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日蓮大聖人『御書』解説

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2020年 08月 02日

17. Persecution of Komatsubara that Nichiren Suffered a Wound in Forehead (1)

              Japanese edition


 夜空の星自動的に生成された説明

 Comet Halley. Filmed on March 8, 1986. By Wikipedia.

Time passed, and it became the time of Bun'ei. Nichiren became 43 years old, and a decade had passed since the declaring the establishment of the sect.

It was a summer night on July 5.

Kamakura was fast asleep, but a huge comet like the skull of the person appeared in the night sky.

The people called this a vast comet of Bun’ei. Unlike today, people were afraid of signs of abnormal phenomena in the sky.

A tail of the light grows to a lot of pitch-black night sky. It seemed to stick to the darkness of the deep black.

People pointed to it. They look up at the comet uneasily and are frightened.

Nichiren glared at the night sky too.

It was certainly a harbinger of the disaster. Saicho of the Dengyo Daishi, who erected the precept platform of the Mahayana in the Enryakuji Temple of Mt. Hiei four hundred years ago says.

“If it is not Mahayana sutras, why can we remove the seven disasters of the world? Why can we extinguish the great disaster which will happen from now if it is not a Bodhisattva monk?” 'Letter to Shimoyama'

Although the Lotus Sutra that is the utmost importance of Mahayana sutras spreads now, it is not a scale as one country. The Nembutsu sect which he concluded to be the one evil by the 'Rissho-Ankoku-Ron' has been not exterminated. Nichiren alone appealed for two disasters, the revolt from within and the foreign invasion, but the Shogunate answered him by a banishment. He was permitted, but nobody listened to him.

They rather laughed at him. Gokurakuji Ryoukan became a leader of them in Kamakura and sneered at him. Ryoukan is receiving the protection of the Shogunate. His base was different from Nichiren who did not have magnificent temple buildings which attracted people and was persecuted from the Shogunate. Nevertheless, the struggle of both believers was intense. Therefore, Ryoukan, who felt a crisis, laughed Nichiren to scorn from the pulpit.

On the other hand, Nichiren was anxious about this phenomenon of the heavenly bodies.

"The comet went out of the east on July 5 in the Bunei first year [1264], and the light extended to about the whole country. This is also an evil unprecedented omen since the world began. The scholars of Buddhism and non-Buddhism do not know the origin of that evil omen, either. I became more grieved and even distressed." 'The Origin of the Ankoku-Ron'

Tokimune, Yasumori Adachi and Yoritsuna Taira who was in the hall of the regent were staring at a comet flying through the night sky.

13-year-old Tokimune stares at the night sky uneasily.

Yasumori muttered.

"It has never been such a comet. Is ominous."

Tokimune said like a soliloquy.

“Let the Yin Yang fortune-teller divine this.”

 

At the same time, nun Myoren of Nichiren's mother who changed the name from Umegiku was lying down on the bed in Awa Kominato of his hometown.

Was seriously ill. Tayu Mikuni, his father, passed away six years ago.

Neighboring villagers rushed and nursed Myoren desperately. The nun O’ama of the senior believer either nursed her. Jokenbo and Gijo-bo, the senior of Nichiren, arrived at the double hearing about an illness of Myoren.

She has a dream while suffering.

“Nichiren, Nichiren…”.

The villagers were overwhelmed with grief at Myoren's illness, who was waiting for death.

Grand Nun waited impatiently for a return of Nichiren.

“I have informed the monk Nichiren that his mother is in critical condition. I wonder if I can make it in time.”

The entrance rustled, the door opened, and Nichiren dressed for the trip appeared then. It has been a long time since he returned home. Kyonin-bo, Hoki-bo and Nichiro, the disciple of the companion, followed him.

O’ama stood up unintentionally and met Nichiren.

“Came home well, sir!”

Hearing that mother was in critical condition, Nichiren left Kamakura without a moment's delay. Kagenobu Tojo, the land steward, has been keeping tabs. He was prepared to encounter danger in this homecoming.

