Nichiren

Nichiren, praying in the rain; work by Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1798-1861)

Nichiren (1885); Woodcut by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839-1892)

The Great Mandala he painted to help people meditate

Nichiren (16 February 1222 - 13 October 1282) was a Buddhism priest who lived in Japan. He is often called Nichiren, "Nichi" means "sun" and "ren" means "lotus". The type of Buddhism he founded is known as Nichiren Buddhism. Nichiren's actions and writings are the basis of the modern Buddhist organization Soka Gakkai International (SGI). According to SGI's interpretation of Buddhism, it is through faith, practice and study that people can tap into their Buddha nature, become truly happy, and build a peaceful society. Faith refers to the belief in the concept known as "the mystic law of the universe." Practice means to chant every day the phrase "Nam-myo-ho-renge-kyo" and sections from the Lotus Sutra while sitting in front of the Gohonzon, a sacred scroll that hangs in the butsudan (an altar). Practice also entails telling other people about Nichiren Buddhism. Study means reading the writings of Nichren and discussing the readings with other people.

Nichiren Media

The banishment of Nichiren in 1261. The disciple Nichirō wished to follow but was forbidden to do so. Tourist postcard artwork, circa 1920s.
Tojo no Saemon Attacks Nichiren at Komatsubara
Depiction of the alleged execution event stopped by a bright orb
Konpon Temple was built on Sado where Nichiren lived during his exile.
Nichiren bowing before the Mandala Gohonzon which he wrote by himself
The Eternal Temple on Mount Minobu
Memorial tower erected on the spot where Nichiren was cremated in 1282 (Ikegami Honmon-ji Temple, Tokyo)
Print illustration of Nichiren and a disciple, by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi.
Japanese illustration depicting the mutual inclusion of the ten realms within the mind (xin, 心) of a fetus.