Nichiren
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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
- Nichiren exiled.jpg
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 in 1264.jpg
Tojo no Saemon Attacks Nichiren at Komatsubara
- Koso go-ichidai ryakuzu 高祖御一代略圖 (Concise Illustrated Biography of Monk Nichiren) (BM 2008,3037.12108).jpg
Depiction of the alleged execution event stopped by a bright orb
- Konponji-Tempel.jpg
Konpon Temple was built on Sado where Nichiren lived during his exile.
- NICHIREN SHŌNIN ICHIDAI ZUE 1858 Mandala.jpg
Nichiren bowing before the Mandala Gohonzon which he wrote by himself
- 身延山久遠寺 - panoramio (10).jpg
The Eternal Temple on Mount Minobu
Memorial tower erected on the spot where Nichiren was cremated in 1282 (Ikegami Honmon-ji Temple, Tokyo)
- NDL-DC 1312535 01-Tsukioka Yoshitoshi-日蓮上人石和河にて鵜飼の迷頑を済度したまふ図-crd.jpg
Print illustration of Nichiren and a disciple, by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi.
- Tainai jikkai no zu by Kuniteru III.jpg
Japanese illustration depicting the mutual inclusion of the ten realms within the mind (xin, 心) of a fetus.