Our Chief Priest, Rev. Murata, will be conducting the Mokushi-e Ceremony at our Temple on Sunday, November 10th, at 10:00 a.m. The Mokushi-e Ceremony is a very significant memorial ceremony for the Third High Priest Nichimoku Shonin.*
It is a tradition during this Mokushi-e Ceremony to celebrate the spread of True Buddhism from one generation to the next by paying our respect to the children of Nichiren Shoshu. Because children are the treasure of their parents and society, it is most important that they establish their connection to the Dai-Gohonzon of the Three Great Secret Laws. To honor them as our successors – the next generation of Nichiren Shoshu believers – Rev. Murata will place the Joju Gohonzon on their heads while praying for their vigorous growth and the development of their faith.
This ceremony conveys our gratitude for Nichimoku Shonin’s unparalleled efforts in fourteenth-century Japan It also carries with it our hopes for our children, that they will find their true mission in life and that they will grow to be as strong in faith, wisdom and knowledge as Nichimoku Shonin!
* From Nichiren Shoshu Temple Glossary
Nichimoku Shonin: (1260–1333) The Third High Priest of Nichiren Shoshu. He became a disciple of Nikko Shonin in 1274, and in 1276 went to Mt. Minobu where he was ordained by Nichiren Daishonin. He served the Daishonin for the remainder of the Daishonin’s life, and also served Second High Priest Nikko Shonin. He succeeded Nikko Shonin as the Third High Priest of Nichiren Shoshu. He is remembered as a great and courageous debater who remonstrated with the Kamakura Government and the Imperial court many times.
