SGI History

Minbu Niko was one of the former senior priests that left Minobu.

In 1285, Minbu Niko returned, was welcomed back by Nikko, and appointed chief instructor.

However, he began to stray from the teachings of Nichiren Daishonin and negatively influence others.

The Nikko Lineage and the Development of the SGI

SGI-USA Essentials Exam, Part 3

Nichiren Buddhism Spreads Worldwide

May 3, 1960 at the age of 32, Daisaku Ikeda became the 3rd President of the Soka Gakkai

Committed to the worldwide spread of Nichiren Buddhism

1960 traveled to North and South America

1961 through Asia and Europe

Who's Who

1975 Soka Gakkai International was established

Hakiri

Nikko

Today more than 12 Million SGI members practice in 92 countries

Hakiri

• A Steward of the Southern Area that included Minobu
• Was a follower of Nichiren Daishonin
• Welcomed Nichiren to Minobu, built a dwelling for Nichiren and a temple.

Nikko

After Nichiren's death, Hakiri was negatively influenced by Minbu Niko, who failed to exercise diligence in rejecting doctrines Nichiren taught as erroneous.

At the time of Nichiren Daishonin's death, there were 6 senior priests and 12 disciples taking turns attending the tomb.

After a short time, it was only Nikko who remained committed to propagating the correct teachings of Nichiren Daishonin.

SGI is the only organization that has inherited and is correctly carrying out the teachings of Nichiren Daishonin and his vow to create a peaceful world

Committed the "Four Slanderous Acts"

Nikko

1. He commissioned a statue of Shakyamuni Buddha, failing to recognize Nichiren's intent in establishing the Gohonzon as the correct object of devotion.

2. He made pilgrimages to Shinto shrines.

3. He contributed money to the Pure Land School which Nichiren had refuted as erroneous and harmful.

4. Declared himself a disciple of Minbu Niko.

Members chant every morning and every evening, deepen their understanding of Buddhism through study and participate in discussion meetings to encourage one another in faith.

SGI also conducts activities to promote peace, culture and education.

Feeling Minobu was becoming a place unfit for preserving the integrity of Nichiren Daishonin's teachings - he left Minobu.

At Oishingahara, Nikko built a temple called Dai-bo which became the head temple of Nichiren Shoshu.

In 1289, Niko established a seminary where he worked to foster capable disciples, and promote and protect Nichiren Buddhism.

In 1333, wrote the "Twenty Six Admonitions" as a guidelines for believers in general and priests to preserve and correctly uphold Nichiren's teachings.

Niko

Establishment of the Soka Gakkai

School of Nichiren Buddhism founded by Nikko =

Nikko Lineage

November 1930 - Tsunesaburo Makiguchi (1st President) and Josei Toda established the Soka (Kyoiku) Gakkai.

Focusing on each person developing a self-reliant practice and experiencing actual proof of the power of the teachings in their lives.

Kosen Rufu

WWII Japan

Bending to government pressure, priesthood enshrined a talisman to the Shinto sun goddess at the head temple and urged President Makiguchi and then-General Director Toda to accept the Talisman.

When Makiguchi and Toda refused, they were banned from the temple by the priests and ultimately imprisoned by authorities.

At a time when the priesthood was deleted passages from Nichiren Daishonin's writings in order to pacify the government, Makiguchi and Toda refused bend to the pressure. Pres. Makiguchi died in jail.

Repeatedly studying the Lotus Sutra in jail and chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo, Toda became enlightened to his mission to accomplish kosen -rufu.

Josei Toda became the second President vowing on May 3, 1951 to increase the organization's membership to over 750,000 households.

1952, Soka Gakkai was officially established as an independent religious organization in Japan.

By 1957, a year before his death, Toda and the organization realized this kosen rufu goal.

Nikko Lineage -

Also called the Fuji School

1912 renamed Nichiren Soshu meaning orthodox school of Nichiren

1282 - Nichiren Daishonin Passes

Decline of the Fuji School

• Before his passing Nichiren Daishonin transferred the entirety of his teaching to Nikko.

• Nikko was entrusted with leading the propagation of the Daishonin's teachings and

• Nikko was appointed as the Chief Priest of Kuon-Ji - the temple built at Mount Minobu

After Nikko's death in 1333, Fuju school descended into factionalism over who should be the head of the temple - infighting lasted over 70 years.

In 18th century, Nichikan worked to restore the integrity of Nichiren Buddhism....but....

Over the course of its history, the Fuji school repeatedly deviated from the intent of the Daishonin and Nikko Shonin.

Examples of Deviation

School ultimately fell into decline due to corruption and infighting

They taught the priests were inherently superior to lay believers

Only priests were recognized as able to provide spiritual leadership

Only priests were recognized as effective in determining the enlightenment of believers or deceased relatives

Members of the lay were compelled to make donations for priests to pray for their well being as prayers of lay believers were viewed as ineffectual

Importance of self-reliant faith centered on the Gohonzon was overridden by obedience to the priests