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.