Chapter 5. The Frivolousness That Characterizes Nikken’s Alleged Receipt of the Heritage

Nittatsu Shonin’s Transfer Ceremony, Though Simplified, Was Full of Dignity.
Let’s compare Nikken’s alleged transfer ceremony with those of his predecessors. These historical examples will raise all sorts of questions about the legitimacy of Nikken’s claim.

When a high priest designates his successor, naturally there are various circumstances. For instance, when a former high priest is seriously ill, there were instances where the transfer ceremony was conducted in a simplified manner. Nittatsu Shonin received the heritage from Nichijun Shonin in such a simplified transfer ceremony.

Kocho Kakinuma, General Affairs Bureau director for Nichiren Shoshu, served as witness at that transfer ceremony and he spoke about it at a memorial service for Nichijun Shonin on the 100th day after his demise. The transfer ceremony was conducted in the following manner, according to Rev. Kakinuma:

Nichijun Shonin passed away on November 17, 1959. On November 15, two days before his passing (which corresponded to an oko lecture day in memory of Nichimoku Shonin), Nichijun Shonin phoned General Affairs Bureau Director Kakinuma, who was chief priest of Myoko-ji temple in Shinagawa, Tokyo, around 2 PM on that day. As a result of the call, Rev. Kakinuma visited Nichijun Shonin at his home in Ikegami-cho, Ohta ward, Tokyo. At that time, Nichijun Shonin conveyed to Rev. Kakinuma his intent to transfer the heritage to Nittatsu Hosoi Shonin, who was then general administrator of Nichiren Shoshu and also chief priest of Jozai-ji temple in Ikebukuro, Tokyo. Rev. Kakinuma lost no time in calling Nittatsu Shonin, who was at the head temple, and communicating with Nichijin Takano, chief executive, who was in the class of noke. Chief Executive Takano, who was also chief priest of Josen-ji in Mukojima, Sumida ward, Tokyo, immediately came to Nichijun Shonin’s residence and proposed to Nichijun Shonin that the transfer ceremony between him and Nittatsu Shonin should take place on that night as long as Nichijun Shonin had made up his mind. Nichijun Shonin accepted Rev. Takano’s proposal.

According to Nichijun Shonin’s chief doctor, his illness was very critical. It was to the point where the doctor had to say, “As his doctor, I promise that he will be OK tonight, but I have no idea of what will happen to him tomorrow.”

Nittatsu Shonin hurried from the head temple to Nichijun Shonin’s residence. Discovering he would be receiving the heritage, Nittatsu Shonin went back to his temple, Jozai-ji, at once. Taking a bath to purify his body and mind, Nittatsu Shonin returned to Nichijun Shonin’s house that evening.

Around 6:30 PM, chief priests of lodging temples on the grounds of Taiseki-ji left the head temple by car with the transfer box necessary for the transfer ceremony. They arrived at Nichijun Shonin’s residence in Ohta ward around 11:30 PM. At that time, Chief Executive Takano spoke to the general affairs director reassuring him that, “Since I served three times in the past as a transfer ceremony security guard, all you have to do is to follow my instructions.”

Following Takano’s instructions, a byobu bunting was set up in four directions to create space for the transfer ceremony. The Chief Executive, the General Affairs Bureau director, Study Department Chief, and other chief priests of the head temple’s lodging temples stayed in a next room, serving as security guards of the transfer ceremony. Nichijun Shonin’s family members were asked to stay in a remote room.

The transfer ceremony started a little after midnight and lasted for one hour and a half. Prior to the ceremony, Chief Executive Takano said to all, “When the transfer ceremony is done, they both chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.” When you hear them chant daimoku together, you can join them in chanting.” So, when they heard the two high priests chant daimoku, all the security guard priests chanted daimoku in unison, which marked the end of the transfer ceremony.

Thus at 2:30 AM on November 16 in the brightly moonlit night, Nittatsu Shonin went back to the head temple by car as a new high priest.

After the transfer ceremony was finished, Nichijun Shonin seemed to regain his vitality, so his relatives, feeling somewhat optimistic about his physical condition, returned home. But the former high priest passed away at 5:55 AM on January 17.

Nichijun Shonin had exerted his final energy to complete his role as high priest and transferred the heritage to his successor before his demise. His sense of mission was indeed lofty.

In the case of the transfer ceremony that Nikken alleges took place between Nittatsu Shonin and himself, we can sense no seriousness on the part of the alleged ceremony.

