Having delivered his first sermon at Seicho-ji Temple on Mt. Kiyosumi, Nichiren Shonin's critisism of other Buddhist school's doctrines, and his message that people should embrace the Lotus Sutra as the correct teaching, resulted in him having to leave in the dead of night with the help of his old Master, Dozen-bo. He travelled to the city of Kamakura to preach his message on the streets, hoping to bring peace to the people. As he was the Patriarch of Seicho-ji Temple, Dozen-bo could not disregard his belief in Shingon Buddhism, but suggested Nichiren Shonin travel to Kamakura where people were less conservative in their views than they were in the countryside.

In 1264 Nichiren Shonin hurried from Kamakura to Kominato to visit his mother, upon hearing that she was near death. Unfortunately he was too late. He knelt by her and prayed for her, gently speaking the words of the Lotus Sutra. Miraculously, the light returned to her eyes, and her health was restored.

As he was now once again near Mt. Kiyosumi and his master's Temple, Nichiren Shonin decided to make a final visit to Dozen-bo to try and convert him to the True Dharma. Sadly, the old priest was too old and tired to give up the beliefs he had stuck by for a lifetime.

Nichiren Shonin recieved an invitation on 11th November, 1264 from Yoshitaka Kudo, the Lord of Amatsu to visit him. Nichiren Shonin left that day. At dusk Nichiren Shonin and a small group of friends and followers entered into 'Komatsubara' or 'Pine Forest' on their journey. Armed men headed by Lord Kagenobu ambushed them. Nichiren Shonin became seperated from the group in the commotion and was attacked by Lord Kagenobu who was on horse back. Nichiren Shonin protected himself from Lord Kagenobu's sword using his chanting beads (juzu), and the horse panicked and threw Lord Kagenobu. He hit his head on a rock and was later caried away from the scene on a stretcher. Nichiren Shonin suffered a cut to the forehead, and he and his followers fled into a nearby cave.

Sadly Kyonin a devout follower died, and two other disciples were seriously injured. Lord Kudo also died shortly afterwards suffering from fatal wounds. Kyonin-ji stands at the site of this 'Komatsubara Persecution'.

Above: The new building at Kyonin-ji

Below: An 800-year-old Camphor Tree stands in the Temple Grounds

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