Virtual Tama River 34 Kannon Pilgrimage #9 Zenryu-ji Temple

 

     Oral tradition says that Zenryu-ji Temple was founded by Ennin (794-864).  Priest Nissei (?-1576) transferred the temple from Tiantai Sect to Nichiren Sect.  As it belonged the Fuju-fuse Subsect, it was outlawed and, at least nominally, abolished in 1699 by the Tokugawa Shogunate.  The subsect adheres to the idea that nothing could be received or given to those of other religions or other sects of Buddhism.  Priest Nittoku revived the temple.

     The precincts have Banshin-do Shrine, which enshrines 30 gods.  They routinely are on day duty for a lunar-calendar month.  The shrine was built by a daughter of Nakane Masamori (1588-1666), who is believed to be the manager of ninja employed and organized by the Tokugawa Shogunate.

     The precincts also have Shichimen-do Shrine, which enshrines Shichimen Goddess.  Universally speaking, the goddess is either Sri-mahadevi or Sarasvati, who sits on a rock with a crown on her head.  Domestically speaking, the goddess comes from Mt. Shichimen in Kai Province.

     Why Shichimen Goddess is enshrined in Zenryu-ji Temple?

     Nichiren was living in the hermitageni Minobu.  He would often climb Mt. Minobu to look to Boso Peninsula to recall his late father and mother.

     One day in September, 1277, on his way back from the mountain, he sat on a rock to preach to his believers.  A young lady was earnestly and enthusiastically listening to him.

Nanbu Sanenaga (1222-1297) and others wondered who she was, aying, “She is a stranger around here.  Who is she?”

     Nichiren noticed his believers became wondered and said to her, “They are all wondering who you are.  Why don’t you show yourself?”

     Smiling, she replied, “Will you kindly give me some water?”

     Nichiren picked up a pitcher and applied a drop of water on her.  Instantly, she transformed herself into a dragon and said, “I am Goddess Shichimen from Mt. Shichimen.  I reside in the unlucky direction of Mt. Minobu to protect and guard it.  1,500 years after Buddha’s death, I will protect and guard those who practice the Lotus Sutra and who chant Saddharma Pundarika Sutra.  I will ease their pain and give peace and contentment of mind to them.”  At that instant, she flew high away to Mt. Shichimen.

     The sight moved the people there, and they came to tear with joy.

     Since then till his death, Nichiren would often murmured, “I’d like to climb up Mt. Shichimen and pray to Goddess Shichimen someday.”

     He couldn’t, but his most faithful apprentice, Nichiro, and Sanenaga did for him 16 years after his death on September 19, 1297.  Without any road or path, they followed the rocky ridge to Mt. Shichimen.  On the top of it, there was a big rock.  When they were taking a rest by the rock.  The goddess appeared in front of them on the rock.  They built a small shrine in front of the rock, and that was the start of the Mount Shichimen Inner Shrine.  The shrine has made a lot of branch shrines since then.  The franchise system of the goddess is fairly new in Japan, and we can trace back each history quite easily.

Address: 2474 Noborito, Tama Ward, Kawasaki, Kanagawa 214-0014

Phone: 044-911-2462