19. Nichimoku Shonin, The Top Priest of the Whole World.

19. Nichimoku Shonin, The Top Priest of the Whole World.

Nikko, became 88 years old, entrusts Nichimoku who is the best disciple for after his death.

That content was that Nichimoku must hang Dai-Gohonzon of the radical sanctuary which was erected by teacher Nichiren to the Honmonzi temple in dawn of the kosen-ruhu. And Nikko said to Nichimoku as like teacher Nichiren.

“1. When Honmonji Temple is established, Ajari Nichimoku of Lord Ni`ida shall be designated as the chief of Buddha’s Law. Nichimoku, as the legitimate successor, should govern half of the temples located in the country of Japan and in the rest of the world, while the remaining half should be managed by the populace of others.

2.The Dai-Gohonzon of the second year of Ko'an(1279) Nikko inherited to himself is handed down to Nichimoku. It should be hung at the Honmonji Temple.

3.Taisekiji temple, including the main hall and the cemetery, are administered by Nichimoku, and maintain the premises, and he conducts Gongyo and should await the time of Kosen-ruhu.

As mentioned, Nichimoku met Nikko for the first time when he was 15 years old and from the time he believed in the Lotus Sutra until the old age of 73 years, he has not disobeyed in the least. At age of 17, Nichimoku had visited Nichiren Daishonin to Mount Minobu in Koshu Province. Nichimoku faithfully and constantly served teacher for the last seven years of Nichiren Daishonin. After his master passed away, Nichimoku devoted himself to saying opinion against the Imperial Court for fifty years, 1285 to 1330. Such achievements are superior to those of the other priests. I leave this documentary proof for future.

The tenth day of November. 　　　Nikko”.

Nichimoku of the successor started for Kyoto to submit the written opinion to the Imperial Court in November of the year in which Nikko passed away. It is said to have been the Kokka Kangyo (Action to say opinion to the government for converting the whole nation to the correct religion) of the 42nd in his life. However, he was in the middle of trip, entered nirvana regrettably in Tarui town of Mino country. He was seventy-four years old.

Nichimoku talked regret becoming the end at deathbed and he said that if there was the person who accomplished a warning to the government on behalf of him, that person would be the second coming of Nichimoku, and left the world.

“It is extremely regrettable that I cannot submit this warning to the ruler before passing away. Although I was born to this world, I have not been able to make a creditable achievement, but I want to be born again and make this petition. If the person who submit this will appear in the future, you should know that person is the reincarnation of me namely Nichimoku". ‘Studies on Opinions to the Ruler’.

The soul that spread the Law of three generations was inherited ceaselessly in this way. The Dai-Gohonzon was inherited to Nikko from Nichiren, then was handed down to Nichimoku from Nikko. The Nichiren believer of the same discipline who assumes this Dai-Gohonzon the root of the faiths is amounting to more than 50 countries in the world now.

The end.

Life of Nichiren. Compact edition.