The Rise of New Religion
Soka Gakkai dates as far back as the prewar period, the 1930s in Japan. It has gained a reputable membership throughout its beginnings to present day. Although Japan has recently reached a point of secularization, the teachings of Nichiren are followed by many people, nearly 8.3 million citizens of Japan. There are various criticisms towards the religion because of its close ties with education and political participation. The Gakkai have seized the opportunity of postwar Japan, a time of religious, cultural, and ideological hollowness. Japanese society has focused on economic growth for several decades, increasing a need for religious exploration. The effects of industrialization and urbanization have taken a toll …show more content…
He became engrossed in the philosophy and applied it to educational theory, so much so that he wrote a collection of books in the 1930s under the title of Soka Kyoiku Gakkai, which translates to Value Creating Education Society. The movement grew as more individuals identified with the cause. In 1942, the group began publication of a monthly journal entitled Kachi Sozo (Structure of Value). However, the Japanese government did not like this, they believed Makiguchi’s message caused discourse within the country. The government sought to make Shintoism it’s state religion in hope of branding the emperor as a divine being and gain control of the people. As a result, Makiguchi, Josei Toda, his disciple and 20 members, were sent to prison. Makiguchi died soon thereafter on November 18th, 1944 due to malnutrition. Josei Toda was released from prison July 1945. He began reorganizing the assembly in February of 1946, adopting the present name of Soka Gakkai (Value Creation …show more content…
Nichiren was a Japanese Buddhist priest that lived during the Kamakura period (1185-1333). He devoted his life to spreading the message of the Lotus Sutra, Myōhō Renge Kyō. He believed that the sutra of the white lotus was the ultimate teaching to reach enlightenment. Nichiren Buddhism has a foundation of three secrets (Sanhai Hiho) to reach eternal prosperity. The first being Honmon no Honzon, an exclusive object of worship. The Gohonzon is a mandala upon which Nichiren is said to have written the essence of Buddhist law. The original Dai-Gohonzon is kept in the main temple Taiseki-ji near Mt. Fuji, Japan. When a believer is accepted into the organization they receive a replica of the Gohonzon, which is then placed in the home and prayed to daily. The second secret of Nichiren is Honmon No Daimoku, “Nam-Myōhō Renge Kyō” (All Hail to the Lotus Sutra). A chant the believer uses to gain enlightenment, divine benefit, protection, or granting of a request. Followers chant daily to express their devotion to the cause. Within Nichiren Buddhism, its believed that everyone has a Buddha inside them, and the goal of the Lotus Sutra is to accept mundane life and foster happiness. The third secret is Honmon No Kaidan. A sacred altar that will be built after the completion of Kosenrufu, the worldwide propagation of Nichiren faith. The Kaidan will house the Dai-Gohonzon and will be the source of all power and faith
Soka Gakkai dates as far back as the prewar period, the 1930s in Japan. It has gained a reputable membership throughout its beginnings to present day. Although Japan has recently reached a point of secularization, the teachings of Nichiren are followed by many people, nearly 8.3 million citizens of Japan. There are various criticisms towards the religion because of its close ties with education and political participation. The Gakkai have seized the opportunity of postwar Japan, a time of religious, cultural, and ideological hollowness. Japanese society has focused on economic growth for several decades, increasing a need for religious exploration. The effects of industrialization and urbanization have taken a toll …show more content…
He became engrossed in the philosophy and applied it to educational theory, so much so that he wrote a collection of books in the 1930s under the title of Soka Kyoiku Gakkai, which translates to Value Creating Education Society. The movement grew as more individuals identified with the cause. In 1942, the group began publication of a monthly journal entitled Kachi Sozo (Structure of Value). However, the Japanese government did not like this, they believed Makiguchi’s message caused discourse within the country. The government sought to make Shintoism it’s state religion in hope of branding the emperor as a divine being and gain control of the people. As a result, Makiguchi, Josei Toda, his disciple and 20 members, were sent to prison. Makiguchi died soon thereafter on November 18th, 1944 due to malnutrition. Josei Toda was released from prison July 1945. He began reorganizing the assembly in February of 1946, adopting the present name of Soka Gakkai (Value Creation …show more content…
Nichiren was a Japanese Buddhist priest that lived during the Kamakura period (1185-1333). He devoted his life to spreading the message of the Lotus Sutra, Myōhō Renge Kyō. He believed that the sutra of the white lotus was the ultimate teaching to reach enlightenment. Nichiren Buddhism has a foundation of three secrets (Sanhai Hiho) to reach eternal prosperity. The first being Honmon no Honzon, an exclusive object of worship. The Gohonzon is a mandala upon which Nichiren is said to have written the essence of Buddhist law. The original Dai-Gohonzon is kept in the main temple Taiseki-ji near Mt. Fuji, Japan. When a believer is accepted into the organization they receive a replica of the Gohonzon, which is then placed in the home and prayed to daily. The second secret of Nichiren is Honmon No Daimoku, “Nam-Myōhō Renge Kyō” (All Hail to the Lotus Sutra). A chant the believer uses to gain enlightenment, divine benefit, protection, or granting of a request. Followers chant daily to express their devotion to the cause. Within Nichiren Buddhism, its believed that everyone has a Buddha inside them, and the goal of the Lotus Sutra is to accept mundane life and foster happiness. The third secret is Honmon No Kaidan. A sacred altar that will be built after the completion of Kosenrufu, the worldwide propagation of Nichiren faith. The Kaidan will house the Dai-Gohonzon and will be the source of all power and faith