Our Mission

OUR MISSION

New York Nichiren Buddhist Temple

Mission

Statement

New York Nichiren Buddhist Temple is a temple of the Eternal Buddha Sakyamuni as revealed in Chapter 16 of the Lotus Sutra, who teaches us to live in accordance with the doctrinal principles of the “Four Debts of Gratitude,” as expounded by Nichiren Shōnin:

How much more should students of Buddhism realize the favors they receive and show gratitude for them? Disciples of the Buddha should not fail to feel grateful for the four favors and repay them.

Nichiren Shōnin

開目抄, Kaimoku-shō (The Opening of the Eyes)

we vow to repay our debt of gratitude to our parents;

we vow to repay our debt of gratitude to all living beings;

we vow to repay our debt of gratitude to the land in which we live;

— and —

we vow to repay our debt of gratitude to the Three Treasures: the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha.