- What
is Buddhism?
- What is RK?
- What is
RKLA?
- Who is
the Founder?
- Who
is President
Nichiko Niwano?
- Who is
the Cofounder?
- Faith & Practice
/Focus of Devotion?
- Sutra Recitation
/Hoza /Sharing the Teachings /Memorial Days?
- What is Hoza?
Buddhism comprises the teachings of Sakyamuni,
a prince of twenty-five hundred years ago who sought the way
to liberate humans from suffering. He achieved perfect
wisdom (enlightenment) and, preaching his teachings based on
the Dharma, brought many people to enlightenment.
What is RK?
RK or Rissho Kosei-kai is a Buddhist organization
composed of ordinary men and women who have faith in the Buddha
and strive to share the Buddha’s compassion by applying
his teachings, as interpreted by Founder Nikkyo Niwano, in their
daily lives.
RKLA or the Rissho Kosei-kai of Los Angeles
is a congregation of Rissho Kosei-kai believers and practitioners
located in Southern California and contiguous areas of Nevada
and Arizona. Incorporated as a nonprofit religious organization,
RKLA centers its activities in the main Church in the Boyle
Heights area of the City of Los Angeles.
Born
in Niigata Prefecture in 1906, Founder Nikkyo Niwano was
inspired by his grandparents and parents to a love of peace
and harmony, and service to others. Seeking a spiritual discipline
embracing these ideals, Founder Niwano discovered the Lotus
Sutra through a series of lectures, and, along with Mrs. Myoko
Naganuma, founded a lay Buddhist organization in 1938. His
vision of world peace expanded to include interreligious
cooperation, where his successes lead to recognition at
the highest level by global religions.
President
Nichiko Niwano, the first son of Founder Nikkyo Niwano,
was born in 1938, and devoted his early life to Buddhist studies
and practice. In 1991, he ascended to the presidency in
the ceremony of Inheritance of the Lamp of the Dharma. He
has continued in the path of his father in disseminating
the teachings throughout the world and actively supporting
and participating in interreligious organizations.
Mrs.
Myoko Naganuma was born in 1889 in Saitama Prefecture.
Guided into the teachings by Founder Niwano, she was a charismatic
and compassionate leader, dedicating her life rendering
service to and rescuing people from dire poverty, incurable
illness, or domestic discord, and guiding them to the Buddha’s
Way.
The
core of faith and practice is the teachings of Sakyamuni as
explained in the Lotus Sutra and interpreted by Founder Nikkyo
Niwano. The Focus of Devotion is the standing image
of Sakyamuni, as interpreted in the images in each Kosei-kai
Church.
Sutra
recitation is a basic practice, performed both at the family
altars of members and at the Churches each day of practice. Sharing
the Teachings is the means of disseminating the teachings
in an effort to save others from suffering. Memorial
Days are periodic celebrations to commemorate members’ ancestors,
particularly the Spring and Fall Equinoxes and the Urabon
ceremony.
Hoza (Circle of
Compassion) is a gathering of members in an atmosphere that
fosters growth and develops
flexible minds. It is a time for sharing and listening
to the problems people have and help resolve
the problems through the Buddha's teachings. By listening
to different perspectives, we enhance our
lives and realize our true connection to others. In hoza,
each member can purifies his or her mind through
the compassionate actions of striving help others overcome their
everyday sufferings in the saha world. This
is the essence of embracing the Bodhisattva way.
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