100. Death means indestructible.

Japanese

Ceremony celebrating the immortality of Nichiren Daishonin at Fuji Taiseki-ji Temple.

On the 13th day of the 13th month of the 5th year of Kouan (1282), Nichiren closed his eyes.

He had lived 61 years.

It was around 8:00 a.m. People had already started working in the world.

Hoki-bo Nikko, who wrote a detailed account of the funeral, recorded that the earth shook at that time in his "Record of the Transition of the Sovereign Grand Master.” The earthquake also hit Kamakura. People learned that Nichiren had passed away.

At around 8:00 p.m. on the following day, the inui (dog time) of the 14th, Nichiren's body was placed in the coffin by his oldest disciple, Nissho, and his nephew, Nichiro.

The funeral service began at around midnight.

The torchlight was the first light of the procession, and the disciples led the way.

Shijo Kingo and Ikegami Munenaka held up flags on both sides.

Toki Jonin was in charge of the incense.

Nanjo Tokimitsu performed the sange, or scattering of flower petals.

The sword was played by Munenaga Ikegami.

Nichiren's coffin was carried on the shoulders of 18 white-robed disciples.

The front group was led by Nichiro, and the back group by Nissho, the eldest monk of the disciples, with Nikko, Nichizi, Nichimoku and other the bearers. At the end of the line were boys, Kameo and Takio, who pulled Nichiren's beloved horse.

Thus, after a solemn funeral service, Nichiren was cremated.

The "Record of the Transition of the Sovereign Grand Master," which contains the signatures of four elderly priests (Nissho, Nichiro, Nikko, and Nichizi) who confirmed its contents, was approved by Nikko. This is now designated as a National Important Cultural Property. The full text is as follows (*Character Nichi was added by me)

“1. Exiled to Izu Province in the first year of the Kouchou era (1261, 40 years old)

Received into the custody of Ito Hachiro-zaemon. The persecution because he made a volume of ‘Rissho Ankoku Ron’ and dedicated it to Saimyoji Nyudo. (*Hojo Tokiyori's legal name)

He was pardoned on February 22, 1263.

2. Exiled to Sado Island on the twelfth day of the ninth month of the eighth year of the Bun'ei Era (1271).

He was entrusted to the former governor of Musashi. This is based on a complaint by Ryoukan, the elder of Gokurakuji Temple. The complaint is in the Appendix.

Pardoned on the 14th day of February of the 11th year (1274).

On May 16 of the same year, he retired to Mount Minobu in Hakiri District, Kai Province. Rokuro Nambu Nyudo, the land of the steward.

3. Entered Ikegami, Musashi Province on September 18, 5th year of Kouan (1282). The land steward is Ikegami Munenaka

On October 18 of the same year, six disciples were appointed and placed in charge. This letter is to be received by each of the six. This document was written by Nikko.

Decision items

I. Six disciples, listed in no particular order

Nichizi, Renge Ajari.

Nicchou, lord Iyo.

-----(signatures of four elderly monks)---------(Nissho, Nichiro, Nikko, and Nichizi)

Nikou, lord Sado.

Nikko, Byakuren Ajari.

Nichiro, Daikoku Ajari.

Nissho, Ben Ajari.

These six are the main disciples. Therefore, the above paragraphs have been decided for the future.

Fifth year of Kouan.

He died on the 13th of the same month at the setting of the dragon (around 8 a.m.). The earth trembled immediately.

On the 14th day of the same month, at the time of the dog (around 8 a.m.), Nichiro was in charge of the coffin of the saint.

Nissho conducted the funeral service in the time of Rat (around 12:00 p.m.).

The funeral procession.

First fire: Jiro Saburo, resident of Kamakura,

Next, a big treasure flower. Shirojiro. Fuji, Suruga Province, Ueno Resident

Flag Left: Lieutenant Shijo Kingo.

Right: Munenaka Ikegami

Next, bell, Ota Jomyo.

Next, Scattering flowerage, Nanjo Tokimitsu.

Next, sutra, Daigaku Ryo.

