, more commonly just , informally known as , is the administrative center of Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism. It is located in the foothills of Mount Fuji in Kamijo, Fujinomiya, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan.Nichiren Shoshu Temple. “Taisekiji” Nichiren Shoshu Basics of Practice, NST, 2003, pp. 127–128.Brannen, Noah. "A Visit to Taisekiji, Head Temple of Soka Gakkai." Contemporary Religions in Japan (1961): 13–29. Taiseki-ji was founded in 1290 by Nikkō Shōnin, one of Nichiren Daishonin's senior disciples, on a land parcel donated by the pious believer Daigyo Sonrei, commonly known as Nanjo Tokimitsu (1259–1332).Nichiren Shoshu Temple. “Taisekiji” Nichiren Shoshu Basics of Practice, NST, 2003, pp. 127–128.
The Head Temple is the home of the Dai Gohonzon, Nichiren Shoshu's object of worship, which draws pilgrim believers from various countries. The temple's open grounds are open to the public for sightseeing, though its religious buildings are restricted only to registered believers.Nichiren Shoshu Temple. "Taisekiji" Nichiren Shoshu Basics of Practice, NST, 2003, pp. 127–128. Accordingly, adherents of the Soka Gakkai are not permitted entrance to the Head Temple grounds.
Description
Taiseki-ji is Nichiren Shoshu's administrative center, and its Chief Priest is simultaneously the high priest () of Nichiren Shoshu. The current 68th High Priest is Nichinyo Hayase (1935 – Present) who assumed the position on 16 December 2005.McLaughlin, L., 2012. SŌKA GAKKAI IN JAPAN. Handbook of Contemporary Japanese Religions, 6, p. 269.
Taiseki-ji is the home of the Dai Gohonzon, Nichiren Shoshu's object of worship.Nichiren Shoshu Temple. “Dai-Gohonzon” Nichiren Shoshu Basics of Practice, NST, 2003, p. 124.Nichiren Shoshu Temple. “Taisekiji” Nichiren Shoshu Basics of Practice, NST, 2003, pp. 127–128. This image is visited by believers who come on personal pilgrimages, to participate in regular ceremonies, or to take part in large events such as study programs, and similar large meetings.Nichiren Shoshu Temple. “Taisekiji” Nichiren Shoshu Basics of Practice, NST, 2003, pp. 127–128. The temple is known for numerous historically significant buildings and gardens, national cultural assets, as well as features like the old weeping cherry trees that line its Tatchū Sando (main path lined with lodging temples).
History
According to Nichiren Shoshu tradition, Taiseki-ji was founded in 1290 by Nichiren's disciple Nikkō on a tract of land called donated by the district steward, Nanjo Shichiro Jiro Hyoe Taira no Tokimitsu (Buddhist name: Daigyo Sonrei) (1259–1332). The name derives from an alternative reading of the kanji for Ōishi (大石), Tai (Big) - Seki (Stone), and the character Ji (寺), temple.
Tokimitsu was a lay follower of Nichiren's and consequently Nikko Shonin. Taiseki-ji started with one small temple building, the Mutsubo with six rooms, but grew gradually as Nikkō's disciples built sub-temples. It went through further growth phases during the mid-Edo period and after the Second World War.
According to Nichiren Shoshu doctrine, their religious founder Nichiren willed that the image be established with a national shrine at the foot of Mount Fuji with a special title named "Honmonji" when the conversion of the Japanese Emperor and widespread propagation was achieved.
Due to its strong prohibition against accepting monetary donations from non-believers, there is no offertory box available at the temple. Believers are confirmed to be registered members before they are allowed to give "Gokuyo" or offerings. There is also no Goshuincho (御朱印帳 or "red stamping" of Daimoku or Talisman booklets normally sold to tourists, considered by the religion to be a form of sacrilege.
In addition, neither the Head Temple nor the religious stores outside Taiseki-ji accept any currency besides Japanese Yen towards any donation offerings, memorial service fees, food and lodging fees or any religious merchandise transactions.
Activities at the Head Temple
Gongyo
The Buddhist service of "Gongyo" (勤行, Persevering Action) is the basic supplemental service of Hokkeko believers. It is conducted first as the Ushitora Gongyo at the Dai Kyakuden (Grand Reception Hall), among other places throughout the Head Temple. In past centuries, the service was performed in five different locations:
Facing the sunrise direction Facing the Mieido Facing the Gohozo Facing the Kyakuden Facing the Mutsubo
The sect, along with the other Fuji sects in the area, followed the custom of reciting the Sutra chapters according to what Nichiren himself once did:
Junyoze — Reciting the prose (散文, "Sanbun") of Chapter 2 Seoge — Reciting the verse (自我偈, "Jigage") of Chapter 2 Chogyo — Reciting the prose ("Sanbun") of Chapter 16 Nyorai Juryo — Reciting the verse ("Jigage") of Chapter 16
During the 1930s, the Gongyo service was shortened to a single format, initiated by religious convert Tsunesaburo Makiguchi and was approved by 57th High Priest Nissho Shonin. Today, some Nichiren sects in the Mount Fuji area recite the full versions of the 2nd and 16th Chapter of the Lotus Sutra.
The current version of Gongyo since the 1930s is the recitations of Chapter 2 in prose and Chapter 16 in prose and verse along with the five morning and three evening silent prayers (五座三座, Goza-Sanza) for the purpose of the following:
Receiving protection from the Buddhist gods (Shoten Zenjin) Prayer to the Dai Gohonzon Prayer for lineage of the priesthood Conversion of the Emperor of Japan and widespread propagation Prayers for deceased ancestors and their rebirth in Hokkeko
Additional services such as funeral, prolonged chanting (Shodai) and other commemoration ceremonies for historical personalities associated with the Head Temple are also conducted.