Nichiren put his hand on nun O’ama who was nursing Myoren at his bedside.

“Thank you for your concern for my mother. So how is the condition?”

O’ama shakes her neck.

“She has called your name many times since a little while ago.”

Because an encounter between Nichiren and Myoren of the child and mother came true, O’ama was deeply moved and wiped tears with a sleeve without thinking.

Nichiren sat straight on the side of mother nun Myoren. It had not been like this in years.

Mother muttered like rambling.

“Nichiren, Nichiren...”

The nun Myoren opened the eyes before long. She saw the vague outline of Nichiren. Mother looked surprised.

“Were you safe? I heard that you received the punishment. I thought that I could not meet you anymore.”

Nichiren says calmly.

“Mother, I am not a criminal anymore. Don’t worry. I heard that you have a severe disease. I will pray for you. You will be healed.”

Hearing a voice of encouragement from Nichiren, the face of Myoren became smiling in an instant.

“I also am chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo aloud. I hear your rumor here too. Strangely enough, when I recite the chanting, I feel as if I am seeing you.

Nichiren continued hearing a tale of mother in silence and occasionally nodded with a smile. He seemed to say, "I know all that you are worried about me."

Myoren regained vitality suddenly when she stared at the smile full of the affection of Nichiren.

"The mother believes anything you say. Even if all Japan becomes an enemy, the mother is your supporter. I remember times when I was pregnant with you. I had a dream. When I sat on the top of Mt. Hiei and saw the sun which rose from the mountain of Fuji, I was pregnant with you. Surprisingly, your father also had the same dream. And I had dreams at night when you were born. I could climb the top of Mount Fuji and look in every direction. This clear condition seemed to watch my palm.”

Nichiren worried.

“Mother, you do not become better if you talk too much. Please take a rest.”

The nun Myoren wants to say more and does not stop talking.

“This may be the last. Please chant daimoku aloud together a little more. Even you who are obstinate must hear what the mother says.”

Myoren raised her upper body and put hands together.

Nichiren chants it calmly toward the nature of Buddha that indwells mother.

“Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, Nam-myoho-renge-kyo…”

Nichiren chanted the title with mother and felt the highest joy.

This prayer, and strenuous nursing of the villagers work well, and the mother Umegiku will increase the life of four years.


ダイアグラム低い精度で自動的に生成された説明

From the Biography of Nichiren Daishonin


Nichiren dropped in at the Seichoji Temple, to which he once belonged, after this and did a farewell speech to Dozen-bo and others.

Kyonin-bo and Hoki-bo of the disciples have a halberd for defense. It was an encounter after a long absence, but Kagenobu Tojo, the land steward, is keeping a watch. They couldn't stay long.

“You've been so helpful.”

Nichiren wanted to talk to Dozen-bo as far as the time permitted it. He is the person who was supported from age 12 as a substitute for a parent. However, Dozen-bo has not woken up to the faiths of the Lotus Sutra. His innate cowardice had set in, and he was unable to abandon the Nembutsu.

“No, I was relieved to see you're looking healthy. I also wanted to talk a little. Where do you go from now?”

I have been invited by Yoshitaka Kudo, the feudal lord of Awa Amatsu. I am going to go there now.”

Yoshitaka Kudo is the feudal lord of Awa Country. 8 years ago, he became a strong faith the same as Kingo Shijo.

Joken-bo, who was a senior disciple, said uneasily.

“Please be careful on a trip. He says that Kagenobu is stalking you. We just received this news a few minutes ago.”

Kagenobu Tojo, the land steward of Awa, was going to wreak his long-standing resentment against Nichiren.

Nichiren has come to Awa. Nichiren's fate was at the mercy of Kagenobu. He leaves a lasting regret if he missed this opportunity. He is never forgetting the bitterness that lost in a fight for territory. Nichiren is an enemy of the land steward and is the enemy of Nembutsu. He was not able to keep Nichiren alive.

On the other hand, Nichiren smiled at Dozenbo before departure.
 "I'm fully aware that there would be greater persecution."

