January 23, 2025
Protective Deities in Nichiren Shu (2) — Shichimen Celestial Maiden
By Rev. Sensho Komukai
Seven kilometers from Minobusan Kuonji Temple, stands Mt. Shichimen, which rises to an elevation of 1,982 meters. Keishin-in Temple, at the top of the mountain, is where Shichimen Celestial Maiden is enshrined. There are three folk stories about Shichimen Celestial Maiden that explain how and why Mt. Shichimen has been regarded as a sacred mountain for generations.
The first story is from the 11th century. A nobleman in the Kyoto Court, who had not been blessed with a child, visited Itsukushima Shrine in Aki Province to pray for a child. Soon the nobleman’s wife became pregnant and had a baby girl named Itsukushima-hime (Princess Itsukushima). The princess grew up to be a beautiful woman, but she was taken ill with smallpox. Though her parents did everything to cure her disease, she did not get better. They visited Itsukushima Shrine again to pray for her recovery. They received a divine revelation that said, “There is a sacred mountain (Mt. Shichimen) with seven ponds in Hakii Village in Kai Province (present-day Yamanashi Prefecture). If you purify yourself with the immaculate water of the ponds, you will be restored to health.” The princess with her attendants went up to Mt. Shichimen. When she poured water over herself at the first pond called “Ichi-no-ike,” she recovered completely. Everybody was delighted, but it was a transient joy. The princess then told those around her, “I am predestined to live in the pond. It is my fate from a previous existence.” A moment later, she plunged into the water. After a while, a large dragon appeared from the water, saying, “I will protect the Dharma in the Latter Age of Degeneration.” Then the dragon disappeared. Later, a small shrine was built to deify the Dragon Goddess as the protective deity of the pond.
The next story happened in 1277. One day, Nichiren Shonin gave a sermon to Lord Hakii Sanenaga and his disciples and followers while sitting on a big rock near his hermitage on Mt. Minobu. A few moments later, a beautiful young lady showed up, seemingly from out of nowhere. She sat down quietly and bowed gracefully with her palms together to listen to his sermon. Those present looked at her inquisitively and became restless. Nichiren Shonin told her, “Everybody is wondering who you are. Show us your original figure.” The moment he poured a little water over her, she changed into a dragon, three meters long. She spoke with a vow, “I am Shichimen Celestial Maiden living in Mt. Shichimen. As a guardian of the Dharma at the Devil Gate of Mt. Minobu, I will expel the seven calamities and bring peace and quiet to all who keep the Lotus Sutra.” She then flew away up toward Mt. Shichimen.
The last story happened on September 19 in 1297. One of the Six Senior Disciples, Nichiro Shonin, along with Lord Hakii, climbed up Mt. Shichimen. In Ichi-no-ike Pond, as the morning sunlight came in and the surface of the pond rippled, Shichimen Celestial Maiden emerged from the water. She had a crown with a hanging ornament and held a key in her right hand and a sacred ball-shaped gem in her left hand. Nichiro and Lord Hakii were convinced that this must be the same Shichimen Celestial Maiden, who had appeared before Nichiren Shonin when he delivered the sermon in 1277. They both put their palms together in gassho and enshrined the great mandala written by Nichiren Shonin in a small shrine in front of the lake along with the statue of Shichimen Celestial Maiden.
Because of this, September 19th is celebrated as the founding day of Keishin-in Temple on Mt. Shichimen. The Grand Festival for Shichimen Celestial Maiden is held on this day each year. Many people climb Mt. Shichimen staying overnight to purify themselves and receive a special prayer.