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Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism,
with a growing number of believers worldwide, is a branch of
Buddhism based on the teachings of the 13th century Japanese Buddhist
monk named
Nichiren Daishonin (1222-1282). According to the doctrines of Nichiren
Shoshu, by revealing and propagating the Mystic Law of Nam Myoho Renge Kyo,
Nichiren Daishonin fulfilled the mission of his advent in accordance with
the prediction of the Indian historical
Buddha Sakyamuni (563?-483?BC), also known as Siddhartha Gautama, who
foretold that, 2,500 years after his passing, there would appear a successor
who would be the True Buddha for later ages.
Nichiren Shoshu Buddhists believe that personal
enlightenment can be achieved in one's present lifetime. Central to
their practice is chanting to a Gohonzon (see below) the phrase, "Nam Myoho
Renge Kyo," also written and pronounced as "Namu
Myoho Renge Kyo" which can be understood to mean "I am devoted to the
Mystic Law of Cause and Effect." Simply put, through thoughts, words and
deeds, every human being can create causes. Every cause has an effect; and
good causes produce positive effects and bad causes produce negative effects
(see
karma). According to Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism, this law of causality is
the universal principle underlying all visible and invisible phenomena and
events in daily life. Consequently, Nichren Shoshu believers strive to
elevate their life condition and attain enlightenment by acting in
accordance with this law in their day-to-day life and by sharing with others
their faith in this Mystic Law of Nam Myoho Renge Kyo.
In Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism, the fundamental Object of
Worship is the Dai-Gohonzon, which was inscribed by Nichiren Daishonin on
October 12, 1279. The Dai-Gohonzon, using Chinese characters, is revered as
the very entity of Nichiren's Daishonin's enlightenment. Every individual
Nichiren Shoshu worshipper or household possesses a smaller transcription of
the Dai-Gohonzon that is produced and consecrated by each successive High
Priest of Nichiren Shoshu, and is issued to each new believer by a Nichiren
Shoshu priest upon initiation at local temples around the world. Taisekiji,
the Head Temple of Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism, is located near the foot of
Mt. Fuji in Japan, and is visited each year or from time to time by
believers, either individually or in groups.
Every morning and evening, Nichren Shoshu practitioners
affirm and renew their faith by performing Gongyo, which consists of the
recitation of certain chapters of the
Lotus Sutra, held to be Sakyamuni Buddha's highest and most profound
teaching, and the chanting of Nam Myoho Renge Kyo to the Gohonzon, while
focusing on the Chinese character Myo. This practice, particularly when
shared with others, is regarded as the True Cause for attaining the tranquil
state of enlightened life that can allow believers to experience and enjoy
more meaningfully fulfilled lives and to confidently confront and overcome
the challenges of everyday life (or what Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism refers to
as "changing poison into medicine").
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