NICHIRENSHŪ broadly refers to all religious bodies claiming derivation from the Japanese Buddhist teacher Nichiren (1222–1282), including traditional temple denominations as well as lay associations and new religious movements. While Nichirenshū is also the official name of a specific Nichiren Buddhist denomination, this entry will address the larger Nichiren tradition. Nichiren Buddhism is based on faith in the Lotus Sūtra (in Japanese, Myōhō-renge-kyō; sometimes shortened to Hōkekyō), a Mahāyāna scripture revered throughout East Asia for its promise that all shall attain buddhahood. The central practice of Nichiren Buddhism is chanting the daimoku or title of the Lotus in the formula Namu Myōhō-renge-kyō (literally, "Homage to the sūtra of the lotus blossom of the wonderful dharma"), said to embody all the Buddha's practices and resulting virtues as well as the essence of all Buddhist teachings.

The Founder Nichiren