My Religious Experience:

The Ordination Ceremony and Pilgrimage to Mt. Minobu

This past July 25, I participated in the Docho Ordination Ceremony at Seichoji Temple and officially became an ordained Nichiren Shu Shami.

Rev. Kitai Koizumi escorted me from his temple to the Seichoji Temple. On the first day of arrival at Seichoji Temple, all the Docho Ceremony participants attended introductory lectures and a sutra recitation practice, followed by an examination. Later that evening we had an exchange meeting with the priests and Rev. Koizumi spoke about life as a priest in Los Angeles encouraging all the young participants to really try their best to become magnificent priests for Nichiren Shu. Later we saw an animation movie about the life of Nichiren Shonin.

The next morning, we woke up at 4 AM and went to Asahi-no-mori, a cliff of Mt. Kiyosumi, and recited the Sutra and chanted the Odaimoku at sunrise just as Nichiren did on April 28, 1253.

Shortly after, the Docho Ceremony was held in the Hall of Founder. At this time, we received a pair of juzu and a kesa. This was followed by a celebratory breakfast with everything finishing at 8 AM.

The next day I took the train to Mt. Minobu. It was raining heavily due to an approaching typhoon. Rev. Choryu Muramatsu, Rev. Kanai's friend, kindly escorted me to the grave of Nichiren Daishonin and the site of his hermitage where Nichiren resided for the final eight years of his life.

Rev. Muramatsu also carefully explained all the various buildings within Kuonji Temple. After seeing all the temple buildings, we went to the museum under the Main Sanctuary and saw artifacts that belonged to Nichiji Shonin (Nichiren Daishonin's Sixth Senior Disciple) who went to China to propagate Nichiren Buddhism. I saw the Mandala Gohonzon inscribed by Nichiren for Nichiji, a picture of Nichiren drawn by Nichiji, an incense burner, a letter written by Nichiji telling about his stay in China, and a number of other objects. It was really interesting!

The following morning, I participated in the 5:00 morning Service and then went by myself once again to Nichiren's grave. At this time a typhoon had reached Japan so it was raining very heavily. But I still walked up the mountain side to Nichiren's grave and when I arrived, I knelt down to chant the Odaimoku and recite the Lotus Sutra. Then a very strange thing happened - something I will never forget for my entire life. I rang the bell and as I said the first "Namu" the sun came out and shone over the black and gold plaque of "Namu-Myoho-Renge-Kyo" on the tomb - even though it was still raining all around the tomb. The sun kept shining over the tomb until I finished the last "Kyo" of the third Daimoku. At that time, I felt that possibly Nichiren Shonin himself was encouraging me. As soon as I finished offering the Odaimoku, the sun went away and the rain continued, I then recited the Sutra and prayed that I could become a good priest. I sincerely hope my prayer comes true.

Nichiren stated that after his death, he wanted to have his remains buried at Mt. Minobu, where his soul would live on forever.

Seeing all the various sites where Nichiren Shonin resided during the last years of his life, really made me recall these words. I really felt as though he was actually still residing within Kuonji temple.

Now, as an official Shami of Nichiren Shu, I sincerely hope that I can become a good priest and be able to return every year to pray at the grave of our Founder, in order to work hard to spread the faith and teachings of the Lotus Sutra and Nichiren Shonin, together with deepening my own faith and resolve.

I sincerely hope as many people as possible can make a journey to Mt. Minobu and experience all the wonderful things I was able to.

Shami Shoryo Tarabini

Lotus #18

September, 1997