About Honmon Butsuryū Shū

About Honmon Butsuryū Shū
Butsumaru—The symbol of the Honmon Butsuryū Shū

Honmon Butsuryū Shū (HBS) is a Buddhist sect rooted in the teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha and venerating Nichiren Shōnin as its founder. At the heart of our practice is the sincere devotion to the Gohonzon of Odaimoku, inscribed with Nam Myōhō Renge Kyō, as revealed by Nichiren Shōnin. The fundamental practice of HBS is the devoted chanting of the Odaimoku, through which we cultivate faith and deepen our connection to the Buddha’s wisdom.

Our sect is founded upon the Lotus Sutra (Myōhō Renge Kyō), the final and supreme teaching of Shakyamuni Buddha. In this profound scripture, he declared it to be “the ultimate teaching” and “the king of all sutras.” It is from this truth that our sect derives its name, Butsuryū Shū, signifying that it was founded upon the very essence of the Buddha’s teachings.

The Lotus Sutra consists of 28 chapters, which are divided into two sections: Shakumon (Chapters 1–14) and Honmon(Chapters 15–28). The term Shakumon (“Manifestation Chapter”) refers to the provisional teachings of the “Manifested Buddha,” akin to the reflection of the moon upon water. In contrast, Honmon (“Original Chapter”) reveals the eternal and primordial nature of the Buddha—symbolized by the moon shining in the sky.

Nichiren Shōnin placed particular emphasis on the Honmon Happon (Eight Chapters of the Original Teaching, Chapters 15–22), regarding them as the core of Shakyamuni Buddha’s ultimate revelation. These chapters expound the significance of Odaimoku, the sacred invocation meant to guide all beings in the age of Mappō (the Latter Day of the Law), which began 2,000 years after the Buddha’s passing. Moreover, the Honmon Happon introduces Bodhisattva Jogyo, the foremost disciple of the Primordial Buddha, who vowed to propagate the Odaimoku throughout the world. Nichiren Shōnin is believed to be the reincarnation of this great bodhisattva.

Thus, our sect is named Honmon Butsuryū Shū, signifying our unwavering dedication to the Odaimoku, as expounded in the Honmon Happon of the Lotus Sutra.

Today, Honmon Butsuryū Shū has flourished, with approximately 300 temples and branch temples across Japan, and its teachings continue to spread throughout the world.

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