The Life of Saint Nichiren
He lived in the Kamakura period and, despite facing many hardships, spread the teachings of Buddha in Japan with strong conviction. He wished to eliminate people's suffering and bring happiness to the entire society, and he preached the importance of "living in the present" rather than in the next life, and dedicated his life to his faith in the Lotus Sutra.
1222
(4th year of Jōkyū)
Born as the son of a fisherman in Kominato, Awa Province.
1233
(Tenpuku Year 1)
Age 12
Started training at Seichoji Temple
1237
Age 16
He became a monk and changed his name to Seibo Rencho.
1238
Age 17
Traveled to Kamakura to study Nembutsu and Zen
1242
(3rd year of Ninji)
Age 21
Returned to Mount Seiju and composed the "Gi of Enlightenment in the Body of Precepts" and further studied at Mount Hiei.
1253
(5th year of Kencho)
Age 32
Standing on the summit of Mt. Seiju, he faced the rising sun and chanted the mantra "Namu Myoho Renge Kyo" for the first time, proclaimed the opening of the overpass, and made a vow.
Around this time, he changed his name to "Nichiren."
1260
(first year of Bun'o)
Age 39
July: Presents "Rissho Ankoku Ron" to Hojo Tokiyori
August: The hermitage in Matsuba-no-tani is burned down, but he escapes unscathed.
1261
(First year of the Kocho era)
Age 40
May: Exiled to Izu Province
February 15, 1266: Pardoned
November: Attacked by the local lord Tojo Kagenobu in Komatsubara
1271
(8th year of Bun'ei)
Age 50
He was about to be executed at the Koshigoe Tatsunoguchi execution ground for criticizing the shogunate and various sects, but strange phenomena occurred, such as a light emanating from the direction of Enoshima and the assassin's sword breaking, and the beheading was cancelled. He was then exiled to Sado.
1272
(9th year of Bun'ei)
Age 51
"Kaimokusho" Artwork
1273
(10th year of Bun'ei )
Age 52
April “Kanshinhonzonsho” art work
November: Illustrated "Great Mandala"
1274
(11th year of Bun'ei)
Age 53
Pardoned from exile to Sado and returned to Kamakura
April: After hearing from Taira no Yoritsuna about his prediction of an invasion by the Mongols, he urges the shogunate to shift its policies to one centered on the Lotus Sutra, but the shogunate turns a deaf ear.
1282
(5th year of Koan)
Age 61
He passed away while many of his disciples and followers were chanting.