What we’re about
***ZOOM ID: 592-315-1980 Please Email or message for current password***
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- Morning ServiceLink visible for attendees
Morning Service
Our temple has a formal morning service on Saturday mornings. Everyone is always welcome! See below for details of this event. We do encourage all members to come to Temple if they can to be with Sangha (membership). this is the best way to develop a good practice and friendship with fellow Sangha members. If you need to join via Zoom, please see the information below about logging in.Zoom Log-in: 592-315-1980 Email or message us for the most recent password if you need it! see end of this description for log on instructions.
Romanized Lotus Sutra
See the board in back of Hondo (main hall) for chanting sections for this week. If you are joining via the web, please see the Zoom Chat. Book available online at [https://www.lulu.com/spotlight/NichirenSangha/](Book available online at https://www.lulu.com/spotlight/NichirenSangha/)Black “A Phrase A Day” Book
Sokun (Founder’s Writings)
Passage that matches the corresponding day on the calendar. Book available online at [https://www.lulu.com/spotlight/NichirenSangha/](Book available online at https://www.lulu.com/spotlight/NichirenSangha/)Handout Link for parts used in service here at Kosen-Ji:
https://kosen-ji.org/downloads
This includes Yo ku ryo shu in English.
Chapter 21 Beppuzoku in English.
Holiday Sokun (for special services during holiday.During our morning service, we chant portions of the Lotus Sutra (dokyo reading) as well as its sacred title the Odaimoku "Namu Myoho Renge Kyo". This service is a version of the typical daily service practiced by Nichiren Shu members. The chanting in this service is done at a "fast" speed that might be intimidating to start, but it is a beautiful and worthwhile practice. Beginners may find it difficult at first but, with practice, they will be able to keep up and eventually add their voice to the Sangha. A slower chanting is available on Sundays for those learning how to chant. Service usually lasts about one hour. Service begins 5 minutes after scheduled time.
*The chapters from the Lotus Sutra are read in the traditional way (Chinese Characters with Japanese pronunciation) called "Shindoku". Shindoku is a form of faith reading and is a meditation in itself. It is not necessary to understand academically while chanting in Shindoku as it is a form of meditation practice. Study classes are held once a month for understanding the teachings of the Lotus Sutra and Nichiren Shonin’s writings in English.
A Dharma talk is held during service on Saturday. There is always time for questions before service starts (doors are open 30 minutes before service) or after service is over during coffee/tea time.
www.kosen-ji.org
SOME COPIES OF THE ROMANIZED LOTUS SUTRA AND MORNING & EVENING SERVICE ARE AVAILABLE AT THE TEMPLE TO BORROW FOR SERVICE.
We encourage practitioners to get their own copy of either the Romanized Lotus Sutra or a Yohon (Selected Writings of the Lotus Sutra) for performing service with us. Most liturgy books only have a couple of readings of the Lotus Sutra (2 and 16 are most common). Our Temple usually chants a large section of Yohon. You should also have a liturgy book with the parts of our liturgy. Morning & Evening Service contains the liturgy that we use at our Temple. Other Nichiren Shu Liturgy books would work as well. If you have questions about liturgy please email Ryuoh Shonin (ryuoh@comcast.net).
Some copies are available for purchase at the Temple. We do take credit cards.
Romanized Lotus Sutra is available at Lulu.com
< http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/NichirenSangha >
Yohon is available at NBIC
< http://www.nichiren-shu.org>
Morning & Evening Service
< http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/NichirenSangha >WE ARE LOCATED ON THE LOWER LEVEL OF THE LANDMARK BLDG.
SUITE 11Zoom Broadcast Service Meeting ID (592-315-1980)
- Download the client or app for your PC, tablet or phone.
(There is no fee for you to download this service.) - When the scheduled broadcast is to happen (see meetup calendar), then you will need to log onto Zoom or open the app. Press the join meeting button and put in the zoom meeting code (592-315-1980) 15 - 30 minutes before the scheduled broadcast.
- Please silence your microphone when entering the broadcast. During broadcast we will get an echo if you have your microphone on. During questions after service or before service feel free to un-mute and ask.
- Download the client or app for your PC, tablet or phone.
