Buildings at Taisekiji

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_johnarundel_
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Buildings at Taisekiji

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The Head Temple Taisekiji is located at the foot of Mt. Fuji. It was founded in 1290 by the second High Priest Nikko Shonin. Nikko Shonin was originally Chief Priest of Minobusan Kuonji Temple. However, because of the slanderous acts comitted by the Hakiri Sanenaga (Lord of Mt. Minobu) and by the senior priest Mimbu Niko, Nikko Shonin departed Mt. Minobu, as he felt that the spirit of Nichiren Daishonin was no longer found there.

However, in order to carry out Nichiren Daishonin's will, Nikko Shonin needed to depart Mt. Minobu anyways in order to prepare for the future construction of the Actual High Santuary of the Essential Teachings at the foot of Mt. Fuji.

The land that Taisekiji sits on was donated by Nanjo Shichiro Jiro Taira-no Tokimitsu, the feudal lord of Fuji Ueno, and a devout believer during and after Nichiren Daishonin's time. Nanjo Tokimitsu recieved more letters from the Daishonin than any other disciple.

Before Nikko Shonin passed away he transferred the Heritage of the Law (Kechimyaku) to third High Priest Nichimoku Shonin. He states in "Articles to be Observed After the Passing of Nikko" ("Nikko Ato Jojo no Koto"),
Ni`ida-Kyō Ajari Nichimoku shall be designated as the Master of the Seat of the Law ... Taisekiji, including the main hall and the cemetery, should be administered by Nichimoku, who should aIso maintain the premises, conduct Gongyō and the await the time of Kōsen Rufu.

(Gosho, p. 1884)

Since the time of Nikko Shonin and Nanjo Tokimitsu, the pure law of the Sowing has been correctly transmitted at the Head Temple Taisekiji for more than 700 years.


The Hoando [奉安堂]

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The Hoando currently stores the Dai-Gohonzon of the High Sanctuary of the Essential Teachings (Honmon Kaidan no Dai-Gohonzon), which will be enshrined for all mankind at the dawn of Kosen-rufu. Currently, Hokkeko believers come on Tozan and participate in the Gokaihi Ceremony, where they can pray to the Dai-Gohonzon.


Dai-Kyakuden [大客殿]

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The Dai-Kyakuden was built in 1465 and rebuilt in 1998. Each morning, for the past 700 years, the High Priest conducts Ushitora Gongyo, praying for the achievement of Kosen-rufu (world peace). The Ozagawari Gohonzon, inscribed by Nikko Shonin in honour of Jinshiro, a peasant martyr of the Atsuhara Persecution, is enshrined in this temple.


Mutsubo [六壷]

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This is the oldest building at Taisekiji, built by Nikko Shonin in 1290. The student priests train under the guidance of the High Priest at this temple. Also Toba ceremonies are officiated at this temple. I attended when for my late grandfather some years ago. The Gohonzon enshrined in this temple was inscribed by Nikko Shonin in 1332.


Mieido [御影堂]

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This building was also built by the second High Priest Nikko Shonin. It was rebuilt in 1632 and rennovated in 2013. The artwork of the walls of this temple is desgined to symbolize the Treasure Tower (hōtō) [宝塔] in the Lotus Sutra.
Last edited by _johnarundel_ on Tue Sep 01, 2020 7:54 pm, edited 1 time in total.
"The five characters of Myoho-Renge-Kyo are the core of the Lotus Sutra and the origin of all Buddhas throughout the entire world. Upon seeing the signs that these five characters now must be propagated, I, Nichiren, have set the precedent, today, at the beginning of the Latter Day of the Law."

