Taiseki-ji
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Head Temple Taiseki-ji | |
---|---|
Religion | |
Affiliation | Buddhism |
Sect | Nichiren Shōshū |
Deity | The "Dai Gohonzon of the High Sanctuary of the Essential Teachings" |
Location | |
Location | Foot of Mount Fuji in Fujinomiya, Shizuoka prefecture |
Country | Japan |
Geographic coordinates | 35°16′56″N 138°35′09″E / 35.282107°N 138.5858°E |
Architecture | |
Founder | Nikkō Shonin |
Groundbreaking | 1290 |
Website | |
http://www.nichirenshoshu.or.jp/ |
Tahō Fuji Dainichirenge-san Taiseki-ji (
The Head Temple is the home of the Dai Gohonzon, Nichiren Shoshu's object of worship, which draws pilgrim believers from various countries. The temple's open grounds are open to the public for sightseeing, though its religious buildings are restricted only to registered believers.[6][7] Accordingly, adherents of the Soka Gakkai are not permitted entrance to the Head Temple grounds.[8]
Description[edit]
Taiseki-ji is Nichiren Shoshu's administrative center, and its chief abbot (
Taiseki-ji is the home of the Dai Gohonzon, Nichiren Shoshu's object of worship.[10][11] This image is visited by believers who come on personal pilgrimages, to participate in regular ceremonies, or to take part in large events such as study programs, and similar large meetings.[12] The temple is known for numerous historically significant buildings and gardens, national cultural assets, as well as features like the old weeping cherry trees that line its Tatchū Sando (main path lined with lodging temples).[13][14]
History[edit]
According to Nichiren Shoshu tradition, Taiseki-ji was founded in 1290 by Nichiren's disciple Nikkō on a tract of land called Ōishigahara (
Tokimitsu was a lay follower of Nichiren's and consequently Nikko Shonin. Taiseki-ji started with one small temple building, the Mutsubo with six rooms, but grew gradually as Nikkō's disciples built sub-temples. It went through further growth phases during the mid-Edo period and after the Second World War.
According to Nichiren Shoshu doctrine, their religious founder Nichiren willed that the image be established with a national shrine at the foot of Mount Fuji with a special title named "Honmonji" when the conversion of the Japanese Emperor and widespread propagation was achieved.
Due to its strong prohibition against accepting monetary donations from non-believers, there is no offertory box available at the temple. Believers are confirmed to be registered members before they are allowed to give "Gokuyo" or offerings. There is also no Goshuincho (
In addition, neither the Head Temple nor the religious stores outside Taiseki-ji accept any currency besides Japanese Yen towards any donation offerings, memorial service fees, food and lodging fees or any religious merchandise transactions.
Activities at the Head Temple[edit]
Gongyo[edit]
The Buddhist service of "Gongyo" (
- Facing the sunrise direction
- Facing the Mieido
- Facing the Gohozo
- Facing the Kyakuden
- Facing the Mutsubo
The sect, along with the other Fuji sects in the area, followed the custom of reciting the Sutra chapters according to what Nichiren himself once did:
- Junyoze — Reciting the prose (
散文 , "Sanbun") of Chapter 2 - Seoge — Reciting the verse (
自我 偈 , "Jigage") of Chapter 2 - Chogyo — Reciting the prose ("Sanbun") of Chapter 16
- Nyorai Juryo — Reciting the verse ("Jigage") of Chapter 16
During the 1930s, the Gongyo service was shortened to a single format, initiated by religious convert Tsunesaburo Makiguchi and was approved by 57th High Priest Nissho Shonin. Today, some Nichiren sects in the Mount Fuji area recite the full versions of the 2nd and 16th Chapter of the Lotus Sutra.
The current version of Gongyo since the 1930s is the recitations of Chapter 2 in prose and Chapter 16 in prose and verse along with the five morning and three evening silent prayers (
- Receiving protection from the Buddhist gods (Shoten Zenjin)
- Prayer to the Dai Gohonzon
- Prayer for lineage of the priesthood
- Conversion of the Emperor of Japan and widespread propagation
- Prayers for deceased ancestors and their rebirth in Hokkeko
Additional services such as funeral, prolonged chanting (Shodai) and other commemoration ceremonies for historical personalities associated with the Head Temple are also conducted.
