The Blessing & Curse Inscriptions
robek
quite similar. It appears these date drom 1278-1282. I can not be more
specific until there are translations & transliterations of the
Gohonzon Shu, both the faces and the notes.
The Nissho Daimandara of 1280 is typical. This link takes one to a map,
not a pic of the Mandala itself.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v111/robbeck/Nissho.jpg
This has the same lower right inscription as the Shutei Dai Mandara.
Also the Yashiro Dai Mandara aka Board {Ita} Mandala or the DaiGohonzon
of Taisekiji. Likely, at least 70 others:
"This Great Mandara was for the first time revealed in the Jambudvipa
2,220 and some years after the extinction of the Buddha."
robek
specific memoranda. This usually gives the date and location of the
inscription. In some cases, there is a transmittal. For example, when
Nikko gave 4 to 8? 1280 Nichiren Great Mandalas to various Temples, he
wrote transmittals on them.
I am told that others have a named individual. For example, the
Yashiro Dai Mandara aka Board {Ita} Mandala or the DaiGohonzon of
Taisekiji has such a transmittal. Something like: "Ganshu Yashiro
Kunishige Hokkeshu Honmon-no-Kaidan":
On the SGI Nichikan Gohonzon the Memoranda reads: "Kore o shosha shi
tatematsuru- I respectfullytranscribed this. Nichikan." This is in an
unusual position, inside Hachiman
There is no "Specific Dedication", or "Transmittal". These
have been 'air-brushed' off. What SGI deleted from the original
Gohonzon was: "This is conferred upon Daigyo Ajari Honshobo Nissho, of
Honnyozan Joenji Temple of Kokusuri Village of Shimotsuke Province."
Some claim that the transmittal means it will only work for the named
person and their relatives. Or in some cases, it only works at the
named Temple.
Many of the 70 or so Great Mandalas have no transmittal.
r
robek
#10-49) one can often see eight {8} columns in the top row -- four {4}
on each side. There are two 'extra' Buddhas, inserted between the two
Buddhas and the 4 Bodhisattvas of the Earth.
On all of them from #50 to 123, these two extra Buddhas are omitted.
All we see are Six {6} Columns in the top row -- three {3} on each
side: Shakya and Taho flanked by the 4 Bodhisattvas of the Earth
r
robek
DaiGohonzon of Taisekiji, and also on many of the transcriptions of
Great Mandalas from Taisekiji, such as the SGI Nichikan, the Nittatsu,
and the Nikken; the following inscriptions are found, in the top row,
located on either side of the Daimoku, outside of the two Buddha and
four bodhisattvas:
Left side, facing:
U kuyo sha fuku ka jugo
Those who make offerings will gain good fortune surpassing the ten
honorable titles.
Right side facing:
Nyaku noran sha zu ha shichibun
Those who vex and trouble [the practitioners of the Law] will have
their heads split into seven pieces.
These are not found on ANY AUTHENTICATED Nichiren Mandalas. IN his
rebuttal of Kempon Hokke's claims, Nittatsu asserted that there are a
number of Nichiren originals with these inscriptions. If this is true,
then either these are not in the Gohonzon Shu, or the entries are in a
different location on the mandalas. I tend to think Nittatsu was simply
wrong on this.
Note that the Taisekiji Great Mandala is not published, nor are any
Nichiren Shoshu transcriptions. My understanding is that Nichiren
Shoshu forbids this. While Nichiren Shu has some Nichiren Mandalas &
Amulets they decline to publish, they do not have a blanket
proscription. Nor is this proscribed by any other Shu I know of. There
are Mandalas from the other Nikko-Fuji School Shu{s} that are lawfully
published and in the public domain.
