Nichiren (1222-1282) was the Japanese founder of Nichiren
Buddhism. Born as a fisherman's son, he was called Zennichimaro. He
went to Seicho-ji temple in his home province of Awa to study Buddhism in
1233. Shortly after his tonsure at sixteen, he took the name of Rencho and
went to Kamakura for further studies. After returning from Kamakura, he
traveled to Kyoto and Nara, the old centers of traditional Buddhism in Japan,
where he mastered all the sutras and literature of Buddhism. In I253, returning
to Seicho-ji, Rencho adopted the name Nichiren (Sun-Lotus) when he advocated
chanting "Nam-myoho-renge-kyo" for the first time. He declared
the establishment of a new Buddhism. In 1279 he inscribed the Dai-Gohonzon
as the fundamental object of respect for the peace and happiness of all
mankind. He died three years later. See "The Life of Nichiren Daishonin"
in the Introduction of The Major Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1.
The term "Daishonin" is an honorific title meaning "great
sage" and has been traditionally used in reference to Nichiren, e.g.
Nichiren Daishonin, by the Nichiren Shoshu school of Buddhism. The Soka
Gakkai and SGI have adopted this usage in most publications, however it
is not commonly used in society or by academic and religious scholars.
The revolutionary nature of Nichiren's achievement lies in the fact that
he made it possible, for the first time, for all people to actually practice
the highest teachings of Buddhism by providing a methodology whereby they
can establish a life-condition of absolute happiness, unswayed by changing
outer circumstances.
For more information, use this link: What is the Buddhism of Nichiren