Tozan pilgrimages[edit]
Pilgrimage to Taiseki-ji draws adherents of Nichiren Shoshu annually through group trips that are planned by local branch temples, as well as private individual trips. This pilgrimage in the sectarian parlance is called "Tozan" (
The Gokaihi ceremony[edit]
In Japan, a "Gokaihi" (
List of buildings[edit]
The following significant buildings are listed for their historical and architectural value:[citation needed]
Sanmon gate[edit]
The Sanmon (written
Mutsubō[edit]
The first Mutsubō (
Kyakuden[edit]
The Kyakuden (
The Kyakuden was rebuilt as the Dai-Kyakuden (
The Kyakuden is the site of Ushitora Gongyo, a daylight prayer service officiated by the High Priest or his proxy. The Ozagawari Joza Gohonzon, original paper on 13 October 1290 ("Gohonzon of the Seat of the Dharma") was rendered into wood and carved on 15 June 1706, now enshrined on the central altar on the second floor of the Kyakuden.
This 1706 wooden mandala is flanked by lifesize statues of Nichiren Daishonin (left) and Nikkō Shōnin (right) as a symbolic representation of “San—Po” or “Three Treasures style”, though the “Object of Worship” remains the central mandala. The two grand statues were carved in 1660 during the reign of 17th High Priest Nissei Shonin. [citation needed]
Mieidō[edit]
The Mieido (image hall,
Several rounds of expansions, improvements, and repairs have been undertaken since then, and it was designated a prefectural tangible cultural property by Shizuoka Prefecture after major repairs in 1971. The most recent overhaul was finished in November 2013. The seven-year project entailed completely breaking down and reassembling the building piece by piece. All the parts were catalogued, mapped, and their condition recorded. Damaged structural members were repaired or replaced, and decorative fixtures such as transom carvings and other artwork, were painstaking restored. When the building was reassembled, aseismic structural augmentation (dampers) was installed to protect it from earthquake damage. New gold leaf was applied to the indoor pillars, and all exposed surfaces were finished with vermilion using traditional methods.[26][27][28] The building is known for its decorative transoms that depict various Buddhist deities that are believed to occupy the Treasure Tower of the Lotus Sutra.[citation needed] A decorative Stupa is erected nearby the Mieido to commemorate the donations of Lady Manhime Ogasawara remains present to this day.
Hōandō[edit]
The Hōandō (
On the high altar, the Shumidan, of the Hōandō is a Buddhist Stupa containing the ashes of Nichiren Daishonin (left), a grand Butsudan housing the Dai Gohonzon (center), and another stupa containing a statue of Nichiren Daishonin carved by Izumi Ajari Nippō Shōnin from the same camphorwood leftover plank that the Dai Gohonzon was inscribed on; while pious tradition claims that Nichiren approvingly characterized the statue as an exact image of himself.[citation needed]
Taiseki-ji has traditionally regarded the Mieidō (see above) as the temple's Hondō (main hall), but only its provisional main hall until wide propagation is achieved, when the building housing the Dai Gohonzon would take over that role.[citation needed]
The Hōandō replaced the controversial name of the Shōhondō (
Gohōzō and Hōanden[edit]
The Gohōzō (
In addition, it also features modest displays of cultural objects donated by pilgrims from countries where they have attracted converts. The Hōanden (
Gojunoto pagoda[edit]
Completed on 12 June 1749 with the assistance of the Japanese Edo government, this religious pagoda was built with donations of 5,000 gold Ryō given by the daughter of Imperial Princess Tsuneko. Her daughter, the Lady Hiroko Konoe (also known as Tennei-in), who was the wife of Ienobu Tokugawa, the sixth Tokugawa Shogun gave this donation with the solemn approval of Nichikan Shonin, the 26th High Priest.
It has five stories representing the characters of
This pagoda is the largest five-storied pagoda along the Tōkaidō, the historical main highway along Japan's eastern seaboard from Edo (today's Tokyo) to Kyoto. A Gohonzon transcribed by 31st High Priest Nichi-in Shonin is enshrined within, dated to 28 March 1749.
In 1966, the pagoda was designated a national cultural treasure. In 2017, it was structurally reinforced and artistically restored. Its doors are ceremoniously opened once each year on February 16 to celebrate Nichiren's birthday for the “O-tanjo ceremony”, followed by the formal opening of its doors called the “O-tobiraki ceremony”.[citation needed]
Graves[edit]
- On the left rear of the Pagoda is the 1945 grave and Stupa of the first Soka Gakkai President Tsunesaburo Makiguchi.[citation needed]
- The second Soka Gakkai president Josei Toda is located at the left front of the pagoda. His ashes were moved from Jozai-ji temple (Toshima, Tokyo), and re—interred here in 2001.[citation needed]
- The debonair actor Keiichirō Akagi (1939—1961) is also buried at the L-2 ward section of the head temple cemetery, nearby the Pagoda.
