The doctrine of Nichiren Shoshu was laid down in its present form by the second founder of this
faith, the second high priest, Byakuren Ajari Nikko Shonin. To describe it briefly, the doctrine is
based on the teaching that the Buddhism of Nichiren Daishonin transcends that of Shakyamuni
Buddha. This superiority of the faith of Nichiren Daishonin is confirmed in Shakyamuni's Lotus
Sutra, which defines the Eternal Buddha as being a prophet of this text. Following the passing of
Shakyamuni, there has been no Buddhist sage apart from the Daishonin whose practice of the faith
has been exactly as laid down in the Lotus Sutra. Therefore he is regarded as the true prophet of this
scripture. As it was the true prophet of the Lotus Sutra who was the Eternal Buddha, it may be said
that Nichiren Daishonin, in grasping the infinite Law of Buddhism, transcended Shakyamuni and
revealed the honorific state of Eternal Buddhahood. Also, this sect teaches that it is through
observation of the Buddhist precepts expounded by Nichiren Daishonin that the true meaning of
human existence is revealed.
However, Nichiren Shoshu is also a sect which abides strictly by the doctrine of the refutation of
heretics and heresy in any form (hobo-genkai). This is the belief that any religion apart from the
Buddhism of Nichiren Daishonin must be disregarded as a true faith; it is also the apprehension that
other religions may defile and obstruct the course of true Buddhism and stain the purity of this faith.
Just as a drop of poison polluting a stream of pure water is to be dreaded, so the participation in other
religions and the confusion of faiths is to be abhorred. Although the precepts laid down by Nichiren
Shoshu are few, it is the common sense of believers which cause them to reject heresies which ignore
the doctrines of causation and reason. Of course, it does not teach that the humanity of believers in
other religions should be denied, nor does it teach that they should be hated. But it does stipulate that
those doctrines are intolerable which do not recognize these concepts of causation and reason.
faith, the second high priest, Byakuren Ajari Nikko Shonin. To describe it briefly, the doctrine is
based on the teaching that the Buddhism of Nichiren Daishonin transcends that of Shakyamuni
Buddha. This superiority of the faith of Nichiren Daishonin is confirmed in Shakyamuni's Lotus
Sutra, which defines the Eternal Buddha as being a prophet of this text. Following the passing of
Shakyamuni, there has been no Buddhist sage apart from the Daishonin whose practice of the faith
has been exactly as laid down in the Lotus Sutra. Therefore he is regarded as the true prophet of this
scripture. As it was the true prophet of the Lotus Sutra who was the Eternal Buddha, it may be said
that Nichiren Daishonin, in grasping the infinite Law of Buddhism, transcended Shakyamuni and
revealed the honorific state of Eternal Buddhahood. Also, this sect teaches that it is through
observation of the Buddhist precepts expounded by Nichiren Daishonin that the true meaning of
human existence is revealed.
However, Nichiren Shoshu is also a sect which abides strictly by the doctrine of the refutation of
heretics and heresy in any form (hobo-genkai). This is the belief that any religion apart from the
Buddhism of Nichiren Daishonin must be disregarded as a true faith; it is also the apprehension that
other religions may defile and obstruct the course of true Buddhism and stain the purity of this faith.
Just as a drop of poison polluting a stream of pure water is to be dreaded, so the participation in other
religions and the confusion of faiths is to be abhorred. Although the precepts laid down by Nichiren
Shoshu are few, it is the common sense of believers which cause them to reject heresies which ignore
the doctrines of causation and reason. Of course, it does not teach that the humanity of believers in
other religions should be denied, nor does it teach that they should be hated. But it does stipulate that
those doctrines are intolerable which do not recognize these concepts of causation and reason.
| THE DOCTRINE OF NICHIREN SHOSHU (Excerpted from a Treatise) by Reverend Kendo Ohyama |
| Edited by Udumbara Foundation volunteers |
| This is NOT an official site of the Nichiren Shoshu Shoshin-kai |
