Heritage and Slander in Nichiren Shoshu (1253-1979)

1. Introduction

Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism starts with Rissho Ankoku Ron and ends with Rissho Ankoku Ron. In this treatise, he wrote, “The people of today all turn their backs upon what is right; to a man, they give their allegiance to evil. That is the reason why benevolent deities have abandoned the nation, why sages leave and do not return. And in their stead come devils and demons, disasters and calamities that arise one after another.” (Major Writings 2-6), Nichiren Daishonin elucidated the real cause of misery in 13th century Japan to be the slandering against the True Law. He went on saying, “If we hope to bring order and tranquillity to the world without further delay, we must put an end to these slanders of the Law that fill the country” (MW 2-39). Throughout his life, the Daishonin fought against slander and misleading belief in Buddhist sects, such as Pure-Land, Shingon, Zen and other religions, which sought happiness in an external world or in the lower worlds within our life which are changing and unreliable.

He risked his life in this battle, because the religious and political authorities at his time were all following misleading religions, and the Daishonin’s voice of justice had a direct conflict against their interest and profit. When he passed away, the Daishonin assigned six priests to protect and perpetuate the teachings. However, only 2nd High Priest (HP) Nikko followed his teachings, but other five priests could not. When time went on, the Daishonin’s teachings became more and more deviated; the priests lost the spirit of Daishonin and committed slander. As a result, many different schools have appeared.

Originally, the school was called “Hokke Shu” (meaning the Lotus Sutra Sect), but different schools of Nichirenshu and Nichiju school appeared. The school which followed Nikko was identified as Taisekiji School or Komon School. The major turning point occurred in Edo Era (1603-1867) which started when Tokugawa Ieyasu unified Japan and became the Shogun. Before his time, some temples, for example T’ien-t’ai sect in Mt. Hiei, were armed with Priest-Warriors and achieved a strong political power. Tokugawa decided to keep all Buddhist temples under his control. All temples were protected and financially supported, but were inhibited to propagate their teachings. Thus, Shakubuku, the important practice in Daishonin’s Buddhism was stopped. Nichiren Daishonin’s principle is “not to receive an offering from the slanderer” (Fuju) and “not to give an offering to the slanderer” (Fuse).

Several priests had refused to receive support from Tokugawa Shogunate (because Tokugawa’s family religion was Pure-Land sect), they were eventually exiled. Finally, in 1641, Taisekiji accepted the order to receive support from the Shogunate which had made a political tie with Minobu Nichirenshu. Earlier in 1614, the Danto system were formalized which mandated everyone to belong to a temple as Danto. In order to prevent the conversion of people to Christianity, the religious activity of the people was monitored through each temple. If a family did not perform a funeral or a memorial service, it was judged that the family was converted to Christianity and was executed.

Thus, priests gained absolute power - life and death of the believers were controlled by a temple and the priest. All temples became an administration agency. Temples and priests were linked with political power. Priests not only received financial support from the Shogunate, but also received constant income through conducting various services to their Danto members. Naturally, the spirit of Buddhism for the salvation of the poor and the suffering was lost.

Minobu Nichirenshu compromised with the Shogunate and enjoyed the patronage from the Shogunate. With money and absolute power, Japanese Buddhism deteriorated quickly to a mere funeral conducting religion. Many temples became the “Money making machine.” Using the financial support from the local government, temples started usury by loaning money to the farmers. The interest was used to repair temple facilities, or in many cases, became the property of the priest. Several documents in Taisekiji described that farmers could not pay the interest because of famine. The mentality that priests are superior to lay believers ogiginated in this Danto system.

Unfortunately, in some Buddhist sects, this tendency is still preserved up until today. The best example is Nichiren Shoshu Nikken Sect, which is led by 67th HP Nikken Abe. In this sect, Nikken is regarded as the “Modern Daishonin” and is considered to be one with the Dai-Gohonzon. To believe in him and follow him no matter what is the fundamental tenet of the Nikken Sect. After he became the HP, he changed the By-Law about 100 times to centralize power on him. He has absolute power, and lay believers are considered to be inferior to the priests. Nikken’s interests are nothing but power, money and women, very similar to those of his father, 60th HP Nikkai. The believers are only regarded as the source of offerings.

