What Does It Mean to Become a Buddha

December 2020

SACRED WORDS

If after my extinction anyone rejoices, even on a moment’s thought, at hearing even a gatha or a phrase of the Sutra of the Lotus Flower of the Wonderful Dharma, I also will assure him of his future attainment of Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi (Enlightenment).

Chapter Ten of the Lotus Sutra

聖語

如来の滅度の後に、もし妙法蓮華経の一偈一句を聞き、また一念でも随喜する者には成仏の保証を与え授けましょう。

『妙法蓮華経法師品第十』意訳

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BECOME A BUDDHA?

Rev. Shokai Kanai

About 2,500 years ago in northern India, Prince Siddhartha Gautama of the Kapilavastu Kingdom renounced his princehood and left his palace as a seeker for the Universal Truth for liberation from his own mental unrest.

After six years of ascetic practice, when the morning star appeared in the eastern sky on December 8th, the prince finally attained Enlightenment and became a Buddha. All Buddhists cerebrate this happy occasion as Bodhi Day!

At Nichiren Mission of Hawaii we celebrate this occasion on Sunday December 13th by placing branches from a real Bodhi tree and place an image of Buddha under the branches. We then offer candlelight to signify Buddha’s Awakening. Please witness this happy occasion via online or attend in person while adhering to social distancing and by wearing a mask.

Now, what does it mean to become a Buddha for us? During a funeral service I offer a Buddhist Name to the deceased person. When one dies, the soul leaves the body. Did the soul of the deceased become a Buddha? Most likely, yes. Because the soul has no physical body, it should be free from any suffering. The soul must realize that without a physical form, it has no further need for attachments to worldly matters and aim to let go of any lingering attachments. Eventually the soul will understand what “reality of all things” are just like Buddha. Buddha has no attachments, so he has no sufferings and thus is free like the wind.

In the early chapters of the Lotus Sutra, Sakyamuni Buddha gave Buddha names to his ten disciples one after another. It says that the names are assurance for them in becoming Buddhas after many, many kalpas in their future.

According to Chapter 10 of the Lotus Sutra, if we rejoice to hear a word or a phrase of this sutra, the Buddha gives us assurance in becoming Buddhas. “If anyone keeps, reads, recites, expounds, and copies even a gatha or a phrase of this sutra … offers flowers, incense… or just joins his hands together respectfully towards it [the sutra or an image of a Buddha]… he should be considered to have appeared in the world of men out of his compassion towards all living beings.”

It also says, “the good men or women who expound even a phrase of the Sutra even to one person even in secret after my extinction, know this, are my messengers. They are dispatched by me. They do my work.” Thus, to become a Buddha for us means to act like a Buddha to help others and make others happy in this world right now.

I would like to place more emphasis in the process of becoming a Buddha rather than being a Buddha. Let us all go out and be messengers of Buddha in order to make this a better community and world.

成仏するとはどういう意味？

金井勝海

　今から約２５００年前インドの北にあるカピラ国のゴータ・シダルータ王子は自分自身の心の安らぎから離れる為に宇宙の真理を求めて出家してしまいました。

　6年間の難行苦行の末、１２月８日明けの明星を見て覚りを開かれ成仏されました。この慶事を祝い全仏教徒は成道会を行います。

　ハワイ日蓮宗別院では、来る１２月１３日（日）午前10時より法要を行います。別院の外の看板脇にある菩提樹の枝をお供えし、その下に瞑想中の仏像を安置し、真理の象徴としてキャンドルライトをお供えして法要を行います。インターネット又はインパーソンで是非お参り下さい。

　ところで、成仏するとは、どういう意味でしょうか。日蓮宗の葬儀では導師が式中に死者に法名（戒名）を授与します。これで死者は成仏したのでしょうか。確かに成仏したかは確かではありませんが、確かに成仏するという保証です。何故なら、魂は肉体を離れたので、あらゆる肉体的苦痛から解放されたのです。霊界の魂は現実世界の執着を離れる事を学ばなければなりません。４９日忌のころまでには「諸法実相」を悟らなければいけないのです。成仏するという事は、この世の全ての物に執着を断つという事で、悩み・苦しみは一切ないので、風のように自由です。

　私は魂の存在を信じます。人が死ぬと魂は肉体から離れます。肉体を離れた魂はたとえ自分の姿や遺族の姿は見えても、自分は形のない存在であるから、この世との未練を断ち切らなければならない事を悟れば「諸法実相」がわかり成仏するのです。

　法華経２８品の前半では、釈尊が十大弟子1人ひとりに授記（仏様の名前）を授けます。しかし、数えきれない程の数の輪廻転生を繰り返した後に成仏するとの保証です。

　ところが、今月の聖語にあるように「私達はたとえ一句・一偈でも聞いて、ああ良い言葉だな！と思ったら釈尊は私達に成仏の保証をして下さるのです。もし、法華経の一句でも保ち、読み、暗誦し、法を説き、写経したら、又は仏像やお経本に花を供える人は衆生を憐れむが故にこの世に生まれてきたのですよ」とも説いておられます。

　さらに「如来の滅後に、たとえ一句・一偈でも説く者は、まさに知るべし、この人は如来の使者であり、如来によって仕わされた者です。」という事は私共にとって、成仏するという事は大勢の人々を幸福にするお手伝いをする、皆様に喜ばれる奉仕をするという意味です。

　結論を言えば、成仏する事より、成仏する過程が大事だと思います。

Repetition of Birth and Death in the Six Regions of Existence (Explanation of I-ha-I)

July 2020

SACRED WORDS

Good men or women in the future who hear this chapter of the Lotus Sutra with faithful respect caused by their pure minds, and have no doubts about it, will not fall into hell or the region of hungry spirit or region of animals. They will be reborn before the Buddhas of the worlds of the ten quarters. They will always hear this sutra at the places of their rebirth. Even when they are reborn among men or gods, they will be given wonderful pleasures. When they are reborn before the Buddhas, they will appear in lotus-flowers.

Chapter 12, Devadatta, Page 203, the Lotus Sutra

聖語

未来世の中に、もし善男子・善女人あって、妙法蓮華経の提婆達多品を聞いて、浄心に信敬して疑惑を生ぜざらん者は、地獄・餓鬼・畜生に堕ちずして十方の仏前に生ぜん。所生の処には常にこの経を聞かん。もし人・天の中に生るれば勝妙の楽を受け、もし仏前にあらば蓮華より化生せん　　　

「妙法蓮華経提婆達多品第１２」

Repetition of Birth and Death in the Six Regions of Existence

Rev. Shokai Kanai

Repetition of Birth and Death means that we repeat the cycle of birth and death in the six regions of existence just as your car wheels turn when you go to work and stop at your work. Then repeat it again on the way back from your work to home. The six regions are the realms that living beings transmigrate between one another: hell, hungry spirits, animals, fighting spirits, human beings, and heaven.

