16. Death in indestructibility.

16. Death in indestructibility.

After this, Nichiren went down the mountain of Minobu on September 8, and stayed in the house of Munenaka Ikegami in Musashi country. And in spite of the disease, he lectured about Rissho-Ankokuron for disciples.

Then October 8, after he appointed six priests among disciples, he entered the nirvana in the Ikegami house at the time of dragon [7 a.m. to 9 a.m.] October 13.

He leaves his wills.

“I, Nichiren, entrust the entirety of the Law that I have propagated throughout my life to Byakuren Ajari Nikko and designate him the great leader of propagation of the essential teachings. When the sovereign embraces this Law, erect the Sanctuary of Honmonji Temple at Mount Fuji. You must await the time. This is the practical religious precept of the Law. Above all, my disciples and others must obey this missive.
September in the fifth year of Ko'an (1282).　　　　Nichiren”.

“I transmit Shakyamuni Buddha's teachings of fifty years to Byakuren Ajari Nikko. He should be the administrator of Kuonji Temple on Mt. Minobu. Crowd of laity or priests who oppose him are fellows of going against the Law.

The thirteenth day of October in the fifth year of Ko'an(1282). At place of Ikegami in Bushu Province.　　　　　　Nichiren".

Nichiren entrusted Nikko with the propagation of throughout world (kosen-rufu).

And, Nichiren warned to all monks who would follow him, "All of you would suffer Law punishment of nature if you do not place the name of sun first when you attach a name to yourself".

Nichiren teaches about the death of a person having faiths.

“Our entities or bodies that would die are phantom city. If we take this death as a death or extinction, our wholes are phantom city. But if have the wisdom that we see this death is in indestructibility, a place of treasure is there. The “Life span” chapter preaches these teachings; 'Still in truth I am not reaching into death'. To death of the concept of death itself is the true death. Now, when Nichiren and his followers chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, they are revealing that the phantom city is none other than the land of the treasure. All of mountains and valleys and plains where we live are the land of eternally tranquil light”. ‘Seven important points in the chapter of the parable of the phantom city in the orally conveyed teachings’.

Nichikan who is the 26th chief priest of Taisekiji Temple was born 400 years after Nichiren's passing away and he wrote the words of limitless thanks to Nichiren Daishonin of the founder of the sect who had endured the great persecution and expressed the gohonzon.

“Therefore, the saint was slandered and was bad-mouthed from the people of the provisional teachings and sects, or he received the persecution with a stick and a tree and a tile and the stone. In addition to this, he received a banishment twice, and he suffered a wound, and he encountered a big persecution that he sat at the place of Tatsunokuchi and he was about to be cut his neck. However, the first reason was because this was entrusted to him by Buddha, and the second reason was because he felt pity for us of now with great mercy and compassion. For these reasons, he endured the great persecutions, and he spread this marvelous Law of the radical teachings in the life span chapter. Thus, the cause that we now chant it aloud easily and attain Buddhahood ourselves is depends entirely on holy good will of the sect father namely Nichiren Daishonin”. 'Discussion of Life Span Chapter'.

To be continued

Life of Nichiren. Compact edition.