Details of the historical fact including the head temple’s priests’ departure for Nichijun Shonin’s residence with the transfer box and remarks by Nichijun Shonin himself were exposed to the public through the record published in the December 1959 issue of Dai-Nichiren with regard to the transfer ceremony that took place between Nichijun Shonin and Nittatsu Shonin. Through this article, we also can see what statements and documents Nichijun Shonin left in transferring the heritage to Nittatsu Shonin. In contrast, however, no record is available as to Nikken’s receipt of the heritage.

The record of another transfer ceremony, that which took place between Nissho Shonin, the 64th high priest of Nichiren Shoshu, and Nichijun Shonin, the 65th high priest of Nichiren Shoshu, on March 30, 1956, is very clear-cut. It was published in great detail in the April 1956 issue of Dai-Nichiren. We can sense from this article how serious the transfer ceremony was:

“Following the regular ushitora gongyo at the Grand Reception Hall at Head Temple Taiseki-ji at 2 AM on March 30, Nissho Shonin, the former high priest, transferred the heritage life-to-life to Nichijun Shonin, the new high priest.

“The six-paneled byobu buntings were set up in the inner part of the Grand Reception Hall Gohonzon room with the two high priests sitting apart face to face. The ceremony lasted for more than one hour. The ceremony was conducted in a very serious manner in accord with the traditional style of the transfer ceremony in Nichiren Shoshu with General Administrator Nisshin Takano seated in the leader’s seat in the outer part, and Administrative Office’s various bureaus’ directors seated in a line in the outer part on the corridor side. Other priests and assistant directors protected the Grand Reception Hall from outside.

“Time went by and almost no noise was generated, except occasional coughing by the two high priests within the byobu buntings. When it began to dawn in the east, the ceremony finally came to an end.”

Breathtaking Case of Transfer Ceremony between Nichigen Shonin and Nichion Shonin
There were several accounts in the history of Nichiren Shoshu where the heritage was transferred from one high priest to another.

The 34th high priest, Nisshin Shonin took office in 1764, but he passed away suddenly next year on July 26, 1765. His death came about so abruptly that he did not have time to transfer the heritage to a next high priest.

Therefore, the 33rd high priest, Nichigen, on behalf of the deceased Nisshin Shonin, transferred the heritage to the 35th high priest, Nichion Shonin. In other words, it was a case in which a retired former high priest transferred the heritage to a grand-disciple. This particular case of transfer ceremony is covered in the article titled “Memory of the Past” in the November 1935 issue of Sekai no Nichiren (Nichiren of the World).

The article goes:

“When Nichion Shonin presented himself, not only retired high priest Nichigen Shonin was there but also Nichi’in Shonin, grand retired high priest. Nichigen Shonin first spoke to Nichion Shonin, 'There is one great secret Law at our temple that originated from Nichiren Daishonin, founder of this Buddhism, and Nikko Shonin, founder of this temple. Do you have any intention to inherit this heritage?'

"Nichion replied, 'Yes. I will embrace it with all my life.'

"Nichigen asked, 'Are you sure?'

"Nichion responded, 'Yes. I will. I swear I will.' 

"Nichi’in then remarked, 'It seems that there is no doubt that Nichion is determined to accept the heritage.'

"Nichigen Shonin then said, 'If I should receive this Law, please become my disciple, even though I have a lot of shortcomings.'

"Nichion Shonin replied, 'I will long revere you as my mentor of the Law to whom I am greatly indebted.' 

"Nichigen Shonin responded, 'All is set. Let’s drink a cup of sake together as we exchange it to declare that you and I are now mentor and disciple.'

"Thus with a cup of sake exchanged between the two priests, their relationship of mentor and disciple was established.

"Then, Nichi’in, the grand retired high priest, said, 'Nichigen is my disciple, and Nichion is Nichigen’s disciple. Now three of us are all mentors and disciples.'

