Dr Ravia Gupta, Dr Smruti Smita Mohapatra
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair…”
In the post COVID era when people across the globe are seeking a philosophy that will lead them to genuine happiness. They are earnestly searching, from the depths of their beings, for a new movement dedicated to helping everyone reveal their inherent dignity and, through the power of dialogue, expanding a network of good and creating a world of harmony and peaceful coexistence. Purpose of spreading Shakyamuni’s teachings therefore becomes even more relevant in present times to establish happy and secure lives and thus contribute in building a peaceful world. Nichiren Daishon in states, “Of all the thousand plants and ten thousand trees in the world, there are none that are not in essence bodhisattvas who emerge from the earth.”
Nichiren Buddhism, a branch of Mahayana Buddhism, based on the teachings of the 13th-century Japanese Buddhist priest Nichiren Daishon in is a beautiful gift to humankind in the Latter Day of the Law (Degenerate Age of Dharma). Soka Humanism is a principle of this teaching that believes in an individual’s inherent potential and dignity. Upholding the banner of Nichiren Daishonin’s ideal of “establishing the correct teaching for the peace of the land,” the Soka Gakkai is an organization that is steadfast in pursuing the mission of realizing social change for the sake of people’s happiness and world peace as per the intent of Buddha.
Nichiren Buddhism is a branch of Mahayana Buddhism based on the teachings of the 13th-century Japanese Buddhist priest Nichiren Daishonin (1222-1282) and is one of the Kamakura period schools. Nichiren Buddhism generally sources its basic doctrine from the “Lotus Sutra.” The Lotus Sutra states that all sentient beings possess an internal Buddha nature capable of attaining Buddhahood in their current life. Nichiren’s teachings encompass a significant number of concepts. The basic practice of Nichiren Buddhism is chanting the invocation of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo to an object called the Gohonzon. Embracing Nam-myoho-renge-kyo entails both chanting and having the mind of faith.Both the invocation and the Gohonzon, as taught by Nichiren Daishonin, embody the title and essence of the Lotus Sutra, which he taught as the only valid scripture for the Latter Day of the Law, as well as the life state of Buddhahood inherent in all life.
Relevance of Nichiren Buddhism in ancient India
Shakyamuni was born as a prince in ancient India. He was born in Lumbini, Nepal. His name Shakyamuni is an honorific title meaning sage of the Shakya. Shakya is the name of the clan to which he belonged and muni means sage. The title Buddha, by which he came to be universally known, means awakened one. Shakyamuni expounded his teachings for some fifty years, and after his death, his disciples compiled records of his words and actions. Those containing the Buddha’s main doctrinal teachings came to be known as “sutras.” Among all his teachings, those about compassion and wisdom are the focus of the Mahayana sutras. The preeminent among these is the Lotus Sutra, which has been regarded as the ‘King of Sutras.’
The Law to which Shakyamuni awakened became the core of the Buddhist teachings. The Soka Gakkai is a religious organization that practices Buddhist teachings originating from Shakyamuni Buddha in India and carried on and developed by the Indian Buddhist scholars Nagarjuna and Vasubandhu, who were revered as bodhisattvas, Great Teachers Tiantai (Zhiyi) and Miaole (Zhanran) of China, Great Teacher Dengyo (Saicho) of Japan, and NichirenDaishonin of Japan. It maintains the orthodox lineage and tradition of Buddhist humanism that began with Shakyamuni, which affirms respect for life and all human beings. The Soka Gakkai bases itself on the Lotus Sutra, a central scripture of Mahayana Buddhism, and engages in Buddhist practice and activities adapted to modern times. It carries on the fundamental spirit of the Lotus Sutra as taught and exemplified by Nichiren Daishonin through his life and actions.
Role of India in the Transmission of Nichiren Buddhism
Buddhism was transmitted from India to Japan along the Silk Road over a long period, in what can be termed as the eastward transmission of Buddhism. Nichiren predicted the westward transmission of Buddhism, convinced that his Buddhist teachings would be transmitted from Japan to India and further spread across the world. Since the third century BCE, India and China have a long sharing of culture. Beginning with horses, ultimately came monks on the horses, and with them came the sutras. In China, women were not allowed to write Chinese characters. With the advent of Buddhism, the nuns began to write the sutras. The interflow of culture between India and East Asia was one of breaking down of the unequal relationship between monks and nuns, between men and women, and between the nobility and commoners. Anyone could go to a Buddhist monastery or convent and learn-from how to write to the study of the highest philosophical concepts. Whereas learning had been restricted to a specific rank of the nobility, children of commoners could go to a Buddhist monastery where the most esoteric sutras were open to them. Buddhism led to the process of softening the hierarchical distinctions of society.