robek
These inscriptions are from the 26th chapter if the Lotus Sutra:
>From Watson:
At that time there were daughters of rakshasa demons, the first named
Lamba, the second named Vilamba, the third named Crooked Teeth, the
fourth named Flowery Teeth, the fifth named Black Teeth, the sixth
named Much Hair, the seventh named Insatiable, the eighth named
Necklace Bearer, the ninth named Kunti, and the tenth named Stealer of
the Vital Spirit of All Living Beings. These ten rakshasa daughters,
along with the Mother of Devil Children, her offspring, and her
attendants, all proceeded to the place where the Buddha was and spoke
to the Buddha in unison, saying, "World-Honored One, we too wish to
shield and guard those who read, recite, accept, and uphold the Lotus
Sutra and spare them from decline or harm. If anyone should spy out the
shortcomings of these teachers of the Law and try to take advantage of
them, we will make it impossible for him to do so." Then in the
presence of the Buddha they pronounce these spells:
itime itime itime atime itime nime nime nime nime nime ruhe
ruhe ruhe ruhe stahe stahe stahe stuhe shuhe
"Though they climb upon our very heads, they will never trouble the
teachers of the Law! Whether it be a yaksha, or a pakshasa, or a hungry
spirit, or a putana, or a kritya, or a vetada, or a skanda 8, or an
umaraka, or an apasmaraka, or a yaksha kritya, or a human kritya, or a
fever, a one day, a two day, a three day, or a four day, or up to a
seven day or a constant fever, whether it be in a man's form, in a
woman's form, in young boy's form, in young girl's form, though it be
only in a dream, it will never trouble them!"
Then in the presence of the Buddha they spoke in verse form, saying:
If there are those who fail to heed our spells
and trouble and disrupt the preachers of the Law,
their heads will split into seven pieces
like the branches of the arjaka tree.
Their crime will be like that of one who kills father and mother,
or one who presses out oil,
or cheats others with measures and scales,
or, like Devadatta, disrupts the Order of monks.
Anyone who commits a crime against these teachers of the Law
will bring on himself guilt such as this!"
After the rakshasa daughters had spoken these verses, they said to the
Buddha, "World-Honored One, we will use our own bodies to shield and
guard those who accept, uphold, read, recite, and practice this sutra.
We will see that they gain peace and tranquility, freeing them from
decline and harm and nulling the effect of all poison herbs."
The Buddha said to the rakshasa daughters, "Excellent, excellent! If
you can shield and guard those who accept and uphold the mere name of
the Lotus Sutra, your merit will be immeasurable. How much more so if
you shield and guard those who accept and uphold it in its entirety,
who offer alms to the sutra scrolls, flowers, incense, necklaces,
powdered incense, paste incense, incense for burning, banners,
canopies, music, who burn various kinds of lamps, lamps of butter oil,
oil lamps, lamps of various fragrant oils, lamps of sumana flower oil,
and lamps of utpala flower oil, and who in this manner offer hundreds
and thousands of varieties of alms? Kunti, you and your attendants
should shield and guard the teachers of the Law such as these!"
When [the Buddha] preached this Dharani chapter, sixty-eight thousand
persons gained the truth of birthless-ness.
>From The Buddhist Text Translation Society in USA:
At that time there were rakshasa women. The first was named Lamba, the
second was named Vilamba, the third was named Crooked Teeth, the fourth
was named Flower Teeth, the fifth was named Black Teeth, the sixth was
named Much Hair, the seventh was named Insatiable, the eighth was named
Holder of Beads, the ninth was named Kunti, and the tenth was named
Robber of the Essence and Energy of All Beings. These ten rakshasa
women, along with the ghost mother and her children and their retinues,
all went before the Buddha and spoke to him in unison, saying, "World
Honored One, we, too, wish to protect those who read, recite, receive,
and hold the Dharma Flower Sutra, and keep them from harm. Should
anyone seek out the weaknesses of these Dharma Masters, he will not be
able to take advantage of them."
Then, in the presence of the Buddha, they spoke this mantra:
Yi ti li. Yi ti min. Yi ti li. E ti li. Yi ti li. Ni li. Ni li. Ni li.
