FAQs

The goal of believers of Nichiren Shoshu is to establish a happy life condition for ourselves as well as to realize a truly peaceful society. Buddhism teaches that true happiness for a human being is enlightenment, or Buddhahood. Enlightenment does not mean to become a Buddha after one’s death or to become a supernatural being. Enlightenment is to achieve the life condition of unshakable happiness through forming ideal characteristics in our real life. Read More

Nichiren Daishonin founded this Buddhism on April 28, 1253, which is the beginning of the history of Nichiren Shoshu. Shakyamuni Buddha, known as Gautama Siddhartha, predicted in the Lotus Sutra that the impure and vicious era of the Latter Days of the Law would come some 2,000 years after (his) Shakyamuni’s death, and the votary of Lotus Sutra would appear on earth to save people. Read More

In the infinite past of kuon-ganjo, the True Buddha named the ultimate Law or true entity of life in the universe as Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo. In view of the person, the life of the True Buddha, Nichiren Daishonin himself is “Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo.” Literally “Nam” means devotion and “Myoho-Renge-Kyo” is the title of the Lotus Sutra. A simplified translation means “Devotion to the Mystic Law of the Lotus Sutra.” Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo is also called the mystic Law of cause and effect, because within it is both the cause and effect of attaining Buddhahood. “Renge” means Lotus Flower. The Lotus Flower produces its flower and seeds at the same time, representing the simultaneity of cause and effect. The cause is to chant Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo and the effect is attaining enlightenment. Read More

Gongyo means to recite the Sutra and chanting Daimoku in front of the Gohonzon. In Nichiren Shoshu, we recite the Hoben chapter and Juryo chapter of the Lotus Sutra and chant Daimoku of Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo to the Gohonzon. We offer five prayers in the morning and three prayers in the evening... Read More

Gongyo is the most fundamental practice of our faith. The 26th High Priest Nichikan Shonin says: This Gohonzon has limitless and mystic power, and so if you chant Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo to this Gohonzon, your prayers will be answered, your sins will vanish, your benefits will be accumulated, and truth will be found without fail... Read More

Shakubuku is to refute erroneous religious thinking which is the cause of unhappiness and to teach the correct religion which brings about a wonderful life and true happiness. Shakubuku is something that you can do even if you are not familiar with difficult Buddhist teachings. To show your daily practice in faith and to talk about the great power of the Gohonzon and your experience are part of Shakubuku practice... Read More

In Nichiren Shoshu, making pilgrimage to the Head Temple Taisekiji is called Tozan. The true purpose of Nichiren Daishonin’s advent is the inscription of Dai-Gohonzon of the High Sanctuary of Essential Teachings which is solemnly protected at Taisekiji. The High Priest, who received the Lifeblood of the True Heritage of Nichiren Daishonin, lives in Taisekiji. Therefore the Head Temple Taisekiji is a sacred place where the entire law and spirit of Nichiren Daishonin have been preserved... Read More

“Oko” generally means a ritual assembly to recite sutras, to offer prayers, and to preach the teachings of Buddhism in order to praise a particular Buddha or object of worship. In Nichiren Shoshu, we conduct Oko ceremony to repay our debt of gratitude for the profound benefit of the Three Treasures: Nichiren Daishonin (the Buddha), the Dai-Gohonzon (the Law), and Nikko Shonin (the Priesthood)...Read More

Karma is a Sanskrit word that means action, and encompasses the results of the action. If one hurts another, the action vanishes when the event is over, but the physical and emotional consequences remain. Karma is action that creates an influence over future events in one’s life. Read More

When we practice to the Gohonzon with faith, the great life condition of Buddhahood will manifest in the depths of our lives. We can expiate our negative karma from the past and experience it as a lesser effect. We are, at once, able to lessen the heavy suffering, both material and spiritual, that would have manifested in our present life as a result of negative past causes. What is more, for the practitioner of Nichiren Shoshu, the lesser negative effects can be changed into great benefit. This is called “hendoku iyaku”, the Buddhist term for “changing poison into medicine.” No matter how many problems and sufferings may arise, if we muster strong faith and never give up this practice, these situations will be resolved...Read More