Nichiren Shōshū

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Nichiren Shōshū
日 蓮 正 宗
Taiseki-ji Head Temple, Fujinomiya, Shizuoka, Japan
Abbreviation	NST
Classification	Nichiren Buddhism
Scripture	Lotus Sutra Gosho writings of Nichiren
Theology	Honmonji Buddhism
High Priest	Nichinyo Shonin
Liturgy	“The Liturgy of Nichiren Shoshu”
Headquarters	Taiseki-ji Sohonzan
Founder	Nichiren Daishonin
Origin	4 May 1253 Minobu, Yamanashi (June 2), later transferred to Taiseki-ji (1290)
Members	Over 800,000 (as of January 2021)[citation needed]
Official website	English Website of Nichiren Shoshu
Logo	Rounded crane

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Nichiren Shōshū (日 蓮 正 宗, English: The Orthodox School of Nichiren) is a branch of

]

Historical name

Following the death of Nichiren, centuries of doctrinal divisions arose among various schools of Nichiren's followers. During the

Nichiren Shu in 1874, Fuju-fuse and Fuju-fuse Komon in 1876, and in 1891 the five interrelated schools of Kempon Hokkeshu, Honmon Hokkeshu, Honmyo Hokkeshu, Hokkeshu, and Honmonshu.^[3]

In 1900, the Taiseki-ji temple split away from Honmonshu and renamed itself Nichirenshu Fuji-ha, or the Nichiren Shu (School) of the Fuji area, the branch of Taisekiji Temple, indicating the general naming of sects at the time. In 1913, the sect's name was changed to its current “Nichiren Shoshu.”

Emperor Taisho in reference to the sect's orthodox claims.^[5] The sect is also sometimes called Nichiren Masamune, based on the local Japanese dialect in Shizuoka.^{[citation needed}

]

Overview

Kano Tsunenobu (1636–1713), now preserved at Nichiren Shoshu Honmonji Temple in Mitoyo, Kagawa prefecture. Measuring approximately 40 inches by 22 inches on silk, Edo period

.

Its head temple

sumi ink

.

Unlike other Mahayana Buddhist practices, Nichiren championed the

Nichiren Shōshū claims to operate over 700 temples and temple-like facilities (lay propagation centers) in Japan, as well as 24 temples outside Japan, and a membership of over 800,000 global adherents.^{[citation needed]}

Nichiren Shōshū claims a direct lineage (yuiju ichinin kechimyaku sojo) of successive High Priests from

1. “Document Entrusting the Dharma that Nichiren propagated throughout his Life” (日蓮–期弘法付属書, Nichiren ichigo guho fuzokusho)
2. “Document Entrusting Minobu-san” (身延相承書, Minobu-san fuzokusho)
3. The “One Hundred and Six Articles" (百六箇抄, Hyaku rokka-sho)

The current leader of the sect is the 68th High Priest, Nichinyo Shōnin (1935–).^{[citation needed]} Nichiren Shōshū priests distinguish themselves from those of most other schools by wearing only white and grey vestment robes and a white surplice, as they believe Nichiren did.^{[citation needed]}

By the imperial Daijō-kan Decree #133 of the Emperor Meiji since 1872, Nichiren Shōshū priests, like other Japanese Buddhist sects as well as other former traditionalist "celibate" lifestyles such as artisans and Geisha et cetera, have been permitted to marry.

Accordingly, the sect does not impose any regulations of Buddhist morality on gender or marital relationships, poverty or wealthy lifestyles, ranging from personal habits or vices, divorce, abortion, sartorial or dietary choices including the consumption of vegetables versus meat, dairy or alcohol, et cetera.

The sect also vehemently rejects monetary and material donations from non-members who are not registered or affiliated with a local branch temple, citing claims of "karmic impurity" from non-believers and those who belong to other religions. This position of not accepting alms from non-believers is taught by Nichiren in his "Letter to Ni'ike" ("Ni'ike gosho"), and by Nikko Shonin in his "Twenty-six Admonitions" ("Nikko yuikai okimon"). Accordingly, the offertory fee to register as a new member is strongly forbidden to be paid for by a fellow

The sect categorizes three forms of donations for its registered believers:

1. The pro-active sharing of its religious practice to non-believers through chanting
   Nam Myoho Renge Kyo and Shakubuku
   .
2. The offertory of food and monetary donations to sustain the local temple and its priests.
3. The ancient Asian practice of gaining
   Buddhist merit
   (Japanese: 廻向, Eko) by providing free labor services (cleaning, volunteer work) for the temple.