"In this way, the mentor and disciple relationship was established between them. Then, Nichion Shonin returned to his lodging, where the chief priest of Rikyo-bo lodging temple came to see him as a messenger of Nichigen Shonin and Nichi’in Shonin. Nichigen Shonin’s message to Nichion Shonin was, 'Tonight, at midnight, I will confer the one important thing upon you. Don’t ever tell this to anybody.' And Nichi’in Shonin’s message to you is:

Tonight, you will receive the important heritage from Rev. Nichigen. You should have your assistant pound mochi. Also, have him make red rice. All the shoji doors of the Reception Hall will be closed, and its back door is vitally important. In the previous year, a person sneaked into the room from the back door to witness the important event that was happening inside the room. Due to the cause he made, he found himself dead next day. Therefore, if you are loose in taking care of the back door, it follows that you will be cruelly killing another person. Take the trouble to make sure that back door is closed.

"All people remained awake on that night.

"Exactly at the designated time, Nichigen Shonin made his appearance and people who were waiting for him greeted him at the middle gate to guide him to the Reception Hall. The chief priest of Rikyo-bo lodging temple took charge of one gate of the Reception Hall that led to the Book Quarters, and Jisho-bo, an assistant priest, took charge of the main gate of the Reception Hall. Of course, there was no one who attempted to get into the Reception Hall on that night, but Nichigen and Nichion both checked the four sides of the Reception Hall to make sure that no one was in the room but them. 

"They both sat face to face with a sutra table between them. Nichion put his palms together in front of his chest. Then, Nichigen Shonin remarked, 'I will transfer to the 35th high priest, Nichion, the entirety of the one great secret Law that Nichiren Daishonin secretly possessed in his body.' With various points conveyed to Nichion, the transfer ceremony came to an end.

"Then, they both moved to the Book Quarters, where they exchanged a cup of sake for celebration. Then, Nichigen Shonin transferred to Nichion Shonin some vital points for transcribing the Gohonzon. Then, they both ate zoni soup, and then, Nichigen excused himself to leave.

"From this you can get a glimpse of intensity surrounding the transfer ceremony between Nichigen Shonin and Nichion Shonin."

Nissho Shonin became bedridden in June, 1923. Examination conducted at a clinic in Tokyo revealed that he had cancer. Nissho Shonin realized how serious his illness was. He rented a house near Okitsu Beach in Shizuoka prefecture to rest and recover from his illness. Young acolytes took turns attending him.

Nissho Shonin must have been aware that his death was coming to him rapidly. On the evening of August 11, he invited Rev. Nitchu, study head of Nichiren Shoshu, and two pious lay believers, Yahei Naka and Umetaro Makino. Nissho Shonin deeply trusted these two believers.

Nissho Shonin must have thought:
“I can’t trust the priesthood of Nichiren Shoshu. In transferring the heritage to Rev. Nitchu, I will have two lay believers attend my transfer ceremony as witnesses for the sake of the future.”

Because of his illness, Nissho Shonin could not speak clearly any more. At that time, Nittatsu Shonin was an acolyte, serving the ailing Nissho Shonin as a sort of interpreter.

Rev. Nitchu and the two lay believers returned to their inn. They were called back by Nissho Shonin at midnight, and Rev. Nitchu was invited to come inside the kaya (mosquito-preventing) net where Nissho Shonin was on his futon.

Nittatsu Shonin, Mr. Naka, and Mr. Makino watched the surrounding areas of Nissho Shonin’s house. Security duty was common in Nichiren Shoshu’s transfer ceremony.

The ceremony lasted about one hour. Nittatsu Shonin later reminisced that the transfer ceremony had been conducted in an orderly manner between the two high priests during that one hour.

Also, on the evening of August 17, Nissho Shonin wanted to call various important people in Nichiren Shoshu to share his intent with them. Thus a number of phone calls and communications were made that night.

Before dawn on August 18, following Nissho Shonin’s communications with them, many high-ranking officials gathered around his futon bed. Noticing them seated around him, Nissho Shonin told an attending priest to bring a piece of paper and a brush pen. The attending priest stood up to bring a piece of paper and a brush pen for the high priest. Nissho Shonin then wrote on this paper, “I confer the authority of high priest upon Study Head Nitchu.”

After confirming the attending priest’s writing on the envelope that says this envelope contains his will, Nissho Shonin put his name and signature on it. With this procedure completed, Nissho Shonin quietly closed his eyes. It was the moment of his death.

Thus, Nissho Shonin conducted double transfer ceremonies, making it clear to everyone that Nitchu Shonin was his successor. It was his gesture of opposition to the opposing forces of Nichikai and others who were pressuring the ailing high priest. They were engaged in obstructing his vital act of transferring the heritage to his successor.

