The mutual possession of the ten realms is a concept of special importance in Nichiren Buddhism that has been the subject of continuous study among its practitioners. It is made up of three intertwined concepts that leads to the notion of three thousand realms in a single moment. We can all look at this differently based on our personal experiences and our desire to see the world change based on our efforts. Our focus is needed now in view of the events taking over our world. Can we make a difference? Let’s find out.

Hokke icon and identity

• Recap of previous presentation

• The post-Nichiren: a natural process

• “Hokke” identities through the calligraphic mandala

• Divide et impera: “pax tokugawana”, art and belief

• Society and history reflected on the mandala.

• Haibutsukishaku: Abolish Buddhism and destroy Śākyamuni.

• Superstition, ruin, and revitalizations

• Unicity that transcends

Nichiren’s works

• Recap of previous presentation

• Thinking visually: visual experience and effects on the nervous system

• «Reading images», what our brain sees.

• The Buddha’s «voice»

• Typologies of mandalas

• Evolution of Nichiren’s expression

• The assembly in the air (kokū-e) and “eternal return”

• Personal and collective performance

• Undeletable remnants of Nichiren’s actions

• History reflexed in the mandala.

• “Hokke” transmission and identity

The Nichiren Mandala master class traces the history of mandalas in Buddhism, starting from the earliest times to Nichiren Shonin’s life and onward to today. This master class offers a unique approach to understanding Nichiren’s calligraphic mandala that is disentangled from theology. The classes present the calligraphic mandala in Nichiren’s tradition as an ingenious tool of communication, which not only defined his entire career but paved the way to the widespread diffusion of his teaching. This master class offers all who are interested in the use of mandalas as an object of religious veneration (Gohonzon) to evoke awakening a detailed understanding of their origins and construction.

Origins

• Foreword

• From the caves to symbolism: image and sign

• The power of images: Buddha’s image and Buddhist narrative

• Kūkai and the mandalas of the Heian period

• Iconography and “Hokke” art

• Medieval art and the idea of «mappō»

• Possible influences of Nichiren

• The idea of “savior”: Hōnen and Nichiren

• Fudō, Aizen and the Stūpa

• Nichiren’s first mandala

• The Sado exile: legends and historical reality