-----(Signatures of four elderly priests)---------

Next, writing desk, Tomita Shirotaro

Next, Buddha statue, Daigaku Saburo

Next, footwear, Gennai Saburo, servant of this place.

Next, Carried a coffin.

Lord Chamberlain (Nichijo)

Lord Jibe (Nichii)

left

Lord Shimotsuke

Renge Ajari (Nichizi)

Front line. Daikoku Ajari (Nichiro)

Lord Dewa

Lord Izumi (Nippo)

right

Lord Tajima (Nichiai)

Lord Kyo (Nichimoku)

Lord Shinano

　　　　　　Lord Iga

left

　　　　　　Lord Settsu (Nissen)

　　　　　　Byakuren Ajari (Nikko)

Reserve troops　Ben Ajari Nissho

Lord Tamba

Lord Tayuu (Nichiyuu)

Right

Lord Chikuzen

Lord Sotsu (Oota Nikkou)

Next, the canopy. Ota Saburo-zaemon Jomyo.

Next, the sword. Munenaga Ikegami.

Next, the stomach band. Shiichi Shiro

Next, horse, Boy Kameo

Boy Takio

-----(Signatures of four elderly priests)---------

I. Buddhist teaching in his possession

The will says

A standing image of Buddha should be placed beside the gravesite.

There is the scroll called the Most Important Commentary the Lotus Sutra. It should be kept in the temple at the gravesite, and six people should look at it when they are in charge of incense and flowers. You should be kept in the temple where he is buried. I will not restrict your viewing of my other writings.

Therefore, the above is as per the saint’s last will and testament.　

Written on October 16, 16th, 5th year of the Koan era, by Nikko, with his signature.”

Nichiren says he is immortal.

　“Our entities or bodies that would die are phantom castles. If we take this death as a death or extinction, our bodies are a phantom castle. But if we have the wisdom to see that this death is not a real death or extinction but only an aspect of eternal life, then it is a place of treasure, a treasure land. If we have the wisdom that we see this death is in indestructibility, a place of treasure is there. This is what the “LifeSpan” chapter means when it says,“Moreover, I still have not gone extinct.” To death the concept of death 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 the mountains and valleys and plains where we live are the land of eternally tranquil light.” ‘Orally transmitted Teachings. Seven important points in the chapter of The Parable of the Phantom Castle.’

Furthermore, he asserts in the Life Span Chapter that "Tathagata truly understands that there is no birth or death in the three realms.”

　“In this article, he says that the Buddha ‘knows in truth" that the three bodies are all the Dharma bodies with flexibility. How can there be ‘life and death’ if the three bodies are all enlightenment?” ‘The important points of each single sentence in 28 chapters.’

Then, a strange thing happened here in Ikegami, Musashi Province.

While the trees were dying, the cherry trees were in full bloom. In honor of this event, it became customary for the disciples of Nichiren to decorate their temples with artificial cherry blossoms on the anniversary of his death.

Thus, those who call themselves Nichiren's disciples have been cherishing the 13th day of the 10th month. The believers congratulate each other on the anniversary of the death of Nichiren and say, "Congratulations! This is a proof of Nichiren's immortality.

The 26th Nichikan of Taiseki-ji Temple, who was born 400 years after Nichiren's death, wrote a letter of unlimited gratitude to Nichiren Daishonin, the founder of the sect, who endured great hardships and passed on his Gohonzon.

“Thus, there were difficulties, such as being slandered and maligned by those with false teachings and false doctrines, or being hit with sticks of wood and having roof tiles and stones thrown at them. In addition, he was exiled on both occasions and suffered wounds, and at Tatsunokuchi even sat on the spot where he was about to be beheaded. However, because he was entrusted by the Buddha, and because of his great compassion and mercy for all of us in the last days and age, he overcame these great hardships and propagated the Mysterious Law of fundamental Life Span. As a result, we are now able to easily recite it and attain 　Buddhahood in this life, thanks solely to the grace of the Sovereign.” ‘Lecture the Life Span Chapter. Collection of points of study of the Fuji sect Vol. 10.’

Here I must mention an anecdote by one of the believers, Magojiro Akiyama Yasutada.

