{"id":1241,"date":"2018-12-13T15:38:53","date_gmt":"2018-12-13T15:38:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.senmyozanhokkejitemple.com\/?p=1241"},"modified":"2018-12-13T15:42:38","modified_gmt":"2018-12-13T15:42:38","slug":"guidance-from-high-priest-nichinyo-shonin-november-2018","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.senmyozanhokkejitemple.com\/index.php\/en\/2018\/12\/13\/guidance-from-high-priest-nichinyo-shonin-november-2018\/","title":{"rendered":"November 2018, Guidance from High Priest Nichinyo Shonin"},"content":{"rendered":"

Guidance from Sixty-eighth High Priest Nichinyo Shonin<\/strong><\/p>\n

On the Occasion of the November K\u014dsen-rufu Sh\u014ddai Ceremony<\/strong><\/p>\n

November 4, 2018<\/strong><\/p>\n

Reception Hall, Head Temple Taisekiji<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

On this occasion of the November K\u014dsen-rufu Sh\u014ddai Ceremony, conducted here today at the Head Temple, I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to the large number of participants in attendance. \u00a0As you know, today, Nichiren Shoshu is moving forward, and devoting ourselves entirely to practice with unity between the priesthood and laity, based on the spirit of itai d\u014dshin<\/em>, aiming toward our goal\u2014to achieve a membership of 800,000 Hokkeko believers by 2021, when we will be commemorating the 800th Anniversary of the advent of our Founder, Nichiren Daishonin. \u00a0The establishment of a membership of 800,000 Hokkeko believers is the vow we pledged in front of the three treasures. \u00a0This is an extremely important goal, which we must achieve at any cost with the concerted efforts of all of the Nichiren Shoshu priesthood and laity.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

In order to achieve this goal, each of us must first have the awareness and firm determination as a follower and disciple of the Bodhisattvas of the Earth, and earnestly devote ourselves to do shakubuku. \u00a0This is the month when Third High Priest Nichimoku Shonin passed away. \u00a0Nichimoku Shonin was born in the first year of Bunn\u014d (1260) in Hatake Village, Ni\u2019ita County of Izu Province (currently, Hatake of Kannami Town in Shizuoka Prefecture). \u00a0He was born as the fifth child of Ni\u2019ida Gor\u014d Shigetsuna. \u00a0His mother was Ren\u2019a-ni, an elder sister of Nanj\u014d Tokimitsu who offered the land of Head Temple Taisekiji. \u00a0According to the Draft of the Biographies of Three Masters<\/em> (Goden dodai), Fourth High Priest Nichido Shonin describes Nichimoku Shonin as follows:<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He was in his mother\u2019s womb for 12 months. \u00a0This is like Prince Shotoku.<\/p>\n

(Seiten<\/em>, p. 603)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It is said that Nichimoku Shonin was in the womb of his mother for 12 months, about a year, and the same was true for Prince Sh\u014dtoku (a crown prince in ancient Japan). \u00a0Nichimoku Shonin\u2019s childhood name was Torao\u0304-maru. \u00a0In the ninth year of Bunnei (1272), at the age of 13, he entered Enz\u014db\u014d Temple at Mount S\u014dt\u014d in Izu to pursue his academic studies. \u00a0In the eleventh year of Bunnei (1274), when Torao\u0304-maru was 15 years old, he watched a religious debate between Shikibu So\u0304zu, a learned priest of that temple, and Nikko Shonin. \u00a0Witnessing the firm and resolute attitude of Nikko Shonin, Torao\u0304-maru resolved to become Nikko Shonin\u2019s disciple. In the second year of Kenji (1276), at the age of 17, Torao\u0304-maru entered the priesthood as a disciple of Nikko Shonin.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Afterward, he went to Mount Minobu. \u00a0There, for the next six years until the passing of Nichiren Daishonin, he faithfully and constantly served the Daishonin. \u00a0It is said that he was so diligent in making his several trips daily to fetch water from the mountain stream that his head developed a slight depression from carrying the water bucket.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Whenever Nichiren Daishonin gave lectures, he was invariably there.<\/p>\n