A party of Nichiren left for the residence of Yoshitaka Kudo of Awa Amatsu on November 11 in the Bu'nei first year, 1264.
 Sunset shines on the road of Komatsubara.The big rock spreads out a side of the road.
 Nichiren and his followers proceed while looking at the mountains to the left and the ocean in the Pacific Ocean to the right.
 Kyonin-bo and other disciples, and servants with luggage, were accompanying them.
 The residence of Yoshitaka Kudo is close at hand.
 They were about to be relieved that nothing happened.
 Mounted samurai appeared at this time from their rear suddenly.
 The group of Nembutsu who had the halberd followed them.

The land steward Kagenobu shouted.

“Today is the last day of Nichiren. Must not fail to avenge!”

Believers of Nembutsu answer.

"That chap is an enemy of Tathagata Amida and we won't let him live!"

Kagenobu pulled a sword and charged at Nichiren like an anger wave. Time to pay off an old accumulated grudge came. A blade sword reflected in the sunset and shined.

Nichiren turned around for the hoofbeat of the horse which resounded,but was slightly late, a blade of Kagenobu was about to cut him. Nichiren leaned back, but the right side of his forehead was cut 5 inches, blood gushed. It is a profuse bleeding.

Kagenobu on the horse gloated over his rival's wound.

Kyonin-bo, Nichiro and Hoki-bo of the disciple defended, but they were surrounded.

This time, Kyoninbo shouted to the servant.

“The residence of Lord Kudo is very near. Inform him early!”

Kyonin-bo swings a staff recklessly and tears a wall of the conspirators of Kagenobu.

The servant got away from there and went to the residence of Yoshitaka.

Each other's swords raise a spark and clash intensely. The arrow flew from the Kagenobu side, too.

Nichiren also tried his best to reciprocate with his cane, but the game was in sight.

 

屋内, テーブル, 猫, 座る が含まれている画像自動的に生成された説明

From the Biography of Nichiren Daishonin

The servant panicked and ran into Yoshitaka Kudo's residence.

Low dining tables were displayed, and the living room of the Yoshitaka's house was in the middle of preparing to welcome the party of Nichiren. The servant dashed in there and cried.

“Our priest Nichiren is being attacked a little way from here by the army of Tojo. Immediately help him, sir!”

Yoshitaka gets angry and gives the command.

"What? Everybody. March out to battle! We have no time to wear armor. Take a sword and ride a horse immediately!"

Nichiren and disciples fought back desperately in the road of the twilight. But they stand no chance against such superior numbers. It was a matter of time to be exterminated.

The mounted samurai cuts the shoulder of Nichiro. He could not stand it and he fell down.

Nichiren’s left arm was hit with the stick that a soldier swung hard at. It seems his bone was broken. The bleeding of the forehead dyes a thin gray robe red. The situation was hopeless.

Yoshitaka Kudo arrived at this time and charged at the army of Tojo to fight alone on horseback. The siege that surrounded Nichiren was removed.

Yoshitaka who rode a horse rebuke Kagenobu.

“Kagenobu Tojo, what an unbelievable behavior you have on my territory! Did you go mad to kill a monk? It is certain that the Tojo clan gets a punishment of extinction if lord Kamakura has known.”

Kagenobu was daunted for an instant, but his feeling was getting hot like Asura and shouted arrogantly.

"How good, you are like a moth flying into the flame. Go to hell with Nichiren!”

The land steward must obey the feudal lord. However, this moral was impossible if they crossed swords with each other. The person who won has justice regardless of a feudal lord and a land steward.

The vassals of Yoshitaka also came to help and Komatsubara became a battlefield.

Nichiren held the left arm and left from the battling place.

Kagenobu does not miss it. He raised a sword highly and drove a horse and rushed.

Kagenobu caught a perfect opportunity and swung a sword to the back of Nichiren, but Kyonin-bo blocked it standing in an instant.

Kyonin-bo was cut aslant through the shoulder and fell over with a thud.

Nichiren holds Kyonin-bo in his arms.

