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Nichiren Shonin contemplated about "Rissho Ankoku-Ron"
and studied all the scriptures of Buddhism in order to pursue the
real teaching in the Kyozo (library of Buddhism scriptures) at Jisso-ji.
This temple is located in a serene environment where one could see
Mt. Fuji, and it seems to be natural that Shonin chose here to ponder.
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Click small photo to enlarge.
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During the initial
period of his missionary (circa 1257-60,) great disasters such as
earthquakes, floods, famines and epidemic diseases along with many
wars continued happening.
These concerned Nichiren Shonin gravely and made him enter Jisso-ji
to figure out the reasons of disasters and their solutions. Jisso-ji
then maintained one out of two whole sets of Issai-kyo(all the scriptures
of Buddhism) brought by Enchin from the Tong Dynasty.
 Nichiren
Shonin spent full two years to study, contemplate, and authored
"Rissho Ankoku -ron" and submitted to the ruler, Hojo
Tokiyori in July of 1260.
Its main theme disclosed that the ruler should follow the right
teaching of the Lotus Sutra instead of zen and nenbutsu to govern
the country and assist people to live peacefully. Otherwise the
country would have to face its own self destruction and invasion
from oversea. (The first Kokkan)
The beginning (Engi)
: Jisso-ji was erected in 1145 as a Tendai-shu temple by Toba
Hohoh (Retired Emperor.) The entire Issai-kyo brought by Enchin
have been securely retained. Jisso-ji once were formed by 49 temples
and were quite established. After Nichiren Shonin arrived there,
Chikai became his disciple, changed his name to Nichigen and assumed
the second head priest position. In 1568, Jisso-ji was burned down
by Takeda Shingen, however the scripts survived unscathed. The temple
was re-established by the ninth priest, Nichiko during the Keicho
era(1596-1615.) Since then Jisso-ji had been damaged by the natural
disasters such as typhoon. It has been saved by many supporting
families: Shijo, Misawa, Nanjo, Nishiyama, Matsuno, Uchifusa, Hakiri
and others.
The current condition : Issai
Kyodo is located above Soshi-do (Hall of founder). The statue of
Nichiren Shonin holding the first draft of "Rissho Ankoku Ron"
is enshrined inside of Soshi-do. In addition to these buildings,
Jisso-ji consists of Hondo (Hall of Sakyamuni Buddha), Shichimen-do
(Hall of Shichimen), Sanmon (gate), Shoro-do (bell), Kuri (living
quarter) and other buildings.
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