Nichiren Buddhism is a branch of Mahayana tradition of Buddhism that is based on the 13th-century teachings of Nichiren, a Japanese Buddhist priest.
Within Nichiren Buddhism, there are two major sects, which differ over whether Nichiren was the actual Buddha of the Third Age of Buddhism, or whether he was a bodhisattva of the earth, a saint, or a great teacher. The largest sects are the Soka Gakkai, Nichiren Shu, and Nichiren Shoshu. It is practiced worldwide, including Brazil, Europe, the United States, South Korea, and Southeast Asia.
The basic practice of Nichiren Buddhism involves the chanting of an invocation (Nam-myoho-renge-kyo) to a mandala inscribed by Nichiren, known as the Gohonzon. This involves both chanting and having the mind of faith, which is known as shinjin. The invocation and the Gohonzon make up the title and essence of the Lotus Sutra, which Nichiren considered the only valid scripture for the Latter Day of the Law, a period of confusion and human strife, when Buddhism would be in decline, as well as for the state of Buddhahood that is inherent in all life. Even more important than the ritual was the substance of a person's life.
Nichiren taught that conditions of the world were a reflection of the conditions of the lives of the people who lived in it. He taught, also, that if a nation were to abandon heretical forms of Buddhism and adopt the faith in the Lotus Sutra, that nation would prosper and know peace and security. He considered his followers to be the Bodhisattvas of the Earth, who appeared in the Lotus Sutra, committed to spreading correct teachings.
Adherents of Nichiren Buddhism are tasked with the propagation of the teachings of Nichiren, and to affect true change in the world, in preparation for the sanctuary of Buddhism. The invocation, the Gohonzon, and the sanctuary make up the Three Great Laws for Dharmas, which are recorded in the Lotus Sutra.
Nichiren Buddhism was founded in 13th century Japan as one of the six new schools of Kamakura Buddhism, which were a response to upheaval in feudal Japan. The Lotus Sutra was firmly established in Japan during the time of Nichiren and was the most frequently recited sutra. However, a variety of esoteric rituals and Pure Land practices had been adopted as a means of understanding the sutra.
In the climate of confusing and contradictory Lotus Sutra practices and a mixture of Old and New Buddhism schools, Nichiren developed his philosophy and teaching, focusing on the Lotus Sutra as the central message of the Buddha.
His teachings reached their maturity between 1274 and 1282, during a period in which he had devoted himself to training his disciples. Despite persecution, arrest, an attempted execution, and exile, his followers held together
After Nichiren's death in 1282, fractures appeared in Nichiren Buddhism, and there were periods of growth and decline. Today, there are several branches of Nichiren Buddhism. The roots of much of the splintering stemmed from the six senior priests who Nichiren named to lead the community. Each led Nichiren Buddhist communities in different parts of Japan and, after the death of Nichiren, these communities developed into differing lineages. Other faults developed over issues, such as a belief in local gods, the content of the Lotus Sutra, the identity of Nichiren, the Three Gems, and identification with the Tiantai school of Buddhism.
While various Nichiren sects have existed in countries outside of Japan for more than a hundred years, the large-scale expansion of Nichiren Buddhism began in the 1960s. Nichiren Buddhism now has a presence in several countries outside of Japan.
The major branches of Nichiren Buddhism include Nichiren Shu, Nichiren Shoshu, Nipponzan Myohoji, Risho Kosei Kai, Reiyukai, and Soka Gakkai.
Nichiren Buddhism and any of its sects are the focus of topics in this category.
Recommended Resources
Nichiren Shoshu is an Orthodox School of Buddhism founded by Nichiren Daishonin more than seven hundred years ago, and the Nichiren Shoshu branch holds that Nichiren Daishonin was the True Buddha. General information about Buddhism and Nichiren Buddhism are illustrated through several informational articles. News and study items are included, along with a list of North American temples.
https://www.nst.org/
Maintained by the Nichiren Buddhist Informational Center, an overview of Nichiren Shu, Nichiren Shonin, the Lotus Sutra, and its practices are presented here. A guide to temples throughout the world is available here, along with a calendar of events, newsletter, and contact data. Books, video, audio, prayer beads, and miscellaneous meditation items are available for purchase, along with a guide to Buddhist practices.
http://www.nichiren-shu.org/
Research on Nichiren Shoshu Issues
Maintained by the Association of Youthful Priests Dedicated to the Reformation of Nichiren Shoshu, a variety of articles on topics related to the Nichiren branch of Mahayana Buddhism are published here, including an introduction to the traditions of Nichiren Shoshu, news items, video, and other resources. An online forum allows knowledgeable readers to submit articles and photographs for publication to the site.
http://www.nichiren.com/
The international Nichiren Buddhist organization was founded in 1975, and serves as the largest lay organization of Buddhists, with practitioners in nearly two hundred countries and regions. SGI-USA, the United States regional branch, is organized into three territories, each with five centers. Member organizations and resources are advanced, and study materials, the writings of Nichiren, and Buddhist terms may be found through a keyword search.
http://www.sgi-usa.org/
Soka Gakkai Nichiren Buddhism Library
The online library publishes English translations of the basic texts of Nichiren Buddhism, which include “The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin,” “The Lotus Sutra and Its Opening and Closing Sutras,” “The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings,” and “The Soka Gakkai Dictionary of Buddhism.” The included texts are searchable by keyword and include guides, prefaces, and appendixes, where available. Instructions to their use are tendered.
https://www.nichirenlibrary.org/
Transcendent Life Condition Buddhism
Previously known as the Nichiren Buddhist Association of America, the organization's goals, as stated, include enlightenment, the law rather than the person, the practice of Shakubuku, and the protection of correct teachings. Its charter and vows are stated, and informational articles give the views of the organization on the practice of Buddhism, the use of Buddhist philosophical tools, spirituality in Nichiren Buddhism, and many others.
https://transcendentlifeconditionbuddhism.com/