Please look at the picture of an O-I-HA-I on this page. It says, “Four kinds of birth, the Six Regions, and All Souls in the Dharma World.” You can see this oihai on the altar of all Nichiren Shu Temples. This oihai has been enshrined at all five Nichiren Missions in Hawaii before Obon Service last year. The four kinds of birth are mammals like us, dogs and cats; oviparous like chickens and fish; born from moisture like moss, and metamorphic like spiritual beings born with karmic causes or like appearing in lotus-flower in the above “Sacred Words.”

Nichiren Shu priests give prayers of chanting the Lotus Sutra and O’daimoku every morning and evening to all these souls. The idea of rebirth may have originated in Brahmanism before Buddhism among the agrarian culture of India. The reason is that plants leave their seeds and roots before their death. New birth starts from the seeds or the roots. They repeat this process continuously. Therefore, it is very natural to think that human beings also perpetually repeat the cycle of birth and death.

Chapter Three of the Lotus Sutra reveals that if you slander the teachings of the sutra, you will fall into the bottom three regions such as hell, hungry sprits, and animals. But frankly speaking I do not believe that we will be born as rats or ants because we are here as a result of evolution, since human beings stand firmly on two legs and have a bigger brain than most other animals. I interpret the above phrase that if you created awfully bad karma in this world, you will be born as a human being in one of the three stages of hell, hungry spirits, or animals.

In a leap of argument, I have experienced these three bottom-regions. I was born in Tokyo three months after Pearl Harbor Attack. My mother died 12 days later after my birth. Since there was no breast milk or cow’s milk at that time, it was said that my father made thin rice gruel and fed me. When I was three years old, Tokyo became ground-zero for air raids – no food, no shelter, no clothing. The survivors had to live in a wide stretch of burnt out ruins like wild animals.

As we read this month Sacred Words of the Lotus Sutra, we will not fall in the regions of hell, hungry spirits, or animal. Instead we will be born among human beings or heaven and given wonderful pleasures. When we are reborn before the Buddhas, we will appear in lotus-flowers. Please see the oihai again; its base has a shape of lotus-flower petals.

The first person who stepped out of the six regions was Gautama Siddhartha who became a Buddha later. All Nichiren Shu members, who received their Buddhist names and their funeral service conducted in Nichiren Shu rites, will appear on Mount Sacred Eagle or Ryo-Ju-Sen (霊鷲山). How lucky you will be!

六道輪廻転

金井勝海

　六道輪廻転生とは、車の輪が回っては止まり、また回っては止まるように、衆生が煩悩と業によって地獄界、餓鬼界、畜生界、修羅界、人間界、天上界に生まれ変わり、死に変わり果てしなく生死を繰り返している生物の事を意味します。

　前頁のお位牌をご覧下さい。これと同じお位牌を昨年のお盆の前に作成して、ハワイ教区の全５件のお寺に安置いたしました。『四生六道法界万霊』と書いてあります。このお位牌は日蓮宗のお寺ならどこでも御宝前の正面に祀られています。四生とは法華経に説かれている言葉で、人間や哺乳動物のように母体から誕生する動物、鳥や魚のように卵から生れてくる生物、藻のように水から生まれてくる物、最後に他を媒体して生まれるのではなく、業により霊界に生まれ変わる生き物を指しています。

　日蓮宗のお寺では毎朝晩、六道輪廻している全ての生き物に対してお経を読み、ご供養しているのです。六道輪廻の思想は農耕民族の間から生まれた思想です。何故なら穀物や植物は種や根を残し、その種や根から新しい生命が生まれ、死ぬ前に種を残し次の命を残すのです。人間も同じように輪廻すると思われています。仏教以前のインドのバラモン教で説かれたアイデアが仏教にも取り入れられたのです。

法華経譬喩品第三には、法華経を謗しると地獄界や餓鬼界や動物界に落ちると説かれています。しかし、人間は約６００万年前に２本足で楽々と立ち大きな脳をもった霊長類から肉体と共に知能も進化しながら生死を繰り返し生き延びて来たのですから、来世が鼠やロバに生まれ変わるとは思いません。悪事をすると、その報いとして地獄のような苦しみや、餓鬼のような貧困と食料難や、獣のように荒野に生きなければならない環境のなかに生まれると言う事だと私は思います。

　少し飛躍し過ぎるかもしれませんが、私は六道の中の地獄界・餓鬼界・畜生界を体験して育ちました。私は太平洋戦争が始まった２ケ月後に東京で生まれ、生後１２日目に母が亡くなり、乳もなく、牛乳もなく、父は重湯で私を育ててくれました。３歳の時には大空襲で東京は焼け野原となり、衣食住に苦労しました。

　法華経提婆提多品第十二には、「この経を信じて疑いをいだかなければ、地獄、餓鬼、畜生の三悪道におちづに、人間界、天上界に生まれる。もしくは仏界に生まれ蓮華の花の中に化生する」と説かれています。ですから、お位牌の下の部分はハスの花びらのかたちになっているのです。

　この六道を一歩先に踏み出されたのがゴータマ・シッダルタで、後に釈迦牟尼仏になられました。日蓮宗の信徒がお葬式で法名を授かり、引導を受けると霊鷲山へ化生するので、六道輪廻を繰り返さないのです。

From Heaven to the Earth I Alone Am the Most Honored One (Let's try to imitate him)

April 2020

Sacred Words

This triple world is my property. All livings beings therein are my children. There are many sufferings in this world. Only I can save all living beings.

(Chapter 3 of the Lotus Sutra)

From Heaven to the Earth, I Alone Am the Most Honored One

Rev. Shokai Kanai

April 8th is Sakyamuni Buddha’s birthday. This is also “Buddha Day” in the State of Hawaii. It was established in 1963 (Hawaii Revised Statute 8-4). There are many Buddhist in Hawaii; therefore, the state recognizes and respects our activities.

It was about 2,500 years ago in northern India, there was a kingdom call Sakya. The king was gentle and brave, and the people of that country loved him very much. The king’s name was Shuddhodana and the queens’s name was Maya. They did not have children for a long time.

One night, the queen had a strange dream in which she saw a white elephant entering her body. Queen Maya was going to have a baby! As the delivery day approached, she tried to return to her parents’ home for the baby’s birth.

One the way, she and her entourage rested in beautiful Lumbini Garden. She suddenly felt the baby coming! She reached out her right arm to pick one of the beautiful flowers. At that moment, a baby like a shining jewel was born.

Surprise! The cute and solemn baby stood up, raised his right index finger pointed towards heaven and his left index finger pointed towards Earth. He walked seven steps and declared with a clear voice, “From Heaven to the Earth I Alone Am the Most Honored One.”

Of course, everyone was surprised because babies were supposed to be born crying. However, this baby of the king and queen said, “From Heaven to the Earth I Alone Am the Most Honored One.” And also, “The triple worlds (the worlds of those who have feeling, those who do not have feeling, and those in the spiritual realm) are full of suffering, but I alone am able to be free from these sufferings.” This means that the Buddha is the most respected person from heaven to earth because he can save all living beings of all realms from heaven to hell.

How wonderful he is! We can hardly be like the Buddha, but we can imitate him just a tiny bit. Let us all strive to be like the Buddha and make others happy. Continue this practice every day.