These stories related to Nissho Shonin’s transmission of the heritage were mentioned by Nittatsu Shoshin on the occasion of the 57th anniversary of the passing of Nissho Shonin and in his article titled Refuting the Evil Book ‘On the Theory That the Wooden Gohonzon Is Counterfeit.’

Observing the serious history of the transfer ceremony in Nichiren Shoshu, we have no choice but to conclude that Nikken’s account concerns an extremely  sloppy and haphazard transfer ceremony.

April 15, 1978 (when Nikken alleges that he received the heritage from Nittatsu Shonin), was the date for the monthly oko lecture for Nichimoku Shonin, the third high priest. All chief priests of the lodging temples of the head temple were on the grounds of Taiseki-ji. They would have been available as witnesses or security guards had Nittatsu Shonin needed them for a transfer ceremony. And he was well aware of the importance of security and the seriousness of the execution of the transfer ceremony. However, on that day, Nittatsu Shonin’s activity record shows no sign of making any security arrangement on that day.

Nittatsu Shonin was also on hand at the transfer ceremony between the 63rd high priest, Nichiman Shonin, and the 64th high priest, Nissho Shonin. Nichiman Shonin sent a notification to the Administrative Office on July 17, 1947, which read,

This is to ask you to prepare yourself for the transfer that I will execute tomorrow, the 18th. 

17th,

Nichiman

To General Administrator Sato 

The transfer ceremony was held from 10 PM through 11:30 PM on 18th. And the ceremony where the new high priest took place of the former high priest was conducted at the Mieido temple on the July 21, 1947.

Nittatsu Shonin was present at  three consecutive transfer ceremonies. Almost all the priests of the head temple could hardly believe that Nittatsu Shonin, of all people, had transferred the heritage to Nikken so haphazardly as was claimed. 

In the summer of 1980, the year after Nikken took office, those priests who refused to accept the legitimacy of Nikken as new high priest of Nichiren Shoshu formed a group called Shoshinkai. And in January of the following year, 1981, some 180 priests of the group filed lawsuits against Nikken at the Shizuoka District Court to confirm that he is not entitled to the position of high priest and to demand the temporary termination of the execution of his role as high priest of Nichiren Shoshu. They openly stood up against Nikken.

To sum up the Shoshinkai priests’ claims:

If Nikken claims that he received the heritage from Nittatsu Shonin on April 15, 1978, why did he not publicize it?

According to the tradition of Nichiren Shoshu, the person who has received the heritage is supposed to be inaugurated as new high priest right away. Why did Nikken not do that?

As of April 15, 1978, Nikken did not possess the position of noke, which is a requirement for a person to become a high priest. Why did Nikken, whose rank was below noke, take office as new high priest?

Why did Nikken not take action to go through a right procedure to become a high priest?

Unimpressive Remarks at Court To Justify Heritage Transfer to Nikken
How did the executive priests of Nichiren Shoshu view Nikken’s contention that he actually received the heritage from Nittatsu Shonin? Of course, each executive priest had his own personal view of Nikken’s claim, but their official view that was presented to the outside world was that “there is no doubt about the integrity of High Priest Nikken’s contention.”

The following is a very interesting exchange of testimonies between the Shoshinkai lawyer and a priest of the Administrative Office at the court during the trial of the Shoshinkai group’s litigation against Nikken.