Thus, using believers offerings, Nikken and his family frequently enjoy super deluxe parties at ultra-expensive Hot Spa inns. There is no concern on the lay believers or even priests, not to mention about world peace. This homepage will explain how Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism split into different sects and transformed into a sect which has nothing to do with the original Daishonin’s teachings. A Gosho states, "A common mortal is a Buddha, and a Buddha a common mortal. This is exactly what is meant by ichinensanzen by the phrase, "since I in fact attained Buddhahood." (MW 2-56). Another Gosho reads, "There should be no discrimination among those who propagate the five characters of Myoho-renge-kyo in the Latter Day of the Law, be they men or women." (MW 1-93).

In essence, the Daishonin’s Buddhism is “Religion for the people,” but these offshoot sects lost this spirit, and became the “Religion for the priests.” Accordingly, they all lost the spirit of Kosen-rufu, which is the essential tenet of Rissho Ankoku Ron and the WILL of Nichiren Daishonin. This homepage clarifies that SGI is the only Buddhist organization in the world which preserved the original spirit of Nichiren Daishonin, and working toward peace and happiness of all humankind to realize the "WILL" of Nichiren Daishonin.

2. TIMELINE

1222 Nichiren Daishonin born

1253 Invocation of Daimoku

1279 Inscription of the Dai-Gohonzon

1281 Daishonin’s passing

1289 Nikko Shonin left Minobu

1290 Built Taisekiji (In a long run, it split into 8 head temples, and problems kept occurring among temples, especially on the legitimacy of HP succession.)

1335-1402 4th HP Nichido excommunicated Rev. Nichigou. Nichigou rebelled claiming that he received succession from 3rd HP Nichimoku. Using the back-up of the landlord, he occupied a part of Taisekiji territory. Some of Taisekiji priests became his allies. Fighting continued for 72 years.

1419 to 1467 Nichi-u was at the 9th HP position. Because of the previous, long lasting trouble, Taisekiji was almost ruined. Nichi-u spread the teaching by traveling to various places. While Nichi-u was absent, 3 high ranking priests sold Taisekiji to the landlord. Nichi-u found out on his return and bought the temple back.

1596-1682 From Yohoji temple in Kyoto (one of 8 Head temples; this particularly followed heretical doctrines, all HP (from 15th HP to 23rd HP) were scouted.

1603 Ieyasu became the 1st Tokugawa Shogun.

1614 Danto system were formalized by Tokugawa Shogunate in which everyone had to belong to a temple as Danto. All temples became an administration agency. This system was utilized to prevent people to convert to Christianity.

1632 17th HP Nissei (came from Yoho-ji) opened the Dai-Gohonzon to public.

1635 Entire Taisekiji was burned down by a fire.

1641 17th HP Nissei accepted the order of Iemitsu, 6th Tokugawa Shogun, to discard the principle of Fuju (not to receive the offering from heretical religious believers, which had been set by Nichiren Daishonin ).

1718 Nichikan became 26th HP, eliminated heresy, established the authenticity of the Daishonin’s teachings, and rebuild temple facility.

1722 Sanmon Gate was built based upon donation of 6th Tokugawa Shogun and his wife.

1747 The Five-storied Pagoda was built by the donation of Mr. Itakura (Kameyama, Ise Prefecture) for the repose of his ancestor, who was the commander in chief dispatched to subdue the Christian Rebel at Shimabara and died.

1865 Reception Hall, Mutsubo (storage of ashes) and Daibo (lodging facility) were burned down (2/28). The distressed 53rd HP Nissei disappeared for several years. The 54th HP was selected at the priest-Danto meeting.

1867 (Meiji Restoration) 1874 Nippu became 5th HP. During his time, Rev. Hasegawa of Kujyo-bo cheated Nippu, exchanged the copper roof of the Five-storied pagoda with inexpensive tin-roof, sold the copper to pocked the profit (according to 59th HP Nichiko Hori.). The ruined pagoda was later repaired by Josei Toda based upon sincere offerings of Soka Gakkai members (1953).

