Virtual Shonai 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #9 Dainichi-bo Temple

 

     Prince Hachiko (542–641) was the 3rd son of Emperor Hatsusebe (553-592).  When the emperor was assassinated by Soga Umako (551-626), the prince fled north.  There, he entered the Three Mountains of Ideha: Mount Haguro, Mount Gassan, and Mount Yudono.  He invested the rest of his life in religious pursuits there, and was regarded as the founder of the mountain asceticism there.

     Mount Yudono was prohibited to women, and Dainichi-bo Temple was founded for women to worship Mount Yudono.

     Shindo Nizaemon was born at Ecchusan in Oami Village, Tagawa County, Dewa Province.  At the age of 20, he became a Buddhist monk.  He practiced various religious austerities including Mokujiki.  Moku means wood and jiki means to eat.  He ate only fruits and nuts.  Accordingly, his fat and water was reduced to the barest minimum.

     Mt. Asama erupted on July 8th, 1783.  The volcano's devastation exacerbated what was already known as the Great Tenmei Famine, which had started in 1782.  An additional 20,000 more deaths were caused by the famine.  The population of Japan decreased by 920,000 across Japan between 1780 and 1786.  The Tohoku Region was hit hardest due to the cold weather caused by the devastation.  The population there is estimated to be 2.68 million in 1750, but was reduced to 2.37 million in 1786.

     Nizaemon, or Priest Nyokai by the time, decided to become a Buddha in his own body at the age of 96 to relieve and salvage people from sufferings.  He had to become a mummy without being emalmed.  He further reduced his fat and water, entered a coffin, and was buried under the ground.  After 1000 days, presumably in 1786, he was dug out.  It took them 4 more decades to return to the population before the famine.

     Even today, Nizaemon is still in Dainichi-bo Temple and changes his clothes every 6 years.  He will change his clothes on June 1st, 2026.

Buddha has shown himself in various forms.

In each form, he has made a vow.

Depend and rely on the vows from the bottom of your heart.

Address: Nyudo-11 Oami, Tsuruoka, Yamagata 997-0531

Phone: 0235-54-6301