Lawyer: “You as a witness testified in response to the lawyer’s inquiry into the dialogue between Nittatsu Shonin and Executive Priest Shiina that took place in Kagoshima on June 7, 1979. Did the conversation take place in a taxi on your way to the airport?”
Witness’ Answer: “Yes, it took place in the taxi.”
Lawyer: “Were there any other people in the taxi?
Answer: “I don’t clearly remember.” 
Lawyer: “You said that Mr. Shiina had said to Nittatsu Shonin, ‘I am concerned about your getting on the airplane.’ What do you mean by that?”
Answer: “According to what I heard from Mr. Shiina, what he meant was ‘Because the weather was bad on that day, I was concerned about Nittatsu Shonin’s safety because he plays an important role as high priest.’”
Lawyer: “Do you mean that Mr. Shiina asked the high priest this question out of his concern about the high priest’s safety?”
Answer: “Mr. Shiina asked the question not out of his concern that the airplane might fall down, but out of his concern about the high priest’s health.”
Lawyer: “How did Nittatsu Shonin respond at that time?”
Answer: “I heard him say ‘I have prepared to take care of the business of transferring the heritage to my successor.’”
Lawyer: “Are you saying that this statement was made by Nittatsu Shonin within the context of his having no worry about the issue of transferring the heritage to his successor, as he had already completed the task?” 
Answer: “Yes.”
Lawyer: “Did Mr. Shiina tell you that he took Nittatsu Shonin’s statement as meaning that the high priest had finished transferring the heritage to his successor?”
Answer: “The point of Rev. Shiina’s testimony is not whether or not the transfer ceremony had been done. The important point of Rev. Shiina’s testimony is that Nittatsu Shonin actually made the above statement, and Rev. Shiina, at the time of Nittatsu Shonin’s passing, as he listened to what High Priest Nikken said, thought, ‘To recollect, Nittatsu Shonin, by that particular statement, was referring to the transfer ceremony that he had with Nikken Shonin.’”
Lawyer: “In other words, when the conversation took place, you regarded it as a regular conversation, but after Nittatsu Shonin passed away and Mr. Nikken declared that he had received the heritage from Nittatsu Shonin, it occurred to you that Nittatsu Shonin must have transferred the heritage to Mr. Nikken?”
Answer: “I don’t think that Chief Executive Shiina, when he asked Nittatsu Shonin the above question, had a deep thought in his mind. I think he just asked Nittatsu Shonin such a question simply out of his natural concern about the high priest’s safety.”
Lawyer: “Don’t you think it is very strange for Mr. Nittatsu to talk about the transferring of the heritage, the most important event of Nichiren Shoshu, in such a casual manner in the car on the way to the airport?”
Answer: “Everything about the transferring of the heritage belongs to the domain of the high priest’s sole decision. Chief Executive Shiina just asked Nittatsu Shonin the question out of his concern about the high priest’s safety, as the high priest, who is so important a person to Nichiren Shoshu, was going to take a flight back home in bad weather. In reply to Rev. Shiina, Nittatsu Shonin revealed part of what he had in his heart. Since Nittatsu Shonin disclosed what was in the depths of his heart, Rev. Shiina must have sensed the importance of what Nittatsu Shonin mentioned. I am not in a position to judge why Nittatsu Shonin said such a vital thing at that time.”
Lawyer: “What you said has nothing to do with the question of whether Mr. Abe received the heritage from Nittatsu Shonin, does it?”
Answer: “Of course, Nittatsu Shonin did not say anything about his intention to transfer the heritage to Nikken Shonin.”
Lawyer: “What you said does not address the question of whether Mr. Abe received the heritage, does it?”
Answer: “Nittatsu Shonin made no mention of Nikken Shonin or his intention to whom he would transfer the heritage. All that he meant was, 'Don’t worry about who will succeed me.'”
Lawyer: “If so, if Nittatsu Shonin had no worry about who would succeed him even if the airplane should fall down, Mr. Shiina’s thought at that time was that those who were not aboard the same airplane must have actually received the heritage from Nittatsu Shonin. Am I correct?”
Answer: “I think Chief Executive Shiina had a different idea ...”
Lawyer: “Was Mr. Abe not aboard the airplane?”
Answer: “I don’t think he was.”
Lawyer: “In those days, do you know if Nittatsu Shonin, when he took a airplane, made it a practice to give an instruction that one specific priest should always take another flight?”
Answer: “I have no idea of such a matter.”
Lawyer: “Did Nichiren Shoshu conduct a ceremony at Mujo-ji temple on Hachijo-jima Island on May 17, 1979, about two months before Nittatsu Shonin flew back from Kyushu to his place?”
Answer: “Yes.”
Lawyer: “As far as my memory goes, it was a rainy day, and the weather was so bad that it was not clear whether the plane that you were aboard could land at the airport or not.”
Answer: “Since Mujo-ji temple belongs to the same parish as mine, I was there one day before the high priest’s arrival.”
Lawyer: “Do you remember that those involved in the ceremony of this temple were concerned about whether the plane that Nittatsu Shonin was aboard could land safely?”
Answer: “There is no doubt that it was raining on that day.”
Lawyer: “Weren’t Mr. Nittatsu and Mr. Abe aboard on the same airplane?”
Answer: “I don’t clearly remember such a detail.”
Lawyer: “Didn’t you go to the airport to greet them?”
Answer: “I may have to check the record of those days to find out if …”
Lawyer: “Do you think the airplane that flew to Hachijo-jima island was dangerous because it was very small? If Mr. Nittatsu and Mr. Abe had gotten on the same airplane, isn’t it natural to interpret Nittatsu Shonin’s statement in question as meaning 'I am OK because the airplane hardly ever crashes,' not 'He has no worry about the future of Nichiren Shoshu, as he has finished transferring the heritage to his successor.'”
Answer: “As far as I heard from Chief Executive Shiina, Rev. Shiina interpreted Nittatsu Shonin’s words in the latter context. That’s what he has agreed upon.”
Lawyer: “The fact that Mr. Abe and Mr. Nittatsu were on the same airplane means, premised upon what you said, that Mr. Abe was not the person that Nittatsu Shonin had in mind to transfer his heritage, doesn’t it?”
Answer: “What you said is not necessarily true, as it is not clear whether Nittatsu Shonin and Nikken Shonin were aboard the same airplane.”
Lawyer: “If they had been on the same airplane, what I said is logically correct. Right?”
Answer: “I did not say anything that warrants your hypothesis.”
Lawyer: (Pointing to the August 1979 issue of Dai-Nichiren) "This is an article of the ceremony of Mujo-ji temple. Right?”
Answer: “Yes.”
Lawyer: “According to this article, didn’t Mr. Nittatsu go to Hachijo-jima island by airplane together with Mr. Abe and Mr. Omura?”
Answer: “According to this article, what you say seems true.”

