Nikkō Shōnin

Nikkō (日興) (1246-1333), also known as Nikkō Shōnin, is the founder of the Nichiren Shoshu school of Japanese Buddhism.

On October 8, 1282, Nikko was designated by Nichiren as one of the principal disciples (later known as the six elders) to carry on his faith. On October 13, Nikko was designated the chief priest of Kuonji Temple at Mt. Minobu. Nichiren passed away later on the same day.

Nikko then claimed that he has been designated as Nichiren's sole successor, and produced a document dated September 1282 as well as his position as the chief priest of Nichiren's chief temple to back this up. The claim were rejected by the other 5 disciples, and Nichiren Buddhism split into the Nichiren Shoshu sect headed by Nikko, and the Nichiren Shu sects led by the other 5 disciples.

In the spring of 1289 Nikko Shonin carried the Dai-Gohonzon, Nichiren Daishonin’s ashes and out of Mt. Minobu with his disciples, and founded a new temple named Taisekiji to serve as the headquarters of Nichiren Shoshu.