Tozan pilgrimages Pilgrimage to Taiseki-ji draws adherents of Nichiren Shoshu annually through group trips that are planned by local branch temples, as well as private individual trips. This pilgrimage in the sectarian parlance is called "Tozan" (登山, "Mountaineering, to climb the mountain") for the purpose of worshipping the Dai Gohonzon in person. The sect bases this practice in the ancient custom of early supporters of Nichiren who also visited him during his lifetime over perilous roads and mountains, now re-interpreted as a similar pilgrimage towards the Dai Gohonzon, which represents Nichiren in a mandala format.Nichiren Shoshu Temple. "Taisekiji" Nichiren Shoshu Basics of Practice, NST, 2003, pp. 127–128.Nichiren Shoshu Temple. "The Importance of Tozan." Nichiren Shoshu Basics of Practice, NST, 2003, pp. 92–94.Nichiren Shoshu Temple. "The Importance of Tozan." Nichiren Shoshu Basics of Practice, NST, 2003, p. 94.
The Gokaihi ceremony In Japan, a "Gokaihi" (御開扉, English: "Sacred Opening of (Butsudan) Doors") is a ceremonial rite that exposes a particular sacred Buddhist image that is hidden and revered in a particular religion or sect. In Nichiren Shoshu ritual practices, this refers to the ceremonial audience with the Dai Gohonzon officiated by the High Priest granted to Hokkeko believers who have personally requested to participate, which is oftentimes the main purpose of a pilgrimage visit to the Head Temple. The volition of free will, confirmation of registered membership and an offertory fee is part of the protocol to enter the Hoando building to participate in the service.Nichiren Shoshu Temple. "The Importance of Tozan." Nichiren Shoshu Basics of Practice, NST, 2003, pp. 97-98.Nichiren Shoshu Temple. “l"Dai-Gohonzon" Nichiren Shoshu Basics of Practice, NST, 2003, p. 124.Nichiren Shoshu Temple. "The Importance of Tozan." Nichiren Shoshu Basics of Practice, NST, 2003, p. 99.
List of buildings The following significant buildings are listed for their historical and architectural value:
Sanmon gate
The Sanmon (written 三門, sometimes 山門) gate is Taiseki-ji's "main front door" and has been designated as a Shizuoka prefectural cultural asset. It was built in 1717 with financial assistance from Lady Hiroko Konoe (also known as “Tennei-in”), the daughter of Imperial Princess Tsuneko and wife of sixth Shōgun Tokugawa Ienobu. A Gohonzon transcribed by 25th High Priest Nichiyu Shonin is enshrined within its upper floor. At the time, she donated 300 ryō for its construction. Positioned next to public government roads, it was significantly vandalized and defaced with graffiti in 1997. It was recently restored, and its Gohonzon was ceremoniously re-enshrined within again on 15 January 2021.
Mutsubō
The first was erected in 1290 as Taiseki-ji's first building. It has been rebuilt many times since, but the Gohonzon (object of veneration) it houses is attributed to temple founder Nikkō Shōnin dating from November 1332. It maintains its original design of having six rooms. The current structure, which uses much keyaki heartwood, was completed in 1988. The High Priest of Nichiren Shoshu proceeds to the Mutsubō on concluding Ushitora Gongyo in the Kyakuden (see below) to perform another gongyo recitation with young priests and acolytes.
Kyakuden
The is one of the central structures where the majority of ceremonies are held, including Ushitora Gongyo by each successive High Priest every morning. It was built in 1465 and later rebuilt in 1998.
The Kyakuden was rebuilt as the , with the assistance of the Soka Gakkai, a modern-style building inaugurated April 1964. That structure, was demolished in September 1995 and rebuilt as the current Kyakuden in 1998 with its wood-clad steel-framed edifice. The priesthood cited the Dai-Kyakuden's imposing ferroconcrete mass as incongruent with the architectural tone appropriate for a temple compound.
The Kyakuden is the site of Ushitora Gongyo, a daylight prayer service officiated by the High Priest or his proxy. The Ozagawari Joza Gohonzon, original paper on 13 October 1290 ("Gohonzon of the Seat of the Dharma") was rendered into wood and carved on 15 June 1706, now enshrined on the central altar on the second floor of the Kyakuden.
This 1706 wooden mandala is flanked by lifesize statues of Nichiren Daishonin (left) and Nikkō Shōnin (right) as a symbolic representation of “San—Po” or “Three Treasures style”, though the “Object of Worship” remains the central mandala. The two grand statues were carved in 1660 during the reign of 17th High Priest Nissei Shonin.
Mieidō
The Mieido (image hall, 御影堂) is the hondō (本堂) or main official hall of Taisekiji temple. It traces its history to a building called the Mido (Midō: 御堂) erected by Nikko Shonin when he founded Taisekiji in 1290. It takes its name from a lifesize image of Nichiren sculpted by Japanese Buddhist artisan Echizen Hōkyō Kaikei, a carver of Buddhist images. This image was enshrined in the year 1388 in a building that was then replaced in 1522. The current, classical structure was erected in 1632 with donations from the Lady Manhime Ogasawara (Also known as Kyōdai-in), who was the wife of Lord Hachisuka Yoshishige of the Tokushima Castle.. The building is designed similarly to a Kabuki-za theater filled with various ornaments. In 1680 (Enpō year), the Dai Gohonzon image was stored here for safekeeping. An enlarged statue of Nichiren is enshrined in front of the Mandala as the aesthetic of the building represents various Buddhist images.