What is Happiness! (People in Hawaii feel happier than people in the mainland because of OHANA)

August 2020

Sacred Words

The Gods in the sky will always serve him (an expounder of the Lotus Sutra) in order to hear the Dharma from him. When someone comes to his abode located in a village, in a city , in a retired place or in a forest, and wishes to ask him a questions, the gods will protect him day and night for the sake of the Dharma so that the hearer my rejoice because the sutra was, is, and will be protected by the supernatural powers of the past, present and future Buddhas.

What is Happiness?

By Shokai Kanai

In Hawaii, the number of people infected with the new coronavirus is the lowest in the United States, and there were days when the number of people infected on Oahu was zero. This seemed like the end to the lockdown. Restaurants, hair salons and gyms were opened. Nichiren Mission of Hawaii was able to hold Sunday services with limited participants through social distancing, hand sanitizer placed at entrance, and all the doors on Makai and Mauka (the seaside and the mountain side) were opened to let fresh air circulate.

Protecting injustices regarding racialism, many people marched in dense crowds across the country, with several days of marching on Waikiki Beach as well. After which the number of infected people on Oahu increased day by day. Stricter enforcement of wearing masks, social distancing and disinfection of the place where the people touched increased in restaurants and stores. Our lifestyle is still inconvenienced.

On the other hand, in nature, the air and sea water has become cleaner, and there are many people who work from home. Sunday services over the internet is becoming more common in churches and temples. However, for the elderly, viewing these services through a computer can become cumbersome. Without in-person contact at the temple, they can weaken mentally and physically. I cannot visit their homes to provide contact and I do not feel, just by contacting them by phone is enough. However, as mentioned above in the Sacred Words; the Buddha, Nichiren Dai’Shonin, and your ancestors protect you day and night, so do not worry and take it easy.

By the way, what is happiness! This is the first time I have lived in Hawaii since I preached in the mainland for more than 50 years. I realized that there are happier people in Hawaii than on the mainland. There are a couple of factors, first of which I think is the weather. It is always summer throughout the year. There are no “hot” or “cold” seasons. Secondly, it is the spirit of “OHANA!” The doctrine of Buddhism begins with “Life is Full of Sufferings.” Birth, old age, disease, and death which are considered the four major suffering. Additionally, separating from loved ones, being with people you do not like, not getting what you want, and suffering from changes in the natural order. These eight hardships are overcome by the ‘Ohana Spirit” for the people living in Hawaii.

I think happiness is the degree of satisfaction. I ask all of you to find ways to improve your personality. I recommend that you participate in zoom study sessions to improve your wisdom. With wisdom you can find true happiness in both the material and spiritual realms. The reason for this is that the Buddhas, divine beings, and your ancestors in their respective worlds will be pleased to hear the Lotus Sutra when you hold services at home in the morning and evening.

As a result, both you (the expounder of the sutra) and your families will become happy. Let us all chant the Lotus Sutera to make everyone happy!

Be Happy with Zoom Classes and Chanting followed by Dharma talk

June 2020

SACRED WORDS

Rivers come together to form an ocean. Particles of dust accumulate to become Mt. Sumeru. When I, Nichiren, began having faith in the Lotus Sutra, it was like a drop of water or a particle of dust in Japan. However, when the sutra is chanted and transmitted to two, three, ten, a million, and a billion people, it will grow into a Mt. Sumeru of perfect enlightenment or great ocean of Nirvana. There is no way other than this to reach Buddhahood.

Nichiren - Senji Sho

聖語

衆流集まりて大海となる。微塵積りて須弥山となれり。日蓮が法華経を信じ始めしは日本国には一滴一微塵のごとし。法華経を二人・三人・十人・百千万億人唱え伝うるほどならば、妙覚の須弥山ともなり、大涅槃の大海ともなるべし。仏になる道は此れよりほかに求むる事なかれ。

日蓮聖人『撰時抄』

Chanting followed by Dharma Talk

Rev. Shokai Kanai

COVID-19 changed the lifestyles for many people around the world. The lockdown has created an environment to better care for nature. We realized the earth needed a rest too. As I mentioned in last month’s newsletter, we would have a better society by not damaging the earth. This change comes to our temple, too. Our temple was mainly for local people in Hawaii; however it evolved to reach more people around the world.

In April, one of my friends living in the Los Angeles area suggested creating a Zoom video meeting. My son in Maui set up a Zoom account on my personal computer. I started using Zoom on May 7th and 14th for our Thursday Study Class on the Lotus Sutra, then for Chanting on May 11th and 18th and finally for Sunday services on May 10th and 17th. There were more than ten people who participated, not only from Honolulu but also from Hilo, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Tokyo. Thank you very much for your participation.

Anyone interested in either services or classes can participate. The maximum number of participant is 100, so there is plenty of room to join. Would you like to be one of them? If so, please create an account with www.zoom.us and send your email address to: nichiren@hawaiiantel.net to receive our meeting ID and password.

 The schedule is as follows:

Mondays 7 p.m. - 30-minute Service using DHARMA (blue book): A short Dharma Talk followed by question and answer session. If you do not have a DHARMA book, please purchase one at Nichiren Mission of Hawaii. It costs $20.

Thursdays 7 p.m. - Study Class on the Lotus Sutra: Since many new friends are anticipated, I will start the Study Class from the very beginning. This is review for regular students but may be a good chance to reexamine earlier chapters. The textbooks we will read are the LOTUS SUTRA, translated by Senchu Murano (third edition) and the Introduction to the LOTUS SUTRA, by Shinjo Suguro. Both can be purchased at www.nichiren-shu.org/store/sutra-ref. Other teaching materials will be provided by me.

We already have more than ten people connecting in the test meetings. Services and classes will officially start on May 25th and on May 28th. If you would like to join us, please reach out to Nichiren Mission of Hawaii via email to receive your Meeting ID and Password. This program is open to everyone around the world.

Nichiren Dai'Shonin started chanting Odaimoku by himself. Then more and more people joined in and are now chanting as he predicted on Senji-sho. We can all help spread Odaimoku to all corners of the world by sharing the Zoom meeting information with your relatives and friends. We can create happiness within ourselves as well as spread to others. As Nichiren Dai’Shonin stated, “There is no way other than this to reach Buddhahood.”