1876 Eight Head temples called themselves collectively as Nichirenshu Komon School (meaning “Nikko’s school”).

1899 Komon School changed the name to Honmonshu.

1900 Taisekiji left Honmonshu and became independent. It was called Nichiren Shu Fuji School. Josei Toda was born.

1908 56th HP Nichi-o retired and Nissei became 57th HP. Shizuoka Min-yu Newspaper remonstrated Taisekiji (9/17) by writing, “Disorder and a breach of discipline in Taisekiji has long been known. HP Nichi-o was a famous playboy, hid mistress in Tokyo and indulged in womanizing in Fujinomiya area, thereby having made the debts of 10,000 Yen (note: equivalent to 100,000,000 Yen in the 90’s). Using HP’s position, he accumulate fortune by exploiting believers. He shamelessly eats meat and drinks Sake. All high-ranking priests do not hesitate to follow this. In exchange of canceling debts, Nichi-o planned to make Nissei, who was from the same Tohoku area and is known to be an extremely immoral priest (note: Nissei had once disappeared for 3 years and was excommunicated. Nichi-o helped him to return to the priesthood), to be his successor. Using bribery, accusing and indicting the opponent, he succeeded in making Nissei the 57th HP”

Actually, the Nichi-o side sued his opponent, Nicchu, for libel, and while Nicchu was arrested in prison, the HP position was succeeded to Nissei. After released from jail without serious evidence, Nicchu fought back, and succeeded in making a secret promise that he would be the 58th HP. (Note: one of Nichi-o’s supporters was Ho-un Abe, father of Nikken, who later became 60th HP.) 1912 Taisekiji changed name to Nichiren Shoshu.

1922 Several Nichiren Sects, including Nichiren Shoshu, requested together to the Emperor that Nichiren Daishonin should be conferred the title of “Rissho the Great. The request was approved. 57th HP Nissho Abe did Gongyo under the leadership of Minobu HP Nichien Isono, together with Kempon Hokke’s HP Nissho Honda and several HP’s of other Nichiren sects.

1923 According to the secret promise, Nicchu became 58th HP (8/8).

1925 Nicchu was forced to retire by coup-de-etat planned by Ho-un Abe. Nichiko became 59th HP.

1927 59th HP Nichiko was forced to retire. Then, the succeeding HP was chosen by election between Abe family and Arimoto family. Ho-un Abe led the campaign with bribery, threatening and kidnapping voters. He won the majority vote to become 60th HP, Nikkai.

1928 Arimoto family took a legal action to protest the result. Police investigation took place on violence incidence. It took 6 months until the reconciliation was achieved, and Nikkai was approved to be HP by the Division of Religion, Ministry of Education (note: Religion was under the control of the government). Tsunesaburo Makiguchi joined. Josei Toda followed.

1930 Lay organization, Soka Kyoiku Gakkai founded.

1941 During the time of 61st HP Nichiryu, two swords which Hojo Yagenta offered to Nichiren Daishonin in 1274 (Major Writing Vol 1 page 123 ) were found to have been stolen from the treasure storage building. Investigation suggested that only priests in Taisekiji could do this, but the Priest Council covered up. (World War II broke out)

1943 62nd HP Nikkyo ordered Makiguchi to receive Shinto Talisman; Makiguchi refused. Makiguchi and Toda arrested by the government.

1944 Makiguchi died in prison.

1945 62nd HP Nikkyo could not escape from a fire and died (6/17). Toda released (7/3) (Japan surrendered on 8/15.) Toda changed the name to Soka Gakkai.

1947 Ikeda took faith.

1950 In order to protect Taisekiji financially, Tozan (pilgrimage) started.

1951 Toda became 2nd President.

1952 Youth Division members remonstrated the evil priest Ogasawara, and Toda was punished (refrained from visiting Taisekiji). Youth Division fought against prejudiced priesthood to have achieved the pardon for Toda.

1957 Toda died.

1959 Nittatsu became 66th HP.

1960 Ikeda became 3rd President. World kosen-rufu started.

1972 Shohondo was built based upon donation of Soka Gakkai members.

1975 Soka Gakkai International (SGI) was founded.

1979 Ikeda resigned presidency (4/24). 66th HP Nittatsu died (7/22). Nikken Abe lied that he had received succession from Nittatsu, and declared that he would be the 67th HP(8/6). (History of Nichiren Shoshu ended.)

3. BACKGROUND

(A) Nichiren Shoshu before Soka Gakkai

Nichiren Shoshu priesthood has proudly said that Kechimyaku (the heritage of the ultimate law of life) of the sect has been kept pure for the past 700 years. It was said to be handed down from Nichiren Daishonin to Nikko Shonin, and then from one High Priest to the next without any contamination. However, after SGI was excommunicated, it became clear that the story was quite opposite. There have been many battles related to the succession of HP, even around the time of 14th century - 50 years after the passing of Nichiren Daishonin. In the 15 century, Taisekiji was sold to the landlord, while 9th HP Nichi-u was away for the trip to spread the teaching (see an Interview with 59th HP Nichiko; Daibyaku Renge, November issue of 1956).