Daikōdō[edit]
The Daikōdō ("English: Grand Auditorium") was donated by Soka Gakkai, with construction began in December 1956 and completed on 1 March 1958. It houses a so-called “Mannen-Kugo” aesthetic-style design which was originally dated and inscribed by Nichiren himself in December 1274 and later co-signed by the Yoshihama Myohonji Temple located in Kyonan, Chiba prefecture.
A wooden transcription image of this Gohonzon was carved and signed by Taisekiji priest-sculptor named “Eritsu Hiki Bhikkhu” (Claimed to be Mr. Takeshi Itamoto) in January 1687 (Jōkyō year IV) assumingly in commemoration for the new incoming 30th High Priest Nitchu Shonin.
Upon the completion of this grand auditorium in 1958, the 65th High Priest Nichijun Shonin decided to enshrine this wooden Gohonzon within this building where it remains today. Presently, this Gohonzon is flanked by the two Ihai memorial tablets of second High Priest Nikkō Shonin and his successor, third High Priest Nichimoku as an expressed style aesthetic that both disciples were once able to listen to Nichiren's preaching in correlation to the purpose of the building as an Auditorium. It is in a dilapidated condition and scheduled for demolition and reconstruction after completion of the new Sanmon gate in 2021.[citation needed]
The former highest lay leader of Hokkeko believers (Hokkeko Sokoto), Jōsei Toda addressed youth adherents from this building on 16 March 1958.[citation needed]
Demolished buildings[edit]
Shōhondō[edit]
The Shōhondō (
Religious professor Daniel A. Métraux claims that the Soka Gakkai placed particular importance on the building of the Shohondo, based on interpretations of doctrine not shared by the Nichiren Shoshu sect as a whole, and therefore controversy over its status arose at its construction.[34]
The Shōhondō was inaugurated by the Soka Gakkai who claimed it as the "True High Sanctuary", Kaidan, which was a title disputed by conservative groups within the sect including the Myoshinko (now known as Kenshōkai) lay organisation, and the Nichiren Shoshu Priesthood.[35][36] In Nichiren Shoshu doctrine, that sanctuary title was allegedly reserved for a future temple to be built at the base of Mount Fuji on the completion of Kosen Rufu, as solely decreed by the Emperor of Japan when the entire nation has converted to Nichiren's Buddhism.[37]
Métraux explained that the Soka Gakkai was reinterpreting doctrine and maintained that they could consider the Shōhondō as the "True High Sanctuary", Kaidan, about which Nichiren wrote, because through the Soka Gakkai Nichiren's philosophy was spread through Japan and was positively impacting people.[38] The importance of the Shohondo was, therefore, a highly contentious matter dividing the Soka Gakkai and other factions within the faith.[39]
High Priest Nittatsu Hosoi, clarified that the Shōhondō was not the True High Sanctuary about which Nichiren wrote, though directed the Shōhondō as a temporary home for the Dai-Gohonzon, the permanent home of the Dai-Gohonzon would be the future True High Sanctuary.[40]
The construction of the Shōhondō was funded largely by donations from lay believers of Nichiren Shoshu. In 1968, approximately 8 million Soka Gakkai adherents contributed money to the construction.[41] An estimated grand total of ¥35,536,000,000 was raised:
- ¥ 35,064,300,000.00 came from the Sōka Gakkai lay organization.
- ¥ 313,820,000.00 from the Hokkekō lay organization
- ¥ 157,870,000.00 from Nichiren Shoshu priests and their families.[42]
The building was demolished in 1998, the official reason given by Nichiren Shoshu for the demolition was the discovery of rust on the pillars within the temple. Engineers discovered that ocean sand had been used in the mortar of the building, risking the Dai Gohonzon's safety during an earthquake. The school also concedes that its demolition of the Shōhondō was an extension of the doctrinal dispute between it and Sōka Gakkai, emphasizing the impiety of the organisation as heretics for deviating from its formal doctrines of orthodoxy.[43]
American architects Richard Meier and Robert Arthur Stern both disparaged the demolition. Terence Riley, former chief curator of architecture and design at the Museum of Modern Art in New York opined that the planned demolition would be a "regrettable finale" to a century that has "witnessed so much loss".[44]
Nearby buildings[edit]
Myoren-ji Temple[edit]
An approximate thirty-minute walk from the Head Temple is Myoren-ji, which is another former “Head Temple” of the various Fuji schools which conjoined with Taisekiji in the 25 December 1950 during the proselytizing efforts of former Soka Gakkai President Josei Toda. The temple was once a former residence of Nanjo Tokimitsu, the person who donated the land of Taisekiji to Nikko Shonin. The temple's name derives from the Buddhist name (kaimyō) Nanjo Tokimitsu's wife, Myōren, whose historical birth name is unknown. This temple houses many historically significant artifacts, in particular, the Gohonzon enshrined in its main altar, which was transcribed by Nikko Shonin in the year 1315, and a small, decorative statue of Nichiren that is preserved as a historical remembrance. The temple is known for the unique format of its Oeshiki ceremony commemorating the death of Nichiren. Since 25 December 1950, it has been under the sacerdotal administration of the Nichiren Shoshu sect.
