Reading List
The following book list is recommended reading. The first three titles are recommended highly to those wanting to know more about Buddhist practice. Awakening to the Lotus, is a excellent source for finding out about our order of Buddhism. These books are available from the NBIC. Some of the titles are available directly from their publisher or your local bookstore when marked with the * symbol.
"Awakening to the Lotus"
published by Nichiren Buddhist International Center. ISBN 0-9719645-0-5 An introduction into Nichiren Shu Buddhism. A handbook for those just beginning practice or as a resource for those who would like to know more about Nichiren Buddhism. This book contains an introduction to Buddhism with a short history of the Buddha, Nichiren Shonin's life, basic doctrine, an ouline of the Lotus Sutra, our practice as Nichiren Buddhist and explinations about Altars, Juzu (rosary) and holidays. (only available from the NBIC at this time) Get it at NBIC
"Shakyamuni Buddha"
by Nikkyo Niwano, published by Kosei, ISBN 4-333-01001-2 A narrative biography of the historical Buddha. * Get it at NBIC
"Basic Buddhist Concepts"
by Kogen Mizuno, published by Kosei, ISBN 4-333-01203-1 A basic primer for the study of Buddhism. Easy to read and understand. * Get it at NBIC
"Myoho Renge Kyo Romanized"
Liturgy book published by the New England Sangha, This is a romanization of the whole Lotus Sutra for traditional Shindoku reading. Click here for more information.
"The Lotus Sutra"
Translated by Senchu Murano, published by Nichiren Shu Shimbun. The Nichiren order follows the teachings of the Lotus Sutra as the highest teaching of the Buddha. Rev. Murano's translation is a wonderful easy to read translation of the Kumarajiva, Chinese version of the Myoho Renge Kyo. This translation is only available from NBIC or at this Temple. Get it at NBIC
"Introduction to the Lotus Sutra"
by Shinjo Suguro, published by Jain, ISBN 0-87573-078-7, Even though learning and reading the Lotus Sutra is best done with a Sangha and teacher, this text explains and illustrates many of the passages and meanings in the Lotus Sutra. It references the Murano translation above, but can be used with other translations of the Lotus Sutra. * Get it at NBIC
"Myo Ho Ren Ge Kyo Romanized"
Published by this Temple for those interested in chanting the whole Lotus Sutra in the traditional Shindoku pronunciation. This was originally published to help those on pilgrimage at Mt. Minobu. At the head Temple a section of the Sutra is read each day. In 32 days the whole Lotus Sutra has been chanted and they start over chanting again. The traditional Sutra is in eight fasicles. Each fasicle is divided into four parts, making a total of 32 parts. Click here to read more about this chanting book.
Writings of Nichiren Shonin
The "Showa Teihon Nichiren Shonin Ibun" (Writings of Nichiren Shonin stadardized in the Showa period) compliled by the "Rissho Daigaku Nichiren Kyogaku Kenkyu Jo" (Center for the Study of Nichiren Buddism) in four volumes and published by the Kuonji Temple in 1952 - 1959 are considedered the most authoritative collection of Nichiren Shonin's writings. Because of the difficulty of reading Nichiren Shonin's original writings, the Nichiren Shonin Zenshu (Complete Writings of Nichiren Shonin) were published in 1992, 1996, . . . as a way for everyone to be able to access these writings in an easy to read modern Japanese form. In 2000 the Nichiren Overseas Propagation Promotion Association started the translation of the 7 volumn Nichiren Shonin Zenshu. Even though this work is titled as a "complete writings" it only contains the writings that are considered bibliographically authentic in light of modern scholarship. Their are a couple of writings included in the 7 volumns that have questionable authenticity. These peices are marked as such in their introductions. Currently volumns 1-4 are available. 5 is scheduled to be released later this year (2007).
