By Beau Aihara

My name is Beau Aihara. I recently attended the Youth Leaders’ Retreat in Japan and am here to report on my experiences.

This was my second trip to Japan, but the first time I have visited so many temples. The focus of the trip was to follow the last years of Nichiren-Shonin’s life. We first visited Minobu, which was the site of Nichiren-Shonin’s last 9 years and the final resting place for his bones and ashes. The place exuded a kind of serene aura being isolated so deep within the mountains. There was little that affected the quiet surroundings, making it an ideal site for Nichiren-Shonin’s final resting place.

We also visited Sado, the island where Nichiren-Shonin had been exiled to for 3 years. It was on Sado that Nichiren-Shonin wrote 2 of his 5 major books on the meaning of and ways to follow the Lotus Sutra. The trip to this island was also very important in Nichiren-Shonin’s life as it led to his realization that he was a reincarnation of Bodhisattva. He was set to be executed when, while chanting Namu-Myo-Ho-Renge-Kyo, a miraculous lightning strike hit his would be executioner and granted an exile instead. On the way to Sado, high seas almost destroyed the boat he was traveling in, but when Nichiren-Shonin enscribed the Odaimoku on the mast the seas calmed. Most of the trip was spent on this island retracing some of the steps Nichiren-Shonin took in his realization that he was the reincarnation of the highest Bodhisattva, Jogyo. The rural setting of the island gave the feeling that I was closer to nature and could appreciate my surroundings more.

When we returned to the mainland we headed towards Ikegami. Ikegami was the place that Nichren-Shonin passed away and was cremated. This was the place where he gave his last will to spread the teachings of the Lotus Sutra in Kyoto, a place where he had been unable to remain due to persecution from the high official. This was also the final site we visited and was a suitable end to the trip. Tracing the life of Nichiren-Shonin was a very educational experience. I learned a lot about the sacrifices and hardships that he faced, as well as how Buddhism was spread throughout Japan. Praying at these temples made me realize the enormous concentration and focus that was required in order to maintain the following of the Sutras in the face of persecution.

The trip, however, was not only about history, but also about making new friends. There were many people from Korea as well as one from Brazil. The language barrier was difficult at first, but everyone found ways to communicate and it was quite enjoyable. The trip as a whole opened my eyes as to the enormity of the world around us. Living on this island makes it easy to forget that there’s a whole other world out there with many new places to visit and people to meet. I would like to thank the Nichiren Mission for giving me this opportunity, Reverend Chisen Maeda for accompanying me and interpreting for me, and my grandmother for sending me on the trip. I hope to continue learning through my everyday experiences and share them with those around me.