October 2009

Tenth Anniversary of Founder's Entrance into Nirvana Celebrated

On October 4, at its Tokyo headquarters and Dharma Centers throughout Japan, Rissho Kosei-kai observed the 10th anniversary of Founder Nikkyo Niwano's entrance into nirvana. In Tokyo, the annual ceremony took place in the Great Sacred Hall, with 3,500 members from 93 Dharma Centers taking part. They contemplated the merits that Founder Niwano accumulated in his teaching of the Dharma. They also rededicated themselves to practice of the Dharma. The ceremony in the Great Sacred Hall was relayed by satellite television to all Dharma Centers throughout Japan.

Before the ceremony, there was a ritual opening of the door of the Precious Stupa of the One Vehicle in the headquarters complex. As members clasped their hands in prayer, President Nichiko Niwano opened the door, and President and Mrs. Niwano; President-designate Kosho Niwano; Dr. Munehiro Niwano, dean-designate of Rissho Kosei-kai's Gakurin Seminary; and Rev. Yasutaka Watanabe, chair of Rissho Kosei's Board of Trustees, offered flowers in the stupa.

In the Great Sacred Hall, the ceremony began with folk music from Niigata Prefecture performed by the Kosei koto ensemble and a flutist. Sixteen young women members in traditional Japanese costume placed offerings of products from their areas on the altar before the image of the Eternal Buddha.

After leading the sutra chanting, the president-designate read out a tribute by President Nichiko Niwano to the founder's lifelong dedication to human welfare. Rev. Kiyo Yamazaki, former head of the Setagaya Dharma Center in Tokyo, then shared her personal reminiscence of Founder Niwano. She recalled that her devout mother-in-law and her parents had received the teachings in Rissho Kosei-kai's early days when Founder Niwano was close at hand. She said the founder showed lovingkindness and spoke words of compassion to all the members he met, guiding them along the path to happiness. She added that the founder had taught her the importance of constant effort for right living, and she pledged further efforts at self-improvement, always remembering and striving to emulate him in his eagerness to show all people the path to self-perfection.

After Rev. Yamazaki's testimony, President Niwano offered incense on the altar and gave a Dharma talk.

[back to News Archive]