Then, in the 16th and 17th centuries, 9 HP were scouted from a heretical temple in Kyoto (Yohoji) which committed the slander such as building Shakyamuni’s statues. During the time of 26th HP Nichikan, all slanderous teachings were refuted, teaching regained purity and Taisekiji was rejuvenated. However, during the Edo and Meiji eras, Taisekiji lost the original spirit, and similar to other sects, became a funeral conducting religion. Taisekiji, similar to other sects, practiced usury to raise funds for maintaining facility. Naturally, moral of the temple deteriorated. Copper roof of Five Storied Pagoda and even the precious treasure (Two swords offered to the Daishonin by Hojo Yagenta) were stolen by resident priests.

Although some priests and High Priests were dedicated their lives for the protection of the Law, yet, stealing, cheating and abusing offerings have been routine phenomena in Taisekiji. Shameless behavior of the current 67th HP Nikken is nothing new to Nichiren Shoshu. In various Nichiren’s sects, Minobu Nichirenshu was the strongest. It compromised the teachings and enjoyed patronage of the Shogunate. Using political power, it spread influence throughout Japan. In the Meiji Era. The number of temples for Minobu Nichirenshu was above 5,000, but Nichiren Shoshu was a minority religion. There were 8 main temples, and they were collectively called Nichiren Shu Komon School (meaning Nikko’s school).

They changed name several times in the 19th century. Finally in1900, Taisekiji became independent and called itself Nichirenshu Fuji School. In 1912, changed the name to Nichiren Shoshu. At that time, the number of temples of Nichiren Shoshu was only 87, and only 47 of them had a resident priest. Naturally, the believers did not know much about Daishonin’s teachings. Near Taisekiji, Danto families routinely received Gohonzon as a token of appreciation to the offering. Daishonin’s teachings were not studied among them. Believers liked to collect objects of other religions, and even practiced folk religions such as worshipping fox or snake. Priests did not want upset their Danto believers because they were their source of income.

Therefore, Danto families surrounding Taisekiji area did not know what is the slander against Daishonin’s teachings. They have also constantly observed scandals of priests in Taisekiji, because of police investigations and newspaper reports. The worst case was the election to vote for the 60th HP. Earlier, Ho-un Abe (father of 67th HP Nikken) was in the position of Noke, the second highest position in Nichiren Shoshu from which HP could be chosen. He wanted to be recognized among priesthood. He wrote in the priesthood publication, Dai-Nichiren, a treaties against a famous Nichiren scholar, Ryozan Shimizu. However, it was poorly written and caused a shameful disgrace for Nichiren Shoshu.

58th HP Nicchu demoted him from the Noke position. Since Ho-un lost the possibility to become HP, he maneuvered secretly using bribery to gain support from the members of the Priesthood Council. Suddenly, in 11/20/1925, the priesthood conference passed a nonconfidence vote against 58th HP Nicchu. One of the reason was written as “Nicchu forced to demote Ho-un Abe.” Ho-un was careful not to become HP immediately. He proposed a scholar, Hori Nichiko (who compiled Gosho with the assistance of Soka Gakkai later in 1952) to be 59th HP. Ho- un secretly manipulated to appoint 9 voting teachers to the Priesthood Council in 1927.

Then, again politically manipulated that Nichiko to retire after 3 years in the HP position. Ho-un had arranged that the next HP would be selected by voting between Ho-un Abe and Koga Arimoto. Ho-un had already secretly campaigned for the election with bribery. The election was taken place 12/18/27. Ho-un conducted campaign with threatening and even kidnapping voters. It was an unordinary election. Police force was called upon to protect the voting location. Ho-un won the election by the votes of 51-38. The Arimoto group declared the invalidity of the election, and appealed to the Division of Religion, Ministry of Education. Ho-un Abe was investigated by police. After several months of upheaval, Ministry of Education finally approved Ho-un to be the 60th HP in 1928.

At the year Nichiren Shoshu became a base, political organization where Machiavellian schemer could become the HP, Makiguchi and Toda took faith. The heritage of the ultimate law of life was succeeded by Soka Gakkai at this point.

(B) Another Schemer, Jimon Ogasawara

The chairman of the Priesthood Council which declared the nonconfidence against 58th HP Nicchu was Jimon Ogasawara. He is also an ambitious schemer. He later made a conspiracy with Japanese militaristic government which worshipped Shinto Goddess. He created a heretical theory that God is superior to Buddha and flattered to the government. He helped the effort of the government to unify entire Nichiren Sects during W.W.II. He worked under a secret promise from the government that he would be given a high position after the merging.

