Nichiren Buddhist Temple

What secrets does the Nichiren Buddhist Temple hold? We’re standing before the Enichizan Myohoji Temple, the US headquarters of Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism. The Nichiren Buddhist Temple isn’t just a beautiful building. It’s a living testament to the enduring legacy of 13th-century Buddhist priest Nichiren. Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism, the specific branch practiced here at the Nichiren Buddhist Temple, emphasizes the Lotus Sutra as the ultimate path to enlightenment. Its core practice is chanting “Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo”. This mantra, often chanted within the Nichiren Buddhist Temple, is believed to unlock the inherent Buddhahood within all beings. A unique aspect of Nichiren Shoshu, practiced here at the Nichiren Buddhist Temple, is its emphasis on the Dai Gohonzon. This is a calligraphic mandala considered the supreme object of worship, embodying Nichiren’s enlightenment. Devotees at the Nichiren Buddhist Temple believe that chanting to the Gohonzon, a transcribed copy of the Dai Gohonzon, brings about profound benefits, from changing negative karma to achieving enlightenment. The Nichiren Buddhist Temple also plays a significant role in the lives of Hokkeko members, the lay adherents of Nichiren Shoshu. The temple serves as a hub for study, community, and planning pilgrimages to Taiseki-ji, the head temple in Japan. Interestingly, Nichiren Shoshu, practiced here at the Nichiren Buddhist Temple, has a unique approach to donations. They only accept offerings from registered members, believing in karmic purity. This practice, rooted in Nichiren’s teachings, distinguishes the Nichiren Buddhist Temple from other Buddhist institutions. The Nichiren Buddhist Temple isn’t just a place of worship. It’s a vibrant community dedicated to the principles of Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism. As you leave the Nichiren Buddhist Temple, carry with you the resonating chant of “Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo” and the message of achieving Buddhahood in this lifetime.