The person answering desperately attempted to justify Nikken’s allegation of his receipt of the heritage despite an array of questions raised by the lawyer.

We can see very well from this session between the plaintiff’s lawyer and the defendant’s witness the viewpoint of the priesthood of Nichiren Shoshu. Because Nikken claims that he received the heritage from the former high priest, many other priests were desperate to support him by gathering evidence to support his claim.

A priest of Nichiren Shoshu comments:

“Many priests were raised in the small world of Nichiren Shoshu. Therefore, they only know about the realm of the priesthood. Because they were taught the absoluteness of the heritage of Nichiren Shoshu that has been inherited from one high priest to another, they took Nittatsu Shonin’s sudden death as a fearful phenomenon that should not happen to Nichiren Shoshu, that is, the termination of the heritage of Nichiren Shoshu. Therefore, Nikken’s ascension to the position of high priest through his self-proclamation relieved most Nichiren Shoshu priests, who, instead of expressing their doubt about the integrity of his receipt of the heritage, were satisfied with the fact that the heritage of Nichiren Shoshu was somehow able to remain intact.”

Nikken, Unprecedented High Priest Whose Authenticity Was Denied by Regular Priests
An incident happened at the reception room of the high priest’s quarters of Taiseki-ji on January 10, 1981. Nikken received New Year’s greetings from 150 priests and their families there. These priests had the title of teachers but did not yet have their temples.

According to the reports that we received from those present at this meeting, the first scene of the incident started when Nikken stepped into the reception room. When Nikken took a seat in front of a long table, he noticed a large, brown envelope on the table. The moment he saw the envelope, he became clearly irritated and shouted, “What is this?”

In the envelope was a letter of inquiry written by some anti-Nikken priests. One priest said, “We want to have your response to our previous letter of inquiry.” Then Nikken angrily scolded this priest loudly, saying “I don’t have to answer it.”

Then, several priests replied here and there, “You have to respond, as the issue is the most important matter of the transmission of the heritage.” A vehement exchange of words ensued between Nikken and the priests. Their families were there, too, as it was an occasion of greeting the high priest on New Year’s Day. They must have been shocked to see the disturbed Nikken, as they only knew the surface of his character. Many of them were upset at this confrontation between the high priest and the priests of their kinship, some of them began to cry.

Their hot conversation continued on and on. As each side became so emotional, no conclusion was able to be drawn. Therefore, they had to decide to have another session in the afternoon. The emotionally charged Nikken and the other priests left the reception room in total chaos.

The second part started around 2 PM. As soon as he sat before the table, Nikken reopened his mouth: “Those who have a question, come to the front.” Several priests came up to Nikken.

Nikken: “I'll give you a chance to ask me questions. So ask me one by one.”

The contents of their letter of inquiry were mentioned. Then, Nikken shouted in a scolding tone, “You fools! What you are saying belongs to the past.”

Priest: “But the issue is… .”

Nikken: “Listen to me! Be quiet.”