Ni li. Ni li. Lou xi. Lou xi. Lou xi. Lou xi. Duo xi. Duo xi. Duo xi.
Dou xi. Nou xi.
"Climb on top of our heads, but do not trouble this Dharma Master. No
yaksha, rakshasa, hungry ghost, putana, kritya, vetala, ghanta,
omaraka, apasmaraka, yakshakritya, human kritya; nor any fever lasting
one day, or two days, or three days, or four days, or up to seven days;
nor any constant fever; nor any shape of man, woman, young boy, or
young girl shall trouble him, even in his dreams."
Then, in the presence of the Buddha, they spoke this verse:
If anyone fails to comply with this mantra
Or tries to disturb one who speaks the Dharma,
His head shall break into seven pieces,
Like the branch of the arjaka tree.
Like the retribution for the offense of killing one's parents,
Or that of pressing oil,
Or cheating others with weights and measures,
Or Devadatta's offense in breaking up the Sangha- One who harms this
Dharma Master
Shall incur calamities such as these.
Having spoken this verse, the rakshasa women said to the Buddha, "World
Honored One, we, too, shall personally protect those who receive,
uphold, read, recite, and cultivate this Sutra, causing them to be
peaceful and secure, free from all harm and illness, and able to
neutralize all poisonous potions."
The Buddha told the rakshasa women, "Good indeed, good indeed! In
protecting those who receive and uphold even the name of the Dharma
flower, your blessings will be unlimited; how much more so for
protecting those who receive and uphold it in full; who make offerings
to the Sutra text of flowers, incense, beads, powdered incense, paste
incense, burning incense, banners, canopies, and music; and who light
various lamps-butter lamps, oil lamps, lamps of fragrant oil, lamps of
sumana oil, lamps of champaka flower oil, lamps of varshika flower oil,
lamps of utpala flower oil, and lamps such as these, of a hundred
thousand kinds. Kunti! You and your retinue should protect Dharma
Masters such as these."
When this "Dharani Chapter" had been spoken, sixty-eight thousand
people obtained the Patience with the Nonproduction of Dharmas.
robek
The Japanese: Lower right:
"Butsumetsugo ni-sen ni-hyaku san-ju yo nen no aida ichienbudai no uchi
mizou no daimandara nari-
Never in 2,230-some years since the passing of the Buddha has this
great mandala appeared in the world."
Both SGI and Nichiren Shoshu claimed that this was only found on the
so-called Daigohonzon of 1279. They stated that Ichien Budai meant
"for all humanity." I trusted that was true for quite a few years.
From: KathyRuby Date: Thu Jan 31, 2002 Soka Gakkai International:
"... the inscription "ichien budai soyo" for the sake of all living
beings. This is an extraordinary and wonderful thing to be inscribed
on a Gohonzon. It shows clearly the intent of this Buddhism: for the
sake of all living beings."
From: derekjuhl2001 Date: Thu Jan 31, 2002 Soka Gakkai International:
"What is meant by "the Gohonzon bestowed upon the entire world
(ichien budai soyo)?" "The Gohonzon bestowed upon the entire world"
means "this Gohonzon is the object of worship for all mankind,"
signifying the Dai-Gohonzon of the High Sanctuary of the Essential
Teachings."
Previously, I could find this same apparent error at many official
sites of SGI & Nichiren Shoshu. However, for some strange reason, I
can no longer find them with a google search.
Actually, Ichienbudai is a transliteration of Jambhudvipa. Buddhist
Cosmology divides the Universe into Three Realms: Kamadhatu - the
Realm of Desire, Rupadhatu - the Realm of Form, and Arupyadhatu -
the Formless Realm. In Kamadhatu, or Realm of Desire, there is Mount
Semeru, which is surrounded by four islands. The southernmost of
these islands is called Jambudvipa, or Rose Apple Island. This is
where humans live.
