Exploring Buddhism

 Nichiren Daishonin (1222–82) dedicated his life to propagating the Mystic Law—Nam-myoho-renge-kyo—motivated by an unwavering commitment and compassion to eradicate suffering and enable all people to reveal their innate buddhahood. He discovered this law as a boy. He encountered many hardships and persecution throughout his life as he sought to address and put an end to the evils obstructing the happiness of the people. While he was trying to overcome pain and hardship, he wrote several works which are the foundation of  Nichiren Buddhism (his form of Buddhism). After the Daishonin’s death, only Nikko Shonin (whom he had mentored) carried on his mentor’s fearless spirit and actions for kosen-rufu. This means that he continued to spread Nichiren Daishonin’s teachings far and wide. Based on his awareness as the Daishonin’s successor, Nikko Shonin continued to speak out against slander of the Law and to remonstrate with the government authorities. He treasured every one of the Da...

  SGI is a Japanese Buddhist organization that was founded based on Nichiren Buddhism. It comprises of a global network of affiliated organizations. As of 2011, the SGI reported active national organizations in 192 countries and territories. Membership at SGI exceeds 12 million practioners . It has been characterized as the world's largest and most ethnically diverse Buddhist organization.   History: SGI was founded by  Tsunesaburo Makiguchi, who had a passion for enabling people to lead fulfilled and happy lives. Unfortunately, he was imprisoned along with his protégé, Josei Toda, during World War II for opposing the militaristic Japanese government's views on religion. Makiguchi died in prison from malnutrition and old age, while Toda emerged to rebuild the Soka Gakkai as a Buddhist movement to empower people suffering in the aftermath of the war. Daisaku Ikeda (1928–2023) inherited Toda’s vision, going on to develop and broaden the organizatio...

 Daimoku is a central practice in Nichiren Buddhism, where practitioners chant the phrase "Nam Myōhō Renge Kyō". The Japanese chant translates roughly to "Devotion to the Mystic Law of the Lotus Sutra.”  By chanting this, they are invoking the Lotus Sutra. The Lotus Sutra is one of the most influential and venerated Buddhist texts. Chanting daimoku is believed to awaken one’s Buddha nature, transform karma, and bring clarity, courage, and compassion into daily life.