Nakayama is in between Narita And Haneda International Airport
＜クッキーについての同意並び欧州居住者向けプライバシーポリシー＞
中山・下総・散歩道
Dai-aragyo-do (The Hall For The Grand Ascetisism) Of Nichren Sect
Dai-aragyo-do (The Hall For The Grand Asceticism) In Hokekyouji
Every year from November 1st to February 10th, over 100 priests gather The Grand Head Temple to enter in the 100 days asceticism that they keep strict rules to study with white cotton clothing in cold season.Both the first day of entering the grand asceticism in November 1st and the final day of completing it in February 10th, several thousand people including family members and supporters of the priests and neighbors come Nakayama Hokekyouji Temple to congratulate them, and the ceremonies in both days conducted in solemn atmospheres. Especially, the ceremony in the final day gives visitors similar experiences to the priests little since they stand very cold to wait for them for a few hours in very early morning.
Tanka Poems describing the 100 days asceticism below are written by the venerable Nichiun, the 116th abbot of Nakayama Hokekyoji Temple, who had experienced the asceticism several times.
おこなふは粥をすすりて水冠り法のためにはなにかいとはん
okonau wa kayu wo susuri te mizukamuri norito no tameni wa nanika itowan
only could do drink rice porridge and dash water over myself, to complete Buddha's preaching, nothing I would run away from.
菰をしき粥をすすりて水冠り身におふつみを洗ひすすがむ
komo wo shiki kayu wo susuri te mizu kamuri mi ni ou tumi wo arai susugamu
Spread a mat and drink rice porridge while dashing water over myself to wash out some sins on my own.
引用・抜粋および参考
正中山法華経寺誌
Dai Aragyo (The Grand Asceticism)
Every year from November 1st to February 10th, the 100 days asceticism in cold season is held in The Grand Head Temple of Nichiren Sect, Shochuzan Hokekyo-ji Temple at Ichkawa city, Chiba prefecture. This asceticism is very famous, it was said one of the hardest asceticism in Japan.Every year over hundreds of priests gather and practice for 100 days in the cold winter season, it is really very hard and austere discipline.
Neither all priests belonging to Nichiren Sect can enter the discipline, the priests past the rule could only attend the practice. For example, the priests should be healthy. Those priests succeed the skill by word of mouth. It is very hard discipline to learn how to practice healing.
The schedule in a day of the priests practicing the asceticism starts 2:00 am. Then they throw cold water on their own bodies seven times in a day from 3:00 am to 10:00 pm to purify themselves, this is called 'Suigyo'. And they read thousands of Sutras, write the succeeded important Sutras and learn 'Mokken-sosho' a important skill in Nichren Sect. They could eat a cup of plain rice porridge and a pickled plum twice a day.
In February 10th at the day of the celebration for the priests having accomplished the 100 days severe practice, Zui-mon gate had closed 100 days is opened, and thousands of people( the family of the priests, the supporters and followers) meet them to celebrate their accomplishment. Then the celebration for them is held in Soshi-do.
After that, these priests go back to their temples and help their supporters and followers to their wishes fulfillments with the skills and knowledge they learned in the grand asceticism.
参考
日蓮宗大荒行ホームページより
Nichirenshu Daiaragyo Nyugyoe
The Entrance Ceremony Of The Grand Asceticism Of Nichiren Sect
November 1st is the day of the beginning of the Grand Asceticism of Nichiren Sect, over 100 priests gather in Nakayama Hokekyoji Temple to practice for 100 days in the cold winter season. In this day, families and supporters come together to see their priests off near Zuimon Gate only the gate connecting to the Aragyodo Hall.
Nichirenshu Daiaragyo Jomane
The Completion Ceremony Of The Grand Asceticism Of Nichiren Sect
February 10th is the day that the priests in the Aragyodo Hall complete their 100 days practices in cold season, so they leave the hall. Before sun rises, the families and the supporters of the priests gather and wait for them coming back.
The Location and Access to Dai Aragyodo Hall of Nichciren Shu
Dai Aragyodo Hall of Nichciren Shu In Nakayama Hokekyoji Temple
The map near Hokekyoji and Kaii Higashiyama Memorial Hall
PDF of the map near Hokekyoji and Kaii Higashiyama
The map to the landmarks where Kafu Nagai introduced in his book
PDF of the map of the noted spots where Kafu Nagai visited- Dai Aragyodo Hall of Nichciren Shu in Nakayama Hokekyouji Temple has great accessibilities from both Narita and Haneda International Airport.
- From Narita International Airport, take Keisei-line and get off Keisei-Nakayama Sta, take minimally 40 minutes from Narita Airport.. And also take JR Sobu-express line, transfer the line at Funabashi to Sobu-Local line, get off Shimousa-Nakayama Sta.
