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- In-Person Beginner's Slow ChantingLandmark, Haverhill, MA
Broadcast Service Zoom ID: (592-315-1980)
e-mail: information@kosen-ji.org
Phone: 617-314-7782Please call or e-mail the temple for the password. We have had issues recently with “zoom bombing” and unfortunately have to take this step to keep the online space safe. If you are having issues getting into zoom after service has started please call and if we have staff available we will help you to get in. If you are unsure of how to use zoom, try logging in early we have the zoom open 30 minutes before the start of service.
Morning Service
During our Daily Services in Nichiren-Shu, we chant portions of the Lotus Sutra and the Odaimoku the “Great Title” of the Lotus Sutra; Namu Myoho Renge Kyo.Today we are practicing a version of the regular daily service that lay believers hold in front of their home altars in the morning and evening. Service usually lasts about 45 - 60 min. Links for the Simple Service PDF is listed below. The chanting done during this service is done at a slower pace which makes it a good place for beginners to start. There is plenty of time to ask questions, mark your books, and to really get down the basics of Nichiren Shu service.
Sections 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 type of meditation in itself. It is not necessary to understand academically while chanting in Shindoku as it is a form of meditation practice. At our temple we also believe strongly in understanding what we are reading and the meaning behind what we are chanting. For that reason; study sessions are held monthly on Tuesday nights, please see the meetup calendar.
PDF of our Simple Service Book:
files.meetup.com/1275091/SimpleServiceBook.pdfYouTube of Simple Service:
https://youtu.be/kGiXdSbAdeAwww.kosen-ji.org
Zoom ID: (592-315-1980) Call or Email for the password! - Zoom Link for Beginner's Slow Chanting OnlineLink visible for attendees
Broadcast Service Zoom ID: (592-315-1980)
e-mail: information@kosen-ji.org
Phone: 617-314-7782Please call or e-mail the temple for the password. We have had issues recently with “zoom bombing” and unfortunately have to take this step to keep the online space safe. If you are having issues getting into zoom after service has started please call and if we have staff available we will help you to get in. If you are unsure of how to use zoom, try logging in early we have the zoom open 30 minutes before the start of service.
Morning Service
During our Daily Services in Nichiren-Shu, we chant portions of the Lotus Sutra and the Odaimoku the “Great Title” of the Lotus Sutra; Namu Myoho Renge Kyo.Today we are practicing a version of the regular daily service that lay believers hold in front of their home altars in the morning and evening. Service usually lasts about 45 - 60 min. Links for the Simple Service PDF is listed below. The chanting done during this service is done at a slower pace which makes it a good place for beginners to start. There is plenty of time to ask questions, mark your books, and to really get down the basics of Nichiren Shu service.
Sections 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 type of meditation in itself. It is not necessary to understand academically while chanting in Shindoku as it is a form of meditation practice. At our temple we also believe strongly in understanding what we are reading and the meaning behind what we are chanting. For that reason; study sessions are held monthly on Tuesday nights, please see the meetup calendar.
PDF of our Simple Service Book:
files.meetup.com/1275091/SimpleServiceBook.pdfYouTube of Simple Service:
https://youtu.be/kGiXdSbAdeAwww.kosen-ji.org
Zoom ID: (592-315-1980) Call or Email for the password!
