Honzon of the Medieval Nichiren Sect

Abstract

Ittō ryōson 一塔両尊 is a style of honzon 本尊, the main object of worship. It is a characteristic style of the medieval Nichiren sect. Ittō ryōson has the Daimoku 題目, and the calligraphy Namu Myōhō Renge Kyō 南無妙法蓮華経 in the center, and two Buddhas, Śākyamuni and Prabhūtaratna, on both sides. The style which has Śākyamuni and Prabhūtaratna on both sides itself is not peculiar to the Nichiren sect. It is based on the Lotus Sutra. However, Ittō ryōson is formed from the kernel of the Mandara honzon 曼荼羅本尊 designed by Nichiren 日蓮. There are some combinations of Śākyamuni’s and Prabhūtaratna’s inzō 印相, mudra. Ittō ryōson also has some varieties of inzō. Moreover, Ittō ryōson is the only instance in which both Śākyamuni and Prabhūtaratna in gasshō-in 合掌印. One instance of Ittō ryōson in which both Śākyamuni and Prabhūtaratna are so depicted was made in 1335. This style spread as peculiar to the Nichiren sect.