(Seiten<\/em>, p. 653)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As this states, Nichimoku Shonin never failed to listen to the Daishonin\u2019s sermons, and he devoted himself to study Buddhism. \u00a0It also is stated:<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He developed as a practitioner who was skilled in difficult debate. (ibid.)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He also excelled in debate. \u00a0At the Ikegami debate in the fifth year of Ko\u0304\u2019an (1282), on behalf of the Daishonin, Nichimoku Shonin debated with Nikaid\u014d Ise Ho\u0304in, a learned priest of the Tendai sect. \u00a0Nichimoku Shonin defeated Ise H\u014din in all ten questions and answers. \u00a0In July in the first year of Sh\u014d\u2019an (1299), Nichimoku Shonin debated with Jissh\u016b-bo\u0304 and refuted his argument completely. \u00a0Nichimoku Shonin thus is called the \u201csupreme debater.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

After the Daishonin\u2019s passing, he devoted himself to propagation activity in the Izu area. \u00a0He also dedicated himself to propagate Myoho-Renge-Kyo in Rikuzen Province of the \u014cshu area (currently, Miyagi Prefecture), the Ni\u2019ida family\u2019s territory, where he had connections. \u00a0There, he converted many people and built a number of temples including Hongenji Temple, Jogyoji Temple, Myokyoji Temple and Myoenji Temple.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

In the spring in the second year of Sh\u014d\u2019\u014d (1289), when Nikko Shonin left Mount Minobu where the other disciples had committed slanderous acts against the Daishonin, Nichimoku Shonin accompanied Nikko Shonin and moved to the Ueno district. \u00a0Nichimoku Shonin supported the establishment of the Head Temple Taisekiji. \u00a0In the third year of Sh\u014d\u2019\u014d (1290), when the Daibo (the main building of the Head Temple) was completed, he built the Renzobo on the east side. \u00a0He took the role as the leader of Nikko Shonin\u2019s six main disciples who served the Gohonzon and protected Head Temple Taisekiji.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Afterward, Nichimoku Shonin was transmitted the Heritage of the Law entrusted to a single person from Nikko Shonin, and he became the Third High Priest. Inheriting the will of Nichiren Daishonin and Nikko Shonin, Nichimoku Shonin remonstrated with the Kamakura government and the Imperial Court at Kyoto, on dozens of occasions. \u00a0It is said that the number of remonstrations amounted to 42 times. \u00a0Thus, on December 29th in the fourth year of Genky\u014d (1324), Nichimoku Shonin received the Gohonzon with the following inscription on the side:<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ni\u2019ida-ky\u014d Ajari Nichimoku, for his benevolence on his first remonstration with the Imperial Court.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Additionally, Nikko Shonin wrote the following inscription on the side of the Gohonzon that he transcribed on November 3rd in the first year of Sh\u014dky\u014d (1332):<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I bestow this on Ni\u2019ida-ky\u014d Ajari Nichimoku for his benevolence on the occasion of his first remonstration with the Imperial Court. \u00a0He is the first among my primary disciples.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Nichimoku Shonin also received the Gohonzon with this inscription on the side. \u00a0In the third year of Genk\u014d (1333), when the Kamakura government fell and the imperial regime was back in power, Nichimoku Shonin resolved to accomplish the great aspiration of ko\u0304sen-rufu of the nation. \u00a0Despite his advanced age, sometime in early November, Nichimoku Shonin started his journey from Taisekiji to Kyoto to remonstrate with the imperial court. \u00a0He was accompanied by his disciples Nichizon and Nichig\u014d.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Prior to this journey, Nichimoku Shonin transferred the Heritage of the Law to Fourth High Priest Nichido Shonin, in case of his death. \u00a0En route, Nichimoku Shonin became ill and took to bed at a temporary lodging in Tarui of Mino Province (currently, Tarui Town in Gifu Prefecture). \u00a0On November 15th in the third year of Genk\u014d (1333), he passed away as if falling asleep, at the age of 74.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