Notes[edit]
- ^ Nichiren Shoshu Temple. “Taisekiji” Nichiren Shoshu Basics of Practice, NST, 2003, pp. 127–128.
- ^ "Taisekiji Temple". Shizuoka Guide. Shizuoka Prefectural Tourism Association. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
Name: Taisekiji Temple Postal Code: 418-0108 Address: 2057 Kamijo, Fujinomiya City
- ^ Brannen, Noah. "A Visit to Taisekiji, Head Temple of Soka Gakkai." Contemporary Religions in Japan (1961): 13–29.
- ^ Nichiren Shoshu Temple. “Taisekiji” Nichiren Shoshu Basics of Practice, NST, 2003, pp. 127–128.
- ^ "Head Temple Taisekiji: The Origin". Nichiren Shoshu. Retrieved 23 May 2020.
- ^ Nichiren Shoshu Temple. "Taisekiji" Nichiren Shoshu Basics of Practice, NST, 2003, pp. 127–128.
- ^ Lee, Jonathan H. X. (November 10, 2017). Japanese Americans: The History and Culture of a People. ABC-CLIO. p. 286.
...pilgrimage to Taisekiji has always been essential.
- ^ Lee, Jonathan H. X. (November 10, 2017). Japanese Americans: The History and Culture of a People. ABC-CLIO. p. 286.
Since the occlusion of the group by Nichiren Shoshu in 1991, Soka Gakkai members have been prohibited from entering Taisekiji.
- ^ McLaughlin, L., 2012. SŌKA GAKKAI IN JAPAN. Handbook of Contemporary Japanese Religions, 6, p. 269.
- ^ Nichiren Shoshu Temple. “Dai-Gohonzon” Nichiren Shoshu Basics of Practice, NST, 2003, p. 124.
- ^ Nichiren Shoshu Temple. “Taisekiji” Nichiren Shoshu Basics of Practice, NST, 2003, pp. 127–128.
- ^ Nichiren Shoshu Temple. “Taisekiji” Nichiren Shoshu Basics of Practice, NST, 2003, pp. 127–128.
- ^ "Taisekiji Temple". Shizuoka Guide. Shizuoka Prefectural Tourism Association. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
One of the best spots for Cherry Blossoms. You can walk through 5000 trees of sakura cherry blossoms and find exquisite sceneries. Mt.Fuji behind sakura trees is especially spectacular on a fine day. Best season comes during late-Mar through early-Apr. You can also enjoy the five-story stupa of the national cultural property inside the temple.
- ^ "
大石寺 (タイセキジ)". Hello Navi Shizuoka.公益社 団 法人 静岡 県 観光 協会 / Shizuoka Tourism Association. Retrieved 25 May 2020.シダレザクラとソメイヨシノが
見事 に咲 き誇 る名所 。広大 な境内 には5000本 以上 の桜 が咲 き乱 れ、情緒 あふれる美 しい風景 を見 せる。特 に晴 れた日 の富士山 をバックにした桜 は絶景 。見 ごろは3月 下旬 ~4月 上旬 。境内 には国 の重要 文化財 「五重塔 」もある(建物 内 見学 不可 )。 - ^ "What is Tozan?".
- ^ Nichiren Shoshu Temple. "Taisekiji" Nichiren Shoshu Basics of Practice, NST, 2003, pp. 127–128.
- ^ Nichiren Shoshu Temple. "The Importance of Tozan." Nichiren Shoshu Basics of Practice, NST, 2003, pp. 92–94.
- ^ Lee, Jonathan H. X. (November 10, 2017). Japanese Americans: The History and Culture of a People. ABC-CLIO. p. 286.
...pilgrimage to Taisekiji has always been essential.
- ^ Nichiren Shoshu Temple. "The Importance of Tozan." Nichiren Shoshu Basics of Practice, NST, 2003, p. 94.
- ^ Nichiren Shoshu Temple. "The Importance of Tozan." Nichiren Shoshu Basics of Practice, NST, 2003, pp. 97-98.