- Nichiren Daishonin, “Shuju onfurumai-gosho” 種種御振舞御書


https://www.nichirenshoshu.or.jp/eng/daishonin.html
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Shotenzenjin
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Re: Buildings at Taisekiji

Post by Shotenzenjin »

Amazing post. Thank you for posting it John
Generation's shall pass, our determination shall grow, at the foot of Mount Fuji
Like smoke that reaches far beyond the clouds.--nichimoku shonin. Third high priest of Nichiren Shoshu

Hokekko of true Buddhism https://nstny.org

Introduction to Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source= ... VKyEQ_cxK9
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_johnarundel_
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Re: Buildings at Taisekiji

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Shotenzenjin wrote: Tue Sep 01, 2020 7:49 pm Amazing post. Thank you for posting it John
:thumbsup:
"The five characters of Myoho-Renge-Kyo are the core of the Lotus Sutra and the origin of all Buddhas throughout the entire world. Upon seeing the signs that these five characters now must be propagated, I, Nichiren, have set the precedent, today, at the beginning of the Latter Day of the Law."

- Nichiren Daishonin, “Shuju onfurumai-gosho” 種種御振舞御書


https://www.nichirenshoshu.or.jp/eng/daishonin.html
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_johnarundel_
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Re: Buildings at Taisekiji

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Sammon Gate [三門]

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The Sammon Gate was built in 1717. One of the major patrons of the construction of the gate was Tennei-in, wife of the Shogun Tokugawa Ienobu. The gate is the largest red-lacquered wooden gate of its kind in the Tokai region of Japan. It is currenly undergoing a full renovation until January 2021. The gate is designated a Shizuoka prefecture cultural asset.
"The five characters of Myoho-Renge-Kyo are the core of the Lotus Sutra and the origin of all Buddhas throughout the entire world. Upon seeing the signs that these five characters now must be propagated, I, Nichiren, have set the precedent, today, at the beginning of the Latter Day of the Law."

- Nichiren Daishonin, “Shuju onfurumai-gosho” 種種御振舞御書


https://www.nichirenshoshu.or.jp/eng/daishonin.html
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_johnarundel_
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Re: Buildings at Taisekiji

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Five Story Pagoda [五重塔]

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Drawing of the five story pagoda by Reverend Omura Judo

The Five Story Pagoda was built in 1749 during the time of the 31st High Priest Nichiin Shonin. It is 34.3 meters high, and said to be the finest pagoda on the Tokaido. The Pagoda faces west unlike any other pagoda in Japan, symbolizing that Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism of the Sowing will spread from east to west, illuminating the entire world. The Gohonzon is enshrined in the center of the pagoda, indicating that the core of one’s life and the Law are the same as Nichiren Daishonin’s life, or the true entity of the Law, Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo.

Renovated in 2017.

It is designated a national cultural asset.
"The five characters of Myoho-Renge-Kyo are the core of the Lotus Sutra and the origin of all Buddhas throughout the entire world. Upon seeing the signs that these five characters now must be propagated, I, Nichiren, have set the precedent, today, at the beginning of the Latter Day of the Law."

- Nichiren Daishonin, “Shuju onfurumai-gosho” 種種御振舞御書


https://www.nichirenshoshu.or.jp/eng/daishonin.html
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_johnarundel_
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Re: Buildings at Taisekiji

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Unopened Gate [不開門]

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(Drawing by Rev. Omura Judo)

In Japanese, this is known as the Akazu-no-mon Gate. It is also sometimes known as the "Emperor's Messenger Gate." These names refer to the fact that this gate shall remain firmly shut until the dawn of Kosen-rufu, when the Actual High Sanctaury of the Essential Teachings will be estabished (ji-no kaidan).
"The five characters of Myoho-Renge-Kyo are the core of the Lotus Sutra and the origin of all Buddhas throughout the entire world. Upon seeing the signs that these five characters now must be propagated, I, Nichiren, have set the precedent, today, at the beginning of the Latter Day of the Law."

- Nichiren Daishonin, “Shuju onfurumai-gosho” 種種御振舞御書


https://www.nichirenshoshu.or.jp/eng/daishonin.html
narhwal90
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Re: Buildings at Taisekiji

Post by narhwal90 »

Never heard of the unopened gate before, that is really cool- I love the idea :) Thanks for posting the pics!
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_johnarundel_
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Re: Buildings at Taisekiji

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narhwal90 wrote: Thu Sep 03, 2020 7:55 pm Never heard of the unopened gate before, that is really cool- I love the idea :) Thanks for posting the pics!
Yeah, no problem!

