Shakyamuni Buddha, also known as Gautama Buddha, was the historical founder of Buddhism. The Lotus Sutra is the revelation of Shakyamuni’s final and highest teachings. The Chinese translation of the Lotus Sutra that Nichiren Daishonin cited as the only true and correct version was done by Kumārajīva around the end of the Fourth Century CE. Nāgārjuna, the 14th of Shakyamuni’s 24 successors, was the founder of the Madhyamika (Middle Path) school of Mahâyâna Buddhism. He authored many extremely important treatises and commentaries on the Mahayana teachings.

On February 16th, 1222, 776 years ago, Nichiren Daishonin, the True Buddha of this time period, called the Latter Day of the Law, was born in Japan. After traveling throughout Japan and mastering all of the doctrines of all of the Buddhist schools, he established true Buddhism on April 28, 1253, when he chanted the Daimoku of Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo for the first time. After His submission of the Rissho Ankoku Ron, the military rulers of Japan responded to this important remonstration by initiating a number of violent persecutions against Nichiren Daishonin and followers as well.On October 12, 1279, he established the fundamental Object of Worship for the enlightenment of all humanity. It is the Dai-Gohonzon of the High Sanctuary. In 1282, Nichiren Daishonin transferred the entirety of his teachings, the Dai-Gohonzon, and the entity of true Buddhism, the Heritage of the Law, to Second High Priest Nikko Shonin.

The Daishonin instructed, "... seek out a place of the finest scenery comparable to the pure land of Eagle Peak and there erect the High Sanctuary. When the sovereign accepts this Law, erect the High Sanctuary of the Temple of the Essential Teaching (Honmonji) at the foot of Mount Fuji." On October 13th, 1290 Nikko Shonin established Head Temple, Taisekiji. At the time of kosen-rufu, when the all the people of the world uphold true Buddhism, the name of the Head Temple will be changed to Honmonji Temple (Temple of the Essential Teaching), just as Nichiren Daishonin instructed. The Heritage of the Law of true Buddhism has been handed down at Head Temple Taisekiji through the successive generations of High Priests until today, to the present Sixty-eighth High Priest, Nichinyo Shonin. Head Temple Taisekiji is where the Dai-Gohonzon is enshrined, the High Priest resides, and the Daishonin's ashes and many sacred treasures are protected.

An Introduction to Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism
Presented by the Publishing Committee for the 750th Anniversary Commemorative of
The Establishment of True Buddhism

The History of Nichiren Shoshu

Nichiren Shoshu Temples
in the United States