Relation between Nichiren Shu and Nichiren Shoshu

[OregonBuddhist]

Wow. You really are a fountain of wisdom on this topic. Thank you so much. I agree, by the way. I chant both "nam" and "namu." I like them both.

[Queequeg]

I like them both.

Me, too.

[OregonBuddhist]

I found some article somewhere that says the debate between "nam" and "namu" is pointless, because in Nichiren's time the pronunciation of all of these terms was different anyway.

[jccampb]

First; I'd like to comment on the level and considerate dialog I've seen on this site so far, most impressive. I've been a Nichiren Shoshu lay member now since 1975 BTW ..
I do recall hearing that up until some years ago (15? 20?) that all Nichiren Shoshu Priests took training at Risshu Dai-gakku?
http://www.ris.ac.jp/en/campus/guide.html#overview
anyone else run into this factoid before? jccampb

[Queequeg]

Hi JC,

Welcome to the conversation.

I don't know if all N. Shoshu priests studied at Rissho Daigaku, but my understanding is that many did. My understanding is that at some point, 15-20, maybe more, years ago, because of the doctrinal differences, Taisekiji opened its own seminary/university for their priests.

[noisemonkey]

BTW, to correct a minor matter - Nichiren Shoshu was not founded from within Nichiren Shoshu. This was a lay movement that was closely tied with Taisekiji for a while, but has its origin outside of the temple institution.

please elaborate.

[noisemonkey]

I found some article somewhere that says the debate between "nam" and "namu" is pointless, because in Nichiren's time the pronunciation of all of these terms was different anyway.

we use the namu when doing hiki (elongated) Daimoku before each silent prayer but the rest of the time it's just nam. The namu that our High Priest chants is incredibly long, it's awesome to hear.

[Queequeg]

Mistake. Should have read:

BTW, to correct a minor matter - Soka Gakkai was not founded from within Nichiren Shoshu. This was a lay movement that was closely tied with Taisekiji for a while, but has its origin outside of the temple institution.

[noisemonkey]

Mistake. Should have read:

BTW, to correct a minor matter - Soka Gakkai was not founded from within Nichiren Shoshu. This was a lay movement that was closely tied with Taisekiji for a while, but has its origin outside of the temple institution.

Yep correct, sg was founded as the "value creation society" in Japan before Makiguchi started practicing and was allowed for them to affiliated with Taisekiji after that.

[noisemonkey]

Nichiren Shoshu is much more like the Vatican. They have the mothership Gohonzon through which humanity will be saved and they even have a concept similar to the Pope's infallibility associated with the Taisekiji Abbot.

We don't have any such infallibility concept that I've heard about