インターネットのズーム

勉強会と日常のお勤めで幸せに！

金井勝海

　疫病コロナウイルスが世界中に蔓延し、人びとの生活様式が変わってしまいました。皮肉にも都市閉鎖と在宅令は自然に対する思いやりとなり、地球も休みが必要である事を実感させられました。先月の寺報で「新しい時代の到来！」について述べました。今、ハワイ日蓮宗別院にもその変化が起こりつつあります。これまでは、オアフ島に住む人びとを対象に日曜礼拝や年中行事が行われてきましたが、これからは、世界中の人びとに向け、法華経とお題目を伝道しようと動き始めました。

　５月初旬、ロスアンゼルス群に住む友人から「ズームでお経の練習を始めたら！」と薦められ、早速マウイ島に住む息子に連絡して、私のコンピューターにズームというプログラムを入力してもらいました。その理由は昨年から毎週木曜日午後７時からの勉強会が在宅令で一時中止となり、何とかしようと考えいていたからです。早速この勉強会を５月７日と１４日にテストをしました。さらに、ヒロに住む信者さんからも依頼があり、月曜午後７時からはお経の練習をしようと思い１１日と１８日にテストをしてみました。

　実際にテストをしてみると、ホノルルの信者様だけでなく、ヒロ、ロスアンゼルス、サンフランシスコ、東京からも参加して下さった方が１０名以上おりました。参加された方々に感謝申し上げます。５月２５日と２８日から正式に毎週月曜日午後７時に読経と木曜日午後７時より勉強会を開催します。興味ある方はハワイ日蓮宗別院のEメールアドレスをとおして参加申し込みをして下さい。返信でMeeting IDとパスワードを差し上げます。

１．月曜日のお経練習には、いつも使っているDHARMAが必要です。

２、木曜日の勉強会には村野宣忠訳 the LOTUS SUTRA, 第３版と勝呂信勝著Introduction to the LOTUS SUTRA が必要です。購入方法は加州ヘイワード市日蓮宗国際布教センター、NBIC ONLINE STORE を検索し “Lotus” をクリックしますと、手続きができます。

　今月の聖語は『撰時抄』です。日蓮大聖人がお題目を唱えられた時は、たったお1人でしたが、二人・三人・十人・百千万億人と唱えるようになりました。このズームのプログラムは世界中からアクセスできます。素晴らしと思いませんか？どうぞ、お子様、お孫様にこのプログラムの事を知らせて上げて下さい。皆でお題目を唱えるて幸せになりしょう。　合掌

New Era is Coming!

May 2020

SACRED WORDS

In recent years, strange phenomena in the sky, natural calamities on earth, famines, and epidemics have occurred and spread over all the land of Japan. Oxen and horses lie dead at crossroads and the streets are filled with skeletons. A majority of the population have perished, and everyone has been touched by grief. Nichiren

Rissho Ankoku Ron

聖語

近年より近日に至るまで、天変地妖・飢饉疫病・偏く天下に満ち、広く地上にはびこる。牛馬は巷にたおれ、骸骨は路に充てり。死を招くの輩は、既に大半を超え、これを悲しまざるの族あえて一人もなし。　　

日蓮『立正安国論』

New Era Is Coming!

Rev. Shokai Kanai

How have you and your family faired at home under the coronavirus crisis? I have been missing you all.

The above Sacred Words are the opening sentences of Rissho Ankoku Ron or “Establish the Right Law and Save Our Country” by Nichiren Dai’Shonin. He wrote this essay to set forth his plan for saving Japan and appealed to the Kamakura Government in July 1260. As a patriotic son of Japan, Nichiren once wrote, “The worst thing for us is the downfall of our country.” The constant famine and epidemics were an indication to him that if something was not done to end the present calamities and to avert similar disasters in the future, a time will soon come where civil war and foreign invasion will transpire.

As the pandemic spreads across the world, I saw many body bags were temporarily placed in an ice-skating rink and many coffins of unclaimed bodies were buried together in make-shift graves. If government authorities had not given proper orders, the outcome might have happened just as Nichiren described in his essay. Fortunately for the residents of Hawaii, they have the lowest infection rates in the nation as of April 14, 2020. Since Governor Ige closed the airports to travelers between the Islands, the mainland, and other countries; this has helped curtail coronavirus from spreading. Plus, the mayors of all the counties declared a “Stay-at-Home” order, to further protect ourselves from each other with social distancing and reminding us to continually wash our hands properly with soap and water. If we continue to follow these rules, then Hawaii will maintain the lowest status of coronavirus infections.

Nichiren Mission of Hawaii is my home. I hardly go out except to the post office and the market once a week to purchase food. I hold morning and evening services for about an hour every day. During evening service, I read either Chapter 16 or 23 of the Lotus Sutra entirely and pray for everyone to overcome this pandemic around the world and pray for all souls who lost their lives to attain Buddhahood with the teaching of the Lotus Sutra.

As you read the above sacred words, there was an epidemic in 13th century Japan, where Nichiren wrote that the population decreased in half. In spring of 1721, many supply ships from the Caribbean docked in Boston, Massachusetts. One of the ships, the ‘Seahorse,’ brought with it a crewmember carrying smallpox. Although officials placed him under quarantine, by autumn the disease had spread throughout Boston as well as to the surrounding cities. Many Native Americans perished because of the lack of immunity to the disease. Smallpox hit hard with death rates ranging between 25-50 percent. In 1918, the Spanish Flu killed more than 50 million people worldwide including 2,300 in Hawaii. But many other people survived through these periods of epidemics.

There are some positives from this pandemic. Susan Ballard, Honolulu Police Chief stated, “There might be an increase in domestic violence cases (due to Stay-at-Home), but we have not seen that. There has been a decrease in burglaries, robberies and car break-ins.”

One of our temple members sent me a video, “Coronavirus is Giving the Earth to Rest.” The video shows many examples of how the pandemic returns the earth to be freer from contaminations, resulting in clear smog-free skies, cleaner water, and animals roaming through the deserted city streets. I personally think periodically the universe seems to act very cruel to humans, but this is in order to maintain balance of the Five Elements (soil, water, fire, air, and void). This is “MYO-HO” or the “Reality of All Things.”

After this crisis ends, we will have a better society around the world of not hurting the universe in ways such as decreasing congested populations in metropolitan areas by more local factories instead of overseas, not relying on too much imported food, balancing the food supply, increase population by a new baby boom, and harmoniously living with nature.

新しい時代の到来！

金井勝海

　コロナウイルスの蔓延により「在宅令」の中、ご家族の皆様にはいかがお過ごしでしょうか。

　上記に掲載した聖語は日蓮大聖人が日本の人びとを救うために鎌倉幕府に上告された『立正安国論』の書き出しの文章です。護国愛溢れる大聖人はさらに「我々にとって一番恐ろしい事はこのままでは日本が亡くなってしまうことである！」と言う事でした。飢饉・疫病の蔓延をなんとかしないと日本は大変なことになり、内戦と他国からの侵略が起こるであろうとの警告でした。

　皆様もご承知の通り世界中に広まったコロナウイルス感染死亡者がニューヨーク州だけで、死者が一万人（４・１４現在）以上で、遺体を袋に詰めてアイススケートリンクに一時保管するとか、遺体引き取りの無い棺をクレーン車が大量に埋葬している様子などをユーチューブで見たりしていると、上記に掲載した『立正安国論』の言葉が思い出されます。政府の高官が正しい処置をしないと、鎌倉時代の様相もありうるのではないでしょうか。幸いにもハワイの住人にとっては４月１４日の新聞では全米でハワイ州が一番コロナウイルスの感染者数がすくないそうです。それは伊藝州知事が他国や米国本土からの旅行者の締め出しと空港に到着した人の１４日間の監禁令を出したことと、ハワイ州各市長が「在宅令」とマスク着用令を出し、住民がそれを守っているからです。解禁令がでるまで、指示に従い自分と人様を守る責任があります。

