Nichiren Shonin and His Relationship with Seichoji Temple

Nichiren Shonin received the tonsure and formally entered the priesthood at Seichoji Temple at the age of 15 in 1237. This is also the temple where he declared the establishment of his teachings, which are based on the Lotus Sutra. Seichoji is located in the mountains overlooking the town of Kominato in Chiba Prefecture.

A priest called Fushigi (Wondrous) in 771 originally founded Seichoji Temple. He suddenly appeared and engraved a statue of Bodhisattva Kokuzo using an oak tree. He enshrined the statue in a small hut. He prayed to the statue, which resulted in many miraculous occurrences that saved many people from suffering. He then suddenly disappeared. Therefore the people called the strange priest "Wondrous". The Great Master of the Dharma, Jikaku Enjin restored the hut, during the Jowa Period (838-847).

Nichiren Shonin first entered the temple in 1233 receiving his instructions under the direction of Master Dozen. It is thought that at the time, Seichoji Temple was a temple directly connected to the Tendai sect of Buddhism on Mt. Hiei. At age sixteen, Nichiren received the tonsure under the auspices of his master Dozen. He then entered the Buddhist priesthood receiving the name of Zeshobo Rencho. At age seventeen, he left the temple for the city of Kamakura to study the doctrines of the Zen and the Pure Land schools. After returning to Seichoji at the age of twenty, he departed for Kyoto for further research. He visited all the major temples in Kyoto, Osaka and other cities thoroughly studying the doctrines of all eight Buddhist sects. In 1253, he returned once again to Seichoji Temple.

On April 28, 1253 he stood facing the rising sun on top of Mt. Kiyosumi and chanted for the first time the Odaimoku, "Namu Myoho Renge Kyo." At noon on the same day he faced an audience of people to announce the pure faith of the doctrine of the Lotus Sutra as the real essence of Sakyamuni Buddha's enlightenment.

This day has been designated as the day of the proclamation of the teachings of Nichiren Shonin, and thus is considered to be the official beginning of Nichiren Shu.

The 750th Anniversary of Odaimoku Propagation has, is and will always be celebrated around the world during the next several years. We would like to celebrate the anniversary by having our members and friends copy the Odaimoku and to also build an Odaimoku monument. This should be accomplished during the 90th anniversary of our temple. Please help us in this most important event of our temple’s history.

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