1.The Origin Of Nichiren Shoshu
The founding of Nichiren Shoshu begins with the birth of Nichiren Daishonin on February 16 in the first year of Jo'o(1222) in the land of Japan. He renounced the world to enter the Buddhist priesthood, and upon the thorough completion of the entire study of Buddhism, on April 28 in the fifth year of Kencho (1253) Nichiren Daishonin - aged 32 - revealed His ultimate realization, the enlightenment of Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo, the Supreme Law and Wisdom of the True [Original] Buddha of Kuon- ganjo, and based on this realization made His declaration of the establishment of True Buddhism.
Ever since His declaration, Nichiren Daishonin encountered and endured countless oppressions and persecutions which included a night assault on His life in Kamakura, an execution attempt at Tatsunokuchi and two sentences of banishment. Dauntlessly He continued the propagation of the Great Law of Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo; all the while, carrying on with His efforts to raise His disciples and followers, educating and fostering their understanding of Buddhism. On October 12, in the second year of Koan (1279) the Daishonin inscribed the Dai-Gohonzon of the High Sanctuary of Honmon as the Supreme Object of Worship for the [sake of] eternal prosperity and happiness for all mankind. Following this, the Daishonin appointed Nikko Shonin as the Great Master of Propagation and His legitimate successor, bestowing upon Nikko Shonin all authority with regard to His Buddhism and with regard to the Gohonzon. Nichiren Daishonin passed away peacefully on October 13, in the fifth year of Koan (1282).
After the passing of Nichiren Daishonin, Hagiri Sanenaga, the lord of the Minobu area, began to commit various acts of slander which were in direct opposition to the teachings of the Daishonin. Nikko Shonin, as the second head priest of Kuonji Temple at Mount Minobu, in order to protect the True Law and True Teachings bequeathed to him by his Beloved Master, Nichiren Daishonin, was left with no other alternative but to leave Mount Minobu. In the spring of the second year of Sho'o (1289), accompanied by Nichimoku Shonin and his other disciples, Nikko Shonin left Mount Minobu, taking with them the Dai-Gohonzon of the High Sanctuary of Honmon as well as all the other sacred treasures which belonged to the Daishonin. The following year, in the third year of Sho'o (1290) in October, under the generous support and protection of Nanjo Tokimitsu, Head Temple Taisekiji was founded at the foot of Mt. Fuji in Ueno. Since that time for the past 700 years, the One and Only True Buddhism of Nichiren Daishonin of the infinite past of Kuon-ganjo has been strictly protected and correctly transmitted down through the ages at the Nichiren Shoshu Head Temple Taisekiji. Today all the believers of Nichiren Shoshu throughout the world fervently wish and love to make pilgrimages to Taisekiji which has developed into a Great Dojo (the place to practice True Buddhism) and a fountainhead for the movement for worldwide Kosen - Rufu .
2.The Road to True Happiness
People all over the world when confronted with hardships, sorrows or difficulties ponder over the fastest and easiest way to solve or to overcome these problems. Yet it is never simple nor easy to discover the root cause of sufferings in human life. Happiness, in the true sense, does not merely mean being satiated with food, clothing and shelter nor does it signify simply living a life of comfort.
Nichiren Daishonin expounds in His teachings the One True Way to attain absolute and unwavering good fortune whereby all the people are able to fundamentally overcome the basic universal sufferings of being born, of old age, sickness and death as well as doubts and disillusionments which plague mankind, causing hardship and sorrow in life which no one can escape.
With strong commitment and a firm determination to make advancement in one's progress toward faith in the Daishonin's True Law, every single believer, without exception, will be able to purify one's life, maintain both spiritual and physical health, bring joy to one's family, enrich one's life, and above all, transform all of one's misfortunes into good fortune, and thereby achieve true happiness. Likewise nations currently besieged with racial strife or those continually tormented by civil wars will be able to bring about true peace and prosperity to their beloved homeland.