President Nichiko Niwano, the first son of Founder
Nikkyo Niwano, was born in 1938. He entered the Faculty of Buddhist Studies at
Rissho University in 1958. After graduating from the university's Graduate
School in 1968, he entered Rissho Kosei-kai and held the offices of head of the
Dissemination Department and president of the Rissho Kosei-kai seminary.
On November 15, 1991, the birthday of
Founder Niwano, he succeeded to the presidency from him in the ceremony of the
Inheritance of the Lamp of the Dharma.
Since he was inaugurated as president, he has continued
to disseminate the teachings throughout Japan, emphasizing the necessity of
enriching one's own inner spirituality by assuming modest attitudes. He firmly
believes in walking on the Buddha's Way side by side with other
members.
President Niwano wants Rissho Kosei-kai always to walk
correctly on the Buddha's Way by following Founder Niwano's teachings based on
the Lotus Sutra. He says: "The first principle of Buddhism is to revere with a
warm heart and a flexible mind all things that have life. For that, it is
essential to recognize the truth of transience." Thus he teaches members that
they should become aware of the value and wonder of life.
President
Niwano is vice-chairman of Shinshuren, president of the Niwano Peace Foundation,
a president of the World Conference on Religion and Peace (WCRP), and a
president of the Asian Conference on Religion and Peace (ACRP). He has been
vigorously active in interreligious cooperation with the WCRP and other
organizations.
His writings published in English include Modern
Meditations, The Inward Path, and My Father, My Teacher.
Rissho Kosei-kai President
Nichiko Niwano