Published by Soka Spirit Editor
Posted on August 11, 2009
The “Transfer Box” is a box of 45 square cubic centimeters.
According to Hossu Sasho (Self-Appointed High Priest) by the Nichiren Shoshu reformist priests, the so-called “Transfer Box” is a box of 45 square cubic centimeters. It is a black-lacquered, time-honored, wooden box. It is usually wrapped in a gold cloth.
This box had been kept by successive high priests since olden times. It was strictly preserved in a locked shelf in the Treasure House at the head temple during the time of the 66th high priest Nittatsu. The head temple’s secretary kept the key, and no one was allowed to open it without the high priest’s permission. In other words, possessing this box is tangible evidence that its possessor is a legitimate high priest of Nichiren Shoshu.
However, this box, which Nikken was supposed to have, has never been in his possession. The whereabouts of the transfer box became an issue behind the scenes after Nittatsu’ health became critical.
Gisei Yoshida (also known as Nichiyu), the priest who was first notified by the hospital that Nittatsu was in critical condition, ordered Jison Nomura, then director of Taiseki-ji, to look for the transfer box in the Treasure House. However, Nomura could not locate it.
Where did the transfer box go?
According to the book, a priest remarked, “High Priest Nittatsu is said to have long ago promised the box to Sugano of Daisen-ji temple.” Mr. Sugano is Nittatsu’s son-in-law, the person closest to the high priest while he was still alive. He is the person most likely to know the truth about Nikken’s illegitimate ascension to the position of high priest.
In fact, Nikken once visited Daisen-ji temple in Kunitachi, Tokyo, to try to obtain the transfer box from Sugano.
On January 13, 1981, one and a half years after he took office, Nikken decided to visit Daisen-ji temple. Nikken was accompanied by four noted priests: Giko Hayase, then general affairs bureau chief and also overseas bureau chief; Gikan Hayase or Nichinyo, current high priest of Nichiren Shoshu; Shin’ei Yagi, Nikken’s foremost disciple; and Shinsho Abe, Nikken’s son.
Referring to this event, Gikan Hayase (Nichinyo) later recalled, “My role was security.” Gijun Hayase, husband of Nikken’s daughter, reportedly has said, “My brother (Gikan Hayase) is very strong physically. He is powerful. So he was sent as a bodyguard at that time.” He was known as someone who knew how to fight.
Incidentally, Gikan Hayase (Nichinyo) is the also the person who actually carried the transfer box from the head temple to the residence of the 65th high priest, Nichijun, when Nichijun transferred the heritage to Nittatsu in 1959. He is the man who recorded in detail how the transfer ceremony took place between the two previous high priests. Therefore, he knows very well how important the transfer box is.
On that day, Nikken and his entourage headed to Daisen-ji after a lecture at the head temple. Shinsho Abe (Nikken’s son) was their driver. Upon their arrival at Daisen-ji temple, Yagi attempted to enter the temple, but he could not get in, because Sugano intimidated the young Yagi by saying to him, “Hey, punk!”
While Shin’ei Yagi and Shinsho Abe were left outside as security guards, Nikken, Giko Hayase and Gikan Hayase (Nichinyo) sat face to face to discuss the matter with Sugano in a room inside the temple. In the middle of their conversation, Nikken brought up the matter, saying, “By the way, ….”
Sugano immediately understood what Nikken wanted to talk about. Sugano lost no time in making his point, “Didn’t you receive the heritage…?” In reply, all Nikken was able to say was, “Ah, yes. Yes, I did.”
Nikken had powered his way into the guest room of Daisen-ji, but he could not touch upon the matter of the transfer box. For him to mention it at all, would prove that he had not received the heritage from the former high priest. It is said that Nikken could not say anything about the transfer box and had to leave Daisen-ji empty-handed.
It is certain that Nikken never possessed the transfer box in his time the office of high priest. Therefore, Nikken couldn’t transfer the box to Nichinyo, who had once carried the box for the transferring ceremony of Nittatsu some 46 years ago.
This article is based on Hossu Sasho (Self-Appointed High Priest) by Nichiren Shoshu Yushu Goho Domei (League of Concerned Priests for Protecting the Law) published in 2003.