Sociology

Nichiren Buddhism is one of the many sects in Mahayana Buddhism. Like any other sects of Buddhism, practitioners follow the teachings of the historical Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama. What differentiates Nichiren Buddhism from other types of Buddhism is the teaching and practice that enables people to tap their inherent Buddha nature in the depths of their lives. Hochswender et.al. (2001), in relation to the origin of the Nichiren Buddhism, explained that

Nichiren, born in Japan in 1222 gave concrete and practical expression to the Buddhist philosophy of life that Shakyamuni or Siddharta Gautama taught. He expressed the heart of the Lotus Sutra, and therefore the Buddhas enlightenment, in a form that all people could practice. He defined this as the invocation of Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo, based on the title of the Lotus Sutra (p. 22).

This also have their church services just like other religions. But they dont call it a church activity but a World Peace Meeting. They gather at their Culture Center every first Sunday of the month. Before they start their activities and discussions, everyone, regardless of color, race, age, nationality and gender, all chant together the phrase Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo. Renge in this phrase literally means Lotus Flower, which is the only plant that seeds and blooms at the same time, thus representing the law of cause and effect or karma. Lotus flower plays a significant role in the Buddhist tradition that is why one can often see pictures of the beautiful Lotus flower in their culture centers.