However, Makiguchi opposed against the unification. When Makiguchi started Soka Kyoiku Gakkai in 1930, he had a support from many liberal, influential political leaders, including the Prime Minister Inukai (assassinated later by radical soldiers in the 5/15/1932 coup), Ichiro Hatoyama (became the Prime Minister after WW.II), Kazuo Kojima (Senator and one of the most influential politicians) and Tamon Maeda (Deputy of Tokyo City Mayor; Advisor of Asahi Newspaper). Because of Makiguchi’s effort, only Nichiren Shoshu was exempted from the unification of entire Nichiren Sects. Ogasawara instigated that Soka Kyoiku Gakkai was a dangerous organization. Makiguchi, Toda and other 21 top leaders were arrested on 7/6/1943 and Makiguchi died in prison on 11/18/1944.

(C) Rise of Nichiren Shoshu with Soka Gakkai

The 2nd President Toda and 3rd President Ikeda sincerely supported priesthood. After W.W.II, Taisekiji economically suffered and decided in 1950 to include Taisekiji in a sightseeing route. This would bring groups of people with wine and food, and the sacred temple area may become the Sake party location. Toda opposed to this plan, and started regular Tozan (pilgrimage) by members. This secured Taisekiji with a constant income, and the sanctity of Taisekiji was protected.

On the occasion of 700 anniversary of the founding (4/28/1952), Youth Division members found Jimon Ogasawara and remonstrated him for his distorted teaching and evil act during W.W.II. Ogasawara apologized, but priesthood raged, and Toda was punished from being able to visit Taisekiji. The real reason behind this punishment was the slander during World War II. Priesthood collaborated with the war effort of the government: Priests prayed for the victory; Fourteen paragraphs of the Gosho were erased; The silent prayers of Gongyo were changed. Many priests were afraid that their slander during the war might be also exposed by Soka Gakkai. Youth Division protested by visiting priest after priest, and continued dialogue. Nittatsu Hosoi understood and protected Soka Gakkai. Finally, Toda was pardoned. Toda resolved to repair old, damaged pagoda in Taisekiji, which was completed in the following year (1953) .

In 1959, Hosoi became 66th HP Nittatsu. Soka Gakkai kept donating buildings to Taisekiji, which include Taikei-Jyo (lodging facility). Grand Reception Hall and finally Shohondo in 1972. Soka Gakkai donated 300 local temples throughout Japan and 6 in USA. From 1960, Ikeda took leadership for world kosen-rufu. By 1997, he has visited 54 countries in 160 trips. 14 million members in 128 countries now practice Daishonin Buddhism.

(D) Friction between priesthood and Soka Gakkai

Because of personal ambition of Masatomo Yamazaki, a Soka Gakkai attorney, Soka Gakkai and priesthood had unnecessary friction in the 1970’s. Yamazaki wanted to control both by acting as a “Mediator.” He succeeded to force Ikeda to resign from presidency.

When 66th HP Nittatsu passed away in 1979, the era of Nichiren Shoshu ended, and a new “Nikken Shu” started with 67th HP Nikken. Similar to, or even greater than his father, 60th HP Nikkai, Nikken is a schemer. He planned a plot to dismantle Soka Gakkai and attempted to recruit members under the control of the priesthood.

In 1990, as soon as the offerings were collected from SGI members throughout the world on the occasion of the 700 anniversary of the founding of Taisekiji, Nikken executed “Operation C.” C signifies to cut Ikeda. This is a malicious intent to destroy SGI to takeover the laymen’s organization and recruit its membership. This will be covered in YAMAZAKI AND NIKKEN.

REFERENCES

(a) Book (in Japanese) Noboru Okaniwa: Overcoming the Control of Mass-media: The Nature of Anti-Soka Gakkai Bashing Articles in Weekly Tabloids (in Japanese) Media-Renaissance, Katsushika-ku, Tokyo

(b) Chugai Nippou Newspaper (non-sectarian religious newspaper published in Kyoto)

(c) Internet: All Soka Gakkai and Nichiren Shoshu-related homepages can be linked from http://members.aol.com/watchbuddh/sgi-link.htm

Nichiren Buddhism Study Group
http://members.aol.com/nichiheret/masatomo_yamazaki/index.htm
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