Nichiren Shoshu Myoshinji

This review is for both Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism and its temple in extension. If you are looking for true Buddhism, this denomination is it. For me, this Buddhism isn’t just the true Buddhism but the truth about life and this Universe in general. I have been looking for answers in different religions, Christian, Catholic, and many other Buddhism. However, Nichiren Shoshu is the only one religion that is true, no paradox, and never disappoints when it comes to its teaching. It does not mean of course, my life is all dainty and happy after knowing this Buddhism. On the other hand, I will say there are more challenges and more problems arising. However, this Buddhism really help me see the truth and be more brave. After being a member for 10 days and more, my life isn’t without challenges but I know in my heart for sure, this is it, the true and only religion. If you have questions about life that need to be answered, come and talk to the priest and members here. The priest is very kind and open to discuss everything he knows about this Buddhism. Best,

Ano, Amerika e yohkoso! (Weli, welcome to America)! Might as well forget about doing so-​called ‘shakubuku’! (‘Break and subdue’ or more colloquially, introduction to Nichiren Shoshu school of Buddhism). Americans have become so indoctrinated and brainwashed by corporate media here as to become socially isolated (from each other). In order to reach people (hence doing shakubuku) it means personal contact and discourse. With this social isolation through such corporations as brought on by Apple Computer and their iPhone (and iPods) with earphones, as half the public now walks about wearing earphones, people have become socially isolate. Thus trying to reach people now is next to impossible!
The original purpose to keep people socially apart from each other is to keep them meek, and in perpetual state of fear. Why? As to prevent any sense of solidarity and any chance of forming such movements as 99%. Corporations of course don’t want opposition and unified opposition to criminal activity they have been carrying out lately. Hitler, former Soviet Union and many other autocratic fascist regimes have employed similar pacifiers, though not as high tech, as to keep their general public isolate.
Side effect is this depression and loneliness of public through this social separation and thus accelerates this withdrawal even further. It is parallel to ‘hikikomori’ (social withdrawal) a phenomenon beginning in Japan and spreading worldwide.
One other comment here, with this new rising situation, for all intents and purposes, there is effectively no longer a real United States of America as country. One may not realise it, but country is not mere land mass or property, it is sense of community. With social isolationism, that destroys sense of community. We as Japanese who know as we are group culture with strong sense of community, any one country can only exist as community of its people. Without that, there is no viable country. Thus America is only ‘country’ in title (name) only. For all intents and purposes with this total lack of solidarity, social contact and community there is no longer viable country here! America has for all purposes has actually been technically destroyed!
So better forget about it. Doing shakubuku means of course social contact. That has all but become now impossible in Amerika. People (especially us younger crowd) has become zombiefied and enslaved to fear. I for one knowing of this phenomenon (as BTW University of Washington in Seattle has whole new faculty or department dedicated to research on this one phenomenon) it is virtually impossible for me to also become indoctrinated as even trying to become so, mere fact of knowing how this sort of thing works consciously destroys any chance of such having effect on me or others who also know of mechanics of this phenomenon. So, sorry to state that growth for NST will be rather stifled due to this growing problem. (BTW same holds true with arch rival SGI).
Such a Shame in America!

I am giving NST only 3 stars, because my judgement is neutral for the moment. It has been YEARS since I have visited this temple when I was still a member of the now former NSA organisation (well before the split with Gakkai and the untimely Transition of the 66^th High Priest Nitatsu Shonin).
My feelings of Nichiren Shoshu AT THAT TIME were rather negative perhaps due to the taint by the Soka Gakkai’s influence. However I must say that my only positive moments whilst in the NSA movement were when I had received Gojukai at the now former Ediwanda Temple in Southern California and indeed upon visiting the Myoshin-​ji in Pinole, Ca. which at that time I had no idea was strictly Shoshu and not part of the Soka Gakkai proper.
I had tried in all honest and good faith to rejoin the Soka Gakkai, and each time had ended up in total disillusionment and disgust. The corruption and their so-​called «leadership» is grossly flawed, inclusive of spreading false rumour of unethical and illegal activity against those who choose to distance themselves from the organisation.
The CONSTANT slander and bad-​mouthing of Shoshu has also been so unprofessional and «unbuddhist-​like» and indeed very cultish indeed. Their so-​called «president» Ikeda Daisaku has constantly become embroiled in scandal after scandal, both politically and professionally. (He now is making the insane claim that he alone is the «reincarnation» of Nichiren Daishonin)!
Now, I would like to honestly investigate and «test out» the NST and see for myself that hopefully I would receive a warm welcome for someone who is a former NSA member and who has been so «trashed» by the Gakkai (to use an American expression). However, I must say that I am not a «half-​way» sort of person. IF I were to join the NST «full fledged» I would most definitly hope that I would be able to qualify to join the priesthood myself. (I heard rumours of possible age ristrictions and that one must be racially Japanese). Hopefully this is just that… rumour!
Also if someone could respond to this comment as well as transport. How easy (or difficult) would it be to get to from San Francisco not having access to a car?
Thank you kindly! NMRK!

As a former member of SGI-​USA, I had heard a lot from them about «the Priesthood issue», which was a covert way of referring to strained relations with Nichiren Shoshu. I was told the Priests are greedy, mean, and power-​hungry. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth.
The Priests are kind, warm, and approachable. The members are open, caring, and loving. The Temple and its administrators value the privacy of the members. I have taken many friends as my guest to the Temple, out of my pride and love for this Temple. It is a very comfortable, even transformative place to be. I find myself making excuses to go there weekly, all the way from Fremont to Pinole!
If you are interested in creating peace, joy, and fullfilment in your life, the Buddhism of Nichiren Shoshu is for you! Come check out our Temple!!!