The Doctrines and Practice of Nichiren Shoshu

reface Ushitora Gongyo is one of the most important functions observed and conducted in Nichiren Shoshu, where the successive High Priests have prayed for Kosen-rufu and World Peace throughout the seven hundred year period dating back to the founding of the Head Temple Taisekiji. It has continued on without missing a single day, and follows the last will of Nikko Shonin. The "Articles to be Observed after the Passing of Nikko," bestowed upon Nichimoku Shonin states: Nichimoku is to administer and make repairs to Taisekiji, that is, the Mido (Mieido) and the grave site, perform Gongyo, and await the time for Kosen-rufu.(Gosho, p. 1883) The Meaning of Ushitora 　　From ancient times, the twelve hourly signs have been used for the calendar, time and direction in China and Japan. Ushitora signifies the midway point between the hours of Ushi (Ox) and Tora (tiger), 2:00 a.m. to 4:00 a.m. It also indicates the Northeast direction. In Buddhism, the hours and the direction of Ushitora (the Ox and the Tiger) have extremely important significance. Regarding the time of Ushitora 　　Nichiren Daishonin expounds in the Gosho, "Reply to Lord Ueno": I will be with you at the time of your death and guide you from this life to the next. All the Buddhas of the past, present and future attain enlightenment at the end of the Rat and the Ox hour and the beginning of the Tiger hour.(Gosho, p. 1361) 　　The Twenty-sixth High Priest Nichikan Shonin mentioned the significance of Ushitora Gongyo in "On the Ceremonies of this Sect," as follows: Question: What is the significance of the practice we do during the time of Ushitora every morning since times past? Answer: The time between the end of the Ox hour (from 1:00 AM to 3:00 AM) and the beginning of the Tiger hour (from 3:00 AM to 5:00 AM) is the mid juncture of the yin and yang, birth and death, as well as the time for the enlightenment of all Buddhas throughout the Three Existences. This is why Shakyamuni Buddha attained great enlightenment at the rising time of the morning star and the attempted beheading of Nichiren Daishonin occurred between the hours of the Rat and the Ox (from 1:00 AM to 3:00 AM). It is His life entity that has come to the island of Sado. Ushitora Gongyo which is held at the Head Temple also has these meanings. Attaining enlightenment in one's present form is accomplished by our faith and practice every morning. (Nichiren Shoshu seiten, p. 954) 　　The hour of the Ox corresponds to the end of yin (the negative), which signifies death, and the hour of the Tiger corresponds to the beginning of yang (the positive), which signifies life. Therefore, the hours of Ushitora fall midway between yin and yang or midway between death and life, and it is the time that all the Buddhas who appear in the Three Existences of Life (of past, present and future) attain enlightenment. It is said that Shakyamuni Buddha also attained enlightenment under a Bodhi tree when the morning star appeared in the sky. The time of the morning star is during the hours of the Tiger. 　　The Daishonin states the following in the Gosho, "The Opening of the Eyes," regarding His Hosshaku kempon (a Buddha's act of discarding his transient or provisional status and revealing his true identity) at the Tatsunokuchi Persecution: The person named Nichiren was beheaded at the time of the Rat and Ox on the twelfth day of the ninth month of last year; his life has come to the land of Sado.(Gosho, p. 563) 　　It was during the time of Ushitora that Nichiren Daishonin revealed His true identity as the True Buddha of Kuon ganjo. The circumstances surrounding His attempted execution illustrate "the death of the common mortal Nichiren" and "the birth of the True Buddha." This signifies the midway point between life and death. Regarding the direction of Ushitora 　　The Daishonin states in the Gosho, "Reply to Lord Ueno": The place of Buddhist practice in all three countries of India, China, and Japan is located to the Northeast, in the direction of the Demon Gate. (Gosho, p. 1361) 　　Buddhism, which was propagated from India, through China, and then to Japan, spread in the direction of the Demon Gate, the northeast direction. Regarding this, the Daishonin expounds in the Gosho, "Letter to Matsuno": Shakyamuni Buddha preserved this doctrine in his heart during the forty plus years of his preaching life. But at the age of seventy-two, he preached it at a mountain called Gridhrakuta northeast of the city of Rajagriha in central India in the southern continent of Jambudvipa.(Gosho, p. 950) In the Gosho, "Letter to Soya- Nyudo", the Daishonin also expounds: Seng-chao in his commentary remarks, "This sutra has a connection to a country in the northeast." India is in the direction of the southwest, making Japan in the direction of the northeast. The Indian statement, "has a connection to a country in the northeast" indicates the country of Japan.(Gosho, p. 789) 　　This Gosho was referring to Eagle Peak and to Japan. Eagle Peak was located to the northeast of the royal palace. It is where Shakyamuni Buddha is said to have expounded the Lotus Sutra. Japan is located to the northeast of India. This carries deep significance for the Lotus Sutra in the Latter Day of the Law (Mappo). 　　Eagle Peak in India, Mt. T'ien-t'ai in China, and Mt. Hiei in Japan, which became the propagation centers of the Lotus Sutra, were built to the northeast of the royal palaces in these countries. These were the propagation centers of the Lotus Sutra during the two thousand years of the Former Day of the Law (Shobo) and the Middle Day of the Law (Zobo). In the Latter Day of the Law (Mappo), the central location or the source of worldwide Kosen-rufu of Nichiren Daishonin's True Law is Japan. This is clearly stated by 26th High Priest Nichikan Shonin in "Interpretations Based on the Law" (Egi hanmon sho): Japan is the birth country of Nichiren Daishonin who is the Buddha of the True Cause. It is also the Mystic country and the foundation from where the Three Great Secret Laws of the Essential Teaching (Honmon) will be propagated throughout the entire world.("Six Volume Writings," p. 555) Ushitora Gongyo has been Ceaselessly Practiced for over Seven Hundred Years 　　Nikko Shonin, the founder of the Head Temple, was the single person who directly received the Lifeblood Heritage, Nichiren Daishonin's Inner Realization. He correctly transmitted the Daishonin's conduct, and instructed that the successive High Priests should perform Ushitora Gongyo to pray for Kosen-rufu. The successive High Priests of Nichiren Shoshu have strictly preserved the position of Nichimoku Shonin, protecting the Head Temple Taisekiji and praying for Kosen-rufu through performing Ushitora Gongyo. 　　Ushitora Gongyo is solemnly conducted by the High Priest of Nichiren Shoshu. It is held at the time that all the Buddhas attain enlightenment, with the prayers for the fulfillment of Kosen-rufu and the enlightenment of all living beings.