"Kyonin-bo!"

Kyonin-bo smiled seeing the eyes of Nichiren.

"Shonin, are you safe?"

Kyoninbo was going to chant the title aloud with one hand, but he breathed his last like that.

Kagenobu, a wild beast, got excited seeing the blood of Kyonin-bo. He exclaimed madly while laughing.

“I did the useless killing. Nichiren, the fault is yours. It's your last!”

Nichiren felt unprecedented anger. He picked up a halberd of Kyonin-bo and hit it at Kagenobu riding on a horse. But Kagenobu dodges it skillfully.

Kagenobu cut away the hilt of the halberd of Nichiren while fighting a duel.

Nichiren falls down on the ground by this shock.

Kagenobu won and was proud.

"Nichiren, are you ready?"

Kagenobu dashes straight on to Nichiren.

Nichiren, who became barehanded, prepared for death and shouted in a loud voice.

“All the kings, subjects, and people who disrespect the practitioners of the Lotus Sutra of the Latter Day of the Law in the past and present, though they may be without trouble at the beginning, will absolutely perish in the end!”

A mysterious thing happened here.

Kagenobu was going to swing a sword, but the horse began to rage and the horse did not hear even what he said. It does not stop even if he commanded.

Kagenobu soothes it hard.

“What is wrong? Are you crazy?”

When Kagenobu tried to kill Nichiren, his horse kicked its hind leg and he could not even get off his horse.

Kagenobu has begun to get impatient. The soldiers also accompanying him were robbed of time to fight.

“Hey, hey!”

When a horse raised its forefoot suddenly, the reins made a sound mysteriously and broke off, and Kagenobu was splashed. And he fell on a rock off the road on his back and hit the back scathingly.

Kagenobu's desperate scream rang out.

The vassals of Kagenobu had daunted hearing this voice. They retreated with Kagenobu in their arms.

 The enemy leaves with sunset.

Supporters gathered little by little.

They are really worn out. Nichiren sat down and was hugging Kyonin-bo.

Hoki-bo and disciples of Nichiro and others clung to Kyonin-bo and cried. Kyonin-bo was loved by young disciples. The senior disciple who lived under the same roof died. How sad it is!

Nichiren looked around and confirmed the safety of each disciple and believer.

At that moment, the lord Yoshitaka Kudo strode in, covered in blood.

"Shonin, are you safe? I was relieved. Everybody, you had guarded the shonin well”.

Yoshitaka said this and fell down.

Nichiren shouted.

“Early to Lord Yoshitaka a medical treatment!”

When Yoshitaka's father and fifty other members of his family learned of the situation, they rushed to the scene and evacuated Nichiren and his party to Kudo Yoshitaka's mansion in Amatsu.

The sun goes down.

This great calamity was called the persecution of Komatsubara later. Yoshitaka Kudo, the Amatsu feudal lord of the strongest supporter and Kyonin-bo of the disciple were dead. Nichiren has injured his forehead, and the left arm was broken. Encountering persecution was as the Lotus Sutra states, but at too great a cost.

However, Nichiren was not able to indulge in the sorrow that lost a disciple and a believer forever.

A month later, in a letter to a follower of his, Nanjo Hyoe Shichiro, Nichiren wrote about the transient nature of the Nembutsu followers and explained to the disciples of Nichiren the significance of having encountered the great hardship of the sword and staff in the position of a practitioner of the Lotus Sutra.

