Nikkyō Niwano

Nikkyō Niwano (庭野日敬 Niwano Nikkyō, 1906–1999) was one of the founders and the first president of the Buddhist organization Risshō Kōsei Kai.

Nikkyō Niwano

Statue of Founder Niwano
Born (1906-11-15)November 15, 1906
Niigata Prefecture, Japan
Died October 4, 1999(1999-10-04) (aged 92)
Nationality Japanese
Occupation President of Risshō Kōsei Kai
Known for Religious work, Founder of Risshō Kōsei Kai
Title Great Teacher of the One Vehicle
Term March 5, 1939-November 15, 1991
Predecessor None, Office Created
Successor Rev. Nichiko Niwano
Religion Buddhist
Spouse(s) Sai Niwano

Early life

Born on November 15, 1906 to farmers, Nikkyō had a humble life in a small town. Later in his youth he moved to Tokyo to work and it was here that he began to study several different religions. During his studies he attended a sermon on the Lotus Sutra and he became a Buddhist.

Risshō Kōsei Kai

Mr. Niwano had been actively involved with the Buddhist group Reiyūkai, and it was then that he encountered Ms. Myoko Naganuma and lead her to convert to Reiyūkai. In 1938 they both attended a leaders meeting where the leadership of Reiyūkai made several comments stating that the Lotus Sutra was outdated. After discussing this matter with each other, they decided that they could not belong to an organization which held this type of view.[1] On March 5, 1938 they founded Risshō Kōsei Kai, holding the first meeting in Mr. Niwano's house.

Mr. Niwano was to be the President and Ms. Naganuma to be the vice-president. As the organization grew he gave up his job as a milk man and devoted himself full-time to the ministry. He became involved in interfaith activities and helped to found the World Conference of Religions for Peace in 1970. During this time he became involved in numerous religious and cultural conferences and gathers, some of which include the Asian Conference on Religion and Peace and the 6th WCRP in Italy where he presided over the WCRP alongside Pope John Paul II.[2] He also spoke on several occasions as the United Nations calling for world peace and the abolition of nuclear arms.

In 1991 he stepped down as president and was succeeded by his eldest son, Nichiko Niwano. Although retired, he continued to participate in interfaith and peace activities.

Awards

In 1979 he was awarded the Templeton Foundation Prize for Progress in Religion. In 1992 he was made a Knight Commander with the Silver Star of the Order of St. Gregory the Great by the Vatican. In 1993 Mr. Niwano was awarded the Interfaith Medallion from the International Council of Christians and Jews. Daniel Montgomery quotes that "no Buddhist leader in the World has become more widely known or showered with honours than him." [3]

Death and legacy

Nikkyo Niwano died on October 4, 1999. He was cremated and some of his ashes were placed in the Precious Stupa of the One Vehicle, a small stupa located on the grounds of the groups headquarters. He is remembered for his interfaith work and his calls for global peace and disarmament. While many people around the world regard him with the highest respect, some criticism occurred shortly after his death regarding the large fortune that he left behind, many claiming that this was un-Buddhist.[4]

Works

References

  1. ↑ "Rissho Kosei-kai Buddhist Church of Hawaii". rkhawaii.org.
  2. ↑ "About Rissho Kosei-kai, a Buddhist organization.". rk-world.org.
  3. ↑ Montgomery, Daniel (1991). Fire in the Lotus, The Dynamic Religion of Nichiren. London : Mandala, ISBN 1852740914, page 232.
  4. ↑ http://search.japantimes.co.jp/member/member.html?nn20000907b8.htm[]

External links

Buddhist titles
Preceded by
None		 Director General Rissho Kosei-kai
March 5, 1938–March 28, 1943 		Succeeded by
Himself as President
Preceded by
none		 President of Rissho Kosei-kai
March 28, 1943–November 15, 1991 		Succeeded by
Nichiko Niwano
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