The following articles are highly venerated within the sect:

• The Threefold Lotus Sutra in all its three forms, (法華三部経, “Hokke–Sanbu–Kyo”)
• Surviving letters of Nikko Shonin (2nd), Nichiu Shonin (9th) and Nichikan Shonin (26th)
• Surviving letters of Nichiren Daishonin called "Gosho":
  • Securing the Peace of this Land by Propagating True Buddhism – (立正安国論, Rissho Ankoku Ron) – (1258)
  • Opening Your Eyes from Blindness – (開目抄, Kaimoku-sho) – (1272)
  • The True Object of Worship – (観心本尊抄, Kanjin-no Honzon-sho) – (1273)
  • Selecting the Right Time – (撰時抄, Senji-sho) – (1275)
  • Paying Back Your Debts of Gratitude – (報恩抄, Ho'on-sho) – (1276)
  • Chanting the Title of the Lotus Sutra – (唱法華題目抄, Sho-hokke Daimoku-sho) – (1260)
  • Taking the Essence of the Lotus Sutra – (法華取要抄, Hokke Shuyo-sho) – (1274)
  • The 4 Stages of Faith + 5 Stages of Practice – (四信五品, Shishin Gohon) – (1277)
  • My Letter to Mr. Shimoyama – (下山御消息, Shimoyama Gosho-soku) – (1277)
  • The Oral Record Compilations of
    Ongi Kuden
    – (就註 法華経 口伝) Xu–Tzu Hokke–Kyo Ongi–Kuden ) – (1278)
  • Questions and Answers on the True Object of Worship – (本尊問答抄, Honzon Mondo-sho) – (1278)

To a lesser extent, the following articles are revered as secondary or minor Buddhist scriptures:

• • The ten volumes of Mohe Zhiguan (摩訶止観, "Great Concentration and Mind Contemplation"
  • The Maka – Shikan Bugyoden Guketsu (摩訶止観輔行伝弘湺, "Commentaries on Mohe Zhiguan")
  • The ten volumes of Hokke Gengi (滕華玄義, "Essentials of the Lotus Sutra")
  • The Hokke Gengi Shakusen (滕華玄義釈箋, "Commentary on Hokke Gengi")
  • The ten volumes of Hokke Mongu (滕華文句, "The Words and Phrases of the Lotus Sutra")
  • The Sangyō Gisho (三経義疏, "Commentary on the Lotus Sutra").

Hokkeko

Lay believers belong to official congregations known as Hokkekō groups, designed to encourage solidarity among fellow members to study Nichiren Shoshu doctrines and plan one's Tozan pilgrimage to the head temple in Japan. Most attend services at a local temple or in private homes when no temple is nearby.^{[citation needed]} Services are usually officiated by a priest, but lay leaders sometimes fill in when no priest is available.^{[citation needed]} When they gather, believers frequently study Nichiren Shōshū teachings, particularly the various writings of Nichiren, called Gosho. A leader in a local group or district is called Koto while a widely held position on a grander scale was once called So-Koto, but is now no longer used. The present Dai-Koto leader of the Hokkeko Federation is Mr. Koichiro Hoshino.^{[citation needed]}

The official symbol of Nichiren Shōshū is the crane bird (Tsuru) in a rounded shape (Tsuru-no-Maru). Another symbol is the eight-spoked wheel of the Noble Eightfold Path called Rimbo (Treasure Ring) as well as the tortoise crest for Nikko Shonin, who is considered by the school to be the sole and legitimate successor to Nichiren. The Three Friends of Winter combination crest is also present in temple altars, representing Nichimoku Shonin.^{[citation needed]}

Religious doctrines

Nichiren Shōshū doctrine extends the Tiantai classification of the Buddhist sutras into the following:

1. Five periods of time + eight categories (五時八教, Goji-hakkyō)
2. The theory of 3,000 interpenetrating realms within a single life-moment (一念三千, Ichinen Sanzen)
3. Its world view of the Three Truths (三諦, San Tai).

