Nichiren Shu as a Religious Organization

In 1876, the Meiji government approved the conglomeration of those lineages of Nichiren Buddhism that were known as the Unity Branch (itchi-ha) under the name Nichiren Shu with Kuonji Temple on Mt. Minobu as the principal head temple. The Unity Branch taught that the teachings expounded in the Trace Gate and the Original Gate are equally valuable, as opposed to those who taught that the Original Gate is superior and the Trace Gate is inferior (shoretsu-ha). Nichiren Shu is currently comprised of lineages that trace back to all six of Nichiren Shonin’s six senior monks, as well as the lineage established by Toki Jonin.

Nichiren Shu is a traditional Buddhist organization whose purpose is to open the provisional teachings and reveal the true Dharma. It was founded by Nichiren Shonin, the manifestation of Superior Practice Bodhisattva, who was instructed to disseminate the Lotus Sutra in the Latter Age of Degeneration by Shakyamuni Buddha, the Original Teacher, who attained awakening in the remotest past.

Nichiren Shu embraces the Three Great Secret Dharmas: The Focus of Devotion of the Original Gate, the Sacred Title of the Original Gate, and the Precept Platform of the Original Gate. Its aim is to enable and encourage all beings to practice the teaching of the Lotus Sutra and live in accordance with the Wonderful Dharma by revealing the truth, leading us to attain buddhahood immediately and realize the Buddha-land.

With faith centered on the tradition upheld at Kuonji Temple on Mt. Minobu, and with the heart of being many in body but one in mind, the members of Nichiren Shu vow not to spare their lives in enabling all beings to live in accordance with the Wonderful Dharma.

Its members, and especially clergy, work to serve others first through practice and study, aiming to cultivate their character in a way that is suitable to Nichiren Shu Buddhism.  The twofold path of practice and study are to be always pursued. Nichiren Shu in particular utilizes such educational facilities as Rissho University and Minobu University, as well as many other training programs and facilities for the clergy.

The main focus of propagation is to realize Nichiren Shonin’s earnest wish to declare and spread widely the teaching of the Lotus Sutra (kosen-rufu; 広宣流布). In Nichiren Shu, propagation is carried out through preaching, conducting special kito blessings, performing ceremonial services, and any other suitable means at the right time.

Kuonji Temple on Mt. Minobu is considered the “Founder’s Mountain” (Sozan). It is the general head temple of Nichiren Shu. The priest who succeeds to the Dharma light of our Founder’s mountain is the Chief Abbot (Hossu). One of the duties of the Archbishop of Nichiren Shu is to constantly pay visits to our Founder’s grave and lead clergy and devotees in rendering service at the grave under a rotation system (rinban). All Nichiren Shu ministers should, with high esteem, maintain our Founder’s mountain as a sacred place where our Founder’s grave is carefully preserved and maintained.

Temples that have sacred relics of Nichiren Shonin are called reiseki. Among these temples are Tanjōji Temple near the sight where Nichiren Shonin was born, Seichōji Temple where Nichiren Shonin was educated and ordained as a novice, Jissōji Temple where Nichiren Shonin wrote the Rissho Ankoku-ron, and Ikegami Honmonji where Nichiren Shonin passed away. Temples with a long and distinguished history are called yuisho. All of these temples can use the title of “great head temple” or “head temple.”

The Archbishop of Nichiren is selected by a nomination committee from among those clergy in the two highest ranks of Nichiren Shu clergy. The term of the Archbishop is four years. The Archbishop unifies Nichiren Shu and fulfills such religious affairs and duties as promulgating the Nichiren Shu system (constitution, regulations, and inner rules); conducting ceremonies and events, and addressing congregations; convening, suspending, and dissolving the Nichiren Shu Congress; holding assembly elections of the Congress; certifying the Chief Administrator, the board of directors, and the staff of the Head Office of Nichiren Shu; certifying the ranks of priests; bestowing awards; and other administrative and honorary duties.

The Internal Bureau of Nichiren Shu makes arrangements in regard to all the aforementioned duties of the Archbishop and bears responsibility for them. The Internal Bureau executing religious affairs and duties is responsible for preparing plans for practice, study and propagation, in order to train and instruct clergy and lay devotees; appointing and dismissing or entrusting officers and staff of the Head Office or other offices in Nichiren Shu; granting priest ranks, rendering the budget and the closing account to the Congress; settling the bestowing of awards; bestowing the ranks of scholarly attainments; taking disciplinary actions; and managing public relations.

The Internal Bureau is composed of a Chief Administrator, two Bureau Chiefs (Missionary Bureau and General Affairs Bureau), four Department Directors (the Missionary and Educational Affairs departments of the Missionary Bureau and the General Affairs and Finance departments of the General Affairs Bureau), and one Section Chief (General Advice Section). The Chief Administrator is chosen by the Congress from among those clergy in the three highest ranks of Nichiren Shu clergy. All of the members of the Internal Bureau serve four-year terms.

Aside from the Internal Bureau members, there is also a General Manager of the Institute on Modern Religion who assists the Chief Administrator and takes part in the planning of religious affairs and duties. The General Manager also serves a four-year term. There is also a Councilor composed of two members also serving four-year terms who assist the Chief Administrator and take part in the planning of religious affairs and duties.

The Head Office of Nichiren Shu is located just outside the grounds of Ikegami Honmonji Temple. The purpose of Nichiren Shu as a religious corporation is to follow the basic principle of the Establishment of the Teaching of Righteousness (Rikkyo-kaishu). Great importance is thereby attached to the Lotus Sutra and spreading the doctrine of the Three Great Secret Dharmas. In doing this, it works hard to reach this religious goal by overseeing the conduct of Buddhist services, the training of clergy, the education of lay devotees, and the unification of temples and related institutions.

The Nichiren Shu Congress is established as a decision-making body for Nichiren Shu as a corporation. It is composed of 45 members who are elected in each electoral district except for two members nominated by the councilors. Those eligible for election are ministers who are the heads of temples or Buddhist institutions in their district. Congress members serve four-year terms. The Congress has a Chair and a Vice Chair, both elected from among the Congress members.

The Nomination Committee that selects Archbishops is composed of 25 members. Three are appointed by the Chief Administrator from the Head Office. Nine are chosen by the Congress from among its members. Five are chosen by the District Head Administrators from among themselves. Three are Counselors of the Advisory Council from among themselves. Three head priests from among the head temples are appointed by the Chief Administrator. Two are chosen by the National Council of Nichiren Shu Devotees from among its members. All of these serve four-year terms.