Who Was Nichiren Daishonin and What Is His Historic Lineage?
Who Nichiren Daishonin was is defined by his role as a 13th-century Japanese Buddhist monk who established a unique branch of Mahayana Buddhism focused on the Lotus Sutra. His historic lineage stems from the appointment of six senior disciples shortly before his death. Nichiren dedicated his life to propagating the daimoku, Namu Myoho Renge Kyo.
The 1253 Declaration of the True Teaching
Nichiren was born Zennichimaro in 1222 in Japan. He spent twenty years intensively studying the dominant Buddhist traditions of his era, including Tendai, Pure Land, Zen, and Shingon. This research convinced him that only the Lotus Sutra held the highest truth for the current age, known as the Latter Day of the Law. On April 28, 1253, he returned to Seicho-ji Temple on Mount Kiyosumi. There, he publicly declared the supremacy of the Lotus Sutra and first chanted Namu Myoho Renge Kyo. He then adopted the name Nichiren, combining the sun with the lotus flower.
Severe Persecutions and Bodily Reading the Sutra
Critiques of established schools and the government led to a lifetime of severe persecution. Nichiren viewed these trials as bodily reading the prophecies of the Lotus Sutra. Key major trials included his exile to the Izu Peninsula in 1261. This followed submission of his treatise, the Rissho Ankoku Ron. He survived the Komatsubara ambush in 1264 despite a sword cut to his forehead. Authorities attempting to behead him at Tatsunokuchi beach in 1271 were stopped by a miraculous orb of light. Afterward, he endured a harsh exile on Sado Island until his pardon in 1274, later retiring to guide his movement from Mount Minobu.
Spiritual Identity and Senior Disciples
Nichiren’s spiritual identity involves two frameworks. He identified as the reincarnation of Bodhisattva Jogyo, entrusted by Shakyamuni Buddha to propagate the law. At Tatsunokuchi, he experienced Hosshaku kenpon, meaning casting off the transient and revealing the true. He then revealed his essential identity as the Original Buddha of the Latter Day of the Law. Before his death in 1282, Nichiren designated six senior disciples to lead the movement. These were Nissho, Nichiro, Nikko, Niko, Nitcho, and Nichiji. Nitcho was the stepson of lay patron Toki Jonin. This historic lineage preserved many of Nichiren’s original writings.
Become a member
The Mystic Law Protector
¥850 per month
- Daily Gosho.
- The Lotus Sutra.
- Ad-free access to all chant videos.
- Community Access.
- Direct Spiritual Support (DM).
- Exclusive badge.
- Full commenting rights on all posts.
- 10% Store Discount.
The Vow Keeper
¥2,550 per month
- Daily Gosho.
- The Lotus Sutra.
- Ad-free access to all chant videos.
- NMRKOB Radio.
- Early access to all long-form videos.
- Audio library.
- Book library.
- Community Access.
- Exclusive badge.
- Full commenting rights on all posts.
- 12% Store Discount.
The Lion King
¥8,250 per month
- Daily Gosho.
- The Lotus Sutra.
- Ad-free access to all chant videos.
- NMRKOB Radio.
- Early access to all long-form videos.
- Audio library.
- Book library.
- Direct Spiritual Support via DM.
- Monthly Gosho commentary.
- Monthly members-only post.
- Community Access.
- Exclusive badge.
- Full commenting rights on all posts.
- 15% Store Discount.