BELOW IS A DIFFERENT SECTION
Nichiren Daishōnin [1], Nichiren Shōnin [2], or simply Nichiren [3] was a 13th century Japanese Buddhist monk (February 16th, 1222-October 13th, 1282), the founder of Nichiren Buddhism, sometimes called Hokke Shū [4] The principal schools of this branch of Buddhism are Nichiren Shū, Nichiren Shōshū and several lay Buddhist movements such as the Sōka Gakkai, the Risshō Kōsei Kai, and the Reiyukai.
The members of Nichiren Shōshū and the Sōka Gakkai give Nichiren the title of the original Buddha or the Buddha of the Latter Day of the Law [5] Nichiren Shū, in contrast, considers the Buddha Shakyamuni as the Original and eternal Buddha [6], and Nichiren as the reincarnation of Bodhisattva Visistacaritra [7] who, according to the sutra [8], promises to propagate the Lotus Sutra during the epoch of Mappō (Kanji 末法 lit. Final Days of the Dharma) : the final of the Three Epochs which follow the death of Shakyamuni after the epoch of the Correct Law (Shōhō : 正法) et the Formal Law (Zōhō : 像法) [9] during which time Buddhism falls into confusion and the Buddha's teachings lose their power to lead people to Buddhahood.
These different perspectives play a major role in different interpretations of Nichiren's teaching. For example, whereas Nichiren Shōshū and the Sōka Gakkai prefer to study the teachings based on Nichiren's writings and treatises called the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin [10] or the Gosho [11], Nichiren Shū does not assign all of the Gosho with the same value, questioning those that are of questionable authenticity and regarding the Lotus Sutra as the principal text of study. [12].
The birthname of Nichiren was Zen-nichi-maro [13]. When he began his Buddhist studies he assumed the name Yaku-o-maro. Later, when he took his vows and entered into the priestly order, he was named Zeshō-bō Renchō [14]. Finally, he took the name of Nichiren the day he created his own school. Nichiren literally means Sun-Lotus [3] : nichi signifies sun and ren, a contraction of the word renge, means lotus.
Nichiren was very controversial during his times and escaped several assassination attemps which were the result of his intense critiques of the other existing schools of Buddhism, particularly Zen, Nembutsu, Shingon and Ritsu, [15] [16] [17] [18] thus attracting the hatred of monks and authorities.
With the conviction that Nam-myōhō-renge-kyō is the only teaching which could lead living beings to enlightenment in this lifetime and during the epoch of Mappō, Nichiren instructed the recitation of the title of the Lotus Sutra ( daimoku) —
![]() | This article is about a topic whose name is originally rendered in the
Japanese script; however the article does not have that version of its name in the article's lead paragraph. Anyone who is knowledgeable enough with the original language is invited to assist in adding the Japanese script. For more information, see: MOS:FOREIGN · Wikipedia:Naming conventions (Japanese) · MOS:JAPAN. |
in Japanese [19]. He believed the recitation of this particular mantra constitutes a unique and essential practice. This conviction lead him to conclude, in summary, that: le Nembutsu conduit dans l'enfer Avīci, le Zen est l'œuvre du démon, le Shingon détruit la Nation et le Ritsu est traître.
SUGGESTED IDEAS FOR NEW LEAD Paragraph 4
However, Nichiren remains a controversial figure in modern scholarship. Critical scholars have used labels such as intolerant, nationalistic, militaristic, and self-righteous to describe him. [20] On the other hand, Nichiren has been described as a revolutionary [21] and as as a prophet. [22] His prophecy has been compared to that of Martin Luther; [23] [24] Nichiren and Muhammad both displayed similar rebellious and revolutionary drives to reform their degenerous societies. [25]
(From translation of French article) Nichiren Daishōnin [1], Nichiren Shōnin [2], or simply Nichiren [3] was a 13th century Japanese Buddhist monk (February 16th, 1222-October 13th, 1282), the founder of Nichiren Buddhism, sometimes called Hokke Shū [26] The principal schools of this branch of Buddhism are Nichiren Shū, Nichiren Shōshū and several lay Buddhist movements such as the Sōka Gakkai, the Risshō Kōsei Kai, and the Reiyukai.
NBuddhist prophet [27]
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If Japan ever produced a prophet or a religious man of prophetic zeal, Nichiren was the man. He stands almost a unique figure in the history of Buddhism, not alone be cause of his persistence through hardship and persecution, but for his unshaken conviction that he himself was the messenger of Buddha, and his confidence in the future of his religion and country. Not only one of the most learned men of his time, but most earnest in his prophetic aspirations, he was a strong man, of combative temperament, an eloquent speaker, a powerful writer, and a man of tender heart. He was born in 1222, the son of a fisherman, and died in 1282, a saint and prophet.
Uchimura compares him to Luther on two counts. The first is his concern over the wrongs of the religious establishment, and the second is his adoption of a single book as the source of his faith. He depended on the Lotus Sutra, Uchimura begins, much as Luther relied on the Bible....In sum, Nichiren was 'a soul sincere to its very core, the honestest of men, the bravest of Japanese.'