- From Haneda International Airport, take Keikyu-line bound to Narita, and get off Keisei-Nakayama Sta.
- From Tokyo Sta, take Sobu-Express line bound to Chiba or Narita, transfer the line to Sobu-Local line bound to Chiba, Tsudanuma, or Nishi-Funabashi at Ichikawa Sta, get off Shimousa-Nakayama Sta.
- From Akihabara Sta, take Sobu line bound to Chiba, get off Shimousa-Nakayama Sta.
- Take 5 minute walk from Keisei-Nakayama Sta, and take 8 minutes walk from Shimousa-Nakayama Sta.
- 2-10-1 Nakayama, Ichikawa-shi, Chiba-pref, Japan
The Landmarks in Nakayama Hokekyouji Temple
Honin（Taikyakuden）・Kishibojindo（Sonshindo）
Takikyakuden is the main hall of Hokekyoji and it has the business office and Kishibojindo Hall dedicated to the goddess of children on the end of the long corrido of the main hall.
The Four Seasons In Hokekyoji
In spring, there is millions of cherry blossoms in Hokekyoji and in summer, lotus blooms on ryuo-ike pond. In fall, there are beautiful colored leaves. Every season, visitors could enjoy seeing the sights.
Soshido（Daido), the nationally important cultural property
It is characterized the twin hip-and-gable roof structure (hiyoku-irimoya-style), and hengaku written by Koetsu Honami hangs in front.
Goju-no-to (the five-story pagoda) , the nationally important cultural property
It was built in early Edo period (1622) by request of Koshitsu Honami supported by Maeda Family in Kaga.
Hokke-do（the nationally important cultural property)
It was built in Kamakura period.
Yon-soku-mon (the nationally important cultural property)
It was moved from Aizen-dou in Kamakura 700 years ago.
Shougyoden (the treasure hall)
It was designed by the famous architect Chuta Ito, it stores many scripts written by the Founder Nichiren.
Shogan-jyoujyu-kigan-do (kiyomasa-kou-dai-zingi-do)
It enshrines Kiyomasa Kato, one of the most famous daimyo in Sengoku period.
Aragyodo Hall (the hall where Buddhiist priests practice for 100 days in winter severly)
From Nov 1 to Feb 10, hundreds of Buddhist priests practice severly every year.
The Nio-mon Gate (The Deva Gate)
The henguku hunged in front of the gate was written by Koetsu Honami, famous artist in Momoyama Period.
Setsu-do
It was built for worshipping Jurasetsunyo, Kishibozin, Daikokusama.
Black Gate（a tangible cultural asset by Ichikawa City）
It is also called Sou-mon (the main gate).
Hachidai-ryuo-do
The founder Nichiren built the small shrine to dedicate the dragon god to pray for rain.
Ugazin-do
It enshrins Ugazin who is the guardian deity of Hokekyou-ji Temple.
Myouken-do
It dedicates Hokushin Myouken Star that the Chiba Family deeply believed in, Hokekyoji traditionally succeeds. In November, Tori-no-ich is held in the site to dedicate the star.
Oku-no-in (the first place where Nichren had preached at)
The founder Nichiren preached first time at the Toki's castle called Wkakamiya Yakata. And Toki built a temple 'Hokkeji', it is the origin of Oku no In.
The Great Buddha（The Seated Statue of Shaka Nyorai）
It was built in 1719 by famous caster Ota Suruga-no-kami in Kanda. It is the bigest great Buddha in Chiba prefecture.
The statue of Nichijo and Naki-Icho
Nichijo was the first abbot of Nakayama Hokekyoji Temple and Naki Icho is a gingko tree having a sad legend.
Kagami-ike-ato (the remain of the pond like a mirror), Emado hall, Hoden-mon gate, Ryuenkyo bridge
There are some other landmarks in Nakayama Hokekyoji Temple.
The artists, poets and writers related to Hokekyoji Temple
Koetsu Honami specially remained his calligraphy in Hokekyo-ji Temple, and Shiki Masaoka, Kafu Nagai discribed it well.
The Tacchu Temples and the Branch Temples in and around Nakayama Hokekyoji Temple
Some tacchue temples are introduced in this page.
A Walk on the the area around Nakayama Hokekyoji Temple
There are some noted spots, Kaii Higashiyama Memorial Hall and so on, near Hokekyoji.
The Popular Viewing Sakura Spot / Nakayama Hokekyoji Temple
Cherry blossoms in Hokekyoji are amazingly wonderful.- 広告 Advertisement -
