Neither the founder, nor the last leaf

On the occasion of the 770th Anniversary of “Rikkyo Kaishu” - the founding of Nichiren Shu.

Having studied for many years at temples throughout Japan, including 12 years on Mt. Hiei, Nichiren Shōnin had become convinced that the Lotus Sūtra was the essence of the Buddha’s teachings which reveals his true mind and enlightenment. 

The Lotus Sūtra teaches that the Pure Land, the place where the Buddha lives, is right here. It says that when people rebuild the foundation of their hearts and abandon the defilements in their hearts, the Pure Land will be realised in this seemingly “muddy” world. He understood that the sufferings of this world are manifestations of improper minds and improper teachings, and that if everyone regains their minds and frees themselves from their mental afflictions the world will become peaceful and tranquil. 

In order to spread the teaching of the Lotus Sūtra to bring about this peace and tranquility, he descended Mt. Hiei and travelled to his home temple to start there. Why? Of course, as Buddhists we should have the same heart of wishing to relieve everyone’s suffering equally - a quality known in Buddhism as “equanimity”. However, it is not possible to save everyone at once, so it is natural to spread the teachings starting from the place where we have a connection. Additionally, Nichiren Shōnin wished to repay his parents and his master for their kindness by sharing what he had realised with them and putting them at ease.

Having travelled back to Seichōji temple where he had been ordained, on the morning of 28th April, 1253, Nichiren Shōnin, when he was age 32, climbed up to the top of a hill called “Asahigamori” on Mt. Kiyosumi , and facing the rising sun over the Pacific Ocean, chanted the Sacred Title of “Namu Myoho Renge Kyo” ten times, vowing to save all sentient beings with the Lotus Sūtra. That day, a large number of people gathered in the temple to hear his sermon.

From that time on, Nichiren Shōnin devoted his life to spreading the teaching of the Lotus Sūtra and the Odaimoku, and that day became the day that Nichiren Shu (the Nichiren Tradition) was born.

One of the very curious things about Nichiren Shōnin and his teachings is that there is no single work which can be considered his “magnum opus”. A large number of works survive until today, and there are five which are known today as his “Five Major Writings”.

They are some of the longest of his writings, and certainly very important. Some people say “Kanjin Honzon-sho” is the most important, or “Rissho Ankoku-ron” is the most important, but even they only contain one part of his teaching. The same goes for Kaimoku-sho and the other “Major Writings”. Just reading one is not enough.

Also, if you really want to get to know Nichiren Shōnin as a person, his thinking and his teachings, even reading all Five Major Writings is not enough. The name “Five Major Writings” can give us the false impression that “If I just read those five, I’ll understand Nichiren Shōnin and his teachings”, but actually, his shorter writings are invaluable as well.

This is a little bit troublesome for people who wish to understand Nichiren Shōnin’s teachings now, so it seems like a weak point with regards to his writings. However, it actually reveals a wonderful and great thing about Nichiren Shōnin: he never thought of establishing his own school of Buddhism. 

That is why he didn’t prepare a single work with which we can understand his teachings in total, which could form the basis of a new school.

Nichiren Shōnin’s life purpose was merely to clarify the intention of the Buddha. He had no idea other than wanting to revive the Buddha’s teachings and spread the Lotus Sūtra. He was not trying to establish a new school. He wasn’t interested in power, prestige, or position. This is truly a very special aspect of his thinking. 

Therefore in one of his writings, Myōmitsu Shōnin Goshōsoku, he wrote, 

“I (Nichiren) am neither the founder of any school, nor the last leaf [on the branch]”. 

(「日蓮は何の宗の元祖にもあらず、又末葉にもあらず。」STN2, p.1165)

Even though it wasn’t his intention, in reality Nichiren Shōnin’s teachings, wonderful example, and unique practice of the Lotus Sūtra have left a huge legacy which has been passed down ever since and inspired many people. The lineages descending from that time until today have collectively been known as either “Nichiren Shū” (The Nichiren School), “Hokke Shū” (The Lotus School) or “Nichiren-Hokke Shū” (The Nichiren Lotus School; to distinguish it from the Tendai School, which is another school of Buddhism in Japan in which the Lotus Sūtra has a central place). 

For that reason we celebrate today, 28th April, as the Anniversary of the founding of the Nichiren School, and express our appreciation and joy in Nichiren Shōnin’s teachings and the practice of chanting “Namu Myoho Renge Kyo”.

Happy Rikkyo Kaishu everyone!

Gassho