　私の自宅はハワイ日蓮宗別院です。週に１度郵便局と食料品の買い物以外は外出しません。その分毎朝夕の勤行を約１時間欠かさず行っています。特に午後５時からは法華経と第１６章と第２３章は病気平癒の事が述べられていますので、英語か訓読で読んで疫病退散を祈念し、世界中の死者２万人以上の霊位に第７章の「以仏教門　出三界苦」という語句を読み追善回向を捧げています。　

　上記の聖語でお分かりのように、１３世紀の鎌倉時代にも疫病がはやり、日本の人口が半減したとしるされています。また、１７２１年春米国植民地時代のボストンでカリビアンからの積み荷を運んできた船員が天然痘の菌を持って上陸し、隔離されましたが同年秋にはボストン近郊に蔓延し、アメリカンインデイアンにも感染して人口の１５から２０％の人が亡くなったそうです。さらには１９１８年スパニッシュ・フルーが蔓延してハワイでも２千３００人が死亡したとの新聞記事がありました。恐るべき目に見えない病菌が世界中に蔓延しても人類はしぶとく生き続けています。

　在宅勤務と在宅令のお陰で、家庭内暴力が増えると思いの他、その暴力や空き家犯罪や車の破壊等の犯罪が減少しているとホノルル警察署長の談話がありました。

　また、１信者さんが送ってくれたヴィデオ「コロナウイルスが地球に休息を与えている」を観賞しました。そこでは、空気や水の汚染が無くなり青空と魚が泳ぐ川、動物が闊歩する姿等が映されていました。個人的な意見ですが、大自然は時として人間には残酷な仕打ちをしているように見えますが、木火土金水の五大元素に調和を図っているように思います。それはまさに「妙法」だと私は思います。

　COVID-19の騒動が静まった後には,都市に集中した過密人口から外国ではなく国内に部品工場を作る人口の分散、新たなベイビー・ブームによる人口の増加、輸入品食料に頼り過ぎない過ぎない食糧難の解消,大自然と協調した過ごしやすい安穏な世が世界中に到来すると私は思います。

What is Tokudo

March 2020

SACRED WORDS

“To be filial means to be high; heaven is high but not all higher than being filial. To be filial also means to be deep; the earth is deep but not any deeper than being filial. Both sages and wise men come from filial families. How much more should students of Buddhism realize the favors they receive and repay them? Disciples of the Buddha should feel grateful for the Four Favors (received from parents, people, sovereign of nation, and Buddhism. And repay them.”

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 Nichiren, KAIMOKU-SHO

聖語

孝と申すは高なり。天高けれども孝よりも髙からず。また孝とは厚なり。地厚けれども孝よりは厚からず。聖賢の２類は孝の家より出たり、いかに況や仏法を学せん人、知恩報恩なかるべしや。仏弟子は必ず四恩（父母、一切衆生、国,仏法僧の恩）を知って知恩報恩をほうずべし。

『開目抄」

What is TOKUDO?

Bishop Shokai Kanai

The above words of Nichiren Dai’Shonin in “Kaimoku Sho” was given to the new priest-to-be during the TOKUDO SHIKI during the 799th Birthday Anniversary of the founder of our faith.

Many people asked me about the meaning of Tokudo Shiki. Even Japanese may not know the significance of the term itself. This is a ceremony when a lay person becomes a Buddhist priest-to-be. In Nichiren Shu, anyone who has a high school education can take this oath.

At my installation ceremony as the head priest of Nichiren Sect of Mission of Hawaii on December 9, 2018, I gave a Dharma Talk and wrote on this very subject for our January 2019 newsletter. I mentioned that I wished to establish an educational system for Americans (especially Hawaii born) to be Nichiren Shu priest. The reason is that it is very hard for a Japanese priest to come to America and propagate Buddhism and stay over five years because of the current immigration system. We had many young ministers come from Japan and train in Hawaii for many years, but most of them returned to Japan even after they received their permanent visa to stay in America. Therefore, I must first educate Nichiren Buddhism to the members in the state of Hawaii. I started study classes before recruiting for new priests.

The first step was to start Study Classes on Nichiren Dai’Shonin’s biography and then the Lotus Sutra chapter by chapter in English. Currently we have eight students who attend the study class every Thursday night. One student is Mr. Kalei Kini, who has been cleaning bathrooms every Saturday since he started our faith here in 2008.

He wished for many years to take the vow to officially be trained as a Nichiren Shu priest before I started talking about my intention as Head Priest of this Betsuin.

On February 16th, the same day as our founder of our faith was born, we held the ceremony of Tokudo for Kalei Kini (63). He had just retired last December and has plenty of time to commit himself to be trained.

The ceremony was very inspiring for many people who attended. One woman mentioned, “I was almost in tears just as my child took the oath to be a Nichiren Shu priest.”

This Tokudo Shiki is only the first step. He and I must travel to Japan and be officially recognized as a priest-to-be by Nichiren Shu Administration office at Seicho-ji Temple on Mt. Kiyosumi on April 1st and 2nd of this year. Then he will be able to wear the white sash and black robe in public. His title is “Shami” or apprentice Buddhist priest. Then he will be able to participate in “Shami Seminar” held at Nichiren Buddhist International Center in Hayward, California, with other shamis from around the world.

We must have more American born Nichiren Shu priests especially in Hawaii. Fortunately, we will have the 800th Birthday Anniversary of Nichiren Dai’Shonin in Hawaii on May 16, 2021. The Tokudo Shiki also will be held for other candidates young and old. Please inform me if you wish to undergo training to be a priest.

得度式って何ですか？

金井勝海

　上記の聖語は、宗祖日蓮大聖人御降誕799年法要中に行われた得度式のなかで得度した沙弥に与えられた言葉です。

　得度式の意味を英語で尋ねる人が数名おられました。日本人でさえ意味を知らない人がいるかも知れません。これは、仏教徒が僧侶になるための儀式です。日蓮宗では、誰でも得度を受けることができます。

　私は2018年12月9日にハワイ日蓮宗別院主任就任式でアメリカで生まれ育った人が日蓮宗僧に成るよう養成したい旨を話しました。また、同じことを2019年１月号の別院会報に掲載しました。その理由は、現在の米国移民制度では、日本人がアメリカに来て仏教を弘めるビザの取得が難しく、取れても5年以上滞在することは非常に難しいからです。今迄は日本から来てハワイで訓練を受けた若い僧侶も多くアメリカに滞在するために永住ビザを受け取った後、日本に帰国した人が大勢いました。アメリカで新しい僧侶を養成する前に、まずハワイ州のメンバーに日蓮仏教を教育しなければと思いました。

　最初のステップは、日蓮大聖人伝記の勉強会から始めました。次に英語で法華経を第１章から開始することにしました。現在、毎週木曜夜のクラスに参加する生徒が8人います。その内の一人カレイ・キニ氏は2008年に日曜礼拝に参加して以来、毎週土曜日には別院のすべてのトイレ掃除をしてくれています。

