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Butsugen-ji
is closely related to Izu Persecution. This is the place where
Nichiren Shonin was exiled, and this temple is also known
as the place where his Zuishin-butsu rests. Nearby beach there
is the famous Manaita-iwa (Chopping board rock), where Nichiren
Shonin was deserted to die by raising ocean water, and the
couple, who rescued Nichiren Shonin, Funamori Yasaburo and
his wife rest at Renkei-ji Temple in the same region.
Spring of 1261, Nichiren Shonin returned to Kamakura from
Shimousa, but he was captured and sent away to Izu. He convinced
his disciple Nichiro not to accompany him and went on a boat
to be taken away on May 21.
The boat arrived at a bank called Kawana in Ito. Yasaburo
and his wife took Nichiren Shonin in secretly and served on
him. Eventually Nichiren Shonin was sent to the local tax
official, Sukemitsu Ito to be kept under the watchful eye.
However Sukemitsu turned to Nichiren-shu when his illness
was cured by Nichiren Shonin's prayer. He also present the
statue of the Buddha discovered in ocean. Nichiren Shonin
treasured and worshiped this statue as his Zuishin-butsu.
The beginning (Engi):
Sukemitsu Ito had Bishamon-do built for Nichiren Shonin to
protect him from the evil. Nichiren Shonin had lived in Bishamon-do
while he was exiled in Ito. Butusgen-ji was built where Bishamon-do
once stood.
Nichiren Shonin wrote "Shion-sho" and "Kyoki
Jikoku-sho" at this site.
The current condition:
Sanmon (the main gate) was built in late Tokugawa-era (mid
19th century.) Soshi-do (the founder's hall) and new Bishamon-do
were built in 1951 to commemorate the 750 Anniversary of Nichiren
Shonin's birth.
Story about Nichiren Shonin's Zuishin-butsu
June of 1261, when Nichiren Shonin was exiled to Ito, something
on the bed of ocean nearby was shining day or night. People
were afraid of it as the precursor of some incident. People
threw the net into the ocean to catch the object, and the
golden colored standing statue of the Buddha was brought up
to the shore. Jito (the local tax officer) Sukemitsu Ito happened
to be suffering from unknown illness and he asked Nichiren
Shonin's prayer. Then he got instantaneously cured, and this
caused him to become a follower of Nichiren Shonin. He also
presented this golden Buddha from the ocean bed. Nichiren
Shonin cherished this Buddha and carried it with him for the
rest of his life.
The most devoted practitioner of the Lotus Sutra in Japan
Nichiren Shonin had realized the relationship between the
Lotus Sutra and himself while he was exiled in Izu. Accordingly
through Izu Persecution Nichiren Shonin experienced himself
what the Lotus Sutra stated. He had reached to the conclusion
that the merit of the Lotus Sutra would lead one to repay
the four essential favors: every sentient being, the ruler,
one's parents and Three Treasures (Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha)
- "Shion-sho." He also realized that he himself
was the one to recognize the enemies of Hoke-kyo in Japan
- "Kyoki Jikoku-sho" .
Minobu-San
Kuonji Temple | Kominato-Zan
Tanjoji Temple | Senko-Zan
Seichoji Temple
Ganbon-Zan
Jissoji Temple | Shochu-Zan
Hokekyoji Temple | Kaiko-Zan
Butsugenji Temple
Komatsubara-Zan
Kyoninji Temple | Jakko-Zan
Ryukoji Temple
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