At any rate, the general dedication on all Nichiren's later year
Great Mandalas appears to be the same. They are all for 'all
humanity', and were entrusted to various disciples. We are fortunate
that many still exist, many are even on the original paper or silk.
r
robek
The presence of the Blessing/Curse inscriptions on the Yashiro Memorial
Daimandara, aka Taisekiji Daigohonzon, aka Ita Mandala is a bone of
contention, often raised in Independent circles.
Some say these never appeared on any Gohonzon until the Yashiro
Memorial Daimandara, aka Taisekiji Daigohonzon was forged in 1488 by
Nichiu.
Some time ago I came across transcriptions by Nichidai of Nishiyama and
Nichimyo of Kitayama. These were immediate disciples of Nikko at
Kitayama Honmonji aka Omosu Seminary. These are hard to see, so I am
not 100% certain, but these do appear to have the Blessing/Curse
entries. In all other respects, save those inscriptions, these appear
to based on Mandala064.
These links are to pix of Gohonzon:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v111/robbeck/Niti/fwp1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v111/robbeck/Niti/fwp2.jpg
http://www.lbis.jp/gohonzon/064.htm
My SWAG is that #064 might be kept at Kitayma? But why did they add
extra inscriptions? Are these the Blessing/Curse Entries? Was this a
sort of trademark of the Fuji School?
robek
The presence of the Blessing/Curse inscriptions on the Yashiro Memorial
Daimandara, aka Taisekiji Daigohonzon, aka Ita Mandala is a bone of
contention, often raised in Independent circles.
Some say these never appeared on any Gohonzon until the Yashiro
Memorial Daimandara, aka Taisekiji Daigohonzon was forged in 1488 by
Nichiu.
Some time ago I came across transcriptions by Nichidai of Nishiyama and
Nichimyo of Kitayama. These were immediate disciples of Nikko at
Kitayama Honmonji aka Omosu Seminary. These are hard to see, so I am
not 100% certain, but these do appear to have the Blessing/Curse
entries. In all other respects, save those inscriptions, these appear
to based on Mandala064.
These links are to pix of Gohonzon:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v111/robbeck/Niti/fwp1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v111/robbeck/Niti/fwp2.jpg
http://www.lbis.jp/gohonzon/064.htm
`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
robek
From: maltz_2001@...
Date: Thu Oct 4, 2001 8:34 pm
Subject: The inscription on the Ita Mandara maltz_2001@...
Send Email
The inscription on the Ita Mandara is that is is bestowed
upon "Yashiro Kunishige, of the Hokke Shu..." or Hokke "lecture
assembly" (koshu), to translate it literally.
These "Hokke koshu's" or "Hokke shu's" appeared in the Muromachi
period (Nichi-u's time) and it is a term that was not used in
Nichiren's lifetime (late Kamakura, when it was not safe for Nichiren
beleivers to congregate). These fraternities used wooden mandalas as
objects of worhip.....
<snipped>
Bruce
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Straw man. The Mandala reads reads: "Ganshu Yashiro Kunishige Hokkeshu"
-- not "Hokke koshu". Nichiren referred to the devotees of the Lotus
Sutra as Hokke Shu. Watson translates "Shu" as "Sect".
http://www.sgi-usa.org/cgi-bin/texis.cgi/search/gosho/
The Major Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Search Results
Search for this: Hokke Sect
1 through 10 of 46 matching documents, best matches first.
