Goshinkotsudo Hall 御真骨堂

Official explanation

Before Nichiren passed away, he wrote this message in his will: “Please build my grave on Mt. Minobu, where my heart will forever reside.” His disciples honored his wish and built Goshinkotsudo, a mausoleum that enshrines Nichiren’s ashes and is thus his official gravesite. It is considered one of Kuonji Temple’s most sacred places.

Goshinkotsudo was built in 1881 with the donations of Nichiren Buddhists from Owari (present-day Aichi Prefecture). The hall has a five-storied pagoda in the center, within which is an urn that holds Nichiren’s remains. The pagoda was donated by the Nagasaki Nichiren Buddhist Association. The hall burned down in 1886 but was quickly rebuilt.

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The mausoleum has an octagonal design. Circles are associated with reincarnation in Buddhist mythology, but circular buildings are too difficult to construct. Furthermore, the building is designed so that it can be lowered underground in case of major earthquakes or fires.

Anyone can visit the Goshinkotsudo, but the inner sanctum is not open to the public, and most monks are also not permitted to enter this hallowed place.

出典: 地域観光資源の多言語解説文データベース（観光庁） — www.mlit.go.jp/tagengo-db. この英語解説文は観光庁の地域観光資源の多言語解説整備支援事業で作成しました。
Source: Japan Tourism Agency, Multilingual Explanation Database. This English text was produced by the Japan Tourism Agency's multilingual explanation project and is shown unedited. Opening hours and services may have changed since it was written.