The doctrine of "Buddhist Slander"

The sect seeks to eradicate all other religions and vehemently rejects all forms of religious

"…Like the rays of the sun and the moon that dispel the darkness of phenomena, this person will practice in the world, dispel the darkness of all humanity and lead immeasurable numbers of bodhisattvas to finally attain the One Vehicle" – Chapter 21: The Mystical Powers of

Tathagata Buddha.^{[citation needed}

]

1. Buddha – Nichiren Shōshū teaches that Nichiren is the “True Original
   Buddha” for the modern times corresponding to the Third Buddhist Age
   and for all eternity.
2. Dharma – The
   Dai-Gohonzon
   wooden mandala and was left for the posterity of future generations. The same definition of Dharma is accorded to its authorized, transcribed copies called "Gohonzon" that are loaned by the sect to its followers.
3. Sangha – The
   Nikko Shonin
   , its lineage of succeeding High Priests, along with the entire collective of Nichiren Shōshū priests who serve to teach, protect and preserve the doctrines and dogmas of Nichiren Shōshū.

The "Three Great Secret Laws"

According to the doctrinal beliefs of Nichiren Shoshu, Nichiren instituted the mastery of three spiritual disciplines:^{[citation needed]}

1. Precepts – upholding the Buddhist vows ("Jukai") of daily Buddhist practice
2. Meditation – purifying the mind through chanting "
   Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo
   " ("Shodai")
3. Wisdom – upholding the teachings of religion through the office of the Head Temple ("Kaidan")

Nichiren Shoshu teaches that Nichiren revealed the Three Great Secret Laws which matches the three above:^{[citation needed]}

1. The Dai-Gohonzon – as the Supreme Object of Worship, sourcing to the vow of Precepts.
2. The Daimoku – of Nam Myoho Renge Kyo as the Supreme Invocation, sourcing to its meditational practice.
3. The Dai-Sekiji no Honmon Kaidan (Tai-sekiji) – as the Platform of the High Sanctuary of Essential Teaching, sourcing to its authoritative office of Wisdom.

On the Lotus Sutra

The Lotus Sutra is the core basis of the teachings of the sect, and divides the book into two parts:

• "Theoretical Teachings" ( "Gate of Tracing", Jp: 迹 門 Shaku–mon) – Chapters 1–14
• "Essential Teachings" ( "Gate of Origin", Jp: 本 門 Hon–mon) – Chapters 15–28

The sect teaches that a significant difference between the two lies with the standpoint of who is preaching them. The Theoretical Teachings (Chapters 1–14) are preached by

As result of these interpretations of the

Another doctrine taught by the sect is that Chapter 2 of the Lotus Sutra does not reveal the cause or "seed" of enlightenment gained by Shakyamuni Buddha. Rather, this secret was revealed in Chapter 16 of the Lotus Sutra by

Furthermore, the sect teaches that:

• The recitation of Chapter 2 is a self–declaration to reject and abolish the various religions and forms of Buddhism taught by Shakyamuni Buddha.
• The recitation of Chapter 16 (through a metaphysical reading) crystallizes this Buddhist secret (also called "Hidden Treasure") which gains a person the state of Buddhahood. The sect teaches that this hidden mystical secret is the practice of "Jigyo–Keta" (自 行 化 他) or the widespread propagation of the practice to non-believers.

The meaning of Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo

The sect teaches that Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is the quintessential core practice of Nichiren's teachings,

Several ceremonies are conducted within Nichiren Shoshu, some as memorials for lauded figures, others in commemoration or celebration of momentous events, as well as life-cycle event ceremonies for individuals including conversion to Buddhism, marriages and funerals.^[

1. The believer's practice (Gyō–riki: power of practice)
2. Faith (Shin–riki: power of faith)
3. Invoking the power of the Buddha (Butsu–Riki)
4. Then coupled with the power of the Dharma inherent in the Gohonzon (Ho–riki).

This four-part combination of physical practice and religious faith are claimed to eradicate negative forms of karma, attract positive new karma and transcend to a happier and higher life status.

The current version of its daily practice consists of performing Gongyo, a recitation of the Lotus Sutra and chanting its words (Shodai). It consists of the prose section of Chapter 2 of the Lotus Sutra and the prose and verse portion of Chapter 16 along with five designated prayers.

This regimented practice when shared with non-believers (Jigyo–Keta) is regarded by the sect as the quintessential essence (called "True Cause") for gaining the life state of Buddhahood. Furthermore, it teaches that this secret was revealed by the Buddhist god Ākāśagarbha at a large open garden during the training years of Nichiren prior to his attempted execution and revelation of enlightenment at Shichirigahama beach.

