“Founded in 1959” resonates in the air. We stand before the \u7acb\u6b63\u4f7c\u6210\u4f1a \u5ddd\u5d0e\u6559\u4f1a. This is no ordinary temple. It is a center for peace.
\u7acb\u6b63\u4f7c\u6210\u4f1a \u5ddd\u5d0e\u6559\u4f1a is part of a larger movement. The Rissho Kosei Kai. It was founded in 1938 in Tokyo. Nikkyo Niwano and Myoko Naganuma were its founders. They were former members of Reiyukai.
Niwano and Naganuma met. It was during missionary work. They both felt a need for change. The Lotus Sutra should be studied more. This led them to form Rissho Kosei Kai. The first meeting had 30 people.
The organization grew fast. By 1941 it had 1000 members. Rissho Kosei Kai briefly helped Nichiren-shu. Niwano disagreed with Nichiren-shu policies. He thought they were too liberal.
They needed a new meeting place. Niwano’s house was too small. Construction began on a new headquarters. But membership kept growing. Work started on the Great Sacred Hall. Myoko Naganuma died in 1957. The Great Sacred Hall was not yet complete.
Rissho Kosei Kai became active in interfaith work. Nikkyo Niwano met Pope Paul VI in 1965. He attended the IARF World Congress in 1969. Niwano helped start the World Conference of Religions for Peace in 1970. He became a leader in this group.
Nikkyo Niwano stepped down in 1991. His son Nichiko Niwano became president. Nichiko had been chosen as successor in 1960. In 1994, Nichiko’s daughter Mitsuyo Niwano became Vice President. She is known as Kosho-sama. Nikkyo Niwano continued his interfaith work. He died in 1999.
Rissho Kosei Kai has spread internationally. Rissho Kosei Kai International of North America started in 2008. The US celebrated the group’s 50th anniversary in 2009. President Niwano attended the event.
As of 2010, there were over 240 churches and centers in 20 countries. It has about 6.5 million members. Most members live in Japan.
\u7acb\u6b63\u4f7c\u6210\u4f1a \u5ddd\u5d0e\u6559\u4f1a began in 1959. The current building opened in 1969. It is located in Takatsu Ward Kawasaki City. It supports its members. It also promotes world peace.
\u7acb\u6b63\u4f7c\u6210\u4f1a \u5ddd\u5d0e\u6559\u4f1a participates in peace activities. They include the Donate a Meal Movement. They are involved in religious cooperation. They address political and human rights issues. They also focus on the environment.
The Eternal Buddha is venerated here. It promotes the teachings of the Lotus Sutra. Members strive for personal growth. They seek to create a peaceful world. \u7acb\u6b63\u4f7c\u6210\u4f1a \u5ddd\u5d0e\u6559\u4f1a is more than a church. It is a community. It fosters peace and understanding.