The Lineage and Tradition of Buddhist Humanism
Buddhist Humanism: From Shakyamuni to Nichiren Daishonin and Kosen-rufu
1. Shakyamuni Buddha — The Awakened One
Shakyamuni was born a prince in ancient India. After witnessing the unavoidable sufferings of birth, ageing, sickness and death , he began a spiritual quest to understand and overcome the fundamental sufferings of life.
Although he lived in comfort and luxury, he realized that material riches and pleasures were ultimately fleeting. He therefore sought a philosophy that could clarify the true meaning of human existence.
Through his spiritual practice, Shakyamuni awakened to the eternal and universal Dharma (Law) that pervades life and the universe.
Buddha means “the awakened one.”
2. The Dignity of Life
Shakyamuni taught that ignorance of the inherent dignity of one's own life causes people to become controlled by egoism and selfish desires.
Therefore, the noble way to live is to:
Awaken to the dignity of one's own life
Bring forth one's inherent wisdom
Realize one's unlimited potential
Overcome fundamental ignorance
This represents a restoration of the value and dignity of the human being .
Compassion — Respecting Others
Once we awaken to the value of our own life, we can also recognize and respect the value of others.
This is the fundamental spirit of Buddhist compassion .
In essence:
Respecting our own life naturally leads to respecting the lives of others.
3. Lotus Sutra — The Essence of Mahayana Buddhism
Shakyamuni expounded his teachings for approximately 50 years. After his death, his disciples compiled records of his teachings, which became known as sutras .
Among these teachings, the Lotus Sutra is regarded as the foremost Mahayana teaching and has been called the “king of sutras.”
The Lotus Sutra teaches that all people can attain the same enlightened life state as the Buddha.
It also calls upon people to inherit this great vow and practice compassion to realize it.
4. Nichiren Daishonin — Votary of the Lotus Sutra
Nichiren Daishonin deeply sought a way to relieve the suffering of all people.
He studied Buddhist scriptures and the writings of earlier Buddhist scholars and ultimately found the answer in the Lotus Sutra .
Based on its teachings, he resolved to help all people realize:
True happiness
Human dignity
Peace and security in society
Despite facing severe opposition and life-threatening persecutions, he continued to act according to the teachings of the Lotus Sutra.
His Major Contributions
Nichiren Daishonin:
Established the practice of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo
Inscribed the Gohonzon as the object of faith and devotion
Revealed the essence of the Lotus Sutra
Opened the way for all people to attain Buddhahood
5. Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land
Nichiren Daishonin emphasized that individual happiness cannot be separated from peace and security in society .
In On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land , he states:
“If the nation is destroyed and people's homes are wiped out, then where can one free themselves for safety? If you care anything about your personal security, you should first of all pray for order and tranquillity throughout the four quarters of the land, should you?”
His lifelong efforts focused on establishing the correct teaching for the peace of the land —establishing respect for the dignity of life as a guiding principle of society.
Key Spirit
Individual happiness + happiness of others + peace and prosperity of society
Dialogue based on reason and humanity is key to this process.
6. Soka Gakkai — Bringing Nichiren Buddhism to Modern Times
The three founding presidents of the Soka Gakkai:
Tsunesaburo Makiguchi
Josei Toda
Daisaku Ikeda
revived the philosophy and practice of Nichiren Daishonin Buddhism in modern times.
Soka Gakkai members apply Buddhist practice in their daily lives by:
Chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo
Challenging problems with hope and courage
Developing rich character
Practising human revolution
Studying Nichiren Daishonin's writings
Encouraging and supporting fellow members
Sharing Buddhist principles with others
Through these activities, members strive to expand a network based on faith in the Mystic Law and respect for human life .
7. Worldwide Kosen-rufu
Nichiren Buddhism aims to enable people to achieve happiness for themselves and others .
It also emphasizes contributing to society by becoming people whom others can trust and rely on through their roles:
At home
At work
In their communities
In society
The Soka Gakkai also engages with global issues concerning:
Peace
Human rights
Respect for the dignity of life
Nuclear weapons
Refugees
Environmental protection
Through dialogue, the movement seeks to cultivate capable individuals who can demonstrate Buddhist humanism in their respective fields.
This movement to realize the happiness of humanity and peace is called:
Kosen-rufu
8. Westward Transmission of Buddhism
Buddhism began in India and was transmitted eastward to Japan.
The Buddhist humanistic tradition that originated with Shakyamuni and was inherited by Nichiren Daishonin is now being transmitted back westward and throughout the world .
This is referred to as the:
“Westward transmission” or “westward return” of Buddhism.
According to the source, this movement has spread to 192 countries and territories around the globe.
⭐ Key Points to Remember
Shakyamuni
Buddha = Awakened One.
Shakyamuni sought to overcome the fundamental sufferings of birth, ageing, sickness and death .
He awakened to the eternal and universal Dharma .
Buddhist humanism begins with recognizing the dignity of one's own life and the lives of others .
Lotus Sutra
Lotus Sutra = “King of Sutras” and the essence of Mahayana Buddhism.
It teaches that all people can attain the same enlightened life state as the Buddha .
Nichiren Daishonin
Nichiren Daishonin is the votary of the Lotus Sutra .
He revealed the essence of the Lotus Sutra as Nam-myoho-renge-kyo .
He established chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and inscribed the Gohonzon .
His lifelong aim was establishing the correct teaching for the peace of the land .
Soka Gakkai & Kosen-rufu
Three founding presidents: Makiguchi, Toda and Ikeda.
Soka Gakkai applies Nichiren Buddhism to daily life and society .
Human Revolution = developing one's character and transforming one's life through Buddhist practice.
Kosen-rufu = movement to realize the happiness of humanity and peace.
Westward transmission/return = Buddhism, which began in India and travelled eastward, spreading back westward and throughout the world.
🧠 One-line exam revision
Shakyamuni awakened to the universal Law → Lotus Sutra revealed the potential for all people to attain Buddhahood → Nichiren Daishonin revealed Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and established the practice → Soka Gakkai carries this humanistic spirit forward through kosen-rufu.