Object of Worship

The

Transcriptions of the Dai Gohonzon, made by successive High Priests of Nichiren Shōshū, are called

Hokkeko followers can make a request to receive a personal gohonzon to their local temple chief priest. These gohonzons are ritually – consecrated facsimiles printed on paper using a traditional method and presented as a small scroll, measuring approximately 7 x 15 inches. The local chief priest sends all requests to the Head Temple. As these requests are granted, gohonzons are then delivered to the recipient's local priest and he bestows them on the individual members. In this ritual, the recipient vows to sincerely believe in Nichiren's teachings and to faithfully practice the religion and uphold its doctrines.^[citation needed]

List of High Priests

• The dates denote the date of death of each high priest.

Expelled lay and priestly groups

The following groups, which had been associated with Nichiren Shoshu, were expelled in the years 1974 (Kenshokai), 1980 (Shoshinkai), and 1991 (Soka Gakkai).

Kenshokai (顕正会, Clear and Orthodox Group), 1974

In 1974, a lay group called Myōshinkō from the Myokoji Temple in

In 1980, a group of Nichiren Shōshū priests and lay supporters called Shōshinkai (English: Correct Faith Group) were expelled from the Head Temple by 67th High Priest Nikken Shonin for questioning the legitimacy of the new head abbot Nikken and for criticising Soka Gakkai's influence on temple affairs.^{[citation needed]} At the time, Soka Gakkai supported Nikken's claim to be the rightful successor of Nittatsu Hosoi as high priest. Shōshinkai continues to refer to itself as the true Nichiren Shōshū. Shōshinkai later founded a dissident association of Nichiren Shoshu priests seeking reformation and began transcribing their own version of the Gohonzon rather than taking a transcribed copy from one of the Nichiren Shōshū high priests. Most of them have aged or deceased, and their temples have since reverted to Nichiren Shoshu administration after their death, having been replaced with younger priests affiliated with the Head Temple Taiseki-ji. Some of these older priests have also joined other Nichiren sects or made their own, such as the case in Taiwan.^[13][14]

Soka Gakkai (創価学会, Value Creation Society), 1991

Nichiren Shōshū excommunicated the Soka Gakkai and the Soka Gakkai International (SGI) on 28 November 1991.^[15][16]

Soka Gakkai had emerged as a lay organization affiliated with one of the temples located in the Taiseki-ji complex, and founded by

As early as 1956, such doctrinal conflicts simmered, evidenced by the alleged declaration of the second president of Soka Gakkai, Josei Toda, to the 65th High Priest Nichijun Shonin during the reconstruction of Myoden-ji Temple, claiming the organizational leadership no longer upheld Nichiren Shoshu doctrines.[17]

On 10 May 1974, the vice-president of Soka Gakkai, Hiroshi Hojo, submitted a written report to Daisaku Ikeda proposing a schism with Nichiren Shōshū, using the example of Protestants and Roman Catholics as "differences".^{[citation needed]} In response, High Priest Nittatsu Hosoi refused the proposal to create a board committee that would oversee temple affairs and its bookkeeping practices, while mentioning his gratitude for the construction of the Shohondo building. Furthermore, Nittatsu acknowledged the possibility of the split, and specifically threatened to place the Dai-Gohonzon back into the Nichiren Shōshū treasury building (御 宝 蔵, Gohōzō) where only a select few faithful would be able to venerate the image.^{[citation needed]}

These and other conflicts resulted in a complete and formal disassociation of the two sides after Nichiren Shōshū excommunicated the leaders of the Sōka Gakkai and stripped it of its status as a lay organization of Nichiren Shōshū in 1991. Ultimately, Daisaku Ikeda was excommunicated from the role of Sokoto or lay leader by High Priest Nikken, while the formal decree of excommunication invalidated the tax exempt status of Soka Gakkai under Japanese law due to its lack of temple affiliation.^{[citation needed]}

Further causes of conflict came when the temple priesthood began to notice the construction of Community Centers instead of funding construction of new Nichiren Shōshū temples. On 30 September 1997, Nichiren Shōshū excommunicated all Soka Gakkai International members.^{[18][19]: 69}

Criticism

Various criticisms of Nichiren Shoshu are often published by its former lay organization, the Soka Gakkai. In its dissenting group Soka Spirit that questions and opposes Nichiren Shoshu doctrines, the Soka Gakkai rejects both the priestly authority of the High Priest of Taisekiji and the intermediary role of the Nichiren Shoshu priesthood as relevant or necessary in practicing Buddhism for a contemporary age.^[20]

Former practitioners often cite the orthodox beliefs of Nichiren Shoshu that places great emphasis on religious piety and religious ceremonies that prohibit tolerance for other cultures and foreign religious values under an atmosphere of orthodoxy.^[