The Lotus Sutra was integral to life in East Asia. The introduction of Buddhism in Japan was heralded by the Lotus Sutra. The commentary of Prince Shotoku on the Lotus Sutra was the initiation of literature in Japan. Prince Shotoku (574-622) was credited with the responsibility for the spread of Buddhism in Japan. For the past 1,400 years, Japan has continuously sought links with India, being keen to associate her Buddhism with the land of the Buddha. The seventh-century Chinese Buddhist priest and translator of Buddhist scriptures Hsüan-Tsang took Indo, the Sino-Japanese name of India, to be a transcription of Indu, meaning “moon.” While Japan was the Land of the Sun, India was the Land of the Moon. It was natural in the conceptual visualization of Nichiren Daishonin that the Lotus Sutra traveled from the Land of the Sun to the Land of the Moon. The transmission of the Lotus Sutra to India from Japan is a part of our shared historical relationship.
Looking back in history in April, Nichiren Buddhism was established on April 28, 1253, by Nichiren Daishonin. Today, it has empowered many individuals, ordinary people, to become self-reliant individuals brimming with courage, wisdom, and strength. Nichiren Daishonin too speaks clearly of the westward transmission of Buddhism. Through their selfless efforts, the Soka Gakkai’s three founding presidents-Tsunesaburo Makiguchi, Josei Toda, and Daisaku Ikeda-revived the philosophy and practice of Nichiren Daishonin in modern times. Today, Nichiren Buddhism, based on the practice of the Lotus Sutra, is being practiced in 192 countries, including India.
Significance of Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo
Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo is like the roar of the lion. Nam is a Sanskrit word which means devotion. Myo-ho is from inward to outward. Myo is described as inherent potentiality about which we as a human being are sometimes ignorant. Ho is a manifestation of our intrinsic potential. Renge is cause and effect. A lotus flower comes with both seeds and petals when it blooms. Kyo is Sutra. Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo is a very powerful recitation by practitioners of Nichiren Buddhism to sync our inner world with the external world where the mind, body, heart, and soul are united with the universal law of cause and effect.
Three Pillars of Nichiren Buddhism
Faith, practice, and study are the three pillars of Nichiren Buddhism. There are three essential aspects to Nichiren Buddhism.
1.Faith in Nichiren’s Buddhism and object of devotion is called Gohonzon
2. Chanting of Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo
Gohonzhon is the supreme object of worship in Nichiren Buddhism. It is a paper replica of a scroll originally inscribed by Nichiren Daishonin put in a small altar. The original was carved on camphor wood and is preserved in the Taisekiji temple, in the foothills of Mount Fuji in Japan. The Nicherin Buddhists face it during their daily chanting. The Gohonzon reflects life’s innate enlightened nature and causes it to permeate every aspect of an individual’s life. Shakyamuni Buddha always believed in respecting the equality and dignity of life. The Gosho has been compiled into the ‘New Human Revolution’ study. Repaying one’s “debts of gratitude” is a universal virtue, rooted in the Buddhist view of life that all things are ultimately interdependent.”Understanding one’s debts of gratitude” means recognizing and having an appreciation for the network we are part of-one that includes our parents and family, everyone in our environment, our mentor, all living things, and further, society and the realm of Buddhism. NichirenDaishonin also teaches that individuals who repay with ingratitude the kindness of those who have helped and supported them will be subjected to the strict workings of the law of cause and effect. Understanding and repaying debts of gratitude is the essence of what makes us human.
Contribution of SGI and BSG to society
Soka Gakkai is a religious movement based on the principle of Nichiren Buddhism from Japan. The word ‘Soka’ in Soka Gakkai means ‘Value Creation’ and ‘Gakkai’ means ‘Organization.’ Soka Gakkai International (SGI) bases its teachings on Nichiren’s interpretation of the Lotus Sutra and places chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo at the center of spiritual practice. It promotes peace, culture, and education. The Soka Gakkai regards Nichiren as the Buddha of the Latter Day of the Law (the current tumultuous age predicted in the Buddhist sutras). His valuable teachings provide hope in this challenging time and lead all people to enlightenment. The Soka Gakkai continues to uphold Nichiren Daishonin’s legacy as a global movement to empower individuals to overcome suffering, live fulfilled lives, and contribute to peace in the world.
Established on 3rd January 1986 in New Delhi, Bharat Soka Gakkai (BSG), an affiliate of Soka Gakkai International, is dedicated to creating a ‘New Age in India’ and a ‘New Global Civilization’ by ’empowering individuals’ in India, based on the philosophy of Soka Humanism. Soka Humanism focuses on respecting the dignity, and empowerment of all lives. Bharat Soka Gakkai is also spreading awareness of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals with a spirit of leaving no one behind.
Conclusion
Nichiren Buddhism’s self-induced change in each individual referred to as the “Human Revolution” is a necessity to lead a happy and peaceful life in the Latter Day of the Law. This Buddhist practice is a practice for oneself and others which means feeling for another life and extending support as part of humanity. In Nichiren Buddhism, action is most important. Only by acting and applying our Buddhist practice to our day-to-day struggles, we can realize the real power of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. This becomes apparent through our character, our benefits, and our victories in life.
(The article is an excerpt from the original paper published in the Indian Journal on Buddhism and Jainism in Ancient India: A Cultural Legacy. Author is working as Assistant Professor, at IIMC, Jammu)
Follow our WhatsApp channel
