Nichiren Buddhism Definitions for Kids

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Buddhism (BOO-diz-um): Buddhism was started in India about 3,500 years ago by a man named Shakyamuni (SHOCK-ya-moon-ee) or Siddhartha Gautama. (sid-ART-ah GOT-uh-muh). Today, many people call him Buddha (BOO-duh) or the Buddha. Buddha means “the awakened person.”

A Buddha knows she is the universe. She knows everyone else is too. A Buddha knows how to overcome any problem and bring unbeatable happiness out of his life. He also helps other people do these things and respects himself and other people.

Shakayamuni said his greatest teaching was the Lotus Sutra (LO-tus SOO-trah). In the Lotus Sutra, Shakyamuni taught that everyone is equal, everyone is the universe and everyone is a Buddha—just like he was.

Nichiren Buddhism (NEE-chee-ren): Nichiren Buddhism was started in

Japan

in the 1200s by a man named Nichiren. Nichiren made it simple for anyone to make the teachings of Lotus Sutra part of their lives.

Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo (Nam-m'yo-ho-wren-geh-k'yo): Nichiren taught people to chant the words Nam-myoho-renge-kyo to bring out the Buddha inside them. Nam-myoho-renge-kyo means “I devote my life to the Wonderful Law of the Buddha’s Lotus Flower teaching." Click here to hear people chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.

The Gohonzon (Go-HONE-zone): Nichiren made a picture of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, or the Buddha nature, so that people can use it as a mirror to see the Buddha inside themselves. This object is a white paper scroll with black ink writing on it. It is called the Gohonzon, which means, "fundamental object of respect.".

“Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, Nichiren” is written down the center of the Gohonzon. Nichiren Buddhists (BOO-dists) chant Nam-myoho-renge while focusing on the Gohonzon. The Gohonzon helps us see that we are Buddhas and so is everyone else.

Gongyo (GONE-g'yo): Each morning and evening, Nichiren Buddhists chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and recite (say) the two main parts of the Lotus Sutra. The words are written in Asian languages. We call the practice of reciting parts of the Lotus Sutra along with chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo “Gongyo.” Gongyo is the Nichiren Buddhism morning and evening prayer. No matter where we live around the world, or what language we speak, all Nichiren Buddhists pronounce gongyo the same way.

Gongyo is recited in two parts from two different chapters of the Lotus Sutra. The parts are Part A (Chapter 2) and Part C (Chapter 16). You can hear people reciting Part A here and Part C here.

Soka Gakkai International (SO-kah GAH-kye): The Soka Gakkai International is a Nichiren Buddhist organization. In Japanese Soka Gakkai this means, “Organization for Creating Value (goodness).” The Soka Gakki International is called the SGI for short, and the SGI-USA in the United States. The president of the SGI is Daisaku Ikeda (DYE-sah-koo EE-keh-dah). He has met American leader, Rosa Parks, the first black South African President, Nelson Mandela, and many other people. Because of Daisaku Ikeda’s hard work and because of the work of lots of people, there are now SGI centers in almost 200 countries. SGI members spread peace, culture and education. We are of all different kinds of races (skin colors, backgrounds, and cultures). Our leaders are women, men and young people.

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Juvenile Fiction

TANEESHA
NEVER DISPARAGING

Wisdom Publications
Fall 2008

Dang! In TANEESHA NEVER DISPARAGING, eleven year-old Taneesha Bey-Ross puts up with more mess than any fifth grader should have to. For one thing, she’s getting tired of being her best friend Carli Flanagan’s personal bodyguard. In Taneesha's neighborhood in North Cleveland, Ohio, wearing a leg brace contraption, walking with a limp, and being white makes Carli stick way out. And standing up for Carli might just be the last move Taneesha makes in this lifetime.

See, after school, when Taneesha screams "You're being mean and stupid!" at this giant teenage girl that's picking on Carli, the girl promises Taneesha will pay. And with her super-sized fists and stomping army boots that girl is plenty big and bad enough to keep her word. What’s more, Taneesha’s running a loser’s race for class president. So one way or the other, she owes a big fat “thanks for nothing” to Carli—first for nominating her and second for putting her on the hit list of a juvenile delinquent. Read More...