January 20, 2025
GREAT FIGURES WHO HAD FAITH IN NICHIREN SHU GREAT FIGURES WHO HAD FAITH IN NICHIREN SHU (3)
By Rev. Sensho Komukai
Lady Oman (1577–1653), who had served in the Tokugawa Shogunate from the age of 17, has been known as the most-beloved mistress of Shogun Ieyasu Tokugawa in his latter days because of her graceful figure and sincere personality. At 22, when she lost her adoptive parents, she began to deeply embrace Buddhism. At the age of 30, she studied under Nichion, the Chief Abbot of Kuonji Temple at Mt. Minobu, and she began to have faith in the Lotus Sutra and Nichiren Shonin.
Nichikyo was famous as an energetic priest with broad knowledge and eloquence. The monks from the other schools were no match for him in debate, so they made an unfounded charge against Nichikyo. One day, he was ordered to have a discussion with monks of the Pure Land school in the Edo Castle. Nichikyo was ready and fully confident of winning the debate. However, he was attacked by a rowdy mob of 60 to 70 people on the night before the debate. As he was seriously wounded, his disciples proposed that the debate be postponed, but that was rejected. More dead than alive, Nichikyo was carried on a board to the castle. Far from debating, he was not even able to open his mouth to speak for the discussion. The shogunate abruptly declared that the Pure Land school had won the debate. Nichikyo was immediately stripped of his vestments and robe. Nichikyo along with his five disciples were dragged through the streets of Edo, and then their ears and noses were chopped off.
Nichion was so enraged to hear of the unreasonably cruel acts against Nichikyo and his disciples that he instantly entered a protest with Ieyasu, demanding that he should have another try at holding a debate with the monks of the Pure Land school. This brought on the further wrath of Ieyasu. Nichion was arrested for his outrageous conduct and sentenced to death by crucifixion. Lady Oman was at a loss for words upon hearing that Nichion would be executed. She was in deep grief, because she respected Nichion as her Buddhist master. She made a quick decision. Wearing a white shroud, she appealed to Ieyasu with her powerful voice, “If my master Nichion is sentenced to death, I will go with him to the Pure Land of Mt. Sacred Eagle.” Overwhelmed by her desperation, Ieyasu changed his mind, ordering the execution to be stopped. Nichion was pardoned! After that, Nichion lived a secluded life in a place called Ono in the town of Minobu. Lady Oman made a contribution to construct a temple there. This was the beginning of Honnonji Temple.
For a long time, Lady Oman had an idea: she planned to climb Mt. Shichimen, which women had traditionally been prohibited from climbing. No woman had ever climbed the sacred mountain before. When her plan was refused, she insisted, “The Lotus Sutra teaches us that the Buddha’s compassion is equally given to all living beings, and that anybody, regardless of being male or female, can become a buddha. Isn’t it the only sutra expounding the attainment of buddhahood for women? I am sure that women will be allowed to climb up the mountain of the Celestial Maiden Shichimen who vowed to protect those who keep the Lotus Sutra.” Lady Oman purified herself with water under the Shiraito Waterfall at the foot of the mountain for seven days before making the climb. Wearing a white robe called a gyo-e, she finally reached the summit of Mt. Shichimen at the age of 64. She climbed Mt. Shichimen a total of three times in her life.
She passed away on August 21, 1653 at the age of 77. In accordance with her will, Her remains were buried next to the tomb of Nichion at Honnonji Temple.