Nichidatsu Fujii

Quick Facts: Who was Nichidatsu Fujii?

Subject:

Nichidatsu Fujii

Known for:

Founder of Nipponzan-Myōhōji, known for global peace pagoda construction.

Born:

1885

Died:

1985

Century / Era:

1885s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Nichidatsu Fujii (藤井 日達, Fujii Nichidatsu; August 6, 1885 – January 9, 1985) was a Japanese Buddhist monk, and founder of the Nipponzan-Myōhōji order of Buddhism. He is best known for his decision in 1947 to begin constructing Peace Pagodas in many locations around the world as shrines to world peace. Fujii was born into a peasant family in the wilderness of the Aso Caldera. At the age of 19, he was ordained a monk in the unusually ascetic and intellectual tradition of Hōon-ji in Usuki, Ōita. He started missionary activities in Manchuria in 1917, but the Great Kanto earthquake made him return to Japan in 1923.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

After reading Nichiren's declaration that the Lotus Sutra would one day be preached in India, he decided to go there. He arrived in Calcutta in January 1931 and walked throughout the town chanting the daimoku and beating a drum, a practice known as gyakku shōdai. In 1933, he met Mahatma Gandhi at his ashram in Wardha. Gandhi was honored by his presence, and added the daimoku to his ashram's prayers. He also gifted a small statue of Three Wise Monkeys to Gandhi.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

During World War II and despite the dangers to himself he declared himself in favour of pacifism and went round Japan actively promoting it. He later recollected: "The Pacific war raged ever more brutally. I could no longer...keep silent about the war, in which people were killing one another. Thus I traveled through the whole of Japan and preached resistance against the war and [advocated] the prayer for peace. It was a time in which any person who only spoke about resistance to the war, would go to prison because of that alone".

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1885: Birth of Nichidatsu Fujii — Founder of Nipponzan-Myōhōji, known for global peace pagoda construction.
2. 1917: 1917 Milestone — He started missionary activities in Manchuria in 1917, but the Great Kanto earthquake made him return to Japan in 1923.
3. 1931: 1931 Milestone — He arrived in Calcutta in January 1931 and walked throughout the town chanting the daimoku and beating a drum, a practice known as gyakku shōdai.
4. 1933: 1933 Milestone — In 1933, he met Mahatma Gandhi at his ashram in Wardha.
5. 1947: 1947 Milestone — He is best known for his decision in 1947 to begin constructing Peace Pagodas in many locations around the world as shrines to world peace.
6. 1985: Passing & Historical Legacy — Nichidatsu Fujii passed away on 1985, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Nichidatsu Fujii

True or False: “Nichidatsu Fujii first began his missionary activities in Manchuria before returning to Japan due to the Great Kanto earthquake.”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): He started missionary work in Manchuria in 1917 but was forced back to Japan following the Great Kanto earthquake in 1923.

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• 1885 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1885
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Frequently Asked Questions about Nichidatsu Fujii