“On the eleventh day of November of this year, on the main street called Matsubara, in Tojo in Awa Province, between the hours of the monkey and the rooster (around 5:00 p.m.), several hundred Nembutsu believers ambushed me. At that time, I, Nichiren, was accompanied by approximately ten people, out of whom only three or four men were able to fight. Arrows fell on us like rain, and swords descended like lightning. One of my disciples was slain in a moment, and two men of others were gravely wounded. Although I, myself, was cut by a sword and was struck, for some unknown reason, the enemy failed to kill me. Thus, I have survived until today. This has strengthened my faith in the Lotus Sutra. The fourth volume of the Lotus Sutra teaches, 'Even when Tathagata was alive, there was still much jealousy among the people. It goes without saying that after him.' The fifth volume of the Lotus Sutra states, 'In this world, we meet with so much resentment that it becomes difficult to believe in the Lotus Sutra.’ There are many who are killed for chasing someone's wives or stealing into houses. There is, however, not a single person who was killed for the sake of the Lotus Sutra. Therefore, holders of the sutra in Japan are not yet worthy of this texts' words. Nichiren alone is reading the sutra with own life. 'I do not have an affection for my body or life, but only cherish the unsurpassed teachings.' It is this meaning. I am therefore the foremost practitioner of the Lotus Sutra in Japan.” ‘Letter to Lord Nanjo Hyoe Shichiro’.


 家の前の広場低い精度で自動的に生成された説明

Current Kyoninji Temple. Unfortunately, the religious sect is not Nichiren Shoshu.


Two graves were put on this road later. These are the graves of Yoshitaka Kudo and Kyonin-bo.

The villagers heard this and rushed, they condoled for the death of two people. Besides, Dozen-bo, the administrator in Seichoji Temple, Gijo-bo and Joken-bo of the senior disciple attended it.

Hoki-bo and Nichiro who confronted a surprise attack of Kagenobu Tojo together, and barely lived on. Two people remembered about the daily posture in which they intensely discussed each other with Kyonin-bo who was the eldest disciple in the same Nichiren's sect, and they sobbed for a long time.

The Kudo family of the feudal lord let the child of Yoshitaka become the priest under the leadership of Nichiren later and inherited the blood of the Lotus Sutra. Nichiren gave a Buddhist name of Nichiryu that was associated with the name of Yoshitaka to the child of Yoshitaka. And Nichiryu will build the Kyonin-ji Temple on this ground.

On the other hand, screaming sounded in the hall of Kagenobu Tojo.

Kagenobu groans on the bed.

The injury he banged back on became fatal.

The subordinates held Kagenobu down, who shook intensely.

“The backbone is…”

Kagenobu stretched out both hands highly toward a ceiling. This finger has begun to become black.

Everybody left Kagenobu in horror.

After suffering for seven days, Kagenobu's whole body turned black, and he died, shaking with madness.

The whole families of the Kagenobu witnessed a terrible phenomenon of the Buddha's punishment in their eyes and they all shuddered with fear.

Nichiren writes it down about death of Kagenobu Tojo as follows in 'On Repaying Favors' 16 years later.

“There is one thing to be thankful for. Kagenobu, Enchi-bo, and Jitsujo-bo all died earlier than Dozen-bo, and that was fortunate. These men all met an untimely death because of the chastisement of the demon’s ten daughters who protect the Lotus Sutra."

The long struggle of Nichiren and Kagenobu Tojo has finished. It took twelve years to finish it. Both sides were hurt, but Kagenobu Tojo received the Buddha's punishment, Nichiren got a confidence as the practitioner of the Lotus Sutra of the Latter-Days of the Law.

When he was fifty-five years old, Nichiren wrote about Kagenobu in his book, "The Writings of Nichiren's Behaviors."

“Devadatta was the foremost person of good influence to Shakyamuni Buddha. When looking at the present world, we can see that the person helping grow is not friends but strong enemies. We find examples before our very eyes. The Hojo clan of Kamakura was not able to prosper as the ruler of Japan if they did not fight with Yoshimori and the retired Emperor of Oki. In this sense these enemies were the best allies this clan could have. For Nichiren, best friends for attaining Buddhahood are Kagenobu, Ryoukan, Doryu, Dou-amidabutsu, Heino-Saemon and the lord [Tokimune] of Sagami. I am full of joy when I think that without these people I could not have proved myself to be the practitioner of the Lotus Sutra.”

Nichiren preached that the existence of the enemy brought oneself up more than a friend. Shakyamuni preached it that Devadatta who dropped a rock from a cliff and had been going to kill Buddha was the well-meaning person [the existence which help to become Buddha] and would be reincarnated as the Tathagata of Heavenly King in the future at the twelfth, the Devadatta chapter in the Lotus Sutra.

