The Foundation of Nichiren 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 Daishonin’s writings, referring to them as honorable writings (referred to as Japanese gosho), and encouraged all disciples to read and study them as the sacred scripture for the Latter Day of the Law. He also fostered many outstanding disciples who exerted themselves in Buddhist practice and study.

 

Here are some of the things Nichiren Daishonin wrote (from https://www.sokaglobal.org/resources/study-materials/buddhist-study/the-basics-of-nichiren-buddhism-for-the-new-era-of-worldwide-kosen-rufu/chapter-1.html)

 

1)      The Fundamental Law That Pervades the Universe and Life - The Law of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is the essential principle, or means, for attaining Buddhahood.

 

2)      The Eternal Law Inherent in All People’s Lives - Buddhas are awakened to the truth that the Lotus Sutra exists within not only their own lives but also the lives of all people. They realize that this universal Law transcends the bounds of life and death and can never be lost or destroyed.

 

3)      The Profound Meaning Reflected in the Name, Nam-myoho-renge-kyo: Though it grows in muddy water, the lotus remains unsullied by its environment, producing pure and fragrant blooms.  In addition, the lotus, unlike other plants, contains a seed pod (the lotus fruit) within its buds, and the flower and fruit grow and appear at the same time. The flower (the cause) and the fruit (the effect) exist together, simultaneously. This is also used to illustrate that the state of buddhahood, though indiscernible, exists even in the lives of ordinary people who have not yet manifested that state of life and, further, that even after one becomes a buddha, one does not lose the life states that characterize an ordinary person. These characteristics are dependent on each other. Joy and sorrow are an example of how human emotions coexist simultaneously.

 

4)      “The Attainment of Buddhahood by Ordinary People” and “Attaining Buddhahood in One’s Present Form” - Even ordinary people whose lives are dominated by earthly desires, burdened by negative karma, and afflicted by suffering, can, by awakening to the reality that buddhahood exists within their own lives, manifest the wisdom of a buddha’s enlightenment, liberate themselves from suffering, and realize a state of complete freedom.

 

5)      “Earthly Desires Are Enlightenment” and “The Sufferings of Birth and Death Are Nirvana” - Even ordinary people whose lives are dominated by earthly desires, burdened by negative karma, and afflicted by suffering, can, by awakening to the reality that buddhahood exists within their own lives, manifest the wisdom of a buddha’s enlightenment, liberate themselves from suffering, and realize a state of complete freedom.

 

6)      Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land - “Establishing the correct teaching” means promoting faith in and acceptance of the correct teaching of Buddhism as the foundation for people’s lives and making the Buddhist teaching of respect for the dignity of life the fundamental motivating principle of society. “For the peace of the land” means realizing peace and prosperity in society as well as safety and security for all individuals in their daily lives.

 

From these passages we can clearly see that achieving kosen-rufu, the widespread propagation of the Mystic Law, is the fundamental spirit of the Nichiren Daishonin.