In The History of the Fuji School<\/em> (Kech\u016b-sh\u014d), it states as follows:<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

After performing his final prayers, his eyes closed as if falling asleep, and his lips moved as if chanting [Daimoku], and he then took his last breath.<\/p>\n

(Seiten<\/em>, p.662)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As this passage describes, Nichimoku Shonin\u2019s life, which was dedicated to propagate Myoho-Renge-Kyo, following the will of Nichiren Daishonin and Nikko Shonin, was truly a noble life, and his life indeed reached the world of Buddhahood. \u00a0Nichizon and Nichig\u014d cremated their master\u2019s remains. \u00a0They went on to Kyoto, reverently carrying their master\u2019s ashes, to remonstrate in his stead. \u00a0Later, they erected a tomb on Mount Toribe at Kyoto. \u00a0Nichig\u014d returned to Taisekiji with his ashes.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I have briefly talked about Nichimoku Shonin, in order to commemorate his passing in the month of November. \u00a0I strongly feel that now is the time for us to revere Nichimoku Shonin\u2019s spirit of \u201cwilling to give one\u2019s life to propagate the Law,\u201d and single-mindedly devote ourselves to propagate Myoho-Renge-Kyo. \u00a0Based on these efforts, we must do our best in our practice, aiming toward the establishment of a membership of 800,000 Hokkeko believers by 2021.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

We must carry through our practice, even at the risk of our lives, in order to achieve the following: save many people who suffer in agony due to the poison of heretical teachings; purify this intensively chaotic world in the Latter Day of the Law, defiled by the five impurities; and build true world peace and realize the true Buddha Land. \u00a0I am convinced that by so doing, we will be witnessed by the True Buddha Nichiren Daishonin, Nikko Shonin, and Nichimoku Shonin without fail.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Now, it is most essential that the members of each chapter unite, based on the spirit of itai d\u014dshin<\/em>, and further devote themselves to propagate the mystic Law. \u00a0The Daishonin teaches the following in the Gosho, Many in Body, One in Mind<\/em> (Itai do\u0304shin ji):<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Although there are many people in Japan, they will find it difficult to accomplish anything because of disunity. \u00a0In contrast, I believe that despite their small numbers, if Nichiren and his followers have the spirit of many in body, one in mind, they certainly will accomplish their great purpose and the Lotus Sutra will spread. \u00a0No matter how numerous evils may be, they will never defeat the single truth. (Gosho<\/em>, p. 1389)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As these golden words teach, the key to achieve our goal and ko\u0304sen-rufu of the entire world is our unity based on the spirit of itai d\u014dshin.<\/em> \u00a0I sincerely wish that you will engrave these golden words into your heart, and revere the great achievement of Nichimoku Shonin. \u00a0Then, you powerfully will move forward with unity in each chapter, based on the spirit of itai d\u014dshin, <\/em>aiming toward the achievement of our goal and ko\u0304sen-rufu throughout the entire world.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Guidance from Sixty-eighth High Priest Nichinyo Shonin On the Occasion of the November K\u014dsen-rufu Sh\u014ddai Ceremony November 4, 2018 Reception Hall, Head Temple Taisekiji On this occasion of the November K\u014dsen-rufu Sh\u014ddai Ceremony, conducted here today at the Head Temple,<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1241","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-guidance"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.senmyozanhokkejitemple.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1241","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.senmyozanhokkejitemple.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.senmyozanhokkejitemple.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.senmyozanhokkejitemple.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.senmyozanhokkejitemple.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1241"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.senmyozanhokkejitemple.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1241\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1244,"href":"https:\/\/www.senmyozanhokkejitemple.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1241\/revisions\/1244"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.senmyozanhokkejitemple.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1241"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.senmyozanhokkejitemple.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1241"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.senmyozanhokkejitemple.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1241"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}