The Life of Nichiren Daishonin Part-3 (From 1260 to 1271)

 

Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwOXOY4YeRk

Quiz - https://quizizz.com/join?gc=88810957

Key Points / Summary:

Persecutions : Attempts to take Nichiren Life

1. Do you remember, the year (and date) when Nichiren published his first treatise (July 16, 1260)
2. Also, what was the name of Treatise ? (Risho AnkokuRon - On Establishing Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land”
3. Remember this incident as this was the first time, Nichiren directly confronted the authorities.
4. This event is also known as his “First Remonstration”
5. And the series of Persecution started post this treatise only.
6. Nichiren very well knew the consequences of confronting and challenging authorities and especially Nembutsu School of Teaching which was highly prevalent and powerful.
7. Now, remember that whatever persecution Nichiren went through, it was because the authorities couldn’t take his life even after many attempts.
8. So, when they were failed to take life, he was sent to a long, deserted place. Let’s take a look at all the key persecutions Nichiren went through.

Persecution 1: Matsubagayatsu Persecution : Shortly After July 16, 1260 (When he submitted his treatise)

1. Nembutsu Followers barged into his house to kill him. However, he was able to escape unharm. After this incident, Nichiren left Kamakura for a short time.

Persecution 2: Izu Exile : May 12, 1261 to Feb, 1263

1. After he returned to Kamakura, he was arrested by authorities and sentenced to exile in Izu Province.
2. In Feb 1263, he was pardoned from exile and he again came back to Kamakura.

Persecution 3: Komatsubara Persecution : Nov, 1264

1. Nichiren went to see his ailing mother at Awa Province (his home province)
2. On Nov 11, Nichiren and some of his followers were on the way to the residence of another follower.
3. At a place called Matsubara in Tojo village, they were ambushed by armed men. In this attach, Nichiren sustained injury to head and a broken hand. One of this followers was killed.

Persecution 4: Tatsunokuchi Persecution: Sep 12, 1271

1. It is one of the major persecution. Because, during this time, one of the predictions that Nichiren made in “Rishu AnkokuRon” came true.
2. In “Rishu AnkokuRon”, Nichiren predicted about “Internal Strife” and “Foreign Invasion”
3. Also, it is for the first time the authorities directly tried to kill Nichiren Daishonin.
4. In Triumphing over the Tatsunokuchi persecution, he cast off his transient status as an ordinary human being and revealed his original and true identity as a Buddha.

Backdrop: The story starts from 1268.

Mongol Invasion Threat - “Foreign Invasion”

1. So, in 1268, an official letter arrived in Kamakura from the Mongol. Kind of challenging that either give up and become part of Mongol empire or perish. The Mongol invasion was almost imminent.
2. Nichiren wrote eleven letters of remonstration to senior Govt officials, reminding them that he already predicted the “foreign invasion” and also urged the senior priests to come in and have public debate
3. Instead of acknowledging the facts, senior priests and Govt officials looked at Nichiren and their believers as a threat to establishments.
4. Instead of heeding to Nichiren’s advice and public debate, they actually deployed “True Word” priests to conduct prayers for the defeat of Mongol forces.
5. Ryokan of Gokuraku-Ji Temple in Kamakura was given charge for the prayers. He was very influential at that time
6. Nichiren continued to refute the claims and erroneous teachings of True word school which were misguiding public and authorities.

Natural Calamity - Summer of 1271

1. Kamakura region was facing prolonged drought
2. Authorities again went back to Ryokan to pray for rain.
3. On learning about it, Nichiren again reached out to authorities and this time he challenged Ryokan that if he is able to bring rain within 7 days then he will become his disciple, else he should place faith in Lotus Sutra.
4. No rain appeared in 7 days.. even after 7 days extension no rain appeared.
5. Instead of accepting the defeat, he conspired with authorities to persecute Nichiren Daishonin.

Sep 10 - Sep 12 1271 Incidents (Second Remonstration)

1. On Sep 10, Nichiren was interrogated by “Hei no Saemon no-jo Yoritsuna”
2. On Sep 12, 1271, Nichiren was raided and arrested for being a “traitor”
3. On both Sep 10 and Sep 12, Nichiren fearlessly remonstrated with authorities and warned them if he toppled him - the pillar of Japan, then “internal strife” and “foreign invasion” would descend on the land.
4. Sep 10 and Sep 12 remonstration by Nichiren is termed as “Seconf Remonstration” with Government authorities.

Tatsunokuchi Persecution

1. On the same night of Sep 12 1271, Nichiren was taken to the outskirts of Kamakura to be secretly beheaded.
2. But as the executioner raised his sword to behead, a brilliant orb of light burst forth in the sky, all the soldiers were terrified and ran away.
3. The plan to executing the Nichiren Daishonin was abandoned.
4. It is highly significant event as in triumphing over the Tatsunokuchi persecution, he cast off his transient status and revealed his true identity.