　彼は、私がこの寺に赴任する前から、長年にわたって日蓮宗僧侶として正式に訓育されることを願っていました。先日、お祖師様が誕生なされた2月16日に、カレイ・キニ氏の得度式を行うことが出来た事に深い仏縁を感じました。彼は昨年12月に引退したばかりで、現在は毎日別院に来て読経と奉仕をしてくれています。

　式典に出席された４０数名の方は非常に感銘を受けました。ある女性は「自分の子供が日蓮宗僧侶になると誓ったようで涙を流しそうになりました」と言われました。

　この得度式は最初の一歩に過ぎません。今年の4月1日と2日に千葉県鴨川市の清澄寺で行われる度牒式に参加すると日蓮宗宗務院から正式に沙弥として認められます。その後、彼は公の場で白衣に黒袈裟と白輪袈裟を着用することができます。彼の肩書きは「沙弥」です。その後、カリフォルニア州ヘイワード市にある国際布教センターで開催される「沙弥セミナー」に、世界中の沙弥と共に訓育を受けることができ、行儀作法から法要の仕方、教学の指導を受けます。

特にハワイでは、アメリカ生まれの日蓮宗僧侶がもっと必要です。幸い、日蓮大聖人御降誕800年大会が来年5月16日にハワイで開催されます。その法要の中で得度式をアメリカ生まれの人を対象に行いたいと思います。得度を希望する方は早めに私までお知らせください。

Pilgrimage to Nichren Shonin's Memorial Sites

January 2020

Sacred Words

Even if death comes to me wherever I am, let my grave be erected on Mount Minobu since I have read the Lotus Sutra there for nine years. Nichiren’s soul shall dewll in this mountain forever.

Nichiren – Hakii Dono Gosho

PILGRAMAGE TO NICHIREN SHONIN’S MEMORIAL SITES

Rev. Shokai Kanai

Nichiren Sect has been celebrating the 800th Anniversary of Nichiren Shonin’s birth around the world for the past several years. Our turn to host this celebration will be on May 16, 2021 at the Prince Hotel, Waikiki. Preceding this happy event, we would like to pay homage to Nichiren Shonin by visiting his memorial sites in Chiba, Minobu, Tokyo and Kamakura. This pilgrimage starts October 8, 2020, so you must arrive at the designated hotel the night before. The tour will conclude on the morning of October 15, 2020 at the same hotel.

Day 1: (Tanjoji) where Zennichi-maro was born on February 16, 1222. (Myorenji) where the images of his parents are enshrined, and (Seichoji) where he took his vows to become a priest and declared that the Lotus Sutra is the most important teachings of Sakyamuni Buddha.

Day 2: Heading to (Minobusan). At the Grand Head Temple of Nichiren Sect, (Kuonji) we meet Nichiren Shonin, the founder of our faith. Visit (Okunoin) at the top of Mt. Minobu via cable car. This was the place where Nichiren Shonin showed his respect to his deceased parents and his hometown. Visit (GoByosho) his mausoleum.

Day 3: Attend a morning service at Kuonji Temple followed by Rinban Hoshi. We will be honored to conduct a memorial service in front of Nichiren Shonin’s relics. Leaving Minobusan before noon, we will visit (Iwamoto Jissoji) where Nichiren Shonin spent two years researching all sutras before writing RISSHO ANKOKU RON.

Day 4: Morning sightseeing and shopping in Tokyo before visiting (Ikegami Honmonji) at 2 PM. We will meet Nichiren Shonin again followed by Dharma talk by Archbishop Nissho Kanno who had conducted Shodai-gyo at our Betsuin three years ago and will also conduct the 800th Anniversary Celebration in 2021. At night, we will participate in the famous Mando Parade.

Day 5: Attending the Grand ceremony of O-EShiki Service conducted by Chief Abbot Nissho Kanno of Ikegami Honmonji. This ceremony will be broadcast by internet around the world. We will try to witness the legendary cherry blossoms that bloomed at Daibo Temple. Before noon we head to Kamakura, the feudal state capital of Japan, and visit Ryukoji where Nichiren Shonin was almost beheaded. That night, we would like to invite Rev. and Mrs. Chishin Hirai to our dinner and chat together.

Day 6: We visit Myohonji where Nichiren Shonin established the temple and propagated Odaimoku after Nichiren Shonin passed away. We will visit Ankoku Ronji where Rev. Hirai is now head priest. We will have lunch there. Before returning to Tokyo, we will stop at Myochoji and pay our respects to our eleventh resident minister of Nichiren Mission of Hawaii, Bishop Senchu Murano (1978-1989).

This pilgrimage will cost 160,000 Japanese Yen, airfare not included. This price is based on a minimum of 15 participants or 190,000 Japanese Yen if 10 participants. The hotel where we will stay in Tokyo is Sotetsu Fresa Inn Tokyo Kamata near JR Kamata Station and Ikegami Honmonji. We will use a sight-seeing bus with an English-speaking guide.

Those who wish to buy airlines tickets, please contact Mrs. Shinobu Fukaskua of JTB Honolulu at (808) 979-0115 (Direct). She will also arrange your extra stay in Japan.

This is a rare opportunity to visit many sites important within Nichiren Sect. I highly recommend everyone participate in this pilgrimage to help deepen your faith. By connecting to Nichren Shonin’s spirit we can all live and breathe Namu Myoho Renge Kyo.

If you would like to have an itinerary and application form, please contact Bishop Kanai by phone or email at the Nichiren Mission of Hawaii.

800th Anniversary of the Birth of Nichiren Shonin

November 2020

800th ANNIVERSARY OF THE BIRTH OF NICHIREN SHONIN

Date: January 22nd and 23rd, 2022

Place: Nichiren Mission of Hawai’i Betsuin

Due to the severity of the Coronavirus pandemic, Hawaii’s 800th Anniversary of the Birth of Nichiren Shonin celebration was rescheduled from May 23, 2021 to January 22-23, 2022.

In preparation of our Hawaii celebration, the Executive Committee must prepare and make final decisions as soon as possible.

Below, you will find the proposed schedule of events. The Executive Committee appreciates and welcomes your suggestions on how we can enhance our celebration. Please contact Bishop Kanai as soon as possible.

Saturday, January 22, 2022

AM: TOKUDO (Ordination) Ceremony:

For US Born or Residents (9 years old and up)

Catered lunch to follow

PM: LECTURE: by US Born Nichiren Shu Minister in the Hondo

Sunday, January 23, 2022

AM: SHODAI ANGYA: (March from Honolulu Myohoji to Betsuin)

GRAND CEREMONY: Officiated by Archbishop Nissho Kanno

Odaimoku Banners: by two representatives from 5 Hawaii Missions

Ten Kinds of Offerings: Elementary age children to offer of flowers, incense, necklace of precious stones, powder incense, incense to skin, an incense burner, cloth, banner, musical instrument, and gassho.

Tachiwataru: by Myohoji Choir & Congregtation

Wasan: (Nichiren Shonin’s Birth and Tokudo) by any interested persons (Mrs. Kanai will teach)

Service:

Officiant: Archbishop Nissho Kanno

4 Vice Officants: Bishop Kanai & Rev. Yamamura, and 2 Representatives from Shumuin

Service Assisted by US Born Ministers and Shamis

Catered lunch to follow.

