Nichiren Buddhism - Reception of Nichiren Buddhism

Reception of Nichiren Buddhism

The emergence of Nichiren Buddhism started an ongoing question in Buddhist circles about its teachings and practice. Nichiren was vocal in criticizing other schools of Buddhism, using the rhetorical style of the day, and accusing them for the disastrous situation in society. Some researchers add that Nichiren strongly criticized the esoteric rituals of other schools: “As Sasaki notes, Nichiren’s view of the shift of authority from GoToba to Yoshitoki was inseparable from his criticism of the esoteric teachings. This criticism begins from about 1269 and develops during the Sado and post-Sado years.”.

In response to his criticism Nichiren and his followers were met with harsh reaction from the authorities supported by various Buddhist groups. From Nichiren’s point of view, however, his uncompromising stance was to save people from sufferings: “Even in the case of the Nembutsu priests, the Zen priests, and the True Word teachers, and the ruler of the nation and other men of authority, all of whom bear me such hatred— I admonish them because I want to help them, and their hatred for me makes me pity them all the more”.

After all attempts to silence or kill Nichiren failed, persecution turned towards his followers, the most famous of was the Atsuhara Persecution (1280), where three Nichiren Buddhists were beheaded. Intolerance towards Nichiren Buddhism did not cease after Nichiren’s death (1282), and the most famous persecution was the violent attacks on Nichiren temples in the 16th century, Kyoto, Japan: “Nichiren temples in Kyoto were attacked by the monks from Mt. Hiei (1536)…Twenty one Nichiren temples were destroyed by fire …It was estimated that tens of thousands of Nichiren Buddhists lost their lives”. Intolerance towards Nichiren Buddhism led some researchers to compare it with early Christianity: “Tamura finds Nichiren’s Buddhism to be broadly comparable with Christianity ‘as a religion of prophecy, in its spirit of martyrdom, in its apostolic consciousness, and additionally, in its emphasis upon history”.

The general reception of Nichiren Buddhism changed in time. Even though some groups dissociate themselves from other (Nichiren)-Buddhists most Nichiren Buddhists enjoy a peaceful coexistence with other religious groups in modern times, in societies which are based on freedom of belief.