Hokkekyo-ji; At Boso Hanto 1264-1267."

Rencho, Akasagarbha, the Cintamani, and the "Bloody Bamboo."

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

Ordination as Zesho bo Rencho

"Nichiren Shonin first entered the temple in 1233 receiving his instructions under the direction of Master Dozen. age sixteen, Nichiren received the tonsure under the auspices of his master Dozen He then entered the Buddhist priesthood receiving the name of Zeshobo Rencho." -- from: Nichiren Shonin and His Relationship with Seichoji Temple

When Zennichi entered the seminary in 1233, he probably underwent Jukai{Taking the Precepts}, as an acolyte monk, and recieved the Dharma name Yakuo-bo.

Then, on October 8 1237, Yakuo underwent an Ordination, probably to become a Shami or Novice Minister. He was given the new Dharma Name Zesho bo Rencho (Lotus Eternal).

I am not exactly sure how this worked. The depictions appear to be of a Teido {Tonsure} or Tokudo-shiki {Ordination Ceremony}. The tonsure symbolizes the cutting of delusion.

This would not have been the same thing as a full legal ordination from either the Mt. Hiei Mahayana Kaidan, or one of the three Vinaya Precept Platforms. If I learn more, this will be up-dated again.

Kokuzo-Bosatsu, Space Treasury

The chief deity of Seicho-ji was originally Akasagarbha, known as Kokuzo Bosatsu in Japan. The Temple was built around an ancient shrine to Kokuzo. Even though it is now a Nichiren Temple, there is still a Kokuzo Hall; though not the original; as well as Halls dedicated to Hotei and other traditional Buddhist Divinities.

When Rencho was still a teen, he underwent a 21 day "Morning Star" prayer vigil at the Kokuzo Hall. The mantra of Kokuzo is Nobo akyasha kyarabaya on arikya mari bori sowaka or, in Sanskrit; Namo Âkâsagarbhaya om ârya kamari mauli svâhâ. This means: Hail Space Treasury who holds a flower and wears a garland and a jeweled crown, amen.





Rencho prayed to Akasagarbha Bodhisattva (Kokuzo-Bosatsu, Angel Space Treasury, Vast and Boundless Vessel) to make him the wisest man in Japan. On the twenty-first day of his prayer vigil, he had a vision, in which he received a precious cinta-mani jewel from an old monk.



"The bodhisattva transformed himself into a venerable priest before my very eyes and bestowed upon me a jewel of wisdom as bright as the morning star. No doubt as a result, I was able to gain a general mastery of the principal teachings of the eight older schools of Buddhism in Japan, as well as of those of the Zen and Nembutsu schools." -- Nichiren

It is said that, after emerging from this intense vigil, Rencho vomited blood. Red tinged bamboo then grew at the spot, and remains to this day.

"In between the Image Hall and the Founder’s Hall is located the little protected stand of “bloody bamboo”. According to legend, Nichiren fasted and prayed before the Kokuzo image for 20 (or 21) days. When he finally rose from his devotions, after receiving the jewel of wisdom from Kokuzo, he left the hall, and vomited blood. Ever afterwards, this stand of bamboo has had red highlights (very rare) and at certain times of the year becomes quite red." --Engyo's Pilgrimage Diary: Seicho-ji first day

Next, in a little over a year's time, Zesho-bo Rencho is said to have read the entire collection of sutras and commentaries in the Seicho-ji temple library. He soon realized that the library there was too small for him.

In the spring of 1239, he apparently gained permission to continue his studies at the Tsurugaoka Hachiman Shrine-Temple, in Kamakura, located across the bay.

Yakuo-bo's Studies at Seicho-ji

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

Stone of Tears and 1000 Year Old Cedar

Yakuo-bo's mother was barred from visiting her son because women were not regulartly permitted on the grounds of the Seichoji Temple Compound at Mt. Kiyosumi.

One day, she was sitting on a large stone by the mountain road, lamenting. An employee of the temple was out gathering firewood and happened by. He took pity and agreed to go fetch her son.

Yakuo-bo may have been embarrassed. He had left home to become a monk. He felt that seeing his mother now was like looking for a stone after having thrown it away. But he was moved by her affection and agreed to see her.

Yakuo-bo explained to his mother that he wanted to become a priest to save all people, including his mother and father, from suffering.

It is said that Mother Umegiku was so moved by her son's words that she shed tears of joy, wetting the stone. This "Stone of Tears" is still there. There is also a 1000 year old government protected cedar tree located on the temple grounds. The tree was already nearly 200 years old when Zennichi{Nichiren} was there.

Yakuo-bo's Studies

Most likely Yakuo-bo primarily studied Heian Buddhism --Tendai-Hokke, Tendai-Mikkyo {Taimitsu, and Shingon-Mikkyo {Tomitsu}; along with the older Nara Buddhism such as Kegon, Hosso, Ritsu, etc., as well as Confucianism. The native Shintoism would have been an impilicit part of this.

I am fairly sure that Yakuo-bo’s training would not have included martial arts. Kendo {”way of the sword”; Japanese fencing} would have been out; as Tendai monks of that time were forbidden to carry weapons. While Seichoji had a seminary to train monks, I doubt there was a convent or other facilities for women.

He undoubtedly learned Tendai Shikan {Samatha-Vipashyana}. However neither the Zen minimalist version known as shikan taza (“just sitting”) zazen; nor koan contemplation, were likely part of his training. Also, he probably learned Contemplative Nembutsu; but not the simplified devotional version of Shan-tao and Honen.

HG Lamont has written: “These were his main points of focus:
1. As life is impermanent, what is the most sound philosophy of life?

2. Though the teachings of the one Buddha Shakyamuni, the World Honored One, has branches of eight or ten sects, which is the correct one?"

"3. At the time of the Jokyu Disturbance (Japanese: Jokyu no Ran”), the Emperor and the retired emperors attempted to overthrow the Kamakura Shogunate. They had the priests of the Tendai and Shingon sects place a curse upon the Hojo’s. But Hojo Yoshitoki, an enemy of the Imperial Court, crushed the Emperor’s army without asking for any divine assistance. Why was the Imperial side defeated?"

"Also, the common people suffered from disasters, plagues and famine which continued year after year. How could they stop the misfortunes and become happy?” -- The Life and Times of St. Nichiren Shonin, From the Analects of the Kempon Hokke-Jumonryu

Yakuo-bo's namesake, Yakuo Bosatsu

Yakuo-bo's namesake, Yakuo Bosatsu {Bhaisajyaraja, Medicine King} is an ancient healing Bodhisattva who is sometimes considered an emanation of Kanzeon . Medicine King is mentioned in several chapters of the Lotus Sutra; and there is a chapter {23} dedicated to him.

He is the elder brother of Yaku-jo {Superior Medicine Bodhisattva.} Yakuo also appears on Nichiren's Great Mandala, along with Miroku, Fugen, and Monju; as one of four {4} beings representing the provisional Bodhisattvas.

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