1. New Religions #7 Rissho- Kosei- Kai （立正佼成会）
Masayo Urasaki
31 July 2012

2. Today’s Class Goal
1)To understand Rissho-Kose-kai’s brief history and background.
2)To understand the characteristics of Rissho-Kosei Kai’s social movement.
3) Preparation for the mid-term exam.

3. Keywords Mr. Nikkyo Niwano（庭野 日敬） Mrs.Myouko Naganuma（長沼 妙佼）
Senzo Kuyou（先祖供養）
Oya kou kou （親孝行）
Bosatsu　gyou（菩薩行）
Hoza（法座）
Shinshu Ren/ （新宗連）

4. What is Rissho Kosei Kai （立正佼成会）？
The second largest New Religious Organization (Lay person) in Japan
Rissho Kosei Kai　（立正佼成会）
　立　ritsu　→　stand　　　正 shou　→ right
　佼　kou →　meet/cross 成 　sei　→ achievement
“Stand the right teaching and achieve the personality through mutual interaction”
・Official membership count is 4,288,466
・Church (Domestic 238 , Overseas 21 countries)

5. Headquarter & Object of Worship
Great Secret Hall /Daiseido（大聖堂）at Tokyo.
Eternal Buddha Shakamuni / Kuon Jiitsujyou syakyamuni Seson（久遠実成釈迦牟尼世尊）
Depend on Sutra : Lotus Sutra

6. Founder and Co-Founder
Nikkyo born at Niigata pref. under the poor former.
After several practices,he had faith to “Reiyu Kai（霊友会）at Tokyo.
Founded RKK on 1938 with Mrs.Myoko
Myoko born at Saitama Pref. She was so heavy ill but recovered after have faith with. She was just like a shaman.
Founder
Mr.Nikkyo
Niwano
( )
Co-Founder Mrs.Myoko Naganuma
( )

7. RKK’s Path and Main Teaching
1)To develop as bodhisattvas (those who seek Enlightenment both for themselves and others).
2)To realize Shakyamuni Buddha's message: all beings are on this Path.
3)To bring peace to our families, communities, countries, and to the world.
Three Teachings
(See the brochure)
1) Worship ancestor /Senzo Kuyou（先祖供養）
2)Be filial piety to parents/Oya kou kou
（親孝行）
3) Actions Compassionately/ Bosatsu　gyou（菩薩行)

8. Spread to membership and Social Reaction
Under the WWII, Nikkyo and Myoko was arrested of “the crime of non respect”
Rapid increasing of member since ’s . In 1956, Anti- RKK Campaign occurred by Yomiuri Newspapers.
Crisis of division inside RKK. Some members respect Myoko than Nikkyo.They planed to change Nikkyo into Myoko for the president.

9. Daily Practices of RKK member
1) Sutra Recitation
Every Morning and Evening before the Buddhist alters
2) Hoza: Circle of Compassion
Group Counseling
3) Sharing the teachings to the people 　
4) Memorial Days and Uposatha Days
Every month 4th, 10th , 15th
5) Annual Memorial Days and Special Ceremonies and Events

10. Toward Political attitude
’s, Sokka Gakkai has powers to Politics directly. So, RKK was also influenced by this affair.
RKK and other New Religions Organization founded “Shinshu-ren （新宗連）/Federation of New Religious Organization in Japan” to keep the Freedom of Faith/ Interfaith cooperation”

11. Towards Social action
Nikkyo invited private audience with PoPe VI the second Vatican Council in 1965
　→　Interfaith cooperation（宗教協力）
WCRP (World Conference Religion and Peace)　since　1970.　
IARF (Interfaith Association of Religion and Freedom)
Volunteer Activities for Creating Brilliant Society/ Akarui syakai tsukuri Undo（明るい社会づくり運動）

12. Succession to next generation
President Nichiko NIwano, the first son of the Nikkyo Niwano.
Succession in 1991
President Designate Mrs.Kosho Niwano
(first daughter of
Nichiko)
Pre 12