| What is the Buddhism
of Nichiren?
Members of the SGI practice the Buddhism taught by Nichiren,
a 13th Century Japanese priest whose philosophy centered around
one of the last teachings of the first historically recognized
Buddha (known as Siddhartha Gautama or Shakyamuni Buddha).
This teaching, called the Lotus Sutra, declares that all living
beings, regardless of gender or intelligence, have the potential
to attain Buddhahood.
Enlightenment is an awakening to the true nature of life,
including the profound realization of the interconnectedness
of all things - the inseparable relationship between the individual
and the environment and the ability of each human being to
powerfully influence both. This realization leads the individual
to assume personal responsibility for her or his own condition
and for that of the immediate and distant environment.
This responsibility is furthered by an understanding of the
simultaneity of cause and effect. Each thought, word or deed
has an immediate effect both on the individual and on his
or her environment, even if the effect takes time to manifest.
The goal of SGI members is to manifest Buddhahood, or enlightenment,
in their own lives, which will tap their own creative potential
as individuals and, in so doing, create thriving and peaceful
families, work places and communities. The eventual goal is,
through the gradual "human revolution" of individuals,
to create peace and prosperity in societies throughout the
world.
Chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo
Nichiren taught that all of the benefits of the wisdom contained
in the Lotus Sutra can be realized by chanting its title (Nam)
Myoho Renge Kyo. Chanting these words and excerpts from the
Lotus Sutra is the core of the Buddhist practice, supported
by study and the propagation of the teachings. Faith, practice
and study are the basics of the Buddhist practice, pursuing
activities for oneself and activities for the sake of others.
The Gohonzon
Toward the end of his life Nichiren inscribed a scroll which
he called the fundamental object of respect, or Gohonzon.
The scroll depicts in Chinese characters the law of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo
and the life of Nichiren, as well as protective influences.
Down the center are the characters Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and
Nichiren's signature. This indicates the oneness of the person
and the Law - that the condition of Buddhahood is a potential
within and can be manifested by all people. SGI members enshrine
a copy of the Gohonzon in their homes as a focal point for
their daily practice. The Gohonzon's power comes from the
worshipper's faith - it functions as a spiritual mirror. Sitting
in front of it and chanting, a person is able to recognize
and reveal his or her own Buddha nature, the creative essence
of life.
Daily Practice - Gongyo
The Japanese word gongyo literally means "assiduous
practice." Generally speaking it means to recite Buddhist
sutras in front of an object of worship. In the practice of
Nichiren Buddhism it means reciting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, and
part of the second chapter "Hoben" and the entire
sixteenth "Juryo" chapter of the Lotus Sutra in
front of the Gohonzon. This is the fundamental practice of
Nichiren Buddhism, performed morning and evening.
The Major Writings
Nichiren was persecuted throughout his lifetime by the Japanese
government and by religious powers who considered his revolutionary
teachings a grave threat to their continued authority. Nevertheless,
the letters he wrote to his followers , often under the most
dire conditions, illustrated that even in the midst of the
greatest challenge, he was able to realize the great beauty
of life and feel joy and compassion for others - the state
of Buddhahood. These letters and treatises, more than 400
of which remain today, collected in English as The Major Writings
of Nichiren Daishonin, are among the primary study materials
for SGI members.
Lay believers - the SGI
Until the 1930s the followers of Nichiren known as the Hokkeko
were a relatively small group of lay believers, led by the
priesthood of the Fuji School (Nichiren Shoshu). In 1930,
a lay organization was founded by educator Tsunesaburo
Makiguchi. During World War II, he was imprisoned for
refusing to compromise his religious beliefs in spite of pressure
from the Japanese government to accept the State religion,
Shinto, which was used to unify the public in support of the
war. Makiguchi died in prison in 1944. His successor, Josei
Toda, was also imprisoned, but survived to help lead the
post-war growth of the Soka Gakkai ("Value Creation Society")
from a handful of members to more than 750,000 households
before his death in 1958. The third President, Daisaku Ikeda,
has guided the movement to its present day strength of 10
million members in Japan, and approximately 1.26 million members
in 128 countries abroad. The international organization, Soka
Gakkai International (SGI), was established in 1975. In
1991 the SGI organization separated from the Nichiren Shoshu
priesthood. |
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Glossary of
Buddhist Terms
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