Nissen Shonin was born on April 1, 1817 (the 14th year of Bunka), in Ubayana-cho, west of Takoyakushi Muromachi, Kyoto. His father was Jōki Ōji, and his mother was Sumi (later renamed Kuni). His childhood name was Senjirō. Nissen’s family excelled in the literary arts for generations, and from a young age, he showed a keen interest in calligraphy, painting, and poetry. By the age of ten, his talents were recognized, and he was listed in Kyoto’s annual art almanac. At the age of 25, he demonstrated his exceptional literary talent by giving lectures on “The Tale of Genji” at the residence of nobleman Arikoto Chigusa.
At the age of 26, following the death of his mother, Nissen Shonin was deeply saddened and increasingly drawn to Buddhism. Despite studying various religious teachings, he found no fulfillment and, alongside, ran a private school teaching calligraphy and poetry.
In 1845 (the 2nd year of Kōka), at the age of 29, Nissen Shonin held an exhibition of his calligraphy at the tacchū (a sub-temple on the premises of a large temple) Chōon-in within the grounds of Honmon Hokke-shū’s Honno-ji Temple. During this event, he met Reverend Zuikōin Nichiō Shūden, the chief priest of Chōon-in, who introduced him to the teachings of the Lotus Sutra. Deeply moved, Nissen Shonin became a devout believer and studied under Nichijō, the chief priest of Honno-ji.
With his growing dedication to the teachings, Nissen Shonin decided to become a Buddhist priest. On April 28, 1848 (the 1st year of Kaei), he received the tonsure from Reverend Mujaku Nichiyō at Ryūsen-ji Temple in Tsuimura, Awaji Island, marking his ordination at the age of 32.
After ordination, Nissen Shonin attempted to join the Danrin, a Buddhist academy at Honkō-ji Temple in Amagasaki. However, due to jealousy over his reputation, he was ostracized. Despite not gaining official monk status, Nissen Shonin dedicated himself to spreading the teachings of the Lotus Sutra as a layman.
In 1850 (the 3rd year of Kaei), a debate between a court noble, Yoriake Matsudaira, and a monk, Shushin, at Miyawaki Takamatsu’s residence in Sanuki Provance (present-day Kagawa Prefecture) sparked a controversy over the doctrine of Sanzujōfu(*1) within Honmon Hokke Shu sect. Along with progressive monks Nichijō, Nichiō, and Nichiyō, Nissen Shonin advocated for attaining Buddhahood through human verbal recitation, countering the simplistic belief in attaining Buddhahood through transferring merit by holding memorial services. Unable to settle the dispute within the sect, Nissen Shonin resolved to establish the Honmon Butsuryū Kō (the predecessor of Honmon Butsuryū Shū) to uphold the pure teachings descended from Nichiren and Nichiryu Shonin.
Thus, on January 12, 1857 (the 4th year of Ansei), Nissen Shonin founded Honmon Butsuryū Kō at the residence of his follower, Asashichi Tanigawa, in Happondō, south of Shimmachi Takoyakushi, Kyoto, starting with just a few followers.
Despite repeated persecution and imprisonment three times due to slander, the visible blessings of Nissen Shonin’s teachings led to the steady growth of his following.
In 1878 (the 11th year of Meiji), Nissen Shonin established Honmon Butsuryū Kō’s unique ritual and doctrinal system, Myōkō Ichiza, embodying the teachings of Nichiren and Nichiryu Shonin. In 1881, during the memorial service for the 600th anniversary of Nichiren Shōnin’s death held at Yūsei-ji shinkaijō (the predecessor of the current HBS’s head temple, Yūseiji), the number of attendees reached 15,000. After appointing his successor Nichimon as the head of Yūsei-ji in 1883, Nissen Shonin moved to his private residence south of Fuyachō Ayakōji, dedicating himself to training disciples.
On July 17, 1890 (the 23rd year of Meiji), while traveling by boat down the Yodo River to Tamae Group dojō in Osaka, Nissen Shonin rested at the teahouse of Iroku Morita in Moriguchi to avoid the midday heat. Showing signs of passing in the evening, he peacefully passed away around 5:25 PM at the age of 74. His body was taken to the Tamae Group dojō, and Tsuya (wake) was held there. Then, on August 5, his funeral was held at Yūsei-ji with over 2,000 attendees.
(*1) The controversy on Sanzujōfu—The Debate on the Attainment of Buddhahood in the Three Realms (Hell, Demon, and Animals)
Initially, the attainment of Buddhahood was considered achievable only by humans who could walk the Bodhisattva path (chanting Odaimoku themselves and encouraging others to do so). However, a mistaken belief emerged that even animals, such as dogs and cats, could attain Buddhahood if someone recited the Lotus Sutra on their behalf and dedicated the merit to them. This debate arose to determine which view was correct.
The notion of animals attaining Buddhahood stemmed from the corrupted monks of the time, who focused solely on dedicating merit to the deceased (dedicating holding memorial services and earning money), neglecting the salvation of the living. This view deviated from the teachings of the Lotus Sutra and Nichiren Buddhism. Therefore, Nissen Shonin strongly opposed this mistaken belief.
