Nikkyō Niwano KCSG (庭野日敬, Niwano Nikkyō, 1906–1999) was one of the founders and the first president of the Buddhist organization Risshō Kōsei Kai.
Nikkyō Niwano
KCSG | |
|---|---|
 | |
| President of Risshō Kōsei Kai (RKK) | |
| Great Teacher of the One Vehicle | |
| In office March 5, 1939 – November 15, 1991 | |
| Assumed office March 5, 1939 | |
| Preceded by | None, office created |
| Succeeded by | Nichiko Niwano |
| 1st President of Risshō Kōsei Kai | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1906-11-15)November 15, 1906 Niigata Prefecture, Japan |
| Died | October 4, 1999(1999-10-04) (aged 92) |
| Spouse | Sai Niwano |
| Children | Nichiko Niwano (son) |
| Relatives | Kosho Niwano (Granddaughter) |
| Known for | Religious work, founder of Risshō Kōsei Kai |
| Awards |
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| Website | Risshō Kōsei Kai |
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Born on November 15, 1906, to farmers, Nikkyō had a humble life in a small town. Later in his youth, he moved to Tokyo to work, where he began to study several different religions. During his studies, he attended a sermon on the Lotus Sutra and became a Buddhist.
Niwano had been actively involved with the Buddhist group Reiyūkai, and it was then that he encountered Myoko Naganuma and led her to convert to Reiyūkai. In 1938 they both attended a leaders meeting where the leadership of Reiyūkai made several comments stating that the Lotus Sutra was outdated. After discussing this matter with each other, they decided that they could not belong to an organization which held this type of view.[1] On March 5, 1938, they founded Risshō Kōsei Kai, holding the first meeting in Niwano's house.
Niwano was to be the President and Naganuma to be the vice-president. As the organization grew he gave up his job as a milkman and devoted himself full-time to the ministry. He became involved in interfaith activities and helped to found the World Conference of Religions for Peace in 1970. During this time he became involved in numerous religious and cultural conferences and gatherings, some of which include the Asian Conference on Religion and Peace and the 6th WCRP in Italy, where he presided over the WCRP alongside Pope John Paul II.[2] He also spoke on several occasions as the United Nations calling for world peace and the abolition of nuclear arms.
In 1991 he stepped down as president and was succeeded by his eldest son, Nichiko Niwano. Although retired, he continued to participate in interfaith and peace activities.
In 1979 Niwano was awarded the Templeton Foundation Prize for Progress in Religion. In 1992 he was made a Knight Commander with the Silver Star of the Order of St. Gregory the Great by the Vatican.
In 1993 Niwano was awarded the Interfaith Medallion from the International Council of Christians and Jews.
Author Daniel Montgomery writes that "no Buddhist leader in the World has become more widely known or showered with honours than him."[3]
Nikkyo Niwano died on October 4, 1999. He was cremated and some of his ashes were placed in the Precious Stupa of the One Vehicle, a small stupa located on the grounds of the group's headquarters.
| Buddhist titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by None |
Director General Rissho Kosei-kai March 5, 1938–March 28, 1943 |
Succeeded by Himself as President |
| Preceded by none |
President of Rissho Kosei-kai March 28, 1943–November 15, 1991 |
Succeeded by |