Nichiren Buddhism

Paper Summary:

The paper discusses the American version of Nichiren Buddhism which continues to evolve and to adapt to the American context. The paper states that the success of Buddhism worldwide is attributed to its ability to adapt to different cultures and different requirements without losing its central moral system. The goal remains enlightenment, though how this is defined may differ, and how it is achieved is a matter for argument. The paper concludes that the movement survives in spite of the division into two different organizations and in spite of battles between the priesthood and the laity, and in some parts of the country the movement not only survives but thrives.

From the Paper:

"Ordination in the Buddhist context means initiation into the Buddhist Order, or Sangha, which occurs in the presence of witnesses, or members of the Sangha. There are two kinds of Buddhist Order. The first is the lower, or pabbajj, by which a man becomes a smanera or novice; the second is the higher, or upasampad, by which a novice becomes a monk, or bhikku. The ceremony by which the novice becomes a monk varies from country to country and may vary according to whether the novice had the intention of remaining in Order for several months or years or for a few days only, as for the three to seven day period on the occasion of a relative's cremation. The ceremony for the admission of a novice who intends to become a monk is formal. The candidate is brought before a chapter of at least ten monks, headed by an abbot of senior monk of at least ten years standing. The candidate takes part in the set form for ordaining novices and monks. The ceremony is held in the sanctuary (vihra). The candidate kneels, asks for admission as a novice, and hands two yellow robes to the abbot. "

Sample of Sources Used:

• Bendure, G. & Friary, N. (1993). Hawaii. Berkeley: Lonely Planet.
• Cook, F.H. (1994). Heian, Kamakura, and Tokugawa Periods in Japan In Buddhism: A Modern Perspective, C.S. Prebish (ed.), 223-228. University Park: Pennsylvania State University Press.
• Ellwood, R.S. (1994). East Asian Religions in Today's America. In World Religions in America, J. Neusner (ed.), 219-242. Louisville, Kentucky: Westminster/John Knox Press.
• Hammoind, P. & Machacek, D. (1999). Supply and Demand: The Appeal of Buddhism in America. In American Buddhism: Methods and Findings in Recent Scholarship, C.S. Queen & D.R. Williams (eds.), 100-114. Surrey, England: Curzon Press.
• Heine, S. & Prebish, C.S. (2003). Buddhism in the Modern World: Adaptations of an Ancient Tradition. New York: Oxford University Press..

More papers on Nichiren Buddhism:

• Research Paper # 83498 : "Cha'an Buddhism"
• Analytical Essay # 135257 : "Passage on Buddhism"
• Essay # 83990 : "Chinese Buddhism "

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