PM: SHODAI-GYO in the Hondo

CLOSING

Nichiren, the Real Practioner and Prover of the Lotus Sutra (He practices as the sutra teaches)

October 2020

SACRED WORDS

Even if it is dark at night, when a candle is lit, it becomes bright. Even dirty water, when the moon is reflected on its surface, the water looks clean. Nothing is brighter than the sun and moon. Nothing is purer than the lotus flowers. The Lotus Sutra is the teaching about the sun, moon, and lotus flower. Therefore, it is named the “Sutra of the Lotus Flower of the Wonderful Law.” I, Nichiren am also like the sun, moon, and lotus flower. When the water of your faith is pure, the moon of the Buddha’s blessing surely reflects upon you. So, you will have an easy delivery. The sutra says, “A pregnant woman will give an easy birth to a happy child.” “A letter to Wife of Kingo Shijo

聖語

　暗闇でも灯火をつければ明るくなります。濁った水でも月の光がうつれば澄んで見えます。日中の太陽と夜の満月の光に勝る物はありません。蓮の華に勝る清浄な物はありません。法華経は明らかなること日月の如く、浄きこと蓮華の如しですから、妙法蓮華経と名付けられたのです。私日蓮もまた日月と蓮華の如しです。信心の水が澄めば、利生（仏様の利益）の月は必ず宿って仏様がお護り下さるので、楽々と安産できるでしょう。法華経には「この経を持つ者は、安楽で福子が産まれる」と説かれています。

　　　　　　　　　　 『四条金吾女房御書』

Nichiren, the Real Practitioner and Prover of the Lotus Sutra

Rev. Shokai Kanai

Mr. & Mrs. Kingo Shijo had no children for many years. Since this was their first pregnancy, she worried greatly and sent her husband to their spiritual advisor, Nichiren Shonin who lived in Naetsu, Kamakura for advice. He was extremely happy to hear the good news that a new life will be able to carry on the spirit of Odaimoku. He immediately made a special gofuu or a special prayer medicine to go along with the above letter. Nichiren Dai’Shonin concluded the letter by giving her instructions on how to take the medicine and emphasized the importance of having a stronger faith in the Lotus Sutra.

By having great faith in the Lotus Sutra, Nichiren Dai’Shonin lived by its Teachings through his body and mind. He was able to prove the validity of Sakyamuni Buddha’s Words.

When he chanted Odaimoku for the first time at Mt. Kiyosumi, he changed his name to NICHI-REN from Rencho. The word nichi, meaning “sun” is referred to in the Chapter 21 of the Lotus Sutra where it says, “Will be able to eliminate the darkness of the living beings of the world where he walks about, Just as the light of the sun and the moon, Eliminates all darkness.” The word ren, meaning “lotus,” is referred to in chapter 15 of the same sutra where it says, “They are not defiled by worldliness, just as the Lotus flower, is not defiled by water.” NICHIREN reinforces living and working in this world to drive out the darkness (illusion) of all living beings; he proved the righteousness of the Lotus Sutra.

At Kiyosumi Temple when Nichiren Shonin criticized Nembutsu teachings, a local estate steward Tojo Kagenobu tried to kill him with a sword, Nichiren’s master Dozenbo excommunicated his disciple and chased him away from the temple. Chapter 13 of the Lotus Sutra says, “Or drive us out of our monasteries.” When Nichiren was preaching in street corners, some people threw pieces of wood or rocks; the same chapter says, “Ignorant people will speak ill of us, abuse us, and threaten us with swords, or sticks.” Chapter 20 says, “People would strike him with a stick, a piece of wood, a piece of tile or a stone.”

Even if his hut was set ablaze, even if he and his follows were ambushed, even if he was exiled twice, even if he was almost beheaded, he did not run away but accepted all of these persecutions. Why is that? Because Chapter 13 says, “We will endure all these evils. … Because we are your messengers.” Nichiren Dai’Shonin had strong determination ①as the person who proved the Lotus Sutra as correct, ②as a great practitioner of the Lotus Sutra ③as the re-birth of Superior-Practice Bodhisattva from Underground revealed in Chapter 15, ④as savior of Japan from foreign invasions, ⑤as a savior to make all people of Japan to attain Buddhahood.

Let us show our appreciation towards HIM by continuing his legacy through chanting Odaimoku day and night to save all living beings.

日蓮大聖人

金井勝海

　四条金吾とその妻には久しい間子供がいませんでした。やっと夫人は初めて懐妊しました。新しい生命が誕生する前の母親の心は、いまだ体験したことのない不安と希望に溢れていたに違いありません。その不安のなかで力となるのが、信仰です。すがるべき人は日頃信頼している日蓮様でした。そこで鎌倉の名越に居られる聖人に夫を使いとして安産の祈願をお願いされたのです。お師匠様も大変喜ばれ、早速安産の護符をしたため、上記の手紙を添えて四条金吾に渡されたのです。

　大聖人は護符を授けられましたが、法華経への信心が大切であることを強調されておられ、この手紙の末尾に護符についての詳しいことは金吾殿に申し含めてあるから、夫を仏様の使いと思って、信心に励みなさいと結んでおられます。

　日蓮大聖人は法華経に説かれた教えを心に刻んで、法華経に説かれた通りの事を実行し、いかに法華経に説かれている事が正しいかを不惜身命に実践され、法華経の正しさを証明された方です。

　立教開宗の折、僧名蓮長から日蓮と改名されました。「日」は法華経神力品の「日月ノ光明ノ能ク諸ノ幽冥ヲ除クガ如ク、コノ人世間ニ行ジテ能ク衆生ノ闇ヲ滅ス」、「蓮」は法華経従地湧出品の「世間ノ法ニ染マザルコト、蓮華ノ水ニ在ルガ如シ」から自身を日蓮と命名されたからこそ「私日蓮もまた日月と蓮華の如しです」と述べられたのです。

　清澄寺での初転法輪の折には、念仏を批判して地頭東條景信に切られそうになった時に師匠である道善坊から破門されました。勧持品には「塔寺ヲ遠離サレン」と書いてあります。鎌倉での辻説法中には、ののしられたり石や杖でたたかれました。勧持品には「悪口・罵ラレシ、及ビ刀杖ヲ加ウル者アラン」、また常不軽菩薩品に「杖木、瓦石ヲ以ッテ之ヲ打ツ」等、法華経の説法者には迫害があると経典には説かれています。

　たとえどんな法難がやってきても「是ノ経ヲ説カンガ為ノ故ニ、此ノ難事ヲ忍バン」とも勧持品に説かれています。何故でしょう？「我ハ是レ世尊ノ使ナリ、衆ニ処スルニ恐ルル所ナシ」とも説かれており、それは法難に会うだびに①法華経の真実性を立証し、②法華経の行者としての自覚、③地涌の上行菩薩の再誕としての自覚、④蒙古軍の攻めから日本を守らなければならない、⑤法華経で全ての人々を成仏してもらいたいからこそ、どんな法難にも耐えることが出来たのです。

