Nichiren Daishonin

Born in Japan in 1222, Nichiren began his career as a monk of the Tendai school of Mahayana Buddhism. Nichiren means “Sun Lotus” and Daishonin means “Great Sage.” Eventually, he became convinced that the teachings of the Lotus Sutra, even the name of the text itself, pointed to the Great Pure Dharma that would lead people directly to enlightenment. Nichiren considered the recitation of the mantr. “Namu Myoho Renge Kyo” (“Reverence to the Lotus Sutra”) to be the core of the true teachings of the Buddha and was convinced that this practice would eventually spread throughout the world, a conviction that continues to be sustained by Soka Gakkai and other branches of the Nichiren school.