by Masuo Nezu

These are personal reminiscences about the late founder Rev. Nikkyo Niwano from his former chief secretary, Masuo Nezu, now in retirement. During his years of service, the writer accompanied Rev. Niwano on dissemination tours, interreligious cooperation activities, and peace promotion work, both in Japan and overseas. This series recalls not only heartwarming episodes from the founder's everyday life, but also the spiritual insights derived from his words and deeds.

4

A New Sash

On November 15, 1991, the 85th birthday of Founder Niwano, an Inheritance of the Lamp of the Dharma ceremony was held for the first time in Rissho Kosei-kai when the founder passed on his duties as president to his son Nichiko. In the early morning, a reporter and a photographer from a Rissho Kosei-kai periodical visited Rev. Niwano and Nichiko at their residence in Tokyo. Thanks to those two, we have this story.

Trying not to be too early or too late, the reporter and photographer had arrived at just the appropriate time. Dressed in a traditional kimono, Founder Niwano greeted them by saying, "It is good of you to come." At six a.m., the daily home sutra recitation began as usual. The founder led the chanting and Nichiko assisted with the gong. The rest of the family sat behind them.

Placed on the family Buddhist altar were two brand-new sashes. When the recitation was over, Founder Niwano held up one of the sashes and handed it ceremoniously to Nichiko. Applause spread through the room.

On the morning of November 15, 1991, Founder Niwano hands a personally inscribed brand-new sash to his son Nichiko before the home Buddhist altar in their Tokyo residence.

The founder himself had inscribed the wording on the sash, "Namu Myoho Renge-kyo" (I take refuge in the Sutra of the Lotus Flower of the Wonderful Dharma). He presented it to his son as his successor as president saying, "I wish to make a gift of this new sash to you." They then all went to the Great Sacred Hall at Rissho Kosei-kai Tokyo headquarters. When the ceremony in the hall began some time later, Rev. Nichiko Niwano was wearing that sash and Founder Niwano was wearing the other of the new sashes.

In Rissho Kosei-kai, a lay Buddhist organization, the sash is equivalent to the robes of a Buddhist monk. It represents not only the purification of one's body and mind, but also devotion to the Lotus Sutra and one's pledge to follow its teachings. With the new sash the founder was expressing his deepest emotions.

Since then, President Nichiko Niwano has always taken this sash with him wherever he goes, whether in Japan or overseas, putting it on when he delivers a sermon.

"Bearing the founder's spirit with him, the president is always one with his father," someone who has accompanied the president on his tours said, after observing him treating the sash as his most precious possession.

In chapter 16 of the Lotus Sutra, Shakyamuni Buddha says, "I am always here teaching the Dharma." Wherever President Niwano goes, the spirit of the founder is always there too, present before the members. After Founder Niwano passed away in 1999, President Niwano inscribed a new sash for his late father.

"As I was given a sash by the founder personally inscribed by him at the time of the Inheritance of the Lamp of the Dharma ceremony, at this time I wish to return the honor and offer one to him," he said. That sash now lies on the founder's breast forever.