Page: 1 2 3 4 5
1: How Those Initially Aspiring to the Way Can Attain Buddhahood
Through the Lotus Sutra
sects or the ten sects, which is the true sect founded by Shakyamuni
Buddha? Answer: The Hokke [Lotus] sect is the sect founded by
Shakyamuni. We know this because ...
http://www.sgi-usa.org/... en/Gosho/InititallyAspiringWay.htm
2: Gosho: The Doctrine of Attaining Buddhahood in One's Present Form
not acknowledge [the attainment of Buddhahood in] the form of a
common mortal. Only the Tendai-Hokke sect clearly teaches this
doctrine of entering [Buddhahood] in ...
http://www.sgi-usa.org/... ho/AttainBuddhahoodOnesPresent.htm
3: Gosho: The Doctrine of Attaining Buddhahood in One's Present Form
not acknowledge [the attainment of Buddhahood in] the form of a
common mortal. Only the Tendai-Hokke sect clearly teaches this
doctrine of entering [Buddhahood] in ...
http://www.sgi-usa.org/... ren/Gosho/AttainingPresentForm.htm
4: Background Info - On Omens
by the emergence of various misleading sects. Seicho-ji had first
belonged to the Tendai-Hokke sect which adhered to the teachings of
the Lotus Sutra passed down ...
http://www.sgi-usa.org/... osho/bk_RepayingDebtsGratitude.htm
5: The Selection of the Time
to the common people believed that such was the case. Thus the true
spirit of the Tendai-Hokke sect really flourished only during the
lifetime of the Great Teacher ...
http://www.sgi-usa.org/... y/Nichiren/Gosho/SelectionTime.htm
6: Letter to Shomitsu-bo
(concentration and insight) and Shingon (Vairochana discipline)
practices of the Tendai-Hokke sect. And the oath concerning the
precepts that Dengyo handed down to ...
http://www.sgi-usa.org/... ichiren/Gosho/LetterShomitsubo.htm
7: The Third Doctrine
" To which Ryosho-bo replied, "There is no such passage." Yet in
commenting on [the section of the Hokke mongu that deals with] the
Juryo chapter, the ninth volume ...
http://www.sgi-usa.org/... y/Nichiren/Gosho/ThirdDoctrine.htm
8: Repaying Debts of Gratitude
known as the Kusha, Jojitsu, Ritsu, Hosso, Sanron, Shingon, Kegon,
Jodo, Zen, and Tendai-Hokke sects. Scholars today believe that, with
these ten sects as enlightened ...
http://www.sgi-usa.org/... n/Gosho/RepayingDebtsGratitude.htm
9: Letter to the Priests of Seicho-ji
at each and every temple, the Shingon sect invariably exists side by
side with the Hokke [Lotus] sect9 just as a shadow follows the body.
Thus, to the correct practice ...
http://www.sgi-usa.org/... en/Gosho/LetterPriestsSeichoji.htm
10: Persecution by Sword and Staff
in their present form." This is the most important doctrine of the
Tendai sect, and a section of the Hokke mongu is devoted to this
teaching of attaining Buddhahood ...
http://www.sgi-usa.org/... en/Gosho/PersecutionSwordStaff.htm
1 through 10 of 46 matching documents, best matches first.
robek
"Carry through with your faith in the Lotus Sutra. You cannot strike
fire from flint if you stop halfway. Bring forth the great power of
faith and establish your reputation among all the people of Kamakura
and the rest of Japan as Shijo Kingo of the **Hokke sect**. 14 Even
a bad reputation will spread far and wide. A good reputation will
spread even farther, particularly if it is a reputation for devotion
to the Lotus Sutra." -- Earthly Desires Are Enlightenment
robek
> http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v111/robbeck/Niti/fwp1.jpg
>
> http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v111/robbeck/Niti/fwp2.jpg
The Great Mandala on the left (facing) is the Jinshiro Memorial
Daimandara of 1308. It is kept at Kitayama/Omosu. I am told it looks a
lot like the Yashiro
Memorial Daimandara, aka Taisekiji Daigohonzon.
Nikko inscribed the Jinshiro Memorial Daimandara in April of 1308. The
Jinshiro here is likely the peasant who attacked and injured in April
of 1279, and was allegedly executed by Hae-no-Saemon-no-jo-Yoritsuna at
Atsuhara in October of that year.
