![cover image](https://wikiwandv2-19431.kxcdn.com/_next/image?url=https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/85/H%25C5%258Dan-d%25C5%258D_of_Taiseki-ji_in_2009-11.jpg/640px-H%25C5%258Dan-d%25C5%258D_of_Taiseki-ji_in_2009-11.jpg&w=640&q=50)
Nichiren Shōshū
Branch of Nichiren Buddhism / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dear Wikiwand AI, let's keep it short by simply answering these key questions:
Can you list the top facts and stats about Nichiren Shōshū?
Summarize this article for a 10 year old
Nichiren Shōshū (日 蓮 正 宗, English: The Orthodox School of Nichiren) is a branch of Nichiren Buddhism based on the traditionalist teachings of the 13th century Japanese Buddhist priest Nichiren (1222–1282), claiming him as its founder through his senior disciple Nikko Shonin (1246–1333), the founder of Head Temple Taiseki-ji, near Mount Fuji. The lay adherents of the sect are called Hokkeko members. The Enichizan Myohoji Temple in Los Angeles, California serves as the temple headquarters within the United States.
![]() | This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these template messages)
|
![]() Nichiren Shōshū | |
---|---|
日 蓮 正 宗 | |
![]() | |
Abbreviation | NST |
Classification | Nichiren Buddhism |
Scripture | Lotus Sutra Gosho writings of Nichiren |
Theology | Honmonji Buddhism |
High Priest | Nichinyo Shonin |
Liturgy | “The Liturgy of Nichiren Shoshu” |
Headquarters | Taiseki-ji Sohonzan |
Founder | Nichiren Daishonin |
Origin | 4 May 1253 Minobu, Yamanashi (June 2), later transferred to Taiseki-ji (1290) |
Members | Over 800,000 (as of January 2021)[citation needed] |
Official website | English Website of Nichiren Shoshu |
Logo | Rounded crane |
The sect is known for vehemently rejecting the various forms of Buddhism taught by Shakyamuni Buddha as incomplete, expired and heretical for the Third Age of Buddhism. Instead, the sect is based on the exclusivist teachings of Nichiren and the chanting of "Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo" along with reciting curated portions of the Lotus Sutra.[1][2]
The object worshipped by its believers is the Dai Gohonzon while its religious symbol is the rounded crane bird. Both its leadership and adherents claim that only their practice is "The True Buddhism" and ascribe the honorific title to Nichiren, as the "Sacred Original "True" Buddha" (御本仏, Go-Honbutsu) and the Dai-Shonin (大聖人, "Great Holy Teacher") while maintaining that the sole legitimate successor to both his ministry and legacy is Nikko Shonin and the successive high priests of the sect, led by the current 68th High Priest, Hayase Myo-e Ajari Nichinyo Shonin, who ascended to the position on 15 December 2005.[citation needed]