　私達にはそんな法難はおこりません。何故なら大聖人自身が法難をうける事により後世の人々の難を除いたからです。さあ皆さん、朝昼晩、遠慮なくお題目をお唱えして日蓮大聖人に感謝申し上げましょう。

Nichiren Dai'Shonin Declares to Deity Hachiman (You, Hachiman have not fulfilled your oath)

September 2020

Sacred Words

Oh, Hachiman! Art thou really a divine being? When the Great Master Dengyo (in Japan) gave lectures on the Lotus Sutra of Truth, thou dishonored him by offering a purple robe. Now, I, Nichiren, am the one, the supreme one, who lives the life of the Lotus Sutra. There is no fault in me, but I am proclaiming the Truth, simply in order to save all the people of this country from falling down to Avici hells because of their degrading the Lotus Sutras of Truth. Should the Mongols subjugate this county, wouldst thou, O Hachiman, together with the Sun-Goddess, alone be safe? Moreover, when our Lord Sakyamuni revealed the Lotus Sutra of Truth, all the Buddhas came together from the ten quarters; and when innumerable hosts, including the deities and saints of India, China, and Japan, were present in the congregation, each of you took oath to guard those who should work to perpetuate the Truth. Now thou ought to come here and fulfil thy oath, and why dost thou not do it!... When, tonight, I Nichiren, shall be beheaded and go the Mt. Sacred Eagle, I shall declare before our Lord Sakyamuni that thou, Hachiman, and the Sun-Goddess have not fulfilled your oaths. Art thou not afraid of that?

NIchiren, Shuju Ofurumai Gosho

Nichiren Dai’Shonin Declare to Deity Hachiman!

Rev. Shokai Kanai

The above “Sacred Words” was spoken by Nichiren Dai’Shonin facing directly to Deity Hachiman enshrined at Tsurugaoka, Kamakura. It was when he was on horseback late at night on September 11th, 1271, on the way to Tatsu-no-kuchi Execution Ground about two miles from the military capital city. He commanded the guard to stop the horse. Then the prisoner monk dismounted and stood facing to the shrine dedicated to Hachiman. He was not afraid to accuse even a deity. It may be hard for you to understand but try to read it, imaging Nichiren Dai’Shonin declaring these words to Hachiman at midnight before his execution.

Hachiman is a deity for military victory and protects warriors. The eastern Minamoto Clan prayed to Hachiman for defeating the western He’i’ke Clan at Dan-no-ura 1185. The Emperor certified Minamoto no Yoritomo as the first Shogun ruling eastern Japan and recognized Kamakura as the military capital of Japa 1192. Therefore, all people in Kamakura also worshipped Hachiman.

By the way, when Sakyamuni Buddha revealed the Truth, all deities and gods from the ten directions gathered to listen to the Buddha and promised to protect the practitioners of the Lotus Sutra after the Buddha’s extinction. Among them Hachiman and Goddess Amaterasu from Japan were in attendance. Thus, Nichiren Dai’Shonin inscribed their names on the Mandala Gohonzon of the Ten Realms while he as exiled on Sado Island.

Because the two major Japanese deities promised to protect all true believers in the Lotus Sutra, Nichiren stopped to warn Hachiman to do something if he is indeed truly a real deity. If he was executed and went to Mt. Sacred Eagle and met the Buddha, he would surely tell the Buddha that Hachiman did not live up to his vow to Sakyamuni and be branded a liar!

At the execution ground, Shuju Ofurumai Gosho continues, “Something bright, like a ball of fire, flew from the southeast to northwest, and everyone’s face was clearly visible in its light. The executioner became dizzy and fell. Soldiers were panic-stricken, some running away.” The execution was no longer possible.

After he was exiled to Sado Island, Nichiren wrote that he arose from death. In other worlds he was reborn as a more spiritual Nichiren vs. the physician Nichiren.

Please attend or join in on Zoom for the Tatsu-no-kuchi Persecution Service, to show our appreciation to Nichiren Dai’Shonin at 10 a.m. on Sunday, September 13th.

Nichren Dai'Shonin's Birthday Celebration and Tokudo Ceremony

February 2020

Sacred Words

I, Nichiren, was born in the first year of Jou-Ou, the Year of the Horse at Tojo Ward, Nagasa County, Awa Province. It was 2071 years after Sakyamuni Buddha passed away.

Letter to Lord Hakii (written on Oct 7, 1282)

Nichiren Dai’Shonin’s Birthday Celebration and Tokudo Ceremony

By Shokai Kanai

February 16th is Nichiren Dai’Shonin’s birthday. He was born as a fisherman’s son in Awa, Kominato located on the outskirts of present-day Boso Peninsula in Chiba Prefecture in 1222. At the age 11, he entered the nearby Kiyosumi Temple and at 15, he received Tokudo or “Bestowing the Priesthood Precept” and Received a new name, Rencho.

Later, he prayed and vowed, “Let me be the wisest man in Japan!” to Kokuzo or Wisdom Bodhisattva. He lasted for 21 days. This began his quest in studying all sutras to find the one that “could save all people in Mappo Era (the period of more than 2,000 years after the disappearance of Sakyamuni Buddha).” He concluded that, “it is only the Lotus Sutra that is the most important teaching among all the other sutras.” Thus, he preached that anyone can be saved if they advocated the sutra and chant the title of the sutra, “Namu Myoho Renge Kyo.” It was Nichiren Dai’Shonin who endured many difficulties and sufferings for the sake of the people in the Mappo Era, so he accepted many repeated persecutions joyfully. Through his many brave encounters, he brought happiness and peace to us in the 21st century.

In celebration of this holy birthday, two senior teachers from Japan will come to teach us Shomyo (Hymns) and how to perform a Tokudo Ceremony for us from February 14th to 16th. On the evening of the 14th, we will have a DOJO-GE and BU-SO hymn class. Anyone can attend. On the morning of the 15th, we will practice for the Tokudo Ceremony. Then on the 16th we will celebrate our founder’s birth. This will be more like a rehearsal for the 800th Anniversary of Nichiren Dai’Shonin’s Birth, which will be held on May 16, 2021.

On this auspicious occasion, Kalei Kini, 63 who has been serving as a member of Betsuin for more that a decade, will receive Tokudo by his own will. The ceremony begins with him taking an oath, clipping his hair and changing into monk’s robes. We then continue with Nichiren Shonin’s Birthday Ceremony.

The Tokudo Ceremony is a vow to “keep the precets as a Nichiren sect monk and let the person receive training in becoming a priest.” After this, he must attend another ceremony at Kiyosumi Temple where Nichiren Shonin received his Tokudo, which will recognize him as an official apprentice, allowed to be trained and eventually become a priest after finishing the 35 days SHINGYO DOJO at Kuonji Temple, Minobu in later years.

As this service will also be a rehearsal for next year’s big ceremony at the Prince Hotel Waikiki. All Nichiren Shu members in Hawaii are welcome to attend this service at Nichiren Mission of Hawaii on February 16th.