In the aftermath of World War II, Japan witnessed a remarkable transformation in how some branches of Buddhism engaged with peace and social issues. Among the most active voices in this movement were schools rooted in the Nichiren tradition, a form of Japanese Buddhism that originally bore a strong sectarian tone. Surprisingly, it is this very tradition — known for its militant founder Nichiren Daishōnin — that has produced some of the most prominent modern Buddhist peace movements.
Nipponzan Myōhōji, a small monastic order inspired by Nichiren’s teachings, has become globally known for its dedication to world peace. Its founder, Nichidatsu Fujii (1885–1985), was deeply influenced by Mahatma Gandhi, whom he met in India in 1933. Fujii believed fervently in the precept against killing, rejecting all justifications for violence — including Nichiren’s controversial teaching that killing a tyrant might be acceptable for the greater good. Instead, he insisted: “Never take the lives of others, either good or evil.” His commitment led him to fast for peace during World War II, and after the war, he initiated the construction of over sixty Peace Pagodas, including prominent ones in Hiroshima, Nagasaki, India, Sri Lanka, and even the United Kingdom .
Another prominent Nichiren-inspired organization is the Sōka Gakkai, or “Value-Creating Society.” It is one of the most influential modern lay movements in Japan and internationally. Sōka Gakkai promotes peace education, cultural exchange, and anti-nuclear advocacy. Its leader, Daisaku Ikeda, has argued that modern military power cannot be justified, calling for a return to basic humanitarian principles. The group has mounted exhibitions on the horrors of war, published works detailing Japan’s militaristic past, and stressed the global interdependence of humanity .
A third group, Risshō Kōsei-kai, also blends devotion to the Lotus Sūtra with strong peace activism. Founded in 1938, this lay Buddhist movement emphasizes repentance for Japan’s wartime actions. In the 1970s, its youth built a Friendship Tower in the Philippines to atone for the suffering inflicted during the war. Its leader, Nikkyo Niwano, offered prayers of apology at war memorials in Singapore and China and expressed sorrow over events like the bombing of Pearl Harbor .
Together, these Nichiren-based movements illustrate how Buddhism can be a force for reconciliation and transformation, even when emerging from traditions once linked to religious exclusivity or nationalist fervor. Through symbolic structures like peace pagodas, public confessions of wrongdoing, and sustained activism against war and nuclear weapons, these groups have reinterpreted Nichiren’s passionate concern for society into a global ethic of compassion and non-violence.