Saemon himself was executed by the Hojo Clan at Atsuhara, in April of
1293. The Jinhsiro Memorial Daimandara was incribed on the 15th
anniversary of the latter. As a peasant, Jinshiro lacked a surname.
The pretty much closes the case on Jinshiro & Yashiro being the same
person.
robek
Minobu creek [where Nichiren's tomb is located]. However, on further
consideration of the matter, it's not important where I am; it is
important to accede to the teachings of Nichiren Shonin and to spread
it all over the world. All of the [other] disciples are against the
Master. They disobeyed the teacher [i.e. Nichiren Shonin]. I believe
that only I, Nikko, am the one who protects the Shonin's doctrine and
practices according to his original intention...
``````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
It is difficult to say that I leave the mountain stream of Minobu. How
shameful it is, and it is not my true intention. But when I consider
it again and again, to inherit the Shonin's teaching and uphold it
anywhere in the world is the essential thing. However, when I humbly
think about this, all of his other disciples have gone against their
master. Because I, Nikko, alone am the person who knows the true
teachings of the original master and his long-cherished objective, I
will never forget my true intention.
``````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
I can hardly tell you how ashamed I was and how sorry I was for leaving
Minobu creek. However, on further consideration of the matter, it's not
important where I am; it is important to accede to the teachings of a
Nichiren Shônin and to spread it all over the world. All of the
[other] disciples are against the Master. They disobeyed the teacher
[i.e. NichirenShônin]. I believe that only I, Nikkô , am the one who
protects the a Shônin's doctrine and practices according to His
original intention..."
``````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
It is shameful, indeed, to be forced to take leave of the valley of
Minobu, Which I inherited from my master. Since it is not my
fundamental desire to do so, a myriad emotions well up in my heart,
making this parting even more difficult. I have churned the mater over
and over in my mind and have come to the conclusion that at either
place, the most essential issue is to correctly maintain the
Daishonin's Buddhism and to securely establish true Buddhism in this
world. In my decision, I take into account the fact that all the
disciples have turned against our Master. Thus, I, Nikko, am alone in
fundamentally understanding the correct doctrines of the Daishonin and
am prepared to give my life for the sake of Kosen-rufu. Not in the
slightest will I ever forget the true intentions of the Daishonin.
`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"When the steward [of Minobu] goes against the Law, I shall not
reside here" No matter where we may go, it is of utmost importance to
carry on the teaching of the sage and establish it in the world.
Although I think in this way, all other disciples have committed
treachery against the teacher. Nikko alone knows the correct teaching
of the original teacher and thus achieves the true purpose of his life.
So I shall never become oblivious to the true intent [of Nichiren]
The teaching of Nichiren is the one that states that if you have
abandoned Shakyamuni Buddha who is the Original Lord and Master of the
sentient beings of the Triple World [Saha] and if you rely instead on
Amida Buddha and give sole respect to Amida Buddha, then you will
become a person who is guilty of the five deadly sins; you will fall
into a hell of interminable suffering, [Avichi Hell] isn't that true?
These things are not the fault of lay priest [Hakiri]. They are solely
the errors of the twisted priest [Niko]. [When Nikko Shonin admonished
the steward's behavior,he replied,] "I have taken Minbu Ajari
[Niko] as my teacher"
[Mimbu Ajari Niko answered Hakiri's queries, about visiting Shinto
Shrines saying:] "That the tutelary benevolent deities have abandoned
this country is written in 'On Establishing the Correct Teaching for
the Peace of the Land.' However, Byakuren Ajari [Nikko Shonin], basing
himself on non-Buddhist scriptures, reads it in a biased manner and so
is incapable of understanding its true intention."
````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
Niko propounded that "When those upholding the Lotus Sutra visit [a
Shinto shrine], the Buddhist deities as well will come to that shrine."
