Nichiren Shu: Identity Problem

In Japan, there are more than ten religious groups, which claim adherence to Nichiren’s teachings. Although Nichiren’s teachings are focused on attaining Buddhahood in one’s lifetime, almost all of these sects deny that Nichiren himself could attain Buddhahood in his lifetime, limiting his spiritual identity to that of a Bodhisattva. This understanding explains why the title of “Buddha” becomes “reserved” - by these sects - exclusively for Shakyamuni. The school of Nichiren Shu, which Head Temple is at Mt Minobu, is an example of the mentioned Nichiren sects, which follow the practice of chanting (odaimoku), however their teachings show inconsistency with the Lotus Sutra’s principle of attaining Buddhahood, as well as inconsistency with Nichiren’s teaching on the Object of Devotion.

N. Shu identifies its founder as “Great Bodhisattva”, a title which was confirmed also by the emperor through an imperial edict. The emperor’s opinion about Nichiren’s spiritual identity as a Bodhisattva is accepted as a reference by various branches of similar Nichiren sects (Hokke Kempon, Rissho Kosei-Kai, Butsu Ryu Shu and others).

N.Shu - Prayer Book’s contradiction: The Prayer book of Nichiren Shu refers to Nichiren as a Bodhisattva, implicitly indicating his failure to realise his vow (mentioned in page 20 of the same book) to become a Buddha: “I, Nichiren, vowed to learn and to master Buddhism and to attain Buddhahood”. Some N.Shu scholars clarify the meaning of the word “Buddha” as indicating a person who “has awakened to the truth ”, but they exclude their founder from having been “awakened to the truth” - or a Buddha. In another view, some N.Shu ministers agree that the founder could achieve his vow of becoming a Buddha in his lifetime, as the Prayer Book states - but that Nichiren cannot be called a Buddha because the word is reserved for Shakyamuni. ______SGI Buddhism N. Shu Buddhism Nichiren’s Identity Buddha Bodhisattva Object of Devotion Mandala Gohonzon Various forms : - Shakyamuni statue, or/and - Mandala Gohonzon with statue of Nichiren, and - other added statues

The Emperor as a reference N.Shu & PureLand N. Shu & N. ShoShu N.Shu & SGI Nichiren’s Buddhahood The 2 fathers argument Excluding Shakyamuni from Humanity Different Forms of Object of Veneration Correcting Nichiren The daiGohonzon Statue or Gohonzon ?

Author: Safwan Zabalawi Homepage