In Honmon Butsuryu Shu, Nichiryu Shonin is revered as the reincarnation of Nichiren Shonin, the great figure who restored and correctly guided the teachings that had fallen into disarray.
Nichiryu Shonin was born on October 14, 1385 (the 2nd year of Shitoku), exactly 104 years after the passing of Nichiren Shonin. He was born at the Momoi Residence in Asaishimamura, Imizu District, in the former Echigo Province (present-day Toyama Prefecture). His father was Momoi Umanokami Hisanori, and his mother was Tomiko. His childhood name was Choichimaru.
His father hoped that Choichimaru would become a military leader and further the prosperity of the Momoi family. However, at the age of 12, in 1396 (the 3rd year of Oei), Choichimaru had a mysterious dream and decided to become a Buddhist priest. Initially, his father did not permit this, but his wet nurse, Taejo, persuaded him, allowing Choichimaru to pursue ordination.
On May 10, Nichiryu Shonin entered Onjo-ji Temple in Echigo Province, where he received tonsure and ordination from his master, Keijuin, and was given the priest name Jin’en.
In the spring of 1398 (the 5th year of Oei), with his master’s permission, he traveled to Kyoto to rely on his master’s Dharma brothers, Nichizon and Nichido, at Myohon-ji Temple on Shijo Street. There, he studied under the abbot, Nissai, and received the Dharma name Keirinbo Nichiryu. At Myohon-ji, he diligently studied Nichiren’s teachings alongside Nichizon and Nichido.
However, during this time, Myohon-ji Temple was becoming increasingly disordered. After the passing of Nissai Shonin, Gatsumyo, a successor to the abbot position, further led the temple into disorder due to his arrogance. Gatsumyo began to teach the incorrect doctrine of the unity of the Shakumon and Honmon sections of the Lotus Sutra (Honjakuicchi), oppressing the orthodox faction that upheld the traditional doctrine of the superiority of the Honmon section (Honjakushōretsu). As a result, Nichizon, Nichido, Nichiryu, and other orthodox members were forced to leave the temple.
Despite efforts by Nichizon, Nichido, and Nichiryu Shonin to admonish Gatsumyo, he refused to accept their counsel. Nichizon and Nichido then focused on restoring Myoren-ji Temple in Kyoto to honor the legacy of Nichizo Shonin, a third-generation disciple of Nichiren Shonin who first spread Nichiren’s teachings in Kyoto. Meanwhile, Nichiryu Shonin visited various Nichiren-related temples to copy and collect Nichiren’s treatises, deepening his understanding of Nichiren’s teachings.
In 1415 (the 22nd year of Oei), Nichiryu Shonin returned to Kyoto after his pilgrimage and established Honno-ji Temple on Bukkoji Street as a center for propagation. However, conflicts with Gatsumyo and Myohon-ji continued, and Gatsumyo even attempted to harm Nichiryu Shonin. Despite these threats, Nichiryu Shonin expanded his teachings wherever he went.
Throughout his missionary activities, Nichiryu Shonin established 14 temples, including the major head temples of Honno-ji in Kyoto and Honko-ji in Amagasaki, Hyogo Prefecture. His teachings reached various regions, from Mikawa and Suruga in the east, through the San’in region to Bizen and Bitchu, and from Awaji Island to Shikoku in the south, extending as far as Omi and Tsuruga in the north.
Nichiryu Shonin also engaged in scholarly writing early on. In 1450 (the 2nd year of Hotoku), at the age of 65, he established Kangaku-in within Honko-ji Temple to train future leaders. He continued compiling and refining the teachings of the Honmon Happon of the Lotus Sutra, leaving behind over 3,000 writings. An anecdote tells of him personally serving tea to the studying monks at night.
On February 25, 1464 (the 5th year of Kansho), at the age of 80, Nichiryu Shonin passed away in a seated, meditative posture while chanting the Odaimoku. For his role in restoring and correctly guiding the teachings after Nichiren Shonin’s passing, he is revered as the Reincarnation of Nichiren Shonin and the Master who Reestablished and Properly Guided the Teachings.