- ^ Nichiren Shoshu Temple. “l"Dai-Gohonzon" Nichiren Shoshu Basics of Practice, NST, 2003, p. 124.
- ^ Nichiren Shoshu Temple. "The Importance of Tozan." Nichiren Shoshu Basics of Practice, NST, 2003, p. 99.
- ^ "
犀 の角 のように独 り歩 め:大石 寺 六 壺 安置 の日興 本尊 も贋作 ". - ^ "Nichiren Shoshu | Taisekiji main buildings".
- ^ Lukas Pokorny (2015). "'A Grand Stage for kōsen rufu in the Future': Sōka Gakkai in Austria, 1961–1981" (Book Chapter).
- ^ Nichiren Shōshū Nyūmon (
日蓮 正宗 入門 : "Introduction to Nichiren Shoshu"), p. 337. - ^ Taiseki-ji Information, Taisekiji, 1992; p. 17
- ^
日蓮 正宗 総本山 御影堂 ―寛永 の再建 から平成 の大 改修 まで: "The Nichiren Shosho Head-temple Image Hall: From its Kan'ei-period reconstruction to its Heisei-period restoration", Dainichiren Publishing, 2016 (source for dates, name derivation, content of 2006–13 renovations) - ^ "Head Temple Taisekiji: Main Buildings". Nichiren Shoshu. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
- ^ "About Nichiren Shoshu". Nichiren Shoshu Rikyobo Myokan-ko. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
- ^ "Daisaku Ikeda becomes the third president of the Soka Gakkai". Nichiren Shoshu Temple. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
- ^ Hashimoto, H., & McPherson, W. (1976). Rise and Decline of Sokagakkai Japan and the United States. Review of Religious Research, 17(2), 82-92. doi:10.2307/3510626
- ^ "Daisaku Ikeda becomes the third president of the Soka Gakkai". Nichiren Shoshu Temple. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
- ^ Métraux, Daniel A. (March 1980). "Why Did Ikeda Quit?". Japanese Journal of Religious Studies. 7 (1). Nanzan University: 57–60. doi:10.18874/jjrs.7.1.1980.55-61.
- ^ "Daisaku Ikeda becomes the third president of the Soka Gakkai". Nichiren Shoshu Temple. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
- ^ Métraux, Daniel A. (March 1980). "Why Did Ikeda Quit?". Japanese Journal of Religious Studies. 7 (1). Nanzan University: 19–60. doi:10.18874/jjrs.7.1.1980.55-61.
- ^ Métraux, Daniel A. (March 1980). "Why Did Ikeda Quit?". Japanese Journal of Religious Studies. 7 (1). Nanzan University: 58. doi:10.18874/jjrs.7.1.1980.55-61.
- ^ Métraux, Daniel A. (March 1980). "Why Did Ikeda Quit?". Japanese Journal of Religious Studies. 7 (1). Nanzan University: 59. doi:10.18874/jjrs.7.1.1980.55-61.
- ^ Métraux, Daniel A. (March 1980). "Why Did Ikeda Quit?". Japanese Journal of Religious Studies. 7 (1). Nanzan University: 59–60. doi:10.18874/jjrs.7.1.1980.55-61.
- ^ "Daisaku Ikeda becomes the third president of the Soka Gakkai". Nichiren Shoshu Temple. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
- ^ Ikeda, Kiyoaki Murata; foreword by Daisaku (1969). Japan's new Buddhism: an objective account of Soka Gakkai ([1st ed.]. ed.). New York: Weatherhill. p. 135. ISBN 978-0834800403.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Corrigendum in Dai-Nichiren, July 1991. Published by Nichiren Shoshu.
- ^ Sōka Gakkai-in e no shakubuku kyōhon (Text for refuting Soka Gakkai's misrepresentations to its adherents), Taiseki-ji, 2004. pp. 330–331.
- ^ "A Major Eruption At the Foot of Fuji". members.aol.com. Washington Post. June 14, 1998. Archived from the original on 1999-11-03. This article is also referenced in Jane Hurst, "A Buddhist Reformation", in Global Citizens: The Soka Gakkai Buddhist Movement in the World eds. David W. Machacek, Bryan R. Wilson, Oxford University Press, 2001, p. 70
References[edit]
- Nichiren Shōshū Nyūmon (
日蓮 正宗 入門 : "Introduction to Nichiren Shoshu"), Taiseki-ji, 2002, pp. 336–348. (Japanese) - Taisekiji (
大石寺 ), Seikyo Shimbun-sha, 1971 (Japanese)
External links[edit]
- The Origin of Taisekiji Temple on the Nichiren Shoshu website.
- Map of Taisekiji on the Nichiren Shoshu website