The history of the Fuji School, founded by Nikko Shonin (1246-1333), began when he departed from Kuon-ji temple at Mount Minobu in 1289. Because of his deep understanding of the Daishonin’s teachings and his courageous action to propagate it despite numerous persecutions, Nikko Shonin inherited the Daishonin’s spiritual legacy. In fact, the Daishonin had entrusted Nikko Shonin with “the Law that Nichiren propagated throughout his lifetime” and referred to him as “the great leader of the propagation of true Buddhism” (GZ, 1600). The Daishonin also called this outstanding disciple “a chief priest of Kuon-ji temple at Mount Minobu” (GZ, 1600).

So why did Nikko Shonin feel compelled to leave Mount Minobu where his teacher had spent his last years?

The direct cause of Nikko Shonin’s departure from Mount Minobu lies in the so-called four slanderous acts of Hakii*1 Sanenaga (1222-1297), the steward of Minobu. Hakii contradicted the Daishonin’s teachings in four ways:

• He had a statue of Shakyamuni made and regarded it as an object of devotion.
• He visited a Shinto shrine.*2
• He made an offering to a stupa of the Nembutsu sect.*3
• He built a place of religious practice for the Nembutsu sect.*4
  

Although Nikko Shonin strongly admonished Hakii for his errors, he would not listen.

Regarding these errors, the fifty-ninth high priest, Nichiko Hori (1867-1957), points out: “Of the four slanderous acts, the gravest is his restoration of the Buddha’s statue” (Detailed Accounts of Nikko Shonin of the Fuji School, p.1729). Viewing Shakyamuni’s statue as an object of devotion goes against the Daishonin’s essential teaching that the Gohonzon is the basis of our faith and the fundamental object of devotion. Because of the gravity of Hakii’s behavior, Nikko Shonin refused to compromise.

In his letter “Reply to Mimasaka-bo,” Nikko Shonin recounts the Daishonin’s last will and testament: “When the steward [of Minobu] goes against the Law, I shall not reside here” (Hennentai Nichiren Daishonin Gosho,2 p.1729). Following the Daishonin’s last instruction and to protect the integrity of Buddhism, Nikko Shonin moved to the Fuji area.

Behind Hakii Sanenaga’s slanderous acts was the influence of Niko (1253-1314), chief priest of the seminary at Minobu. Sanenaga had been converted to the Daishonin’s Buddhism by Nikko Shonin, so he regarded him as a teacher in the beginning. But when Nikko Shonin admonished the steward’s behavior, he replied, “I have taken Minbu Ajari [Niko] as my teacher” (ibid., p. 1733).

Aware of the circumstances under which Sanenaga committed these slanderous acts, Nikko Shonin states in “Reply to Lord Hara”: “These things are not the fault of lay priest [Hakiri]. They are solely the errors of the twisted priest” (ibid., p. 1733).

(To be continued)