Akiyama was a samurai in Nakano, Nakakomak district, Kai Province. While in Kai, he and his father, who was a man of strong faith, were given the Gohonzon which was copied by Hoki-bo Nikko.

Later, he was posted by Sanuki in Shikoku, where he promoted the people of Takase in Sanuki to convert, and became the builder of Sanuki Honmonji Temple in what is now Kagawa Prefecture.

Hoki-bo Nikko was deeply moved by the prosperity of the Lotus Sutra school in Sanuki and praised Akiyama Yasutada, saying that he should be the "leader of 33 the provinces to the west" and or the "master of 31 provinces of the west" and entrusted him with the spread of the Lotus Sutra school in Sanuki. This shows how much he expected of Yasutada.

Yasutada's descendants followed his instructions to the letter, and by the Edo period (1603-1867), there were more than 2,000 supporters in the area.

In his later years, Yasutada left the following will to his descendants. It was during the Ashikaga period, in the 92nd year after Nichiren's death.

In this will, Yasutada wrote about the anniversary of the death of Nichiren, whom he adored infinitely.

“I. The sacred events of October 13 must be respected by sons, daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren of Yasutada, who run the estate. Because of the rule that no one may disobey this hall by building another hall even in the slightest, and because even if there is resentment among brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, cousins and cousins, on the 13th, we must unite our hearts in one place until the 15th, just as Yasutada revered and believed in the Daishonin, who is the most precious Buddha, and we must all be united in our faith and reverence. Dancers and music must be provided, and guests must be treated with hospitality appropriate to their status. No matter what regrets we may have in our hearts, we must celebrate October 13th with the intention of never abandoning our original intentions.

I. Any child who disobeys this will and commits a wrongdoing will not only incur the punishment of the Buddha Daishonin, the ten daughter demons, and the Great Bodhisattva Hachiman, but will also be extremely unfilial for Yasutada. Even if the territory you give them is small, they must not be allowed to manage it.” ‘Collection of points of study of the Fuji sect Yol. 8.’

Yasutada wills his descendants to protect the temple and not to disturb the Dharma by building other temples even in the slightest. The Dashonin is Nichiren, and he requests that all the members of the community gather in one place for three days from October 13, the anniversary of his death, to perform Buddhist rites and extend their hospitality to others. No matter what kind of grudges may exist among relatives, they are told to unite their hearts for these three days.

Dancers and music are what we now call entertainers. He asked them to celebrate the anniversary of his death by even inviting entertainers.

Yasutada made it clear that if anyone disobeyed this will, he would be punished not only by Nichiren Daishonin but also by the Great Bodhisattva of Hachiman and the Ten Daughters demon, and that Yasutada would not give them a single territory because they were persons of disobedience to their filial duty.

On October 21, after the Buddhist memorial service on the seventh day was completed without delay at the Ikegami Munenaka's residence, a group of Nichiren's surviving disciples departed from the Ikegami Munenaka's residence, led by Nikko, who had Nichiren's remains hanging around his neck. At Minobu, the head of the land steward, Hakiri Sanenaga, was waiting for them.

In the midst of this sadness, however, five members of the group, including Minbu Nikou, began to smile in triumphant looks.

“What are you all grieving about? Let us smile as our teacher has commanded.”

“Yes, that's right. We are free.”

At this point, Hoki-bo Nikko stopped and reprimanded the five men.

“What are you saying? Have you no shame when addressing the remains of a saint?

‘As long as the worldwide propagation does not yet be achieved, you must spread the Buddha's law, according to your ability, without sparing your life and body.’

Have you already forgotten the words of the saint? Those who wish to leave, leave here. I will not stop you.”

Hokibo Nikko's dignity seemed to overlap with that of his teacher Nichiren.

The whole group was intimidated by Hoki-bo's spirit and became silent.

After a moment of silence, the group moved forward again.

Fuji, covered with white snow up to the seventh station, was approaching.

Hokibo looked up at the great Fuji as if remembering the days of Nichiren.

On October 25, the group finally returned to the residence of Minobu.

To be continued.