He told Hakiri: "Byakuren Ajari [Nikko] reads only non-Buddhist
scriptures and is ignorant of the ultimate teaching of Buddhism."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
On the occasion of the Daishiko, he {Niko} offered words of prayer,
saying, "The heaven and the earth eternally exist, the fulfillment of
the wish of His majesty, the achievement of every wish of the minister
of the left and right and hundreds of officers, both civil and
military." Again and again I warned him, saying, "We must not
offer these prayers at the present time," but he refused my
admonishment, saying, "Why don't you understand debts of gratitude
to the nation?" Therefore, I will not conduct the ceremonial debate
this year.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In particular, from the 1st day of the 4th month, Minbu began to stay
in the small house of a retainer of Moro'oka Nyudo, and he invited a
painter and ordered him to make a pictorial mandala. On the 8th day of
the same month, Minbu proclaimed the Buddha's birthday, gave a sermon
for one day and one night in the room of the Nyudo and left clutching
offerings. While Minbu was enjoying drinks, the Nyudo understood and
called his wife and children to offer sake. Minbu screamed because he
was out of control. It is indescribably regrettable that other
retainers laugh at him. There is no greater disgrace of Nichiren.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I have been watching him for 2 or 3 years. Minbu Ajari is a priest who
has a deeply greedy and secular mind, a warped mind prone to flattery.
I cannot consider that he upholds the teachings that Nichiren Daishonin
established. And he is a person who greatly betrays the teachings.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Niko's transgressions are not only those. There have been one or two
people who have taken it upon themselves and painted the image
of(inscribed the mandala of) Nam' Myo Ho Ren Ge Kyo and the "Master of
the Teachings, the venerable Sakyamuni", the "Tathagata of the Actual
Attaining Enlightenment of Kuon" that was the purpose of the appearance
of Nichiren Daishonin.
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This year I Nikko did not hold the meeting of questions and answers.
Besides. there have been one or two people who have taken it upon
themselves to paint the image of the Tathagata of the Actual
Attaining Enlightenment of Kuon, the Master of Teaching of Namu Myo
Ho Ren Ge Kyo that was the purpose of the appearance of Nichiren
Shonin.
``````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
One or two people humbly made pictorial images of Venerable
Shakyamuni, the Thus-Come-One, who attained Buddhahood in the remote
past, the Lord of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, the long-cherished object of
Nichiren Shonin,
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
but no one yet has made a wooden statue. However, the Nyudo thinks to
humbly make one. Although I know that it has no use, Niko directed him
to make it in place of the Buddha that Daikoku-Ajari plundered.
````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
Yet, no one in this school has ever made a wooden statue of Sakyamuni
to
worship. In spite of that, Nichi-en Nyuudo, despite his extremely
shallow
faith, is thinking about making a statue of Sakyamuni. There is no use
for a statue so he should stop thinking about it.
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I learned that Niko suggested to Nichi-en Nyuudou that they should make
a Buddha statue about the size of the one Nichiren had, to replace it,
as
Nichirou destroyed the will of the Daishonin and walked off with the
one
that Nichiren had stated in his testament to have placed at his grave.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As far as I am concerned, I have some complaint if it is the statue
that
Nichiren had placed in a shrine at his grave. But, they went so far as
to
suggest they worship it. This idea is absurd because that statue is not
related to Jogyo Bosatsu of the four Bodhisattvas who (along with
Sakyamuni Buddha and Taho Tathagata,) are to be alongside (the "Master
of the Teachings, the Venerable Sakyamuni", the "Tathagata of the
Actual Attaining Enlightenment of Kuon"). It is the Dhuta (ascetic)
Buddha of Hinayana Buddhism. As such, even if one were to make (a copy
of) the Buddha statue (that Nichirou walked off with), it would never
be an object for worship."
