Introduction to Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism

Nichiren Shoshu is the School of Buddhism founded by Nichiren Daishonin over 750 years ago in Japan. Shakyamuni Buddha, who we all know as the historical Buddha in India, expounded in his final teaching of the Lotus Sutra that the original Buddha from the infinite past would appear approximately 2,000 years after his passing, when the people had lost all connection to Shakyamuni’s teachings, and society had fallen into a profoundly dark age.

At this time Nichiren Daishonin made his advent in order to bring to light that Myoho-Renge-Kyo is the ultimate law, essence and entity of all life and phenomena. He expounded that all people have the potential to understand this reality of life by attaining the enlightened state of Buddhahood. He revealed a practice equally effective for all people to be able to actualize that potential within their present form and lifetime. In other words, Nichiren Daishonin established Buddhism as a faith and practice for all people to be able to attain enlightenment, irrespective of age, race, gender, education level or social status. All people share the equal potential to live a happy life based on a true understanding of the reality of life.

There are two ultimate purposes in practicing Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism. The first is to awaken to the awareness that our lives contain the Buddha nature and strive towards the life condition of unshakable happiness, wisdom and compassion that is Buddhahood. The second, is to realize a peaceful society and relieve suffering in the world through Buddhism. This is known as kosen-rufu.

All people equally share the same potential for enlightenment, which is called the Buddha nature. The greatest benefit of Nichiren Shoshu Buddhist practice is the ability to develop this inherent potential for enlightenment in ourselves and achieve Buddhahood; a life condition of unshakeable happiness, wisdom and compassion, based on a clear understanding of the reality of life. As we develop ourselves day by day through Buddhist practice towards this goal, we naturally accumulate virtue and gratitude in our lives. Our perspective of life begins to shift and our actions start to change positively, which is the springboard for change in our life and environment. Benefits such as improved health and relationships, and the ability to overcome life’s hardships manifest naturally through Buddhist practice as we develop a stable mind and clear vision of life.

In Buddhism we always learn about the oneness of our lives; with one another, and with our environment. The Buddha’s teachings shed light on the fact that it’s not possible to be happy all by ourselves; it’s only when all people are happy that we can feel true happiness. In other words, our lives depend upon one another. For that reason, Buddhism is considered a practice for both oneself and for others. Rather than keeping the benefit that Buddhist practice brings to our lives all for ourselves, we share it for the happiness of others whenever we have the opportunity to do so. Here at Myoshinji Temple you will often hear us say that others’ happiness is our happiness, and our happiness is others’ happiness. Nichiren Daishonin teaches us about the oneness of our lives and the environment when he states, “The pure and impure lands are not separate realms. The goodness or evil of our hearts and minds determines the nature of the land.” With the understanding that the state of the world is a reflection of the minds of the people, Nichiren Shoshu practitioners strive towards the achievement of enlightenment for both themselves and for others, to naturally contribute towards true peace and stability in the world, which is called Kosen-rufu.

So that we can bring forth the enlightened life condition of Buddhahood existing in the depths of our lives, and establish peace and stability in the world, Nichiren Daishonin respectfully inscribed for us the true object of worship, the Dai-Gohonzon which is enshrined at our Head Temple in Japan.

The Gohonzon

The Gohonzons enshrined in temples, or those that you see in members’ homes, are all transcriptions of the original Dai-Gohonzon. Just like the branches and roots of a tree, the Gohonzons enshrined in temples and members’ homes are connected to the Dai-Gohonzon, and are only ever transcribed by the lineage of High Priests who have protected Nichiren Daishonin’s teachings ever since his physical passing. Nichiren Daishonin states:

“I, Nichiren, with sumi ink, have infused my life [into the Gohonzon]. So believe in it. The will of the Buddha is the Lotus Sutra, but the spirit of Nichiren is nothing other than Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo.”

“I, Nichiren, with sumi ink, have infused my life [into the Gohonzon]. So believe in it. The will of the Buddha is the Lotus Sutra, but the spirit of Nichiren is nothing other than Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo.”

The Gohonzon is the embodiment of the oneness of the original infinite Law of Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo, and the very entity of the enlightened life of the Buddha. For that reason, the Gohonzon is essential for the attainment of Buddhahood and a source of great benefit in our lives and the world around us. When we chant Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo to the Gohonzon, our own inherent Buddha nature itself awakens and emerges, and we are able to begin a natural yet active process of changing our individual karma and perception of life.

The Benefits of Buddhist Practice

The greatest benefit of Nichiren Shoshu Buddhist practice is attaining enlightenment or Buddhahood, the life condition of unshakable happiness and the wisdom to grasp the eternal truth of life. As we practice day by day and strive toward this highest life condition, the accumulation of tremendous benefit and wisdom is revealed in our daily life. Believers experience such concrete benefits as improved health, better personal relationships, and the ability to overcome life’s hardships positively. This is called the actual proof of Buddhist practice.

Find out more at one of our Introduction to Buddhism events.

Learn more about how to begin your Buddhist practice here.