Observations placeholder
Nichiren Shonin - 12 September 1271, Japan - Saved from execution by a flying sphere!
Identifier
028862
Type of Spiritual Experience
None
Background
Nichiren (Kanji: 日蓮; born as Zen-nichi-maro (善日麿), Dharma name: Rencho - 16 February 1222 – 13 October 1282) was a Japanese Buddhist priest of the Kamakura period (1185–1333), who developed the teachings of Nichiren Buddhism, a branch school of Mahayana Buddhism.
Nichiren was controversially known for declaring the Lotus Sutra alone contains the highest truth of Buddhist teachings suited for the Third Age of Buddhism.
A description of the experience
As quoted in Wonders In The Sky - Unexplained Aerial Objects From Antiquity To Modern Times - and Their Impact on Human Culture, History, and Beliefs - Jacques Vallee and Chris Aubeck
At midnight one of Japan's greatest saints, Nichiren Shonin (1222-1282), was being escorted to the beach to be executed. Just before the fatal moment, a brilliant sphere as large as the moon flew over, illuminating the landscape. The authorities were so frightened by the apparition that they changed their minds about putting Shonin to death. Instead, they exiled him to Sado Island, though this did not prevent his teachings from spreading. A branch of his teachings, the Sokka-Gakkei, has millions of adherents throughout the world today.
Source: Rev. Ryuei Michael McCormick, Lotus Seeds: The Essence of Nichiren Shu Buddhis (Nichiren Buddhist Temple of San Jose, 2000).