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Yet, no one has ever made a wooden statue. In spite of that,
(Nichi-en) Nyudo is thinking about making a statue roughly with his
little might. Though I think there is no use for a statue, I advised
and strongly persuaded him that, to replace it, he should make a Buddha
statue about the size of the one Nichiren had, which Nichiro walked off
with. What I want to say is that if it were the one the late Saint had,
it might be worshiped, though it was not accompanied with Bodhisattvas
of Jyogyo. etc. and it was a statue of Buddha who attained Buddhahood
for the first time; on top of that,it was taken by Nichiro.
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He should wait until one of his grand-children could make one for him.
Until then, he should worship the Mandala of Nichiren Daishonin."
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I don't know why they would want such a statue of Buddha who attained
Buddhahood for the first time, who is transient, and of secondary
importance. I suggest him that, if he does not have enough might to
make it, he should enshrine the one in writings drawn by Saint untill
one of his children or grand-children could make one for him.
robek
multiple sources. This letter shows that Nikko was already teaching his
own views, even if he diverged from sharply Nichiren. I see several
points:
1. Nikko's view on propriety were urbane and very Confucian.
2. He was intolerant of Shinto & likely rejected Ryobu-Shinto-Honji
Suijaku .
3. He refused to pray for the nation until they converted.
4. He strongly peferred the calligraphy mandala drawn by Nichiren as
the honzon.
*He pretty much rejected paintings, or accepted them cautiously
*He accepted statues very grudgingly and only because there were 3
precedents.
The 3 statues were:
~Nichiren's personal Honzon
~Shijo Kingo had one carved, apparently a copy of Nichiren's.
~Toki Jonin had a portable altar of Shakyanuni flanked by the 4
bosatsu.
Some have said, based on this Gosho, that Nikko preferred the
"Shakyanuni flanked by 4 BOE, and accepted the Mandala only as
temporary. That is ludicrous.
> He should wait until one of his grand-children could make one for him.
That is sarcasm. It is slang for 'when hell freezes over'. That is
clear from:
> There is no use for a statue so he should stop thinking about it.
.
Reginald Carpenter
******************************************************
The Blessing & Curse Inscriptions
Group: alt.religion.buddhism.nichiren
Date: Sat, Sep 10, 2005, 2:07pm (CDT-2) From: rrob...@mchsi.com (robek)
>>> Nearly all Nichiren "Great Mandala" Gohonzon from 50-123 appear to
be quite similar. It appears these date from 1278-1282. I can not be
more specific until there are translations & transliterations of the
Gohonzon Shu, both the faces and the notes. <<< #1.
1). Well, "No kidding, Sherlock?"! LOL.
Could it be that they "nearly all ... appear to be quite similar"
because they were all inscribed in that short span of time by only one
person, the Daishonin/ True Buddha Himself, FOOL?!
---------------------------------------------------------------
>>> The Nissho Daimandara of 1280 is typical. This link takes one to a
map, not a pic of the Mandala itself. <<< #2.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v111/robbeck/Nissho.jpg
2). Now, that really "is typical", HST - HERETICal SLANDERous &
TRAITORous Nichiren Shu (shoo!) Inc. (Inksters) talk -- "the Nissho
Daimandara"! LOL.
---------------------------------------------------------------
>>> This has the same lower right inscription as the Shutei Dai Mandara.
Also the Yashiro Dai Mandara aka Board {Ita} Mandala or the DaiGohonzon
of Taisekiji. Likely, at least 70 others:
"This Great Mandara was for the first time revealed in the Jambudvipa
2,220 and some years after the extinction of the Buddha." <<< #3.
---------------------------------------------------------------
3). FYI - like it read/ said on the copy of it that you used to have on
the 66th High Priest Nittatsu Shonin's transcription of the
Dai-Gohonzon, the Nichiren Shoshu translation of that particular
inscription is/ was: "This is the [great] mandala which has never
appeared for two thousand, two hundred and twenty-some years since the
Buddha passed."
WorldPeace! } : < { 0
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