In addition, the Hojo clan prospered thanks to Yoshimori Wada and retired emperor Gotoba, if there were not these two powerful enemies, the Hojo clan would not have become king.

For Nichiren, his friends for attaining Buddhahood are Kagenobu, Ryoukan, Doryu, Dou-amidabutsu, Heino-Saemon and the lord [Tokimune] of Sagami, he asserts that he is pleased with the encounter with the powerful enemy.


Nichiren left the residence of Yoshitaka Kudo and moved to the Renge Temple of Hanabusa which is near here and used an effective cure.

The Renge Temple of Awa Hanabusa was a small temple in the depths of the forests.

Nichiren read the sutra in the room.

The bandage on the head seems painful. He hung the broken left arm in a triangular bandage.

Also, Nichiro, a disciple, has gotten a cure from Hoki-bo.

Dozen-bo and Gijo-bo, Joken-bo entered.

Timid Dozen-bo worried about a loved ex-disciple.

"Nichiren, or rather shonin, is your injury a little better?"

"As you can see, I am beginning to convalesce because the disciples and everybody of the Renge Temple cure me every day. I caused you worry."

“That's good to hear. I'm relieved at first. By the way, regarding nun Myoren, your mother, she became very fine, thanks to the prayer of yours. This rumor spreads and is the sole topic of conversation at the Seichoji Temple. This Dozenbo has also been proud of the recovery of your mother.”

Nichiren held the aching arms and talked to the former teacher.

“I rode out this difficulty, because there were the faiths that were strong and energetic to the Lotus Sutra. Teacher, please believe the marvelous teaching early, too. If you hold to the Lotus Sutra, I, as a former disciple, could not be more pleased.”

Here, Dozen-bo revealed his heart.

“Nichiren, I, of course, have no wisdom. Because I have got older without being selected from somewhere, I will not be able to become a learned and virtuous priest of Nembutsu because there is not the particular relationship either. Because it is spreading around the world, I only chant Nam-Amidabutsu aloud. In addition, as for me, I was unwilling, but there was a relationship recently, and I have made five statues of Amida. This is also my karma from the remote past. Nichiren, will I fall into hell by this fault?”

Nichiren could not but have pity on him truly. But Nichiren should not minister to him and console him. Aside from the Law of the world, especially in the Law of Buddha, one must make right what must make right, even if a partner was a teacher; if one did not make right, he will receive the same crime with a partner.

After having greatly taken a deep breath, Nichiren scolded the teacher severely.

“To make five statues of Amida means that you fall into the hell of incessant suffering five times. The Lotus Sutra says; Buddha is our father and Amida is an uncle. It is terrible being not dutiful that one respects an uncle and neglects father, and it is still more sinful than a bad person. The bad person does not believe the Law of Buddha. Therefore, there is no sin of abandoning Shakyamuni Buddha. He has some kind of relationship sometime and may believe. However, although the teacher is thought to be a great good person, you are a most evil man who leaves a parent and accompanies another person in actuality. You can't escape the sin of slandering the Lotus Sutra.”

It was the admonition from the ex-disciple who might have said that it was cold-hearted.

Dozen-bo had no words to refute the situation and simply nodded his head.

Nichiren spelled his mind of this time as follows in 'the About Zenmui' later.


“I thought that it was courtesy having a gentle mind, and speaking calmly, but, the order of old age and youth is not decided in the life and death world, it either will be difficult meeting him twice.”


A human may die at any moment.

It would be difficult to meet the teacher again if Nichiren had missed this opportunity.

Though it is courtesy saying softly because he is a teacher, he would not be able to convert to the Lotus Sutra if he did not strongly say now. Nichiren scolded him for this reason.    



 Continued


Life of Nichiren. Vol. 1. Contents



by johsei1129 | 2020-08-02 20:23 | LIFE OF NICHIREN | Trackback | Comments(0)


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