Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
This chapter introduces Soka Gakkai and Komeito. Soka Gakkai derives its
philosophical basis from the Buddhism of
the thirteenth-century monk,
82). Nichiren, together with H
-
nen, Shinran, and D
-
gen, is
regarded as one of the representatives of Kamakura
Nichiren (1222
-
'
new Buddhism
'
.In
Japan
s modern period, there have been many interpretations of this thirteenth-
century Buddhist monk and claims to be following his religious, political and
even nationalist agenda. Soka Gakkai is one of a number of religious move-
ments that came into existence in the early part of the twentieth century and
which of
'
ers its own reading of Nichiren. To better understand and discuss
Soka Gakkai and the political party that grew out of it in the early 1960s, I
first look at Nichiren, drawing on more recent studies of this well-known
Japanese historical
figure, although this is by no means a comprehensive
account of his many writings or philosophical concepts. I then explore Soka
Gakkai
s reading of Nichiren, before discussing Komeito with a particular
focus on the last 10 years of the party as a coalition partner to the long-ruling
Liberal Democratic Party over which this topic spans.
'
Nichiren
the votary of the Lotus Sutra
Nichiren has been seen as a controversial
-
figure both in his lifetime and
afterwards. His philosophy and vehement call for the exclusive practice of the
Lotus Sutra have given rise to numerous interpretations. Nichiren had a
unique understanding of his own reality in light of his reading of the Lotus
Sutra, and interpreted the many stormy events in his life as proof of his role
as the votary of the Lotus Sutra. Nichiren
firstly
based on the principle of ichinen sanzen. This concept developed from the
'
is understanding of reality is
97), also known as Chih-I, describes the possi-
bility of experiencing any of 3,000 realms (sanzen) in one thought moment
(ichinen). One
-
s mind in a single moment of thought encompasses all elements
in the world, and could potentially manifest any perspective including that of
the Buddha. One
'
'
is experience of and action upon the world is consistent with
'
'
one
s
environment and the world at large. Rather than one objective reality, reality
s perspective of it spanning the interconnectedness of the individual, one
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