Holy
Days of Nichiren Shu |
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The Buddha's Nirvana Day, February 15
After 45 years of preaching. Sakyamuni Buddha entered into Nirvana,
perfect tranquility, at the age of 80 in Kusinagara
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Nichiren
Shonin's Birthday, February 16
Nichiren Shonin was born on February 16, 1222 at Kominato, Chiba
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Sakyamuni
Buddha's Birthday, April 8
Sakyamuni Buddha was born in Lumbini, on April 8, 565 B.C.,
as a prince of the Sakya Clan
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Proclamation
of the establishment of a new order, April 28
Nichiren Shonin declared he would establish his faith in the
Lotus Sutra at Seichoji Temple in his home town, Kominato on
April 28, 1253
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Exile
to Izu Peninsula, May 12
In 1260 Nichiren Shonin presented his work, the Rissho Ankoku
Ron and admonished the government against believing wrong teachings.
On May 12, 1261, he was exiled to Izu Peninsula because of his
admonition.
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Matsubagayatsu
Persecution, August 27
The presentation of the Rissho Ankoku Ron caused rioters to
attack Nichiren Shonin and they set fire to his hermitage at
Matsubagayatsu on August 27, 1260
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Tatsunokuchi
Persecution, September 12
In 1271 the government was displeased by Nichiren Shonin propagating
acts and he was arrested and exiled to Sado Island. On September
12 on the way to Sado, he was about to be executed at Tatsunokuchi,
but his life saved by a mysterious light from the sky.
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Sado
Exile, October 10
After Nichiren Shonin escaped execution of Tatsunokuchi, he
was exiled to Sado Island on October 10, 1271, He was there
for three years.
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Oeshiki,
October 13
On the way from Mt.Minobu to Hitachi Spa to cure his illness,
Nichiren Shonin ended his 60 years of eventful life at Ikegami,
Tokyo on October 13, 1282
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Komatsubara
Persecution, November 11
Nichiren Shonin and his disciples were attacked by the lord
Kagenobu Tojo and his conspirators on a path in the forest of
Komatsubara in Tojo's territory on November 11, 1264. Nichiren
Shonin was injured on his head and one of his disciples and
one follower were killed
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Buddhahood
by All Women
Only in the Lotus Sutra
The example of
a dragon girl becoming a Buddha does not mean only her. It means the attainment
of Buddhahood by all women. In the Hinayana8 sutras preached before the
Lotus Sutra the achievement of Buddhahood was not possible for women.
Various Mahayana sutras appear to recognize women as attaining Buddhahood
or going to the Buddhaland, but this occurs only after they have changed
themselves to good by giving up evil. This is not an immediate attainment
of Buddhahood in this world, which can only be possible through the Three
Thousand Existences in One Thought doctrine. Therefore, what the Buddha
promised in those Mahayana sutras is in name only. On the other hand,
the attainment of Buddhahood by a dragon girl in the Lotus Sutra is meant
as an example among many, opening the way for women of the Latter Age
~‘ to attain Buddhahood or reach the Buddhaland.
Kaimoku Sho
Open Your Ejves to the Lotus Sutra
(Background: February 1272, at Tsukahara, Sado, Showa Teihon, p.589)
Kaimoku Sho
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