What we’re about
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We are the Nichiren Buddhist Sangha of Greater New England (Shingo-Zan Kosen-Ji 眞行山廣宣寺) a Nichiren Shu temple located in Haverhill, MA. Nichiren Shu Buddhism came to the U.S. with Japanese practitioners over 100 years ago and has now become accessible here in New England with services and Dharma talks conducted in English. We are also the first outside of Japan to to become a branch temple of Saijo Inari Zan Myokyo-Ji (最上稲荷山妙教寺) in Okayama, Japan.
We offer a form of Buddhist practice based on the Lotus Sutra and the teachings of the 12th century monk Nichiren Shonin. While there are nearly forty schools of Buddhism based on Nichiren’s teachings, we are the orthodox school practicing Mahayana Buddhism based on the Lotus Sutra. Our main temple is Minobu-zan Kuon-Ji（身延山久遠寺）located in Minobu, Japan. We have rich traditions and rituals modeled closely on practices in Japan and our services combine shindoku (faith reading) with modern English for understandability. We enshrine and offer amulets for many deities and Bodhisattvas at our temple; including our main protector Inari (最上位経王大菩薩), Daikoku-Ten, Kishimojin, Kanzeon, Tuer Shen (protector of the LGBTQ community), and many others.
We offer meditation, Lotus Sutra study, study of Nichiren Shonin's writings, and sutra chanting practices on a regular basis. We are known as the “noisy” Buddhists because of our intense, percussive manner of chanting and use of drums in service. All are welcome, no experience necessary, or classes required before attendance. Special ceremonies such as weddings, memorial services, child blessing, etc. can be arranged by appointment.
If you are new to Buddhism, you can watch a typical service on our Youtube page (link below). We also suggest you attend our slow chanting service on Sundays, to learn more about the practice of Buddhism and to answer any questions you have about getting started with your practice.
Visit our official website here: www.kosen-ji.org You can also learn more about Nichiren Shu and our temples around the world here: www.nichiren-shu.org
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Reidan ServiceLink visible for attendees
Reidan Service is open to all, but you will need the Reidan Liturgy Book to fully participate. If you are a beginner, you may want to practice Sutra chanting before coming to Reidan Service. The chanting can be a little on the fast side. Talk to the minister if you are not sure.
Reidan Service uses a special Liturgy Book. This book is available from our website and is also contained within Morning & Evening Service available on Lulu.com.
We broadcast all of our services via Zoom.
Zoom Link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5923151980?pwd=dUNqQVJYa1hTZ01qTHlCWFBOMlM5QT09Please email/message the temple if you need the most recent zoom password!
Reidan services are held once a month. Reidan is a esoteric (metaphysical) Buddhist practice. The Chinese character for Rei translates as spirit. Dan translates as decision or judgement. It is a expedient means that many Nichiren Buddhist practice and benefit from. It is often referred to as cross Buddhism. The symbol is a lotus flower with two intersecting lines within. The lines of the cross represent heaven (vertical line) and human beings (horizontal line). The heavenly realm and human realm are together. This is the Buddha's pure land. This is shown within the Lotus Sutra in chapter 16.
Ga shi do an non, ten nin jo ju man
In reality this world of mine is peaceful, it is filled with gods and men,Those who practice Reidan wear an O-fuda (amulet) of the Gushoreijin and chant the sacred title, Namu Myoho Renge Kyo.
According to the Kegon Sutra (Flower Garland Sutra), when one is born two deities are born with you on your shoulders. These deities are called : Dosho Ten (same birth) and Domyo Ten (same name).You may think of these as your own guardian angels or your own divine nature. In the Yakushi Sutra (Medicine Buddha Sutra) these deities are referred to as the Kushojin. We refer to these two deities as the Gushoreijin (goo show ray gin). Once a month at the reidan service those who wear the Gushoreijin-fu, replace their old amulet with a new one. The monthly service allows us to deeply reaffirm are practice and vows as followers of the Lotus Sutra and Nichiren Shonin. The amulet is a daily reminder of our Bodhisattva practice.
Through the practice and study of reidan principles we see consciousness and the mind in a different way. The founder of our order Nichiren Shonin, would tell us that when we chant, we are Buddhas. We can gain understanding into our past, our present and our future. Concepts of the Sandaihiho (Three Great Secreat Dharmas) and Ichinen Sanzen (3000 moments in one thought) are studied along with Kushiki (nine consciousness theory) and other Buddhist doctrine.
"When the sky is blue, the land is bright, so those who know the Lotus Sutra can see the reasons for occurrences in the world. For those who are incapable of understanding the truth of the 3,000 existences contained in one thought, Lord Sakyamuni Buddha, with his great compassion, wraps this jewel with the five characters of myo, ho, ren, ge and kyo and hangs it around the neck of the ignorant in the latter age of degeneration. The four great bodhisattvas will protect such people, just as T’ai-kung-wang and the Duke of Chou assisted the young ruler, King Chen, of the Chou dynasty, or the four elders of the Shang-shan attended child Emperor Hui of the Han dynasty in ancient China." Nichiren Shonin's writing Kanjin Honzon Sho
Learn more by joining the Reidan service and/or speaking with Ryuoh Faulconer Shonin.
www.kosen-ji.org