"Writings of Nichiren Shonin, Doctrine 1"
compiled by Kyotsu Hori and the Nichiren Shu Overseas Propagation Promotion Association (NOPPA), distributed by University of Hawaii Press, ISBN 0-8248-2733-3 A compiled volume of Nichiren Shonin's writings including the Rissho Ankoku-ron and the Senji Sho, 18 writings out of the Nichiren Shonin Zenshu (Complete Writings of Nichiren Shonin). * Get it at NBIC
"Writings of Nichiren Shonin, Doctrine 2"
compiled by Kyotsu Hori and the Nichiren Shu Overseas Propagation Promotion Association (NOPPA), distributed by University of Hawaii Press, ISBN 0-8248-2551-9 A compiled volume of Nichiren's writings including the Kaimoku Sho and the Kanjin Honzon Sho, 23 writings out of the Nichiren Shonin Zenshu (Complete Writings of Nichiren Shonin). * Get it at NBIC
"Writings of Nichiren Shonin, Doctrine 3"
compiled by Kyotsu Hori and the Nichiren Shu Overseas Propagation Promotion Association (NOPPA), distributed by University of Hawaii Press, ISBN 0-8248-2931-X A compiled volume of Nichiren's writings including the Hoon Jo and the Kyoki Jikoku Sho, 17 writings out of the Nichiren Shonin Zenshu (Complete Writings of Nichiren Shonin). * Get it at NBIC
"Writings of Nichiren Shonin, Faith and Practice, volume 4"
compiled by Kyotsu Hori and the Nichiren Shu Overseas Propagation Promotion Association (NOPPA), distributed by University of Hawaii Press, ISBN 978-0-8248-3301-5 A compiled volume of Nichiren's writings including the Urabon Gosho and the Shoho Jisso Sho, 27 writings out of the Nichiren Shonin Zenshu (Complete Writings of Nichiren Shonin). * Get it at NBIC
"Writings of Nichiren Shonin, Biography and Disciples, volume 5"
compiled by Kyotsu Hori and the Nichiren Shu Overseas Propagation Promotion Association (NOPPA), distributed by University of Hawaii Press, ISBN 978-0-8248-3180-6 A compiled volume of Nichiren's writings including the Fudo-Aizen Kanken-ki and the Toki-dono Gosho, 54 writings out of the Nichiren Shonin Zenshu (Complete Writings of Nichiren Shonin). * Get it at NBIC
"Writings of Nichiren Shonin, Followrs I, volume 6
compiled by Kyotsu Hori and the Nichiren Shu Overseas Propagation Promotion Association (NOPPA), distributed by University of Hawaii Press, ISBN 978-0-8248-3455-5 A compiled volume of Nichiren's writings to his followrs, including the Toki-dono Gohenji, Ota Nyudo-dono Gohenji and the Shijo Kingo-dono Gohenji, 56 writings out of the Nichiren Shonin Zenshu (Complete Writings of Nichiren Shonin). * Get it at NBIC
"Writings of Nichiren Shonin, 7" 'Coming Soon'
"Nichiren, Leader of Buddhist Reformation in Japan"
A biography of the founder of our order, Nichiren Shonin. written by J. A. Christensen and published by Jain publishing. ISBN 0-87573-086-8. Back Cover reads, "Nichiren Shonin was born in a turbulent time in Japanese history. Born as a fisherman's son in a small village, Nichiren was thrust into a world of deceit and treachery. He would be the object of the government's displeasure because of his calls for reform in Japanese society and a return to the thuth of the Buddhist Dharma. Her is a chronicle of this important figure of Japanese Buddhism which tells of his conflicts with the rulers of his time and of his teachings, Nichiren was a Buddhist reformer, who saw the Lotus Sutra as the cornerstone of the Dharma. His life and teachings continue to serve aas an inspiration and guide for people's lives today." A picture biography can be found here on the web.
"Nyonin Gosho"
A compiled volume of 22 of Nichiren's writings addressed to Female followers. A beautiful volumn of letters showing Nichiren Shonin's kindness, compassion and vision. This volumn edited and compiled by Kyotsu Hori and the Nichiren Shu Overseas Propagation Promotion Association (NOPPA), Many of the major writings have been translated by the Nichiren Overseas Propagation Promotion Association over the years. Please check the NBIC web page for this and other volumns of Nichiren Shonin's major writings. These volumns are hardbound and contain the Japanese on one page along with the English facing on the opposite page. (only available from the NBIC at this time) Get it at NBIC
These titles are available at your local bookstore:
"It's Easier Than You Think"
by Sylvia Boorstein, published by Harper, ISBN 0-06-251294-3 A very easy to read and understand explanation of the Buddha's first teaching. Sylvia uses stories and examples to explain the four noble truths and eight fold path.