I always found the traditional architecture at the Head Temple really cool. I always wanted to go on a private Tozan so I could spend a good portion of time just looking at the various temples.
"The five characters of Myoho-Renge-Kyo are the core of the Lotus Sutra and the origin of all Buddhas throughout the entire world. Upon seeing the signs that these five characters now must be propagated, I, Nichiren, have set the precedent, today, at the beginning of the Latter Day of the Law."

- Nichiren Daishonin, “Shuju onfurumai-gosho” 種種御振舞御書


https://www.nichirenshoshu.or.jp/eng/daishonin.html
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Shotenzenjin
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Re: Buildings at Taisekiji

Post by Shotenzenjin »

Would be a great book too. The pictures and history.
Generation's shall pass, our determination shall grow, at the foot of Mount Fuji
Like smoke that reaches far beyond the clouds.--nichimoku shonin. Third high priest of Nichiren Shoshu

Hokekko of true Buddhism https://nstny.org

Introduction to Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source= ... VKyEQ_cxK9
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_johnarundel_
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Re: Buildings at Taisekiji

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Shotenzenjin wrote: Fri Sep 04, 2020 8:27 pm Would be a great book too. The pictures and history.
Yeah, I agree. There might be one in Japanese but it would be cool if someone made one in English.
"The five characters of Myoho-Renge-Kyo are the core of the Lotus Sutra and the origin of all Buddhas throughout the entire world. Upon seeing the signs that these five characters now must be propagated, I, Nichiren, have set the precedent, today, at the beginning of the Latter Day of the Law."

- Nichiren Daishonin, “Shuju onfurumai-gosho” 種種御振舞御書


https://www.nichirenshoshu.or.jp/eng/daishonin.html
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_johnarundel_
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Re: Buildings at Taisekiji

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Okyozo [御経蔵]

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Thie Okyozo is the sutra storehouse. The oldest collection of texts date back to the Ming Dynasty. It was built in 1697, and is a tangible cultural asset of Shizuoka Prefecture. It was restored during the time of sixty-sixth High Priest Nittatsu Shonin in 1973.
"The five characters of Myoho-Renge-Kyo are the core of the Lotus Sutra and the origin of all Buddhas throughout the entire world. Upon seeing the signs that these five characters now must be propagated, I, Nichiren, have set the precedent, today, at the beginning of the Latter Day of the Law."

- Nichiren Daishonin, “Shuju onfurumai-gosho” 種種御振舞御書


https://www.nichirenshoshu.or.jp/eng/daishonin.html
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_johnarundel_
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Re: Buildings at Taisekiji

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Ever Chanting Temple [常唱堂]

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Ever Chanting Temple (joshodo) observes a 24 hour chanting of Daimoku, hence the name "ever chanting." While on tozan, believers often go to this temple to chant peacefully. It was constructed in 1726 by the 26th High Priest Nichikan Shonin. Nichikan Shonin along with the 9th High Priest Nichiu Shonin, are known as "great restorers." At this time, the erroneous doctrines of the five senior priests (goroso) were prevalent within the Fuji School. Nichikan Shonin wrote the "Six Volume Writings" ("Rokkan-sho"), where he clarified the true meaning of Nichiren Daishonin's teachings.
He also wrote numerous commentaries (mondan) and delivered many lectures on the gosho. Ever Chanting Temple was relocated as the main hall of Ishinobo in 1925.
"The five characters of Myoho-Renge-Kyo are the core of the Lotus Sutra and the origin of all Buddhas throughout the entire world. Upon seeing the signs that these five characters now must be propagated, I, Nichiren, have set the precedent, today, at the beginning of the Latter Day of the Law."

- Nichiren Daishonin, “Shuju onfurumai-gosho” 種種御振舞御書


https://www.nichirenshoshu.or.jp/eng/daishonin.html
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