17. Nikko who descend Mt. Minobu.

17. Nikko who descend Mt. Minobu.

Nikko of the successor has protected Buddhism of Nichiren as an administrator of the Kuonji temple of Mount Minobu after passing away of Nichiren for six years, but five priests except Nikko who had been appointed by Nichiren took leave to Nikko and went down Mt. Minobu one after another. Although the five priests believed in the Lotus Sutra, they could not regard teacher Nichiren as the root Buddha in the latter days of the Law. Moreover, Sanenaga Hakii of the lord of a manor who should protect Nikko during this period committed four slanders to the Law. Hakiri had erected the Buddha statue, and worshiped at the Shinto shrine, and gave offerings to the tower of slandering the Law and had built the hall of Nembutsu. Furthermore, Nikou, one of the six monks, had agreed this slander, so slandering of the Law in Mt. Minobu has spread.

Nikko cannot stay there anymore if the landowner of Minobu do not hear it even if he is stained with slandering of the Law and remonstrated. December 1288, brokenhearted Nikko went away the Mt. Minobu which became the land of slander.

“When I left down the road of Mt. Minobu, I was filled with shamefulness and disappointment, but when I think in an opposite meaning, it is a top priority to inherit the saint's doctrine and establish it to this world wherever I am. I thought so, but all the disciples had turned against their teacher. However, I, Nikko, will never forget my original determination because I think Nikko is the only person who is suitable for the person who maintains the rightness of his teacher and attains teacher's cherished object. Besides, I am glad that all of you know justice. If all of you often see me, I believe that the Lord Nyudo, Hakiri Sanenaga,will not become immoral”. ‘Reply to the Lord Hara”.

And in 1290 after two years, Nikko accepted a donated land from Tokimitsu Nanjo who was a strong believer receiving teachings of Nichiren for two generations, founded the Fuji Taisekiji Temple in Suruga and respectfully placed Dai-Gohonzon here. Nikko has continued defending the Law principles of sect founder Nichiren in the land of this Ueno for forty-three years.

To be continued

Life of Nichiren. Compact edition.