Nichiren Shoshu and the Three Treasures

Nichiren Shoshu and the Three Treasures

Safwan Darshams

In Buddhist tradition, the Three Treasures are :

  • the Buddha,
  • the Law, and :
  • the Samgha (Buddhist Order, or Community of Believers)

The Treasure of “Buddhist Order” is claimed by the priesthood as “priests' property” (excluding laity ):

The Priesthood:  

The Treasure of the Priest includes   
all the Head Priests and assistant Priests, who with absolute
faith in and obedience to the instruction of the High Priest ,
are dispatched to each local temple as his representatives.”

DaiNichiren publication, page 13

SGI :


The Treasure of “Buddhist Order” or “Community of Believers” means:

all lay believers and priests alike: 

https://www.nichirenlibrary.org/en/dic/Content/S/25

In the Orally Transmitted Teachings, page 205, Nichiren states the following:

“Keeping in mind the Order means keeping in mind the practitioners

who are ordinary mortals in the Latter Day of the Law”.

By “Order” Nichiren refers to the Buddhist Order or the Sangha, and Nichiren specifically mentioned and focused on ordinary people - whom ShoShu priesthood exclude from being within the Treasure of Community of Believers.

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