NICHIRENSHU (Minobu Nichirenshu) 1. TIMELINE Daishonin entered Mt. Minobu Daishonin left Mt. Minobu and passed away at Ikegami brothers home. Five elderly priests (Nissho, Nichiro, Niko, Niccho, Nichiji) did not follow 2nd HP Nikko and did not participate in protecting Daishonins grave in Minobusan Kuonji. The Landlord, Sanenaga Hagiri, committed slandering to the Daishonins teaching instigated by Niko. He built Shakyamunis statue; visited and prayed to a Shinto Shrine; made an offering to a heretical religion; built a training room for the Pure-Land Sect. Nikko left Mt. Minobu. Niko stayed in Minobu and continued Minobusan Kuonji. After Niko retired and left Mt. Minobu, Minobusan Kuonji became a Hagiris family temple, and committed even more slandering. Japanese Tien-tai sect in Mt. Hiei, which accumulated strong political and military power, attacked and burned all 21 Nichirenshu temples in Kyoto. The Imperial Court ordered all Hokkeshu to leave Kyoto. Hokkeshu was pardoned to return to Kyoto All Hokkeshu temples officially decided to stop Shakubuku activity. During Edo Era (1603 - 1867 ), the Shogunate inhibited the propagation effort by the temple. Minobu Nichirenshu compromised with the Shogunate, and financial and political support. New temple buildings were built on the other side of Minobu mountain, and became the Head Temple until today. With the Shogunate support, Minobusan Kuonji and its school became the largest Nichiren Sect until Soka Gakkai appeared in the 20th century. | |
|