The Life of Nichiren Daishonin Part 2 (April 28, 1253 - 1260)

 

Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRdIX8O_jK0

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Key Points / Summary:

Declaration of Nam Myoho Renge Kyo as a Supreme Teaching (April 28 1253)

1. It starts with the day Golden day of April 28, 1253.
2. It was on April 28, 1253, when Nichiren Daishonin was 32 years old, he declared the correct teaching of Nam Myoho Renge Kyo based on Lotus Sutra.
3. And where he went to conduct his first sermon? Where did he go to declare or proclaim Nam Myoho Renge Kyo?
4. The same place from where all it started !!
5. He went to the place from where he started his journey into Buddhist Scriptures and entered into priesthood at the age of 16.
6. Can you tell me the name of that place?
7. It was “Seicho-Ji” temple.
8. So around noon of April 28, 1253, at Seicho-Ji temple, he proclaimed Nam Myoho Renge Kyo to be supreme teaching and refuted all other teachings prevalent at that time - mainly Nembutsu
9. He could have very well kept quiet or continue to his enlightenment journey.
10. He knew if he proclaim Nam Myoho Renge Kyo as a supreme teaching and refute other schools. He will surely encounter lot of hatred and persecution.
11. The authorities of that time won’t take it lightly and he will have to undergo lots of hardships.
12. But, he was prepared for it. Like there is a saying - With great power, comes great responsibilities.
13. He determined to challenge and take all the persecutions but will never bow down to accept any inferior teaching or will not stop proclaiming Nam Myoho Renge Kyo.
14. Around this time, he also changed his name to “Nichiren” which means “Sun Lotus”

Propagation Efforts (1253 to 1260)

1. Post proclaiming Nam Myoho Renge Kyo in Seicho-Ji temple, Nichiren moved to Kamakura.
2. Kamakura was like one the most important city of that time. It has military headquarter and majority of people were following Nembutsu and Zen teachings.
3. So, instead of being at outside, he took the erroneous teachings head-on. Totally cognizant of the fact that it will be like directly challenging Government but it was his determination and compassion for people that he took the erroneous teachings head-on.
4. The early disciples like - Shijo Kingo, Toki Jonin, Ikegami brothers were from Kamakura only and converted into Nichiren’s teaching.
5. He continued to practice and propagate in Kamakura from 1253 till 1257. However, he was keenly observed that entire Japan was continued to suffer from natural disasters and calamities such as extreme weather, earthquake, famine, fires and epidemics.
6. The major earthquake happened in August 1257 at Kamakura itself which destroyed many homes and important buildings in Kamakura.
7. That incident and especially observing things happening for the past few years made him to really understand that by propagating correct teaching at such a small scale / snail pace won’t make a cut.
8. To make an impact, the correct teaching must be propagated at scale. He needs to directly approach authorities and make them understand the reason why all such calamities are happening and how by shifting to correct teaching, it can be averted / reversed.
9. He really put forth all his wisdom, framed the detailed letter in which with the help of references from Sutra, past scholars etc, he in a very rational and objective manner drafted a treatise / book to be presented to authorities of that time.
10. Finally on July 16, 1260, he submitted this treatise to “Hojo Tokiyori” who was the very influential leader of Kamakura military government.
11. Can you name that treatise? It was the first treatise which Nichiren Daishonin has written.
12. It was called “Risho AnkokuRon” - which means “On Establishing Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land which with facts, figures and lot of references to make sure “Hojo Tokiyori” would be able to clearly distinguish on what is right and what is wrong.
13. But it didn’t go down well. As part of rationale and reasoning, Nichiren Daishonin wrote that the main reason for calamities is incorrect teachings of Nembutsu that has been followed.
14. He also warned authorities that if the correct teaching is not established quickly, then the calamities will increase and there are chances of encountering internal strife and foreign invasion as well.