Nichiren Shonin Gohonzon Shu

Man-nen-ku-go Dai-honzon This Nichiren Gohonzon came into the hands of Nichimoku's disciple Nichigo (1272-1353) and has remained ever since at Myohon-ji at Hota (founded in 1342). The Koso Nempu (Chronology of the Patriarch) in the Edo period says that it was originally bestowed on Nikko.	This large black wooden Dai-Honzon replica is enshrined at Fujisan Honmonji, Head Temple of Honmon Shoshu.

The inscription at the bottom of this Great Mandala reads:

Since the Entrance into Extinction of the Great Enlightened World Honored One there have passed in succession more than two thousand two hundred and twenty years. Even so, among the Three Countries of India, Han [China] and Japan, there has not yet been this Great Object of Worship (dai honzon). Either they have known but not yet spread it or they have not known it. Our Compassionate Father, by means of the Buddha Wisdom, has hidden and retained it, leaving it for the Latter Age. At the time of the last five hundred years, the Bodhisattva Jogyo comes [or has come forth] forth in the world and for the first time spreads and proclaims it.

To its left is the date: The twelfth [lunar] month of the eleventh year of Bun'ei (1274) with the location in the mountains at Hakiri in the Province of Kai, i.e., at Minobusan.

On the Hon-in-myo Dai-honzon & the Three Great Secret Laws
A Fujisan Honmonji Member's Perspective

by Eddy Chai in Singapore

The Hon-in-myo Dai-honzon (made of wood) is the one appearing on the Fujisan Honmonji newsletter (below). A statue made from the ash of Nichiren sits right before it. Hon-in-myo Dai-honzon translates as, "The Great Object of Worship of the Wonderful Original Cause." This name is given by Nichiren himself, and he carved it at the back of the Hon-in-myo Dai-honzon, along with this date: Oct 12th Koan 2nd year [1279].

The Daigohonzon that Nichiren Shoshu claimed Nikko took with him when he left Minobu is not a wooden Honzon. Rather, it is the Man-nen-ku-go Dai-honzon. The Hon-in-myo Dai-honzon was carved by Nichiren Daishonin in the likeness of the Man-nen-ku-go Dai-honzon, which is translated as, "The Great Object of Worship to Save and Protect for Ten Thousand Years." It is Gohonzonshu #16 (top left), inscribed on 3 pieces of paper joined together. It is kept in Hota Myohonji. The name "Man-nen-ku-go Dai-honzon" is its official name, and is written in the Gohonzonshu explanatory notes (bottom of page).

The Hon-in-myo Dai-honzon is the FIRST of the Honmon Three Great Secret Laws, ie. HONMON-NO-HONZON. Hon-in-myo means, "Wonderful Original Cause." Nichiren called this Dai-honzon the "Wonderful Original Cause" for a simple reason: It is the Original Cause of Enlightenment of all Buddhas in the past, present and future. We are the present and also the future. Best of all, it is the "Wonderful Original Cause" because when you have FAITH in it, it sows the seed of Buddhahood in you.

The reason this Dai-honzon is the "Wonderful Original Cause" is because it carries the presence of the Eternal Original Buddha, ie. Myohorengekyo. This is the SECOND of the Honmon Three Great Secret Laws, ie. HONMON-NO-DAIMOKU. If not for the presence of the Eternal Original Buddha, how can this Dai-honzon be called the "Wonderful Original Cause"?

Fujisan Honmonji is where the Hon-in-myo Dai-honzon is enshrined. Therefore, Fujisan Honmonji is the THIRD of the Honmon Three Great Secret Laws, ie. HONMON-NO-KAIDAN. Because it is one of the Three Great Secret Laws, it is not accurate to call Fujisan Honmonji a Fuji School. Fujisan Honmonji translates as, "The Temple of the Original Doctrine at Mount Fuji."

The 'Establishment' of the Honmon Three Great Secret Laws is now complete; without which, Kosenrufu cannot begin. The time for Kosenrufu just started. You will begin to see that this is not the Three Great Secret Laws in principle, as spoken of in previous eras, i.e., before the 'Establishment'. What you can embrace now is the Actual Three Great Secret Laws. Why Actual? Answer: Because the Three Great Secret Laws are NOW established, and available to you as a Unified Entity ; this is Honmon.

I hope I don't bore you, but I hope you do get to learn more about the Honmon Three Great Secret Laws. In these times of "doctrinal conflicts," truly, this is the One & Only Law that emerged to deliver us all. If you have questions, it'll be my pleasure to answer them.

Best regards, Eddy Chai

This Gohonzon is also referenced in Saikakudoppo's blog and Naohito's blog.