Ryuko-ji Temple in Fujisawa

Ryuko-ji Temple is in the coastal area of Fujisawa which is a neighboring city of Kamakura. Today, I'd like to introduce this temple where Nichiren narrowly escaped from another crisis.

In this area, there used to be an execution ground.

Nichiren was an aggresive and outspoken priest. In 1271  he was finally  arrested and was taken to the execution ground.

This is where Nichiren had been detained before he was taken to the excution ground.

 Then, something happened to him.

There is an explanation on this notice board about what happened to Nichiren. The execution was suspended and Nichiren was exiled to  Sado Island.
Then, why was it suspended? Before I read this explanation, I learned that the lightning struck the sword. But it says because of the moonlight, the executioner was dazzled.

The main hall and a five-storied pagoda

This bell is special. We are allowed to ring it with a donation of 200 yen.
It is five minutes' walk from Enoshima Station of the Enoden line.

The Enoden line runs between Fujisawa Station and Kamakura Station. It's comfortable to ride the train and interesting to see a beautiful scenery from the train window.

Three Nichiren Buddhism temples in the Matsuba-ga-yatsu area in Kamakura

Ankokuron-ji temple

Myoho-ji Temple

Chosho-ji Temple

In Kamakura there is a district named Matsuba-ga-yatsu where Nichiren(1222-1282) completed his thesis ' Rissho-ankoku-ron'. Three temples claim that his hermitage was in their precincts.
Nichiren, who founded his own sect of Buddhism, criticised other sects as evil creeds, so he was often attacked by the priests and believers of the other sects. To avoid those attacks Nichiren had to change dwellings. I guess he lived in all these three temples.

Nichiren's hermitage at Ankokuron-ji Temple

One at Myoho-ji Temple

 Temple bell at Chosho-ji Temple, it is said his hermitage used to be around this bell

 On October 10 in 1260, 40 days after Nichiren submitted his treatise to Tokiyori (Hojo) who was the then heir apparent of Hojo Clan and the former regent of the Kamakura Government on August 31, Nichiren's hermitage was attacked and set fire  by the other sects' priests. Nichiren narrowly escaped from the attack. It is said that a monkey led him to a cave and saved him.