The Life of
Nichiren Daishonin 

PART FOUR  
The Reincarnation of Bodhisattva Jogyo and the Establishment of 
True Buddhism

After having visited many temples and institutions throughout 
Kamakura, in research of the causes of the many disasters and 
calamities occurring in Japan, Rencho went back to his native 
province of Awa during Spring in the fifth year of Kencho (1253). He 
was greeted by his master Dozen-bo, mother and father, and fellow 
disciples (of Dozen-bo) at Seicho-ji.
From the time he was twelve until he turned thirty-two, Rencho 
strived to master the fundamental truth of Buddhism so that he 
could accomplish his conviction to save all living beings. He learned, 
as stated in the Daijuku Sutra, that:
...the first five hundred years after the Buddha's passing will be the 
age of enlightenment, and the next five hundred years, the age of 
meditation (making one thousand years). The next five hundred 
years will be an age of reading, reciting and listening, and the next 
five hundred years, the age of building temples and stupas (making 
two thousand years). Concerning the next five hundred years after 
that, he says, "Quarrels and disputes will arise among the adherents 
to my teachings, and the Pure Law will become obscured and lost." 
("The Selection of Time", M.W., Vol. 3, p. 85)
He also became convinced that the "the Lotus Sutra is the greatest of 
all the Buddha's teachings" as stated in the Hosshi (tenth) chapter of 
the Lotus Sutra. 
Also Rencho realized that of all the teachings of Buddhism, the Law 
that should be propagated throughout Mappo is the five characters of 
Myoho-Renge-Kyo, the heart of the Lotus Sutra. These facts were 
clearly predicted and proven in the Lotus Sutra. 
It is through the propagation of this vital Law of Myoho-Renge-Kyo, 
where the mission of the True and Original Buddha and the leader of 
the Bodhisattvas of the Earth, Bodhisattva Jogyo, rests. Realizing that 
he had to save this corrupt world, he became convinced that he, 
himself, was Bodhisattva Jogyo. From this, at the age of 32, Rencho 
realized that for him to accomplish his mission as the reincarnation 
of Bodhisattva Jogyo, he would have to propagate the Lotus Sutra 
even though it may mean persecution and variety of severe 
hardships. 
Starting on March 22nd until daybreak of the 28th of that month, in 
the fifth year of Kencho (1253), Rencho shut himself up in a room 
within Seichoji temple. As the leader of the Bodhisattvas of the Earth, 
he contemplated how the practice of shakubuku should be carried 
out. After Rencho fortifed his determination to establish the great 
Law, one month later on April 28th, he took the first step towards 
the propagation and establishment of True Buddhism .
Before dawn on the twenty-eighth of April in the fifth year of 
Kencho (1253), Rencho climbed to the peak of Kasagamori on top of 
Mt. Kiyosumi that still lay fast asleep and bathed in morning dew. He 
quietly awaited for the sun to arise from above the horizon on the 
other side of the Pacific Ocean. Then, at the very instant the morning 
sun began to shine above the dark blue waters of the sea and rays of 
sunlight colored his entire body in gold, Rencho solemnly chanted the 
magnificent Daimoku: 
"Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo, Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo, Nam-Myoho-
Renge-Kyo!"
He first faced the rising sun and then the entire realm of life 
throughout the cosmos.
Just as Nichiren Daishonin wrote in "Repaying Debts of 
Gratitude"("Ho'on Sho"), 
If Nichiren's compassion is truly great and encompassing, Nam-
Myoho-Renge-Kyo will spread for ten thousand years and more, for 
all eternity.... (Shinpen, p. 1036; M.W., Vol. 4, p. 272)
The Daimoku of Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo he chanted is the great Law 
that saves all beings and illuminates the fundamentally innate 
darkness of Mappo. Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo is the sole Daimoku of 
the Essential Teachings of the Lotus Sutra, unprecedented in ancient 
and modern times, which will spread over the entire earth. This fact 
is further declared in the "The Divining Power of Tathagata"(Nyorai 
Jinriki ) chapter of the Lotus Sutra which states, 
This person who carries out the Buddhist practice in this world will 
disperse the fundamentally innate darkness of all living beings. 
(Kaisetsu, p. 584) 
The physical appearance of Rencho, who chanted the seven Chinese 
characters of Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo, is that of a common mortal. 
However, concealed deep within his heart, he was confident that he 
is "the True and Original Buddha of the Latter Day of the Law born 
into this world in the form of a common mortal."
 Nichiren Daishonin's advent was to establish the Three Great Secret 
Laws of the Object of Worship of the Essential Teachings, The 
Sanctuary of the Essential Teachings and the Daimoku of the Essential 
Teachings of Buddhism. Nichiren Daishonin's declaring the 
establishment of True Buddhism was the first step towards revealing 
the one true teaching of the Three Great Secret Laws.
The sun that started its ascent above the horizon began to illuminate 
Rencho, Kasagamori and all of Mt. Kiyosumi, releasing its powerful 
rays as a beautiful blue sky began to unfold, just as if it were 
sweeping away the fundamental innate darkness of Mappo, the 
Latter Day of the Law. 

References

1. Senji Sho ("On the Selection of Time"), Shinpen, p. 834-872; M.W., 
Vol. 3, pp. 79-184.
2. Myoho-Renge-Kyo Narabini Kaisetsu, Taisekiji Edition, p.584.
3. The Threefold Lotus Sutra, Chapter XXI, Divine Power of the 
Tathagata, p. 300, Kosei Publishing Co.
4. A Dictionary of Buddhist Terms and Concepts, Nichiren Shoshu 
International Center.
5. A Dictionary of Japanese Buddhist Terms with Supplement, Heian 
International, Hisao 
    Inagaki
6 Bukkyo Tetsugaku Daijiten ("Comprehensive Dictionary of 
Buddhism and Philosophy"), Vols. I-V, Soka Gakkai Study Dept. 
7.  Dictionary of Oriental Literature - East Asia Edition, Tuttle.


©1995 Nichiren Shoshu Monthly