Mimasaka-bo Gohenji {Excerpts}
The Reply to Mimasaka by Nikko Shonin October 12 1284
Robek writes: This appears to have been written right after Nikko or his aides had completed his scheduled September shift guarding the original gravesite by Minobu Creek. It is unclear to me if Nikko made it to Minobu in person. He may have been relying on information from others. Sources all agree Nikko's disciples did most of the early work at Minobu, due to the relative proximity of Fuji. If Nikko were there in September, he did not make it back for the October Memorial.
"Since I had been intending to contact you, I am very pleased to have this opportunity to write to you. This year marks the third anniversary of the Daishonin's passing, but I have taken ill and have not been feeling well. When I recovered and regained my health, I had been intending to travel to any location to partake in the memorial services for our Master. But I have not recovered and have been unable to do as I had planned. I am disappointed and regret the fact that I have been unable to go everywhere I please to attend the services.
The succession has changed and the third anniversary marking the passing of the Daishonin has already come and gone. The government must have taken some action with the treatise "On Securing the Peace of the Land Through the Propagation of True Buddhism (Rissho ankoku ron), but do you have any information? The government will undoubtedly handle the treatise in some way, but I have recently been unable to go to Kamakura to get apprised of the latest news."
Robek writes: In 1284, Hojo Tokimune (1251-1284)(r. 1268-1284), the 8th Kamakura Regent, passed away, and was succeeded by Hojo Sadatoki (1271-1311) (r. 1284-1301). Nissho had submitted a revised version of the Rissho Ankoku-ron to the Kamakura Shogunate. The new version extended Nichiren's criticism of slander to Shingon and Tendai esotericism. Nikko appears to be inquiring about this. Also, on this same day, Toki Jonin disinherited Nitcho Shonin [the elder] though Nikko would not have known that. Moreover, mobs had attacked Nissho's hermitage at Hamada. At Myohonji, Nichiro's Kamakura Temple, the wife of the Sponsoring Founder, Hikidaigaku Saburo, would pass away, on the 13th.
"Even now, my ill health has been preventing me from engaging in many activities. Thus, I have been unable to listen to what you have to say in person and have been left pretty much in the dark. Since the fall of this year, I have consulted Jakunichi-bo on many occasions to arrange to visit you at your residence, but I have been unable to go. More than anything else, it is absolutely deplorable that the Daishonin's grave site in the valley of Minobu has totally dilapidated from neglect and is defaced by the hoof tracks of deer. "
Robek writes: Nikko mentions that the gravesite had been neglected. He appears to allude to planned construction of a secure mausoleum that had not been completed (the mention of deer tracks indicates the site was exposed.} He makes mention of neither the standing Shakyamuni Statue, nor the annotated Lotus Scrolls, that Nichiren had willed be left at the Grave Site, so all could share them. He also seems to accept part of the responsibility for the neglect, blaming his poor health. From this, it seems obvious, to me, that Nikko DID NOT live at Minobu, at this time.
"The Daishonin told me in his will: "If the steward Hakiri turns his back to the Law, my spirit will cease to reside in Minobu." I have not observed any particularly inappropriate behavior on his part, however. Moreover, I, Nikko, have on my person a letter from our Master stating: "In all of Japan, not a single person was willing to accept me, but Lord Hakiri accepted me. Thus, I would like my grave site to be within Hakiri's domain, since trouble will undoubtedly arise while the head of state is unwilling to embrace true Buddhism."
Robek writes: Here, Nikko seems to be expressing his view that there is no reason not to fulfill the conditions of Nichiren's Will. Those conditions being that:
1. The mausoleum be built and maintained at the site near the creek, with the Standing Statue and the Scrolls kept there.
2. All six Senior Disciples take shifts at Minobu, with no rank implied by the arrangement, as stipulated in the Hakasho Mamorubeki Bancho no Koto.
This seems to be based on Nikko's view that the ONLY rationale for deviating from the plan would be if Hakiri turned his back on the Dharma.
"This is a matter that has been determined for generations to come, so how can one even posit the notion that the Daishonin's spirit does not reside in Minobu? After all, if there is unlawful behavior on the part of the steward, then it is only right to set him straight. How, then, can I even consider abandoning his tomb? Even the lowest of common folk in society will be critical of us if we forsake the Daishonin, our true Master, while we upheld the doctrine to never abandon the Master."
Robek writes: Here Nikko seems to indicate the others might have missed their shifts because of some falling out with Hakiri. However, he had already admitted he was out of the loop. Also, he mentioned the revised RAR submitted by Nissho, so he must have known that trouble from this might also be the reason. At any rate, he states that if Hakiri had erred in some way, he should be corrected.}
"[The five senior priests] seem to have abandoned the grave [of the Daishonin]. Though they propounded a teaching not to discard one's teacher, they have already abandoned their own. It cannot be helped that they may be subjected to criticism in the secular world."
Robek writes: Then, in a letter written on February 19th, 1285 (the 7th year of Koan), Hakiri Sanenaga said, "I have heard that the Lotus Sutra has prospered in Kuon-Temple. It is great. I am glad about this. I feel that by your living there, the late Sage is living there."
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Robek writes:
Nikko had written Mimasaka-bo Gohenji the previous October. It seems clear, at least to me, that he was not in residence at Minobu then. Other sources state that Nikko moved to Minobu in Sepember of 1285. Nichido, who was the successor to Nichimoku at Taisekiji, wrote that Nikko lived at Minobu for three years, not six. We also know Niko arrived full time at Minobu in late 1285, apparently in response to Nikko's complaints. It seems likely the others sent Niko, who was known for his charm, to mediate disputes between Nikko and Hakiri. So what does that tell you? It tells me some action was taken after Nikko wrote to Mimasaka. Other sources indicate that a revised schedule of guard duty was drawn up in January of 1285.
It seems likely that this was when Nikko decided to move to Minobu. Therefore, Hakiri responded with the letter, expressing his happiness! Why would Hakiri write such a letter, if Nikko had already been there for three years?
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