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cite book}}
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BELOW IS A DIFFERENT SECTION
Nichiren Daishōnin [1], Nichiren Shōnin [2], or simply Nichiren [3] was a 13th century Japanese Buddhist monk (February 16th, 1222-October 13th, 1282), the founder of Nichiren Buddhism, sometimes called Hokke Shū [4] The principal schools of this branch of Buddhism are Nichiren Shū, Nichiren Shōshū and several lay Buddhist movements such as the Sōka Gakkai, the Risshō Kōsei Kai, and the Reiyukai.
The members of Nichiren Shōshū and the Sōka Gakkai give Nichiren the title of the original Buddha or the Buddha of the Latter Day of the Law [5] Nichiren Shū, in contrast, considers the Buddha Shakyamuni as the Original and eternal Buddha [6], and Nichiren as the reincarnation of Bodhisattva Visistacaritra [7] who, according to the sutra [8], promises to propagate the Lotus Sutra during the epoch of Mappō (Kanji 末法 lit. Final Days of the Dharma) : the final of the Three Epochs which follow the death of Shakyamuni after the epoch of the Correct Law (Shōhō : 正法) et the Formal Law (Zōhō : 像法) [9] during which time Buddhism falls into confusion and the Buddha's teachings lose their power to lead people to Buddhahood.
These different perspectives play a major role in different interpretations of Nichiren's teaching. For example, whereas Nichiren Shōshū and the Sōka Gakkai prefer to study the teachings based on Nichiren's writings and treatises called the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin [10] or the Gosho [11], Nichiren Shū does not assign all of the Gosho with the same value, questioning those that are of questionable authenticity and regarding the Lotus Sutra as the principal text of study. [12].
The birthname of Nichiren was Zen-nichi-maro [13]. When he began his Buddhist studies he assumed the name Yaku-o-maro. Later, when he took his vows and entered into the priestly order, he was named Zeshō-bō Renchō [14]. Finally, he took the name of Nichiren the day he created his own school. Nichiren literally means Sun-Lotus [3] : nichi signifies sun and ren, a contraction of the word renge, means lotus.
Nichiren was very controversial during his times and escaped several assassination attemps which were the result of his intense critiques of the other existing schools of Buddhism, particularly Zen, Nembutsu, Shingon and Ritsu, [15] [16] [17] [18] thus attracting the hatred of monks and authorities.
With the conviction that Nam-myōhō-renge-kyō is the only teaching which could lead living beings to enlightenment in this lifetime and during the epoch of Mappō, Nichiren instructed the recitation of the title of the Lotus Sutra ( daimoku) —
![]() | This article is about a topic whose name is originally rendered in the
Japanese script; however the article does not have that version of its name in the article's lead paragraph. Anyone who is knowledgeable enough with the original language is invited to assist in adding the Japanese script. For more information, see: MOS:FOREIGN · Wikipedia:Naming conventions (Japanese) · MOS:JAPAN. |
in Japanese [19]. He believed the recitation of this particular mantra constitutes a unique and essential practice. This conviction lead him to conclude, in summary, that: le Nembutsu conduit dans l'enfer Avīci, le Zen est l'œuvre du démon, le Shingon détruit la Nation et le Ritsu est traître.
SUGGESTED IDEAS FOR NEW LEAD Paragraph 4
However, Nichiren remains a controversial figure in modern scholarship. Critical scholars have used labels such as intolerant, nationalistic, militaristic, and self-righteous to describe him. [20] On the other hand, Nichiren has been described as a revolutionary [21] and as as a prophet. [22] His prophecy has been compared to that of Martin Luther; [23] [24] Nichiren and Muhammad both displayed similar rebellious and revolutionary drives to reform their degenerous societies. [25]
(From translation of French article) Nichiren Daishōnin [1], Nichiren Shōnin [2], or simply Nichiren [3] was a 13th century Japanese Buddhist monk (February 16th, 1222-October 13th, 1282), the founder of Nichiren Buddhism, sometimes called Hokke Shū [26] The principal schools of this branch of Buddhism are Nichiren Shū, Nichiren Shōshū and several lay Buddhist movements such as the Sōka Gakkai, the Risshō Kōsei Kai, and the Reiyukai.
NBuddhist prophet [27]
{{
cite web}}
: Check |url=
value (
help); Missing or empty |title=
(
help)
{{
cite web}}
: |last=
has generic name (
help)
If Japan ever produced a prophet or a religious man of prophetic zeal, Nichiren was the man. He stands almost a unique figure in the history of Buddhism, not alone be cause of his persistence through hardship and persecution, but for his unshaken conviction that he himself was the messenger of Buddha, and his confidence in the future of his religion and country. Not only one of the most learned men of his time, but most earnest in his prophetic aspirations, he was a strong man, of combative temperament, an eloquent speaker, a powerful writer, and a man of tender heart. He was born in 1222, the son of a fisherman, and died in 1282, a saint and prophet.
Uchimura compares him to Luther on two counts. The first is his concern over the wrongs of the religious establishment, and the second is his adoption of a single book as the source of his faith. He depended on the Lotus Sutra, Uchimura begins, much as Luther relied on the Bible....In sum, Nichiren was 'a soul sincere to its very core, the honestest of men, the bravest of Japanese.'
{{
cite book}}
: Missing pipe in: |page=
(
help)