Priest: “But …” (Trying to say something)

Nikken: “I don’t think somebody like you, just a regular priest, understands such a profound issue.”

Priest: “But …” (Trying to say something further)

Nikken: “What’s the matter with you. Shut up. Get lost! Get lost!”

Priest: “If you say so, I’ll get lost.”

This is how their conversation unfolded. Nikken's temper was boiling over. He told the priests to ask him questions, but when they began to say something, Nikken became authoritarian, saying “I don’t think somebody like you, just a regular priest, can understand such a profound matter.”

Nikken’s response contained no semblance of reason and intellect. His response was nothing but an explosion of grudge, anger, and lowly combative emotions. Nikken's attitude was far from humble; he made no effort to try to have a dialogue to convince others. A barren argument ended, producing no positive results.

Decisive Proof That Shows Nikken Did Not Receive Heritage
The issue of the transmission of the heritage was of great interest to the entire priesthood, but Nikken oppressed the questioners, saying, “Don’t complain. Do what I tell you to.”

Since he claims that he received the heritage, Nikken should be able to behave with confidence and composure, but the action he took was to suppress the voices of many priests without allowing them to question. Without answering any of the questions raised about his legitimacy, Nikken only reiterated his contention that he received the heritage from the former high priest.

On January 19 and 22, 1982, all noke priests and Nichiren Shoshu Assembly members signed a document to declare to Nikken that they would respect him as the legitimate 67th high priest of Nichiren Shoshu. Actually, what happened was that they were all forced to sign the document.

The following trial record eloquently explains what actually took place:
Lawyer: “All those priests who signed the document respectfully acknowledged that Nikken Shonin is a legitimate high priest of Nichiren Shoshu. Am I correct?”
Answer: "Isn’t it the fact that they were all afraid of Nikken? Even on the occasion of the wake for Nittatsu Shonin on July 22, 1979, some elderly priests of lodging temples of the head temple overtly said, ‘The way a new high priest is chosen seems to be on a first come, first serve basis. Obviously, Nittatsu Shonin passed away without choosing his successor.’ I think that this document of declaration had to be signed to quiet such disgruntled senior priests. … It is unheard of in the annals of Nichiren Shoshu that such a document had to be created to warrant the high priest’s legitimacy.”

We can clearly see a picture where there were disgruntled chief priests whom Nikken forced to sign the document. 

And there were such incredible statements made by Nikken and shared by junior priests who served him as his personal secretaries right after he took office as new high priest: “Don’t you know where the robe is with the seal of the crane embroidered?” “Isn’t there a kesa robe with the seal of the crane embroidered?”

Nikken was looking for the robe that the high priest is supposed to wear. The seal of the crane was embroidered on it. Puzzled by this question of Nikken’s, those junior priests who were serving Nikken felt, “If he had received the heritage, he naturally already should have made a new robe that he would wear for official occasions.” 

Nikken also asked a question to one secretary who had been serving the former high priest, Nittatsu Shonin, “How did Nittatsu Shonin make gohifu?” Naturally, Nikken should have been taught how to make gohifu by the former high priest if he had been his successor. It would have been part of the transfer between one high priest to the next. The secretary of Nittatsu Shonin’s time also questioned if Nikken was a legitimate high priest.

Also, senior priests are said to have seen through the false identity of Nikken, rumoring behind his back, “That (Nikken) is a phony high priest.” The main reason why they said this was the way Nikken transcribed the Gohonzon. With regard to the way the Gohonzon is  transcribed, every Nichiren Shoshu priest has basic knowledge of transcribing the Gohonzon. However, once you take office as high priest, you will naturally refrain from transcribing it in your own way. You will naturally try to copy it the way your predecessor did. In other words, your frame of mind will naturally become straight and humble as a high priest, due to the gravity of the position and the debt owed to one's predecessor.

For instance, the way Nittatsu Shonin transcribed the Gohonzon at the outset of his inauguration around 1960 and 1961 was exactly the same as the way his mentor Nichijun Shonin did. Also, Nichijun Shonin himself transcribed the Gohonzon in his early days as high priest in the manner that is very similar to that used by his predecessor, Nissho Shonin.

On the contrary, from the beginning,Nikken has copied the Gohonzon in his own style. This provoked a senior priest to comment, “Since he did not receive the heritage legitimately, he could not help but do things in his own manner, as he did not learn from the former high priest such basic things as he should have known as high priest.”