NICHIREN SHOSHU OF AMERICA

(Please Read This Disclaimer)

ADDRESS: 7576 Etiwanda Ave.,Etiwanda, CA 91739

OTHER NAMES BY WHICH KNOWN: Nichiren Shoshu Temple; Nichiren Shoshu Academy; NSA; Soka Gakkai.

LEADERSHIP: Daisaku Ikeda, President, Soka Gakkai International.

NATIONAL LEADER: George M. Williams, General Director.

MEMBERSHIP: Not reported.

HISTORICAL ORIGIN: Nichiren Shoshu is a school of Buddhism which traces its lineage to Nichiren Daishonin (1222-1282 C.E.) in Japan and to Gautama Buddha (1029-949B.C.E.). Nichiren's enlightenment is based on the Lotus Sutra of Gautama Buddha. NSA, which is a member organization of Soka Gakkai International, follows the doctrines of the Nichiren Shoshu Head Temple in Japan and the Soka Gakkai. The Soka Gakkai International has a worldwide membership of nearly 20 million in over 90 different nations including the U.S.

George M. Williams, currently General Director of NSA, immigrated to the U.S. from Japan in 1957 and began contacting persons who had been members in Japan. Many non-orientals adopted the beliefs during a major growth period between 1965 and 1970.

BASIC BELIEFS: Nichiren Shoshu believes that each person can attain "enlightenment" or the universality of life within himself/herself. Happiness is a birthright and can be achieved by being in harmony with the universal law which is Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. The individual is viewed as an integral part of his/her environment, so that conditions in the world are mirror images of the human condition itself. Thus happiness and peace can be obtained by chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and reciting the Lotus Sutra (Gongyo).

The philosophy stresses cause and effect, and chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is considered the highest and most effective cause to change any condition. Karma, or destiny, is the result of the individual's own past actions and can only be changed by making the proper causes. The ultimate goal of the religion is both specific and universal. While attaining her/his own enlightenment or "human revolution," each member is achieving harmony with his/her surroundings and contributing to a better world.

Nichiren Shoshu considers as authoritative literature the Gosho, the collected writings of Nichiren Daishonin; the doctrines of the Nichiren Shoshu Head Temple; and expositions on the practical application of the philosophy authored by Daisaku Ikeda and other lay leaders, including NSA periodicals, the World Tribune newspaper, and the Seikyo Times magazine.

PRACTICES AND BEHAVIORAL STANDARDS: No specific set of ethical practices is prescribed for members other than common sense and the accepted standards of social conduct which are applicable to the land in which they live. However, Buddhism believes that the practice of Buddhism itself is of the highest ethic.

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE: A highly-developed series of communication links designed to provide guidance of President Ikeda together with the fundamentals of the religious practice and tradition to members and interested guests. Organizational direction provided by the General Director, and the NSA Executive Planning board. Basic activities are discussion meetings held in private homes, consisting of 10-20 members who complete the evening worship together, share experiences with the practice and study the history and philosophy of the religion. In areas having major concentrations of members, community centers exist.

ROLE OF MINISTERS: The functions of maintaining the orthodoxy of the teachings and protecting its relics are the basic duties of the priesthood through the authority of the successive priests of Nichiren Shoshu. The primary duties of the priests are: to officiate at weddings, funerals, conversion ceremonies, memorial ceremonies for the deceased and traditional ceremonies. The priests also give sermons and lectures in the traditions of the faith. In special circumstances when priests cannot officiate because of geographical or scheduling reasons, lay-persons may be authorized to officiate on their behalf.

The Gohonzon, the object of worship which is accorded the respect due the enlightened life of the universe it represents, is inscribed under the authority of each success high priest and is provided to each member of the religion.

WORSHIP: Worship requirements entail daily recitation of portions of the Lotus Sutra (Gongyo) both morning and evening accompanied by the repeated invocation of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo which is direct to and performed before the Gohonzon, a religious scroll measuring approximately 10 X 20 inches. Tradition advocates the appropriately enshrining of the Gohonzon in an altar but conditions of the individual's living quarters (regulations, space or other factors) may restrict this. In such cases, the Gohonzon may remain rolled-up and should be kept in a safe place where it will not be damaged. Other offerings such as water, fruit, evergreen, candles, incense, prayer beads and bell are desirable but not absolutely necessary for worship purposes. Where permissible, they should be utilized.

Group worship on a regular basis is not required, although participation in discussion meetings is strongly recommended, both as an encouragement to individual practice and as a means of attracting new members.

DIETARY LAWS OR RESTRICTIONS: None.

FUNERAL AND BURIAL REQUIREMENTS: Individual choice. No restrictions with respect to autopsy. The presence of a priest or other member is not required at the time of death.

MEDICAL TREATMENT: No restrictions.

OTHER: There is no restrictions with respect to service in the armed forces, although individual preference is honored (However, killing of human life is fundamentally contrary to Buddhism). Military service is considered a patriotic duty and, although a fundamental respect for human life is cherished, there is no compunction about obedience to lawful military directives.

Members may choose to carry a special small Gohonzon and prayer beads on their person during military action but carry these items inside or underneath their clothing.

NSA has no quarrels or problems with other non-Buddhist religions as it's (Buddhism's) teachings are based on the happiness of each human being which is basically the intent of the other religions. It does teach that other sects of Buddhism are provisional and not correct for the modern era, but is strongly committed to the principle of granting freedom of religion to all.

GENERAL SOURCE BOOKS:

Causton, Richard. Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism. San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1989. 299pp.

Williams, George M. NSA Seminars. An Introduction to Buddhism. Santa Monica, CA: World Tribune Press, 1982. 76pp.

-----, ed. Victory in Faith: Experiences of NSA Members. Santa Monica, CA: World Tribune Press, 1985. 180pp.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Nichiren Shoshu of America, 525 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90406, (213) 451-8811